Building Civic Infrastructure: Implementing Community Partnership Grant Programmes in South Africa

This article examines recent efforts to establish Community Partnership Grant Programmes (CPG) in six South African communities. CPG programmes provide the financial and organizational infrastructure to support citizen-initiated neighbourhood projects

The Volatility Trend of Protosolar and Terrestrial Elemental Abundances

We present new estimates of protosolar elemental abundances based on an improved combination of solar photospheric abundances and CI chondritic abundances. These new estimates indicate CI chondrites and solar abundances are consistent for 60 elements. We compare our new protosolar abundances with our recent estimates of bulk Earth composition (normalized to aluminium), thereby quantifying the devolatilization in going from the solar nebula to the formation of the Earth. The quantification yields a linear trend $\log(f) = \alpha\log(T_C) + \beta$, where $f$ is the Earth-to-Sun abundance ratio and $T_C$ is the 50$\%$ condensation temperature of elements. The best fit coefficients are: $\alpha = 3.676\pm 0.142$ and $\beta = -11.556\pm 0.436$. The quantification of these parameters constrains models of devolatilization processes. For example, the coefficients $\alpha$ and $\beta$ determine a critical devolatilization temperature for the Earth $T_{\mathrm{D}}(\mathrm{E}) = 1391 \pm 15$ K. The terrestrial abundances of elements with $T_{C} < T_{\mathrm{D}}(\mathrm{E})$ are depleted compared with solar abundances, whereas the terrestrial abundances of elements with $T_{C} > T_{\mathrm{D}}(\mathrm{E})$ are indistinguishable from solar abundances. The terrestrial abundance of Hg ($T_C$ = 252 K) appears anomalously high under the assumption that solar and CI chondrite Hg abundances are identical. To resolve this anomaly, we propose that CI chondrites have been depleted in Hg relative to the Sun by a factor of $13\pm7$. We use the best-fit volatility trend to derive the fractional distribution of carbon and oxygen between volatile and refractory components ($f_\mathrm{vol}$, $f_\mathrm{ref}$). We find ($0.91\pm 0.08$, $0.09 \pm 0.08$) for carbon and ($0.80 \pm 0.04$, $0.20 \pm 0.04$) for oxygen.Comment: Accepted for publication in Icarus. 28 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables. Compared to v1, the results and conclusion are the same, while discussion of results and implications is expanded considerabl

Reducing uncertainty – responses for electricity utilities to severe solar storms

Until recently, electricity utilities in mid- and low-latitude regions believed that solar storms had no (or only insignificant) effect on their power systems. Then it was noticed that the onset of damage in several large transformers, leading to their failure, correlated very closely with the Halloween storm of 2003. Since then engineers have started to appreciate that a very severe storm could have serious consequences outside the high-latitude regions. There are many uncertainties in predicting the effects of solar storms on electrical systems. The severity and time of arrival of a storm are difficult to model; so are the geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) expected to flow in the power networks. Published information about the responses of different types of transformers to GICs is contradictory. Measurements of the abnormal power flows in networks during solar storms generally do not take into account the effects of the current distortion and unbalance, potentially giving misleading signals to the operators. The normal requirement for optimum system management, while allowing for the possibility of faults caused by lightning, birds and other causes, limits the capacity of system operators to respond to the threats of GICs, which are not assessed easily by the N − 1 reliability criterion. A utility’s response to the threat of damage by GICs depends on the expected frequency and magnitude of solar storms. Approaches to formulating a response are located in a system model incorporating space physics, network analysis, transformer engineering, network reliability and decision support and the benefits are identified. Approaches adopted in high-latitude regions might not be appropriate where fewer storms are expected to reach damaging levels. The risks of an extreme storm cannot be ignored, and understanding the response mechanisms suitable for low-latitude regions has the capacity to inform and reduce the uncertainty for power systems planners and operators worldwide

A structural analysis of the El Kasr structure in the western desert of Egypt

The El Kasr structure was studied in order to investigate the origins and evolution of the enigmatic Desert Eyes structures of the Western Desert due to its accessibility and uniqueness among the structures. The El Kasr structure, an elongate structural basin with low limb dips, is unique among the Desert Eyes structures in that it: 1) occurs in isolation in otherwise horizontal sedimentary rock, 2) the long dimension of the basin is oriented NNW, 3) it is closely spatially associated with the less common NNW fault zones, and 4) is composite in nature. The structure was investigated using remote sensing and field mapping techniques. The structure is defined by basins of prominent carbonates and associated siliclastics. Both basins defining the structure have broad interlimb angles. The structure is truncated along the southwest by a prominent normal fault zone. Evidence for an eastern fault system includes truncation of layers of Dakhla Formation that strike at a high angle to the structure and terminate along possible drag folds and layers of Dakhla Formation that are locally steeply dipping, offset by numerous small faults, and rotated from the strike of the basin. The El Kasr structure occurs in the hanging wall(s) between two fault systems, which appear to merge south of the structure, as an elongated basin sub-parallel to the trace of these faults. Balanced cross-sections of the structure suggest that the El Kasr structure formed within a transtensional zone between overlapping left-lateral strike-slip zones. The sedimentary cover within this zone deformed by drape folding along the margins of the transtensional zone as well as plastic deformation over a graben that developed in the Precambrian basement. The investigation of the El Kasr structure suggests that other Desert Eye structures may have formed through interactions between fault segments and deformation related to rheology --Abstract, page iii

Cascade Approaches to Polycyclic Natural Products

The projects discussed in this thesis cover the total syntheses of molecules in two different areas of natural products chemistry: the polyphenolic compounds dalesconols A and B and the coccinellid alkaloids psylloborine A, isopsylloborine A, and related monomeric structures. While polyphenols and alkaloids generally have little in common, the studies detailed herein have employed cascade-based strategies to access the rigid, strained cores contained within all selected targets. The ability of cascade chemistry to rapidly form high levels of molecular complexity and introduce elements of considerable difficulty, such as rigid fused-ring systems and quaternary chiral centers, has been applied to the chosen molecules. The results of these studies have demonstrated the power of cascade-based core formation to rapidly assemble complex, polycyclic architectures in two different classes of natural products

Physicochemical studies on polysaccharides

The work described in this thesis deals with aspects of the physical chemistry of polysaccharides, with special reference to the determination of their molecular size. The general problems involved in such studies have already been summarized, and the pertinent literature reviewed (1, 12b). Whilst most of the work detailed here has been carried out on starch and its components, some other polysaccharides have been investigated. (No attempt, however, has been made to investigate cellulose or its derivatives.)01. "The Size and Shape of Some Polysaccharide Molecules ", by C.T. Greenwood, Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry, 1952, 7, pp. 289-332. || 02. "A Simple Electrometer for Small-scale Potentiometric Titrations", by D.M.W. Anderson and C.T. Greenwood, Chemistry and Industry , 1953, P 476. || 03. "The Characterization of Branched a- 1:4- Glucosans ", by D.M.W. Anderson and C.T. Greenwood, Chemistry and Industry, 1953, p. 642. || 04. "A Physico-chemical Examination of the Capsular Polysaccharide from an Amylolytic Sheep Rumen Streptococcus ", by C.T. Greenwood, Biochemical Journal, 1954, 2, pp. 151-153. || 05. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part I. The Characterization of the Starch present in the Seeds of the Rubber Tree, Hevea brasiliensis ", by C.T. Greenwood and J.S.M. Robertson, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1954, PP- 3769-3778. || 06. "Observations on Some Possible Errors in Osmometry ", by W. N. Broatch and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of Polymer Science, 1954, 2. 4, PP- 593-595. || 07. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part II. The Oxidation of Starches by Potassium Metaperiodate ", by D.M.W. Anderson, C.T. Greenwood and E.L. Hirst, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1955, pp. 225-231. || 08. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part III. The Interaction of Starches and Branched a-1:4- Glucosans with Iodine; and a Valve Microvoltmeter for Differential Potentiometric Titrations", by D.N.W. Anderson and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1955, pp. 3016-3023. || 09. "An Investigation of the Polysaccharide Content of Oats, Avena sativa L. ", by D.N.W. Anderson and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1955, 6, pp. 567:597 || 10. "The Interaction Between Complex Polysaccharides in Solution and Metal Ions "9 by C.T. Greenwood and N.K. Matheson, Chemistry and Industry, 1956, p. 968. || 11. "The Molecular Weight of Laminarin ", by W.N. Broatch and C.T. Greenwood, Chemistry and Industry, 1956, p. 1015. || 12a. "Aspects of the Physical Chemistry of Starch ", by C.T. Greenwood, Advances in Carboh drate Chemistr , 1956, 11 1 , Pp. 335-385. 12b. "The Size and Shape of Some Polysaccharide Molecules ", idem, ibid., pp. 385-393. || 13. "The Alkali-stability and Molecular Size of Glycogens ", by C.T. Greenwood and D.J. Manners, Proceedings of the Chemical Society, 1957, p. 26. || 14.. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part IV. The Sedimentation Behaviour of the Components of Potato Starch in Dilute Alkali ", by W.A.J. Bryce, J.M.G. Cowie and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of Polymer Science, 1957, pp. 251-253. || 15. "Mechanism of the Degradation of Potato Amylose by 13-Amylase", by J.M.G. Cowie, I.D. Fleming, C.T. Greenwood and D.J. Manners, Chemistry and Industry, 1957, PP. 634-635. || 16. "The Degradation of High Polymers ", by W.A.J. Bryce and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of Polymer Science, 1957, 1.5, pp. 480-483. || 17. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part V. The Effect of Acid on Potato Starch Granules ", by J.M.G. Cowie and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1957, pp. 2658-2665. || 18. "Physicochemical Studies Aqueous Leaching and the Starch ", by J.M.G. Cowie of the Chemical Society, on Starches. Part VI. Fractionation of Potato and C.T. Greenwood, Journal 1957, pp. 2862-2866. || 19. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part VII. The Infrared Absorption Spectrum of the Amylose- Iodine Complex ", by C.T. Greenwood and Hazel Rossotti, Journal of Polymer Science, 1958, 27, pp. 481-488. || 20. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part VIII. Further Observations on the Fractionation of Potato Starch", by J.M.G. Cowie and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1957, pp. 4640-4644. || 21. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part IX. The Mechanism of the ß- Amylolysis of Amylose and the Nature of the 3-Limit Dextrin ", by J.M.G. Cowie, I.D. Fleming, C.T. Greenwood and D.J. Manners, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, pp. 697-702. || 22. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part X. The Molecular Weight of the Water- soluble Polysaccharides of Sweet Corn, Zea mays ", by C.T. Greenwood and P.C. Das Gupta, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, Pp. 703-707. || 23. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XI. The Granular Starch of Sweet Corn, Zea mays ", by C.T. Greenwood and P.C. Das Gupta, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, pp. 707-710. || 24. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches, Part XII. The Molecular Weight of Glycogens in Aqueous Solution ", by W.A.J. Bryce, C.T. Greenwood, I.G. Jones and D.J. Manners, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, pp. 711-715. || 25. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XIII. The Fractionation of Oat and Wheat Starches ", by A.W. Arbuckle and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, pp. 2626-2629. || 26. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XIV. The Effect of Acid on Wheat- starch Granules ", by A.W. Arbuckle and C. T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, pp. 2629-2631. || 27. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XV. The Action of ß- Amylase on Glycogen as shown by Molecular- weight Distribution ", by W.A.J. Bryce, J.M.G. Cowie, C.T. Greenwood and I.G. Jones, Journal of the Chemical Societ , 1958, pp. 3558-3563. || 28. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XVI. The Molecular Weight and Apparent Molecular- weight Distribution of Rabbit-liver Glycogen ", by W.A.J. Bryce, C.T. Greenwood and I.G. Jones, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1958, Pp. 3845-3851. || 29. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XVII. The Effect of Oxygen- treatment on the Ç3- Amylolysis of Amylose ", by W. Banks, C.T. Greenwood and J. Thomson, Chemistry and Industr, 1959, p. 928. || 30. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XVIII. The Properties of Amylose as Related to the Fractionation and Subfractionation of Starch ", by W. Banks, C.T. Greenwood and J. Thomson, Die Makromolekule Chemie, 1959, ,,, pp. 197-213. || 31. "A Comparison of the Starches from Barley and Malted Barley ", by C.T. Greenwood and J. Thomson, Journal of the Institute of Brewing, 1959, pp. 346-353. || 32. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XIX. The Fine-structure of the Amylose Component of Starch ", by W. Banks and C.T. Greenwood, Die Starke, 1959, 11, pp. 294-298. || 33. "The Starch of the Tuber and Shoots of the Sprouting Potato ", by W. Banks and C.T. Greenwood, Biochemical Journal, 1959, 73, pp. 237-241. || 34. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XX. On the Existence of an Anomalous Amylopectin in Starch ", by W. Banks and C.T. Greenwood, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1959, pp. 3436-3439. || 35. "Physicochemical Studies on Starches. Part XXI. Observations on Z- Enzyme ", by W. Banks, C.T. Greenwood and I.G. Jones, Journal of the Chemical Society, 1960, pp. 150-155. || 36. "The Molecular Properties of the Components of Starches ", by C.T. Greenwood, Die Starke, 1960, in the press

A common distributed language approach to software integration

An important objective in software integration is the development of techniques to allow programs written in different languages to function together. Several approaches are discussed toward achieving this objective and the Common Distributed Language Approach is presented as the approach of choice

Effect of Instruction Type on Successful Completion of a Task

Instructions play a valuable part in modern society, but their effectiveness is often questioned. In this study, 33 undergraduate students completed a series of simple Lego® tasks using three forms of instructional methods. Step-by-step instructions consisting of written instructions, pictorial instructions, or a combination of the two were tested. The number of correctly completed steps and total time taken for each task was collected. Although there was no difference in accuracy with pictorial or combined instruction types, both written and combined instruction types resulted in greater accuracy. No difference between the pictorial and combined instructions could be found, however. The mere presence of pictures may play a role in accurately and timely completion of a simple construction task. Instructions are found virtually everywhere in everyday life. However, their usefulness is often questioned. Manuals are often ignored for assembly until last resort; yet, educational instructions are widely used and provide valuable information. Researchers have explored instructional methods and their ease of use in many studies. One largely researched form of instructions are teaching methods and testing methods. Lamude and Wolven (1998) stress that a teacher\u27s clarity can have an impact on the learning environment. Dwyer and De Melo (1984) report that overall recall when taking a test was improved when illustrations were either utilized in learning the subject, or in the design of the exam. Macneil (1980) found that there was no significant difference between expository and discovery methods of teaching. Several studies have compared different map types as instructional methods and have found that drivers prefer and perform better when illustrated maps are available (Kovach, Surrette & Aamodt, 1988; Wright, Lickorish, Hull & Ummelen, 1995). Teaching styles for physical activities have also been compared. Verbal and written instructions for scuba diving were equally beneficial (Green & Powell, 1988); while there appears to be a difference between auditory, visual, and tactile based instruction for tennis lessons (Kennedy, 1995). Ability to put together a movie projector was not altered by instructional method (modeling, illustrations, and video presented with audio) (Butts, 1979). In computer-based learning, Mayer, Down, and Mayer (2003) found narrative instructions to be more beneficial than text-based instructions on interactive-based tasks. Lastly, a simple marble task was designed by Powell and Howard (1990) to assess the difference in success between written, verbal, and a combination of the two methods. They found no significant difference between the two groups. Researchers have primarily focused on the difference between visual and verbal instruction methods.Each type could be dependent on the task being completed. This study focuses on visually-based instructions that are used to assemble a series of simple building block tasks. The purpose of this study is to compare written instructions, pictorial instructions, and a combination of the two when completing a simple Lego® building task. It is predicted that participants who use combined instructions will score a higher level of accuracy (number of correct steps completed) and will complete the tasks in less time