Yes In My Backyard: Planning For The Development of Contentious Infrastructure

Waste management is a prevalent and highly contentious issue in modern society. People are often very sensitive about decisions on where and how municipalities choose to dispose of their waste. While it is generally understood that waste disposal facilities such as incinerators and landfills are needed to manage waste that cannot be recycled or composted, there nevertheless seems to be significant opposition in response to any such proposal. This paper will be exploring how communities are currently being engaged in Ontario during the development approval process for incinerators, what motivates communities to actively oppose incinerators, and what can be done to mitigate this opposition. To do this I will be making a case study out of the development approval process for the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC). The DYEC is a waste-to-energy incinerator in Clarington, Ontario that began operations in 2015. This facility received a significant amount of opposition from the community, which will be explored in detail in this paper. While I focus on incinerator development my goal was to learn the best methods for engaging communities for any undesirable development including landfills and nuclear power plants. My research findings suggest that incinerator opposition cannot be mitigated through basic consultation. No amount of consultation will convince people to approve of something they do not want, especially when they feel that it is being forced on them. The goal of community communications plans should not be mitigating opposition but rather should be engaging communities to find optimal strategies for handling communal problems such as waste management or energy. This paper will also be looking at alternative waste disposal options for municipal solid waste that cannot be recycled or composted. Having an understanding of the alternatives will allow for a more educated discussion on how municipalities can best manage their waste

Stress as a source of injury among a group of professional ballet dancers

Sport and dance injuries have increased despite improvements in coaching techniques and medical care. Other factors, including psychological ones, were therefore thought to play a role in injury vulnerability. Most of the attempts to explain how psychological variables can affect an athlete's predisposition to injury have been based on anxiety or stress concepts. In this survey type study an interactive approach to stress has been adopted with the goal of finding a relationship between stress and injury in a group of professional ballet dancers. No simple direct relationship was found. Multiple regression analysis was performed and a more complicated relationship between stress indicators and injury was found. When an attempt was made to investigate the significant interaction, no significant correlations were found. However, the correlations were found to be large and negative. This could indicate that if the sample size had been larger significant correlations may have been found.PsychologyM.A. (Psychology

A meta-analysis of integration as a psychological concept in dramatherapy

A research report submitted to the Wits School of Arts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts by coursework and research report in the field of dramatherapy, in the faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. March 2015This research places a lens on the process of psychological integration in dramatherapy. Two prominent approaches, namely Robert J. Landy’s Role Method and Renée Emunah’s Integrative Five Phase Model are used to analyze how the concept of psychological integration is conceptualized and implemented in the theory and practice of dramatherapy. A qualitative meta-analysis, using secondary data from published case studies, is applied to this study with the following structure. A mete-theory analysis will concern itself with each of the approaches conceptualization of the self and ideas of how clients move towards psychological integration. A meta-method analysis aims to better understand the two models under examination. A meta-data analysis follows key moments in each case study considering how the three elements of the client, drama and therapist can assist clients in moving towards greater psychological integration. This process culminates in the creation of a meta-synthesis, the final part of a meta-study, which intends to determine how the two approaches differentiate and where they find linkage. The findings of this analysis indicate that each approach differs in terms of their comprehension of the self and psychological integration as well as the particular model and structure used in dramatherapy. There appears to be linkage between the two approaches in their use of the three elements of the client, drama and therapist working together to achieve greater psychological integration. Central to this process appears to be the development of the therapeutic relationship as well as an extrapolation of the therapeutic potential within the dramatic medium. Two other emerging themes that appear common to both approaches is the use of aesthetic distance and the connections made between the fictional world and the external reality of the client thus preventing dramatherapy from becoming a split off experience. This study concludes by affirming its hypothesis that the two approaches can find integration rather proliferation. Key words: Dramatherapy, psychological integration, therapeutic relationshi

The biological control of the weed Acacia longifolia by the gall wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongfoliae: a study of a plant-insect interaction

Weeds are responsible for about 30 percent of all crop losses worldwide, but all weed research, including biological control, receives only about 10% of crop pest control support. The impact of weeds is insidious, diffuse, and complex Increased use of biological control may help to reduce the massive quantity of energy and time now expended for weed control worldwide. Batra (1981) "The vitality of biocontrol of weeds requires two types of evaluation before a project is completed. To maintain financial support it is necessary to show that biocontrol is an economical method of solving certain types of weed problems and to improve the effectiveness of biocontrol in the future, it is necessary to have scientific feed-back. Essentially, the first type of evaluation is concerned with what has been achieved and the second with why the result, either success or failure, has been achieved." Harris (1980a) The biological control of weeds using insects is a young science. The first intentional use of an insect to control a weed was in 1863 in India where the cochineal insect, Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green), was dispersed to control Opuntia vulgaris Miller some 68 years after the accidental introduction of this insect to that country (Goeden, 1978; Moran & Zimmermann, 1984). However, the first full scale attempt at a classical weed biocontrol programme was against Lantana camara L. in Hawaii in 1902 (Goeden, 1978; Harley, 1985a). By 1984 there had been 499 releases of exotic invertebrates and fungi, 488 of which were insects, for the control of 101 weed species in 70 countries (Julien et al., 1984). Despite this marked increase in the number of biocontrol programmes in later years, attempts which failed have rarely been studied or documented and even successes are seldom adequately quantified. This has been implied by Harley (1985a), Julien, (1982), Julien et al. (1984) and Maw (1984). The pressure to produce results and the difficulty of determining the reasons for failures are prohibitive (Dennill et al., 1987; Appendix 6; Goeden & Louda, 1976). The advancement of this science thus relies heavily on the study of its successes. This thesis is an evaluation of the gall wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae as a biocontrol agent for the weed Acacia longifolia in South Africa. The wasp has been successful, and, in accordance with Harris (1980a), my aims were twofold: to quantify that success and to provide reasons for it. This information not only produces guidelines ii for the future selection of biocontrol agents, sensu Harris (1980a), but also serves as a means of enhancing our understanding of insect-plant relationships. In addition, this thesis provides an indication of the potential of gall forming insects in biological control of weeds. Gall formers have seldom been used to control weeds (Julien, 1982; Maw, 1984). Since their effects are indirect compared with those of insects attacking vegetative plant parts, their potential for weed biocontrol has apparently been underestimated in the past by some authors (Goeden, 1983; Harris, 1973; Hokkanen, 1985a). The present attempt is the first ever in which a gall forming hymenopteran has been used to control a weed, and shows beyond doubt that certain gall formers can have strong potential in this field. Chapter 1 concerns the establishment of the wasp, its population increases, dispersal, host-seeking, and the reduction of reproductive potential of A. longifolia populations. The development of new techniques that were necessary for the determination of these parameters is included. Emphasis is placed on the reasons for the successful establishment and rapid population increases observed. The potential of the insect for suppressing both reproduction and growth of the weed is great, and is examined in detail in Chapter 2. The phenological information obtained during the course of this study showed important inadequacies in the knowledge of the phenology of A. longifolia. This is rectified in Chapter 3 in which the implications of an incomplete understanding of weed phenology for biological control are emphasised. In particular, the resource allocation between reproduction and growth of the plant provides a crucial setting for the next chapter. In Chapter 4 the nature of the galling by T. acaciaelongifoliae and its relation to the phenology of A. longifolia are examined in order to explain how the wasp is able to exploit its host so effectively under South African conditions. Chapter 5 deals with the release of the wasp throughout the South African range of the weed and the identification of regions in which its performance appears inadequate. The climates of South Africa and Australia are compared to determine to what degree the establishment of T. acaciaelongifoliae in various regions in South Africa is related to the climate of the regions in which the wasp was collected in Australia. This chapter includes maps illustrating weed distribution, co-ordinates for all release points, and documents the method whereby the wasps were released. Chapter 6 is an essay dealing with the implications of the study, both practical and theoretical. Recommendations regarding the future selection of biocontrol agents are made, with emphasis on perspectives emerging from this thesis, and the future role of the wasp in the control of A. longifolia in South Africa is discussed

Book Reviews

Book Review 1Book Title: Early Life Histories of Fishes: New Developmental, Ecological and Evolutionary PerspectivesBook Author: Edited by E.K. BalonDr W. Junk, Dordrecht. 280 pp.Book Review 2Book Title: Comparative Aspects of Extracellular Acid-base BalanceBook Author: J.P. TruchotSpringer, 1987. 248 pp. 51 figures.Book Review 3Book Title: Insect Flight: Dispersal and MigrationBook Author: Edited by W. DanthanarayanaSpringer-Verlag, Berlin, 1986. 289 pp.Book Review 4Book Title:  The Mammalian Herbivore Stomach. Comparative Anatomy, Function and EvolutionBook Author: Peter LangerGustav Fischer, Stuttgart, 1988. 557 pages, 246 figures and 72 tablesBook Review 5Book Title:  Biology of the Integument. Vol. 2: VertebratesBook Authors: Edited by J. Bereiter-Hahn, A.G. Matoltsy & K.S. RichardsSpringer, Berlin, 1986. 855 pp.Book Review 6Book Title:  Advances in the Biology of Turbellarians and related PlatyhelminthesBook Author: Edited by Seth TylerDr. W. Junk Publishers, 1986. 357 pages; 253 figuresBook Review 7Book Title: Evolutionary Physiological EcologyBook Author: Edited by P. CalowCambridge University Press, Cambridge. 239 pp.Book Review 8Book Title: DragonfliesBook Author: Peter L. MillerCambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York and Melbourne, 1987. 84 pp

Risk assessment, eradication, and biological control: global efforts to limit Australian acacia invasions

Aim? Many Australian Acacia species have been planted around the world, some are highly valued, some are invasive, and some are both highly valued and invasive. We review global efforts to minimize the risk and limit the impact of invasions in this widely used plant group. Location? Global. Methods? Using information from literature sources, knowledge and experience of the authors, and the responses from a questionnaire sent to experts around the world, we reviewed: (1) a generalized life cycle of Australian acacias and how to control each life stage, (2) different management approaches and (3) what is required to help limit or prevent invasions. Results? Relatively few Australian acacias have been introduced in large numbers, but all species with a long and extensive history of planting have become invasive somewhere. Australian acacias, as a group, have a high risk of becoming invasive and causing significant impacts as determined by existing assessment schemes. Moreover, in most situations, long-lived seed banks mean it is very difficult to control established infestations. Control has focused almost exclusively on widespread invaders, and eradication has rarely been attempted. Classical biological control is being used in South Africa with increasing success. Main conclusions? A greater emphasis on pro-active rather than reactive management is required given the difficulties managing established invasions of Australian acacias. Adverse effects of proposed new introductions can be minimized by conducting detailed risk assessments in advance, planning for on-going monitoring and management, and ensuring resources are in place for long-term mitigation. Benign alternatives (e.g. sterile hybrids) could be developed to replace existing utilized taxa. Eradication should be set as a management goal more often to reduce the invasion debt. Introducing classical biological control agents that have a successful track-record in South Africa to other regions and identifying new agents (notably vegetative feeders) can help mitigate existing widespread invasions. Trans-boundary sharing of information will assist efforts to limit future invasions, in particular, management strategies need to be better evaluated, monitored, published and publicised so that global best-practice procedures can be developed. (Résumé d'auteur

Leaf trichomes and foliar chemistry mediate defence against glasshouse thrips; Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché) in Rhododendron simsii

Herbivore defence mechanisms are a costly diversion of resources away from growth and reproduction. Thus time-limited and tissue specific expression in critical plant parts is more efficient as defined by optimal defence theory. Surprisingly little is known about Rhododendron herbivore defence but it may be mediated by combined chemical and physical mechanisms. Rhododendron simsii Planch. survives cyclic infestations of a leaf-feeding thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, which severely damage mature leaves but avoid terminal young leaves suggesting specific, localised defence expression. We examined correlations between the distribution of thrips and feeding damage with density of trichomes and the concentration of the diterpenoid, grayanotoxin I, a compound implicated in but not previously reported to meditate invertebrate defence in Rhododendron. Our data show that as leaves matured the number of thrips and area of feeding damage increased as trichome density and grayanotoxin I concentration decreased, this inverse correlation 10 suggesting trichomes and grayanotoxin I mediate defence in younger leaf tissue. Grayanotoxin I was tested against H. haemorrhoidalis and was toxic to immature life stages and repellent to the adult thrips, reducing numbers of first instars emerging on leaves when applied at ecologically relevant concentrations. This work demonstrates that the pattern of defensive traits in foliage of a species of Rhododendron is key to its ability to tolerate cyclic infestations of a generalist herbivore, effectively conserving vital tissues required for growth and reproduction

Assessing the suitability and safety of a well-known bud-galling wasp, Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae, for biological control of Acacia longifolia in Portugal

Acacia longifolia is a widespread invasive plant species in Portugal. In South Africa, it is controlled by a bud-galling wasp, Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae, which could also be used in Portugal. Biological control of invasive alien plants has received little consideration anywhere in Europe and has never been attempted in Portugal. The lack of a suitably-large quarantine facility necessitated the use of a novel approach to test non-target species in Portugal. Mature T. acaciaelongifoliae galls were shipped to Portugal from South Africa to obtain adult female wasps which were confined in Petri dishes each with a bud-bearing branch of one of 40 non-target plant species. The time spent by the wasps exploring and probing the buds was measured after which buds were dissected to detect any egg deposition. The results showed that T. acaciaelongifoliae did not respond to the buds of most (23) species. The females spent time on the buds of the other 17 species but only laid eggs in three species besides A. longifolia. Oviposition on Acacia melanoxylon was expected but was not anticipated on Vitis vinifera, vines, (where eggs were deposited externally in the pubescent coat of the buds) or on Cytisus striatus, broom, (where eggs were inserted into the buds as they are on A. longifolia). Subsequent trials on potted plants showed that galls only developed on A. longifolia. Field surveys in South Africa and Australia showed that galls never occur on either vines or broom. The implications of these findings for the use of T. acaciaelongifoliae for biological control of A. longifolia in Portugal are considered in relation to the wealth of experience and knowledge about the specificity of the wasp and the reliability of conducting host-specificity tests under confined conditions of cages

Sensory and enzymatic factors associated with defects in low fat UHT milk

Ultra-high temperature processing of milk renders a product that is bacteriologically stable for several months at ambient temperature. Various factors have been reported to induce changes in UHT milk during storage and thereby limit the shelf life of the milk. Consequently, changes in the sensory and microbiological properties of low fat UHT milk were assessed over time at different temperatures to develop a model whereby the shelf life of the milk can be predicted in a short time-period. UHT milk was stored at 25°C and accelerating temperatures of 35°C and 45°C and evaluated for changes over 195 days (d). A multivariate accelerated shelf life test (MASLT) was applied to the descriptive sensory data and allowed the successful prediction of the shelf life at various temperatures, with the shelf life of milk stored at 25°C estimated at 211 d. Higher storage temperatures negatively affected the shelf life of the milk, with estimations of 73 and 27 d for milk stored at 35°C and 45°C, respectively. The shelf life obtained from the MASLT was validated using survival analysis where the acceptance or rejection of samples by consumers gave an estimated shelf life of 214 d. The acceptability of UHT milk depends on the sensory quality of the milk. Consumer perception and physico-chemical properties of low fat UHT milk of various ages were evaluated to determine the parameters associated with the deterioration of the milk. As the consumer liking for aroma, appearance, taste and overall liking decreased over time, the detection of positive attributes in the milk decreased, while the detection of negative attributes increased. Parameters associated with the deterioration of UHT milk, including increased titratable acidity, Maillard reaction products and enzymatic reactions, decreased pH and changes in the colour of the milk, increased over storage time. Although sufficient heat treatment and packaging with light and oxygen barriers prevent microbial and oxidative spoilage of UHT milk, there are no means of inactivating heat-stable enzymes in UHT milk. Subsequently, the ability of different protease inhibitors to reduce the activity of a native milk enzyme (plasmin) and enzymes produced by bacterial contaminants (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus licheniformis and B. lentus) was evaluated. Protease inhibitors extracted from soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr), marama beans (Tylosema esculentum (Burch) A. Schreib) and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) were evaluated with regards to their ability to inhibit these enzymes in a buffer system and in low fat UHT milk. The legume protease inhibitors were effective in reducing the activity of plasmin and proteases produced by Bacillus spp., while it showed low inhibitory activity towards P. fluorescens proteases in a buffer system. In UHT milk, the same protease inhibition was observed, however, to a lesser extent as compared to inhibition in the buffer system. Overall, the results indicate that the sensory properties of low fat UHT milk can be used to predict the shelf life of UHT milk in accelerated storage using the MASLT. Survival analysis can also be successfully employed to determine the shelf life of low fat UHT milk. Increased storage time of low fat UHT milk is associated with a reduction in the liking and positive attributes associated with the UHT milk, and an increase in negative attributes and physico-chemical and enzymatic parameters related to the deterioration of milk. Legume protease inhibitors show great potential in preventing or reducing proteolytic activity of Bacillus proteases and plasmin that may cause both sensory and consistency defects in the UHT milk during storage.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015.tm2015Food SciencePhDUnrestricte

The evaluation of a Psycho-education and Skills building program at the time of divorce/separation

D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)Divorce is an international problem that implicates children, affecting their best interests. In the United States of America, education programmes for divorcing and separating parents have been offered for decades. In South Africa the law has made provision for such education programmes. This study concerns the efficacy in a South African context of an already existing education programme for divorcing and separating parents, called Children in the Middle (CIM). This programme is widely used in the United States, has been widely researched, and is based on foundational theory. There are many factors that determine the outcome of divorce for children. There is a need to assist families in order to ensure the most favourable outcome. It is considered to be of the utmost importance to impart information to parents and build their awareness and skills. This research concluded that despite the lack of statistical evidence, the programme had many benefits for the participants, based on the feedback received from them. Parents had become sensitised to their children’s needs. Based on the qualitative data and attendance, it was concluded that psychoeducation at the time of divorce is a much-needed resource for parents in South Africa. Psycho-education for divorcing parents does not replace litigation, mediation or therapy; it should be offered as a mandatory alternative or an addition to the family at the time of divorce and should lead the process. The research has therefore proposed that psycho-education programmes should be mandatory for all divorcing parents regardless of the process that their divorce follows, as although there is no guarantee of outcome, it adds an extra dimension that may lead to a more favourable outcome and that parents are more likely to act in the best interests of their children