The Chancellor had some good ideas, but rebalancing the economy looks as challenging now as it did yesterday morning

The Chancellor’s new economic model may be built on unstable foundations. Lee Hopley argues the economy’s productive capacity will continue to be eroded if companies continue to delay expansion as they wait for a clearer growth forecast from the governmen

GLOBAL FRAUD DETECT

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for aggregating card transactions to detect fraud globally, wherein transactions that take place when the issuer’s accounts are known to be in a sleep state condition or comparable condition. The present disclosure suggests collecting data from an issuer, where there is a failure to detect system-wide fraud. Thereafter, the issuers are enabled to share fraud findings that may include more than simply one card network’s cards. Also, the present disclosure enables cross-card program frauds to be detected and stopped considerably more quickly, consequently reducing the size of a fraud and providing law authorities with an earlier warning

Raine Island: its past and present status and future implications of climate change

This report reviews what is known about the island and assesses the impact of climate change. It identifies what further research is needed for sound management decisions and provides a Strategic Plan for the island to 2050. The report contains nine appendices, separate from, but contributing to, the main text. The appendices allow more detail on specific topics putting forward hypothesis on particular processes and assesses some of the methodologies which may help to save this iconic site or, at the very least promote the survival of its most important inhabitants.ID: 1774; Not published by the GBRMP

Defining the public poet: towards a definition of Dryden's scepticism

Critics of seventeenth-century literature have long accepted that John Dryden was influenced by early-modern scepticism, but no consensus has been reached about which of the many varieties of sceptical ideas from this period inform his work. The early theory that Dryden displayed a predisposition to newly-revived ancient Greek scepticism was persuasively challenged by the claim that he was sceptical only insofar as his early critical writings show strong parallels with the sceptical method of the New Scientists. Subsequent to this, a small number of scholars have formulated new ways of interpreting scepticism in Dryden's poems and plays which are based on the use of literary strategies at the local or textual level rather than on demonstrable affinities with any one philosophically sceptical worldview. Though insightful, the work of these critics remains incomplete, and often considers Dryden in relation to writers who followed him in the eighteenth century when the intellectual climate had significantly changed. Expanding upon this research, this thesis argues that Dryden's scepticism can be identified with a number of sceptical impulses which emerged in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. With reference to Dryden's contemporaries, it concentrates on rereading largely canonical texts from across his career in the immediate historical context of their writing, demonstrating, as its primary theme, that Dryden's scepticism was informed by the political and philosophical concerns of the late seventeenth century, and, as its secondary theme, that the nature of Dryden's sceptical insight was bound up with the demands of genre and his ever-changing role as public poet. The thesis begins with an expositional chapter on existing critical responses to Dryden's scepticism. This clarifies the degree to which scepticism was the product of historical and political forces at play in Dryden's work. The second chapter, which focuses on the early part of the 1660s, argues that Dryden's interest in scepticism ostensibly reflects a belief about the value of the scientific mode of speculative inquiry in developing new ideas about literary creation, but that this was underlined by a sense of anxiety about the outcome of post-Restoration Stuart policy. The third chapter, dealing primarily with Dryden's plays, shows that Dryden expresses political anxiety through parallels of his own devising at a time when questions were being asked of the Stuart monarchy, and when political theories of a largely secular kind were beginning to receive serious consideration. The primary theoretical focus of this chapter is the reception of Thomas Hobbes in the late seventeenth century, and the importance of Hobbes's contract theory in Dryden's own political formulations. The fourth chapter evaluates Dryden's religious writings, and finds that Dryden embraces sceptical paradox as a legitimate method of theological argument until his conversion to Catholicism when he adopts a position closer to the fideism of early sixteenth-century sceptics. The fifth chapter explores how sceptical comment in his translations of Lucretius exemplify a new phase in Dryden's career, one in which he begins to renounce his role as a public poet. The subject of renouncing the public role is continued in the sixth chapter, which addresses Dryden's translations from Juvenal and Persius; keeping in mind the tightening of censorship laws, which forced Dryden and writers like him to seek the subterfuge of classical voices in this period, the sixth chapter also shows how the satirical complaints of Juvenal and Persius allowed the poet to express his own discontents about the social and cultural values of Britain after the Revolution of 1688

Morphology and development of the Cape Tribulation fringing reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

on the reef crest and most of the back reef ceased approximately5400 years before present, probably in response to increasing turbidity and water quality deterioration as fine sediments accumulated offshore and became resuspended during strong winds. Significant coral growth is now restricted to the subtidal fore reef but reef progradation has been minimal over the last 5000 years.The height of the reef crests relative to present day sea level and the absence of low magnesian calcite cements in the fringing reefs suggest that they have not been subjected to extensive subaerial exposure, with a maximum Holocene relative sea level of only 0.6 to 1.0 m above its present position being responsible for the height of the present algal covered reef crest. The fringing reefs can be divided into four lithologic assemblages: i) a fluvial gravel basement deposited as alluvial fans from the steeply sloping hinterland ii) a lower framestone unit iii) a detrital assemblage and iv) an upper framestone-bandstone unit

The effect of environmental conditions on the fatty acid composition of microalgae and cyanobacteria

A range of freshwater algae (Chlorelia vulgaris 211/8K, Chlorella vulgaris 211/11c, Ankistrodesmus antarcticus 202/25, Scenedesmus obliquus 276/3A, Cvanidium caldarium 1355/4), marine and brackish algae (Nannochloris atomus 251/4B, Nannochloropsis oculata 849/1, Isochrvsis galbana 927/1, Isochrysis sp. 927/14) and cyanobacteria (Anabaena flos-aquae 1403/13A, Anabaena variabilis 1403/12, Synechococcus sp. 1479/5, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7943) were grown in batch culture at initial nitrogen levels of 5, 25, 50 and 500 mg NO3-N I-1 or NH4-N I-1 (C. caldarium only) at three growth temperatures. Cultures were harvested in exponential and stationary growth phases. Protein, carbohydrate, lipid and fatty acid contents were determined. All the algae and cyanobacteria investigated exhibited changes in cellular content of protein, carbohydrate and lipid in relation to changes in temperature, nitrogen availability and growth phase. C. vulgaris 211/8K, C. vulgaris 211/11c, N. atomus, and the cyanobacteria all exhibited a major shift to carbohydrate accumulation at stationary phase and with decrease in growth temperature, with the exception of the cyanobacteria which did not exhibit a uniform response to temperature. Ank. antarcticus and S. obliquus exhibited major shifts to lipid accumulation with decrease in temperature and at stationary growth phase. Protein contents of the cyanobacteria increased at stationary phase in contrast to the decrease at stationary phase observed in the freshwater, marine and brackish algae. Carbohydrate, protein and lipid contents were all found to depend on previous nitrate availability in the cultures. The marine and brackish species showed a much broader range of fatty acids (C12 - C22) than the freshwater algae (predominantly C16 and C18) and cyanobacteria (predominantly C14, C16, C18). Quantitative changes in individual fatty acids rather than qualitative changes were found with temperature changes and growth phase. The degree of unsaturation decreased with decrease in temperature in the marine and brackish species in contrast to the increase in unsaturation observed with the freshwater algae and cyanobacteria. Based on the results of the laboratory work, six algae and cyanobacteria - C. vulgaris 211/8K, S. Obliquus, N. atomus, Isochrysis sp., A. flos-aquae, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7943 - were grown outdoors in a slurry based minipond system. All the species chosen grew successfully in algal treated slurry, with preferential uptake of ammonium-N before nitrite-N and nitrate-N. The algae behaved similarly outdoors in defined media and algal treated slurry to the laboratory based growth in relation to cellular content changes. Manipulation of specific cell constituents in a slurry based system would improve the economics of algal wastewater treatment, the resultant biomass having economic potential. The interest in algal fatty acid content manipulation would probably only be in the aquaculture field, and not from medical or health food areas due to health hazards associated with sewage. Carbohydrate accumulating algae would also be of interest to the aquaculture field. The current high cost of production of algal feeds has spurred the search for alternative algae production, and it is suggested that growth in slurry with nitrogen depletion to optimise lipid, carbohydrate or specific component fatty acid production maybe an alternative

The evaluation of the potential of Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, Naophoeta cinerea, Blaptica dubia, Gromphardhina portentosa, Periplaneta americana, Blatta lateralis, Oxyhalao duesta and Hermetia illucens for use in poultry feeds

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Insect protein as a source in poultry feed is slowly gaining popularity in terms of research. Therefore the purpose of this study was to look at unexplored aspects of insect protein, specifically its role in animal feeding. This involved investigating the chemical composition of selected insect species who have yet to gain popularity in this field, possible effects on gizzard erosion in broilers and total tract digestibilities, and also layer production and egg quality characteristics. In the first study, only eight of the potential nine insect species were selected for proximate analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the chemical composition of some insect species which have yet to be used in livestock feeds and which have the potential for mass rearing. On this basis, the following species were selected: Tenebrio molitor, Zophbas morio, Naophoeta cinerea, Blaptica dubia, Gromphardhina portentosa, Periplaneta americana, Oxyhaloa duesta and Blatta lateralis. These species were reared at the Department of Animal Sciences of Stellenbosch University. With 60.34%, N. cinerea yielded the highest CP value, which is comparable to that of fishmeal. The protein value for the other species were comparable to that of soya oilcake meal, with values ranging from 43.13% to 55.28%. The amino acid profiles for G. portentosa, P. americana and B. lateralis related best to the ideal amino acid profile for broilers. The purpose of the second study was to evaluate the possible effects of mealworms (the larvae of T. molitor) and the larvae- and pre-pupae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) on gizzard erosion in broilers. These two species were selected since they were easy to acquire in the required volumes. Also, the information available on H. illucens mainly regards animal broiler production parameters, but not this specific animal factor. Results of the study indicate the following: The mealworms caused significant (P < 0.05) gizzard erosion, whereas the others did not. The erosion may have been due to the high histidine content of the mealworms, which may have been transformed into histamine thereby causing erosion. Histidine may have also been transformed into gizzerosine, a potent inducer of gizzard erosion, during the drying process. The erosion observed may have also been due to the presence and form of chitin in the mealworms. Chitin is structurally similar to fibre, which was presented in a coarse form. Coarse fibres have been shown to increase the acidity of gizzard contents, which may lead to gizzard erosion. In the third study the total tract digestibility for mealworms was evaluated and compared to values from studies on other species as well as that of soya oilcake meal and fishmeal. It was found that the dry matter (DM) digestibility for mealworm meal is similar to that of housefly larvae meal and housefly pupae meal, but lower than that of black soldier fly meal. The CP digestibility was similar to that of black soldier fly meal and soya oilcake meal, but higher than that of housefly larvae meal and housefly pupae meal. The coefficient of total tract digestibility (CTTD) values for methionine and threonine are similar to that of soya oilcake meal and fishmeal. The CTTD value for lysine, however, was lower than all other protein sources presented. The low digestibility value may be attributed to specific processing conditions, especially overheating. The effects of the inclusion of mealworm meal and black soldier fly larvae- and pre-pupae meal on layer production performance and egg quality characteristics were evaluated by comparing to a balanced control diet. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in average daily gain (ADG) between treatments. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the black soldier fly pre-pupae meal was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the other treatments. The egg weights for the control diet was significantly (P < 0.05) less than the treatment diets. There were however no significant differences between the other treatments. The yolk weights did not differ significantly between the treatments and control. The shell weight for the mealworm diet was significantly higher than that of the control and the black soldier fly larvae- and pre-pupae diets. The albumin weight and albumin height for the mealworm diet differed significantly from the control, although it did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from the rest. General results are in support of the use of these insects as protein in poultry feeds.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Insek proteïen in pluimveevoeding raak al hoe meer gewild in terme van navorsing. Die hoofdoel van hierdie proef was om na onverkende aspekte van insek proteïen te kyk, veral die rol wat dit speel in dierevoeding. Dit behels die volgende: evaluering van die chemiese samestelling spesifiek van geselekteerde insek spesies, moontlike newe effekte op spiermaag gesondheid, asook die verteerbaarheid daarvan en laastens die effek op lê-hen produksie en eier kwaliteit eienskappe. In die eerste studie was agt insek spesies geselekteer vir chemiese ontleding, nl. Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, Naophoeta cinerea, Blaptica dubia, Gronphardhina portentosa, Periplaneta americana, Oxyhaloa duesta en Blatta lateralis. Tans word hierdie spesies nie in veevoere gebruik nie. Hierdie spesies toon ook die vermoë vir grootskaalse groot maak. Die resultate vir die studie is as volg: Die ru-proteïen (RP) inhoud van N. cinerea was die hoogste met 60.34%. Hierdie waarde kan met die van vismeel vergelyk word. Die RP waarde van die ander spesies (43.13 - 55.28%) kon met die van sojaboon meel vergelyk word. Die aminosuur profiel van G. portentosa, P. americana, en B. lateralis kon met die ideale aminosuur profiel vir braaikuikens vergelyk word. Die doel van die tweede studie was om insek spesies te evalueer vir moontlik newe effekte op spiermaag gesondheid, veral spiermaagerosie. Meelwurms en die larwes- en pre-papies van Hermetia illucens is vir hierdie studie gebruik. Die meelwurms het betekenisvolle (P < 0.05) spiermaag erosie veroorsaak, terwyl die H. illucens larwes en pre-papies geen erosie veroorsaak het nie. Die moontlike oorsaak van erosie is die hoë histidien inhoud van meelwurms. Histidien het ʼn neiging om na histamien te verander wat tot erosie in die spiermaag kan lei. Dit is ook moontlik, gedurende die drogingsproses, dat histidien in gizzerosien omgeskakel kon word. Gizzerosien is bekend as die oorsaak van spiermaag erosie in braaikuikens. Die teenwoordigheid en vorm van chitien in meelwurms kon ook ʼn bydraende faktor gewees het. Die bouvorm van chitien is soortgelyk aan die van vesel, wat in ʼn growwe vorm gevoer is. Dit is moontlik dat growwe vesel die pH van die spiermaag kan laat styg wat tot spiermaag erosie kan lei. In die volgende studie was die totale spysverteringskanaal verteerbaarheid van meelwurms geëvalueer. Waardes wat gevind was, is vergelyk met die van vorige studies op insekte asook die van vismeel en sojaboonmeel. Resultate toon aan dat die droë materiaal (DM) verteerbaarheid van meelwurms soortgelyk is aan die van huisvlieg larwe- en papie meel, met onderskeidelike waardes van 0.80, 0.81 en 0.8. Die ru-proteïen verteerbaarheid van die meelwurms was soortgelyk aan dit van H. illucens pre-papie meel en sojaboonmeel, maar hoër as dit van huisvlieg larwe- en papie meel, met waardes van 0.90, 0.90, 0.85, 0.69 en 0.79, onderskeidelik. Die verteerbaarheid van metionien en treonien is soortgelyk aan die van sojaboon meel en vismeel. Die totale spysverterings verteerbaarheid waarde vir lisien (0.74) was egter laer as al die ander proteïen bronne. Hierdie laer verteerbaarheid kan moontlik toegeskryf word aan spesifieke verwerkingsomstandighede, veral oorverhitting. In die finale studie, was die effek van meelwurms, H. illucens larwe en pre-papie meel as supplimentêre proteïenbron in lê-hen diëte geëvalueer. Deur middel van vergelyking met ʼn kontrole, was daar spesifiek gefokus op lê-hen produksie en eier kwaliteit eienskappe. Daar was geen betekenisvolle (P < 0.05) verskille in gemiddelde daaglikse toename tussen behandelings en kontrole nie. Die voeromsettingsverhouding vir die H. illucens pre-papie meel was betekenisvolle (P < 0.05) laer as die van die ander behandelings en kontrole. Die eier gewigte van die kontrole was betekenisvol (P < 0.05) laer as die van die ander behandelings. Daar was ook geen betekenisvolle (P < 0.05) verskille in eiergeel gewigte tussen die behandeligs en kontrole. Die dop gewigte van die meelwurms was betekenisvol (P < 0.05) hoër as die van die kontrole en ander behandelings. Die albumien gewigte en hoogte vir die meelwurm dieet het betekenisvol (P < 0.05) verskil van die kontrole, maar het nie betekenisvol (P < 0.05t) van die ander behandelings verskil nie

A pilot study of baseline levels of water quality around Green Island

A pilot study was undertaken at Green Island in June 1989 to assess the spatial and temporal variation of a range of water quality parameters. It was a precursor to the implementation of a proposed baseline study of water quality around Green Island to ensure the optimum allocation of sampling in a cost effective manner