Urban Geography

Exam paper for second semester: Urban Geograph

The topography of the thoracic and abdominal organs of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

The pleural cavity of the Nile crocodile is divided into two separate cavities by means of a complete mediastinum. The pleural cavity contains the lungs, while the heart is situated in its own cavity, the pericardial cavity. The pleural cavity is separated from the hepatic coelom, which contains the liver, by the post-pulmonary membrane. The hepatic coelom is separated from the peritoneal cavity by the post-hepatic membrane. The peritoneal cavity contains the abdominal organs.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Bioactive peptides and serotonin, in the gut endocrine cells of the crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti 1768) : an immunocytochemical study

Little is known about peptide-storing endocrine cells in the gut of the Nile crocodile. As in the case of other reptiles, particularly the alligator, a limited range of peptide-storing cells was found in the gut of the crocodile. They were somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin, neurotensin and pancreatic polypeptide. The topographical distribution of cells immunoreactive to somatostatin and gastrin in the gut of the crocodile is comparable to the situation in the alligator. Glucagon and neurotensin immunoreactive cells have a much wider distribution in the gastrointestinal tract of the crocodile compared to the alligator. Cholecystokinin and bombesin cells previously reported in the small intestine of the alligator were not detected in this study. This is the first report to demonstrate pancreatic polypeptide and serotonin immunoreactivity in the gut of a crocodilian specie.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

A light microscopical study of the intestinal tract of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus, Laurenti 1768)

Although the histology of the intestinal tract of Crocodylus niloticus is touched on in overall studies on reptilian intestinal tract, a more comprehensive light microscopical study on this area is lacking. Specimens for histological examination were taken from the duodenum, the jejunum, the ileum and the rectum. The data obtained revealed that the mucosa is thrown into folds and simple, slightly branched tubular intestinal glands. The mucosal folds diminished in height and eventually disappeared upon reaching the ileorectal junction. The epithelium covering the folds and crypts was of the simple columnar type. Clear marginal cells, goblet cells and argentaffin cells were observed throughout the intestinal tract. No Paneth cells were seen in this study. The lamina propria was rich in lymphocytic infiltrations while the muscularis mucosa consisted mainly of an outer longitudinal layer, the inner circular layer being rudimentary or absent. The submucosa was extremely narrow, and the circular and longitudinal layers of the tunica muscularis contained distinct layers of dense fibrous connective tissue. The histology of the intestinal tract of C. niloticus is shown to be in line with the situation in crocodilians and also exhibits a resemblance to that of carnivorous mammals.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Changes in phosphorus status of 'Cripps' Pink' apple trees after application of mulches

The effect of four different mulches on fruit quality was quantified, either directly via mineral nutrient contributions or indirectly, by increasing nutrient uptake efficiency in the soil. We hypothesised that fruit nutrient levels would increase more when an organic mulch, containing nutrients, was applied to the soil, with smaller/no increases when an inorganic mulch was applied to the tree row. In this paper, we concentrate on changes in fruit phosphorus (P) concentrations after application of five treatments: a clean cultivated control, an inorganic woven geotextile fabric, and organic mulches – compost, wood chips and a vermi-castings/ wood chips combination. The trial was conducted on a commercial farm, Lourensford Estate, South Africa, from October 2008 to April 2012 – on an adjacent light, sandy and heavier, sandy-silt soil. Mineral nutrient analyses of the soil, leaves, mulches and fruit were performed. Yield and fruit size were determined. Soil temperatures and soil water status were recorded hourly during the last two seasons. P concentrations did increase chronologically from the soil, then into leaves and then into the fruit after application of mulches that provided additional P to the soil. Sporadic increases in both leaves and fruit occurred, but could not always be related to treatment effects. The significant consistent increase of P levels of the vermi-castings treatment in the heavy soil is likely to be a combination of reduced irrigation volumes, as well as a treatment effect. All mulches resulted in the well-established buffering of soil temperatures, soil water content and percentage soil carbon. Based on results from this study, it is not feasible to apply mulches for the sole purpose to increase P levels in the soil, leaves or fruit of established trees – although increases were noticed from time to time. In addition to water and temperature modifying effects of mulches that would differ between soil textures and depend on the mulch source, increases in P concentrations may result. As yield efficiency is still the primary factor determining income per hectare for the producer, the decrease in yield that resulted from mulching under these conditions, will still outweigh any positive contributions of mulches. It is therefore of utmost importance to first adjust irrigation volumes to a mulch treatment before the advantageous properties of mulching will be of value.Stellenbosch University and HortgroScience.http://www.actahort.orgam201

Economy & Population Geography

Exam paper for second semester: Economy & Population Geograph

Urban Geography (SSA Exam)

Exam paper for second semester: Urban Geography (SSA Exam

Post-apartheid transition in a small South African town: interracial property transfer in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal

Post-apartheid transition in South Africa's small towns has received little attention. Using the South African Property Transfer Guide, 2500 residential transfers were analysed in Margate. Spatial and temporal patterns in Black house purchase were interpreted through discussions with key actors. The findings indicate the importance of micro-dynamics in determining specific post-apartheid transitions and confirm the relationship between racial employment profiles and housing markets. Black in-movement to previously White areas has focused on Extension 3, where private building of low-cost housing has occurred, but the area is now becoming resegregated. Whilst peripheral housing need not imply exclusion from services in small towns, unpaid mortgage bills and municipal rates have led to repossessions and affected the credit status of new Black buyers. <br/