An Approach to Design and Evaluation of eGovernment Theory for South Africa

e-Government is used to provide improved government services, greater public service efficiencies and cost containment, utilising the ever-changing possibilities offered by ICTs. The field is considered by researchers to be in urgent need of theory development. This requires a suitably rigorous research framework. The principal objective of this study is to articulate and demonstrate an integrated generic research framework for e-Government theory for South Africa and which might also be of interest internationally. Pertinent aspects of the study are described to illustrate the proposed research framework, after which the full research methodology and its phases are presented. This work contributes to e-Government theory research by establishing and applying a rigorous application of Design Science Research (DSR) process steps of suggestion, design and observational as well as analytical evaluation of design theory artifacts in the field of e-Government theory

The influence of fire on rodent abundance at the N'washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The relative population numbers of rodents were studied in nine habitats in and outside the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, before and after burning the firebreaks that surround the enclosure. Trap success was exceptionally high, and the field work is suspected to have coincided with a Mastomys population explosion. This genus dominated the small mammal communities before and after the burn, and never disappeared from the burnt patches. Its numbers also did not crash directly after the burn, as have been reported in most other studies. Movement from the burnt areas was observed, which may have had a significant impact on the numbers of rodents caught both inside the enclosure and in the more natural areas outside. Our study suggests that fire can be investigated as a tool to keep rodent densities down in areas where they are nuisance animals, especially when used in conjunction with models that forecast outbreaks of Mastomys. It also emphasizes the value of long-term studies informing management strategies for animal damage control and biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.http://www.bioone.org/loi/afzoab201

Cooking and drying as effective mechanisms in limiting the zoonotic effect of Mycobacterium bovis in beef

For this study 48 non-infected muscle, lymphatic and visceral bovine tissue samples were collected from an approved red meat abattoir and spiked with 8 ×107cfu/m of M. bovis. The different spiked samples were subjected to cooking and drying (drying through the process of biltong-making) processes in a controlled laboratory environment. Mycobacterial isolates confirmed as M. bovis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were observed in 17 of a total of 576 samples that were exposed to the secondary processing method of cooking. The study showed that not only can M. bovis survive the cooking process but the survival of the bacterium will be determined by its unique adaptive changes to the surrounding composition of the environment. The results for the samples exposed to the drying process (n = 96) did not show any growth, suggesting that the process of biltong production as used in this study is likely to render infected meat safe for human consumption

Reproduction of the banana bat, Neoromicia nanus, in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, with a discussion on sperm storage and latitudinal effects on reproductive strategies

The banana bat, Neoromicia nanus, is characterized by seasonal monoestrous breeding. This study examined the reproductive timing and strategies used by N.nanus in the Province of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Male and female bats were histologically examined to determine their reproductive condition throughout the year. Spermatogenesis in the banana bat began in late September and spermatozoa were released into the caudae epididymides from late April to late July. Spermatozoa remained present in the caudae epididymides throughout August. Mating was initiated in May and ovulation and fertilization occurred at the beginning of August. Implantations first occurred during early August and parturition followed from late October to the end of November. Lactating females were found until mid January. In contrast to the same species in Malawi, it appears that in Mpumalanga no sperm storage takes place in females and occurs for only a short period in males. Reproductive timing was approximately one month earlier in Mpumalanga than in Malawi

Group composition and social events of the banana bat, Neoromicia nanus in Mpumalanga, South Africa

The social structure of banana bats (Neoromicia nanus) was studied in relation to reproductive events over an annual cycle in banana plantations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Banana plantations were visited at monthly periods over a year, and social group composition was investigated. Group composition varied considerably over the annual cycle, and was linked to reproductive status. Mixed-sex groups began to form during February, lasted until October, and were most frequent during mid winter (July). During the lactation period (Oct-Jan), females formed maternity colonies composed of lactating females and juveniles. Three kinds of leaf tubes were identified according to the size of the opening: small (0-20 mm), medium-sized (21-115 mm) and large (115 mm-unfolded leaf). Bats occupied mainly medium-sized leaf tubes. Average daily temperatures were high, even during the winter period (Jun-Aug), with humidity in the leaf tubes > 80% throughout the year. Although high humidity may play a role during hibernation to restrict dehydration, low ambient temperatures are important to sufficiently lower their body temperatures in order to lower metabolic rate and thus reduces energy requirements

Heterothermy in free-ranging male Egyptian Free-tailed bats (Tadarida aegyptiaca) in a subtropical climate

No abstract availabl

Reproductive strategy of the Egyptian free-tailed bat, Tadarida aegyptiaca, from a subtropical latitude (25°S) in South Africa

Free-tailed bats (Molossidae) are widely distributed in Africa and exhibit considerable reproductive flexibility. The Egyptian free-tailed bat, Tadarida aegyptiaca, is one of the most widespread of the molossids and is therefore an excellent model to study the variation in reproduction through latitudinal changes. Bats were collected during 2008 and 2009 from Pretoria (25°S), South Africa. In males, spermatogenesis was already underway in January (summer) and spermatozoa were first noted in the epididymis during May (late autumn), where they are stored until the end of September. From September, the testes showed little spermatogenic activity and possibly remained quiescent until early summer. In females, follicular development started prior to January with large Graafian follicles present in June. Ovulation, copulation and subsequent fertilization occurred in late August (spring). When compared to the same species from a low temperate latitude (33°S) it is apparent that spermatogenesis and follicular development were initiated earlier in the year at 25°S. We propose that the seasonal monoestry displayed by T. aegyptiaca at 25°S may be the norm throughout their distributional range and that a latitudinal difference of just eight degrees could influence the timing of events in the reproductive cycle of a free-tailed bat