Identification of Mgenia fuscovaria (Stål)(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of aster yellows disease on grapevines in South Africa, and differentiation from Mgenia angusta (Theron) by nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (cox1) gene

Aster yellows phytoplasma (AY), only recently reported in South Africa and still limited in its distribution in the country, causes a serious disease of grapevine. A leafhopper, Mgenia fuscovaria (Stål)(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), was shown to transmit AY to grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) locally. A second Mgenia species, identified as Mgenia angusta (Theron), has also been found in vineyards in South Africa but has not been shown to transmit AY. M. angusta is morphologically similar to M. fuscovaria, but does differ regarding the size of the male sex organ and in the number of teeth of the blades making up the ovipositor. In this study, we determined the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (cox1),commonly used in insect bar-coding, of a number of specimens of males, females and nymphs of both M. fuscovaria and M. angusta. No differences were observed between the cox1 sequences of the male, female and nymph specimens putatively assigned to any specific species, but some nucleotide sequence differences were observed between specimens of M. fuscovaria and M. angusta. These differences, however, were insufficient to allow the development of PCR systems specific to each species

Multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA): A tool to support sustainable management of groundwater resources in South Africa

The National Water Act (NWA) of 1998 has been promulgated in South Africa to support the attainment of sustainable water resource use. Before the Act was promulgated, landowners were entitled to unlimited groundwater use. The Act rectified this anomaly; however, the practical application of sustainable development concepts in groundwater resource management will be complex. A multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was used to identify critical alternative courses of action and to develop a decision-making framework for sustainable groundwater management. Through applying the decision model described in this paper a number of strategies have been proposed which are aligned to the legislative requirements of the NWA. Water SA Vol. 32(2) 2006: pp.119-12

Research as a Learning Experience: A Phenomenological Explication

A phenomenological method was employed to explore the learning experiences of seven honours psychology learners who have completed research projects. The research event was experienced as a learning adventure, a period of personal growth, and also lead to a strong appreciation of the differences between doing research in practice and research as described in texts. They regarded time management and problem solving skills as important prerequisites to successful research. Findings provide guidelines for academics involved in the research training of learners and are a useful source of information, to provide insight into and alert learners to the challenges of research

Prevalence, socio-demographic risk factors and consequences of exposure to violence among adolescents in the Macassar community

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goals of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence in a random sample ru=203) of adolescents (14-20 years) from a disadvantaged, relative low socio-economic coloured community, (2) the prevalence ratio of the number of participants who were only witnesses (witnesses) versus the number who were victims (of which some might occasionally also have been witnesses) of non-sexual interpersonal violence, (3) the relationship between certain socio-demographic variables and exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence in order to identify potential risk factors, and (4) to determine whether victims differed significantly from witnesses with regard to the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSDS) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) that do not meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. The sample consisted of Afrikaans-speaking coloured boys (!!=101) and girls (!!=102) between the ages of 14 and 20 years predominantly from low-income families who lived in municipal sub-economic housing, and who attended two high schools in Macassar. The measuring instruments comprised a customised socio-demograhpic questionnaire, the Child Exposure to Community Violence Scale which measures exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence as witnesses and victims and the Child and Adolescent PTSD Checklist to assess the incidence ofPTSDS and PTSS. In order to identify potential risk factors for exposure to violence, the relationship between , exposure to violence and the socio-demographic variables of age, gender and presence/absence of a parent as primary caretaker was investigated. It was found that all participants were exposed to non-sexual interpersonal violence as either witnesses (37.9%) or victims (62.1 %). In contrast to findings of other studies, the majority of participants were victims themselves and not only witnesses. Older adolescents (17-20 years) were, in comparison with younger ones (14-16 years), significantly more exposed to non-sexual interpersonal violence as both witnesses and as victims. Older adolescents were thus more at risk for exposure to interpersonal violence. No statistically significant relationship was found between exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence, either as witness or as victim, and the variables of gender and presence or absence of a parent as a pnmary caregiver. The incidence of reported PTSDS and PTSS, which was significantly related to exposure to non-sexual interpersonal violence, was relatively high. Thirty adolescents (15%) met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, 131 (65%) presented with one or more prominent PTSDS and a further 186 (90%) reported PTSS. Victims reported significantly more PTSS than witnesses.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstellings van hierdie studie was om (1) die voorkoms van blootstelling aan nieseksuele interpersoonlike geweld by 'n ewekansige steekproef Ct:l:=203) adolessente (14 tot 20 jaar oud) van twee plaaslike hoërskole in 'n benadeelde, relatief lae sosio-ekonomiese Kleurlinggemeenskap te bepaal, (2) die voorkomsratio van die aantal deelnemers wat slegs waarnemers was (waarnemers) versus die aantal wat slagoffers was (van wie sommige per geleentheid ook waarnemers kon gewees het) van nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld te bepaal, (3) die verband tussen sekere sosio-demografiese veranderlikes en blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld te bepaal ten einde potensiële risiko-faktore te identifiseer, en (4) om vas te stelof waarnemers beduidend van slagoffers verskil het ten opsigte van die voorkoms van post-traumatiese-stresversteuring-simptome (PTSVS) en post-traumatiese-stres-simptome (PTSS) wat nie voldoen aan die kriteria van posttraumatiese- stresversteuring nie. Die steekproef het bestaan uit Afrikaanssprekende kleurlingseuns (n= 101) en -dogters (n=102) tussen 14 en 20 jaar oud uit oorwegend lae-inkomste gesinne in sub-ekonomiese munisipale behuising en wat leerders was aan twee hoërskole in Macassar. Die meetinstrumente het 'n doelmatige sosio-demografiese vraelys, die Child Exposure to Community Violence Scale om blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld as waarnemers en as slagoffers te meet, en die Child Adolescent PTSD Checklist om die voorkoms van PTSVS en PTSS te bepaal, ingesluit. Ten einde potensiële risiko-faktore vir blootstelling aan geweld te identifiseer, is die verband tussen blootstelling aan geweld en die sosio-demografiese veranderlikes van ouderdom, geslag en die teenwoordigheid/afwesigheid van 'n ouer as pimêre versorger ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat al die deelnemers, hetsy as waarnemers (37.9%) of slagoffers (62.1 %), aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld blootgestel was. In teenstelling met die bevindings van ander studies was die meerderheid van die deelnemers self slagoffers van geweld en nie net waarnemers daarvan nie. Ouer adolessente (17-20 jaar) was, in vergelyking met jongeres (14 tot 16 jaar), beduidend meer aan interpersoonlike geweld, beide as waarnemers en as slagoffers, blootgestel. Ouer adolessente was dus 'n hoër risikogroep vir blootstelling aan interpersoonlike geweld. Geen statisties beduidende verband is tussen die veranderlikes van geslag en die teenwoordigheid van 'n ouer as primêre versorger en blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld as óf slegs waarnemer óf slagoffer gevind nie. Die voorkoms van gerapporteerde PTSVS en PTSS, wat 'n beduidende verband met blootstelling aan nie-seksuele interpersoonlike geweld getoon het, was relatief hoog. Dertig adolessente (15%) het voldoen aan die diagnostiese kriteria van post-traumatiese stresversteuring, 131 (65%) het met een of meer prominente PTSVS gepresenteer en 'n verdere 186 (90%) het PTSS gerapporteer. Slagoffers het beduidend meer PTSVS en PTSS as waarnemers gerapporteer

The shape and form of the 21st century academic library in South Africa : the case of the University of Cape Town libraries

This study sought to ascertain the shape and form of the 21st century academic library in South Africa, using the case of UCT Libraries. The objective was supported by sub-objectives, namely: to ascertain, via a rigorous review of literature, how far along academic libraries worldwide are with incorporating technological advances in their services; to identify the progress of UCT Libraries in establishing itself as a 21st century academic library; to ascertain how readily staff adapt to changes and new technology in the library; and, to ascertain user expectations of a modern, digital era academic library. A qualitative design with a case study approach was employed by the study. The study was supported by organizational learning theory. Themes emanating from the literature include, inter alia, open access, MOOCs, digital humanities and research data management. Further data was collected via interviews and a questionnaire survey of purposively sampled library staff. Stratified random sampling was used to extract samples from the targeted user population (UCT undergraduates, postgraduates and, academics and researchers) for surveying by means of online questionnaires. The study concludes that academic libraries, the world over, are adapting their services according to user demands and users’ use of current technology; that UCT Libraries is currently in the process of establishing itself as a 21st century academic library and that the progress and procedures currently in place to encourage new developments, holds UCT Libraries in good stead towards establishing itself as a 21st century academic library service; that the prevailing culture of organizational learning in UCT Libraries bodes well for constantly adapting to new technologies; and, that users are generally satisfied with the services they are receiving from the Library. Although the case of UCT Libraries was used in this study, in many ways this case is typical of academic libraries in other parts of South Africa as well as in other parts of the world and hence this study of the shape and form of the 21st century academic library has relevance to other academic library contexts as well

Spirituality as “good Christian citizenship” in the pastoral epistles?

Dibelius, in his commentary on the Pastoral Epistles, suggested that they represented a way-of-being in the world resulting from the delay of the parousia. As such they advocate a form of spirituality which can best be described as “good Christian citizenship”. This paper, drawing on both Taylor’s understanding of the “social imaginary” and Waaijman’s understanding of spirituality, examines Dibelius’ contention by revisiting the concept of eusebeia (godliness/piety), which is prevalent in the Pastorals, in the light of the lived experience of pagans, Jews and Christians in first-century Ephesus

A frightening view on schizophrenia. Combining fear conditioning and ketamine administration to investigate emotional blunting in an animal model of schizophrenia

De negatieve symptomen van schizofrenie zijn gerelateerd aan het leren en verwerken van emoties zoals angst. Promovenda Charmaine Pietersen onderzocht of deze emoties nog geleerd en verwerkt kunnen worden bij een (sterk) verminderde functie van het glutama­terge neurotransmitter systeem in de hersenen. De resultaten van het onderzoek ondersteu­nen eerdere hypotheses over de negatieve symptomen van schizofrenie.

The sustainability of emerging black construction companies: potential threats

Construction plays an important role in South Africa’s socio-economic development. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was therefore developed in terms of the CIDB Act 38 0f 2000 and its reason for establishment is to lead the construction industry stakeholders in construction development. Some of the responsibilities of the CIDB is to ensure that there is skills development and transformation in the industry. On the delivery of infrastructure assets for the benefit of the ordinary citizens of South Africa, there are frequent challenges that contractors tend to experience. Such challenges include a wide range of compliance protocols such as tax compliance issues. The limited knowledge of taxation often result in understatement of income culminating in taxation audits and ultimately significant penalties and unexpected taxation liabilities. Other critical areas include successful project management of projects including proper costing and scheduling of project activities. The extent of this problem is evident in the number of terminations of contracts of such service providers, where some of them have even been blacklisted on the National Treasury Database of restricted service providers prohibiting them from doing any business with government for a stipulated period. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the factors that contribute to threatening the sustainability of black owned emerging construction companies. In order to gain an understanding of the problems that contractors face that pose a threat to their sustainability, questionnaires will be distributed to contractors and reviews by interview will be conducted. A qualitative study was therefore conducted. The relationships between the skills set of the contractors, the type of work they have for example, government and/or private sector work, methods of funding projects, periods of receiving payments, SARS compliance requirements and how these factors interrelate with each other was investigated. The causal effect/relationship of each of these on the sustainability of the contractors was determined. This study involves a case study approach and a qualitative research design. A multiple-case study method was selected to broaden the understanding of the phenomenon under of the study. The two black-owned construction companies used as the subjects for this study were selected on the basis that they would enable this research to determine what factors play a role and what threats are to their sustainability, in spite of the government support programs. The interpretivism approach was used as a means of describing what factors posed threats to the sustainability of emerging black construction companies. The aim of this study was not to test any hypothesis but to rather explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the construction industry, the role of the government and to understand what factors affect the emerging black construction companies to a point of point threats to their sustainability. The results of this study indicate that a wide range of challenges tend to hamper development and progress of emerging construction companies. Some of these challenges include poor employee retention strategies where very little emphasis is placed on the value of people. Workplace training through formal learnership or artisan programs are non-existent and a formalised role is required in this regard. Performance management is hardly measured or monitored in the business which has a direct impact on prospective growth. Cash flow is a critical challenge in the business and the study finds that financial management administrative skills are lacking. Financial management administration is linked to cash flow management and cash flow projections. The study also contributes to emerging theories such as business planning in relation to sustainable growth and innovation of SMEs