Browsing by Title
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Moolla, Fiona F. (Taylor & Francis, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: This article compares the representation of African borders in the 14th-century travelogue of Ibn Battuta, the 19th-century travel narrative of Richard Burton and the 21st-century travel writing of Paul Theroux. It examines the mutually constitutive relationship between conceptions of literal territorial boundaries and the figurative boundaries of the subject that ventures across borders in Africa. The border is seen as a liminal zone which paradoxically separates and joins spaces. Accounts of border crossings in travel writing from different periods suggest the historicity and cultural specificity of conceptions of geographical borders, and the way they index the “boundaries” of the subjects who cross them. Tracing the transformations in these conceptions of literal and metaphorical borders allows one to chart the emergence of the dominant contemporary idea of “Africa” as the inscrutable, savage continent. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/605 Files in this item: 2
Moolla2013BorderCrossing.pdf (120.5Kb)MoollaBordercrossings 2013.pdf (165.4Kb) -
Blake, Edwin H.; Tucker, William D. (CTIT, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Connecting people across the Digital Divide is as much a social effort as a technological one. We are developing a community-centered approach to learn how interaction techniques can compensate for poor communication across the Digital Divide. We have incorporated the lessons learnt regarding Social Intelligence Design in an (abstract) device called the SoftBridge. The device allows information to flow from endpoints through adapters (getting converted if necessary), and out to destination endpoints. Field trials are underway with two communities in South Africa, disadvantaged deaf users and an isolated rural community. First lessons learned show that we have to design user interfaces that allow users to understand and cope with delay (latency) as a necessary consequence of our approach. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/617 Files in this item: 1
BlakeTucker-SID2004.pdf (158.2Kb) -
Wang, Yuan Yuan; Tucker, William D. (Telkom, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper describes work in progress to to provide browser-based sign language communication for Deaf users. The paper introduces the communication requirements for a disadvantaged Deaf community in Cape Town, describes related work of generic open source browser-based video and video systems targeted specifically to Deaf users. We posit an experimental design to test if Adobe Flash can help provide an acceptable video system for Deaf users. We wish to learn if the transport and video quality of browser-based Adobe Flash video can provide an effective platform for sign language communication. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/622 Files in this item: 1
WangTucker-SATNAC2009.pdf (141.2Kb) -
Lahiff, Edward (PLAAS, University of the Western Cape, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper reviews the types of business models, or landuse models, being implemented in land reform projects involving the transfer of rural land to communities and other groups in South Africa, under both the restitution and redistribution programmes. It draws heavily on the series of Diagnostic Studies prepared as part of the Sustainable Development Consortium’s (SDC) work on post-settlement support, but also draws from other studies on restitution, notably that conducted by the Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) in 2005, and the wider literature on redistributive land reform in South Africa. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/78 Files in this item: 1
Lahiff_Business2007.pdf (3.615Mb) -
Zulu, Docas Dudu; Tucker, William D. (Telkom, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper describes work in progress on call capacity optimization for voice over Internet Protocol on wireless mesh networks. In a developing country such as South Africa, evidence has shown that rural inhabitants find it difficult to afford the voice services offered by cellular networks. Voice over Internet Protocol is known for its affordability relative to cellular voice services, therefore deploying such services for rural communities will not only benefit rural inhabitants but also offer economic advantages to service providers. We are interested in the provision of voice services with rural wireless mesh networks. Unfortunately voice on mesh networks can experience packet loss and delays that cause reduction in voice quality. Transmission of small voice packets over wireless mesh networks imposes high overhead that leads to a tremendous decrease in call capacity. Therefore, we aim to study the performance of voice over 802.11 wireless mesh networks and evaluate packet aggregation mechanisms that merge small voice packets into a single large packet, in order to preserve voice quality with more calls. We will implement and evaluate packet aggregations mechanisms on a 'mesh potato' network with iterative cycles of laboratory experiments using a network simulator to collect data for performance evaluation. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/618 Files in this item: 1
ZuluTucker-SATNAC2010.pdf (138.4Kb) -
Mugabo, Pierre; Obikezea, Kenechukwu; Njagi, Angela; Burger, Andries; Dietrich, Danielle; Green, Ivan (Open Access Science Research Publisher, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: Crinum macowanii has been used extensively in traditional medicines for treatment of various illnesses such as oedema and ‘heart disease’. Previous studies of the crude bulb extracts on Langendorff perfused isolated rat hearts indicated a positive inotropic effect. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize compound(s) from C. macowanii with cardiovascular effects similar to that observed with the crude extracts of the plant. The methanol extract of dried bulbs was extracted for alkaloids, and structural elucidation of the isolated alkaloid identified it as hippadine. The cardiovascular effects of hippadine was evaluated in vitro in isolated perfused rat hearts using the “double sided” working heart system. Perfusion with 0.5 μg/ml and 5.0 μg/ml hippadine in Krebs-Hanseleit buffer led to significant decreases in coronary flow, aortic output, cardiac output, systolic pressure, and heart rate, accompanied by increases in diastolic pressure. Hippadine exhibited a negative chronotropic and inotropic effect on the isolated rat heart and is responsible either partly or fully for the cardiovascular effects of C. macowanii. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/401 Files in this item: 1
MugaboHippadine2012.pdf (63.78Kb) -
Gershwin, Lisa-Ann; Gibbons, Mark J. (Magnolia Press, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: A common and conspicuous member of the medusan fauna of South Africa has been the subject of repeated taxonomic confusion. After having been mistakenly identified by earlier workers as either Carybdea alata or Tamoya haplonema, this large and colourful carybdeid is described herein as Carybdea branchi, sp. nov. It is distinguished from its congeners on numerous characters: body to about 8cm in life, densely scattered with nematocyst warts over the whole body and abaxial keels of the pedalia; a bulge or lateral thorn on the pedalial canal bend; with 2 dendritic velarial canals per octant, highly diverticulated; with a long manubrium; with greatly bushy epaulette-like phacellae, comprising 20 or more roots tightly clustered; with well developed mesenteries; and with conspicuous brownish pigmented areas over the proximal and distal regions of the pedalia and over the phacellae. A comparative table of the primary diagnostic characters of species in the genus Carybdea is given. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/369 Files in this item: 1
GershwinCarybdeida2009.pdf (1.003Mb) -
Mutemwa, Muyowa; Tucker, William D.; Norman, Michael (Telkom, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper discusses how an Instant Messaging application on a computer can use Bluetooth in order to provide vibration notification on a mobile phone. The initial motivation was to aid Deaf1 office workers to know when events happened on the computer on their desks. Deaf people with access to modern technology have become accustomed to using Instant Messaging, email and video conferencing. However, most of these applications are designed for hearing users and often use audible notification. Cell phone vibration offers a way to convey similar notifications because many Deaf users have a cell phone. The use of SMS has also become widespread among Deaf users because they cannot hear or speak, even though they might be somewhat text illiterate. Vibration notification in addition to aural notification is common on most cell phones and Deaf users can use the former. This paper describes a Bluetooth notification system to notify a Deaf user with vibration on a cell phone whenever a new Instant Message is received on a given computer. A design goal was to provide an application programming interface to the notification system so that it can be used with any form of Web 2.0 desktop communication tool. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/530 Files in this item: 1
MutemwaNormanTuckerBluetooth2009.pdf (343.6Kb) -
Puoane, Thandi; Tsolekile, Lungiswa (Kamla-Raj Enterprises, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper was conducted to describe some of the circumstances that increases the risk factors for non-communicable diseases amongst the previously disadvantaged South African population. The work presented here is based on an action research in an urban black township of Cape Town. The goal was to develop a Non- Communicable Disease model, which can be used to benefit an urban township community. Using a participatory process data was collected during each stage of the development and implenting interventions. Interviews, observations and situational assessment of resources available for promoting healthy lifestyle in the township were used to collect data. Although urbanisation seems to be a driving force in nutrition transition, there are underlying factors that influence lifestyle changes. These includes the environment in which people find themselves. The city provides variety of cheap unhealthy food at a lower price. Due to poverty and lack of knowledge, healthy foods become of less important. People tend to indulge in food rich in fat and sugars due to the belief that they have missed opportunities of enjoying these foods due to deprivation. This has lead to the increase in the prevalence of NCDs among poor South Africans. In conclusion, this work provided important information regarding the challenges faced by the urbanised poor population in South Africa. Although Khayelitsha was used to illustrate these challenges, the situation is similar to other urban townships of in South Africa. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/242 Files in this item: 1
PuoaneChallenges2008.pdf (28.29Kb) -
Frantz, Jose M. (Nova Southeastern University, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Health care is changing and the demands put on health professionals are increasing. Physiotherapy education should reflect the health and social priorities of the nation. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) is committed to assisting physiotherapy associations in developing educational standards. Physiotherapy education in Africa however, seems to have a real need for assistance from the WCPT. The aim of this paper is to highlight the challenges facing physiotherapy education in Africa. The Delphi methodology was used to obtain information from key informants involved in the area of physiotherapy education from a variety of African countries. The majority of the participants were people who have experienced physiotherapy education in Africa either as graduates or current teachers. Data were analyzed into themes and sent back to respondents for confirmation. The most important challenges highlighted were: lack of undergraduate training opportunities, limited number of therapists, upgrading of physiotherapy educators, research as a major component of physiotherapy education, and recognition of physiotherapy as an essential service. It is concluded that assistance is needed for physiotherapists from Africa to take their rightful place in the health team and higher education institutions should look at improving diploma qualifications of physiotherapists in African countries. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/189 Files in this item: 1
FrantzChallenges2007.pdf (221.5Kb) -
Hart, Genevieve; Davids, Marion (University of Kwazulu Natal, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The article reports on an action research project to investigate the effectiveness of an information literacy intervention for first year engineering students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The intervention consisted of two workshops which aimed to teach the students to find information relevant to their essays via the university’s OPAC and engineering databases and to reference and cite their sources. The project assessed students’ information skills before and after the two workshops with the use of a questionnaire consisting of a set of questions based on some of the American College and Research Library (ACRL) standards. The research provides insight into how information literacy education at CPUT library can be improved. Its major recommendations are that more time in the timetable must be allocated to information literacy education and that lecturers should recognise the educational role of librarians. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/440 Files in this item: 1
HartInformationLiteracyEducation2010.pdf (241.9Kb) -
Meyers, Tammy; Dramowski, Angela; Schneider, Helen; Gardiner, Nicolene; Kuhn, Louise; Moore, David (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: With widespread availability of pediatric antiretro- viral therapy and improved access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), it is important to monitor the impact on pediatric HIV-related hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality in South Africa. Methods: Over a 15-year period, 4 independent surveillance studies were conducted in the pediatric wards at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa (1996, 2005, 2007, and late 2010 to early 2011). Trends in HIV prevalence and HIV-related mortality were evaluated. Results: HIV prevalence was similar during the first 3 periods: 26.2% (1996), 31.7% (2005), and 29.5% (2007) P > 0.10, but was lower in 2010-2011 (19.3%; P = 0.0005). Median age of the children admitted with HIV increased in the latter periods from 9.13 (interquartile range 3.6-28.8) months to 10.0 (3.0-44.5) months (P > 0.10) and 18.0 (6.2-69.8) months (P = 0.048). Median admis¬sion weight-for-age z-scores were similar (< -3 SD) for the latter 3 periods. Admission CD4 percentage increased from 0.0% (0.0-9.4) in 2005 to 15.0% (8.2-22.8) in 2007 (P < 0.0001) and was 18.7% (9.6-24.7) in 2010-2011 (P > 0.10). Mortality among all vs. HIV- infected admissions was 63 of 565 (11.2%) and 43 of 179 (24.0%) in 2005, 91 of 1510 (6.0%) and 53 of 440 (12.0%) in 2007, and 18 of 429 (4.2%) and 9 of 73 (12.3%) in 2010-2011. Conclusions: HIV prevalence and mortality among pediatric admissions is decreasing. This is likely a result of improved PMTCT and wider antiretroviral therapy coverage. Continued effort to improve PMTCT coverage and identify and treat younger and older HIV-infected children is required to further reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/507 Files in this item: 1
MeyersPediatricHIV2012.pdf (1.017Mb) -
Kerfoot, Caroline (Centre for Bilingual Research, Stockholm University, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This study aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the circumstances under which adult education, in particular adult basic education, can support and occasionally initiate participatory development, social action and the realisation of citizenship rights. It traces developments in adult basic education in South Africa, and more specifically literacy and language learning, over the years 1981 to 2001, with reference to specific multilingual contexts in the Northern and Western Cape. The thesis is based on four individual studies, documenting an arc from grassroots work to national policy development and back. Study I, written in the early 1990s, critically examines approaches to teaching English to adults in South Africa at the time and proposes a participatory curriculum model for the additional language component of a future adult education policy. Study II is an account of attempts to implement this model and explores the implications of going to scale with such an approach. Studies III and IV draw on a qualitative study of an educator development programme after the transition to democracy. Study III uses Bourdieu's theory of practice and the concept of reflexivity to illuminate some of the connections between local discursive practices, self-formation, and broader relations of power. Study IV uses Iedema's (1999) concept of resemiotisation to trace the ways in which individuals re-shaped available representational resources to mobilise collective agency in community-based workshops. The summary provides a framework for these studies by locating and critiquing each within shifts in the political economy of South Africa. It reflects on a history of research and practice, raising questions to do with voice, justice, power, agency, and desire. Overall, this thesis argues for a reconceptualisation of ABET that is more strongly aligned with development goals and promotes engagement with new forms of state/society/economy relations. Description: Printed copies of this publication are available from the Centre for Research on Bilingualism, http://www.biling.su.se/pub/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=13478&a=69198 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/215 Files in this item: 1
KerfootChangingConceptions2009.pdf (429.9Kb) -
Genis, Amelia (PLAAS, University of the Western Cape, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: The privileged position of white commercial farmers in South Africa came to an end by the early 1990s, when political and policy changes removed the certainty provided by controlled marketing, protective tariffs and weak legislation regulating resource use and labour relations on farms and transformed agriculture into a sector that is highly sensitive to events on world markets. Despite their dwindling numbers and disarticulation from political power commercial farmers represent a dominant group in the countryside, retaining a near monopoly of resources and considerable power. Yet, the dynamics of change in the sector are not properly understood or well-researched. This paper presents data from a recent survey of 141 commercial farmers in the Limpopo, Western and Northern Cape Provinces that shows that they consider input costs, climate, labour matters, uncertainty about government policies and producer prices as the major pressures bearing down upon them. The adoption of farming methods which are less labour-intensive and the extension of labour legislation and minimum wages to farm workers, together have led to the decline of on-farm employment. Declining profit margins have resulted in a ‘shake-out’ in which only the most competitive enterprises can survive, leading to increased concentration in agricultural landholding and production. These processes imply that new entrants to agriculture with limited capital face daunting challenges, which policy needs to address. The paper explores these wider implications. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/570 Files in this item: 1
PLAAS_WorkingPaper24Genis.pdf (1.302Mb) -
Musingarimi, Wicleffe; Tuffin, I. Marla; Cowan, Donald A. (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: An arsenic resistant Bacillus sp. UWC was isolated from fly ash acid mine drainage (FA-AMD) neutralised solids. A genomic library was prepared and screened in an arsenic sensitive mutant Escherichia coli strain for the presence of arsenic resistance (ars) genes. Sequence analysis of a clone conferring resistance to both sodium arsenite and sodium arsenate revealed homologues to the arsR (regulatory repressor), arsB (membrane located arsenite pump), arsC (arsenate reductase), arsD (second regulatory repressor and a metallochaperone) and arsA (ATPase) genes from known arsenic resistance operons. The Bacillus sp. UWC arsRBCDA genes were shown to be arranged in an unusual manner with the arsDA genes immediately downstream of arsC. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/160 Files in this item: 1
MusingarimiCharacterisation2010.PDF (566.6Kb) -
Mohamed, Nadia; Barnes, Jo (Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Objective: This retrospective survey highlighted the characteristics of children less than six years of age presenting with early childhood caries(ECC) who had two or more teeth extracted under intravenous sedation at the Tygerberg Oral Health Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. This survey was carried out in order to plan a community-appropriate intervention strategy. Methods: Records of 140 patients kept by the pediatric Dentistry Division met the inclusion criteria and were included in this survey. Most of the patients originate from economically disadvantaged areas. Results: Diet, feeding and oral hygiene habits were shown to be the most significant factors that contributed to the development of ECC in these patients. All the children were either breast- or bottle-fed past one year of age. 93.6% of the children went to sleep with the bottle or while on the breast and 90% of them were fed on demand during the night. On average, breastfeeding was stopped at 9 months of age compared to bottle-feeding that, on average, was stopped at a much later mean age of 23 months. Where oral hygiene practices were concerned, 52.6% of children brushed their own teeth without supervision. Frequency of brushing varied between subjects. Conclusion: The results of this study have demonstrated that there is a need for culturally appropriate education campaigns to inform parents (especially those in disadvantaged communities) about the importance of oral health and the prevention of oral disease. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/443 Files in this item: 1
MohamedEarlyChildhoodCaries2008.pdf (190.6Kb) -
Chirwa, Danwood Mzikenge (Community Law Centre, University of the Western Cape, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The rights to food and basic nutrition have been implemented rather unsystematically in South Africa through a hodgepodge of policies and indirectly by legislation. In view of the dearth of jurisprudence, this paper sought to tease out the meaning of children’s right of access to food as well as their right to basic nutrition, to analyse the significance of, and correlation between, these two rights, and to consider their implications for South African law and policy. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/203 Files in this item: 1
ChirwaChildPoverty2009.pdf (585.1Kb) -
September, Rose; Savahl, Shazly (University of Johannesburg, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) through its reporting framework for nation states has prompted increasing interest on the measuring and monitoring of child well-being. The domains and indicators included in the repertoire of country measures of child well-being have mostly been constructed and monitored by adults, usually social scientists and government officials. This study explored children’s own understandings of children’s well-being. Sixteen focus groups were conducted with 200 children between the ages of 9 and 16 years. The study identified protection and safety, basic needs, community resources and psychosocial issues as the key domains of well-being. The study further highlighted the importance of perceiving well-being as an integrated whole consisting of closely interacting components rather than as a discrete multidimensional phenomenon. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/211 Files in this item: 1
SeptemberChildWellBeing2009.pdf (212.1Kb) -
Puoane, Thandi; Tsolekile, Lungiswa; Sanders, David; Parker, Whadiah (Health Systems Trust, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This chapter will examine the current actions, including lifestyle measures, for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases within a South African context. It will also focus on the biological, behavioural and social determinants of health. Interventions and initiatives directed at primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases are also discussed. This chapter ends with recommended lifestyle changes, which can be taken to influence the adoption of healthy lifestyles, and therefore reduce the risks for chronic non-communicable diseases. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/255 Files in this item: 1
PuoaneChronic2008.pdf (621.8Kb) -
Igumbor, Ehimario U.; Puoane, Thandi; Gansky, Stuart A.; Plesh, Octavia (Medpharm Publications, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: Comprehensive information is needed on the epidemiology and burden of chronic pain in the population for the development of appropriate health interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, risk indicators and responses of chronic pain among adults in Ngangelizwe, Mthatha, South Africa. Method: A cross-sectional survey utilising structured interviews of a sample of adult residents was used. Interviews elicited information on socio-demographic characteristics, general health status, and the prevalence, duration, frequency, severity, activity limitation and impact of chronic pain. Results: More than 95% (n = 473) of the sampled adults participated in the study. Of these, 182 [38.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 36.3-42.5%] reported chronic pain in at least one anatomical site. The most common pain sites were the back and head. The median pain score was 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 [interquartile range (IQR) = 4-7] and the median number of sites of pain was 1 (IQR = 1-2). Female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.7-3.9] and being older than 50 years of age (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 2.6-4.1) were identified as risk indicators for chronic pain in the sample. Over 65% of respondents reported that they self-treated; 92.1% had consulted with a doctor or nurse, 13.6% consulted a traditional healer, and 34.5% consulted a pharmacist because of their pain. Despite this, over 50% reported that relief of their pain was transient. Conclusion: Chronic pain is a common general complaint in this community, but there is a need for focused attention on women and the elderly. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10566/432 Files in this item: 1
IgumborChronicPainMthatha2011.pdf (228.2Kb)