This dissertation is based on the premise that design, no matter how intricate or complex in nature, arises from something as basic and rudimentary as a ‘need’. It is a process of retrospection into how interior design answers the needs of human beings in the environment. The aim of the project is celebrate the act of waiting and the experience of the ‘every-day’ world. Interior design is used to acts as ‘mediator’ between people, their needs and the environment. The project sheds light on the ‘every-day' life world by investigating the activities and interactions of people within the context of a public transport facility. The ‘status-quo’ of such facilities in South Africa is questioned by investigating the extent to which interior design acts as mediator to facilitate the user. The main activities of ‘waiting’ and ‘foodvending’ form the basis of the design project. The proposed site (Spaza Shed) is located in Scheiding Street at the north-western edge of the Pretoria Station precinct in the central business district (CBD) of Pretoria. Originally used as an office building, it underwent radical alteration when it was converted into a bus terminal by Stauch and Vorster Architects in 1993. This typological change rendered the building isolated from the rest of the site context. In addition, following the upgrading of what is today the new bus station building (south of the building) the Spaza Shed was abandoned and used for storage. Today, the building houses several steel kiosks of which only a few are occupied by food-vendors who prepare and sell ‘traditional’ meals. Lack of facilities and systems mean that the building presents a health risk to both tenants and customers. The northern edge of the building consists of a series of small shops and inadequate benches where bus commuters clamour while waiting. The proximity of the Spaza Shed relative to the bus station provides the potential for the Spaza Shed to serve as an active waiting station for bus commuters as well as pedestrians moving past the building. The proposed program rests on the basis of mediation and interaction by connecting the Spaza Shed building with the bus station as well as the CBD. An active waiting area is proposed which will house seating (based on ergonomic principles and postures), public restroomand shower facilities, food kiosks, interior green spaces, free wifi access and interactive information stations. A proposal is made for a a play area and a day care center. / Dissertation MInt(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2013 / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

This research project investigates the possibility of a public programme-overlay at the Union Buildings, situated on Meintjieskop on the western edge of the Pretoria inner city. The design of the Buildings was commissioned to Sir Herbert Baker to celebrate the newly formed Union of South Africa in 1910. The buildings were completed in 1913 and this research project attempts to commemorate the centenary of this landmark. The buildings’ current state does not allow for public participation and this seems unfortunate for both the public and the buildings. This dissertation attempts to reintroduce the Union Buildings to South Africans, the Pretoria public as well as international tourists by recording the memory of the buildings. The intervention is an interpretative archive to the life of the Union Buildings. The static, stereotomic nature of the buildings has ironically been shaped and forced into many different symbolic meanings through the ever-changing political and cultural dynamics of South Africa. The life of the buildings has been interpreted into five distinguishing symbolic-eras: Birth, Union, Oppression, Democracy and Power. The new intervention attempts to make these layered eras public. This project will also explore the relationship between architecture and craft. This study understands that architecture is more than ever becoming a two dimensional experience and this is believed to be a direct result of the dimension in which it is explored - between pen and paper. The investigation will contest this current condition in which architecture finds itself. Moreover the focus of this study will be to explore architecture in its final dimension, thus exploring the relationship between architecture and craft. In the true sense this is a study of the tekton. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria 2012. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The contemporary world is continuously evolving and changing. This can be ascribed to technological development. There exists an expanding digital realm that is changing the way society interacts with its surroundings and context. Interior design is a discipline that alters existing structures. This dissertation explores the role of interior design in adapting existing structures to technological development, focusing on digital development. Theories concerning hybrid design were investigated and compared in order to generate a design approach to the problem. Contextual analysis was done in order to establish important factors that would contribute to the generation of an appropriate programme. Thereafter precedents were analysed in order to supplement the body of knowledge. The final product is a mixed-use facility which includes an electronic book (e-book) publishing facility for Van Schaik Publishers as well as a facility for the contextual public where interaction with digital media is facilitated. The dissertation provides a project that acts as a mediator between the material and digital realms. Simultaneously, the product acts as a catalyst for bridging the great ‘digital divide’ one finds in a country like South Africa, where the larger population has no access to the digital realm. / Dissertation MInt(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / MInt(Prof) / Unrestricted

The Tswaing Meteorite Crater, formed 220 000 years ago, on the farm of Zoutpan, (or also known as the Pretoria Saltpan), had been a topographic and geological riddle for a long period of time. The gathering of salt from the crater was its main attraction for many groups that flocked to the crater, which later became an important beacon of infrastructure, becoming the largest producer of Soda and Salt in the Transvaal in the early 1900’s. Knowledge is an intangible quality of the cultural landscape and its history which can be lost in the blink of an eye if it is not preserved, commemorated and conserved for future generations. Through the investigation of Inclusive Design and the application of its principles, the narrative which is Tswaing, can be made accessible to all by revealing the concealed narrative of the place, tangible and intangible, through time. The afterthought or lack of design for disabled individuals can be seen in many projects. By ensuring accessibility is part of the design process from the onset of the project, valuable resources are not needlessly wasted later. As a result the cultural landscape and its secrets can be uncovered and shared with all. / Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / unrestricted

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2016-04-25T18:18:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Eduardo Almeida.pdf: 4456269 bytes, checksum: b74d643c3c7aec835392881bd8989cce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T18:18:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Eduardo Almeida.pdf: 4456269 bytes, checksum: b74d643c3c7aec835392881bd8989cce (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências-Geoquímica. Niterói, RJ / O caranguejo uçá (Ucides cordatus) é típico de manguezais, tendo importante papel na ciclagem de nutrientes. Apresenta desenvolvimento indireto e a fêmea transporta os ovos por cerca de um mês, havendo em seguida, fase larval planctônica. Poucos estudos tratam da transferência de elementos-traço das fêmeas para os embriões ou do meio para estes. Trabalhos sobre a contaminação das fêmeas são escassos e até o momento, nenhum abordou a contaminação em embriões e larvas de U. cordatus. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a concentração de elementos-traço em fêmeas, ovos em diferentes estágios e larvas recém-eclodidas de duas populações do sudeste do Brasil (baía de Guanabara e Rio Paraíba do Sul). Também objetivou avaliar se o ciclo reprodutivo da espécie pode resultar em exportação de elementos-traço dos manguezais para a costa adjacente. Por fim, foram analisados o δ13C, δ15N e a razão N/C nas fêmeas. Através de coleta manual, fêmeas ovígeras foram obtidas nos verões de 2012, 2013 e 2014. Parte delas foi levada para aquários de desova, onde foram obtidas as larvas recém-eclodidas. Em laboratório, tecidos, ovos e larvas foram congelados e depois liofilizados e digeridos em ácido nítrico suprapuro, com auxílio de micro-ondas. Concentrações de elementos traço foram obtidas em ICP-MS. Foram analisadas fêmeas com largura da carapaça entre 5,5 e 7,9 cm. A fecundidade foi semelhante nas duas áreas de estudo (média > 110.000 ovos.fêmea-1). A análise de δ13C demonstrou diferenças significativas entre as populações. Apesar disso, os dados apontaram folhas de mangue como principal item alimentar. Os valores de δ15N foram acima do esperado para o nível trófico da espécie. Nas fêmeas, as maiores concentrações de Cu, Cr, Cd e As foram observadas nas brânquias, principalmente anteriores. Níquel foi mais concentrado no hepatopâncreas, enquanto Zn foi mais concentrado em músculos e hepatopâncreas. Fêmeas do Rio Paraíba do Sul apresentaram maiores níveis de contaminação, em especial de Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd e Ba. Tal tendência foi coerente com os níveis observados em sedimentos superficiais e com dados de biodisponibilidade citados na literatura. Em comparação com estágios iniciais dos ovos e larvas recém-eclodidas, as concentrações de V, Cr, Ni e Pb foram maiores em ovos no estágio final de desenvolvimento, indicando que a casca do ovo previne o contato do embrião com certos elementos-traço. As concentrações de Cd e Ni foram maiores no hepatopâncreas das fêmeas do que em ovos e larvas. Por outro lado, os elementos V, Zn, As e Pb foram mais concentrados nas larvas. Os resultados do presente estudo corroboraram as vias de contaminação de embriões postuladas em trabalhos com outras espécies: 1. Transferência de elementos-traço das fêmeas para os ovos, durante sua formação; e 2. Absorção de elementos-traço do meio circundante durante o desenvolvimento embrionário. Considerando as concentrações em larvas e a quantidade de larvas liberadas nas desovas, pode-se afirmar que o ciclo reprodutivo da espécie resulta na transferência de elementos-traço do bentos para o ambiente pelágico. Durante as desovas (liberação larval) de U. cordatus na baía de Guanabara e no Rio Paraíba do Sul, os elementos Zn, Cu, Mn, As e Ba teriam a maior introdução na coluna d’água, sendo provavelmente transportados para a costa adjacente. Considerando as diversas espécies de caranguejos de manguezais que têm hábitos e ciclo de vida muito semelhantes aos do caranguejo uçá, o período reprodutivo destes animais pode resultar em relevante exportação de elementos-traço / The uçá crab (Ucides cordatus) is typical of mangroves and has important role in nutrient cycling. The specie presents indirect development and female carries the eggs for about a month. After, planktonic larvae are released. There are few studies about the transfer of trace elements from female to embryos or from environment for these. Studies about contamination of females are scarce and none was made with embryos and larvae of U. cordatus. The aim of this study were to analyze the concentration of trace elements in females, eggs in different stages and newly hatched larvae of two populations of southeastern Brazil (Guanabara Bay and Paraíba do Sul River). Also aimed evaluate if the reproductive cycle of the species can result in export of trace elements of mangroves for adjacent coast. As complementary data the δ13C, δ15N and the N/C in females were analyzed. Ovigerous females were obtained in the summers of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Tissues, eggs and larvae were lyophilized and digested in superpure nitric acid using microwave. Concentrations of trace elements were analyzed in ICP-MS. Females showed carapace width between 5.5 and 7.9 cm. Fecundity was similar in both study areas (mean > 110,000 eggs female -1). The δ13C analysis showed significant differences among populations. Nevertheless, the data showed mangrove leaves as main food. The δ15N values were higher than expected for the trophic level of the species. The highest concentrations of Cu, Cr, Cd and As were observed in gills, especially anterior gills. Nickel was more concentrated in the hepatopancreas, while Zn was more concentrated in muscle and hepatopancreas. Concentrations of V, Cr, Ni and Pb in eggs of the final developmental stage were higher than observed in early stages and newly hatched larvae. This indicates that eggshell is a barrier for certain trace elements. Cadmium and Ni were more concentrated in hepatopancreas of females than in eggs and larvae. On the other hand, the elements V, Zn, As and Pb were more concentrated in larvae. Females of the Paraíba do Sul River had higher levels of contamination, especially of Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Ba. This trend was consistent with the levels observed in surface sediments and bioavailability data cited in the literature. Our data corroborate the pathways of embryos contamination, postulated in anterior studies with other species: 1. Transfer of trace elements between females and eggs, during your formation; 2. Absorption of trace elements from the environment during embryonic development. According to the concentrations of trace elements in larvae and the amount of larvae released in the spawns, it is clear that the reproductive cycle of the species results in transfer of benthic trace elements for the pelagic environment. During spawns of U. cordatus in Guanabara Bay and Paraíba do Sul River, Zn, Cu, Mn, As and Ba were the elements more introduced in water column, being probably transported to the adjacent coast. Considering the various species of mangrove crabs that have habits and life cycle similar to uçá crab, the reproductive period of these animals can result in significant exportation of trace elements

This paper develops an estimator for higher-order spatial autoregressive panel data error component models with spatial autoregressive disturbances, SARAR(R,S). We derive the moment conditions and optimal weighting matrix without distributional assumptions for a generalized moments (GM) estimation procedure of the spatial autoregressive parameters of the disturbance process and define a generalized two-stage least squares estimator for the regression parameters of the model. We prove consistency of the proposed estimators, derive their joint asymptotic distribution, and provide Monte Carlo evidence on their small sample performance.

This paper develops a unified framework for fixed and random effects estimation of higher-order spatial autoregressive panel data models with spatial autoregressive disturbances and heteroskedasticity of unknown form in the idiosyncratic error component. We derive the moment conditions and optimal weighting matrix without distributional assumptions for a generalized moments (GM) estimation procedure of the spatial autoregressive parameters of the disturbance process and define both a random effects and a fixed effects spatial generalized two-stage least squares estimator for the regression parameters of the model. We prove consistency of the proposed estimators and derive their joint asymptotic distribution, which is robust to heteroskedasticity of unknown form in the idiosyncratic error component. Finally, we derive a robust Hausman-test of the spatial random against the spatial fixed effects model. (authors' abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

This dissertation investigates the role of architecture in the emergence of community identity with specific reference to the spontaneous surfacing and expansion of informal settlements within the South African context and the need for fundamental public service infrastructure provision. The aim is to understand and illustrate the significance of contextual infrastructure provision as catalyst in the emergence of social and cultural networks. In analysing the current innovative survival strategies induced by the community themselves, a theoretical premise will be established regarding the implications of an "African urbanist" approach to infrastructure and means of applying it in design. The current rate of urbanization within the South African context has resulted in several human settlements expanding organically, attempting to meet the increasing housing demands whilst neglecting the provision of platforms for various interwoven layers of urban fabric and public services. These platforms are integral in the shaping of cultural and community identity. The intent of the proposal is to provide an interface between the public and the built fabric that serves the needs of, as well as enhances the quotidian praxis within the Eastern Mamelodi precinct. The proposal intends to disclose an existing cultural language and identity by establishing physical loci that host and exhibit quotidian social practices unique to Mamelodi. Through theoretical and contextual enquiry the study provides an understanding of the role as well as the necessity of infrastructure architecture manifested into an appropriate solution which will facilitate the corroboration of a unique cultural identity. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Traditionally cultural landscape of the past involved a dialogue between natural system, human modifications and the value given by humans to the landscape, ultimately nurturing a healthy interaction between human and natural systems. Development pressures on remnants of these past harmonious cultural landscapes threatens the memory and therewith the future possibility of this healthy interaction. With looming exponential urban growth in African cities in the near future, it is important to learn from and protect the few past remnants that are left. The main question that was explored in the dissertation is how a degraded cultural landscape can be regenerated to establish social and ecological health. The hypothesis proposed that degraded cultural landscapes can be regenerated using principles of past cultural landscapes that can reconnect fragmented human and natural systems. A degraded cultural landscape settled against the backdrop of the Witwatersberg Ridge served as the location for the testing of the hypothesis. This site, situated near Danville and Lotus Gardens in Pretoria West is a former leprosy colony called Fort West. The aim of the dissertation was to find methods for the regeneration of the degraded cultural landscape.It was proposed that an integrated methodology be followed that brings together a site’s cultural, natural and economic ‘capital’ or latent potential. The integration of these three capitals was proposed in two ways: through applying five principles of ecological design as set out by Van der Ryn and Cowan (1996); and by raising awareness and educating society and the community as proposed by Farina (2000). This process delivered a set of design guidelines for degraded cultural landscapes. The approach matches biological diversity with cultural diversity, ensuring that that the ecological relevance of a cultural landscape and its capacity to inform and guide other human activities are met. The design intervention was applied at three different scales: framework, master plan and sketch plan. Interventions are proposed at each scale that can improve the natural and social health of Fort West. The cultural, natural and economic capital of the site is harnessed by reconnecting past and existing potential in these three fields and integrating proposed natural and cultural systems in this way. Education and awareness is at the forefront of all proposed interventions. In this way a public space that facilitates the reintroduction of biodiversity and also assists in the regeneration of the Fort West community can be established. / Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

Le travail de cette thèse a consisté à concevoir, réaliser et optimiser un montage expérimental de Polarisation Dynamique Nucléaire multi-échantillons pour des applications biomédicales en Imagerie Spectroscopique par Résonance Magnétique. Ce montage est constitué d'un aimant à fort champ magnétique (3,35T), dans lequel se place un système cryogénique à bain d'hélium (He4) liquide pompé pouvant atteindre des températures inférieures à 1,2K. Un ensemble d'inserts permet d'effectuer les différentes étapes du processus PDN dont l'irradiation des échantillons par un champ micro-onde (f=94GHz et P=50mW) et le suivi de leur polarisation par Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire. Ce système permet de polariser jusqu'à trois échantillons, de volume proche de 1mL, à des taux de polarisation de quelques pourcents. Il présente une forte autonomie supérieure à quatre heures, autorisant ainsi la polarisation de molécules à longues constantes de temps de polarisation. La possibilité de disposer quasi-simultanément, après dissolution, de plusieurs échantillons fortement polarisés ouvre la voie à de nouvelles applications dans le domaine de l'imagerie biomédicale