Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: DRC Grasvoëlkop is a small urban congregation that can, in the light of Galatians 6:4, be proud of its involvement in local and global missions as a partner in the proclamation of God’s Word. Demographic and cultural changes have, however, forced the congregation to look afresh at its identity and calling as declining membership, financial pressure, and self-questioning of its relevance within its immediate context arise. The researcher has been a minister of this congregation for 24 years. The researcher undertakes an empirical study of the congregation, together with a description of the changing context, that aims to expose the impotence of an institutional hermeneutic to move the congregation forward into growth and fruitful ministry. Part I will describe additionally the changes that have taken place in Western culture and how these cultural shifts have unwittingly influenced the church. Rather than being merely missions-minded, a congregation needs to be missional. This requires the church to recognise false accommodations to Western culture, and to transition from an institutional to a missional hermeneutic. The research aims to show how an understanding of missional theology can assist the congregation in moving to a more biblical understanding of culture, calling and identity; and how a fruitful future lies in rejecting self-preservation to embrace the missio Dei. This is undertaken in Part II, which distinguishes three key aspects of missional theology: 1. The Trinity, with the possibilities that a fuller and more faithful view of God may bring to bear on a struggling congregation through a renewed faith; 2. The Kingdom of God, and what it means in terms of salvation and hope, showing how a struggling congregation can interact fruitfully with the world; and 3. The call to discipleship, and how love can help the congregation rediscover identity and calling. The study fleshes out these three aspects by describing how missional theology corrects an unbiblical accommodation to Western culture (secularisation, spiritual escapism and individualism) and supplies a healthy corrective. The study shows how the church can err through a reactionary response to these errors that then swings to an opposite, equally unbiblical pole. Together with an appreciation of missional thought, the study endeavours to offer a fresh contribution to the missional conversation by highlighting the important place of proclamation (and how missionmindedness can be developed further) and the vital but underappreciated role that vocation can play as a missional calling. The growing mystical emphasis within the denomination is questioned and an alternative, found in Puritan spirituality, is advocated. This study underlines the inadequacy of a missions-focus that does not spring from a missional ecclesiology and finds in missional theology the parameters to transform the congregation as a participant in the missio Dei, able to minister and thrive within a changed context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die NGK Grasvoëlkop is 'n klein stedelike gemeente wat, in die lig van Galasiërs 6:4, trots kan wees op haar betrokkenheid in plaaslike en globale sending deur vennoot te wees in die uitdra van God se Woord. Demografiese en kulturele veranderings het egter die gemeente gedwing om nuut te kyk na haar identiteit en roeping soos 'n dalende lidmaattal, finansiële druk en die bevraagtekening van haar eie relevansie binne haar onmiddellike konteks ontstaan. Die navorser is die afgelope 24 jaar leraar van hierdie gemeente. Hierdie navorsing onderneem ʼn empiriese studie van die gemeente en 'n beskrywing van die veranderende konteks wat ten doel het om die onmag te beskryf van die heersende institusionele hermeneutiek om die gemeente na groei en ʼn vrugbare bediening te neem. Deel I beskryf die veranderings wat in Westerse kultuur plaasgevind het, en hoe die kerk onbewustelik deur hierdie kulturele kenmerke gevorm is. Eerder as om bloot ʼn sendingbetrokkenheid te hê, is dit nodig dat 'n gemeente missionaal moet wees. Dit vra dat die gemeente sal herken waar daar onskriftuurlike akkommodasie gemaak is vir Westerse kultuur en om te skuif van 'n institusionele na 'n missionale hermeneutiek. Die navorsing wys hoe 'n begrip van missionale teologie die gemeente kan begelei na 'n Bybelse begrip van kultuur, roeping en identiteit, en hoe 'n vrugbare toekoms ontdek word deur weg te beweeg van selfbehoud na deelname in die missio Dei. Dit word onderneem in Deel II, wat drie sleutelaspekte van missionale teologie onderskei: 1. Die Drie-eenheid, met die moontlikhede wat 'n voller Godsbegrip bring vir 'n sukkelende gemeente deur ʼn hernude geloof; 2. Die Koninkryk van God, en wat dit in terme van verlossing en hoop beteken, soos dit vir die gemeente toon hoe sy in die wêreld vrug kan dra; 3. Die roeping tot dissipelskap, en hoe liefde die gemeente kan help om haar roeping en identiteit te herontdek. Die studie beskryf hierdie drie aspekte en hoe missionale teologie dien as korrektief op die foutiewe akkommodasies van Westerse kultuur (sekularisasie, wêreldversaking en individualisme) en bied 'n nodige korrektief. Die studie wys verder hoe die kerk kan fouteer deur, in reaksie op hierdie misvattings, oor te hel na 'n teenoorgestelde en ewe onbybelse pool. Saam met 'n waardering van missionale teologie wil hierdie navorsing ook 'n vars bydrae tot die missionale gesprek maak deur klem te lê op die belang van verkondiging (en die plek wat sendingbetrokkenheid binne die gemeente behoort te hê), asook die belangrike maar onderwaardeerde rol van roeping (“vocation”) in die daaglikse lewe van die lidmaat. Die groeiende klem op mistiek binne die denominasie word ondersoek en 'n alternatief vanuit Puriteinse spiritualiteit word voorgestel. Die studie onderstreep die onvermoë van 'n sendingbewustheid wat nie gebore is uit ʼn missionale ekklesiologie nie, en vind in missionale teologie die nodige parameters vir die gemeente om te transformeer as 'n deelnemer in die missio Dei, en om te bedien en te groei binne 'n veranderde konteks.

This thesis investigates the relationship between violent conflicts and sexual and reproductive health in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The aim of the thesis is to investigate how war affects demographic outcomes across individual life courses. The thesis contributes to the research field by linking macro level conflict data measuring the intensity and frequency of violent conflict with micro level data on women’s sexual and birth histories and infant deaths across time and place. The results show that war affects infants’ survival and women’s sexual and reproductive health and behavior. The first study finds an increase of premarital first sexual intercourse during the violent conflicts in Rwanda. The second study finds evidence of a delay in the fertility transition due to the Congolese war and the lingering conflicts in East DRC. The third study suggests that the Congolese war affects infant mortality, but only post-neonatal mortality. Despite consistent evidence that conflict affects the everyday life of women and children, the mechanisms that explain this relationship are largely unknown. This thesis identifies important gaps in the research that limit our understanding of the mechanisms at work. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Submitted.</p>

Student Number : 9102146D - MA research report - School of Graduate School - Faculty of Humanities / This is a study of local integration of Congolese refugees from The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) living in Johannesburg. The point of departure is from Jacobsen’s assertion that refugees are de facto integrated when they are not in physical danger, are able to sustain livelihoods through access to land or employment, and can support themselves and their families, are socially networked into host communities so that intermarriage is common, ceremonies like weddings and funerals are attended by everyone and there is no distinction between refugees and local communities. The study looks at the amount of interaction between refugees and South Africans, the dynamics involved in social integration and the perception of integration by refugees and service providers. Refugees and service providers in Johannesburg were interviewed and conclusions are drawn from their responses and the literature consulted.

A doença renal crônica (DRC) é uma afecção frequente em cães idosos, de alta morbidade e mortalidade, sendo definida como uma injúria renal morfo-funcional irreversível, de um ou ambos os rins, que está intrinsecamente associada à degeneração celular. Seu tratamento é paliativo, sendo que nos estágios mais avançados, o animal pode necessitar de hemodiálise ou transplante renal, prática dificultada e muitas vezes inviável na medicina veterinária. As células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do tecido amniótico caracterizam-se por ser uma população de células de alta plasticidade e de grande potencial imunomodulador, sendo capazes de se diferenciar e produzir diferentes tipos celulares necessários num processo de reparação. Os avanços nos estudos das células-tronco podem tornar a terapia celular uma forma viável de tratamento alternativo ou adjuvante dessa doença, uma vez que estas poderiam restaurar a funcionalidade e manter a integridade do rim. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se o tratamento experimental com células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas do âmnio (CTMAs) canino podem reduzir ou estabilizar a taxa de progressão e o quadro clínico da DRC em cães. Para tanto, células-tronco provenientes da membrana amniótica foram cultivadas até a segunda passagem (P2) e criopreservadas para posterior aplicação. Onze cães domésticos, machos e/ou fêmeas, acometidos pela DRC adquirida em graus II ou III segundo classificação da IRIS e sem outra afecção adjacente receberam duas aplicações de CTMAs nos dias D0 e D30, por via endovenosa. Para avaliar a progressão ou estabilização do quadro clínico foram colhidas amostras de sangue total, soro sanguíneo e urina para exames de hemograma, bioquímica sérica e urinaria e urinálise em quatro momentos: D0, D7, D30 e D60. A análise estatística foi realizada através da aplicação do teste ANOVA, para comparação de médias nas diferentes fases de tratamento, seguida pelo teste de Tukey, para comparação das médias entre os grupos. Do ponto de vista clínico, dois animais apresentaram melhora e se mantiveram estáveis durante todo o período de acompanhamento, dois animais apresentaram melhora nos primeiros 30 dias, apresentando novamente sintomatologia da doença após esse período e os demais apresentaram melhora nos primeiros sete dias de tratamento, havendo uma piora geral do quadro após esse período. Contudo, os exames laboratoriais em todos os casos não revelaram uma melhora significativa com o tratamento. Aparentemente, a utilização de células-tronco de origem amniótica não influencia de forma relevante na melhora da doença devido à extensa lesão renal que cães apresentam. / Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in older dogs with high morbidity and mortality and is defined as an irreversible morpho-functional renal injury of one or both kidneys, which is intrinsically associated with cell degeneration. Its treatment is palliative, and in the more advanced stages, the animal may need dialysis or kidney transplantation, a practice that is difficult and often not feasible in veterinary medicine. The mesenchymal stem cells derived from amniotic tissue characterized by being a population of high plasticity and high cell immunomodulatory potential, being able to differentiate and produce different cell types required in a repair process. Advances in stem cell studies may make cell therapy a viable alternative or adjunctive treatment for this disease, since it could restore functionality and maintain kidney integrity. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the experimental treatment with the canine amnio- derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) can reduce or stabilize the rate of progression, and clinical condition of CKD in dogs. For this purpose, stem cells from the amniotic membrane were grown until the second pass (P2) and cryopreserved for later use. Eleven domestic male and / or female dogs, affected by the CKD acquired in grades II or III according to IRIS classification and without another adjacent disease, received two applications on days D0 and D30 intravenously. To evaluate the progression or stabilization of the clinical condition, whole blood, blood serum and urine samples were collected for hemogram, serum and urinary biochemistry and urinalysis at four moments: D0, D7, D30 and D60. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA test, to compare means in the different treatment phases, followed by the Tukey test, to compare the means between the groups. From a clinical point of view, two animals showed improvement and remained stable throughout the follow-up period, two animals showed improvement in the first 30 days, showing again symptoms of the disease after this period and the other showed improvement in the first seven days of treatment, with a general worsening of the condition after this period. However, laboratory tests in all cases showed no significant improvement with treatment. Apparently, the use of stem cells of amniotic origin does not influence in a relevant way the improvement of the pathology due the extensive kidney lesion presented by dogs.

A doença renal crônica é uma doença de alta incidência na espécie felina, sendo responsável por altas taxas de mortalidade e morbidade. O tratamento clínico é paliativo. Atualmente as células-tronco têm sido estudadas para várias doenças degenerativas e crônicas, entre elas a doença renal. O presente estudo testou a utilização uma nova linhagem de células, progenitoras do tecido renal na terapia de gatos domésticos acometidos naturalmente com doença renal crônica, nos estágios 1, 2 e 3 da doença (creatinina &lt;1,6 a 5,0 mg/dl), por meio de avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, experimental e controle. No grupo experimental foi aplicado pela via intraperitoneal 2x106 células progenitoras renais e os animais do grupo controle receberam a aplicação de PBS. Os animais foram avaliados nos dias 0, 7 e 14 e monitorados clinicamente e por meio de exames laboratoriais, incluindo hemograma, creatinina, urinálise e o SDMA. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste Scheirer Ray Hare para dados não paramétricos (p=0,05). A aplicação intraperitoneal ocorreu sem intercorrências e aparenta ser segura para utilização em gatos. Dos 4 animais do grupo experimental 3 apresentaram melhora clínica, melhora do apetite e ganho de peso, o quarto animal apresentou perda de peso inicial, mas retornou ao peso do início do estudo 14 dias após a aplicação das células. Não houve diferenças estatísticas nos parâmetros de creatinina, ureia, fósforo e densidade urinária. Os leucócitos do grupo experimental apresentaram uma redução significativa em relação ao grupo controle. O SDMA apresentou redução em 3 animal do grupo experimental e aumento nos animais do grupo controle, mas a análise não apresentou diferença estatística devido ao aumento dos valores no em um dos animais. A aplicação de células progenitoras renais no tratamento da DRC em gatos é promissora e pode ser realizada pela via intraperitoneal, sem que ocorra intercorrências. / Chronic kidney disease is a high incidence disease in the feline species, responsible for high rates of mortality and morbidity. The clinical treatment is palliative. Currently, stem cells have been studied for various degenerative and chronic diseases, including kidney disease. The present study tested the use of a new lineage of renal tissue progenitor cells in the therapy of naturally occurring chronic kidney disease in cats at stages 1, 2 and 3 of the disease (creatinine &lt;1.6 to 5.0 mg/dl), through clinical and laboratory evaluations. The animals were divided into two groups, experimental and control. In the experimental group 2x106 renal progenitor cells were administered intraperitoneally and the animals in the control group received PBS application. The animals were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 and monitored clinically and through laboratory tests, including complete blood count, creatinine, urinalysis and SDMA assay. Statistical analysis was performed by the Scheirer Ray Hare test for non-parametric data (p = 0.05). The intraperitoneal application occurred uneventfully and appeared to be safe for use in cats. Of the 4 animals in the experimental group 3 showed clinical improvement, food intake and weight gain, the fourth animal presented initial weight loss, but returned to the weight of the study beginning 14 days after the application of the cells. There were no statistical differences in the parameters of creatinine, urea, phosphorus and urinary density. Leukocytes in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in relation to the control group. The SDMA showed reduction in 3 animals from the experimental group and increase in the animals from the control group, but the analysis did not show statistical difference due to the increase values in one of the animals. The application of renal progenitor cells in the treatment of CKD in cats is promising and can be performed intraperitoneally, without causing intercurrences.

A doença renal crônica é uma doença de alta incidência na espécie felina, sendo responsável por altas taxas de mortalidade e morbidade. O tratamento clínico é paliativo. Atualmente as células-tronco têm sido estudadas para várias doenças degenerativas e crônicas, entre elas a doença renal. O presente estudo testou a utilização uma nova linhagem de células, progenitoras do tecido renal na terapia de gatos domésticos acometidos naturalmente com doença renal crônica, nos estágios 1, 2 e 3 da doença (creatinina &lt;1,6 a 5,0 mg/dl), por meio de avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, experimental e controle. No grupo experimental foi aplicado pela via intraperitoneal 2x106 células progenitoras renais e os animais do grupo controle receberam a aplicação de PBS. Os animais foram avaliados nos dias 0, 7 e 14 e monitorados clinicamente e por meio de exames laboratoriais, incluindo hemograma, creatinina, urinálise e o SDMA. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste Scheirer Ray Hare para dados não paramétricos (p=0,05). A aplicação intraperitoneal ocorreu sem intercorrências e aparenta ser segura para utilização em gatos. Dos 4 animais do grupo experimental 3 apresentaram melhora clínica, melhora do apetite e ganho de peso, o quarto animal apresentou perda de peso inicial, mas retornou ao peso do início do estudo 14 dias após a aplicação das células. Não houve diferenças estatísticas nos parâmetros de creatinina, ureia, fósforo e densidade urinária. Os leucócitos do grupo experimental apresentaram uma redução significativa em relação ao grupo controle. O SDMA apresentou redução em 3 animal do grupo experimental e aumento nos animais do grupo controle, mas a análise não apresentou diferença estatística devido ao aumento dos valores no em um dos animais. A aplicação de células progenitoras renais no tratamento da DRC em gatos é promissora e pode ser realizada pela via intraperitoneal, sem que ocorra intercorrências. / Chronic kidney disease is a high incidence disease in the feline species, responsible for high rates of mortality and morbidity. The clinical treatment is palliative. Currently, stem cells have been studied for various degenerative and chronic diseases, including kidney disease. The present study tested the use of a new lineage of renal tissue progenitor cells in the therapy of naturally occurring chronic kidney disease in cats at stages 1, 2 and 3 of the disease (creatinine &lt;1.6 to 5.0 mg/dl), through clinical and laboratory evaluations. The animals were divided into two groups, experimental and control. In the experimental group 2x106 renal progenitor cells were administered intraperitoneally and the animals in the control group received PBS application. The animals were evaluated on days 0, 7 and 14 and monitored clinically and through laboratory tests, including complete blood count, creatinine, urinalysis and SDMA assay. Statistical analysis was performed by the Scheirer Ray Hare test for non-parametric data (p = 0.05). The intraperitoneal application occurred uneventfully and appeared to be safe for use in cats. Of the 4 animals in the experimental group 3 showed clinical improvement, food intake and weight gain, the fourth animal presented initial weight loss, but returned to the weight of the study beginning 14 days after the application of the cells. There were no statistical differences in the parameters of creatinine, urea, phosphorus and urinary density. Leukocytes in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in relation to the control group. The SDMA showed reduction in 3 animals from the experimental group and increase in the animals from the control group, but the analysis did not show statistical difference due to the increase values in one of the animals. The application of renal progenitor cells in the treatment of CKD in cats is promising and can be performed intraperitoneally, without causing intercurrences.

Orientador: Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun Guimarães-Okamoto / Resumo: A doença renal crônica (DRC) em cães apresenta grande morbidade e alta taxa de mortalidade, sendo considerada a alteração renal mais comum, tendo a nefropatia glomerular como a alteração de maior prevalência. Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a prevalência das alterações glomerulares em conjunto com avaliação da razão proteína creatinina urinárias (RPC), dos níveis séricos de albumina e creatinina e pressão arterial sistólica comparando os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais entre o grupo de animais com a lesão predominante e o grupo abrangendo os demais tipos de lesões glomerulares que foram encontrados. Foram utilizados 24 cães com doença renal crônica que morreram. As lesões glomerulares foram classificadas segundo Cianciolo et al. (2013) por meio da análise histopatológica de tecidos renais corados pelas técnicas histoquímicas de hematoxilina e eosina, tricrômico de Masson, ácido periódico de Schiff e vermelho Congo. Foram inclusos animais com exames de urina com sedimento inativo, RPC, creatinina e albumina sérica. Para análise estatística foram utilizados os últimos valores obtidos antes do óbito, não excedendo o limite de quatro semanas. Não foi observado diferenças entre RPC, albumina e creatinina séricas e pressão arterial sistólica entre os animais com alteração membranosa e o grupo contendo os demais tipos de lesão glomerular encontrados em cães com DRC. Na DRC, independentemente do tipo de lesão glomerular, os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais avaliados neste... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Since 1996, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been entangled in a cycle of violence. Extensive crimes that include summary executions, rapes, and the use of child soldiers are frequent in the eastern provinces of the DRC. Little is known, however, about the factors that have contributed to the emergence of these ongoing acts of terror. The study provides insights into the antecedent conditions of terrorism in this country. The purpose of this quantitative correlational research study is to examine the precursors of the conflict in the DRC. The study provides the opportunity to understand the degree and possible strength of the relationship between the criterion 'terrorist incidents' and the following predictors: political instability and economic activities in the DRC. Aberle's relative deprivation theory provided structure for the study. Research questions focused on the correlation between terrorist incidents and the 2 predictors: political stability and economic growth. A quantitative correlational study design was employed, using longitudinal secondary data 91 cases' obtained from 2 organizations: (a) the World Bank and (b) the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Data from these sources were analyzed using a panel data regression. Results indicated a significant, but negative, association between terrorist incidents and political stability. No significant correlation appeared between terrorist incidents and economic growth. The implications for social change include informing the Congolese government, the African Union's leaders, and the international community about the precursors to these terrorist acts, as well as the need to improve the socioeconomic conditions of civilian and restore the credibility of the governments.

My research focused on common raven (Corvus corax; hereafter raven) winter ecology and removal, and how raven removal aids Greater sage-grouse (Centrocerus urophasiansu; hereafter sage-grouse) populations. Raven winter ecology in the western US has not been described in detail. I researched raven use of landfills for foraging and raven use of anthropogenic structures for roosting, as well as dispersal of ravens in the spring. In all 22% of radio-marked ravens (n=73) used landfills during the day, and 68%(n=73) roosted at anthropogenic roost sites during the evening. Correlations between landfill and roost counts of ravens were stronger (0.4>r<0.7) when the distance between these sites was <15 km, and smaller (r<0.3) when this distance >20 km. In the spring, ravens dispersed, on average, 38 km from landfills where they were caught. Large congregations of ravens at a few sites in winter may present opportunities to initiate raven population reduction methods to alleviate later problems. I analyzed raven survival and behaviour when USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services (WS) removed ravens using DRC-1339 during winter months. The number of ravens killed annually was 7-34% of the local population. Ravens did not avoid landfills, yet they switched roosts more frequently after an application of the toxicant. Raven removal improves sage-grouse nest success; however, data were not available to examine how raven removal improves sage-grouse abundance. I analyzed changes in raven density with regard to WS removal, and then related these changes with changes in sage-grouse lek counts the following year. Raven densities decreased by 50% from 2008-2014 where WS conducted removal programs. Sage-grouse lek counts improved in area where WS lowered raven abundance, in comparison to areas farther away, during the latter half of the study (2013-2015), when WS removal efforts intensified. Thereafter, a 10% decline in raven abundance was associated with a 2% increase in sage-grouse lek counts. Overall, ravens in souther Wyoming used anthropogenic resources during the winter, and removal of ravens at these locations, combined with removal in the spring, minimally impacted raven populations annually and was associated with increases in sage-grouse abundance.

<p>In 1994, extremist Hutu rebels crossed into the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo), then named Zaire, after committing genocide in their native Rwanda. Their violent presence destabilized the region and led to two wars in the Congo between 1996 to 2003 and continued violence that still plagues parts of the east, while instability remains widespread. For more than a decade, the conflict has seen civilians trapped in the middle and specifically, women and girls have found themselves under brutal attack as fighting factions employ sexual violence as a weapon in their battles. </p> <p>The widespread, systematic and vicious sexual violence against women and girls in the Congo is being perpetrated to serve a political purpose beyond individual objectives. Sexual violence has become an effective weapon used by the fighting forces as they compete for economic and political power through the control over land, resources, and the people that occupy the territory they seek. All women find themselves under attack, especially in the conflict-ridden east. All groups, including rebel forces and state agents such as the military and police, utilize sexual violence as a tool of destruction and terror against both the females they attack and the communities ripped apart by the stigma that accompanies the womens rapes. </p> <p>An examination of the specific reasons the groups commit strategic and systematic sexual assaults against women and girls, and of the contributing political and societal factors that create a climate where the abuse can occur without recourse, help to provide an understanding as to why sexual violence is being used as a political tool in the Congo. In addition, the ongoing political struggles, especially surrounding control over land, are rooted in a century of shifting political policies by divisive, oppressive and kleptocratic leadership that worked for themselves and left little for the population. It is this history that has led to an almost inevitable conflict that sees the destruction of women and girls through rape and other violent assaults on their being.</p>