Thesis (M. Tech. (Diagnostic Radiography)) Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Over the past two decades, interventional radiology has been a fast developing field with great advances in technology in the diagnosing and treatment of patients. Interventional radiology procedures are minimally invasive and require little to no hospitalisation time. These procedures are fluoroscopically guided and serial runs are used for documentation, so they have the potential to deliver high doses to patients. Reports about deterministic skin reactions resulting from interventional radiology have become more and more prevalent from the early 1990s. Worldwide concern thus led to legislation for the limitation, justification and optimisation of these doses. Setting of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for these procedures is difficult, as they can be complex in nature and are often clinically open-ended. In the case where DRLs were used, they needed to be for a specific locality and had to be refined for the specific circumstances. Patients must be informed of the doses they will be receiving during diagnostic or interventional procedures before consent can be obtained from them. Little information on dose audits was available for South Africa at the time of the study, and it was decided to determine dose ranges at a local level. The research question of this study was: “What radiation doses do patients receive when undergoing vascular, diagnostic and interventional procedures in the interventional suites at a tertiary training hospital in the Free State?” The primary objective was to determine the doses and dose ranges to patients. A secondary objective was to identify specific high dose procedures to individual patients and to the population. A third objective was to investigate the factors influencing these doses. The data of patients who received procedures in two fluoroscopic rooms at the research site were documented over a three-year period. The dose area product (DAP) values were used to calculate skin dose. With the information gathered, dose ranges for frequently performed procedures were determined and specific high dose procedures to individuals and the population identified. Factors influencing the dose were also investigated. This included the relationship of the level of technology, a VI patient’s BMI and practitioners’ level of experience on dose as the research site was a training facility. The results indicated that both diagnostic and interventional procedures have the potential to deliver high doses, as was evident with the isolated occurrences where the response threshold for deterministic effects was exceeded. Most of the locally performed procedures delivered lower or on par radiation dose, compared to values in the literature. Increased BMI values of patients can negatively influence doses received. The level of a practitioner’s experience also plays a vital role in the dose that the patient will receive. Specific recommendations and the implementing of a dose optimisation protocol are proposed to reduce and optimise doses at the research site. This dose optimisation programme will create greater awareness about radiation dose and effects, follow-up procedures and dose reduction methods amongst role-payers. Key words: interventional radiology; limitation, justification and optimisation of radiation dose; deterministic effects; radiation dose awareness

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006 / Electron microscopy plays an important role in diagnostic histopathology. When this investigation is anticipated, extra tissue is submitted directly for electron microscopy. However, often it is decided only later in a problematic case to perform this investigation and then the only tissue available is embedded in the routine laboratory’s paraffin block. This tissue has to be retrieved from the wax and this entails using a clearing agent before the rest of the electron microscopy method can be implemented. Traditionally xylene is the agent that is used but has the disadvantage of being extremely toxic. This study compared the morphological effects of a relatively new and non toxic clearing agent, Tissueclear®, with that of xylene. Exposure of tissue to clearing agents for 30 minutes and overnight was performed to assess whether Tissueclear® gave better results in the long term than xylene, in the hope that the laboratory turn around time could be improved and the amount of toxic reagents used in the EM laboratory will be reduced. A second part of the study involved a questionnaire submitted to laboratory staff to assess their knowledge of xylene toxicity. Of the 325 cases submitted for electron microscopy at Universitas Hospital between January 2004 and July 2005, 140 of these had to be retrieved from paraffin wax. Four specimens were prepared from each case. Two were processed in xylene for 30 minutes and overnight and two in Tissueclear® for 30 minutes and overnight. The specimens were evaluated for consistency and resin compaction as well as ultrastructural preservation of the cell membrane, cytoplasmic content and extracellular material. The results showed that Tissueclear® and xylene gave comparable results after 30 minutes and that Tissueclear® was superior after overnight processing. This meant that a specimen submitted for electron microscopy would be processed immediately without waiting for the following morning as was the case with xylene and that the processing time for such a specimen had been shortened from 3 to 2 days. It also meant that the laboratory staff was exposed to one less toxic reagent. The results on the questionnaire showed that there were large areas of ignorance regarding toxicity as well as appropriate safety procedures that need to be followed in the laboratory. It is hoped that this study will improve awareness in this regard and encourage the use of other newer less toxic reagents.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007 / Malaria and the mosquito that induces the disease in humans have hounded the military for decades. Malaria represents one of the most important infectious disease threats to deployed military forces. Malaria in soldiers has a serious economic impact, both in terms of lost productivity and treatment cost for the state. A contingent of South African National Defence Force members has been deployed in Burundi since November 2001, as part of a peacekeeping mission. At the time of the study no information was available regarding the prevalence of malaria among military personnel during deployments in Burundi and East Africa. In Africa, the saying is that malaria is the disease of poverty and a cause of poverty. To combat malaria, it is of vital importance that the recommended medication be taken exactly as prescribed and that the course is completed. However, one of the greatest challenges facing the African continent in the present fight against malaria is drug resistance. The discovery of Mefloquine and the subsequent development of suitable drugs, have been intimately associated with military imperatives, contingencies and requirements. Since World War II, the development of Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria has driven the search for new drugs. Mefloquine, developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the United States, was first shown effective as a prophylaxis and treatment of resistant falciparum malaria in the 1970’s. To obtain data, questionnaires were administered to SANDF soldiers deployed in Burundi, East Africa. The total size of the population under investigation was 336 with a final sample size of 111 respondents. The sample was selected by using simple random sampling. The questionnaire aimed to determine the perception of respondents regarding the malaria threat, their compliance with taking the medication, and their experiencing of possible side-effects which might occur due to the chemoprophylaxis and the prophylactic efficacy of Mefliam®. The fact that, of the 111 people who used Mefliam®, only four presented with any malaria symptoms, is an indicator that Mefliam® is an effective option as an antimalarial drug to be used in East Africa and Burundi. The results of this study will be used by the personnel of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other military forces deployed in East Africa. It is envisaged that the results will be used by military policy- and decision-makers as a control programme and by others involved in the control of malaria. The findings and recommendations should also be of interest to anyone visiting the area.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007

O Estado Independente do Congo foi reconhecido internacionalmente em 1885 como resultado da ação de representantes europeus em obter tratados de cessão de soberania junto às autoridades e chefes africanos da região da bacia do Congo. No entanto, a implantação de uma missão civilizadora, em consonância com os interesses comerciais do monarca belga Leopoldo II, não se deu sem conflitos, embates e resistências. A crueldade e a arbitrariedade que marcaram tal processo ecoaram na opinião pública internacional, gerando movimentos de denúncias sobre as violências que vitimaram as populações africanas. Este trabalho busca analisar as reações e acomodações ocorridas a partir da situação colonial que se impôs frente a um contexto no qual se faziam presentes múltiplas e variadas formas de organização política das sociedades africanas da região. / The Congo Free State was internationally recognized in 1885 as a result of the action of European representatives in obtaining sovereignty transfer treaties with the African authorities and leaders of the Congo Basin region. However, the implementation of a \"civilizing mission\" aligned to the commercial interests of the Belgian king Leopold II, has not been without conflicts, struggles and resistances. The cruelty and arbitrariness that have marked this process echoed on the international public opinion, generating movements of complaints about violence toward the African populations. This work seeks to analyze the reactions and accommodations that followed the colonial situation that was imposed in a context in which were present multiple and varied forms of political organization of African societies in the region.

Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Three hundred years of colonialism, and fifty of internal colonialism, had hardwired a duality into the system, whereby two domains coexisted: on one hand, a globally integrated world of production, exchange and consumption, and on the other, a constrained world of informality, poverty and marginalization. The visions and missions for municipalities in South Africa are outlined in the White Paper on Local Government. The White Paper further calls for the review of the existing legislation which impedes Local Economic Development. Municipalities in, the Free State Province are accordingly faced with the mammoth task of delivering basic services to the communities. Poverty alleviation is crucial in realising this objective. This study aims to show the challenge which faces municipalities in the Free State and their mammoth task of delivering basic services to the communities. Poverty alleviation is crucial in realisation is objective. 'Through all researches and studies conducted it has been clear that there are impediments in this developmental mandate of the municipalities. 'These emanate from the capacity of the municipalities and the theoretical foundation of the Local Economic Development (LED) as one of the strategies for development. The internal validity of the problem stated does not depend on whether or not that the Local Economic Development strategies of the national and provincial spheres of government are very good, the critical part that this study deals with is whether the local and district municipalities have linked their strategies with those of national and provincial spheres. The Constitution of South Africa mandates local government to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner and to encourage the involvement of communities and communities’ organizations in matters of local government. In line with the constitutional mandate, the white paper on Local Government establishes the basis for a new developmental local government system, one which is committed to working with citizens, groups and communities in meeting the social, economic and material needs of communities in a holistic way. The findings indicate that IDPs (Integrated Development Plans) and LED lack detail on SlYME (Small Medium Macro Economic) development. Formal and Informal business are not captured accurately in the IDPs and LED. The importance of infrastructure not adequately located within the LED strategy. It was also found that most of the municipalities in the Free State do not have LED strategy. Proposals for further study on poverty eradication strategies by the municipalities are made. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Three hundred years of colonialism, and fifty of internal colonialism, had hardwired a duality into the system, whereby two domains coexisted: on one hand, a globally integrated world of production, exchange and consumption, and on the other, a constrained world of informality, poverty and marginalization. The visions and missions for municipalities in South Africa are outlined in the White Paper on Local Government. The White Paper further calls for the review of the existing legislation which impedes Local Economic Development. Municipalities in, the Free State Province are accordingly faced with the mammoth task of delivering basic services to the communities. Poverty alleviation is crucial in realising this objective. This study aims to show the challenge which faces municipalities in the Free State and their mammoth task of delivering basic services to the communities. Poverty alleviation is crucial in realisation is objective. 'Through all researches and studies conducted it has been clear that there are impediments in this developmental mandate of the municipalities. 'These emanate from the capacity of the municipalities and the theoretical foundation of the Local Economic Development (LED) as one of the strategies for development. The internal validity of the problem stated does not depend on whether or not that the Local Economic Development strategies of the national and provincial spheres of government are very good, the critical part that this study deals with is whether the local and district municipalities have linked their strategies with those of national and provincial spheres. The Constitution of South Africa mandates local government to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner and to encourage the involvement of communities and communities’ organizations in matters of local government. In line with the constitutional mandate, the white paper on Local Government establishes the basis for a new developmental local government system, one which is committed to working with citizens, groups and communities in meeting the social, economic and material needs of communities in a holistic way. The findings indicate that IDPs (Integrated Development Plans) and LED lack detail on SlYME (Small Medium Macro Economic) development. Formal and Informal business are not captured accurately in the IDPs and LED. The importance of infrastructure not adequately located within the LED strategy. It was also found that most of the municipalities in the Free State do not have LED strategy. Proposals for further study on poverty eradication strategies by the municipalities are made. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

O Estado Independente do Congo foi reconhecido internacionalmente em 1885 como resultado da ação de representantes europeus em obter tratados de cessão de soberania junto às autoridades e chefes africanos da região da bacia do Congo. No entanto, a implantação de uma missão civilizadora, em consonância com os interesses comerciais do monarca belga Leopoldo II, não se deu sem conflitos, embates e resistências. A crueldade e a arbitrariedade que marcaram tal processo ecoaram na opinião pública internacional, gerando movimentos de denúncias sobre as violências que vitimaram as populações africanas. Este trabalho busca analisar as reações e acomodações ocorridas a partir da situação colonial que se impôs frente a um contexto no qual se faziam presentes múltiplas e variadas formas de organização política das sociedades africanas da região. / The Congo Free State was internationally recognized in 1885 as a result of the action of European representatives in obtaining sovereignty transfer treaties with the African authorities and leaders of the Congo Basin region. However, the implementation of a \"civilizing mission\" aligned to the commercial interests of the Belgian king Leopold II, has not been without conflicts, struggles and resistances. The cruelty and arbitrariness that have marked this process echoed on the international public opinion, generating movements of complaints about violence toward the African populations. This work seeks to analyze the reactions and accommodations that followed the colonial situation that was imposed in a context in which were present multiple and varied forms of political organization of African societies in the region.

M.Sc. (Aquatic Health) / The increased supply of water to areas targeted for development and the concomitant increase in land use and waste disposal activities has lead to the deterioration in the quality of water in South Africa‟s freshwater systems (DWA, 2011a). In order to manage this, the South African Department of Water Affairs (DWA) has developed numerous water quality policies and management approaches. One such approach is the determination and use of Resource Water Quality Objectives (RWQOs) (DWAF, 2006a). Resource Water Quality Objectives are a set of instream water quality objectives that aim to ensure that water that is fit for use is supplied to downstream users through the management and control of upstream impacts (DWAF, 2006b). In this study, site specific RWQOs were determined for the Modder and Riet Rivers as a means of providing a basis for reporting on instream water quality. As with many of the freshwater catchments in South Africa, the Modder-Riet catchment, located in the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces, is a water limited catchment (Slabbert, 2007). Historically most of the Modder and Riet Rivers would typically have had low water yields, with dry periods and pools forming in large endorheic areas (Grobler and Davies, 1981). As the need to supply water for crop production and domestic use grew, various transfer schemes and reservoirs were developed between the Caledon, Orange and Modder-Riet River systems (DWAF, 2006a). In order to distribute this water, various canal systems and operating rules for the storage dams were developed to transport water to the predominantly agricultural and domestic water users in the various parts of the catchment. Much of the water that is used in the Modder-Riet catchment therefore originates from reservoirs and from outside the catchment, completely transforming it from its natural state. This change in land-use and hydrology of the Modder-Riet catchment resulted in a concomitant change in the water quality. Salinisation, microbial contamination and eutrophication have, in particular, been recorded as the most significant problems affecting the fitness for use of the water in the Modder-Riet catchment. In order to manage these water quality problems and the effects on downstream users, a Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) for the Modder-Riet catchment was developed in 2006 which identified the users in the catchment and put forth a set of catchment-wide RWQOs (DWAF, 2006a). Further studies in the area have also subsequently highlighted that, given the current growth in water use, the associated negative water balance and the potential for serious deleterious effects of increased return flows on the water users, the need for improved efficiency of water use and the management of water quality in this catchment (as well as in those catchments which support the Modder and Riet Rivers) will become ever increasingly important (DWA, 2006a; DWA, 2012a; DWA, 2013a). The aim of this study was to: 1) determine whether catchment characteristics, water quality and user requirements across the catchment differed enough to warrant the separation of the catchment into different Management Units (MUs) for which site specific instead of generic RWQOs should be set, 2) to set low confidence level 3 RWQOs for various sites which represent each MU and 3) to determine the implications for the future management of the water quality in the Modder-Riet catchment. Fourteen Level 3 RWQOs for the main constituents of concern, namely phosphate (PO4), ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate and nitrite (NO3 + NO2-N), Escherichia coliform (E. coli), Electrical Conductivity (EC), chloride (Cl), sodium (Na), the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), aluminium (Al) and fluoride (F), were determined at strategic sites within six water quality MUs. These MUs were roughly the same as those determined in the Modder-Riet CMS, with a few exceptions:  the Upper and Middle Riet MUs from the CMS were not found to be different enough in terms of land use and water quality to warrant their separation and in this study were lumped together to form the Upper Riet MU, and  the Lower Riet MU from the CMS did not take account of the operation of the Kalkfontein and Orange-Riet transfer schemes which, in this study, resulted in the delineation of the Middle Riet River MU from Kalkfontein Dam to the outlet of Kalkfontein Canal and the Lower Riet MU from below the Kalkfontein Canal end point on the Riet River and the transfer site on the Modder River (at Scholzburg Weir) to just above the zone of influence from the Vaal River on the lower Riet River below Soutpansdrift. As with the delineation of the MUs, the location of the RWQO sites were determined in consultation with the Modder-Riet Catchment Management Forum (CMF) and were based on 1) their ability to exercise control over the quality of water entering a MU (resulting from upstream water uses) and 2) the need to provide water that is fit for use for the downstream users in areas of similar land uses. Within each MU, additional sites were added that would ensure fitness for use at specific strategic points. Since the RWQOs that were set at these sites were based predominantly on the current state of the water quality in the Modder and Riet Rivers they varied widely, with the strictest RWQOs being set for the transfers from the Caledon River via Novo Transfer Scheme, at Mazelspoort Weir on the Modder River and within the Kalkfontein Canal at the outlet of Kalkfontein Dam on the Riet River. Whether the status quo should be maintained, improved or allowed to deteriorate was determined by considering the water quality management vision and goals for the catchment, the water quality needs of the downstream users and the potential impact on the upstream uses. Although the RWQOs in almost all cases were more stringent than those set for Modder and Riet Rivers in the. CMS, of greater significance was the variation between the RWQOs set at each of the sites. By using the current state of water quality as a reflection of fluvial processes (such as assimilation, deposition and dilution), the RWQOs in this study took account of the differences in the effects of the various land uses and allowed for the determination of objectives which were tailored to specific areas of the catchment. They therefore more accurately represented the user requirements and the need for interventions. The RWQOs set by the CMS on the other hand were applied at catchment scale (i.e. there was one set of RWQOs for the entire catchment) and as such may have been too lenient in some areas and too strict in others. Thus although broad scale objectives set by the CMS may be useful for water quality assessments in the Modder-Riet catchment, the need to account for differences in local factors which influence water quality across the catchment (such as the presence of multiple transfer systems and large dams, and variations in land and water use) would warrant the determination of level 3 RWQOs. Based on an assessment of the compliance to the RWQOs over the past three to five years, PO4, NH3, EC, E.coli and Al were identified as the major water quality variables which have the potential to impact on the downstream users and for which Source Management Objectives (SMOs) and water quality allocation, management and implementation plans for the urban and agricultural sectors will be required. This is especially evident in the middle Modder and lower Riet catchments as well as below the numerous small urban areas which occur throughout the catchment. Key factors which have been highlighted for consideration in the future management of water quality in these catchments include inter alia: the consideration of appropriate water quality models, the development and implementation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and the improved management of Sewerage Treatment Works (STWs). In addition, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and metals such as Al, chromium and manganese have been identified as potential variables which may affect users and for which further investigations are required. In conclusion, the hypothesis that that “the characteristics of the Modder-Riet catchment were different enough to warrant the determination of level 3 RWQOs, where in the more impacted portions of the catchment, water quality stress would be evident and would require a number of source directed interventions” could be accepted. It was however also found that interventions to improve instream water quality should not only be based on Source Directed Controls (SDCs) in their strictest sense, but should also incorporate aspects of good governance and effective regulation. This includes improved co-ordination of water quality monitoring and data management and reporting, effective and sustained capacity building and community learning and the establishment of functional, multi-scale feedback mechanisms. The application of the principles of Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM) was also identified a key element in the future management of water quality in this catchment.