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Manual lifting tasks are the predominant means of transporting materials in industry with many of these tasks being performed in confined spaces. Research has tended to focus on the biomechanical implications of working in small spaces with a decided lack of information about the physiological and perceptual responses in these environments. This holistic study therefore investigated the manner in which the human operator responded to conditions where the ceiling height was lowered and reach demands increased. Thirty-two young physically active male subjects (age: 21.55yr; stature: 1810mm) were recruited to complete a 2-way repeated measures experiment during which four lifting protocols where different combinations of ceiling height (‘normal’ or reduced to 1460mm in height) and reach demands (400mm or 800mm) were tested. A crude postural analysis was conducted while physiological responses were detailed and continuously monitored. Perceptual responses were also assessed. The tasks with a ‘normal’ ceiling height (mean compression forces: 2615N; mean shearing forces: 388N) and the greatest reach distance (mean compression forces: 3655N; mean shearing forces: 386N) placed individuals under the highest strain. Mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the URN condition when compared to the RF condition. Furthermore, HR responses were statistically significantly affected by the height of the ceiling and the reach depth. Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) in mean tidal volume (VT) occurred in the least (URN) and most (RF) restrictive conditions. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean VE were evident between URN and URF, between URN and RF and between RN and RF. Ceiling height and reach demands had a statistically significant effect on all respiratory responses. There was a statistically significant difference in mean oxygen consumption (VO2) between the URN and all other conditions, and between the most restricted task (RF) and all other conditions. Both the effect of ceiling height and reach demands had a statistically statistically significant impact on VO2. Respiratory quotient (RQ) was significantly higher when loads were moved over 800mm compared to 400mm yet ceiling height did not have a statistically significant effect on RQ. Mean energy expenditure was significantly higher in the RF condition compared to the two least restrictive conditions (URN and RN). Statistically significant differences in EE were also evident between URN and RN, and between URN and URF. EE was significantly affected by reductions in ceiling height and increases in reach demands. Perceptually, the RF task (mean ‘Central’ RPE of 11) was perceived to place significantly greater cardiorespiratory demands on the operator compared to the URN (CRPE: 10) and RN (CRPE: 10) conditions. Statistically significant differences in perceived musculoskeletal strain only occurred between URN and RF. The effect of reach was perceived to have a statistically significant effect on both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal demands whereas ceiling height only had a statistically significant effect on musculoskeletal demands. The greatest discomfort was experienced in the lower back with the most intense discomfort occurring in the RN condition.

Este trabalho fundamenta-se no desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de metodologias para a melhor representação do aterramento elétrico sob uma análise transiente. O estudo concentrase no estabelecimento de contribuições ao estado da arte associadas à análise e modelagem de aterramento impulsivo e em altas frequências. O estudo vincula-se também à avaliação da suportabilidade de seres humanos submetidos a potenciais produzidos na superfície do solo, provenientes da corrente elétrica gerada por um surto atmosférico. A concepção das metodologias propostas baseou-se no uso do Método da Modelagem por Linhas de Transmissão em uma dimensão (TLM-1D). Destacam-se três grandes tópicos da pesquisa. O primeiro concentra-se no desenvolvimento de formulação para a inclusão do fenômeno de ionização do solo ao Método TLM-1D clássico. A formulação desenvolvida tem como característica ser uma técnica generalista, independente das propriedades do meio, dimensões do eletrodo e do surto atmosférico. O segundo foco concentra-se no aprimoramento e desenvolvimento de equacionamento analítico para a estimação de potenciais gerados na superfície do solo, originados pela corrente elétrica estabelecida sobre eletrodo de aterramento. Tal equacionamento tem grande aplicabilidade em conjunto com metodologias numéricas unidimensionais, as quais não são capazes de determinar diretamente os referidos potenciais. Por fim, a realização de estudo de suportabilidade e segurança de seres humanos em contato com eletrodos de aterramento submetidos a surto atmosférico, considerando modelo representativo baseado em circuitos elétricos, consolida o trabalho desenvolvido. / This work is based on the development and improvement of methodologies for the best representation of the electrical grounding under a transient analysis. The study concentrated on establishing contributions to the state of the art related to the analysis and modeling of impulsive and high frequencies grounding systems. The study is also associated to the evaluation of the supportability of human beings submitted to the potentials produced on the soil surface from the electric current generated by a lightning. The conception of the proposed methodology was based on the Transmission Line Modeling Method in one dimension (TLM- 1D). Three major research topics can be highlighted. The first involves the development of a formulation to include the soil ionization phenomenon in the classic TLM-1D algorithm. The developed formulation is a generalist technique, independent of the medium properties, characteristic of the electrode and lightning surge. The second aims at the improvement and development of analytical equations for estimating the generated potential on the soil surface, originated by the electric current calculated in the grounding electrode. Such equationing has great applicability in conjunction with one-dimensional numerical methods which are not able to determine such potential directly. Finally, the achievement of a supportability study and personal safety of humans in contact with the grounding electrodes subjected to a lightning, considering a representative model based on electrical circuits, consolidates the developed work.

Este trabalho fundamenta-se no desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de metodologias para a melhor representação do aterramento elétrico sob uma análise transiente. O estudo concentrase no estabelecimento de contribuições ao estado da arte associadas à análise e modelagem de aterramento impulsivo e em altas frequências. O estudo vincula-se também à avaliação da suportabilidade de seres humanos submetidos a potenciais produzidos na superfície do solo, provenientes da corrente elétrica gerada por um surto atmosférico. A concepção das metodologias propostas baseou-se no uso do Método da Modelagem por Linhas de Transmissão em uma dimensão (TLM-1D). Destacam-se três grandes tópicos da pesquisa. O primeiro concentra-se no desenvolvimento de formulação para a inclusão do fenômeno de ionização do solo ao Método TLM-1D clássico. A formulação desenvolvida tem como característica ser uma técnica generalista, independente das propriedades do meio, dimensões do eletrodo e do surto atmosférico. O segundo foco concentra-se no aprimoramento e desenvolvimento de equacionamento analítico para a estimação de potenciais gerados na superfície do solo, originados pela corrente elétrica estabelecida sobre eletrodo de aterramento. Tal equacionamento tem grande aplicabilidade em conjunto com metodologias numéricas unidimensionais, as quais não são capazes de determinar diretamente os referidos potenciais. Por fim, a realização de estudo de suportabilidade e segurança de seres humanos em contato com eletrodos de aterramento submetidos a surto atmosférico, considerando modelo representativo baseado em circuitos elétricos, consolida o trabalho desenvolvido. / This work is based on the development and improvement of methodologies for the best representation of the electrical grounding under a transient analysis. The study concentrated on establishing contributions to the state of the art related to the analysis and modeling of impulsive and high frequencies grounding systems. The study is also associated to the evaluation of the supportability of human beings submitted to the potentials produced on the soil surface from the electric current generated by a lightning. The conception of the proposed methodology was based on the Transmission Line Modeling Method in one dimension (TLM- 1D). Three major research topics can be highlighted. The first involves the development of a formulation to include the soil ionization phenomenon in the classic TLM-1D algorithm. The developed formulation is a generalist technique, independent of the medium properties, characteristic of the electrode and lightning surge. The second aims at the improvement and development of analytical equations for estimating the generated potential on the soil surface, originated by the electric current calculated in the grounding electrode. Such equationing has great applicability in conjunction with one-dimensional numerical methods which are not able to determine such potential directly. Finally, the achievement of a supportability study and personal safety of humans in contact with the grounding electrodes subjected to a lightning, considering a representative model based on electrical circuits, consolidates the developed work.

“Trafficking” is not a thing. It is not an event. You cannot point a finger at it or take a photograph of it. “Trafficking” is a convenient, simple and useful label attached not to a single phenomenon but to a complex series of states and events that individually may or may not be harmful or wrong.”1Increasing attention has been given to the issue of trafficking in human beings worldwide because it is a gross violation of human dignity and human rights. Hundreds of thousands of women and children are now commodities sold on an international market to be exploited in prostitution, pornography and forced labour. No country is immune because trafficking is a problem that goes beyond national borders. This thesis focuses on the example of one country, namely Georgia, and its position in the fight against trafficking in human beings. The thesis employs a qualitative research strategy and a case study research design. As a developing country, Georgia greatly depends on assistance from various stakeholders from the international community and local civil society. Thus, the thesis examines a network of cooperation for the formulation of anti-trafficking policy with the help of foreign governments, international organizations and local non-governmental organizations. The conclusions drawn from the conducted research can be summarized as follows: anti-trafficking policy is a specific policy area where issue experts having knowledge about various aspects of this phenomenon count as much as establishments possessing political, economic and organizational power. Thus, anti-trafficking policy formulation and development in Georgia can serve as an example of an issue network.

Estuaries serve as nursery areas for a large number of estuary-associated fish species. Some of these taxa also use river catchments as nursery areas. During the upstream migration of this latter group, the juveniles are prone to predation by native and alien predatory fish inhabiting the system. The rate of invasion of ecosystems by alien organisms can be directly linked to anthropogenic influences, including both intentional and unintentional introductions by alien organisms into new regions. The largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, is a facultative piscivorous fish that has been successfully introduced worldwide for the main purpose of sport fishing. Where introduced, it has been found to negatively impact native fish and invertebrate species through predation, competitive exclusion and displacement of indigenous fish species. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the predatory impact of largemouth bass on the estuary-associated Cape moony Monodactylus falciformis, Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis in the lower Kowie River of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A combination of approaches was employed during this study. Stomach contents, stable isotopes and fatty acid analyses were employed for the reconstruction of the diet of largemouth bass. Acoustic telemetry was used to elucidate largemouth bass movements, particularly their ability to enter the upper reaches of the Kowie Estuary. Stomach contents and stable isotopes analyses showed that M. salmoides exhibit an ontogenic shift in diet, with small and medium sized individuals consuming the higher proportion of fish prey, while large sized individuals mostly consumed invertebrates such as crabs (Potamonautes sidneyi) and Odonata larvae, while consuming only a small proportion of estuary-associated fish. Fatty acid analysis only showed a direct connection between the fatty acid profiles of largemouth bass and those of M. capensis and M. falciformis. The acoustic telemetry results indicated that some M. salmoides individuals periodically move into the upper reaches of the estuary following river flood events. The results obtained from all these approaches highlight the risk posed by largemouth bass introductions on indigenous fish species, particularly those that enter the areas occupied by these top predators.

Climate change continues to present a major challenge to food security around the world. The potential impact of climate change of rural livelihoods is especially significant as rural communities often rely heavily on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods and, hence, food security. This is applicable to the rural town of Hamburg, on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa. The Sustainable Rural Livelihoods framework analyses livelihoods in terms of the context, available capitals and institutional framework that determines the livelihood strategies and outcomes for rural households. In terms of livelihood outcomes for Hamburg, it was found that the households have a heavy reliance on state grants in their livelihood portfolios. Natural resources, in the form of agriculture and harvesting of marine organisms, played only a supplementary role in livelihood strategies. Thus, given that climate change would impact negatively on the estuarine resources and the impact on agriculture is unknown as the climate becomes wetter and hotter, the impact on livelihoods and food security would not be significant. However, the sustainability of current livelihood strategies is questionable as grants, by their very nature, or unsustainable and therefore can result in vulnerability and food insecurity in the long-run for households. It is recommended that grants should be issued within the community, instead of in the distant town of Peddie, to help develop the local economy and reduce leakages. This would allow for diversification of livelihood strategies in Hamburg. In addition, government support through extension officers should be extended to Hamburg to assist in developing the local agriculture sector

The number of African wild dogs Lycaon pictus in Northern KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa has increased substantially over the last six years. This is largely due to a managed metapopulation approach of introductions onto protected areas and private game reserves since 1998. Because of the increasing wild dog population, the likelihood of rural communities surrounding protected areas encountering dispersing wild dogs in northern KwaZulu‐Natal has also increased. Resident wild dog populations currently occur in Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park (HiP), Mkhuze Game Reserve (MGR) of Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Thanda Private Game Reserve (TPGR) all of which are bordered by a matrix of natural habitats and human settlements. Thus, land outside these protected areas could be utilized to expand wild dog distribution and provide connectivity between existing resident populations of wild dogs within KwaZulu‐Natal. To investigate the viability of such an approach, Maximum Entropy Modelling (Maxent) was used to characterize habitat niche selection of dispersing wild dogs, and to identify potential dispersal linkages between current wild dog metapopulation reserves. The model was calibrated using 132 location points collected from 2006 until 2009. From 2008 to 2009 I also conducted a survey of 247 community members in tribal authorities bordering HiP and MGR, to understand factors influencing attitudes towards wild dogs. A habitat suitability model with seven predictor variables had an AUC of 0.96 (SD = 0.02) and indicated four variables which best predicted probability of presence for dispersing wild dogs: elevation, road density, land cover and human density. The results suggest that elevation and land cover may be of greater influence for dispersing wild dogs than human density or activity. Elevation was the single most effective variable indicating a higher probability of presence for dispersing wild dogs in lower lying locations; peaking at approximately 200 – 300m a.s.l. Wild dogs also showed a preference for Woodland and Bushland habitats which in KwaZulu‐Natal tend to be found on lower lying topography. A preference for areas of lower human density and a highest probability of presence at road densities of approximately 0.7km/km2 or less would suggest that while wild dogs may show a tendency to avoid areas of high human activity, they can coexist in close proximity to humans. Respondent’s attitudes, knowledge of wild dogs and livestock husbandry were interpreted by the development of a set of indices. Attitudes were positively related to formal education levels and wild dog‐specific education, but were not influenced by demographic factors such as gender, age and employment status. Eighty three percent of respondents believed efforts to protect wild dogs should continue. Respondents with higher numbers of livestock tended to have more positive attitudes towards wild dogs despite generally incurring higher losses to carnivore depredation than those with less livestock. This appears to be because the financial burden of livestock losses to those with fewer livestock is perceived to be a loss of a greater proportion of total financial wealth. The study highlighted the substantial scope for improvement in livestock management. Theft (34 percent), drought (30 percent) and disease (14 percent) were ranked as the greatest problems facing livestock owners while predators were ranked as the greatest problem by only 4 percent of respondents. My findings suggest that wild dogs are generally viewed positively or with ambivalence. Concerns over the potentially increasing threat to livestock, as natural prey numbers outside protected areas decline and wild dogs disperse from natal packs, are likely to be manageable. However, wild dog population expansion within KwaZulu‐Natal will continue to rely on managed core populations on perimeter‐fenced metapopulation reserves with tolerant communities and landowners contributing to the connectivity of isolated reserves. Generation of tolerance can be instilled through continued advocacy and education, supported by conflict mitigation initiatives and rapid response to conflict reports. The implementation of incentive schemes for adjoining private landowners to co‐manage wild dog populations will need to be addressed in conjunction with managed metapopulation practices and law enforcement, to promote range expansion, and reduce potentially lethal edge effects and wild dog‐human conflict.

As the global energy crisis continues to have an impact on developing countries such as South Africa, stakeholders form an increasingly significant role especially around the concerns of development and the impact on the environment. Environmental conflicts have risen to the forefront in many areas in South Africa. Environmental conflicts fall under public disputes, which often occur as a result of human needs. This study is an attempt to explore the environmental conflict surrounding the proposed Nuclear Power station at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. Stakeholders are an integral part of environmental conflicts, and analyzing interests of stakeholders is vital in understanding environmental conflicts. This explorative study, seeks explore and to describe the interests of homeowners who are one of the key stakeholders involved the environmental conflict at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. The homeowners are represented by the St Francis Residents/ Ratepayers Association. The researcher conducted extensive face-face interviews with these homeowners. The organizations official documents, minutes of their meetings, letters to the media and various publications in which homeowners expressed their feelings were also made use of by the researcher in order to triangulate findings, as well as for data collection methods. The major themes were constructed from the study include: Security, Trust, Power and the various sources thereof, as well as a need for self-actualization based on values, and a final theme of the positive functions of conflict. The challenges facing the homeowners in terms of human security and environmental impact of the nuclear development are highlighted. Further recommendations for a more in-depth study are also made.