Faculty of Humanities School of Social Sciences 9003886p mashikel@social.wits.ac.za / Using in-depth interviews with key informants, participant observation, an analysis of documentary and archival sources, and a survey of a national sample of 395 former APLA and MK soldiers, this study analyses the process of demobilisation in South Africa between 1994 and 2004. The key questions are: why and how was the demobilisation process conducted and what were its consequences? Demobilisation is a shorthand term for the multi-staged process of converting a soldier to a civilian. This encompasses the release of soldiers from a statutory force or guerrilla group and their reintegration into civilian society. Reintegration is defined as “the process of facilitating the ex-soldiers’ transition to civilian life” (Clark, 1995: 50). In South Africa, demobilisation was envisaged as the last phase in the process of forming the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The Interim Constitution (Act No. 200 of 1993) made provision for three phases in the formation of the SANDF. First was the integration of various armed forces. This was followed by a process of consolidation, which included the completion of bridging training by former members of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA) and uMKhonto we Sizwe (MK). The final phase was the reduction of the size of the integrated SANDF, known as rationalisation. However, the concept held the same meaning as demobilisation. The thesis of this study is that the reduction of the size of the SANDF (known as rationalisation) was necessary for two reasons. First was the perceived and real improvement in the national and regional security environment. Second was the perceived economic and development impact of the reduction of defence expenditure. These were informed by the broadened concept of security, which was popularised by non-governmental organisations such as the Military Research Group. However, while rationalisation was postponed and anticipated as the final phase in the process of forming the SANDF, the presence of military “misfits” among former APLA and MK soldiers (the aged, the sick and those who lacked the necessary educational qualifications) led to the introduction of a process of excluding these categories from the process of integration. The process became known as demobilisation and was introduced without adequate planning. It differed from the anticipated rationalisation process which was meant to apply to all members of the integrated SANDF. Various factors pointed to the lack of adequate planning. First, demobilisation was introduced before the finalisation of the relevant legislation, and consequently the process was halted in 1995. Second, the demobilisation of former APLA and MK soldiers was not accompanied by effective reintegration programmes. The reintegration programme that was assembled consisted of a once-off demobilisation gratuity, a voluntary two-week counselling programme and an option to join the Service Corps for an eighteen-month vocational training programme. Third, while the Service Corps was part of the reintegration programme, it was not operational when demobilisation began. When it became operational, it was ineffective as an institution to provide for the re-skilling of demobilised former APLA and MK soldiers. The lack of adequate planning for the demobilisation and reintegration of former APLA and MK soldiers has hindered their full social and economic reintegration into civilian society. Following an analysis of the socio-economic needs of a national sample of 395 former APLA and MK soldiers, it is argued that they have not achieved economic reintegration in the sense of achieving a productive livelihood. Furthermore, it is argued that while respondents have achieved social reintegration some of them continue to see themselves as a distinct group different from other members of the society. Thus, demobilised soldiers may threaten the consolidation of democracy in South Africa and destabilise the region. The proliferation of light weapons throughout the region following the end of armed conflict and the lack of effective disarmament in South Africa increases the potential not only for violent crime but also for serious political and social disruptions.

<p>En webbapplikation har skapats åt en motorklubb i Karlskrona vid namn Brinkarna. Webbsidans syfte är att sprida information till klubbens medlemmar, samt göra reklam för klubben för att kunna få fler medlemmar.</p><p>Applikationen är utvecklad i CMS-programmet Joomla! som är uppbyggt med programmeringsspråket PHP. Designen och presentationen sköts med hjälp av CSS och XHTML, bilder med hjälp av programmet Photoshop CS4. </p>

Given that the oil prices have risen and the environmental regulations has become more stringent, the interest in operating efficiency has increased. The project has investigated the possibility of producing electricity from waste heat generated in the diesel process. One technique to utilize and convert energy into electricity is the ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle). This process is based on the Rankine process (the steam process), the difference from the traditional Rankine process is that instead of water as a working medium, an organic substance is used. The main component used in the process is a evaporator, a turbine, a condenser and a pump. Opcon is a company that markets a product based on the ORC technology, called the Powerbox. During autumn 2011 and spring 2012, a feasibility study commissioned by Stena RoRo to investigate whether the Powerbox is suitable for Stenas RoRo ship series Mk II for electricity generation, in terms of economic viability and proper placement on the basis of the necessary peripherals. The survey shows that the Powerbox can be placed on the ship series Mk II. Stena has stated that this investment should have a pay-back time in three years. The Powerbox will be paid off after eight years. / Med anledning av att oljepriset har stigit och att miljökraven blivit strängare har intresset för driftoptimering ökat. Projektet har undersökt möjligheten att utvinna elektricitet från den spillvärme som uppkommer i dieselprocessen. En teknik som finns för att tillvarata och omvandla energin till elektricitet är ORC (ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE). Denna process bygger på Rankines process (ångprocessen), skillnaden mot den traditionella Rankineprocessen är att istället för vatten som arbetsmedium används ett organiskt ämne. De huvudkomponenter som används i processen är förångare, turbin, kondensor och en pump. Opcon AB är ett företag som marknadsför en produkt som bygger på ORC-tekniken, en så kallad Powerbox. Under ht 2011 och vt 2012 har en förstudie gjorts på uppdrag av Stena RoRo för att undersöka om Opcons Powerbox är lämplig på Stenas fartygsserie Mk II för elproduktion, med avseende på ekonomisk lönsamhet samt lämplig placering utifrån nödvändig kringutrustning. Undersökningen visar att Powerboxen kan placeras på fartygsserien Mk II. Stena har uppgett att denna investering bör ha en avbetalningstid på tre år. Powerboxen kommer att vara avbetalad efter åtta år.

En webbapplikation har skapats åt en motorklubb i Karlskrona vid namn Brinkarna. Webbsidans syfte är att sprida information till klubbens medlemmar, samt göra reklam för klubben för att kunna få fler medlemmar. Applikationen är utvecklad i CMS-programmet Joomla! som är uppbyggt med programmeringsspråket PHP. Designen och presentationen sköts med hjälp av CSS och XHTML, bilder med hjälp av programmet Photoshop CS4.

This thesis deals with the determination of fatty acids of processed cheese analogues. The aim is to identify and quantify the fatty acids in selected samples of cheese analogues. The introduction is a brief overview of the composition and properties of cheese analogues, technology and application options. The following describes the appropriate method for the determination of fatty acids in cheese and cheese analogues. Of these methods the largest part is devoted to gas chromatography, which is most frequently used method for detection of volatile fatty acids. Individual cheese analogues used for the analysis, contained various types of added fats. Specifically, the milk fat, coconut oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and butter. Samples of these fats were extracted and then converted to methylesters by methanol esterification with catalysis by potassium hydroxide. The most important fatty acids were identified and quantified in samples of cheese analogues using gas chromatography and compared with fatty acids of fats used for the preparation of these analogues are used.

This master thesis deals with the development of method for free fatty acids determination in natural and processed cheese. In the theoretical part the possibilities of extraction, fractionation and determination of lipid fractions, characterization of fatty acids and various methods of their determination are described, as well as determination of free fatty acids. The main scope of the experimental section is optimization and validation of the selected method for determination of free fatty acids in various cheese matrices. For extraction of lipids from the sample the method with the mixture of diethylether and petrolether according to ČSN EN ISO 1735 was selected. Thin-layer chromatography and solid phase extraction were tested and compared for separation of free fatty acids. The method according to ČSN EN ISO 5509, using methanol solution of bortrifluoride, was applied for esterification. Fatty acid methyl esters were determined by gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection.

A depressão é uma doença com alta incidência na população mundial e os antidepressivos atualmente disponíveis não são completamente eficazes. Esses fármacos apresentam uma latência de 2-4 semanas para induzir uma melhora significativa dos sintomas e cerca de 45% dos pacientes não respondem ao tratamento, cujo mecanismo é baseado na facilitação da neurotransmissão monoaminérgica no SNC. Por outro lado, recentemente tem sido demonstrado que a ketamina, antagonista do receptor de glutamato do tipo NMDA induz um efeito antidepressivo rápido e sustentado em animais e pacientes. No entanto, o uso dessa droga para o tratamento da depressão possui diversas limitações e, assim, o entendimento dos mecanismos subjacentes à sua ação antidepressiva pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novas e melhores alternativas terapêuticas. Estes mecanismos parecem ser mais complicados do que simplesmente o bloqueio do receptor NMDA, dado que tal bloqueio com o antagonista MK-801, por exemplo, induz efeito tipo-antidepressivo no teste do nado forçado (FST) por até 3 horas, mas sem reproduzir os efeitos prolongados da ketamina. Por isso, a cascata de eventos neuroquímicos iniciada após a administração de ketamina que culmina com a regulação da expressão gênica e síntese de proteínas relacionadas aos processos de plasticidade neural têm sido alvo de grande investigação a fim de se compreender o mecanismo de ação subjacente ao efeito antidepressivo rápido e sustentado dessa droga. A expressão desses genes pode ser modulada por mecanismos epigenéticos, como a metilação do DNA, um processo realizado por DNA metiltransferases (DNMTs), que também tem apresentado grande relevância para a neurobiologia da depressão. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da administração de antagonistas do receptor NMDA, ketamina e MK-801, em doses e protocolos de tratamento que promovam efeito tipo-antidepressivo no FST, sobre a metilação do DNA em estruturas encefálicas importantes para a neurobiologia da depressão, em animais submetidos ou não ao estresse de nado forçado. Para tanto, primeiramente, foram delineados protocolos experimentais para análise do efeito tipo-antidepressivo destas drogas: Em ratos, administração sistêmica aguda de S(+)-ketamina 10 mg/Kg ou MK-801 0,025 mg/Kg 23 horas após a sessão pré-teste e 1 hora ou 7 dias antes da sessão teste do FST, permitiu a análise de um efeito tipo-antidepressivo rápido e sustentado induzido pela ketamina e apenas rápido pelo MK-801. Em seguida, utilizando estes protocolos, avaliou-se os efeitos do estresse do pré-teste do FST e do tratamento com tais antagonistas do receptor NMDA sobre os níveis de metilação global do DNA e expressão de DNMT3a e DNMT3b no córtex frontal, hipocampo ventral e dorsal dos animais. Foram encontradas alterações nas quantificações realizadas, sugerindo que o estresse e o tratamento podem induzir efeitos importantes sobre a metilação do DNA nas estruturas analisadas. Além disso, o tratamento com ketamina ou MK-801 parecem induzir efeitos diferenciais em algumas regiões, o que poderia estar associado aos efeitos também distintos que apresentam sobre a ação antidepressiva / Although depression presents a high incidence in the world population, currently available antidepressants exhibit a latency of 2-4 weeks to induce a significant improvement of symptoms and around 45% of patients do not respond to these drugs. On the other hand, it has been recently shown that ketamine, a NMDA receptor antagonist, induces a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect in animals and patients. However, the use of this drug for depression treatment has several limitations and, thus, the understanding of the mechanisms underlying its antidepressant action could present a significant importance for the development of new and better therapeutic alternatives. These mechanisms appear to be more complex than the initial blockade of the NMDA receptor, since such blockade by MK-801, for example, reduces the immobility time of mice submitted the forced swimming test (FST) for up to 3 hours, without reproducing the sustained effects of ketamine. Therefore, the cascade of neurochemical events that are initiated after ketamine administration that culminate in the regulation of gene expression and syntehsis of proteins related to neuronal plasticity has been the focus of intense investigation. These genes, in turn, can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, a process performed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs), which has also shown a high relevance to the neurobiology of depression and its treatment. Based on that, the present study aimed at investigating the effects induced by ketamine and MK-801, at doses and treatment protocols that promote antidepressant-like effect in the FST, upon DNA methylation in brain structures of animals submitted or not to the forced swim stress. The first experimental protocols were designed for the analysis of acute and sustained drug-induced antidepressant-like effects: In rats, acute systemic administration of S(+)-Ketamine 10 mg/Kg or MK-801 0.025 mg/Kg 23 hours after the pretest session and 1 hour or 7 days before the test session of FST was investigated. Based on these protocols, the effects of stress (FST) and of treatment with NMDA receptor antagonists were investigated on global DNA methylation levels and DNMT3a and Dnmt3b expression in the rat frontal cortex, ventral and dorsal hippocampus. Both, stress and treatment, induced changes in DNA methylation and DNMT3 expression in some of the brain regions analised. In addition, treatment with MK-801 and ketamine seem to induce differential effects in some areas, which could also be associated with different effects that they present on antidepressant action.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a participação do sistema glutamatérgico nos efeitos induzidos pela anfetamina em camundongos sensibilizados e desafiados com ovalbumina, através do tratamento prévio com MK-801, um antagonista de receptores glutamatérgicos NMDA. Em relação aos animais tratados apenas com anfetamina, observamos que o tratamento prévio com MK-801: 1) reverteu a diminuição no número de leucócitos totais bem como o número de eosinófilos e neutrófilos no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA); 2) reverteu a diminuição da porcentagem de expressão das moléculas L-selectina e ICAM-1 em granulócitos do LBA; 3) reverteu a diminuição das citocinas IL-10 e IL-13 no sobrenadante do LBA; 4) reverteu a diminuição na contração da traquéia; 5) reverteu a desgranulação de mastócitos pulmonares; 6) não alterou a produção de IgE total e IgE-OVA; 7) não reduziu os níveis de corticosterona plasmáticos. Tomados em seu conjunto, quer nos parecer que os efeitos induzidos pela anfetamina implicam na ativação do sistema glutamatérgico via receptores NMDA. Possivelmente, as diferenças dos efeitos do MK-801, da anfetamina ou a combinação de fármacos se devam a uma ativação (modulação) diferenciada sobre o eixo hipotálamo pituitária adrenal (HPA) e/ou sistema nervoso autônomo simpático (SNAS) o que poderia explicar os efeitos opostos observados na resposta inflamatória alérgica pulmonar de camundongos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the glutamatergic system in the effects induced by amphetamine in mice OVA-sensitized and challenged by the pretreatment with MK-801, an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist. In relation to animals treated only with amphetamine we found that pretreatment with MK-801: 1) reverted the decrease in the total leukocytes and in the total number of eosinophils and neutrophils within the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) 2) reverted the decrease in the percentage of expression of adhesion molecules L-selectin and ICAM-1 in BAL granulocytes, 3) reverted the decrease in IL-10 and IL-13 in BAL supernatant and 4) reverted the decrease in methacoline-induced tracheal contraction; 5) reverted the degranulation of mast cells in the lungs; 6) did not alter the production of total IgE and IgE-OVA, 7) did not decrease the plasma levels of corticosterone. Taken together, it seems feasible to suggest that the effects induced by amphetamine requires the participation of the glutamatergic system via NMDA receptors. Possibly, differences in MK-801, amphetamine or MK-801 + amphetamine effects on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) and/or sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SNAS) might explain the opposite effects now observed for these drugs given alone or in combination in the pulmonary allergic inflammatory response in mice.

Dados pré-clínicos e clínicos indicam que o canabidiol (CBD), um composto não-psicotomimético presente na planta Cannabis sativa, induz efeitos tipoantipsicóticos sem produzir efeitos extrapiramidais. Estudos realizados pelo nosso grupo mostram que o tratamento repetido com CBD atenuou as alterações comportamentais induzidas pelo tratamento repetido com MK-801, uma antagonista dos receptores NMDA, nos testes de reconhecimento de objeto (RO), utilizado no estudo de funções cognitivas, e teste de interação social (IS), utilizado para o estudo dos sintomas negativos da esquizofrenia quando ambas as drogas foram administradas concomitantemente. Estudos mostram que as alterações induzidas por antagonistas NMDA foram observadas até 6 semanas após o tratamento, sendo essas alterações revertidas por antipsicóticos atípicos como clozapina e aripripazol, mas não pelo haloperidol, um antipsicótico típico. Apesar das evidências indicarem o possível efeito tipo-antipsicótico do CBD o mecanismo de ação pelo qual ele exerce este efeito ainda não está elucidado, acredita-se que o sistema endocanabinoide e/ou o sistema serotoninérgico possam estar evolvidos. Assim, no presente estudo, nós avaliamos se o tratamento repetido por 7 dias com CBD seria capaz de reverter as alterações nos testes de IS e RO após o fim do tratamento com MK-801 por 14 dias. Além disso, foi avaliado se o efeito do canabidiol em reverter os prejuízos nos testes de IS e RO seria bloqueado pelo tratamento com AM251, um antagonista dos receptores CB1, e/ou WAY100635, um antagonista dos receptores 5-HT1A. Foi observado que o CBD (15 e 30 mg/kg) atenuou os prejuízos nos testes de IS e RO induzidos por MK- 801 e este efeito foi bloqueado pelo WAY100635 mas não pelo AM251. Estes dados reforçam a proposta de que o CBD tem propriedades antipsicóticas e indicam que o CBD poderia ser uma interessante alternativa para o tratamento de sintomas negativos e cognitivos de pacientes com esquizofrenia. / Preclinical and clinical data indicate that cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotomimetic compound in the Cannabis sativa plant, induces antipsychoticlike effects without producing extrapyramidal effects. Studies conducted by our group show that repeated treatment with CBD attenuated the behavioral changes induced by repeated treatment with MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, in the object recognition (RO) test, used in the study of cognitive functions, and social interaction test (IS), used to study the negative symptoms of schizophrenia when both drugs were administered concomitantly. Studies show that changes induced by NMDA antagonists have been observed up to 6 weeks after treatment, and these changes are reversed by atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine and aripiprazole, but not by haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic. Although the evidence indicates the possible antipsychotic-like effect of CBD, the mechanism of action by which it exerts this effect has not yet been elucidated, it is believed that the endocannabinoid system and / or the serotoninergic system may be involved. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated whether repeated 7-day treatment with CBD would be able to reverse changes in IS and RO tests after the end of MK-801 treatment for 14 days. In addition, it was assessed whether the effect of cannabidiol on reversing impairments in the IS and RO tests would be blocked by treatment with AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist, and / or WAY100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. CBD (15 and 30 mg / kg) was observed to attenuate the impairments in the IS and RO tests induced by MK-801 and this effect was blocked by WAY100635 but not by AM251. These data reinforce the proposal that CBD has antipsychotic properties and indicate that CBD could be an interesting alternative for the treatment of negative and cognitive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.

Dados pré-clínicos e clínicos indicam que o canabidiol (CBD), um composto não-psicotomimético presente na planta Cannabis sativa, induz efeitos tipoantipsicóticos sem produzir efeitos extrapiramidais. Estudos realizados pelo nosso grupo mostram que o tratamento repetido com CBD atenuou as alterações comportamentais induzidas pelo tratamento repetido com MK-801, uma antagonista dos receptores NMDA, nos testes de reconhecimento de objeto (RO), utilizado no estudo de funções cognitivas, e teste de interação social (IS), utilizado para o estudo dos sintomas negativos da esquizofrenia quando ambas as drogas foram administradas concomitantemente. Estudos mostram que as alterações induzidas por antagonistas NMDA foram observadas até 6 semanas após o tratamento, sendo essas alterações revertidas por antipsicóticos atípicos como clozapina e aripripazol, mas não pelo haloperidol, um antipsicótico típico. Apesar das evidências indicarem o possível efeito tipo-antipsicótico do CBD o mecanismo de ação pelo qual ele exerce este efeito ainda não está elucidado, acredita-se que o sistema endocanabinoide e/ou o sistema serotoninérgico possam estar evolvidos. Assim, no presente estudo, nós avaliamos se o tratamento repetido por 7 dias com CBD seria capaz de reverter as alterações nos testes de IS e RO após o fim do tratamento com MK-801 por 14 dias. Além disso, foi avaliado se o efeito do canabidiol em reverter os prejuízos nos testes de IS e RO seria bloqueado pelo tratamento com AM251, um antagonista dos receptores CB1, e/ou WAY100635, um antagonista dos receptores 5-HT1A. Foi observado que o CBD (15 e 30 mg/kg) atenuou os prejuízos nos testes de IS e RO induzidos por MK- 801 e este efeito foi bloqueado pelo WAY100635 mas não pelo AM251. Estes dados reforçam a proposta de que o CBD tem propriedades antipsicóticas e indicam que o CBD poderia ser uma interessante alternativa para o tratamento de sintomas negativos e cognitivos de pacientes com esquizofrenia. / Preclinical and clinical data indicate that cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotomimetic compound in the Cannabis sativa plant, induces antipsychoticlike effects without producing extrapyramidal effects. Studies conducted by our group show that repeated treatment with CBD attenuated the behavioral changes induced by repeated treatment with MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, in the object recognition (RO) test, used in the study of cognitive functions, and social interaction test (IS), used to study the negative symptoms of schizophrenia when both drugs were administered concomitantly. Studies show that changes induced by NMDA antagonists have been observed up to 6 weeks after treatment, and these changes are reversed by atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine and aripiprazole, but not by haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic. Although the evidence indicates the possible antipsychotic-like effect of CBD, the mechanism of action by which it exerts this effect has not yet been elucidated, it is believed that the endocannabinoid system and / or the serotoninergic system may be involved. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated whether repeated 7-day treatment with CBD would be able to reverse changes in IS and RO tests after the end of MK-801 treatment for 14 days. In addition, it was assessed whether the effect of cannabidiol on reversing impairments in the IS and RO tests would be blocked by treatment with AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist, and / or WAY100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. CBD (15 and 30 mg / kg) was observed to attenuate the impairments in the IS and RO tests induced by MK-801 and this effect was blocked by WAY100635 but not by AM251. These data reinforce the proposal that CBD has antipsychotic properties and indicate that CBD could be an interesting alternative for the treatment of negative and cognitive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia.