Understanding the controls on water movement on forested uplands is critical in predicting the potential effects of disturbance on the sustainability of water resources. I examined the controls on vertical and lateral water movement on forested uplands on a range of landforms (coarse textured outwash, fine textured moraine) and time periods (individual events, during snowmelt, through the growing season, annually, and long-term) at the Utikuma Region Study Area (URSA) on the sub-humid Boreal Plains of Alberta, Canada. To quantify vertical and lateral water movement, hydrometric and tracer measurements were made under natural and experimental conditions at plot and hillslope scales. Vertical flow and unsaturated zone storage dominated hydrologic response to snowmelt and rainfall at the plot and hillslope scales. Plot-scale snowmelt infiltration was greater than near-surface runoff, and when runoff occurred it was limited to south-facing outwash hillslopes underlain by concrete frost. Rainfall simulation studies showed that even under the extreme conditions tested, vertical flow and storage dominated the hydrologic response. Soils at field capacity and precipitation inputs of 15-20 mm or greater at high intensities were required to generate lateral flow via the transmissivity feedback mechanism. The threshold soil moisture and precipitation conditions are such that lateral flow will occur infrequently under natural conditions. Seasonal vertical water movement under natural conditions was greater on outwash than moraine uplands. The maximum downward vertical movement occurred in response to snowmelt, with little subsequent movement over the growing season. Recharge following snowmelt was similar for outwash and moraine sites and was followed by declining water tables through the growing season. Tracer estimates of long-term root zone drainage were low, while estimates of recharge for the moraine were high, raising questions about the appropriateness of this method for these sites. These results emphasize the dominance of vertical relative to lateral water flow on Boreal Plain uplands. Detailed understanding of the controls on water movement can be used to predict the potential effects of disturbance on hydrology and water resources. / Ecology

Solid waste management in South Africa has been focussing on the technical issues of waste disposal with little attention paid to the social and economic aspects of households. It is important to find out the impact of the attitude and perception of households on solid waste management, especially in low-income areas to be able to deal with the deplorabe domestic solid waste management in such areas. The quantity of solid waste generated in low-income areas is often assumed to be less than the solid waste generated in high-income neighbourhoods. In most of the townships of low-income households in Cape Town, the residents live next to mountains of solid waste which is not the case in middle and high income areas. This clearly has a negative effect on the environment and human health. Tafelsig is one of the low-income Cape Flats townships where the open spaces and green areas are dumping areas. The small yard that people own is often unclean. The aim of the study was to examine how households residing in the low-income neighbourhood (Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain) view domestic solid waste and its management. The study explored the perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of these households towards the production and management of sold waste. Issues relating to the degradation of their environment and to solid waste mismanagement were also examined.

Thesis (MFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is aimed at testing the possibility of using woody biomass from three invasive woody vegetation types (Spider Gum, Myrtle and Acacia) for production of bioenergy in the Cape Agulhas Plain. Physical recoverability of the woody biomass was studied by means of a semi-mechanized harvesting system to evaluate potential productivity, operational costs and the estimated yield energy gain. The system consisted of five components: manual harvesting, motor-manual harvesting, extraction, chipping and road transport. Data on the system productivity was obtained using activity sampling and time study techniques. Activity sampling was applied on manual and motor-manual harvesting in order to record harvesting time and standard time study techniques were used to obtain time data for extraction, chipping and road transport operations. Findings revealed benefits associated with the utilisation of invasive woody vegetation as energy feedstock. Therefore, the problem of exotic tree species can be dealt with by transforming them into energy feedstock, thus minimising the effect of invasive plants. At the same time essential biomass energy can be produced, while some of the cost of production could be offset by the benefits accruing from the biomass energy. The Acacia site, characterized by larger mature dense trees, had the highest amount of harvested biomass compared to the rest of the vegetation types (i.e. Myrtle and Spider Gum). The overall system productivity was found to be significantly influenced by a low equipment utilisation rate, estimated at 50%. This resulted in low production rates in general. The low supply rate of material to the chipper by the three-wheeled loader (1.5 – 5.3 oven-dry tonne per production machine hour) was found to be a major constraint in the chipping process, especially when considering that the chipper is potentially capable of chipping 4 – 9.4 ODT PMH-1 at the harvesting sites. This resulted in a significant energy balance of 463 GJ between output and input energy of the system. The overall total supply chain system costs based various road transport distances of species ranged from R 322.77 ODT-1 to R 689.76 ODT-1 with an average of R 509 ODT-1. This was found to be costly compare to the case where high machine utilisation rate and optimal productivity are used (average of R 410 ODT-1), biomass recoverability in this field trial had a higher total system cost due to low productivity, resulting from the low equipment utilisation rate applied. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was gemik daarop om die moontlikheid van die gebruik van houtagtige biomassa, afkomstig van uitheemse plantegroei (Bloekom, Mirte en Akasias) op die Agulhasvlakte vir bio-energie te ondersoek. Potensiële produktiwiteit, bedryfskostes en die geskatte energie opbrengs toename is gebruik, om die fisiese opbrengs van houtagtige biomassa van ʼn semi-gemeganiseerde ontginningstelsel te evalueer. Die stelsel het uit vyf komponente bestaan: Handontginning, motor-handontginning, uitsleep, verspandering en padvervoer. Data oor die stelselproduktiwiteit is uit tydstudie en aktiwiteit steekproewe verkry. Aktiwiteit steekproewe is toegepas op hand- en motorhandontgining om ontginingstyd te verkry, terwyl tydstudie standaardtegnieke gebruik is om tyd data vir uitsleep, verspandering en padvervoer werksaamhede te verkry. Bevindings het die voordele met bettrekking tot die gebruik van uitheemse plantegroei as energiebron bevestig. Die uitdaging rondom die verspreiding van uitheemse plantegroei kan dus aangespreek word deur dit as energiebron te benut. Die produksiekoste vir die toegang tot die bruikbare biomassa kan moontlik voorsien word uit die voordele van die gebruik van die energie wat uit die benutting van die biomassa verkry word. Die groter meer volwasse en digte Akasia opstand het die meeste ontginde biomassa gelewer vergeleke met die ander opstande in die studie (d.i. Mirte en Bloekom). Die stelselproduktiwiteit is beduidend beïnvloed deur die lae toerustinggebruik wat minder as 50% beloop het. Dit het ook laer produksievermoë in die algemeen tot gevolg gehad. In die verspandering werksaamheid blyk die lae invoer tempo (1.5 – 5.3 oonddroog ton per produktiewe masjienuur) van die driewiellaaier die beperking op die proses te wees, veral as in ag geneem word dat die verspandering teen 4-9.4 ODT PMH-1 kan geskied. Die resultaat was ʼn beduidende energie balans van 463 GJ tussen uitset- en invoerenergie van die stelsel. Die totale toevoerketting kostes gegrond op verskeie padvervoer afstande van die spesies was tussen R 322.77 ODT-1 tot R 689.76 ODT-1, met ʼn gemiddelde rondom R 509 ODT-1. Die resultaat is duur gevind in vergeleke met gevalle waar hoë masjiengebruik en optimale produktiwiteit (gemiddeld van R 410 ODT-1), moontlik was. Die biomassaherwinning in die studie het ʼn hoër totale stelselkoste gehad veroorsaak deur lae produktiwiteit, wat verwant is aan die laer toerusting gebruikstempo wat verkry is.

abstract: This study examines the effect of the translation of traditional scientific vocabulary into plain English, a process referred to as Anglicization, on student learning in the context of introductory microbiology instruction. Data from Anglicized and Classical-vocabulary lab sections were collected. Data included exam scores as well as pre and post-course surveys on reasoning skills, impressions of biology, science and the course, and microbiology knowledge. Students subjected to Anglicized instruction performed significantly better on exams that assessed their abilities to apply and analyze knowledge from the course, and gained similar amounts of knowledge during the course when compared to peers instructed with standard vocabulary. Their performance in upper-level courses was also better than that of their traditionally educated peers. Hypotheses related to the effect are presented and evaluated; implications for instruction are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Biology 2011

With the entry into force of the Second Tobacco Products Directive1 (hereinafter TPD), new labelling requirements for tobacco products are being introduced for ensuring greater protection of public health. Notably, the TPD harmonises minimum requirements of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its Guidelines, consisting of pictorial warnings and information about the harmful effects of smoking (Article 9 and 10 TPD), covering 65% of the tobacco package2, but also provides the possibility for Member States to introduce further more stringent measures (Article 24(2) TPD). Only brand names in a standard font are allowed to be displayed on a package with neutral colour without any trademarks.3 This thesis is specifically concerned with the effect of the TPD’s new labelling requirements (plain packaging) on the intellectual property rights (trademark rights) of the tobacco manufacturers. The justifications for the new limitations are considered from a broader EU perspective and from an Intellectual Property law one. The paper reflects on the character of protection that there is no deprivation nor expropriation of property, but a mere control of use and that the right conferred upon registration of a mark is ius excludenti alios and not a right to use. These justifications are based on examination of case law, legislation provisions and it is relied on the surveys approved by the WHO and made post-implementation of plain packaging in Australia. However, it is suggested that the use of trademarks has become an indispensable part of the economic reality and through plain packaging the trademark proprietors’ interests are being undermined. Consequently, it is argued that the new regime is oppressive towards the interests of the trademark proprietors and is not the most effective for attaining the public health objective, by drawing upon sociological and economical research. Finally, the thesis criticises a plain packaging regime as being detrimental to trademark owners and its potential spillover effect to other industries, the risk of increase of illicit trade and counterfeits, which will cause a whole area of intellectual property to become redundant.

Magister Artium - MA / When lesbians, as women divert from social norms and reject the compulsory heterosexual norm, they are either punished through legal systems for transgressing patriarchial structures or not recognised at all. As women, lesbians suffer at the hands of a homophobic society which believs that women have stepped out of line through challenging the hegemonic discourses stipulating that they have specific and distinct roles to play - that of wives, mothers, homemakers and sexual partners to men. Because lesbians do not fit into this construct, their behaviour is socially and legally condemned for diverting from the "natural order". This study aimed to identify and explore the various ways people construct and perceive lesbians and to reveal how sexuality, as a product of history and culture, determines the ways lesbians are treated in their own communities. This study attempted to explore how, despite the democratic stance of the new constitution, South African lesbians still experience discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. / South Africa

Objective: This study aimed to project the societal cost and benefit of an expansion of a water access intervention that promotes lunchtime plain water consumption by placing water dispensers in New York school cafeterias to all schools nationwide. Methods: A decision model was constructed to simulate two events under Markov chain processes – placing water dispensers at lunchtimes in school cafeterias nationwide vs. no action. The incremental cost pertained to water dispenser purchase and maintenance, whereas the incremental benefit was resulted from cases of childhood overweight/obesity prevented and corresponding lifetime direct (medical) and indirect costs saved. Results: Based on the decision model, the estimated incremental cost of the school-based water access intervention is $18 per student, and the corresponding incremental benefit is $192, resulting in a net benefit of $174 per student. Subgroup analysis estimates the net benefit per student to be $199 and $149 among boys and girls, respectively. Nationwide adoption of the intervention would prevent 0.57 million cases of childhood overweight, resulting in a lifetime cost saving totalling $13.1 billion. The estimated total cost saved per dollar spent was $14.5. Conclusion: The New York school-based water access intervention, if adopted nationwide, may have a considerably favourable benefit–cost portfolio.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Multiple studies have explored aspects of food choice; however, few have used a gendered approach. Understanding issues relating to food from a gendered perspective has become crucial in terms of combating and preventing diseases and epidemics such as obesity and malnutrition within the 21st century. The notion that men and women have different perspectives in terms of food has become apparent in recent literature.

Magister Artium - MA / Die fokuspunt van hierdie studie is die impak van die Lentegeur Hospitaal op die plaaslike inwoners. Omdat daar gewoonlik 'n stigma aan geestesinrigtings kleef, wou daar met hierdie studie vasgestel word wat die inwoners se persepsie van die Lentegeur Hospitaal is. Dieselfde konsepte waarmee Dear (1980) gewerk het, is ook in hierdie studie gebruik, nl. afstandsverval, ruimtelike esternaliteitsveld, intensiteit, impak en eksternaliteitsbron. Vir die doel van hierdie studie is van beide kwalitatiewe (onderhoude) en kwantitatiewe (vraelyste)' navorsingsmetodes gebruik gemaak om die empiriese data te verkry. Deur altwee metodes te gebruik, word die beperkinge van 'n enkele metode ten minste gedeeltelik oorkom. Sodoende kon die persepsies van die plaaslike inwoners ten beste verwoord word. Alhoewel daar ook na ander perspektiewe gekyk word, vorm die politiek-ekonomie die dominante teoretiese raamwerk. Hierdie paradigma dien as 'n verwysingsraamwerk waarbinne die toestande in 'n land soos Suid-Afrika bestudeer kan word; en wat ook verklaringsmoontlikhede bied vir die politieke en ekonomiese ongelykhede in die land. Die belangrikste bevindinge van hierdie ondersoek is soos volg: Die oorheersende persepsie van die inwoners ten opsigte van die hospitaal is positief. Dus is die aanname dat geestesinrigtings noodwendig 'n negatiewe impak moet hê, deur hierdie studie verkeerd bewys. Alhoewel gemeenskapsleiers die noodsaaklikheid van 'n algemene hospitaal gepropageer het, was niemand gekant teen Lentegeur Hospitaal nie. Hierdie positiewe ingesteldheid teenoor die hospitaal kan tot 'n groot mate toegeskryf word aan: die aantreklike struktuur van die inrigting; die fasiliteite van die hospitaal wat aan die inwoners beskikbaar gestel word; die feit dat die hospitaal 'n belangrike werkverskaffer is; en en baie van die inwoners behandeling by die hospitaal ontvang / South Africa

The work in this thesis was based on analyzing water samples collected from three exploratory boreholes drilled during Project Hotspot. The water samples were analyzed for their chemical properties. The chemical properties of the water samples were used as a basis for further analysis.Geophysical logs, mainly temperature logs, were also analyzed for this project. Temperature logs measure temperature in relation to depth within a borehole.All the analyses were made in order to estimate the geothermal potential of the project areas. The exploratory boreholes were all drilled in different areas and each had unique characteristics. The Mountain Home borehole provided the most promising evidence for future geothermal potential. Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy and potential production areas are difficult and expensive to locate.