PhD, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 2006

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the extent to which discourses of postfeminism and postcolonialism inform the reception of selected portrait photographs by Jodi Bieber and Zanele Muholi. The dissertation is interested in how cross-cultural and transnational formations complicate first world feminist notions of a singular, generalised identity of ‘woman’. I intend to explore whether theories of postcolonialism and postfeminism allow for more dynamic readings of their work, as well as how this is represented in the way they portray women. The dissertation will address the relevance of postcolonialism and postfeminism in photography and what this theory offers in terms of the way the images are read. In particular, it will address how the works of these two artists represent identities of women living outside of the West, and how this expression of identity can be positioned within postcolonial and postfeminist theory.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, February 2015 / Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The phenotype is variable and ranges from a complete feminine syndrome to simple gynecomastia. The phenotypes are described in terms of complete, partial and mild forms (CAIS, PAIS and MAIS). We describe novel and previously reported (recurrent) mutations in the AR gene for a family in which segregation of breast cancer (BC) and gynecomastia/MAIS is present. Methods: We studied a family of 16 members spanning four generations. Based on the presentation of symptoms, the family was divided into affected, unaffected, and control groups. Seven patients (six males diagnosed with MAIS and one female diagnosed with BC) formed the affected group, four genetically related individuals (two males and two females) formed the unaffected group and five genetically unrelated family members (one male and four females) served as controls. In each of these individuals, PCR amplification, cloning and the sequencing of exon 1 were carried out. Exons 2-8 were sequenced directly after PCR amplification. Exon 1 (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeats were classified according to their length: short (S) (n<23), long (L) (n>23) and wild type (WT) (n=23). Results: Part 1-The (CAG)n repeats varied among individuals and generations. In the 2nd generation, the unaffected male was S and the control female was WT. In the 3rd generation, three affected males were S, 2 of the controls were WT, one control was L and the other S. In the 4th generation, the 4 affected individuals were L, 1 of the unaffected was WT and the other 2 unaffected were L. Part 2- The (GGN)n variations also differed among individuals and generations. In the 2nd generation, the unaffected male and the control were S. In the 3rd generation, all three affected family members were S and among the controls, 1 was WT, 1 was L and 2 were S. In the 4th generation, 3 of the affected were S and one was WT and among the 3 unaffected, 2 were S and one was WT. Part 3- 30 unreported (novel) mutations as well as 13 recurrent (previously reported) mutations in exon 1 of the AR gene were identified. 17 novel and 5 reported mutations were identified in the affected group, 8 novel and 5 reported mutations, including one premature stop codon mutation, were identified in the related unaffected group and 7 novel and 4 reported mutations were found in the controls. Of the above-mentioned mutations, four mutations were identified in the activation function-1 (AF-1) domain of exon 1 in 4 members (3 affected: M-2, F-1 and 1 unaffected: F-1) of the family. All the point mutations identified were somatic in nature and were present in heterogeneous form i.e wild and mutant (mixture) as determined by cloning. The analysis of exons 2 through 8 revealed completely WT sequences. Conclusions: The (CAG)n and (GGN)n repeat analysis showed an indeterminate association with MAIS and BC in the family. Generation specific patterns of (CAG)n were detected and suggest generation specific modulation of the AR. Novel mutations including AF-1 region mutations were identified in exon 1. The disruption of the AF-1 domain may affect the transactivation activity of the AR.

Faculty of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy 0107750d VANNIEKERKD@mweb.co.za / The prescription habits of general practitioners are continually under the scrutiny of ethical critics. There are numerous factors that influence a practitioner’s decision as to which antihypertensive agents to prescribe for the treatment of hypertension. As outlined in various international and national guidelines for the management of hypertension, the recommended treatment depends on ethnicity, current life-style, diet, smoking, age, gender, family history and possible underlying or secondary conditions such as diabetes mellitus, heart failure, isolated systolic hypertension, myocardial infarction, pregnancy, and evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke or peripheral vascular disease. Currently the control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension is far from optimal with over 70% of hypertensive patients being reported as having imperfect control. A number of factors related to the patient, the practitioner or the medication may explain the high incidence of inadequate blood pressure control. One possible explanation for the poor control of blood pressure may be that practitioners fail to comply with the guidelines. Hence the aim of my study was firstly to determine whether a practitioner’s decision as to which medication to prescribe in the treatment of hypertension is influenced by the Southern African Hypertension Society Guidelines. Secondly, in an attempt to assess the validity of the results of the primary analysis, the actual prescription habits (MediCross® database) were assessed and compared to the general practitioner’s recall of their prescription habits. Questionnaires were distributed to 320 MediCross® practitioners and prescription habits were identified and substantiated by the screening of an existing MediCross® database. I chose as my sample MediCross® general practitioners, as they are demographically representative of all major urban areas in South Africa; likely to be open-minded to supporting research and answering questionnaires (as MediCross® is part of a Clinical Research Site Management Organisation); and I had access to the database of the prescriptions made by MediCross® practitioners hence enabling me to fulfil my second objective. However, it must be kept in mind that these practitioners are representative of general practitioners in urban areas only (as the title of my research report indicates). My results show that 33.1% adhere to the guidelines (when a non-conservative definition of diuretics is used); 27% have heard of the guidelines and have a copy of them. When asked to give their own opinion however, 39% thought they adhered to the guidelines. The results also show that ACE inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed drug class for uncomplicated hypertension but a comparison to a MediCross® database, of which the quality is questionable, does not support this. As the response rate to the questionnaires was only 24.7%, these results are only a pilot study; however they suggest that few general practitioners use the guidelines or even have a copy of the guidelines. This pilot study suggests that the guidelines need to be distributed more widely. Furthermore the general practitioners that responded to the questionnaire indicated that the management of hypertension is difficult in that there is no single treatment regimen appropriate for all populations and each different patient. It was also their view that clinical guidelines for the management of hypertension should more accurately reflect the uncertainty of when to initiate treatment and individual variation if they are going to take these guidelines seriously and comply with them.

Student Number : 9703129J - MSc(Med) research report - School of Pathology - Faculty of Health Sciences / Down syndrome is the commonest cause of congenital developmental disability in industrialized countries, where it occurs in approximately 1.4 per 1000 live births. In South Africa, the birth prevalence of Down syndrome was documented as 1.8 and 2.09 per 1000 live births in urban and rural populations, respectively. The physical, psychosocial and emotional burden of Down syndrome on affected families is significant. The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive choices of women with a child with Down syndrome, aged 1 year or older. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The sample consisted of fifty women; 36 African, 4 Asian and 10 Caucasian. The questionnaire assessed the mothers’ knowledge of Down syndrome prior to diagnosis, what counselling was received and how this knowledge was utilised. Information was also obtained on the mothers’ use of family planning, the knowledge and use of prenatal medical genetic screening and diagnosis, and what decisions would be made in future pregnancies. None of the sample group of mothers had prenatal diagnosis in their pregnancy with their Down syndrome child, but 76% (38) said that they would want prenatal diagnosis in any future pregnancies. Of the 50 mothers, 21 (42%) said they would terminate a pregnancy if Down syndrome had been detected, 26 (52%) said they would not, and 3 (6%) said they were unsure what they would have done if faced with this decision. Of the Caucasian women, 40% (4) said they would opt for termination of pregnancy, 40% (4) said they would not and 20% (2) were unsure. Of the African and Asian women, 52.8% (19) and 75% (3) respectively said they would not terminate an affected fetus. The information from this study can be used to improve the understanding of how women and their families cope with their children with Down syndrome and give insight for the provision of more effective and comprehensive genetic counselling.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyse the cost and profit efficiency of banks in South Africa. The cost-to-income ratio has always been used in the South African banking sector in measuring efficiency. However this approach is very simplistic and does not provide enough insight on real profit efficiency. This research uses a stochastic frontier model to determine both cost and profit efficiency of four large and four small, South African-based banks. The results of the study show that South African banks have significantly improved their cost efficiencies between 2000 and 2005. However efficiency gains on profitability, over the same time period, have not been significant. No bank was found to be superior to another in terms of achieving efficiency gains in cost reduction and profitability. A weak positive correlation was found to exist between the cost and profit efficiencies, with the most cost efficient banks also being most profit efficient. With regard to bank size, cost efficiency declined with increasing bank size.

Student Number : 9703077F - MSc research report - School of Oral Health Sciences - Faculty of Health Sciences / Guidelines for endodontic procedures and practice have been described, but in South Africa there is no information on the adherence of practitioners to such guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide this information by administering a questionnaire to 1367 members of the South African Dental Association. Although the response rate was poor, 111 replies could be used. The majority of these respondents had more than 5 years experience. Half used a rubber dam, which is favourable relative to the global practice of endodontics. The majority use engine-driven instruments for canal preparation and all the respondents use radiographs. Lateral condensation and gutta percha were the preferred choices for canal obturation. Single-visit treatment was performed with varying frequency. The conclusion of this study is that South African dentists do adhere to most international and current standards. However, there is a need to develop quality assurance guidelines for endodontic treatment for South Africa, and which can also be applicable for developing countries.

No description available.

Police officers are exposed to stress outside the range of usual human experience. The operational duties of police work, by their very nature, may at any time place officers in life threatening situations (McCraty, Tomasino, Atkinson and Sundram, 1999). These life threatening situations often lead police officers to experience different kinds of trauma. Certain temperament characteristics have throughout time been implicated as vulnerabilities toward trauma (Marais, 2005). This research study aimed to investigate this relationship between temperament styles and the effects of traumatic events on police officers working as dog handlers at the SAPS Dog Unit, Soweto. An exploratory-descriptive research design with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods was used to address the aims of the study. Use of the Keirsey’s Temperament Sorter indicated that from the fifteen respondents who took part in this study the majority demonstrated a tendency towards extraversion, sensation, feeling and judging. The sensation subscales showed a weak, yet significant relationship with both intrusion and avoidance symptoms which were measured by the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R). In addition to the IES-R the researcher made use of a semi-structured interview schedule to determine the effects that traumatic work incidents had on the respondents. Common themes that emerged from the interviews included: denial, emotional detachment, lack of trust and a lack of selfknowledge. The main conclusion that emerged from the study was the need to empower police officers by helping them gain self-awareness in terms of their unique ways of coping with trauma.

MA, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 1993