Thesis (M.Sc.(Systematics and Biodiversity Science))-- Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sequence data from the intron and the spacer of the trnL-F chloroplast DNA region were used to study the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Zygophyllum L. (Zygophylloideae: Zygophyllaceae) in the southern African region. The chloroplast DNA was extracted from both herbarium and silica-gel dried material. Closely related genera, i.e. Augea Thunb., Fagonia L. and Tetraena Maxim. within the subfamily Zygophylloideae and more distantly related genera Seetzenia R.Br. ex Decne and Tribulus L. were used as outgroups. Sequences revealed length variation mainly due to the presence of indels (insertions and deletions). Phylogenetic analysis using parsimony revealed two distinct lineages for southern African members of Zygophyllum, corresponding to the proposed subgeneric classification (Van Huysteen 1937; Van Zyl 2000). There is a strong monophyly support for the sections within the subgenus Agrophyllum (Neck.) Endl. However, the transference of the monotypic section Grandifolia Engl. from subgenus Zygophyllum to Agrophyllum is not confirmed, because material of Z. stapffii Schinz. was not available. Despite the morphological evidence for the subdivision of the subgenus Zygophyllum, the molecular data did not confirm the monophyly for its sections. This could be the result of biased sampling, since all the species used in the analyses, except Z. cordifolium L.f. and Z. morgsana L., belong to section Capensia Engl. The trnL region data support the transfer of the mono typic section Morgsana Huysst. from subgenus Agrophyllum to subgenus Zygophyllum. The molecular data also seem to have implications for the biogeography of Zygophyllum. The southern African Agrophyllum representatives are related to East African and Middle East Zygophyllum species, whereas the southern African subgenus Zygophyllum members are closely related to Australian Zygophyllum species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die volgorde-data van die trnL-F chloroplas-DNA gebied is gebruik om die filogenetiese verwantskappe van die genus Zygophyllum L. (Zygophylloideae: Zygophyllaceae) in suider Afrika te bestudeer. Die chloroplas-DNA is geëkstraheer van beide herbaria en silica-gel gedroogde materiaal. Naverwante genera binne die subfamilie Zygophylloideae bv. Augea Thunb., Fagonia L. en Tetraena Maxim., sowel as verder verwante genera, soos Seetzenia R.Br. ex Decne en Tribulus L., was as buite-groepe gebruik. Die lengte-variasie in die volgorde-data kan toegeskryf word aan indels (insertions and deletions). Filogenetiese analise deur die gebruik van parsimonie het twee duidelike ontwikkelingslyne vir suider-Afrikaanse Zygophyllum taksa aangedui. Dit stem goed ooreen met die voorgestelde subgeneriese klassifikasiesisteem vir die genus (Van Huysteen1937; Van Zyl 2000). Daar is 'n sterk ondersteuning vir monofilie van die seksies binne die subgenus Agrophyllum (Neck.) Endl. Die oorplasing van die monotipiese seksie Grandifolia Engl. vanaf subgenus Zygophyllum na subgenus Agrophyllum is nie bevestig nie, want materiaal van Z. stapffii Schinz. was nie beskikbaar nie. Ten spyte van morfologiese bewyse vir die subdivisie van die subgenus Zygophyllum het die molekulêre data nie die monofilie van die seksies bevestig nie. Dit is moontlik as gevolg van eensydige data-insameling, aangesien al die spesies wat in die analise gebruik word (behalwe Z. cordifolium L.f. en Z. morgsana L.) aan die seksie Capensia Engl. behoort. Die trnL-gebied data ondersteun die oordra van die monotipiese seksie Morgsana Huysst. van die subgenus Agrophyllum na die subgenus Zygophyllum. Die molekulêre data bied ode inligting oor die biogeografie van Zygophyllum. Die suider-Afrikaanse Agrophyllum taksa is verwant aan Oos-Afrika en Midde-Oosterse Zygophyllum spesies, terwyl lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse subgenus Zygophyllum nouverwant is aan Zygophyllum spesies in Australië.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

<p>The present healthcare system in South Africa suffers from a number of serious deficiencies. Whilst orthodox bio-medicine is well established in most first world countries, its total introduction and implementation into all communities within South Africa faces many obstacles. The cost of diagnostic techniques, investigative procedures and pharmaceutical products, the availability of competent medical staff in the non-urban areas, and the lack of acceptance of the philosophy and practice of orthodox bio-medicine in rural regions are but some of the factors which conspire against the general application of this orthodox medical paradigm.<br /> <br /> Another problem confronting healthcare and medical practice in South Africa, particularly at this stage of our historical development, is the absolute focus on orthodox bio-medicine, often to the detriment of other medical paradigms that also have advantages to offer. Can the integration of another medical paradigm, such as Unani-Tibb, enhance the practice of orthodox bio-medicine in this country?<br /> <br /> The aim of the thesis was to investigate the possibility of integrating Unani-Tibb with orthodox biomedicine (also termed conventional, Western or allopathic medicine) and assess its potential for improving delivery of an effective, affordable and appropriate healthcare system in South Africa.<br /> <br /> The research questions which the thesis seeks to answer is whether this integration is possible and whether the delivery of healthcare to the South African population can be enhanced. Changes in the provision of medical education are necessary, and occupy a pivotal role in allowing for this integration. Unani-Tibb is a traditional medical system practiced extensively on the Indian sub-continent and in other parts of the world. At present, however, it is minimally practiced in South Africa. Its primary principle is the energetic promotion of health maintenance behaviour and the prevention of disease, through effective application of dietotherapy, pharmacotherapy and other interventions, as well as the empowerment of the patient towards adopting behavioural changes and lifestyle adaptations. One positive aspect of Unani-Tibb is that it has many features in common with both orthodox biomedicine and African Traditional medicine. These commonalities should allow for greater acceptance by orthodox healthcare professionals, as well as the general population. The first part of the study involved the research and conceptualisation required for the production of a series of customized training modules which introduced the theory and practice of Unani-Tibb. A twelve month part-time training programme based on these modules was subsequently conducted with a number of healthcare professionals presently in active practice and with a background of orthodox medical or nursing healthcare. This outcomes-based training programme included a number of specifically designed training activities, such as case studies, practical exercises and assignments. Appropriate evaluations and assessments were pursued in order to measure performance outcomes and attitudes. Questionnaires for assessing the motivation and satisfaction of the participants were also completed. The second part of the study was in the form of a pilot participant research project, in which the participants applied the information from the integrative programme to a number of chronically ill patients who had previously been treated with standard orthodox bio-medical procedures. The parameters derived for clinical efficacy, cost-benefit and improvement in Quality of Life from Unani-Tibb treatment were then compared to equivalent results obtained by orthodox bio-medicine. In all parameters inspected, the integrative training programme compared favourably to orthodox bio-medical practice. Not only was there an improved clinical efficacy, but the cost-benefit was shown to be superior in most indices measured. The Quality of Life comparison, which assessed the patient&rsquo / s total health status, subjective behaviour and attitude, generally favoured the integrative training programme. The thesis serves to suggest that the integration of Unani-Tibb into orthodox bio-medical training in South Africa is a distinct possibility, and could ultimately allow for treatment which is clinically acceptable, cost-effective and which provides an improved Quality of Life for the population as a whole. I suggest that this pilot study be repeated more extensively, thereby allowing for a more confident and objective assessment.</p>

This poetry manuscript experiments with narrative and lyrical approaches while exploring themes of memory, family, gender roles, sexuality, and identity.

The purpose of this thesis is to give a concise view of stylistic, iconographical, and iconological trends in Southern genre paintings and illustrations between 1830 and 1890 by native Southern artists and artists who lived at least ten years in the South. Exploration of artworks was accomplished by compiling as many artworks as possible per decade, separating each decade by dominant trends in subject matter, and researching to determine political and/or social implications associated with and affecting each image. Historical documents and the findings of other scholars revealed that many artworks carried political overtones reflecting the dominant thought of the white ruling class during the period while the significance and interpretation of other artworks was achieved by studying dominant personal beliefs and social practices.

Water vapour content and transport over southern Africa and adjacent oceans are examined. Early summer rainfall over the northern and central interior of South Africa tends to be associated with baroclinic controls whereas late-summer rainfall is barotropic in origin. This is reflected in the northwesterly water vapour transport from an Atlantic Ocean source by middle and upper tropospheric westerly waves in early summer. A thermally indirect Ferrel cell, indicated-from energetics, COpIU1nSthe· temperate nature of the early-summer atmosphere over southern Africa. Late summer water vapour transport, in contrast, is strongly from the tropics, with' a reduced eddy component, indicating an important tropical control on late SUmmerrainfall especially in terms of fluctuations in the position of the ascending limb of .the Walker cell Over southern Africa. The Hadley cell is of importance to the late summer rainfall in that dry (wet) years are associated with an anomalous cell OVereastern (central) South Africa such that low level vapour transport is southerly (northerly). The anticyclone over the eastern parts of southern Africa, coupled with. a trough over the interior (especially at the 700 hPa pressure level), is important for the introduction of water vapour over the subcontinent in wet and dry years and for tropical-temperate trough case studies. Water vapour source regions differ from early summer (Atlantic Ocean) to late summer (Indian Ocean), which reflects the temperate. control on early and the tropical control on late summer circulation. The convergence of water vapour over southern Africa in wet years and during tropical-temperate troughs is not only important for cloud formation and precipitation, but also for latent heat release associated with convergent water vapour. Diabatic heating decreases the stability of the tropical atmosphere thereby resulting in increased vertical motion. It also forces an anomalous Badley circulation during wet late summers and tropical-temperate trough .cases as a result of complex energy transformations. Heating increases eddy available potential energy which is converted to zonal available potential energy by a thermally indirect circulation found in the tropics. The zonal potential energy is then converted to kinetic energy by the thermally direct Badley cell. Water vapour and its variations are thus important for the precipitation, heating and SUbsequent energy of the subtropical southern African atmosphere, / GR 2017

El Ni??o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most important coupled ocean-atmospheric phenomenon to cause global climate variability on interannual time scales. Efforts to understand recent, apparently anomalous ENSO behaviour are hampered by the lack of long, high-quality climate records. While instrumental data generally covers the past 150 years, record length is insufficient for the assessment of past changes in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of ENSO. Here, multiproxy networks of high-resolution tree-ring, coral, ice and documentary records derived from eastern and western Pacific ENSO ???centres of action??? are analysed (A.D. 1525-2002). Considerable improvements in ENSO reconstruction are achieved from expanding the use of records from the western Pacific. In particular, ~500 years of a continuous 3,722 year ENSO sensitive tree-ring record from New Zealand is introduced. Although extreme ENSO events are seen throughout a 478-year discrete event analysis, 43% of extreme, 20% of very strong and 28% of all protracted ENSO events occur within the 20th century. Principal component analysis was used to extend instrumental records of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) Ni??o 3.4 Sea Surface Temperature (Ni??o 3.4 SST) and a newly developed coupled ocean-atmospheric ENSO index (CEI) by 347 years. Significantly, of the three indices reconstructed here, CEI reconstructions were largely found to be the best predictors of ENSO. The results suggest that ENSO may be more effectively characterised using a coupled ocean-atmosphere index, particularly for December-May periods. Compared to the pre-instrumental period, the late 19th and early 20th centuries indicate a clear trend toward increased ENSO variability over the past 150 years. Significantly, spectral analysis of reconstructed indices reveals a marked change in the frequency and intensity of ENSO beginning ~A.D. 1850, coinciding with the end of the Little Ice Age and the boom in global industrialisation. This suggests that ENSO may operate differently under natural (pre-industrial) and anthropogenically influenced background states. This study asserts that recent ENSO variability appears anomalous in the context of the past five centuries. Given the considerable socio-economic impacts of ENSO events, future investigation into the implications an increasingly anthropogenically-warmed world may have on ENSO is vital.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), are widely distributed in the environment. Several studies have demonstrated that these pollutants will cause potential impacts such as carcinogenic and mutagenic for human health. In this study, four different types of sampling stations were chosen. Two of the sampling sites are located in Kaohsiung city, which is an industrialized city with densely population in southern Taiwan (KHU and KHC). The other sampling sites are in a rural coastal area (KT) and an offshore island (LY), respectively. We determined the concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs in the atmosphere to identify the spatial and temporal distributions of PCBs and PBDEs in southern Taiwan. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) of congener-specific composition of PCBs and PBDEs were performed with the commercial products to investigate the relationship of regional signatures and possible pollution sources. Finally, back trajectory analysis was undertaken to gain a better understanding of long-distance transport contribution to the studied area. The concentrations of £UPCBs in the ambient air ranged from 9.51 to 482 pg m-3, with an average concentration of 162¡Ó155 pg m-3. The mean PCB concentrations in gas and particle phase were 159¡Ó153 pg m-3 and 3.04¡Ó2.38 pg m-3, respectively. The concentrations of £UPBDEs in the ambient air ranged from 3.42 to 166 pg m-3, with an average concentration of 31.7¡Ó37.3 pg m-3. The average PBDE concentrations in gas and particle phase were 7.22¡Ó6.50 pg m-3 and 23.7¡Ó33.4 pg m-3, respectively. Comparison of the total PCB and PBDE concentrations from the four sampling sites showed that the total PCB and PBDE concentrations at the Kaohsiung urban site (KHU) and Kaohsiung coastal site (KHC) were higher than those at a rural coastal site (Kenting, KT) and an offshore island site (Lanyu, LY), suggesting that densely population and heavy industrial park may be the major contributor of PCBs and PBDEs . Results from HCA, PCA and compositional patterns of PCBs indicate that offshore island site (Lanyu, LY) was different from KHU, KHC and KT. Lower chlorinated congeners (dichlorobiphenyls to hexachlorobiphenyls) were predominant in the gas phase. Since most of the lower molecular weight congeners were below the detection limit, the total PCB concentrations were found at much lower level in LY sampling sites. In addition, a significantly higher proportion of high-chlorinated congeners, was observed at LY, suggesting that there may be local pollution sources in this area. Results from HCA, PCA and compositional patterns of PBDEs indicate that the samples from February and October were dominated by BDE-209, while the samples from July were dominated by BDE-71, BDE-47 and BDE-99, suggesting that this might be due to the significantly low concentrations of suspended particles (PM10) in July. Since much higher temperature was observed in July, these lower brominated congeners may be released much easier from the sediment, water, and brominated-containing products due to smaller molecular size and higher vapor pressure. Moreover, debromination of the deca-BDEs had been observed in the environment. Several studies have shown that photolytic debromination of BDE-209 is possible pathway for the formation of lower brominated-BDEs. TEQ was used to determine the level of pollution for environment and human health. In this study area, the TEQ ranged from 0.145 to 0.878 pg-TEQ m-3, with an average TEQ of 0.0004¡Ó0.0003 pg-TEQ m-3 in gas-phase of ambient air. PCB114 was observed to be the predominant congener in this study.