Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Economics / Steven P. Cassou / This dissertation consists of three essays in asymmetric empirical macroeconomics. Making macroeconomic policies has become increasingly difficult because of intricate relationships among macroeconomic variables. In this dissertation, we apply state-of-the-art macroeconometric techniques to investigate asymmetric relationships between key macroeconomic aggregates. Our findings have important macroeconomic policy implications. An analogue to the Phillips curve shows a positive relationship between inflation and capacity utilization. Some recent empirical work has shown that this relationship has broken down when using data after the mid-1980s and several popular explanations for this changing relationship, including advancements in technology and globalization, were put forward as possible explanations. In the first essay, we empirically investigate this issue using several threshold error correction models. We find, in the long run, a 1% increase in the rate of inflation leads to approximately a 0.0046% increase in capacity utilization. The asymmetric error correction structure shows that changes in capacity utilization show significant corrective measures only during booms while changes in inflation correct during both phases of the business cycle with the corrections being stronger during recessions. We also find that, in the short run, changes in the inflation rate do Granger cause capacity utilization while changes in capacity utilization do not Granger cause inflation. The Granger causality from inflation to capacity utilization can be interpreted as supporting recent calls made in the popular press by some economists that it may be desirable for the Federal Reserve Bank to try to induce some inflation in an effort to stimulate the economy. In the second essay, we examine the role of consumer confidence on economic activities like households’ consumption in good and bad economic times. We consider the “news” versus “animal spirit” approach interpretation of consumer confidence. In the wake of the Great Recession of 2008-09, many have called for confidence-boosting policies to help speed up the recovery. A recent study has reinforced these policy calls by showing that the Michigan Consumer Confidence Index contains important information about “news” on future productivity that has long-lasting effects on economic activities like aggregate consumption. Using US data, we show this conclusion is more nuanced when considering an economy that has different potential states. We investigate regime-switching models which use the National Bureau of Economic Research US business cycle expansion and contraction data to create an indicator series that distinguishes bad and good economic times and use this series to investigate impulse responses and variance decompositions. We show the connection between consumer confidence to some types of consumer purchases is important during good economic times but is relatively unimportant during bad economic times. We also use this type of model to investigate the connection between news and consumer confidence and this connection is also shown to be state dependent. In the context of the animal spirits versus news debate, our findings show that during economic expansions, consumer confidence shocks likely reflect news, while during economic contractions, consumer confidence shocks are consistent with animal spirits. These findings also have important implications for recent policy debates which consider whether confidence boosting policies, like raising inflation expectations on big-ticket items such as automobiles or business equipment, would lead to a faster recovery. The third essay investigates expectation shocks and their effect on the economy. For instance, this essay investigates whether the economy responds to expectation shocks in an importantly asymmetric way. A growing literature shows that agents' expectation about the future can lead to boom-bust cycles. These studies so far ignore the transmission effects of expectations on current economic activities across the policy regimes. Using the Survey of Professional Forecasters and Livingstone Survey data, this study empirically investigates the effects of expectation shocks on macroeconomic activities when policy regimes shift. Identifying a structural shock to expectations by using the timing of information in the forecast surveys and actual data releases, we show that the effects of agents' expectations about the future on current macroeconomic activities are asymmetric across the policy regimes. In particular, we find that a perception of good times ahead typically leads to a significant rise in current measures of economic activity in a hawkish regime relative to a dovish regime. We also find that monetary policy's reactions to agents' expectations are asymmetric across the policy regimes. Our findings do not support the views of critics of the central banks, who argued that keeping monetary policy too easy for too long is responsible for fueling the booms. Instead, our findings support the traditional view that a positive (negative) expectation about the future coincides with an anticipatory tightening (easing) of monetary policy.

The anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into the atmosphere, mainly through the combustion of fossil fuels, has resulted in a balance disturbance of the carbon cycle. Overwhelming scientific evidence proves that the escalating level of atmospheric CO2 is deemed as the main culprit for global warming and climate change. It is thus imperative to develop viable CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies to reduce CO2 emissions, which is also essential to avoid the potential devastating effects in future. The drawbacks of energy-cost, corrosion and inefficiency for amine-based wet-scrubbing systems which are currently used in industry, have prompted the exploration of alternative approaches for CCS. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to the development of functional porous materials, such as activated carbons, zeolites, porous organic polymers, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to capture CO2. However, these adsorbents are limited by either poor selectivity for CO2 separation from gas mixtures or low CO2 adsorption capacity. Therefore, it is still highly demanding to design next-generation adsorbent materials fulfilling the requirements of high CO2 selectivity and enough CO2 capacity, as well as high water/moisture stability under practical conditions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been positioned at the forefront of this area as a promising type of candidate amongst various porous materials. This is triggered by the modularity and functionality of pore size, pore walls and inner surface of MOFs by use of crystal engineering approaches. In this work, several effective strategies, such as incorporating 1,2,3-triazole groups as moderate Lewis base centers into MOFs and employing flexible azamacrocycle-based ligands to build MOFs, demonstrate to be promising ways to enhance CO2 uptake capacity and CO2 separation ability of porous MOFs. It is revealed through in-depth studies on counter-intuitive experimental observations that the local electric field favours more than the richness of exposed nitrogen atoms for the interactions between MOFs and CO2 molecules, which provides a new perspective for future design of new MOFs and other types of porous materials for CO2 capture. Meanwhile, to address the water/moisture stability issue of MOFs, remote stabilization of copper paddlewheel clusters is achieved by strengthening the bonding between organic ligands and triangular inorganic copper trimers, which in turn enhances the stability of the whole MOF network and provides a better understanding of the mechanism promoting prospective suitable MOFs with enhanced water stability. In contrast with CO2 capture by sorbent materials, the chemical transformation of the captured CO2 into value-added products represents an alternative which is attractive and sustainable, and has been of escalating interest. The nanospace within MOFs not only provides the inner porosity for CO2 capture, but also engenders accessible room for substrate molecules for catalytic purpose. It is demonstrated that high catalytic efficiency for chemical fixation of CO2 into cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions is achieved on MOF-based nanoreactors featuring a high-density of well-oriented Lewis active sites. Furthermore, described for the first time is that CO2 can be successfully inserted into aryl C-H bonds of a MOF to generate carboxylate groups. This proof-of-concept study contributes a different perspective to the current landscape of CO2 capture and transformation. In closing, the overarching goal of this work is not only to seek efficient MOF adsorbents for CO2 capture, but also to present a new yet attractive scenario of CO2 utilization on MOF platforms.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Brett K. Sandercock / The native grasslands of North America are highly fragmented, and remaining tracts are intensively managed for grazing. Loss of tallgrass prairie and changing land management practices has caused many grassland birds that rely on these areas for breeding to decline in population numbers. To investigate resource selection and area use requirements of the upland sandpiper, we outfitted birds with radio transmitters at the experimentally managed Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeast Kansas. Two logistical challenges for wildlife telemetry projects are: minimizing the impact of radios on survival and movement, and optimizing the duration of transmitter attachment. We compared 4 methods of radio attachment for upland sandpipers under field conditions at breeding sites in tallgrass prairie. The daily probabilities of radio retention (DRR) for our 4 attachment methods were: 0.9992 (SE = 0.0005, n = 85) for a leg loop harness, 0.9801 (SE = 0.0099, n = 11) for radios glued to clipped feathers, 0.9627 (SE = 0.0085, n = 25) for radios glued directly to feathers and 0.8538 (SE = 0.0322, n = 20) for radios glued to plucked skin. The expected duration of radio attachment ranged from 1290 days for the leg loop harness, and 6 to 50 days for the glue attachment techniques. Survival rates of males (DSR = 0.9987, SE = 0.0009, n = 53) and females (DSR = 0.9988, SE = 0.0008, n = 71) were similar, and the probability of surviving the 90-day breeding season was about 0.90 in both sexes. We recommend attaching radios with glue to clipped feathers for short-term telemetry studies and a leg loop harness if longer retention is desired. The unique landscape of Konza Prairie allowed us to investigate specific tallgrass management strategies, and their impact on the range and habitat requirements of a bird that relies on the prairie for breeding. We found that upland sandpipers have large home ranges during the breeding season (male: = 199.0 ha ± 40.5 SE, n = 21, female: = 247.7 ha ± 51.7 SE, n = 23). Male home ranges were twice as large during brood-rearing ( = 200.8 ha ± 69.1 SE, n = 9) than during the nesting period ( = 67.02 ha ± 11.84 SE, n = 14, 1 = 5.14, P = 0.023). Upland sandpipers selected home range sites that had been burned the same spring (n = 44, ²3 = 31.65, P < 0.001), but did not show preference for certain habitat types within their home range ( ²3 = 1.49, P = 0.685). During brood rearing upland sandpipers used sites with higher percentages of bare ground, herbaceous and short woody vegetation, and low amounts of vegetative litter. Management strategies for the upland sandpiper should seek to preserve large contiguous tracts of tallgrass prairie that receive a heterogeneous mix of burning and grazing.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Evan C. Titgemeyer / Effects of energy supply on the efficiency of methionine and leucine utilization in growing steers were evaluated in 3 studies. We hypothesized that increased energy supply would improve efficiency of amino acid utilization. In study 1, treatments were abomasal infusion of 0 or 3 g/d of L-methionine and supplementation with 3 amounts of energy (0, 1.3, and 2.6 Mcal GE/d) in a factorial design. Nitrogen balance was increased (P<0.05) by methionine supplementation and increased linearly (P<0.05) with energy supply, indicating that efficiency of methionine use was improved by energy supplementation. In study 2, the effects of supplementation with no energy or isocaloric (1.3 Mcal GE/d) supplementation with glucose, fat, acetate, or propionate at 2 levels of L-methionine supplementation (0 or 3 g/d) were evaluated. Supplemental energy increased (P<0.01) nitrogen retention, without differences among energy sources. The results indicated that energy supplementation improved the efficiency of methionine utilization, independent of energy source. In study 3, effects of energy supplementation on leucine utilization in growing steers at 2 body weights (150 kg in Exp. 1 and 275 kg in Exp. 2) were evaluated. Treatments were a 3 × 2 factorial with 0, 4, or 8 g/d of L-leucine infused abomasally and 2 amounts of energy (0 and 1.9 Mcal GE/d). In Exp. 1, nitrogen retention linearly increased in response to leucine supplementation when additional energy was supplied. When no energy was supplemented, nitrogen retention was similar for 4 and 8 g/d of leucine. Energy supplementation increased nitrogen retention (P<0.01), indicating that energy supplementation improved the efficiency of leucine utilization by modestly increasing nitrogen retention when leucine was limiting and by increasing the ability of steers to respond to the highest amount of supplemental leucine. In Exp. 2, nitrogen retention was not affected by leucine supplementation, indicating that leucine did not limit protein deposition. Energy supply increased nitrogen retention (P<0.01) independent of the level of leucine supplemented, demonstrating an increase in capacity for protein deposition when energy was supplemented. Overall, our results indicated that energy affects the efficiency of amino acid utilization, challenging the assumption of a constant efficiency of use.

D.Litt. et Phil. (Library and Information Science) / Since the first library building was built in 1900 at the University of Stellenbosch no scientific study of library buildings as seen from the viewpoint of the librarian in the RSA has been done. No South African criteria for libraries at tertiary institutions exist, but SAPSE building norms have been available since the late seventies. The shift of priority from merely collecting information to providing information and updating developments in information and telecommunication technology, have resulted in the philosophy of the library building being adapted. With the primary problem area of the study being the functionality of the modern library building, in the RSA, the research area was defined according to period, type of library building and kind of institution. This study covers the period 1946 through 1983. A thorough literature study on the planning of libraries overseas and in the RSA has been conducted. The type of libraries analised in this study are the main library buildings at universities, teacher training colleges and technikons in use at the end of 1983. Eighteen university library buildings, nineteen teacher training college library buildings and seven technikon library buildings were considered. Each library has been visited and personal interviews were conducted with heads of libraries and senior members of the staff. The personal interview was supplemented by a structured questionnaire dealing with the history, planning, functional areas and the influence of technology on the building. This was completed during the interview. One university library did not occupy a planned library building in 1983. Two universities built two new main library buildings during the period thirteen universities built one each, while one expanded in linear fashion through several academic departments. At teacher training colleges ten new main libraries were constructed, one library was housed in a converted hall and eight were in temporary facilities. Three technikon libraries were in converted halls, three in temporary facilities and one in a library building which was built in 1923...

Magister Curationis - MCur / It is not mandatory for the student to declare a pregnancy to her educational institution. It does however become more complicated for the student nurse, because she has to provide a health service while she is a student during her clinical placement. The researcher has noticed that student nurses do fall pregnant during their undergraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape. The researcher was unsure why this phenomenon is occurring amongst undergraduate nursing students. He identified the need to measure the level of knowledge of pregnancy prevention amongst undergraduate nurses, their level of utilization of such services and their attitudes towards falling pregnant during their studies. This study is of a quantitative nature whereby the researcher made use of a descriptive design. The method of data collection utilized was an anonymous self administered questionnaire form. The population under study was the registered undergraduate nursing students in 2008 at the University of the Western Cape. This population consisted of 1031 individuals. Their ethnic background represents the South African demography. An exhaustive sampling approach was used and 401 individuals gave consent to participate in the study. Through this research the researcher hypothysed and proved that the level of knowledge of contraception amongst undergraduate student nurses is indeed inadequate and that this low level of knowledge on the subject area leads to incorrect and inconsistent and non use of contraception in their own lives. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae - MSc / It was hypothesized that South African FA and brine could sequester CO2 through mineral carbonation. A statistical approach was undertaken to optimize the % CaCO3 formed from FA/brine/CO2 interaction with input parameters of temperature, pressure, particle size and solid/liquid ratio (S/L) being varied. The ranges adopted for the input parameters were: temperature of 30 ºC or 90 ºC; pressure of 1 Mpa or 4 Mpa; four particle sizes namely bulk ash, > 150 μm, < 20 μm and 20 μm- 150 μm particle size range; S/L ratios of 0.1, 0.5 or 1. The FA/ brine dispersions were carbonated in a high pressure reactor varying the above mentioned input parameters. The fresh Secunda FA of various size fractions was characterized morphologically using scanning electron microscopy, chemically using X-ray fluorescence and mineralogically using qualitative X-ray diffraction. The carbonated solid residues on the other hand were characterized using quantitative X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetic analysis and Chittick tests. The raw brine from Tutuka together with the carbonation leachates were characterized using inductively coupled mass spectrometry and ion chromatography. Total acid digestion was carried out to evaluate the differences in the total elemental content in both the fresh ash and the carbonated solid residues. The results suggested that South African FA from Secunda belongs to class F based on the CaO content as well as the total alumina, silica and ferric oxide content, while the RO brine from Tutuka were classified as NaSO4 waters. / South Africa

Masters of Science / The origin of HIV/AIDS has puzzled scientists ever since the illness first became known in the early 1980s. It is now over twenty years down the line, still the pandemic is the subject of fierce debate and the leading cause of death in the world with sub-Saharan Africa being the worst hit region. With almost everything put in place in 21st century, the rates of infection continues to rise, thus this study tries to find out the undermining factors for full utilization of HIV services in higher institutions of learning,particularly the University of the Western Cape.The services are; free HIV testing and counseling, free medication; provision of free condoms to the students in their halls of residences, peer education programs, and making them easy to access, and prevention of mother to child transmissions.This qualitative study was conducted from June to November 2009, using designed questionnaires for sixty three (63) registered students and five (5) HIV program staff .The main reason for this study was to understand the underlying factors for why students may utilize or may not utilize the available HIV services on campus. The willingness of students to express their views was a positive finding in this study. Majority students who answered the questionnaires were quite aware of these HIV services. They also agreed that services provided are good. The study also found out that females utilized these services more than males and majority of students learnt of the HIV services from the HIV programs pamphlets and website thus indicating that the HIV program at UWC is function. However the research study also found out that the though students are aware of these services few utilize them and majority are females thus leaves a question why males do not utilize.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Aim: The aim of the study was to to explore women’s awareness and use of antenatal services at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital. Objectives: The specific objectives were to determine the awareness of physiotherapy interventions among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic as well as the health professional’s knowledge about physiotherapy in the antenatal clinic.

In this study, slurry availability and the extent of the slurry mixing (i.e., among fresh slurry, spent slurry, and residual rinse-water) were varied via three different injection schemes. An ultraviolet enhanced fluorescence technique was employed to qualitatively indicate slurry availability and its flow on the pad during polishing. This study investigated standard pad center area slurry application and a slurry injection system (SIS) that covered only the outer half of the wafer track. Results indicated that the radial position of slurry injection and the alteration of fluid mechanics by the SIS played important roles in slurry mixing characteristics and availability atop the pad. Removal rates were found to decrease with slurry availability, while a higher degree of slurry mixing decreased the fraction of fresh slurry and consequently lowered the removal rate. By using a hybrid system (i.e., a combination of slurry injection via SIS and standard pad center slurry application), the polishing process benefited from higher slurry availability and higher fraction of fresh slurry than the conventional pad center slurry application and the shorter SIS, individually. This work underscores the importance of optimum slurry injection geometry and flow for obtaining a more cost-effective and environmentally benign chemical mechanical planarization process.