O presente trabalho tem por finalidade discutir a leitura que Lucia Miguel Pereira faz de Virginia Woolf em quatro ensaios, Dualidade de Virginia Woolf, Crítica e feminismo, O Big Ben e o carrilhão fantasista e Assombração, nos quais explora aspectos importantes dos ensaios e romances da escritora inglesa. Para Lucia Miguel Pereira, a nova forma do ensaio idealizada por Woolf consiste em uma renovação estética que a distingue de seus predecessores e contemporâneos pela união da linguagem crítica com a narrativa. Denominada de abordagem humanista pela crítica brasileira, a concepção de Woolf possibilita um espaço de criação artística capaz de envolver o leitor e estabelecer uma relação de intensa proximidade com ele. Entretanto, as explicações de natureza estética de Woolf, que congregam mito e movimento feminista para a criação dessa nova forma, são vistas por Pereira mais como resultado de uma visão pessoal da escritora do que como crítica literária propriamente dita. Com relação ao tempo ficcional, seguindo a sugestão de Lucia Miguel Pereira a respeito da necessidade de interação entre tempo cronológico e psicológico no romance, é feita uma leitura comparativa de To the lighthouse e Mrs. Dalloway, de Virginia Woolf, e Amanhecer, da autoria da escritora brasileira, a fim de demonstrar como ambas lidaram com a temporalidade no romance. O fio condutor da análise é a proposta estética de Woolf e o ponto de vista da crítica brasileira. / This thesis aims at investigating Lucia Miguel Pereiras reading of Virginia Woolf in four of her articles, Dualidade de Virginia Woolf, Crítica e feminismo, O Big Ben e o carrilhão fantasista, and Assombração, in which she explores key aspects of the English writers essays and novels. According to Lucia Miguel Pereira, Woolfs essays are formally innovative and her renewal of the form distinguishes her from her predecessors and contemporaries. Such differences are reinforced by the simultaneous use of narrative and critical language, which raises the essay to status of an artistic creation, capable of involving the reader by means of an interaction and closeness which Pereira names as a humanistic approach. However, Pereira considers Woolfs explanations of her aesthetics, which include myth and feminism, as resulting much more from her very personal stance than as literary criticism as such. As for fictional time, taking up Lucia Miguel Pereiras suggestion about the necessary interaction between chronological and psychological time in the novel, we compare To the lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway, by Virginia Woolf, and Amanhecer, by the Brazilian novelist, in order to demonstrate how both writers deal with temporality in the novel, bearing in mind Woolfs aesthetic proposal and the Brazilian critics point of view.

O Jig de Lucia, considerado um reprogramador neuromuscular é um dispositivo confeccionado nos incisivos centrais superiores e, utilizado na clínica odontológica com finalidade de desocluir os dentes e consequentemente desprogramar o padrão de atividade neuromuscular evitando que ocorram interferências oclusais e, assim, possibilitando a melhor manipulação da mandíbula, como também, possibilitando a avaliação das alterações e distúrbios na oclusão dental. No presente estudo, foram analisados 33 indivíduos dentados saudáveis, portadores de disfunção temporomandibular muscular ou mista, respiradores nasais, com a idade entre 21 a 40 anos em ambos os gêneros, com o objetivo de avaliar a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos masseter e temporal, bilateralmente antes e após a instalação do Jig de Lúcia por meio dos registros eletromiográficos. Para tanto foi utilizado o eletromiógrafo MyoSystem- Br1 e, a avaliação inicial foi executada antes da instalação do dispositivo de reprogramação neuromuscular na condição postural de repouso e após a sua instalação sobre dentes incisivos centrais superiores, apresentando contato da superfície incisal dos incisivos centrais inferiores na porção palatina do dispositivo nos seguintes períodos de tempo: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 30 minutos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística (SPSS 17.0) com nível de confiança de 95% (p < 0,05). Os resultados não mostraram alterações estatisticamente significativas em todas as situações analisadas eletromiograficamente. / Lucia Jig, deemed as a neuromuscular re-programmer, is a device manufactured on the upper central incisors and, used in Odontology as a means of disoccluding the teeth and, consequently deprogramming the pattern of neuromuscular activity, avoiding occlusal interferences and, therefore, making it better the manipulation of the jaw, as well as allowing the assessment of dental occlusion alterations and disorders . In the present study, we analyzed 33 healthy dentate subjects, both genders, suffering from muscular or mixed temporomandibular disorder, nasal breathers, between 21 and 40 years old, aiming to assess, bilaterally, the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles, before and after the installation of Lucia Jig, by means of electromyographic records. In order to do so, the MyoSystem-Br1 electromyograph was used and, the initial assessment was performed before the installation of the neuromuscular re-programming device, in resting posture condition and after its installation on the upper central incisors, showing contact of the incisal surface of the lower central incisors on the palate portion of the device on the following time periods: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes. The data were submitted to statistical analysis ( SPSS 17.0) with 95% confidence level ( p < 0.05). The results showed no statistical significant alterations in all electromyographically analyzed situations.

No description available.

This study investigated the response of the macrophytes in St Lucia Estuary, northern KwaZulu-Natal to drought. The present distribution of vegetation (2010 / 2011) was mapped and changes over time recorded from past aerial photographs. The changes in macrophyte cover in response to environmental factors (sediment and groundwater characteristics) was measured along four transects in 2010 and compared with results from previous years, in 2005 and 2006. In the current study, 1960 images were digitized to illustrate macrophyte distribution and cover of the Narrows, Makakatana and the Eastern Shores during a low rainfall period which started in 1958. The 2001 images were digitized to illustrate vegetation distribution and cover of the same area prior to the current drought which started in June/ July 2002. The 2008 images were digitized to illustrate vegetation distribution and cover of estuarine vegetation within the floodplain during the drought (after 6 years). The sites were visited in June 2011 for verification of the distribution and boundaries of each macrophyte habitat. The area covered by the water column varied over time. In 1960 during a low rainfall period the water was 32705 ha, 33320 ha in 2001 and reduced to 30443 ha in 2008. The area cover of inundated and dry reeds fluctuated with the water level. Under high water levels, low-lying areas such as Fanies Island and Selley‟s Lake were flooded and under low water levels, intertidal sand and mudflats were exposed and colonised by succulent salt marsh (Sarcocornia spp. and Salicornia meyeriana). Similar conditions were observed at Makakatana. Mangroves were observed from the mouth to the Forks. Avicennia marina was the dominant mangrove species and primary colonizer of dredge spoil. The area cover of mangroves in the vicinity of the mouth fluctuated as a result of fluctuating water levels, dredging operations, excavation of the Back Channel and Cyclone Gamede which killed intertidal vegetation. Between 2001 and 2008, mangrove expansion was faster in the Mfolozi Swamps area (± 1.4 ha yr -1) compared to the Narrows (± 0.4 ha yr -1). Long term monitoring transects were set up in 2005, at Makakatana, Charters Creek, Catalina Bay and at Listers Point to document changes in sediment conditions and vegetation cover. These were sampled in July 2005, October 2005, February 2006 and May 2010. Silt was the dominant particle size at Catalina Bay, Charters Creek and Makakatana. At Makakatana, average ground water salinity was 17.2 ± 6.6 ppt, 4.1± 4.9 ppt at Catalina Bay and 32.9 ± 19.3 ppt at Charters Creek. Drought resulted in the accumulation of salt on the surface sediment layer at Listers Point and Charters Creek due to low rainfall. Listers Point, the site with the lowest freshwater input and habitat diversity had the lowest macrophyte species richness with only three species. The dominant species at this site were Sporobolus virginicus and Chenopodium album L. which are highly salt tolerant species. Catalina Bay had the highest species richness (18 to 27); as a result of freshwater input via groundwater seepage from the sand dune aquifers on the Eastern Shores. Along the Eastern Shores, vegetation was dominated by species of Cyperaceae, Juncaceae and Juncaginaceae. Fluctuations in groundwater depth were observed at all sites, Listers Point groundwater depth in February 2006 was 80 cm and the ground water level was not reached during the May 2010 field trip. During the May 2010 field trip, the water column salinity of the St Lucia system was highly variable, Makakatana had the lowest water column salinity of 7.1 ppt, 42.1 ppt at Catalina Bay, 44 ppt at Charters Creek and Listers Point had the highest water column salinity of 95 ppt. An assessment of the changes in macrophyte cover along the transects showed that cover fluctuated in response to rainfall, water level and drought. At Listers Point, there was a continuous decline in the abundance of Sporobolus virginicus over time which was sparsely distributed in the first 40 m of the transect. Sarcocornia natalensis, a succulent and obligate halophyte, was recorded, in areas with high sediment conductivity. In May 2010, bare ground increased to an average percentage cover of 96.5% and was covered with dead organic matter and a salt crust at Listers Point. At Makakatana, there was a significant decrease in bare ground from July 2005 to May 2010 (H = 24.58, N = 197, p<0.001) as bare areas were colonized by salt marsh. Multivariate analysis showed that the abundance of Sporobolus virginicus was positively influenced by sediment moisture content and Paspalum vaginatum abundance was strongly influenced by the water column salinity. At Catalina Bay, low sediment conductivity at the groundwater seepage area resulted in terrestrial vegetation encroaching on estuarine vegetation. Sarcocornia natalensis became more abundant towards the water column. During the period of study, species richness at St Lucia ranged from 2 (Listers Point, May 2010) to 27 (Catalina Bay, February 2006). Salinity and water level fluctuation have a significant impact on the distribution of macrophytes at St Lucia during the drought. In saline areas salt marsh plants have colonized exposed shorelines and along the Eastern Shores groundwater seepage has increased macrophyte species richness. Low water levels have resulted in the exposure and desiccation of submerged macrophytes, which are replaced by macroalgae.

Wind induced turbidity within shallow lakes can greatly affect the biological functioning of a system in either a positive or negative manner. This research aims to understand and model the physical processes that cause sediment re-suspension. Lake St Lucia on the east coast of South Africa, a UNESCO World heritage site was used as a case study. Lake St. Lucia is a shallow water system which commonly experiences high levels of turbidity. Coupled with the naturally shallow depth of the lake, it is currently drought stricken, resulting in abnormally low water levels. A simple model has been developed which accounts for sediment re-suspension due to wind-driven waves and their associated bed shear stresses. The wave heights within a shallow lake such as St Lucia are controlled either by the fetch (for a large water depth), or the water depth (for a large fetch). When the wind is strong enough, the wind-driven turbulent mixing causes the water column to become fully mixed. When the wave-driven boundary layer becomes turbulent, sediment, being entrained within the water column increases significantly. The model also accounts for the effects of temporal consolidation on the re-suspension of sediments by setting a time scale for the erosion processes. It was found that the median of the monthly turbidity levels over the past ten years exceeded the average turbidity levels over the past 92 years. In all cases it was shown that mouth linkage with the uMfolozi resulted in lower turbidity levels than without any linkage due to the higher average water levels. The model was then developed to predict the spatial variation in turbidity within the Southern Lake. This was achieved through the use of existing bathymetric data for the Lake. This spatial model was then used to show how the turbidity varied for different wind and water depth conditions. Two conditions were considered, a NE and SW wind blowing at 8m/s for water levels of 0 EMSL and -0.5 EMSL. The spatial model showed that a decrease in water level increases the turbidity within the lake significantly. The wind directions appeared to yield similar results of sediment re-suspension. It was also shown that the high turbidity values were situated in the shallow depths even though the wave heights were small in comparison to those in deeper water. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Increasing turbidities due to land use changes and poor catchment management can cause negative impacts on estuaries worldwide. High turbidity has an impact on the biological functioning of estuaries which are amongst our most productive ecosystems. This study focuses on the St Lucia estuary on the east coast of South Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar wetland of international importance. Increased turbidity due to suspended inorganic sediments has been identified as an important threat to the sustainability of biodiversity in the St Lucia system. In order to determine the influence of increased cohesive sediment loads on the estuarine system it is necessary to understand how flocculation affects the fate and transport of cohesive sediment. Flocculation describes the processes of aggregate formation and breakup. Suspended sediment concentration, salinity and turbulent shear rates have been identified as key drivers of estuarine flocculation. This study investigates flocculation by measuring how the floc size distribution and settling velocities of flocs vary with the key drivers. A laboratory technique was developed where flocculation was simulated in an agitated beaker. Digital imaging techniques were used to measure changes in the size of flocs within the beaker and floc settling velocities in a still settling column. Results show reduced aggregation and floc size with increases in turbulent shear. Floc settling velocities were observed to increase with floc size while the effective density was observed to decrease. The study is concluded by investigating potential applications for the results obtained. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Estuarine studies worldwide have shown that sediment disturbance effects on the macrobenthos are reIated to the nature and scale of the disturbance. Decreased species densities, diversity and richness have been found where the substratum and current patterns have been altered either by direct removal or by the creation of channels . Sediment disturbance in the St. Lucia Narrows has occurred through dredging, beam trawling and episodic floods. The Narrows, a meandering tidal channel approximately 21 km long linking the st Lucia Lakes to the sea, were dredged between 1952 and 1971 to provide a greater flow of seawater to the lakes during periods of low lake levels. A canal was cut through land from the Mfolosi River to the Narrows in an attempt to ameliorate hypersaline conditions in the Lakes, but was never commissioned. Beam trawling has formed the basis of a prawn bait fishery since the 1930's. The bait boats trawl on the mudflats over the entire Narrows on a daily basis and often churn the substratum with their propellers. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dredging, a once-off large scale disturbance, and beam trawling, a frequent small scale disturbance, on the macrobenthos of the Narrows. Studies in 1983 and 1984 showed that the dredged channel was impoverished compared with the adjacent mudflat, and that the Link Canal was devoid of benthos. In 1988 species densities, especially of polychaetes, were found to be lower in areas open to beam trawling than in adjacent closed areas. The dredged channel during the present study was again impoverished compared with the adjacent mudflats. The three most abundant species occurring on the mudflats, the crab Tylodiplax blephariskios, the amphipod Victoriopsia chilkensis and capitellid polychaetes, were recorded at densities an order of magnitude lower in the channel than on the mudflats. The substratum in the channel was generally sandier than the mudflats, and this condition appeared to be maintained by the scouring action of tidal currents. It was calculated that the creation of the dredged channel had reduced the standing benthic biomass in the Narrows by a minimum of approximately 20%. The Link Canal was colonised by the three major mud flat species , but at densities an order of magnitude lower than the mudflats. Beam trawling of experimental sites at monthly and 6-monthly intervals on muddy and sandy substrata in the Narrows between July 1989 and July 1990 did not appear to have a negative effect on the benthos. The coverage of the bait boats was calculated to be comparable to the trawling effort in this study, and suggested that the bait fishery is not having a detrimental effect on the benthos. It was concluded that the macrobenthos in the Narrows represented a pioneering community characteristic of estuaries, either not affected by, or able to recover from small scale and episodic disturbances provided that there was no long term habitat modification. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1992.

The St Lucia estuarine lake system in South Africa is part of a UN- ESCO World Heritage site and a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Like many estuarine systems worldwide St Lucia has experienced signi cant anthropogenic impacts over the past century including catchment land use changes, water diversions/abstractions and inlet manipulation. In addition, the system has recently su ered losses in species diversity and abundance following unprecedented hy- persaline conditions and desiccation. Questions regarding its sustain- ability have motivated a reevaluation of management decisions made in the past and of options for the future. To understand the func- tioning of the system, it is necessary to analyse it holistically in terms of the physical processes and their interaction with the biology. This study focusses on aspects of the biophysical interactions in the estu- arine complex, and aims to provide new knowledge to underpin the development of improved models for predicting the response of the system to anthropogenic interventions. A model for the water and salt budgets was used to investigate what if scenarios in terms of past anthropogenic interventions, in particular the e ects of diverting the Mfolozi River from St Lucia. Furthermore, the risks of hypersalinity and desiccation were assessed for each sce- nario. Integrating these modeled scenarios with observed biological responses to physicochemical changes suggested that large long-term changes in the ecological structure can be expected in the di erent management scenarios. To validate this, the ecosystem response to changing environmental responses was quantitatively assessed using ecological network analysis. Long-term simulations show that the separation of the Mfolozi and St Lucia mouths had a signi cant impact on the functioning of the St Lucia system. The Mfolozi plays a pivotal role in maintaining a more stable mouth state regime and provides a vital source of freshwater during dry conditions. The con guration of the Mfolozi/St Lucia inlet plays a key role in the physico-chemical environment of the system and in uences the system's susceptibility to desiccation and hypersaline conditions. Ecosystem indices revealed that the water level, salinity and mouth state have a signi cant impact on species abundance and diversity as well as the ecological structure and functioning of the system. In addition, ecosystem indices show that the system recovers rapidly during favourable conditions. The arti cial separation of the St Lucia and Mfolozi inlets underpins the most signi cant impacts on the water and salt budget of the lake and its reversal is key to the sustainability of the system. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Among the location theories that geographers have devised in the past thirty years, the most influential has probably been Walter Christaller'd Central Place Theory (11, 12, 27). Its main point is that a certain amount of productive land supports an urban center, and the center exists because essential services must be performed for the surrounding land (25:203). Theoretically, a hierarchy of such centers exists, ranging from hamlets to metropolises with their distribution throughout a region following an hexagonal pattern. Many of Christaller's basic premises have been subatantiated by the work of numerous geographers (11, 25:203). Most of these works, however, have been carried out in regions of fairly uniform conditions of topography, climate, agricultural economy, and cultural background. Consequently, it is generally admitted that lack of uniformity in any of those conditions can modify the basic pattern (25:207). To the eyes of the cultural geographer, the emphasis on economic factors relegates unduly on the background important cultural factors. [...]

Pine plantations have been established on secondary grassland on the dune systems of the Eastern Shores of Lake St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for the past 40 years. These plantations have been progressively felled for the past six years, and will continue to be felled until the year 2011, by which time they will be eliminated. Space-for-time substitution was used to determine the direction of both woody and herbaceous vegetation succession and to predict possible future management implications for the Eastern Shores. Soil samples were taken from undisturbed grassland, grassland with trees, dune forest, pine plantations, and clearfelled areas at various successional stages. To determine the effects of the pine plantations on the soils of the area, soils were subjected to particle size analysis, and determination of pH, organic carbon, phosphorus, exchangeable bases, iron and aluminium. Minimal modification of the sandy soils by the pine plantations was found to have occurred. That which did occur was shown to be short-term, and to be ameliorated by the establishment of an indigenous woody understorey, resembling pioneer dune forest. Soil under plantations was shown to have a lower pH and cation exchange capacity than under opposite indigenous vegetation but no other direct effects were observed. The direction of succession was determined by the nature of the indigenous vegetation adjacent to the plantation. Pine plantations were shown to facilitate succession towards dune forest by the exclusion of fire, provision of perches and refugia for forest-dwelling animals, and creation of a forest environment for the establishment of trees. However, the extent of re-establishment of indigenous dune forest under pine plantations was shown to be directly related to the nature of the adjacent indigenous vegetation, be it grassland, grassland with trees or dune forest. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.