Generic circumscriptions within the large polymorphic genus Peucedanum (family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae) have long been regarded as one of the last major challenges in the taxonomy of the family (Burtt 1991; Pimenov & Leonov 1993). Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the African species of Peucedanum form a distinct clade completely separate from the superficially similar Eurasian species. As a first contribution towards a re-evaluation of generic concepts, all the species occurring within the Cape Floristic Region were revised. A new generic classification system is presented for the 17 species here recognised. The two woody groups are described as two new genera viz. Nanobubon (2 spp.) and Notobubon (12 spp.). The herbaceous genus Cynorhiza is reinstated and expanded to include two additional species, one of which is newly described herein. New combinations for 15 of the 17 species are made and 7 taxa/species are reduced to synonymy. Cladistic analyses of both morphological/anatomical and gene sequence data (ITS) were performed to investigate infra- and inter- generic relationships. Keys, complete nomenclature, typification, descriptions as well as geographical distributions for all of the new genera and species are presented. / Prof. B.E. Van Wyk Dr. P. M. Tilney

Mid-Late Pleistocene species are reported to have sinuses of taxonomic and functional interest. Frontal hyperpneumatisation in Homo heidelbergensis is one of few hypothesized autapomorphies of this controversial taxon and Neanderthal sinuses are also said to be distinctively large, resulting from cold adaptation and explaining diagnostic craniofacial morphology. Variation in sinus size within and between populations of recent H. sapiens has been described, but has not been quantified. Sinus variables in Mid-Late Pleistocene hominins were investigated to illuminate causes of craniofacial variation and clarify alpha taxonomy, whilst evaluating theories of sinus function and advancing the understanding of adaptation in this group. Sinus volumes were measured from CT data and geometric morphometric methods were used to identify associated shape variables in a large sample of fossil and extant hominins. Relationships were investigated between these sinus variables and taxonomic/population, dietary, and climatic variables. The results demonstrate that the sinuses have no detectable direct function in Mid-Late Pleistocene hominins but they do respond to selective pressures, such as diet and climate, indirectly via craniofacial adaptation. There is also a relationship with neutral population differences in craniofacial morphology, for at least the frontal sinus. These effects are of varying strength, and it is likely that stochastic development also plays a part in determining differences in individual volumes. Inter-taxon comparisons support frontal hyperpneumatisation as a distinctive, perhaps derived, trait in H. heidelbergensis, but show that H. sapiens has hypopneumatised maxillary sinuses, rather than H. neanderthalensis being hyperpneumatised. Whilst the causes of extremely large sinuses in H. heidelbergensis remain uncertain, small maxillary sinuses in H. sapiens are suggested to result from their derived craniofacial size and morphology. These conclusions build on previous studies to over-turn long-standing but unfounded theories about the pneumatic influences on Neanderthal morphology and the functional nature of sinuses, whilst opening up exciting questions about relationships between strain, climate, pneumatisation, and intraspecific variation.

In this thesis, I conduct a detailed case study of expressive suffixes in Russian. I show that although the suffixes under investigation have the same function (“expressive”), they differ significantly in their formal properties. I identify two major semantic types of expressive suffixes: attitude and size suffixes. Attitude suffixes convey an attitude of the speaker toward the referent. Size suffixes both convey an attitude and refer to the size of the referent. I argue that the two different semantic types map onto different syntactic types. Attitude suffixes are syntactic heads, while size suffixes are syntactic modifiers. As heads, attitude suffixes determine the formal properties (syntactic category, grammatical gender and inflectional class) of the derived form. As modifiers, size suffixes do not determine the formal properties of the derived form. Attitude suffixes can attach both to category-free √Roots and to categories (n/a/v), while size suffixes can only attach to a noun category. I investigate the functional and formal properties of Russian expressive suffixes in a systematic way, which has not been done before. In doing so, I analyze how expressive suffixes pattern along several kinds of criteria (gender/class change, category change, subcategorization). An important byproduct of this analysis is that I show how grammatical gender of an expressive form can be predicted from its inflectional class (combined with animacy and natural gender of the base). One implication of this analysis is that I show that the formal properties of expressives are no different from those of non-expressives (descriptives), as both expressives and descriptives can attach as heads or modifiers either to √Roots or categories. Another implication is that the formal criteria which I develop for a small set of expressive suffixes in Russian can be extended to set up a cross-linguistic typology of expressives. / Arts, Faculty of / Linguistics, Department of / Graduate

The study uses remotely sensed data from (1) air borne altimetry and radio echo sounding, (2) Landsat satellite imagery, and (3) aerial photography, to investigate aspects of the morphology and dynamics of the ice caps of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. Data collection, methods of reduction and errors are discussed. Three principal topics are examined. First, as a preliminary to comprehensive radio echo sounding operations over Nordaustlandet, the ability of 60 MHz radar equipment to sound ice at or near its melting point was tested over a number of glaciers in Spitsbergen. Ice thickness data were obtained from 38 glaciers. The results are compared with previous geophysical investigations of ice thickness on Spitsbergen, revealing problems concerning existing Soviet radio echo sounding data obtained at higher frequencies. An internal layer echo was interpreted as the bed by Soviet workers. Second, the ice caps of Nordaustlandet, about which little glaciological information was previously available, are described and mapped. The coastline and ice margins are located using corrected satellite imagery. The surface of the ice caps is described in detail, and ice divides and drainage basins are mapped. Synoptic data on relative surface elevations from digitally enhanced Landsat imagery is calibrated using accurate airborne altimetric information available only along flight lines. The morphology of the underlying bedrock, and the thickness of the ice cover above it, is recorded. Ice thickness on Austfonna-Sorfonna reaches 583 m and 28% of the bed is below present sea level. Third, several aspects of the regional glaciology of the Nordaustlandet ice caps are examined. Digital analysis of ice cap surface radiance characteristics provides data on snow line position and mass balance. The spatial and temporal pattern of detector saturation in each band of the Landsat MSS over snow in the polar regions is predicted from analysis of the influence of sun elevation. Regions of ice cap basal melting are identified from enhanced Landsat imagery by the presence of suspended sediment plumes off shore. No plumes are observed off Brasvellbreen, which is probably stagnant and frozen to its bed after a recent surge. The recent fluctuations of 20 outlet glaciers are recorded from enhanced imagery, a method accurate to +150 m. Three groups of basins, with distinctive dynamic behaviour, are defined from an analysis of variations in long profiles and the pattern of driving stresses within the ice caps. First, basins which have surged and are now in the quiescent period between such activity are relatively stagnant. They typically have low surface profiles and driving stresses. Second, several outlet glaciers of southern Vestfonna have marked shear zones separating them from the surrounding ice and also have low surface slopes . They are interpreted as flowing fast over a lubricated bed on a continuous basis and may provide a small scale analogue for ice streams in the large ice sheets. Third, other basins in Nordaustlandet have high marginal driving stresses and relatively steep surface profiles and are interpreted as being frozen to their beds near the margins at least. Although three dynamic classes of basin have been identified, field data from them do not support the analysis and modelling of Budd (1975).

This thesis work presents the analysis of Oscillometric blood pressure pulse waveform under different pressure points (Systolic, Mean Arterial, and Diastolic Pressures). Pulse waveforms' characteristics were determined from the waveforms at three different pressures and are compared for subjects at three different age groups. Estimation of blood pressure using a morphology based approach was done by using the change of pulse waveform characteristics at different pressure points. Pulse waveforms' characteristics that were obtained from pulse waveforms are utilized to estimate SBP, MAP, and DBP. The estimates obtained with pulse morphology based technique are compared with a BP measurement device and Maximum Amplitude Algorithm. Maximum slope of the pulse was also used for blood pressure estimation. The effect of movement and breathing on proposed method and MAA were compared and it was observed that breathing artifacts affect less the proposed method.

Bats are one of the most numerous and diverse orders of mammals. This diversity is reflected in the wide range of bat morphologies. The relationship between bat foraging behaviours, flight styles and wing shapes has been well studied. Little research, however, has focused on other features of bat morphology, such as ear and tail membrane size, and how variations in these affect a bat’s locomotion. Indeed, knowledge on this topic has at best been speculative. In this thesis, I provide insight into the trade-offs and relationships that exist between less studied aspects of bat morphology, and their foraging and locomotion, with focus on the group of bats referred to as gleaners. In this thesis I use a model bat in wind tunnel tests to demonstrate that the long ears of some bat species have profound implications for their aerodynamic performance, and their energetics. A trade-off, however, is likely to exist, since the long ears provide a foraging benefit, which may balance the additional flight cost of the large ears. Additionally, bats may be able to minimise the flight cost of their ears through appropriate ear positioning. Using data collected from museum specimens I also demonstrate that other features of bat morphology, particularly the tail membrane, are good indicators of foraging strategy. Gleaning bats are identified as the group with the largest ears, whilst commuting bats have the shortest tail membranes. The energetic implications of these variations in morphology were then investigated using a theoretical model. The theoretical model suggested that tail morphology, as well as ear morphology, was likely to have a profound effect on flight performance in bats In contrast to bird tails the aerodynamic function of bat tail membranes is not well understood. Accordingly, I investigated bat tail membrane aerodynamics empirically using a model suspended in a wind-tunnel and from this was able to present the first evidence that bat tail membranes fulfil an important flight control function. Although bats primarily fly, certain species, such as the gleaning bats, spend a significant proportion of their foraging time on or near the ground and vegetation, landing to capture prey. Several gleaning species are also documented as frequently jumping from the ground back into flight. Research, however, on bat jumping had previously concentrated on the unusual vampire bats. I, therefore, present further data on bat jump performance and show that no ecological trend is present, with body mass being the best indicator of performance. No correlation between foraging habit and take-off performance suggested that flight so dominates bat morphology and locomotor performance that other modes of locomotion tend to be derivative. The findings of the thesis presented here, provide important insights into the relationships that exist between gleaning bat morphology, locomotor performance and foraging strategy. Areas for future research are also identified.

Five populations of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteous aculeatus,from the upper Cowichan River system (Vancouver Island, British Columbia) were surveyed to assess interpopulation levels of variability in trophic morphology. Phenotypic divergence is assumed to be a post-glacial event. Nine characters were scored; eight were related to feeding and the ninth character was lateral plate number. All populations surveyed were the low plate morph; however populations of Gasterosteus in lakes lacking piscivorous fish had significantly fewer lateral plates than populations in lakes with predatory fish species. Three trophic 'morphotypes' were identified, each associated with one of three lake environments. Populations inhabiting benthic dominated environments ('benthic morph') were found to possess reduced gill raker number and reduced gill raker length but increased upper jaw length relative to populations from lentic environments ('limnetic morph'). An intermediate morph may also exist and is characterized by a morphology suitable to either trophic regime. Analysis of stomach contents showed diet type (benthic or limnetic) to be significantly dependent on morph. The functional significance of differences in trophic morphology was investigated in three feeding experiments using a representative population from each morphotype. The longer jaw of the benthic and intermediate morphs allowed them to ingest a larger benthic prey than the limnetic. No behavioural component to benthic foraging success between populations was identified, although increased jaw length shortened the time spent manipulating prey. Both the intermediate and limnetic morphs were better foragers on an experimental limnetic prey than was the benthic. Head length, snout length, gill raker density and gill raker number were strongly correlated with limnetic foraging success. The quantitative genetics governing the eight trophic characters were investigated using the same three representative populations. Broad sense estimates of character heritabilities ranged from 0.132 to 0.677; all estimates were significant. Character genetic correlations were reasonably strong (0.3 ≤ |rG| ≤ 0.9), while character correlations arising through environment tended to be lower. Cluster analyses of the genetic correlation matrices defined two character suites, the first grouped measures of head shape, the second grouped measures of gill raker structure. The patterns of genetic correlations suggest the three populations are distinct races. Selection gradients for divergence between morphotype indicated that directional selection had operated hardest on head length, snout length, gill raker number, head depth and upper jaw length; hence selection has operated to modify characters related to food size. The benthic-limnetic and intermediate-limnetic morphs were separated by the greatest selection distance while the intermediate-benthic morphs were separated by the shortest selection distance. These results support the conclusion that directional selection, arising from trophic resource differences between lakes, has organized interpopulation variability for Gasterosteus within the upper Cowichan drainage. The racial distinction of each population coupled with the functional significance of some components of trophic morphology indicate that at least the benthic and limnetic morphs must be considered 'ecotypes'. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

The goals of the dissertation are documentation and description of the language, and investigation of theoretical issues raised by the language data. Nuu-chah-nulth, which constitutes, along with Ditidaht and Makah, the Southern branch of the Wakashan family, is in immediate danger of extinction. There are many factors contributing to endangerment, but above all, there is an enormous generation-gap between people who can speak the language and people who cannot, which may ultimately be too deep and broad to bridge without significant linguistic or educational measures. The problem is compounded by the fact the there is very little documentation of the language, hampering both linguistic research and efforts in the realm of education/revitalisation of the language. This work will contribute to documentation of Nuu-chah-nulth, which will ultimately help Nuu-chah-nulth people to develop education materials for their children. Although previous studies describe and analyse Tseshaht and Kyuquot, two of the 12 Nuu-chah-nulth dialects, there is not much comprehensive work where both the Nuu-chah-nulth sound system and related phonological phenomena and its morphology, are both well-described and analysed. Nuu-chah-nulth has unique and interesting dialect variation as well as linguistic phenomena which require organisation and generalisation. This thesis focuses on the description of the Ahousaht dialect. The documentation, in conjunction with previous work, will help us understand Nuu-chah-nulth better in terms of the different evolution between dialects as well as both linguistic and typological characteristics of the language. It is important to investigate the phonology and morphology of Nuu-chah-nulth from the perspective of linguistic theory. Many phonological and morphological processes in Nuu-chah-nulth raise interesting questions in terms of universality, markedness, learnability, variability, and typological issues. Theoretical treatments of linguistic phenomena will help us understand the language itself better, and general characteristics of human language as well. I discuss the segmental phonology of the language in Chapter 3, including the treatment of pervasive phonological processes such as glottalisation, lenition, (de)labialisation, vowel lengthening, vowel shortening, and vowel alternation due to variable vowels; I treat prosodic phonology in Chapter 4, the morphological structure of words in Chapter 2, and morphological processes such as reduplication and allomorphy in Chapter 5. I treat these phenomena within Optimality Theory, due to its direct encoding of claims concerning universality, language variation, and typology. / Arts, Faculty of / Linguistics, Department of / Graduate

M.Sc. (Nematology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

To achieve optimum results business leaders need to focus substantial resources towards developing a long term business strategy. However through a constantly changing business environment, leaders have to continuously review and adapt this strategy to meet new demands and challenges. Regulatory change has a major impact on business, as regulation serves as the convergence touch point between business and government, and this dimension has been identified as the number one contributor to business uncertainty. To meet this challenge business needs foresight and a knowledge of the future in uncertain times best achieved through the undertaking of future studies. There are many methodologies to undertake a future study, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. General morphological analysis was identified as a method which through its specification and design is an ideal candidate through which the complex and uncertain regulatory future could be thoroughly investigated. This studies aims to critically evaluate the robustness and appropriateness of general morphological analysis as an aid in strategic design when dealing with regulation, regulatory change and regulatory uncertain. The methodology was thoroughly evaluated through the undertaking of a general morphological analysis of the airline industry. Through interviews with airline c-suite executives and senior consultants to the industry, dimensions affecting airline future states were identified. Through this process a likely future for the airline industry relating to the regulatory environment was described, specifically highlighting ownership and route access as dimensions of primary impact and uncertainty. This report was presented to the airline executives and consultants who assessed the report to evaluate the methodology. 83% of the executive and consultant feedback found that the report produced using general morphological analysis would be accurate. Further they found that through the process; strong, in-depth and thorough insight was uncovered. Two thirds of the expert respondents stated that they would now consider utilising general morphological analysis in their organisation as a strategy planning tool going forward. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted