Genetically modified maize expressing the Bt-protein Cry1Ab (Bt maize) is planted widely in South Africa. Crop residues of Bt maize often end up in aquatic ecosystems where aquatic organisms are exposed to Cry1Ab protein. The effect of this protein on non-target aquatic organisms has not yet been studied in South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of exposure to Bt maize on morphological development of Xenopus laevis and Amietophrynus gutturalis tadpoles. Three experiments were conducted with each of X. laevis and A. gutturalis. Five of these were conducted in the bio-secure Amphibian Biology laboratory and one with A. gutturalis in a shade-house facility where microcosms were exposed to natural conditions. In the first experiment of X. laevis and A. gutturalis, which was replicated three times, large portions of maize leaves were placed in the bottoms of microcosms. X. laevis received supplementary pulverised leaves in suspension while A. gutturalis tadpoles fed on provided leaves. For both control and experimental groups microcosms were divided in three groups receiving respectively 15, 30 and 45 g of maize leaves. In the second and third experiment tadpoles only received pulverised Bt maize leaves in suspension. Each replicate (microcosm) contained 50 one-day old tadpoles. Experiment two was conducted to determine whether the Bt-protein has adverse effects on A. gutturalis tadpoles when tadpoles are exposed to the protein in the water but not feeding on the plant material. A total of 100 tadpoles were used during the experiment and tadpoles were placed individually in 250 ml plastic cups that were filled with 100 ml water witch contained an extract of either Bt and non-Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were fed twice a week with TetraTabimin bottom-feeding fish pellets in suspension. Experiment three was conducted to determine whether the Bt-protein will have adverse effects on A. gutturalis tadpoles when tadpoles feed on Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were divided into a treatment in which 50 tadpoles were fed Bt maize leaves and a control treatment in which 50 tadpoles were fed non-Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were placed individually in 250 ml plastic cups that were each filled with 100 ml borehole water. On a weekly basis 10 randomly selected tadpoles were collected, measured and staged for morphological development, using the Nieuwkoop and Faber Normal Table for X. laevis and Gosner stages for A. gutturalis tadpoles. The significant effects observed in some life history parameters of tadpoles exposed to Cry1Ab protein cannot be ascribed to the effect of the protein. Poor husbandry turned out to be the single most important confounding factor. Before follow-up studies are conducted husbandry practices should be optimized. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Genetically modified maize expressing the Bt-protein Cry1Ab (Bt maize) is planted widely in South Africa. Crop residues of Bt maize often end up in aquatic ecosystems where aquatic organisms are exposed to Cry1Ab protein. The effect of this protein on non-target aquatic organisms has not yet been studied in South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of exposure to Bt maize on morphological development of Xenopus laevis and Amietophrynus gutturalis tadpoles. Three experiments were conducted with each of X. laevis and A. gutturalis. Five of these were conducted in the bio-secure Amphibian Biology laboratory and one with A. gutturalis in a shade-house facility where microcosms were exposed to natural conditions. In the first experiment of X. laevis and A. gutturalis, which was replicated three times, large portions of maize leaves were placed in the bottoms of microcosms. X. laevis received supplementary pulverised leaves in suspension while A. gutturalis tadpoles fed on provided leaves. For both control and experimental groups microcosms were divided in three groups receiving respectively 15, 30 and 45 g of maize leaves. In the second and third experiment tadpoles only received pulverised Bt maize leaves in suspension. Each replicate (microcosm) contained 50 one-day old tadpoles. Experiment two was conducted to determine whether the Bt-protein has adverse effects on A. gutturalis tadpoles when tadpoles are exposed to the protein in the water but not feeding on the plant material. A total of 100 tadpoles were used during the experiment and tadpoles were placed individually in 250 ml plastic cups that were filled with 100 ml water witch contained an extract of either Bt and non-Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were fed twice a week with TetraTabimin bottom-feeding fish pellets in suspension. Experiment three was conducted to determine whether the Bt-protein will have adverse effects on A. gutturalis tadpoles when tadpoles feed on Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were divided into a treatment in which 50 tadpoles were fed Bt maize leaves and a control treatment in which 50 tadpoles were fed non-Bt maize leaves. Tadpoles were placed individually in 250 ml plastic cups that were each filled with 100 ml borehole water. On a weekly basis 10 randomly selected tadpoles were collected, measured and staged for morphological development, using the Nieuwkoop and Faber Normal Table for X. laevis and Gosner stages for A. gutturalis tadpoles. The significant effects observed in some life history parameters of tadpoles exposed to Cry1Ab protein cannot be ascribed to the effect of the protein. Poor husbandry turned out to be the single most important confounding factor. Before follow-up studies are conducted husbandry practices should be optimized. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Motorsport fields autocross, rallycross and motocross no more have the status they had in recent history. They have to share their popularity with a growing offer of other attractive leisure activities. At the same time automobile clubs (keepers of motorsport stadiums, where various motorsport venues are held) have to deal with a decrease in financial and material support. Sponsors now decide more carefully about the sports to which they will link their brands. To reach an overall prosperity it is essential to focus marketing strategy on both channels -- B2B as well as B2C. Theoretical part of the thesis deals with a strategic marketing in sport industry with a focus on marketing mix. On the other hand practical part uses empirical and theoretical methods to analyze marketing mix of autocross, rallycross and motocross stadiums in the Czech Republic. Conclusion of the practical part summarizes the aim of the diploma thesis. Firstly, there is an analysis of Sedlčany Motorsport Stadium's marketing mix. The results are then used for creation of a new marketing strategy of this sport facility.

Cette thèse évalue et explique l’impact économique des nouveaux stades sur l’écosystème d’affaires du football professionnel français. Entre 2008 et 2016, 13 nouvelles enceintes ont été créées ou ont été rénovées. L’objectif visé par ce programme est de permettre l’évolution des modèles de revenus des clubs, et en parallèle la baisse des subventions publiques qui leur sont versées. Ce modèle avait été observé en Allemagne à la suite d’un programme similaire réalisé entre 2001 et 2006. Dans un premier temps, à partir de ces ambitions, les indicateurs utilisés pour effectuer une analyse comparée France-Allemagne, montrent que les résultats économiques attendus sont éloignés des espérances. Dans le but d’identifier les liens de causalité entre les objectifs ex ante et les résultats ex post, une analyse des modalités de programmation et d’exploitation de la ressource stade est réalisée à l’aide de 7 monographies. Cette recherche inductive fait émerger des limites structurelles, financières et organisationnelles importantes, générées par les logiques d’acteurs de ces projets. Il apparaît en effet, par faute de leader, que les collectivités territoriales, les clubs et les sociétés privées du bâtiment n’ont pas su enclencher le processus de coévolution nécessaire à la bonne programmation de ces « outils de production ». Il est ainsi montré comment l’alchimie de la compétence joue un rôle central dans la création d’une nouvelle ressource. Outre le savoir et le savoir-faire, la volonté d’action, de partage, définis quant à eux par la notion de « savoir-être », éclairent les logiques initiales d’acteurs et expliquent l’impact final de la politique publique de rénovation des stades en France. Ainsi, grâce à ce cas spécifique, la recherche enrichit les travaux en management du sport portant sur la compréhension des performances économiques d’une organisation sportive, à travers l’analyse de ses actifs et son business model. Dans une logique de new public management, elle évalue la pertinence et l’efficience d’un programme de rénovation qui a mobilisé plus de 2 milliards d’euros de fonds publics. Enfin, dans une logique d’apprentissage et d’évolution ces travaux se concluent par des préconisations managériales. / This thesis assesses and explains the economical impact of new stadiums on the business ecosystem of French professional football. From 2008 to 2016, 13 new venues were built or renovated. The aim of this program is to enable the evolution of club revenue models, and, in parallel, the decline of the public subsidies paid to them. This model was witnessed in Germany following a similar program carried out between 2001 and 2006. Firstly, from these aspirations, the indicators used to perform a comparative analysis France-Germany, show that the expected economical results are far from expectations. In order to identify the causal links between ex ante objectives and ex post results, an analysis of the programming and exploitation modalities of the stadium resource is crafted using 7 monographs. This inductive search reveals important structural, financial and organizational limits, generated by the logics of these projects' actors. It appears, by absence of leader, that local communities, clubs and private building companies have failed to initiate the process of coevolution needed for the correct programming of these "tools of production". It therefore demonstrates how an alchemy of competence plays a central role in the creation of a new resource. In addition tothe knowledge and the « know-how », the will for action and sharing, defined by the notion of soft skills or « know-how-towbe », clarifies the initial logics of actors and explains the finalimpact of the stadiums' renovation's public policy in France. Thus, thanks to this specific case, the research enriches works in sports management dealing with the understanding of economic performance of a sports organization, through its assets and business model. Following a logic of new public management, it evaluates the relevance and efficiency of a renovation program that has mobilized more than 2 billion euros of public funds. Finally, following a logic of learning and evolution, this work eventually leads to managerial recommendations.

Sudden death in sport is a tragic event mediated primarily through the media. This thesis deals with sudden cardiac death from non-traumatic causes. The first section provides the overview of the issue, I mentioned specific cases of sudden death and the most common cause of sudden cardiac death among young and old athletes. The thesis focuses on the possibilities of preventive measures. In the second part, as part of my research, preparedness of Czech stadiums is evaluated situations of sudden cardiac death. In the conclusion section, I present the results of a questionnaire survey among representatives of clubs and stadiums and change proposals. The aim of the research is to find out how hockey and football stadiums are prepared for unpredictable situations of sudden cardiac death of athletes. Keywords: Sudden death, sport, sports stadiums, circulation disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, AED, resuscitation, EKG, prevention

This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Masters of Urban Design, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / Six years after the 2010 FIFA World Cup was hosted by South Africa many researchers are still contemplating the so-called positive spin-offs that was propagated (Bond & Cottle, 2012: 1) leading up to this mega-event. Massive capital over-spending, increased public debt and severe under utilisation of these newly constructed iconic stadia and surrounding infrastructure are reported which is representative of the sobering realisation that mega-events, contrary to popular belief, may not be the ‘begin all, end all’ catalyst for urban development – a critique that has been noted in many countries of the north (Haferburg, 2011: 334). Now that the sound of cheering crowds have faded along with visual images honouring the mega-event (Young, 2015), we are faced with the stark realisation that cities need to maintain these expensive facilities and actively seek to attract large events to ensure a relatively stable stream of much required revenue. Santos (2014) questions the amount of rationality applied when such investment decisions are made and points to the generally accepted and portrayed idea that these new iconic stadia will somehow translate into other socio-economic benefits, but argues that due to the rather inflexible use of these facilities, it is very seldom that positive spin-offs are actually realisable. Therefore public investment and expenditure decisions by government have a more significant impact on the inhabitants of an area as they themselves suffer the burden of budgetary deficits, severely increased public debt (Hoiris, 2012), and most importantly, the spatial and resulting socio-economic consequences of ill-advised development. This mammoth of a task (of maintaining facilities) is even further complicated by various degrees of local detachment, socially and functionally, and therefore interventions will need to seek alternative ways to facilitate a sort of ‘re-integration’ into the existing urban fabric by a process of land use redefinition and spatial reconfiguration. Such an issue and approach is no different to the Peter Makoba Stadium in Polokwane and therefore this research will utilise the site as a case study in an attempt to discover whether and how urban design can re-integrate such facilities into cities by developing a new image, use and meaning in order for it to more appropriately fit into the local context. The study firstly explored how and why mega-events has been utilised for urban development globally and what the collective experiences have been. A precedent study was then conducted to determine how other cities have dealt with these challenges and to what extent it has been deemed successful. A process of design approach formulation and interpretation was undertaken that ultimately influenced and informed the proposed urban design interventions for the Peter Makoba Sports Precinct. The proposed urban design interventions is however further aligned to the City of Polokwane’s long term development vision and therefore gives spatial expression to forward planning policies in a more coherent and systematic manner. Finally conclusions are drawn from the study that can serve as a guideline for the future design and development of such facilities. This study therefore explores how a new social and economic meaning can be created and attached to and around the stadium and move towards newer, desirable forms of urbanity that can in return feed back into the city itself. / MT2017

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Professional))--Tshwane University of Technology, 2010. / Major effort and substantial financing has gone into the recent upgrade of South African stadiums, exclusively for the FIFA World Cup 2010. It included building new stadiums, upgrading existing ones and improving infrastructure and services. After the Soccer World Cup, the country is obliged to maintain these very expensive stadiums and the infrastructure. In order to maintain them, it will not be sufficient only to organise events, but it will also require regular daily activities as well as further usage in order for them to be viable in the future. This thesis specifically focuses on the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg, in terms of the context mentioned above. By providing educational and research facilities, the Stadium, the venue and the surrounding area becomes a more diversified and community friendly place. The educational facilities envisaged are intended to accommodate a Soccer Academy.

Idrottsarenor, och för denna uppsats del, ishockeyarenor, har med åren kommit att få större betydelse än bara den betydelsen den skapar för själva idrottsföreningen och laget som spelar där. Allt fler arenor har fått ett så kallat multi koncept och således blivit multi-arenor. Arenor som kan användas till en rad olika evenemang, som exempelvis ishockeymatcher, curling turneringar, konferenser, musikkonserter och andra typer av evenemang. I denna studie, med hjälp av tre studieobjekt, Läkerol arena i Gävle, Löfbergs arena i Karlstad och Cloetta Center i Linköping, avser författarna att belysa och bättre förstå fenomenet med multi-arenor. Främst utifrån vilken betydelse en sådan arena har för besöksnäringen i staden, hur arenan kan skapa nya evenemangsmöjligheter, om den förbättrar stadens image som helhet och om en sådan arena kan fungera som en symbol. För att bättre förstå detta fenomen kommer uppstasen ha ett producentperspektiv, det vill säga att uppsatsen kommer fokusera kring producenterna av arenan och turismnäringen i de aktuella städerna. Genom detta är de metoder som använts i denna studie främst kvalitativa intervjuer med producenter, det vill säga arenaansvariga och kommunföreträdare för besöksnäringen. Vidare har även en innehållsanalys av de aktuella städernas resebroschyrer gjorts, för att se hur arenan används i marknadsföringen och så har även de respektive länens regionala utvecklingsplaner studeras, för att se hur de avser använda sin multi-arena. Den vetenskapsteoretiska ansats som använts för detta är en socialkonstruktivistisk teori, med en hermeneutisk tolkningslära. Dem teorier som främst använts i denna uppstats, för att belysa problemområdet och besvara syftet, är teorier kring evenemang, sportevenemang, multi-arenor, evenemangsplanering, konkurrens, regional utveckling, imageskapande och symboler. Den empiriska insamlingen av data presenteras sedan i tre kapitel (5,6 och 7), där det första av dessa kapitel inriktas mot befintlig marknadsföring och planering, således data från resebroschyrer och regionala utvecklingsplaner, medan de två övriga empirikapitlen fokuserar kring dem intervjusvar som inkommit till denna studie, och har således större fokusering kring producenternas åsikter, förhoppningar och arbetsmetoder för att skapa en attraktionskraftig arena. Sedermera analyserars den insamlade datan mot de tidigare presenterade teorierna i kapitel 8, där även en viss diskussion förs kring de berörda områdena, för att sedermera komma fram till de mer avgränsade slutsatserna som denna studie mynnar ut i. Där de främsta slutsatserna är att de olika arenorna har bidragit till att skapa större evenemangsmöjligheter för de olika städerna, arenorna har även förbättrat städernas image, och kan också i vissa fall fungera som symboler för de olika städerna. Genom detta, möjliggörs det att konstatera att arenorna har haft en positiv inverkan på turismströmmarna till de olika städerna, dock är det fortfarande så att samtliga arenor fortfarande är av störst relevans för de respektive ishockeylagen som spelar där. Det finns också sociala skillnader mellan de tre städerna som medför vissa skillnader dem emellan, men de övergripande dragen är detsamma för samtliga tre studieobjekt. / Sports centers, and in the case of this study, ice hockey arenas, have begun to bear more meaning than just an arena for sporting events and for the local athletic association. More and more stadiums have been developed into so called multi-purpose stadiums, and that means that those stadiums can host more than one form or type of event, whether it is a concert, sports meet or a convention. This study focuses on three different multi-purpose stadiums in three different Swedish cities. These stadiums are Läkerol Arena in Gävle, Löfbergs Arena in Karlstad and Cloetta Center in Linköping. By studying these stadiums, the authors of this study want to examine the phenomenon with multi-purpose stadiums. The authors want to see how much a multi-purpose stadium of this sort affects the tourism in a city that has one such stadium, furthermore if said stadium can be able to create new possibilities for events, if the stadium improves the city’s image and if such a stadium can become a symbol for a city or region. To better understand this phenomenon, this study will follow the producers’ perspective, that is, focus on the different producers that help develop the arena, attract new events as well as the producers of the tourism industry in these cities. This paper will use methods for research that focus on qualitative interviews with different producers, that is, those in charge of the stadiums and those in charge for the tourism industry in each city. This study furthermore includes a content analysis of these different cities’ travel brochures, to see how the stadium is being branded in said brochures. In addition to the brochures, the regional development plans of Gävle, Karlstad and Linköping, have also been studied to see whether or not the stadium in each city is included in their plans for further development. The epistemological approach of this study is of a social-constructivist type with hermeneutic interpretation learning. The various theories used for this paper, help to illustrate the problem area and further answer the aim of this study. These theories have their roots in events, sporting events, multi-purpose stadiums, event planning, competition, regional development, image-making and symbolism. The empiric data is presented further through chapters 5 to 7, where the first of these chapters focuses on existing branding and planning, thus presenting the information gathered from brochures and regional development plans whereas the remaining two chapters present the information gathered from the interviews that where conducted during this study, and thus focus on the producers thoughts, hopes and work methods to create a highly attractive stadium. The last chapters consist of the analysis of the gathered empirical as well as the theoretical material, where a discussion is held about the affected fields, to come to conclusions that mark the ending of this study. The main conclusions being the contribution the various stadiums make towards broader event possibilities for the various cities as well as the improved images of said cities with the help of these multi-purpose stadiums and the symbolic value these stadiums have brought to the cities and regions they are built in. To conclude this, these stadiums have had a positive impact on the tourism flows within their cities. Although, one must remember that these stadiums are most relevant to the hockey teams that play in these stadiums. Furthermore, there are some social differences between the cities of Gävle, Karlstad and Linköping that differentiate these cities from one another, but the overall traits are still very similar between these three study objects.

This paper weights the relative advantages of multiple factors that lead to the success of professional sports stadiums in major markets, though a discussion of the arguments for and against public subsidies towards these projects. Using a logit statistical model, the paper determines that the two factors determining the highest likelihood of venue success include multiple tenants and access to mass transit. The analysis demonstrates that public subsidies towards stadiums don’t generate sufficient economic returns, and that successful stadiums can be created without using taxpayer funds.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences / Department of Government and Public Administration