Dissertation (M. Tech. (Food Service Management, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism)) -- Vaal University of Technology / Very poor families, mostly in developing parts of the world, consume a monotonous staple diet out of need and are least likely to eat healthy diets. This study focussed on how the low income households in the urbanised informal settlement of Eatonside used available income to buy plant staples (situation analysis), the share of the food budget Rand allocated to this (investigative survey), as well as the extent of influence of low income, food prices, and locality on the buying behaviour. The aspects of where, how much, when and how low-income households purchased were examined in order to determine the purchasing patterns for plant staples. From the households surveyed, most (62,2%) received an income of less than R500.00/month. Household size affected food purchasing and varied according to the type of household head. Total food budget expenditure by male-headed households was 83,1 percent, 58,1 percent by female-headed households and 27,9 percent by de facto headed households. The total average share/portion of the food budget allocated to purchasing of plant staples was reported as R64.63 ±(R8.04). While male-headed households spent 15 percent of the total share/portion/month allocated to purchasing of plant staples, female-headed households spent 23,1 percent and de facto-headed households spent 21,1 percent. Total average expenditure allocated to plant staples was 58,1 percent for maize meal, 23,2 percent for rice, 4,6 percent for mabella, 3,9 percent for sugar beans, 3,7 percent for samp, 2,5 percent for split peas and 4 percent on various other plant staples. Price and quantity (63,6%) were main purchasing indicators. Less plant staples were purchased when prices were high and more when prices were low. Normally when prices of other food products are high, people buy more staples to survive. Most frequent purchases for maize meal was 12,5 kg (65%) once a month (41,7%) at an average price of R32.80 per unit from spaza shops. Plant staples were mostly purchased once a month (80,2%) at supermarkets (47%) or spaza shops (42%). The urbanised low income households of Eatonside were poor, leading to the allocation of a major component of the budget to food (plant staples). Purchasing patterns, plant staples, low-income households, Eatonside informal settlement. / Central Research Committee of the Vaal University of Technology

Water quality from surface sources is fast deteriorating due to pollution from organic compounds. Among the organic compounds are chlorophenols, which are described as priority pollutants because of their detrimental effects. One way of removing them from water is by using membranes. However direct removal of chlorophenols using membranes is limited due to the inherent problem of membrane fouling. The thesis describes fabrication of thin film composite membranes modified with Ag-TiO2 and Ag-ZnO for enhancing filtration properties of the membranes for removal of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP and improving the antifouling properties of the modified membranes. Chlorophenols, 2- CP, 2,4-DCP and 2, 4, 6-TCP were determined from Vaal and Klip River using SPE- HLPC method. The SPE - HPLC method was validated by determining breakthrough volume, repeatability, reproducibility, linearity, MDL and LOQ. Nanoparticles (NPs), Ag, ZnO and TiO2 and nanocomposites (NCs), Ag-TiO2 and Ag-ZnO were synthesized using precipitation method and chemical reduction for Ag. The NPs and NCs were characterised using UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDX. The synthesised NPs and NCS were evaluated for photocatalytic degradation of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP, antimicrobial activity against E.coli. and toxicity against Daphnia magna. Nanocomposites were then embedded into the PA thin film membrane surface using interfacial polymerisation and PES as a support material to produce the antifouling Ag-TiO2/PA-TFC and Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC membranes. The control PATFC membrane was prepared with no added NCs to the membrane. The membranes were characterised using ATR-FTIR, contact angle, SEM and AFM. The performance of the membranes was tested using permeation flux (using pure water and 2-CP / 2,4-DCP solutions as feed) against the neat PA-TFC membrane. Membranes were further tested for rejection of 2- CP and 2, 4 – DCP, antifouling properties and flux recoveries. The stability of the antifouling properties of the membrane was evaluated through silver release test. The performance of the membranes was tested using real water samples from Vaal and Klip Rivers. The SPE-HPLC method was repeatable, reproducible with % RSD less than 5%. Linearity range of (0.1-50 µg/ L) and recoveries of spiked water samples of more than 97% for 2-CP and 2,4-DCP but lower at 64 and 75% for 2.4.6-TCP were achieved. The Ag, TiO2 and ZnO NPs showed characteristic peaks of NPs with UV-Vis. The absorption peaks were all blue shifted due to quantum confinements. The crystalline structures were confirmed as face centred cubic, anatase and hexagonal wurzite for Ag, TiO2 and ZnO respectively. The morphology as observed from SEM showed spherically shaped nanoparticles with average sizes of 68.25 ± 4.7 and 50.92 ± 3.39 nm for Ag and TiO2 respectively. The ZnO NPs were rod -like shaped with average length = 603 nm ± 50.4 and a width = 82.92 ± 5. 40nm. Successful incorporation of silver into the TiO2 and ZnO structures was confirmed by elemental analysis, EDX. From SEM images, silver particles were distributed around TiO2 particles and ZnO rods. The presence of silver showed a remarkable improvement in photodegradation of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP from less than 40% to 86% with 2, 4- DCP. Silver modified TiO2 and ZnO showed antibacterial activity against E.coli. with minimum concentration of inhibition as low as 1.56 mg/L for both Ag-ZnO (5) and Ag-TiO2 (5). Silver was more toxic against Daphnia magna than Ag-ZnO (5) and AgTiO2 (5). The polyamide layer was confirmed by the presence of the amide I peak at 1650 cm1 and 1670 cm-1 in the Ag-TiO2/ PA-TFC and Ag-ZnO/ PA-TFC membranes. The appearance of NCs particles spread across the surface of the thin layer of the membranes as observed from surface SEM images confirming their incorporation into the PA layer. The presence of the NCs in the membranes improved water flux, water permeation, rejection of 2- CP, and 2,4-DCP, antifouling properties of the membranes and flux recoveries of more than 93 % was achieved. Silver release test revealed that Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC membrane performed better than AgTiO2/PA-TFC membrane because of the steady release of silver, which shows long lasting antifouling properties. When applied to real water samples from Vaal and Klip River, the prepared membranes showed better antifouling properties than the neat PA-TFC membrane

Ph.D. (Zoology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Sc. / The Vaal Dam subcatchment is located in the upper reaches of the Vaal River. As a result the water quality is reasonably good. In contrast the Vaal River Barrage catchment includes the PWV area, resulting in poorer water quality. During this study, a fish Health Assessment Index (HAI) successfully tested in previous studies on the Olifants River System was applied to the Vaal River System. The aim was to determine if the HAI could distinguish between the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage with regards to water quality. Surveys were conducted bimonthly from November 1998 to February 2000. Physical water quality variables were measured. Water and sediment samples were also collected and analyzed (Institute for Water Quality Studies, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry) to verify the HAI results. Rand Water Board and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry also made water quality data available. Twenty sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, were collected from both localities with the aid of gill nets. Fish were checked for external parasites on the boat. On land fish were weighed and measured, after which blood was drawn and slime smears made. Blood and slime smears were examined under a light microscope for parasites. The HAI examination was performed after severing the spinal cord. Internal parasite numbers were recorded. From the parasite data collected infestation statistics were calculated. Four variations of the Parasite Index (PI) were incorporated in the HAI and results compared. During each survey gill arch, gill filament, muscle, skin and liver tissues were collected from each fish. These were analyzed for strontium, aluminium, chromium, manganese, iron, lead, copper, zinc and nickel concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Differences in water and sediment trace metal concentrations between localities were small. Metal concentrations in fish tissues recorded from both localities were also almost identical. Possible explanations for this trend were discussed in the relevant section. Highest metal concentrations were generally recorded in gill tissue followed by liver, skin and muscle. Physical water quality variables (salinity and conductivity), and macro water analysis (e.g. phosphate and nitrate) indicated that water quality at the Vaal River Barrage was poorer. The HAI confirmed this. Higher index values were recorded from the Vaal River Barrage, with the converse being true for the Vaal Dam. Regression analysis indicated that plasma protein, haematocrit and the index value obtained using the Inverted Parasite Index, most successfully predicted (70 %) from where a randomly chosen fish were collected. When viewing index values obtained using the four versions of the PI, all four distinguished between localities. The discriminatory ability of the Inverted PI was slightly higher than that of the other PI's. It is concluded that the HAI distinguished successfully between the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage on the grounds of water quality. Poor fish health correlated with decreasing water quality (salinity and eutrophication).

M.Cur. / During the time as an infection control professional, there was close contact with patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). During this contact period many needs regarding health support were identified. Discrimination and the testing of patients for Human Immunodificiency virus anti·bodies (HIV) without their permission, were the main problem areas. The purpose of the study was to determine the nature and extent of comprehensive health care services for patients with AIDS. The research design is a contextual, exploring and descriptive study. This study was done in the Northern half of economic development area H where 16 health care services were identified. These include clinics, community hospitals, regional- and academic hospitals and the local authority clinic. Private hospitals were not included in the study. Criteria for the nature and extent of comprehensive health care services were based on literature studies. Data was collected by means of structured interviews with nursing professionals in the employ of identified services and patients making use of those services. The results of the research showed various needs in the nature and extent of the comprehensive health care services of the patients with AIDS In order to improve the health care services, recommendations were made and guidelines given to nursing professionals. Recommendations were also made regarding other aspects of the multi·disciplinary team approach. Based upon this study other topics were identified to enable the health care services to provide health care to the patient with AIDS.

M.Sc. / There are 39 known species of Lamproglena to date. A review of all species including the species name, the author, as well as an accompanying sketch and information regarding the distribution, pathology and host preference is given. Lamproglena clariae is a copepod gill parasite found on Clarias gariepinus. It has been observed that they cause extensive gill tissue proliferation, which may interfere with respiration. It is uncertain on which tissue type Lamproglena feeds, as red blood is never apparent in the gut of Lamproglena monodi, whereas in the cases of both L. clariae and L. barbicola they undoubtedly feed on blood, proven by the frequently blood-filled gut. Even thought the mouthparts are not fully understood as yet, it is deduced that feeding involves only the maxillae and maxillipedes. Many poecilostomes lacks mandibles. Also, in the lernaeids the mandible is appendage is the smallest and from the 39 known Lamproglena species, the mandibles are described in only eight species. This study examines the digestive tract and the structure of the mouthparts using both light and scanning electron microscopy and tracts the nerves to establish if L. clariae does possess mandibles. Specimens were collected from Clarias gariepinus in the Vaal Dam after the fish were euthanised and the gills removed. The samples were fixed in an aceto formaldehyde alcohol solution and preserved in 70% ethanol prior to dehydration and embedding in resin. Serial section were made at 5 pm and stained with a trichrome stain. A schematic as well as graphic reconstruction of the digestive system is presented. The digestive system consist of three predominant parts, the fore, mid and hindguts. The foregut has a cuticularised epithelium. The oesophagus has a muscle layer iv which stretched and contracts in order to aid feeding and it extends into the midgut via a funnel-like structure. There are four designated zones within the midgut. The hindgut is a simple, cuticle lined tube. Cell structures are discussed. The bilobed protocerebrum in L. clariae is present. The deutocerebrum innervates the antennules. The tritocerebrum consist of two lobed parts and innervates the antennules. The ventral nerve cord is situated posterior to the cephalon. It protrudes dorsally, from where the posterior commissures innervates. The anterior commissures innervates closer to the tritocerebrum. The nerves leading to the mandibles are innervated from the anterior commissure. The more posteriorly located commissure innervates the nerve to the seta located between the antennae and the maxillae. Both the nerves to the maxillae and the endopodite to the maxillae are innervated from this commissure. Mandibles were left out of previous species descriptions of L. clariae. Other Lamproglena species descriptions, showing the mandibles, revealed slender looking mandibles located in close proximity to the mouth opening. This is contrary to the stout mandibles of L. clariae. Future research topics are highlighted and discussed

M.Sc. Zoology / Only a few species of the family Diplozoidae have previously been described from Africa, from various Labeo and Barbus species. An investigation was undertaken respectively in the Vaal Dam and Vaal River Barrage in the Vaal River system, South Africa to determine aspects of the morphology, taxonomy and ecology of specimens of this family collected from the gills of Barbus aeneus. Various fish species, namely B. aeneus, Barbus kimberleyensis, Labeo capensis, Labeo umbratus, Cyprinus carpio, Clarias gariepinus and Micropterus salmoides, were collected with the aid of gill nets. The fish were killed and the length, weight and sex determined. The gills were removed from the left and right gill chambers, placed in separate, marked petri dishes and covered with water from the dam. Gills (from first to fourth pair) were examined with the aid of a dissection microscope. The position of attachment and the region on the gill namely dorsal, median or ventral, was noted. Parasites were removed, fixed between a cover slip and glass slide in steaming hot aceto-formaldehyde alcohol and preserved in 70 % ethanol. A morphological study was undertaken. Results of a Scanning Electron Microscopy study illustrated the following external characteristics namely a round opisthohaptor with four pairs of clamps, while study of whole mounts revealed larval hooks, a round-ended intestine and eggs without filaments. Graphic reconstruction of serial sections of the reproductive system of parasites embedded in resin revealed that the vas deferens of one individual opens into the common vitelline duct of the other. Parasites were identified as belonging to the genus Paradiplozoon. The morphological characteristics, namely the round opisthohaptor, intestine with rounded ending, egg without filament and morphological measurements, of various structures (for example, total body length) that differ from other species of this genus, led to the establishment of a new species, that is, P. alwinii.

M.Sc. / The evaluation of population exposure to air pollution is a fundamental reason for management and control of regional air quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the exposure of the local population to PM-10 emissions from sources within the Vaal Triangle using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The emission inventory compiled by van Nierop for the calendar year of 1992 (van Nierop, 1994) was used as input data for these calculations. The Industrial Source Complex Short Term Model (ISCST) was applied for dispersion calculations of annual PM-10 emissions. The ReGIS package was applied to determine the applicability of GIS as a management tool. Annual average PM-10 concentration contours were calculated for the different air pollution source groups within the Vaal Triangle. The combined source group resulted in the highest population exposure from annual average PM-10 concentrations. Population exposure from high- (> 200 m), medium- (10 to 200 m) and low- (< 10 m) elevation air pollution source groups were determined. The medium-elevation source group resulted in high population exposure followed by the low-elevation source group. The high-elevation source group had very low population exposure as a result. The population exposures from all the industrial sources within the Vaal Triangle were calculated and found to be very high. Annual average PM-10 concentrations from domestic fuel combustion sources were surprisingly low, resulting in low population exposure. ReGIS was found to be inadequate for the task and is not recommended for further use. Despite this, GIS was found to be a powerful decision-making tool and other GIS software packages should be explored for future research.

The primary objective was to ascertain whether implementation of the e-tolling system will influence the spending on recreational activities by people staying in the Vaal Region. Thus the aim was to assess whether an incremental rise in expenses, leading to a decrease in available disposable income will impact people’s decisions to travel outside their residences to visit and engage in leisure destinations and activities respectively. A questionnaire was developed and distributed with the primary objective of determining whether people within the Vaal Region are aware of the costs associated with travelling using the e-toll Gauteng freeways, and whether it will have an impact on their decisions to travel from their respective residences to leisure properties elsewhere. It also probed the respondents for the type of leisure activities they engage in, frequency of visits and the reasons for participating in the respective activities. The study shows that the e-toll project will inevitably, from a monetary perspective, affect all road users travelling from the Vaal Region to the greater Johannesburg areas. This is significant and confirms that the e-toll project will be perceived to have an impact on people’s available and disposable income. With the implementation of the e-tolling project seemingly imminent, businesses and consumers will feel the belt tighten in the leisure and recreational (and in particular the casino) industry, which is dependent on the availability of disposable income, to be ultimately affected. Trends with regards to leisure activities were identified along with recommendations for future research. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The primary objective was to ascertain whether implementation of the e-tolling system will influence the spending on recreational activities by people staying in the Vaal Region. Thus the aim was to assess whether an incremental rise in expenses, leading to a decrease in available disposable income will impact people’s decisions to travel outside their residences to visit and engage in leisure destinations and activities respectively. A questionnaire was developed and distributed with the primary objective of determining whether people within the Vaal Region are aware of the costs associated with travelling using the e-toll Gauteng freeways, and whether it will have an impact on their decisions to travel from their respective residences to leisure properties elsewhere. It also probed the respondents for the type of leisure activities they engage in, frequency of visits and the reasons for participating in the respective activities. The study shows that the e-toll project will inevitably, from a monetary perspective, affect all road users travelling from the Vaal Region to the greater Johannesburg areas. This is significant and confirms that the e-toll project will be perceived to have an impact on people’s available and disposable income. With the implementation of the e-tolling project seemingly imminent, businesses and consumers will feel the belt tighten in the leisure and recreational (and in particular the casino) industry, which is dependent on the availability of disposable income, to be ultimately affected. Trends with regards to leisure activities were identified along with recommendations for future research. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014