Journal Articles

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Browsing Journal Articles by Publication Type "Thesis"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Open Access
    A change of the seaward boundary of Goukamma Marine Protected Area could increase conservation and fishery benefits
    (2009) Götz, Albrecht; Kerwath, Sven E; Attwood, Colin G; Sauer, Warwick H H
    Goukamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the South African temperate South Coast has been shown to be effective in maintaining a spawning stock of roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps (Sparidae). The larval ecology and the oceanographic conditions in the area suggest a good potential for the enhancement of roman stocks outside the reserve through larval dispersal. A high rate of illegal fishing just inside the seaward boundary of the MPA could severely compromise its function. We suggest that a change of the seaward boundary of the reserve to coincide with a latitudinal line could increase its function as a harvest refuge for resident reef fishes such as roman, facilitate voluntary compliance and monitoring and prosecution of illegal fishing without a significant negative impact on the commercial linefishing fleet in the area. Simple adjustments such as the one proposed here could be attempted at a number of South African MPAs as they would be beneficial to achieve fishery and conservation goals alike.
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    Open Access
    Collation Impact on Team Effectiveness
    (2010) Eccles, M; Smith, Joanne; Van Belle, Jean-P; Van der Watt, Stephan
    The collocation of software development teams is common, especially in agile software development environments. However little is known about the impact of collocation on the team’s effectiveness. This paper explores the impact of collocating agile software development teams on a number of team effectiveness factors. The study focused on South African software development teams and gathered data through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The key finding was that collocation has a positive impact on a number of team effectiveness factors which can be categorised under team composition, team support, team management and structure and team communication. Some of the negative impact collocation had on team effectiveness relate to the fact that team members perceived that less emphasis was placed on roles, that morale of the group was influenced by individuals, and that collocation was invasive, reduced level of privacy and increased frequency of interruptions. Overall through it is proposed that companies should consider collocating their agile software development teams, as collocation might leverage overall team effectiveness.
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    Restricted
    Laccase-mediated oxidation of totarol
    (2007) Ncanana, Sandile; Baratto, Lara; Roncaglia, Lucia; Riva, Sergio; Burton, Stephanie G
    In this study, novel dimers of the biologically active phenolic compound totarol were synthesized using the phenol oxidase enzyme laccase, obtained from Trametes pusbescens, in organic solvent medium. Two dimeric products, linked either by carbon-carbon or by carbon-oxygen bonds, were isolated and characterized. The effect of changes in various parameters such as solvent, temperature, pH and buffer concentration on the conversion of totarol by laccase was investigated. The nature of the organic solvent, in particular, was found to affect the nature and the ratio of the products obtained.
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    Open Access
    Substance abuse and HIV risk behaviours amongst primary health care service users in Cape Town
    (2005) Flisher, Alan J; Bresick, Graham F; Sterling, Stacy A; Bresick, Graham F; Sterling, Stacy A; Distiller, Greg B; Weisner, Constance M; Ward, Catherine L; Mertens, Jennifer R
    Objective: To document prevalence of, and association between, substance use and HIV risk behaviours among primary care patients.Method: Cross-sectional survey. Four primary care clinics in Cape Town. We selected clinics using stratified sampling, and systematically selected 131 patients from attendance logs. We assessed substance use with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, and HIV risk with items addressing injection drug use, blood-sharing rituals, and sexual risk behaviours. Results: Substances most used at hazardous levels were tobacco (28.2%) and alcohol (14.8%). Among possible HIV risk factors, highest prevalence was participation in blood-sharing rituals (25%), and having had an STI (19.8%). An association between substance use and sexual risk behaviours was only found among those aged 18-24. Conclusion: In younger patients, presence of substance use or HIV risk behaviours increases the probability that the other is present.