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- ItemOpen AccessIsolepis R.Br. (Cyperaceae) revisited : a phylogeny based on plastid and nuclear ribosomal DNA data(2006) Wiswedel, Stefan; Muasya, MuthamThe approximately 75 species of Isolepis R Br. are currently described as annual or short lived perennials with predominantly terete spikelet's
- ItemOpen AccessA squeaky suspicion : rodent pollination in Protea nana(2007) Biccard, Aiden; Midgley, JeremyThe pollination syndrome of Protea nana has been described as uncertain throughout the literature. Floral morphology, presence of pendulous inflorescences
- ItemOpen AccessHeuweltjies : a window into the palaeoclimate and palaeovegetation of the Western Cape?(2006) Potts, Alistair; Midgley, Jeremy; Harris, ChrisLate Pleistocene terrestrial climate information in the Western Cape. South Africa may be preserved in oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in paedogenic calcrete that bas Conned in zeuweltjies (large circular earth mounds). He11weltjles are common landscape features and their potential as palaeoclimatic archives is not known, simply because it has never been investigated. Samples were taken from three depth-profiles down a single hemvcltjie near Worcester. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios were detennincd. In total, fifty-four samples were analysed. The o13C values vary from -7.4%. to -4.9%0 relative to PDB. whereas 15180 vary from 28.05'160 to 30.91%0 relative to SMOW.
- ItemOpen AccessWater relations, carbon fixation and growth rates of two leaf succulent species under different water regimes(1988) Beukman, Ruth Pam; Stock, W D; Midgley, GThe leaf succulent species R.carolii and R.multiflora are common in the winter rainfall Karoo. Despite their similar growth form, their distribution in Worcester Veld Reserve appeared to differ. R.multiflora occupied a more exposed, arid North - facing slope, while R.carolii dominated a protected South facing slope. Possible reasons for this distribution were investigated. Plants of the two species were established in a growth chamber and subjected to different water regimes. The diurnal patterns of water loss and ca1rbon gain were investigated under optimal and drought conditions after 30, 50 and 60 days of treatment. Gas exchange data of both species showed that C3 photosynthesis was adopted when ·the plants - were irrigated regularly, but also tended to accumulate malate, which indicated the activity of RuBPc and PEPc. R.carolii had higher photosynthetic and growth rates than R.multiflora under optimal conditions. This explained the dominance of R.carolii on the South facing, protected slope. Under moderate water stress, the species behaved similarly. There was a tendency towards CAM activity, though results were inconclusive. During periods of extreme water shortage. R.carolii exhibited limited stomatal response and thus appeared to be dying, while R.multiflora adopted day time stomatal opening a and CO2 uptake. This strategy and in general the high tolerance to water stress shown by R.multiflora allowed it to outcompete R.carolii on the arid, exposed, North facing slope.
- ItemOpen AccessThe genre of suffering in the 'ancient near eastern literature, the Hebrew bible, and in some examples of modern literature.Middelkoop, Roeland; Gitay, YehoshuaThe aim of this thesis is to compare works of drama regarding the suffering of the human being in the context of life and literature and in relation to the issue of justice, which revolves around the impact of Justice, Humanity and God. My aim is to look at the development of the genre of suffering starting with the Ancient Near Eastern Literature, to define the genre in its development and to characterise its features in the various literatures discussed, especially with respect to the Book of Job. The book of Job is well known for its input in world literature on the theme of suffering. It is therefore important to trace the genre of suffering from its literary origins in the ancient near east and from there to Job. Hence, I will look at ancient works on suffering from Sumeria, from Babylon and from Egypt, and then at the book of Job. I will compare and examine the differences in their approaches and their understanding of God and of justice.