https://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/issue/feedSouth African Journal of Science2017-10-13T12:57:42+02:00AOSIS Publishingwebmaster@journals.sajs.aosis.co.zaOpen Journal Systems<a id="readmorebanner" href="http://www.sajs.co.za" target="_blank">Visit the Journal</a> <img style="padding-top: 2px;" src="/public/web_banner.svg" alt="" />https://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1456Changing of the guard at the Department of Science and Technology2017-10-13T12:25:26+02:00Michael Cherrymic@sun.ac.za2012-11-05T16:01:34+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Michael Cherryhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1448The Reforestation of Africa?2017-10-13T12:25:51+02:00Adam G. Westadam.west.uct@gmail.comGuy F. Midgleyadam.west@uct.ac.zaWilliam J. Bondadam.west@uct.ac.za2012-10-30T08:06:53+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Adam G. West, Guy F. Midgley, William J. Bondhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1447San origins and transition to the Later Stone Age: New research from Border Cave, South Africa2017-10-13T12:26:14+02:00Peter Mitchellpeter.mitchell@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk2012-11-01T10:16:32+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Peter Mitchellhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1445Challenges in invasive alien plant control in South Africa2017-10-13T12:26:51+02:00Brian W. van Wilgenbvwilgen@csir.co.zaRichard M. Cowlingbvwilgen@csir.co.zaChristo Maraisbvwilgen@csir.co.zaKaren J. Eslerbvwilgen@csir.co.zaMatthew McConnachiebvwilgen@csir.co.zaDebbie Sharpbvwilgen@csir.co.za2012-11-01T12:51:38+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Brian W. van Wilgen, Richard M. Cowling, Christo Marais, Karen J. Esler, Matthew McConnachie, Debbie Sharphttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1446Fynbos Proteaceae as model organisms for biodiversity research and conservation2017-10-13T12:27:16+02:00Frank M. Schurrkje@sun.ac.zaKaren J. Eslerkje@sun.ac.zaJasper A. Slingsbykje@sun.ac.zaNicky Allsoppkje@sun.ac.za2012-11-02T11:06:58+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Frank M. Schurr, Karen J. Esler, Jasper A. Slingsby, Nicky Allsopphttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1449Strategies to overcome poverty and inequality: Towards Carnegie III2017-10-13T12:27:41+02:00Janet Cherryjanet.cherry@nmmu.ac.za2012-11-05T12:45:35+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Janet Cherryhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/145180 Years after Taung: A review of <i>African Genesis</i>2017-10-13T12:28:08+02:00Alan Morrisalan.morris@uct.ac.za2012-11-01T13:57:54+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Alan Morrishttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1452A history of crime in southern Africa – as revealed by bones2017-10-13T12:28:31+02:00Steve R. Naidoostevenaidoo11@gmail.com2012-11-05T09:55:10+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Steve R. Naidoohttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1450Neville Alexander: Political philosopher (1936–2012)2017-10-13T12:29:00+02:00Crain SoudienCrain.Soudien@uct.ac.za2012-11-05T15:01:23+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Crain Soudienhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1453Kelly Chibale: An advocate of innovation2017-10-13T12:29:27+02:00Jenny Leonardjennymleonard@gmail.com2012-11-02T10:24:45+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Jenny Leonardhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1454How much time does it take to supervise a PhD student?2017-10-13T12:29:55+02:00Brenda Wingfieldbrenda.wingfield@fabi.up.ac.za2012-11-05T13:36:18+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Brenda Wingfieldhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1455Research briefs2017-10-13T12:30:34+02:00Michael Cherrymic@sun.ac.za2012-11-05T15:31:44+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Michael Cherryhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/755Review of NGO performance research published in academic journals between 1996 and 20082017-10-13T12:31:07+02:00Roselyn N.M. Kareithiroselyn.kareithi@gmail.comCrick Lundroselyn.kareithi@gmail.com<span>Globally, literature on the performance of development non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has increased. However, little is known regarding the distinctive characteristics of academic articles on factors influencing NGO performance. In a recent systematic review of research, published in English-language academic journals between 1996 and 2008, factors influencing NGO performance were investigated. From the 31 journal articles that met the inclusion criteria, this study examined the salient characteristics of NGO performance research in terms of, (1) the number of publications, (2) publication outlets (journals and journal cluster), (3) author collaboration (sole or joint authors), (4) author affiliation, (5) study location, (6) study period, (7) study topics and (8) method and sources of information. Findings showed a steady increase in the number of articles, published in a wide array of journals with over half of the articles published in development studies journals. Of the 31 articles, 21 were sole authored. Data were mainly sought from NGO directors, programme staff and donors; comparatively fewer studies collected data from beneficiaries. Studies were mainly conducted in developing countries, whilst most authors were affiliated to institutions in developed countries. Of the 13 authors who conducted studies in Africa only 3 were affiliated to an institution in Africa. This study confirmed the continued need for increased research on factors influencing NGO performance; revealed the low seeking of beneficiaries’ perspectives in NGO performance research despite the rhetoric of participatory development; and revealed the low number of published researchers in Africa and minimal collaborative efforts between ‘Northern’ and ’Southern’ researchers in this field.</span><br />2012-10-25T11:06:34+02:00Copyright (c) 2012 Roselyn N.M. Kareithi, Crick Lundhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1245The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa2012-11-05T16:02:34+01:00Caradee Y. Wrightcwright@csir.co.zaMary Norvalcwright@csir.co.zaBeverley Summerscwright@csir.co.zaLester Davidscwright@csir.co.zaGerrie Coetzeecwright@csir.co.zaMatthew O. Oriowocwright@csir.co.za<span>Photoprotection messages and ‘SunSmart’ programmes exist mainly to prevent skin cancers and, more recently, to encourage adequate personal sun exposure to elicit a vitamin D response for healthy bone and immune systems. Several developed countries maintain intensive research networks and monitor solar UV radiation to support awareness campaigns and intervention development. The situation is different in sub-Saharan Africa. Adequate empirical evidence of the impact of solar UV radiation on human health, even for melanomas and cataracts, is lacking, and is overshadowed by other factors such as communicable diseases, especially HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis. In addition, the established photoprotection messages used in developed countries have been adopted and implemented in a limited number of sub-Saharan countries but with minimal understanding of local conditions and behaviours. In this review, we consider the current evidence for sun-related effects on human health in sub-Saharan Africa, summarise published research and identify key issues. Data on the prevalence of human diseases affected by solar UV radiation in all subpopulations are not generally available, financial support is insufficient and the infrastructure to address these and other related topics is inadequate. Despite these limitations, considerable progress may be made regarding the management of solar UV radiation related health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, provided researchers collaborate and resources are allocated appropriately.</span><br />2012-10-26T10:25:36+02:00Copyright (c) 2012 Caradee Y. Wright, Mary Norval, Beverley Summers, Lester Davids, Gerrie Coetzee, Matthew O. Oriowohttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1207William John Burchell: The multi-skilled polymath2017-10-13T12:54:22+02:00Roger Stewartristew@iafrica.comBrian Warnerristew@iafrica.com<p><span>On the bicentenary of William John Burchell’s sojourn and journey in southern Africa, we review his contribution to science in the region. In November 1810, Burchell arrived in Cape Town and, in mid-1811, he set off on a 4-year, 7000-km journey of scientific exploration. When he returned to Cape Town in April 1815, he had amassed 63 000 specimens and 500 drawings. Burchell is remembered mainly for his contributions to descriptive and philosophical aspects of natural history of the country. He is less well known for some significant and novel contributions to the earth sciences, the social sciences and even astronomy. Burchell’s observations in physical geography and geology and his contribution to cartography have received little attention. In natural history, some of his views were prescient of the concepts of evolution and holism. In the social sciences, he provided unique ethnographic descriptions, developed an orthography of two indigenous languages and produced drawings that have attracted international research. William John Burchell is worthy of our memory.</span></p>2012-10-29T10:04:35+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Roger Stewart, Brian Warnerhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1256Next generation shotgun sequencing and the challenges of de novo genome assembly2017-10-13T12:54:51+02:00Stephen Schlebuschnicola.illing@uct.ac.zaNicola Illingnicola.illing@uct.ac.za<p><span>Sequencing the genomes of the many scientifically fascinating plants and animals found in South Africa is fast becoming a viable option as a result of the rapid and sustained drop in the cost of next generation sequencing over the last five years. However, the processing and assembly of the sequence data produced is not trivial. There are several factors which need to be taken into consideration when planning a strategy to assemble genome sequence data de novo. This paper reviews the advances and the challenges in two of the most rapidly developing areas of the field: the sequencing technology and the software programs used to assemble de novo the sequence data generated by these technologies into a genome.</span></p>2012-10-31T13:23:05+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Stephen Schlebusch, Nicola Illinghttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1090An assessment of zoological research collections in South Africa2017-10-13T12:55:26+02:00Michelle Hamerm.hamer@sanbi.org.za<p><span>Natural science collections are accepted globally as critical research assets. A total of 71 zoological collections in South Africa, consisting of over 15 million specimens housed at 22 institutions, were assessed to determine their current status and to make recommendations for their future security. The two greatest challenges to the sustainability of the collections are (1) that natural science museums report to departments with an arts and culture rather than a science mandate and (2) staffing. The total staff complement within these 22 institutions is 115, with many collections understaffed or not staffed, and the loss of a single staff member often leaves a collection neglected and unused. Consolidation of collections so that there is a critical mass of staff is essential to address understaffing and would also allow for the establishment of a more dynamic research and curation environment. Consolidation under an appropriate department would also enable concentration of resources rather than dilution across all institutions, which would improve the storage environment (currently 28% of collections have reliable temperature control and only 8% (five collections) have humidity control), and increase the efficiency of the use of available funds (the curation budget was R1.08 million in 2009/2010 for all 71 collections). Consolidation could also ensure the improvement of data storage, management and dissemination, thereby increasing accessibility to the collections and the use of the collections for research.</span></p>2012-10-25T10:02:55+02:00Copyright (c) 2012 Michelle Hamerhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1146Re-evaluating the NO<sub>2</sub> hotspot over the South African Highveld2017-10-13T12:55:54+02:00Alexandra S.M. Lourenspieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaTimothy M. Butlerpieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaJohan P. Beukespieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaPieter G. van Zylpieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaSteffen Beirlepieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaThomas K. Wagnerpieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaKlaus-Peter Heuepieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaJacobus J. Pienaarpieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaGerhardus D. Fouriepieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.zaMark G. Lawrencepieter.vanzyl@nwu.ac.za<span>Globally, numerous pollution hotspots have been identified using satellite-based instruments. One of these hotspots is the prominent NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> hotspot over the South African Highveld. The tropospheric NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> column density of this area is comparable to that observed for central and northern Europe, eastern North America and south-east Asia. The most well-known pollution source in this area is a large array of coal-fired power stations. Upon closer inspection, long-term means of satellite observations also show a smaller area, approximately 100 km west of the Highveld hotspot, with a seemingly less substantial NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> column density. This area correlates with the geographical location of the Johannesburg–Pretoria conurbation or megacity, one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world. Ground-based measurements indicate that NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> concentrations in the megacity have diurnal peaks in the early morning and late afternoon, which coincide with peak traffic hours and domestic combustion. During these times, NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> concentrations in the megacity are higher than those in the Highveld hotspot. These diurnal NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> peaks in the megacity have generally been overlooked by satellite observations because the satellites have fixed local overpass times that do not coincide with these peak periods. Consequently, the importance of NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> over the megacity has been underestimated. We examined the diurnal cycles of NO</span><sub>2 </sub><span> ground-based measurements for the two areas – the megacity and the Highveld hotspot – and compared them with the satellite-based NO</span><sub>2</sub><span> observations. Results show that the Highveld hotspot is accompanied by a second hotspot over the megacity, which is of significance for the more than 10 million people living in this megacity.</span><br />2012-10-26T09:14:59+02:00Copyright (c) 2012 Alexandra S.M. Lourens, Timothy M. Butler, Johan P. Beukes, Pieter G. van Zyl, Steffen Beirle, Thomas K. Wagner, Klaus-Peter Heue, Jacobus J. Pienaar, Gerhardus D. Fourie, Mark G. Lawrencehttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1224Shedding new light on an old mystery: Early photographs of the Taung Child2017-10-13T12:56:21+02:00Goran Štrkaljgoran.strkalj@mq.edu.auKatarzyna A. Kaszyckagoran.strkalj@mq.edu.au<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="A15"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" lang="EN-GB"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "(Użyj czcionki tekstu azjatycki","serif";" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span>Although it was one of the most important events in the history of palaeoanthropology, many details of the Taung discovery and the events that followed it are still not completely elucidated. In this paper, we recount the events surrounding three early photographs (stored in the University of the Witwatersrand Archives) showing the Taung Child skull being held in the hands of the renowned anthropologist Raymond Dart. Having, what seems to be, a mosaic of evidence both for and against, we deliberate upon whether the archival photographs presented here are among the first photographs of the fossil itself or are of the first plaster cast of the Taung Child which was prepared for the 1925 British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley, London. We interpreted the photographs and determined their provenance through analyses which included historical examination of published accounts of the Taung discovery and archival materials, as well as comparisons of the photographed material in question with both archival and current (digital, high quality) photographs of the Taung fossil itself and Taung skull casts (as the skull underwent changes over time). We conclude that the early photographs presented here are of the original fossil itself and not of a cast. At the same time, these photographs represent some of the first pictorial depictions of the Taung Child skull.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>2012-10-30T09:46:31+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Goran Štrkalj, Katarzyna A. Kaszyckahttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1107Semantic query in a relational database using a local ontology construction2017-10-13T12:56:49+02:00Saeed M. Sedighisaeed.mohamadsedighi@gmail.comReza Javidansaeed.mohamadsedighi@gmail.com<p><span>Semantic Web refers to a Web of linked data in which data can be shared and reused, allowing more uses than the traditional ‘Web of documents’. However, most of the information on the Web is stored in relational databases and such databases cannot be used by the Semantic Web. Relational databases can, however, be used to construct an ontology as the core of the Semantic Web. We propose a new approach which enables Semantic Web applications to access data actually stored in relational databases using a corresponding ontology. In our approach, domain ontologies can be used to formulate relational database queries in order to simplify the data access of the underlying data sources. The method we propose involves two main phases: the construction of a local ontology from a relational database and a semantic query in a relational database using relational database query language (RDQL). In the first phase, we construct a Web ontology language ontology from data in a relational database. In the second phase, we propose a technique to automatically extract the semantics of relational databases and transform this information into a representation that can be processed and understood by a machine. The method proposed is simulated and implemented using Jena and the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Therefore, we propose RDQL as a real alternative to the commonly used structured query language access to relational databases.</span></p>2012-10-31T08:39:43+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Saeed M. Sedighi, Reza Javidanhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/919Processes for working-up an aqueous fluosilicic acid solution2017-10-13T12:57:13+02:00Alpha O. Tourealphatoure77@gmail.comFalilou M. Sambealphatoure77@gmail.comDémo Koitaalphatoure77@gmail.comCodou M.G. Diopalphatoure77@gmail.comOumar Sockalphatoure77@gmail.com<p><span>Aqueous fluosilicic acid solutions were once considered to be only adverse by-products of phosphoric acid production, which required treatment to prevent ecosystem destruction when discharged into the sea. However, a range of chemicals can be generated by the transformation of this industrial waste product. Through experiments undertaken in the laboratory, we have shown the possibility of caustic soda production. Volumetric analysis showed caustic soda to be present as a 6% – 7% solution with yields of about 70% – 80% by weight. Two processes were investigated for the caustification of sodium fluoride, using different precipitates: sodium chloride and ethanol and are described by modelling caustification curves. The activation energies of precipitation determined by semi-empirical correlations showed that precipitation by ethanol (E</span><sub>A </sub><span>= 933.536 J/mol) was more successful than precipitation by sodium chloride(E</span><sub>A </sub><span>= 7452.405 J/mol). Analyses performed on the precipitates highlighted compositions that are essential and useful constituents in the cement industry.</span></p>2012-11-02T12:59:39+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Alpha O. Toure, Falilou M. Sambe, Démo Koita, Codou M.G. Diop, Oumar Sockhttps://journals.sajs.aosis.co.za/index.php/sajs/article/view/1158Evidence of a therapsid scavenger in the Late Permian Karoo Basin, South Africa2017-10-13T12:57:42+02:00Nicholas Fordyceanusuya.chinsamy-turan@uct.ac.zaRoger Smithanusuya.chinsamy-turan@uct.ac.zaAnusuya Chinsamyanusuya.chinsamy-turan@uct.ac.za<p><span>Dicynodonts are an extinct group of herbivorous non-mammalian therapsids (‘mammal-like’ reptiles) that are widely known from terrestrial Permo-Triassic strata throughout Pangaea. Dicynodont fossil remains are common within the Late Permian Beaufort Group of the Karoo Basin in South Africa. A large, partially articulated dicynodont skeleton recovered from the </span><em>Tropidostoma</em><span> Assemblage Zone is taphonomically important in having an unusual disarticulation pattern, bone surface punctures and a broken tooth of an unidentified carnivore associated with it. Here we report on the nature of the bone damage, and the identity of the carnivore that lost a canine tooth whilst scavenging the dicynodont carcass. The morphological characteristics of the serrations on the unidentified tooth were compared with those of contemporaneous carnivores, the gorgonopsians and therocephalians. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of a silicone cast of the unidentified tooth revealed distinctive 0.5-mm square-shaped serrations. Our comparative assessment of the tooth size, curvature, cross-sectional shape and morphology of the serrations revealed that the unidentified canine most closely matched </span><em>Aelurognathus,</em><span> a gorgonopsian known from the same assemblage zone.</span></p>2012-10-29T09:15:22+01:00Copyright (c) 2012 Nicholas Fordyce, Roger Smith, Anusuya Chinsamy