Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Limboo Population'

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. Copyright 2003, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bell, K 2003, Habitat selection and population dynamics of selected herbivores on Sondela Nature Reserve, Limpopo, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07112007-094017 / >
Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2003.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

Thesis (Ph. D. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016
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The Belgium Development Co-operation through VLIR-UOS, The University of Limpopo,and The Flemish Universities

Skeletal muscles of the limb are derived from somites and their precursors migrate to the limb prior to muscle formation. Upon migration, a limited number of stem cells multiply and differentiate to give rise to fusion-competent muscle cells, which fuse to form the multinucleated myotubes. During the course of myogenesis there is thus a period of few days when cells at different developmental stages such as migrating, proliferating, differentiating and fully differentiated co-reside within the developing limb bud. Current understanding on how these cells interact and behave during early and later myogenesis in vivo is lacking. The aim of this project was to identify and further classify the mononucleated myogenic cells present within the developing limb muscle and examine their behaviours at different stages of myogenesis. The lack of an appropriate method to extract and visualise cellular constituents of developing muscles has been a major limitation hindering such investigations in vivo. In this project, we first developed a unique cell isolation method to extract mononucleated cells from developing muscles, allowing examination of mononucleated cells in vivo using immunocytochemistry. As Pax3, Pax7 and Myogenic Regulatory Factors (MRFs) are the key players for the muscle formation, they were used to mark the different myogenic sub-populations. The results from chicken and rats clearly demonstrate that three myogenic cell pools, namely Pax3, Pax7 and MRFs positive cells, and 4 sub-populations formed by their overlap, co-exist in specific proportions within the developing limb muscle, and that their proportions undergo dynamic changes during the course of myogenesis. The most striking observation was that the sizes of Pax3 and MRF compartments remain constant while that of Pax7 compartment increases dramatically during myogenesis. Thus each myogenic cell compartment in the developing muscle has different cell kinetics during primary and secondary myogenesis. The dynamic changes in the proportions of these myogenic sub-populations may constitute a dynamically maintained cellular niche, within which the muscle stem cells reside. Our study suggests that the concept of community effect - the interaction between a group of cells and their surrounding cells, originally from invertebrate muscle system, may be conserved in mammalian systems. Furthermore, this study for the first time, reports that the earliest fully differentiate muscle cells in the rat hindlimb are highly elongated mononucleated cells which express Pax3, MyoD, myogenin and myosin but not Myf-5 protein. In summary, this study provides quantitative data to demonstrate dynamic changes in various mononucleated myogenic cell populations during skeletal muscle formation and reveals that Pax7(+ve) population becomes significantly upregulated during secondary myogenesis.

Proprioception, the often forgotten sixth sense, is frequently impaired following stroke, with rehabilitationists addressing this loss within the therapeutic techniques presented to resolve motor problems. The aims of the current studies were to (i) establish the current clinical reality of somatosensory assessment undertaken by physiotherapists nationwide, (ii) how proprioceptive loss in particular was addressed, (iii) explore upper limb weightbearing within everyday activity, (iv) evaluate the proprioceptive response in normal subjects having differences in age and activity. Proprioceptive loss following brain insult has been shown to have an adverse effect on outcome (iv) undertake a series of single case-studies to explore the effect of therapeutic intervention of weightbearing. The findings showed that (i) there was a high degree of agreement in the clinical practice of somatosensory assessment undertaken, (ii) therapeutic intervention of weightbearing was found to be recommended for both motor and proprioceptive loss (iii) upper limb weightbearing was found to be a non-trivial component of everyday life, (iv) positive effects of upper limb weightbearing were found on the proprioceptive responses of stroke victims. The implications of this research are that upper limb weightbearing activities should be incorporated in therapeutic activities to re-establish and maintain proprioceptive control of both upper and lower limbs.

Conformément au « planar law » de la coordination intersegmentaire, lorsque les angles d’élévation de la cuisse, de la jambe et du pied sont tracés pour un cycle de marche, ils ont tendance à créer une boucle qui s’oriente sur un plan spatial en 3-dimensions (3D). Le principal objectif de cette thèse a été d'utiliser des techniques d'analyse relatives à cette loi pour mieux comprendre comment le système nerveux central (SNC) coordonne et met en œuvre les ajustements locomoteurs anticipatoires (ALAs) pour le franchissement d’obstacle dans les populations saines et pathologiques. L’étude 1 a examiné les points généraux pour les ALAs normaux et l’étude 2 a relié les amplitudes du mouvement segmentaire au travail mécanique effectué par les muscles fléchisseurs de la hanche et du genou. Les études 3 et 4 ont déterminé comment des déficiences respectives de l’ataxie cérébelleuse autosomique récessive de type 1 (ARCA-1) et d'un accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) peuvent avoir une incidence sur le contrôle locomoteur. Chez les adultes sains, le déphasage entre les segments adjacents se sont révélés être corrélé à des caractéristiques du plan formé par les angles d’élévation du segment, et ces différences de phase ont changé systématiquement avec l'augmentation de la hauteur de l'obstacle. Il a été proposé que le SNC ajuste un patron locomoteur de base pour les contraintes environnementales par la manipulation des différentes phases de l’angle d'élévation entre les segments adjacents ainsi que par l'amplitude de l’angle d'élévation. L’étude de suivi a déterminé que lorsque les obstacles les plus hauts étaient franchis, les décalages de phase de la cuisse pour la jambe d’attaque, et pour la jambe de l’autre membre ont augmenté. Le travail effectué par les muscles de la hanche et du genou a influencé l’élévation de la cuisse différemment pour les membres d’attaques et suivants et il a été conclu que ces muscles n'ont pas de rôles spécifiques pour l’élévation et la progression du membre inférieur lors de l’ALA. Au lieu de cela, ces puissances musculaires peuvent résulter du contrôle dynamique des angles d’élévation. Lorsque l'on observe la coordination chez les participants avec ARCA-1 et AVC les trajectoires des angles d'élévation du membre inférieur ont continué à s’orienter sur un plan spatial en 3D. Chez les participants avec ARCA-1, une plus grande différence de phase entre les segments de la cuisse et la jambe a suggéré d'être un mécanisme de contrôle lorsque ce groupe augmente volontairement le dégagement des orteils pour enjamber des obstacles. Chez les participants avec un précédent d’AVC, cette différence de phase a été plus grande dans le membre non parétique, ce qui a été interprété comme nécessaire pour élever le membre en compensation pour le mauvais appui du membre parétique. Les résultats de cette thèse suggèrent des mécanismes de contrôle d’élévation segmentaire pour la mise en œuvre d’ALAs et mettent en évidence les mécanismes de compensation volontaire d’un tel contrôle dans des populations pathologiques.
According to the planar law of intersegmental coordination, when elevation angles of the thigh, shank, and foot are plotted for a gait cycle, they tend to create a loop which orients on a plane in 3-dimensional space. The main goal of this thesis was to use analysis techniques related to this law to gain a better understanding of how the central nervous system coordinates and implements anticipatory locomotor adjustments (ALAs) for stepping over obstacles in healthy and pathological populations. Study 1 examined general issues of normal ALAs, while study 2 related the timing and amplitude of segment motion with mechanical work by hip and knee flexor muscles. Studies 3 and 4, determined how impairments such as autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type-1 (ARCA-1) and a previous stroke respectively affect locomotor control. In healthy adults, phasing differences between adjacent segments were shown to be correlated to characteristics of the plane formed by the segment elevation angles and these phase differences changed systematically with increasing obstacle height. It was proposed that the CNS adjusts a basic locomotor pattern for environmental constraints by manipulating elevation angle phase differences between adjacent segments as well as elevation angle amplitudes. The follow-up study determined that as higher obstacles were cleared, leading limb thigh phase lead and trailing limb shank phase lag increased. The work done by the hip and knee flexor muscles influenced thigh elevation differently in the leading and trailing limbs and it was concluded that these muscles do not have simple specific roles in elevating and progressing the lower limb during locomotion. Instead, these muscle powers may result from elevation angle waveform control dynamics. When observing coordination in the ARCA-1 and stroke participants, plotted segmental elevation angle trajectories continued to covary on a plane. In the ARCA-1 participants, a larger phase difference between the thigh and shank segments was suggested to be a voluntary control mechanism to increase toe clearance over obstacles. In participants with a previous stroke, this phase difference was greater in the non-paretic limb which was interpreted as being necessary to elevate this limb in compensation for poor support by the paretic limb. The results of this thesis suggest mechanisms of segment elevation control to implement ALAs and highlights voluntary compensatory mechanisms in such control in pathological populations.

Thesis (Ph. D. Agric. (Plant Production)) --University of Limpopo, 2019
Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose fast growing tree which is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world due to its numerous benefits. The benefits include medicinal use, industrial use, soil fertility, water purification, climate change mitigation as well as of nutritional value for humans and livestock. Recently, many areas globally have been rendered vulnerable to climate change as well as food insecurity. Climate change increases irregularities of rainfall and temperature patterns in semi-arid conditions. One practical way to address this challenge in the agricultural sector is to introduce more trees crop species which are found to be more tolerant than annual crops under harsh growing conditions. Moringa is one species that could be considered under variable climatic conditions for positive outcomes through climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as life sustenance against food insecurity threats. Production of moringa in South Africa is exclusively for leaf processing and consumption. To date, there is no documented information available about seed and oil yield production of moringa mainly in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to generate knowledge on moringa growth, nutritional composition, seed and oil yield production as well as its response to drought through gaseous exchange parameters, as influenced by plant density under diverse agro-ecological locations in Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, from November 2013 to January 2016. The study area falls within the semi-region which is characterized by low and erratic rainfall which predominately falls in summer as well as extremely low or high temperatures. A survey was conducted from November 2013 to September 2014 in five districts of the Limpopo Province. Focus group discussion, questionnaires and field observations were used for data collection. A total of 150 moringa growers formed part of the focus group and a questionnaire was administered to only thirty-one farmers, who constitute the population of farmers producing moringa within an area of 0.25 ha or more. A second study was conducted at two experimental sites in the Limpopo Province of northern part of South Africa to evaluate for the first time, the effect of plant density and cutting interval on biomass production and chemical composition of moringa grown under two diverse climatic conditions. Four different planting densities (435 000, 300 000, 200 000 and 100 000 plants/ha) were arranged in a randomized complete block design and experimental samples were replicated four times. A third study was conducted over two years to achieve additional objectives which included evaluation of gaseous exchange, biomass, seed, and oil yield. Untreated seeds of Moringa oleifera were used for establishing the trial at densities of 5 000, 2 500, 1 667 and 1 250 plants ha-1, with eight replicates. The same study was used to achieve the objective on gaseous exchange in comparison with other two naturally growing tree species of mopane (Colophospermum mopane) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea) trees growing within the moringa trial vicinity. The study was further used to evaluate the effect of planting density on biomass, grain, oil yield production and nutritional composition of Moringa oleifera trees. The last part of the study was carried out in the five districts of the Limpopo Province to determine the influence of soil physical and chemical properties on the nutritional composition of moringa leaves. The farms that were identified during the survey were also used to achieve other objectives of the study. In order to determine soil and leaf nutritional composition, soil samples were collected and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The harvested leaves were dried at room temperature and their nutritional compositions were determined using standard methods. Findings from the studies revealed the following: The survey indicated that there are potential moringa farmers in all the districts of the province, with the intention to commercialize the tree. Majority of farmers grow moringa on 0.251.0 ha and have been producing the crop for the past 2 years. The study on planting density and cutting frequency revealed satisfactory nutritional composition in the leaves across the cutting frequencies and that, an increase in the plant density led to enhanced biomass production. The study on the monthly and seasonal gaseous exchange revealed significant differences in net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, sub-stomatal CO2 and stomatal conductance. However, planting densities of Moringa oleifera had no significant effect on all the gaseous exchange parameters measured. In a comparison of moringa with other tree species growing in the vicinity of moringa, the results differed significantly in gaseous exchange. The highest activity in photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and sub-stomatal CO2 (Ci), as well as higher stomatal density, was found in moringa. The findings from the biomass, seed yield and oil yield study showed that the increase in measured biomass, seed and oil yield increased with increasing planting density. However, seed oil concentration was non-significant. Findings from the ecology study revealed that moringa improved soil nutritional composition; mainly in areas where the trees were more than three years old as compared to control soils where moringa had not been planted. The soil nutritional composition differed with soil textural classes with the clay soils recording higher nutrient ion values. The study revealed that moringa can be produced in many locations of the Limpopo Province without negatively affecting leaf nutritional composition. Moringa leaves contain high level of nutrients even under marginal production areas irrespective of the planting density. A population of 5000 plants ha-1 can be used for seed and oil yield production where temperatures are favourable for improved farmers’ livelihoods. The results strongly showed with no doubt, the superiority of moringa in capturing more carbon among the three species. Moringa maintained good leaf yield even under drought condition, which is an indication of its potential to act as a good sink for carbon dioxide absorption. It can, therefore, be recommended for many parts of Limpopo Province for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and food security. KEY CONCEPTS: agro-ecology, biomass, climate change, commercialization, drought, food security, gas exchange, leaf chemical composition, location, Moringa oleifera, oil, seed, soil textural class, survey, trees, weather, yield

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder in childhood, with an incidence rate of approximately 2 in 1000 newborns. Although starting from a non‐progressive lesion occurring in the fetal or infant brain, children with CP present with a wide range of progressive primary and secondary impairments. These include increased muscle tone, contractures, muscular deficits and bony deformities, which if untreated may further lead to progressive loss of locomotor function. Due to CP’s multifaceted nature and the patient-specificity of the symptoms, the management of CP is quite complex and standardised treatment plans that suit all patients’ needs cannot be defined. Currently, several non-invasive (e.g. casting or strengthening programs) and invasive (e.g. single-event multilevel surgeries) procedures are performed in the attempt to restore typical muscle and motor function. Nonetheless, roughly 25% of the patients are dissatisfied with the treatment outcomes, which often require a second intervention. This may be due to a poor treatment planning, which is primarily based on information gathered via passive muscle tests and gait analysis assessments. Such tests completely disregard the internal biomechanics, i.e. muscle activations, muscle forces and joint contact forces (JCFs). Although difficult to measure in vivo, the internal biomechanics may be estimated in silico by employing neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) models, i.e. virtual digital representations of the human musculoskeletal system. By providing insights on the mechanisms behind the pathology, NMSK models have the potential to improve the management of CP. Moreover, different surgical scenarios may be tested on virtual models prior to entering the operating theatre, allowing for the identification of the most effective and personalised treatment for each patient. Nonetheless, current NMSK models do have limitations. For instance, generic musculoskeletal anatomies, e.g. gait2392 OpenSim model, are commonly employed and scaled with motion capture data to match each participant’s dimensions. However, generic anatomies are based on a limited set of healthy elder adult data. Paediatric bones, presenting with more pronounced torsions or with deformities, may have large deviations from those of an adult; even after linear scaling. Inaccurate bony geometries are associated to mislocation of the joint centres, which may affect external joint angles and joint moment estimates. Moreover, generic muscle attachments on ill-scaled bones may be inaccurately positioned, thereby affecting muscle kinematics and muscle function. In addition, muscle-tendon units (MTUs) are typically represented as Hill-type actuators, whose behaviour is highly dependent on optimal fibre length, tendon slack length and maximal isometric force values. Most commonly, these parameters are linearly scaled along with bones, although this approach has no physiological grounds. As result, MTUs may operate outside the range of physiologically plausible values, and not representing correct muscle function. Furthermore, CP-related MTU abnormalities are often disregarded. Finally, unconstrained static optimisation methods (e.g., static optimisation that minimises muscle activations squared) are typically employed to determine the set of muscle activations to generate the experimental joint moments. However, these methods favour estimation of muscle endurance, minimal muscle activation, the latter also minimising muscle co-contractions, and may not account for muscle dynamics by assuming tendons to be rigid. Static optimisation also estimates similar activation patterns between subjects, and even within subjects when different control is required, which has been proven otherwise. Moreover, abnormal neural solutions, common in observed CP, cannot be generated. Previous work has focussed on the personalisation of NMSK models to better represent paediatric populations with CP. However, personalisation was mostly introduced using pre-determined factors to scale MTU parameters or based on available literature data. Moreover, only a few features were personalised at once. Therefore, the overarching aim of my thesis was to develop personalised NMSK models of healthy paediatric populations and children with CP, with increasing level of subject-specificity, and to quantify the effect of each personalised feature on the endpoint variables, i.e. muscle excitation patterns and forces, and JCFs estimates. The first study investigated whether the personalisation of MTU parameters and muscle activation patterns enabled the production of more physiologically plausible internal biomechanics. Two 13 years old identical twin brothers, one typically developing (TD) and one with unilateral spastic CP, were enrolled in the study. For both children, four different NMSK models with incremental level of subject-specificity were generated. The first two models (unCalSO and unCalEMGa) shared the same musculoskeletal anatomy, which was linearly scaled from a simplified gait2392 generic model and featured morphometrically optimised optimal fibre length (OFL) and tendon slack length (TSL) values. Static optimisation in CEINMS was employed to synthesise muscle activation patterns in unCalSO, while unCalEMGa used an electromyography (EMG)-assisted approach. A further two models (CalEMGa and CalEMGaMRI) subsequently calibrated the MTU parameters (±5% of their original value) in CEINMS using experimental EMG data. For the CP child, the initial OFL of selected muscles was decreased by 0.7 before calibration, while the TSL was bound to increase. These alterations were implemented to respectively account for overstretched sarcomeres and longer TSL observed in CP muscles. The last model (CalEMGaMRI) further built on CalEMGa and featured personalised maximal isometric force values scaled with muscle volumes segmented on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The use of an EMG-assisted approach had a greater effect on the ability of the models to track experimental data compared to the calibration of MTU parameters. Nonetheless, when OFL and TSL were not calibrated, knee JCFs estimates did not appear physiologically plausible. The results of this study were included in a full paper submitted as Davico G., Pizzolato C, Lloyd D.G., Obst S.P., Walsh H.P.J., Carty C.P. Increasing level of neuromusculoskeletal model personalisation to investigate joint contact forces in cerebral palsy: a twin case study. Clinical Biomechanics. The second study examined the best methods to accurately reconstruct paediatric lower limb bones for use in NMSK modelling. Medical imaging and motion capture (MOCAP) data from 18 TD children collected in the past five years at Queensland Children’s Hospital were used in the study. Ten different combinations of morphing and mesh fitting techniques to reconstruct pelvis, femurs and tibiofibular bones were developed and tested in the open-source software Musculoskeletal Atlas Project (MAP) Client. To determine the minimum required amount of data to achieve acceptable reconstructions, different levels of medical image data incompleteness were provided. The resulting bone reconstructions were compared to the corresponding MRI segmentations using three metrics of similarity: Jaccard index, root mean squared surface-to-surface distance error, and Hausdorff distance. In addition, for each reconstructed pelvis, hip joint centres (HJCs) locations and HJC distance were extracted and compared to the corresponding MRI measurements. The HJC distance was also compared to a clinical MOCAP based measurement, i.e. Harrington regression equation. Our results suggested that non-linear scaling methods should not be used to reconstruct the lower limb bones of children smaller than 145 cm, which would be abnormally shaped. Secondly, the use of medical imaging data, even if incomplete, should be preferred to generate highly accurate bony geometries. Moreover, in small children, HJC-distance may largely differ between MOCAP and reconstruction-based calculations. All research findings from this study were detailed in the invited paper: Davico G., Pizzolato C., Killen B.A., Barzan M., Suwarganda E., Lloyd D.G., Carty C.P. Best methods and data to reconstruct paediatric lower limb bones for musculoskeletal modelling. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, 2019. doi:10.1007/s10237-019-01245-y. The third study had two main aims. First, was to develop a highly personalised NMSK paediatric model, and second, to determine the individual effects of personalised anatomies, muscle activation patterns and MTU parameters on muscle excitation patterns and forces, and JCFs estimates. Six different NMSK models with incremental levels of subject-specificity were generated for each of the six children (3 TD, 3 with CP) enrolled in the study. For the first time a model generated via the MAP Client was developed and tested. This included personalised bony geometries, and physiologically and physically plausible MTU kinematics (i.e. MTU lengths and moment arms). In addition to the MAP generated anatomies and generically scaled anatomies (simplified gait2392 OpenSim model) were employed for biomechanical simulations of gait. Following the steps of study one, both anatomies were progressively personalised by (1) calibrating MTU parameters and (2) replacing static optimisation methods that minimised muscle activations squared with EMG-assisted approaches to synthesise muscle activations. The calibrated EMG-assisted MAP generated model produced the most physiologically plausible estimates, as (i) it well tracked both external moments and muscle excitations (i.e. EMG linear envelopes), (ii) featured subject-specific bones and (iii) estimated non-zero loading in swing phase. Among all, the use of EMG-assisted methods and personalised musculoskeletal anatomies appeared to have the greatest impact on the endpoint estimates. Nonetheless, the neural solution substantially affected lateral JCF profiles. The paper describing these results will be submitted as Davico G., Killen B.A., Carty C.P., Lloyd D.G., Devaprakash D., Pizzolato C. Developing the new generation of personalised neuromusculoskeletal models to investigate cerebral palsy. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. In conclusion, this thesis rigorously assessed what the effects of personalisation are on the endpoint estimates of a NMSK model and provided guidelines to develop more physiologically plausible paediatric musculoskeletal anatomies and models. Particularly, the studies highlighted the weakness and strengths of common clinical measurements and associated methods that may be used to improve the personalisation of NMSK models. The future use of personalised NMSK modelling simulations has the potential to provide knowledge of the internal biomechanics and substantial benefit to the CP paediatric population, by better informing clinical management and by enabling the development of personalised treatments for each patient.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School Allied Health Sciences
Griffith Health
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Orientador: Maria Christina de Mello Amorozo
Banca: Carolina Joana da Silva
Banca: Germano Guarim Neto
Banca: Izabel de Carvalho
Resumo: O presente estudo envolveu três comunidades, Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado e Campo Alegre, localizadas no continnum territorial do pantanal de Cáceres, na região fronteiriça entre o estado Mato Grosso e a Bolívia. Foi registrado o conhecimento da população em relação ao componente vegetal percebido, utilizado e acessado nas unidades de paisagem locais. Enfocou-se os quintais e as áreas adjacentes a estes com fontes fornecedoras dos recursos vegetais. A coleta dos dados envolveu a aplicação de métodos próprios da área de etnobotânica filiados à antropologia e aos estudos clássicos de taxonomia vegetal. Foram aplicados formulários estruturados e semi-estruturados, para o registro do perfil sócioeconômico e cultural da população. As unidades de paisagem indicadas pela população foram georreferenciadas e elaborados mapas das áreas fornecedoras de recursos vegetais. Os 77 moradores das três comunidades representam 91% dos domicílios locais, sendo 25% de Campo Alegre, 83% de Porto limão e 100% de Porto Alambrado. Essa população apresenta uma miscigenação que envolve: povos naturais da região, remanescentes de povos das nações indígenas Guató, Bororo, Chiquitano e Terena e migrantes, principalmente do Sul, Sudeste e Nordeste do Brasil. A população utiliza, com certa freqüência, produtos extraídos das plantas nativas na medicina e alimentação local, assim como nas atividades produtivas de pesca e criação de animais. Na agricultura estão presentes, com maior freqüência, espécies introduzidas, excetuando-se a mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) que foi a mais citada nas três comunidades. O material botânico indicado e coletado compreende um acervo de 6.212 citações correspondentes a 628 táxons pertencentes a 118 famílias botânicas com 583 espécies e 416 gêneros (conforme o Angiosperms Phylogeny Group). Seis famílias destacaram-se... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The present study involved three communities, Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado, and Campo Alegre, located in the territorial continuum of the Pantanal et Cáceres, along the border between Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and Bolivia. Records were made of the population’s knowledge with respect to their perceptions and uses of the plant community, in the local units of landscape, focusing on yards and adjacent areas that serve as sources of plant resources. Data collection involved application of methods from the field of ethnobotany, associated with anthropology and classic studies of plant taxonomy. Structured and semistructured forms were used to record the socio-economic and cultural profile of the population. The landscape units indicated by the population were geo-referenced, and maps were generated of the areas that provide plant resources. The 77 residents of the three communities represent 91% of local households: 25%, 83%, and 100% of households in Campo Alegre, Porto Limão, and Porto Alambrado, respectively. The population reflects the miscegenation of populations native to the region, descendents of the indigenous nations Guató, Bororo, Chiquitano and Terena, and migrants mainly from southern, southeastern and northeastern Brazil. The population often uses products extracted from native plants which are used directly in medicine and in the local diet, as well as in fishing activities and animalraising. Introduced species are more commonly found in agricultural activities, with the exception of manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz), which was the species most often cited in the three communities. The botanical material indicated and collected composes a collection of 6,212 citations corresponding to 628 taxa belonging to 118 botanical families, with 583 species and 416 genera (according to the Angiosperms Phylogeny Group). Six families are noteworthy with respect to the number of species cited... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

In his thesis, Correlation between invasive abdominopelvic and lower limb procedures and the detailed anatomical description of the lumbar plexus in a South African population, the promovendus conducted an in-depth examination of the anatomy of the lumbar plexus. The origin, as well as the course and termination of the five terminal branches were investigated. The first aspect of the study was to observe the root values and describe the origin and abdominopelvic course of its main branches. Thereafter, distances of the nerves to clinically relevant bony landmarks were measured. Lastly, the results were correlated to current guidelines of clinical procedures performed on the pelvis and lower limb. In conclusion, the promovendus was able to support many of the techniques currently performed through detailed, quantitative anatomical descriptions and, where prudent, was able to provide recommendations to assist medical practitioners with pre-operative planning in a clinical setting.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Anatomy
PhD
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O presente estudo envolveu três comunidades, Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado e Campo Alegre, localizadas no continnum territorial do pantanal de Cáceres, na região fronteiriça entre o estado Mato Grosso e a Bolívia. Foi registrado o conhecimento da população em relação ao componente vegetal percebido, utilizado e acessado nas unidades de paisagem locais. Enfocou-se os quintais e as áreas adjacentes a estes com fontes fornecedoras dos recursos vegetais. A coleta dos dados envolveu a aplicação de métodos próprios da área de etnobotânica filiados à antropologia e aos estudos clássicos de taxonomia vegetal. Foram aplicados formulários estruturados e semi-estruturados, para o registro do perfil sócioeconômico e cultural da população. As unidades de paisagem indicadas pela população foram georreferenciadas e elaborados mapas das áreas fornecedoras de recursos vegetais. Os 77 moradores das três comunidades representam 91% dos domicílios locais, sendo 25% de Campo Alegre, 83% de Porto limão e 100% de Porto Alambrado. Essa população apresenta uma miscigenação que envolve: povos naturais da região, remanescentes de povos das nações indígenas Guató, Bororo, Chiquitano e Terena e migrantes, principalmente do Sul, Sudeste e Nordeste do Brasil. A população utiliza, com certa freqüência, produtos extraídos das plantas nativas na medicina e alimentação local, assim como nas atividades produtivas de pesca e criação de animais. Na agricultura estão presentes, com maior freqüência, espécies introduzidas, excetuando-se a mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) que foi a mais citada nas três comunidades. O material botânico indicado e coletado compreende um acervo de 6.212 citações correspondentes a 628 táxons pertencentes a 118 famílias botânicas com 583 espécies e 416 gêneros (conforme o Angiosperms Phylogeny Group). Seis famílias destacaram-se...
The present study involved three communities, Porto Limão, Porto Alambrado, and Campo Alegre, located in the territorial continuum of the Pantanal et Cáceres, along the border between Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and Bolivia. Records were made of the population s knowledge with respect to their perceptions and uses of the plant community, in the local units of landscape, focusing on yards and adjacent areas that serve as sources of plant resources. Data collection involved application of methods from the field of ethnobotany, associated with anthropology and classic studies of plant taxonomy. Structured and semistructured forms were used to record the socio-economic and cultural profile of the population. The landscape units indicated by the population were geo-referenced, and maps were generated of the areas that provide plant resources. The 77 residents of the three communities represent 91% of local households: 25%, 83%, and 100% of households in Campo Alegre, Porto Limão, and Porto Alambrado, respectively. The population reflects the miscegenation of populations native to the region, descendents of the indigenous nations Guató, Bororo, Chiquitano and Terena, and migrants mainly from southern, southeastern and northeastern Brazil. The population often uses products extracted from native plants which are used directly in medicine and in the local diet, as well as in fishing activities and animalraising. Introduced species are more commonly found in agricultural activities, with the exception of manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz), which was the species most often cited in the three communities. The botanical material indicated and collected composes a collection of 6,212 citations corresponding to 628 taxa belonging to 118 botanical families, with 583 species and 416 genera (according to the Angiosperms Phylogeny Group). Six families are noteworthy with respect to the number of species cited... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2011
The study investigates the challenges facing Statistics South Africa in conducting population census project in the Limpopo Province. A special focus is on the Capricorn District Municipality. Literature has been reviewed as secondary sources and primary information was collected from a sample of 70 respondents. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches in both data collection and analysis. The results from the study indicate that the major challenges facing Statistics South Africa in conducting population census projects include; lack of proper planning, insufficient budget, under count, over count, refusals, and lack of monitoring strategies. Based on the results, strategic recommendations were made.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Quantitative Conservation Biology, 1993
The aim of the study was to provide a basis for the determination of acceptable hippo densities along the Crocodile River, outside the Kruger National Park. Hippo densities have to be acceptable to land-user~, who suffer hippo damage, and to the conservation authority, responsible for the resources along the river. Hippo nllmbers and distribution in the study area were determined by using a combination of aerial census and ground count. The hippo population number was estimated at 88 animals. Hippo distribution was influenced by flow speed of water. No hippos were observed in river sections with steep gradients, (>6.0 m/km) , while major herds were observed at low gradients «3.5 m/km). A mean density of 0.6 hippo per km was calculated, with a maximum of 2,5 hLppoe Zkm at Kaapmuiden, next to the Kruger National Park. TPA Nature Conservation records on hippo complaints were analyzed, and no relationship between the occurrence of hippo damage and hippo density could be found. There were strong indications that hippo damage are caused by individual problem hippo , The majority of land-users (92 %) supported the conservation of hippos. The size of the area available to hippo was determined for distances of 5 kn. up- and downriver from the major hippo herds. hippo could move away from the river was 336 restriction when compared to the generally assumed hippo grazing range of 3.2 km. Hippo access to grazing was assessed by determining the effective grazing area.
MT2017

MSc (Botany)
Department of Botany
The overall aim of this study was to determine the population biology of Sclerocarya birrea (A Rich) Hochst., subspecies caffra (Sond) at Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa. Sclerocarya birrea is a keystone plant species which is rated as one of the most highly valued indigenous trees because of its multiple uses. It is identified as a key species to support the livelihood of rural communities and it is central to various commercial activities. Sclerocarya birrea is also widely used by game in protected areas and by humans in communal areas for its fruit, wood and medicinal properties. Understanding the population biology for this key stone species is important as there are many environmental factors that are affecting its population structure. The study found that the population of S. birrea at Nylsvley Nature Reserve is fairly healthy and is mainly comprised of seedling and adult trees. Evidence of predators feeding on the seeds of Sclerocarya birrea was also recorded in this study. Additionally, disturbance, such as fire and cutting do not have negative impact on S.barrea

MSc (Botany)
Department of Botany
Plant populations are determined by many elements that impose demographic filters. Following disturbance, in African savanna woodland trees regenerate both sexually and vegetatively. Vachellia karroo (Hayne) Banfi and Galasso, family Fabaceae and sub family Mimosideae, commonly known as “sweet thorn” or “soetdoring” (Afrikaans), is a leguminous shrub common throughout Southern Africa. Its distribution range is from the Southwestern Cape northwards into Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a pioneer species and has the ability to encroach rapidly into grassland grazing areas. Therefore, V. karroo is considered the most important woody invader of grasslands in South Africa. This study aimed at investigating the population biology and ecology of V. karroo in the clay waterlogged site of the Nylsvley Nature Reserve. Plant height, stem circumference, canopy cover, distance between individuals were measured and disturbance levels on individuals of V. karroo were estimated during sampling. The results showed that the population of V. karroo display an adequate growth curve thus implying that the population of V. karroo in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve is healthy and viable. More mature healthy individuals were found in September and December, than during June and July; this is obviously because early summer season, and in September most of the savanna plant species were starting to actively recover from the winter dry season. This is confirmation enough that the population of V. karroo is expanding in the clay waterlogged areas of Nylsvley Nature Reserve.

Limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of myopathies characterized by weakness and wasting of the proximal musculature. There are currently seventeen loci associated with different LGMDs, seven with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance (LGMD1A–1G) and 10 with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance (LGMD2A– 2J). The cumulative worldwide prevalence of LGMD is thought to be ~1/15,000. In the Hutterite population of North America there is an over-representation of autosomal recessive LGMD with a prevalence estimated to be >1/400. The objective of this work was to delineate the genetic basis of LGMD in this large genetically isolated population. A genome-wide scan was performed on Hutterite LGMD patients and their families in order to locate the mutant gene. This allowed us to identify a novel locus at chromosome region 9q31-33 that was named LGMD2H. Extensive haplotyping and mutation screening led to the discovery of c.1459G>A in TRIM32 as the causative mutation of LGMD2H. We then found that this same mutation was the cause of another previously described myopathy in the Hutterites, sarcotubular myopathy (STM)[reference awaiting publishers decision]. Analysis of the TRIM32 gene product revealed that it is a potential E3-ubiquitin ligase, is expressed in many human tissues including muscle and brain, and has a punctate cytoplasmic distribution. During the analysis of the LGMD2H region, it became apparent that there were Hutterite LGMD patients not linked to the LGMD2H locus. In order to identify the causative gene(s) in the remaining families, we performed a genome-wide scan. A locus at chromosome 19q13 was found to correspond to disease inheritance, the site of a previously described LGMD locus, LGMD2I. No causative gene had yet been identified at this locus so haplotyping and mutation screening was performed. We were able to identify c.826C>A in FKRP as the causative mutation in our remaining cohort of LGMD patients. The same mutation has since been found in many other populations, and is apparently a relatively common cause of LGMD. We obtained DNA from 19 non-Hutterite LGMD2I patients of diverse origins with c.826C>A and determined that it is an old founder mutation. There is no further evidence of any other loci causing autosomal recessive myopathy in the Hutterites. With the identification of c.1459G>A in TRIM32 and c.826C>A in FKRP we appear to have delineated the genetic cause of all myopathies of increased prevalence in the Hutterite population. To date, we have been able to provide accurate, non-invasive, diagnosis to over 70 patients and have provided carrier testing to approximately 120 at-risk family members. This kind DNA-based approach is not feasible in the general population due the enormous amount of locus, allelic, and clinical heterogeneity among myopathy patients.
May 2005

MSc (Botany)
Department of Botany
Understanding the uses of indigenous plants that are of economic importance to local communities is very much important in rural development strategies. The Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) Anacardiaceae family is widely used. More information on this tree species would enhance its value in agricultural landscapes, by helping farmers improve their livelihoods and ensuring environmental sustainability. Understanding how a community uses a resource and what influences the level of its use is crucial for developing a framework for its sustainable use based on local demands. Sclerocarya birrea is a species with multiple uses, which is recognized as commercially, medicinally and culturally important in Africa. Almost all parts of this species are useful. The study presented the findings of a survey of the indigenous knowledge, uses and management of S. birrea in Matshena village, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Different people of various ages were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Thirty percent of respondents indicated that they utilize the marula for beer and juice-making, the highest use category. In the sampled area the population of S. birrea is dominated by larger trees with no seedlings and juveniles. This is a sign of a population that will not be viable, since there are no younger individuals to replace the older trees when they die.

There has been a great deal of focus on young people and how they obtain information about reproductive health matters in the era of HIV/AIDS. However, there has very limited research on role of traditional initiation schools in the era of HIVIAIDS. In some parts of South Africa, young men and women continue to attend traditional initiation schools. The primary aim of these schools is to disseminate information about sexuality and other reproductive health matters in order to ensure that young people are well prepared for their future social growth, societal responsibilities and conjugal matters. Interviews were conducted with young people who had attended traditional initiation schools. The study was conducted in three villages in the Limpopo Province in South Africa where traditional initiations are widely practices. The study examines the impact of traditional initiation schools on adolescent's sexuality and reproductive health behaviour. The findings of the study show that traditional initiation schools have an important role to play in imparting information about sexuality and reproductive health. Traditional initiation schools prepare young people for the transition to adulthood. It is believed that these schools produce men who are independent, brave and courageous and women who are good mothers, wives and daughter-in-Iaws. However, some young men and women feel that they are more likely to engage in sexual activities soon after attending traditional initiation schools. This is because there is massive use of sexually explicit language during the process of initiation. Some young people feel that traditional initiation schools have contributed to the increase in sexual activity and as a result, negative reproductive health outcomes. However, the main conclusion is that traditional initiation schools have an important role to play to shaping the sexual and reproductive health behaviour of Venda young men and women.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy) -- University of Limpopo, 2019
Erratic rainfall and insect infestation are some of the factors that limit cowpea production in Limpopo (Asiwe, 2009). Improved cowpea varieties available for dryland production in Limpopo do not meet the farmer’s needs. Specific trait crosses are needed to be made with adapted varieties for the purpose of developing high yielding, pest tolerant and adapted varieties. Varieties with desired specific traits were planted in isolation plots for outcrossing by insects. F1 lines derived from parental lines that were half sib seeds were harvested and planted as F2, and seeds obtained from F2 generation were used to develop F3 segregating population at University of Limpopo Experiential Farm, Syferkuil, and planted along with parents. This F3 generation forms the current evaluation on which this report is based. Data collected included; aphid severity (measured on a 9-point scale), number of days to 90 % maturity, grain yield, 100 seed weight and number of genotypes selected for advancement. Results showed significant variation among progeny over parents therefore expressing transgressive segregation. Genotypes derived from pedigree TX08-30-5 were five while pedigree IT98K-205-8 and IT97K-499-35 had four genotypes each that expressed early maturity (80-90 days) which are desirable for evading drought. Twenty-three genotypes from pedigree GEC and three from pedigree IT97K-499-35 obtained grain yield (>101 g/plot and >161 g/plot) that was better than their parents. Only one genotype derived from pedigree TX08-30-1 expressed high resistance to aphids better than the parent with a mean aphid score range of 1-2. Four genotypes from pedigree TX08-30-5 obtained bigger 100 seed weight (>18.6 g) compared to parent. These progeny also proved to be high yielders as they expressed heterosis for all yield attributes than their parents. Eighty-two genotypes were selected for advancement. Significant variations were observed among progeny giving opportunity to make selections. In most cases, genotypes outperformed their parents which indicate positive heterosis. The 82 promising genotypes selected will be advanced for further selections from multi location testing for stability and adaptation.

Stair negotiation has been identified by older adults as one of the most challenging locomotor tasks, one that is associated with a high risk for falls and serious injury. Currently lacking is a comprehensive understanding of the lower limb during stair negotiation in an older adult population. It has been identified that more research is needed to determine key determinants of difficulty and safety on stairs. The objective of this thesis was to investigate lower limb kinematics and kinetics during stair negotiation and evaluate the impact of handrail use on stair ambulation in young adults, older adults, and older adults with a fear of falling (FOF). The four studies that make up this dissertation provide a detailed picture of the lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics during stair ambulation, as well as provide insight into the role of handrail use and FOF in performance of stair negotiation. Specifically, in the first study principal component analysis (PCA) was used, of the scores generated from the PCA models four principal component (PC) scores were identified that could be used to correctly classify 95% of young and older adults. The second study provided a comprehensive data set of lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics during stair negotiation. The third study identified comparable centre of pressure velocities (VCOP) between young adults and older adults during stair negotiation with and without a handrail. Whereas older adults with FOF demonstrated reduced VCOP during stair negotiation without a handrail and further reduced VCOP when using the handrail. Furthermore, no significant difference in lower limb moments during stair negotiation with and without a handrail were found in older adults, as was similar for older adults with FOF. However, a gait assessment revealed that older adults with FOF demonstrated differences from ‘normal’ gait patterns during stair negotiation with and without a handrail. These studies provide a comprehensive normative dataset of the lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics during stair negotiation, as well as provide insight into the role of handrail use and fear of falling in performance of stair ambulation. It is important to appreciate the nature and extent of normal age-related adaption and compensatory strategies to identify unique patterns of movement due to the superimposition of pathology.
Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-24 14:50:22.242

PhD (Zoology)
Department of Zoology
A general introduction about the need for studying forest dwelling primate populations in fragmented landscapes and more specifically in the Soutpansberg is given in Chapter 1. Forests affected by fragmentation are at risk of losing primate populations over the long term. In addition, although the impact of fragmentation on primate populations has been studied in many places in Africa, Asia and South America there is no consensus of how the different primate species react to forest disturbance and fragmentation. This study aims to investigate the impacts of natural and anthropogenic forest fragmentation on the Soutpansberg samango monkey population including their distribution, genetics, and phylogeography, identifying threats and mitigation measures. To date, no detailed population level research has been undertaken on samango monkey populations in the far north of their South African distribution. By collecting a diverse data set, in addition to existing ecological data, this study generates conservation and management recommendations suited specifically to the study area and the study species and provides baseline data for future monitoring. Chapter 2 details how through creating an accurate forest distribution map and collecting samango monkey distribution records through surveys we were able to investigate how both natural and anthropogenic forest fragmentation influences the distribution of samango monkeys in the Soutpansberg. We explored forest patch occupancy and connectivity, determined the degree and nature of matrix utilisation and identified possible threats to forests and samango monkeys between the contrasting landscapes of the eastern and western Soutpansberg. Here we found that samango monkeys largely occupied forest patches <100 ha in size and that the Soutpansberg has very few forest patches > 100 ha available. We showed that samango monkeys used all components of the surrounding matrix and that lone or bachelor group males used the matrix more extensively than groups. We found that paved roads pose a major threat, however not a barrier, to samango monkey populations when navigating the matrix. Forest connectivity was found to be influenced by the distance between patches and possible corridors or stepping stones of isolated forest patches connecting them. Patterns found in this chapter contrasted between the eastern and western landscapes requiring different adaptive strategies from the samango monkeys and different conservation approaches from practitioners. In this chapter we conclude that samango monkeys, having evolved in fragmented landscapes, are comparatively tolerant and adaptable to a human- transformed matrix. In Chapter 3 we focused on the effects that natural and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in the Soutpansberg has on the genetic diversity and structure of the samango monkey population in the mountain range. Here we used microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data from faecal and tissue samples collected from four local samango monkey populations across the Soutpansberg. We also included samples from an outlying population on the escarpment south of the mountain, the most likely historical migration route into the Soutpansberg. Our analyses showed that the Soutpansberg population is divided across the mountain and that genetic diversity within the Soutpansberg decreases with increasing distance to the escarpment population and from east to west. We found a lack of contemporary gene flow suggesting that the Soutpansberg population is completely isolated from the closest source population in the escarpment and that populations within the mountain range are isolated from each other. Based on our results we suggest that extensive anthropogenic changes to the landscape in the eastern Soutpansberg and distance between high canopy forest patches in the western Soutpansberg appear to have reduced the ability of samango monkeys to disperse between sampling areas. Overall, we found that natural and anthropogenic fragmentation and geographical distance are potential drivers for the observed population genetic differentiation and that the matrix surrounding forests and its suitability for samango utilisation plays a role at the local scale. In this chapter we conclude that the degree of samango monkey population subdivision and the apparent lack of contemporary migration between populations raises concerns about the long-term viability of populations across the mountain range. Having identified road fatalities as the main direct anthropogenic threat samango monkeys are exposed to when utilizing the matrix, we further investigated this issue in more detail in Chapter 4. Here we aimed to get a better understanding of where roadkills most likely occur and how to mitigate these through using suitable canopy overpasses. As road fatalities threaten primate populations globally, we used the samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis) as a model species to test the suitability of two different canopy bridge designs through field experimentation and behavioural data collection for arboreal guenon roadkill mitigation. Analysis of actual roadkill data collected in the study area provided insights into the nature of high-risk localities. We showed that canopy overpasses are a viable intervention for mitigating arboreal guenon road fatalities, reducing the probability that monkeys will cross a road on the ground. Samango monkeys clearly preferred a pole bridge over a rope ladder design and canopy bridges were preferred to trees and the ground when the tree canopy was open. Pole bridges were also used by other non-guenon primates and non-primate species. We showed that although samango road kills were not predictable in time (no seasonality), adult female and immature fatalities were predictable in space, restricted to bisected riparian zones and roads close to intact forests. We further found that adult male road fatalities can be expected in seemingly unsuitable habitat areas. This chapter highlights the importance of the correct interpretation of spatial, temporal and demographic data on road fatalities and how experimental research prior to installing crossing structures could increase mitigation impact. In Chapter 5 we investigate the regional phylogeography of samango monkeys, providing a deeper understanding into their evolutionary history in repeatedly fragmented forest habitat due to paleoclimatic fluctuations. Here we used mtDNA and microsatellite data obtained from tissue samples from a coastal population (Vamizi Island) in Mozambique and compared this to existing data from South Africa. The additional analysis of Mozambique animals allowed us to further test the number and timing of radiation events of Cercopithecus monkeys in southern Africa. In this chapter we propose the occurrence of a single, north-south radiation event during the midPleistocene along the Afromontane forest belt and that after the Last Glacial Maximum, samango populations re-radiated into (re)established coastal forests on a more local scale. Taking the findings from all chapters together we provide overall conclusions and conservation and management recommendations in Chapter 6. Here we also include interview data to give insights into public perceptions of samango monkeys and possible human-primate conflicts as we consider this an important aspect of conservation planning. In this final chapter we conclude that although samango monkeys appear comparatively adaptable to changes in the matrix surrounding their forest habitat, direct threats and forest patch isolation by distance may pose risks to populations in future. We advocate that conservation and management strategies aimed at the longterm persistence of the samango monkey populations and their forest habitat across the Soutpansberg should be formulated separately for the eastern and western parts of the mountain range as differing landscape variables pose different threats to forest and samango monkeys, thus requiring separate conservation and management approaches. We further recommend explicit mention of distinct management requirements for maternal groups and lone or bachelor group males to achieve a holistic conservation approach for samango monkey populations on the landscape scale. Findings of our study are not only relevant for samango monkey populations in the Soutpansberg but also for populations elsewhere in South Africa and southern Africa generally where forests and samango monkeys share the same paleohistory and current anthropogenic threats.
NRF

Thesis (M.Sc. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018
Microalbuminuria (MA) is considered to be a strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cross sectional studies have indicated that microalbuminuria is also associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidaemia and low grade inflammation. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of microalbuminuria with serum lipids [Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol (LDL-C), Lipoprotein a (Lp (a)] and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6)] in a rural black population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site and quantitative methods were used. The present study is part of a study titled “Prevention, control and integrated management of chronic diseases in a rural area, South Africa” conducted in the Department of Medical Sciences, University of Limpopo. In the above study blood samples were collected from 816 people aged 15 years and above. For the present study participants with HIV, macroalbuminuria, creatinine ≥170 μmol/land diabetes mellitus were excluded from the 816 people. Six hundred and two (602) participants fitted the inclusion criteria of the present study. Of the 602 participants 255 were men and 377 were women. From these participants, creatinine and albumin concentrations were measured in a morning spot urine sample and the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) was calculated. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using OMRON M5-I. Serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C) and glucose were determined using ILAB 300 plus. Lp (a) and hs-CRP were determined using IMMAGE 800 Immunochemistry System. Insulin and IL-6 were determined using ACCESS 2 Chemistry System. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical tests used included Student T-test, ANCOVA, ANOVA, linear regression and logistic regression. Results: The levels of serum lipids and inflammatory markers in this study were similar in participants with and without microalbuminuria. In a linear regression model TG was the only lipid vi | P a g e parameter found to be associated with microalbuminuria (p = 0.018). Inflammatory markers were not associated with microalbuminuria. In a logistic regression model CRP and HDL-C showed negative association with microalbuminuria in men while in women no association was found. However men with a high CRP and a high TG were found to be more likely to have microalbuminuria (p = 0.007). Conclusion: A linear positive association was observed between microalbuminuria and TG in men and in women. The OR of having microalbuminuria was lower in participants with a high CRP, low HDL-C or in women with a high glucose. Women with a low HDL-C had higher OR of having MA and men with a high CRP and a high TG were found to be more likely to have microalbuminuria.

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2010
The Department of health, Limpopo province in recent years has developed eye care services in public hospitals. It is reckoned that people living in the rural areas would benefit significantly from the cheaper public eye care services. However, the level of utilization of the public eye care services by the rural communities in the province has not been investigated. It was therefore, considered of interest to evaluate whether or not the services are being utilized adequately or not. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the public eye care services in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province are adequately utilized by the rural population. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional qualitative survey study design was used. A questionnaire with 42 questions on the utilization of eye care services was developed in English, translated to Northern Sotho (the local dialect) and back translated to ensure veracity. The questionnaire included questions on demography, knowledge of available eye care services, need for eye care services, utilization, attitude and perception of public eye care services. The questionnaire was field-tested in a pilot study conducted prior to the study and involves 20 participants, with final amendments made to ensure clarity of contents. The participants included males and females from 1000 households in selected 38 villages. The questionnaire was delivered to the head of each household for completion. Data analysis was done with computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 15. Results are presented in narrative and tabular forms and as figures.

In order to provide accurate methods for stature estimations, ancestry differences and secular changes in stature and limb proportions need to be noted. Stature and limb proportion changes in human population groups are influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ancestry differences and secular changes in stature and limb proportions of South African population groups and to assess how these variables differ between individuals from southern and northern hemispheres. The sample comprised of osteometric and anthropometric data from modern black and white South Africans (17 and 68 years), North American and white European (Dutch and Swiss) populations. The sample was divided into birth cohorts of 5 years or 10 years to observe secular trends. Ancestry differences and secular trends in stature and limb proportions between South African population groups were compared. Also, differences and secular trends in stature and limb proportions were compared between white North American and European groups to determine whether differences exist between the southern and northern hemisphere groups. Additionally, the differences in stature between black and white South African and North American groups were compared. It was found that white South Africans were significantly taller than their black South African counterparts. Significant positive secular trends in stature were observed in black South African males while non-significant increases were observed in white South African males and white and black South African females. The secular trends in European samples are significantly greater than those observed in white South African males. Black South African groups had greater limb and distal limb lengths than white South African groups. Proximal limb ratios increased while the distal limb ratios decreased which suggests that regression formulae to estimate stature need to be regularly updated. The upper limb ratio and arm ratios were significantly higher in white South African groups compared to white North American groups. Secular changes are constantly taking place due to a combination of various factors such as climate, nutrition. Overall, secular changes in limb proportions indicate a trend where South African groups are becoming more similar to each other.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Anatomy
PhD
Unrestricted

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017
The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the effects of migration on municipal planning using the case of the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province. The research derives its origin from the notion that municipal planning, which does not consider population dynamics, is incomplete. Municipalities in South Africa are mandated to provide services to community members within their jurisdiction with limited available resources. To achieve this municipalities are expected to develop plans, referred to as Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). The IDPs are informed by various aspects for their completeness, namely: alignment with the national development perspective and consideration of population dynamics. The research was designed to explore the experience and understanding of municipal officials who are responsible for planning activities in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality and the manner in which migration affects such municipal planning. This qualitative research employed a phenomenological method as the most appropriate to capture the perspective, understanding and experiences of individuals who were differently involved in migration and municipal planning processes. The research revealed how migration affects planning within municipal invironment in South Africa by using the experiences of municipal officials who are involved in planning activities in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality. Among others,the research revealed the following findings, namely; (1) Migration in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality is caused by several factors such job opportunities in the mines, better services in towns and townships among others,(2) the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality does not consider migration during community consultation processes, needs prioritisation and resource allocation, (3) the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality does not have effectivemigration data management system, (4) there is a lack of co-operation between the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality with otherspheres of government which are responsible for migration management, (5) Powers and functions delegated to the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality inhibit migration management and municipal planning and (6)there is sufficient legislative framework regulating migration management and inter-governmental relations in South Africa, however there is no implementation of such legislative framework by government officials. iii The overall experience of participants with regard to migration and municipal planning generally confirms findings of previous researches (Blase & Landau, 2014; Hofisi, 2014; Netswera & Phago, 2011) who for example, argue that migration is not taken into consideration during municipal decision making processes, need prioritisation and resource allocation. However, unlike the findings in previous researches (Friedementle & Misago, 2014; Mpehle, 2014) which highlight that municipal officials have negative attitudes towards migration this research revealed that municipal officials in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality appreciate migrants. Municipal officials interviewed in this research appreciate migration and the challenges it poses to the municipality. Furthermore, contrary to what some reports highlight, participants in this research did not experience xenophobic attacks in the area despite the high prevalence of migration. Participants recommended that more powers and functions such as provision of water, electricity, migration management and others should be devolved to local municipalities as the sphere closest to the people. Participants further recommended that a dedicated research unit be institutionalised within municipalities to collect data which will supplement those of Statistics South Africa, and that other spheres of government should co-operate and capacitate local municipalities. This qualitative research is significant because the data gathered were analysed to develop themes which provide insight into how migration affects municipal planning, which planners in municipal environment can learn from and apply. It also contributes to a growing body of scholarly work and provides a conduit for future studies concerning the central phenomena - migration and municipal planning. This is vital, given the increasing pressure exerted by migration on municipalities and their limited resources.

M. Tech.
Fusarium species are common contaminants of maize and are also capable of producing mycotoxins, in particular the fumonisin. These are implicated in animal and human mycotoxins fumonisin B1 (FB1) for example, has been associated in the aetiology of oesophageal cancer in South Africa and other parts of the world, i.e., China and Iran. Because maize is the staple diet of the South African rural population, this study was designed with the aim of monitoring Fusarium spp. and FB1 in the food of rural people of Venda, Limpopo province of South Africa, during the course of processing maize into porridge which gave a means of estimating dietary exposure to this mycotoxin. Measurement of fumonisin in the excreta of these people allowed a determine of the extent to which FB1 the body is actually exposed to the mycotoxin.Fumonisin B1 has been identified as a major fungal contaminant on maize, especially in the home grown crops intended for human consumption. Thus the rural population of Limpopo Province is at high risk from FB1 exposure and it is therefore of importance to assess this exposure by the analysis of suitable samples.It can be seen that levels of FB1 in maize from Venda are quite high, as several of these samples had exceeded levels above 1750 μg/kg as recommended as maximum tolerance levels by theEuropean Commission. It is equally seen that a much higher proportion of this mycotoxin was destroyed by processing maize to porridge. And because porridge and other maize-based products are usually consumed on a daily basis, the low levels found in the present study must not be under-estimated, as such levels may accumulate over time and cause more severe chronic effects in humans. When setting daily tolerable levels of FB1 in foods in South Africa, it is imperative to take into account the food habits, especially those within the rural communities

Les troubles musculo-squelettiques du membre supérieur (TMS-MS) peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur l'autonomie d’une personne. À ce jour, il n’existe pas d’outils en français évaluant les limitations d'activités et les restrictions de participation, disposant de bonnes propriétés métrologiques et d'applicabilité dans un contexte clinique marqué par des contraintes de temps. L’Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI), qui présente de bonnes qualités métrologiques et applicabilité clinique adéquate, s'avère un outil intéressant pour les ergothérapeutes de par son approche centrée sur la personne. Toutefois, il n'était disponible qu'en anglais et en espagnol. La présente recherche, constituée de deux études, visait à adapter l’ULFI à la population canadienne française et à évaluer ses propriétés métrologiques et son applicabilité clinique. La première étude a examiné sa cohérence interne, sa validité convergente et son applicabilité clinique auprès de 50 patients bilingues atteints de TMS-MS. La seconde étude visait à analyser sa fidélité test-retest et sa sensibilité au changement auprès de 60 patients francophones. Les résultats ont révélé que l'ULFI-CF possède des propriétés métrologiques solides : une cohérence interne élevée (α de Cronbach = 0,93), une excellente fidélité test-retest (CCI = 0,87-0,95), une excellente validité convergente (r = 0,70-0,85) et une sensibilité au changement de bonne à excellente (tailles d'effet = 0,49-0,88 et r = 0,64 pour la section 1). L'ULFI-CF démontre également une bonne applicabilité clinique. En conclusion, l’ULFI-CF s’avère un outil pertinent pour les cliniciens œuvrant auprès d’une clientèle canadienne française souffrant d'un TMS-MS dans un contexte clinique marqué par des contraintes de temps.
Upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (UL-MSD) can negatively impact on patients' autonomy. There are no existing outcome measures available in French to assess activity limitations and participation restrictions caused by UL-MSD that have sound metrological properties and are applicable in a clinical context where clinicians have limited assessment time for each patient. The Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI), having good metrological qualities and clinical applicability, is a relevant tool for clinicians since it promotes a patient-centered approach. However, the tool was only available in English and Spanish until now. This research project included two studies and aimed at adapting the ULFI to the French Canadian population and to assess the metrological properties of the adapted version (ULFI-FC) and its clinical applicability. The first study examined its internal consistency, convergent validity and clinical applicability among 50 bilingual patients with UL-MSD. The second study aimed to analyse its test-retest reliability and responsiveness among 60 French-speaking patients. The findings revealed that the ULFI-FC possesses sound metrological properties: a high internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.93 for Part 1), an excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87-0.95), an excellent convergent validity (r = 0.70-0.85), and good to excellent responsiveness (effect size = 0.49-0.88; and r = 0.64 for Part 1), as well as good clinical applicability in a context where assessment time devoted to each patient is limited. In conclusion, the ULFI-CF is a relevant and attractive tool assessing activity limitations and participation restrictions for clinicians working with French Canadian UL-MSD patients in a busy clinical setting.

Spatial, temporal and population dynamics have influenced learner enrolments in Vhembe District primary schools in Limpopo, South Africa. Vhembe District primary schools have in recent years experienced closure of some of its primary schools due to declining learner enrolments. The dynamics of demographic factors such as migration, fertility and mortality cause fluctuations in the school-age population over time and across space. Poor economic development, the location of the district and the spatial distribution of primary schools make the situation in this rural-based district even more complex. The communities of Vhembe District are discontent about the state of affairs in the area regarding the provision of education and the closure of schools. The closure of schools destabilises the social cohesion amongst members of the community and disempowers them, while inadequate provision of primary school education makes them feel neglected and robbed of their constitutional right. This study investigated the causes of declining learner enrolment and the effect of the closure of schools on the communities. To achieve the objectives data came from questionnaires at household level and from interviews conducted with educators, circuit managers, officials in the Limpopo Education Department and traditional leaders. The study found that declining fertility and out-migration from the area are responsible for a declining school-age population. This is the reality and the communities of Vhembe District will have to live with it because overall learner enrolments continue to decline. Lack of a planning model in the former Venda territory led to an over-supply of primary schools thus schools in close proximity had to compete for learners. Poorly equipped schools and general development of the area exacerbate the problem and some members of the community perceive education in this district to be inferior. Younger economically active people are increasingly moving to places with better opportunities. This study offers some recommendations to alleviate the problems identified in Vhembe District. Application of a geographical approach to an adaptive strategy considers the natural environment in political, social and economic context. It suggests that education authorities could apply such a strategy to make the schools in rural areas more sustainable
Geography
D. Phil. (Geography)

This study contributed to the existing body of literature on the economics of smallholder livestock systems and management of conflicts between livelihood objectives of local livestock farming communities and neighbouring conservation parks in the presence of animal disease transmission such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Published literature on the economics of animal disease and its control focused on a small number of developed countries, concentrating on the economic impact of animal disease on the commercial farming sector and neglecting the plight of small-scale farmers. Limiting economic analysis of animal disease to the commercial farming sector implies that the economic impact of animal disease on small-scale farmers is considered similar. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of the population is poor and depends on smallholder agricultural activities such as livestock farming for its livelihood, analysis of the economic consequences of animal disease on small-scale producers is therefore badly needed. This study investigated ways to better manage the trade-offs between keeping buffalo in the Kruger National Park (KNP) for the sake of conservation and for their recreational value and the livelihood objectives of the cattle farmers who have to contend with the transmission of FMD. Furthermore, the study assessed the factors associated with cattle herd size in the study area in order to understand the underlying reasons, challenges and opportunities for the farming community in keeping livestock. A negative binomial regression model was applied to analyse determinants of cattle ownership (eg cattle herd size) in the study area. The results of the analysis indicated that, contrary to the popular belief that rural households in developing countries own large herds of livestock for social reasons, the majority of communal livestock farmers in the study area kept livestock for economic/commercial reasons. However, limited access to marketing channels was found to be a major constraint on keeping large herds. Moreover, livestock farmers owning large herds experienced higher losses due to theft and mortality associated with diseases or predation. Given the fact that farmers in the study area keep livestock for economic reasons, but face constant challenges due to losses associated with livestock diseases, including FMD transmitted from infected buffalo from the KNP, the control of FMD could enhance the livelihood of this livestock farming community. A bio-economic model was accordingly developed to assess trade-offs between wildlife conservation and the livelihood objectives of the small-scale farmers dealing with FMD transmission (negative externality) from buffalo to cattle populations. The theoretical model was solved using optimal control techniques to evaluate the trade-off between keeping buffalo in the park and the economic impact on the livelihood objectives of the cattle farmers in the presence of the negative externality of FMD transmission. Three different scenarios, namely (1) a conservation scenario with no unified resource management policy, (2) a social planner scenario and (3) a no-disease scenario, were compared. In the model formulation it is assumed that the stock of buffalo influences the size and the composition of cattle herds through disease transmission, and ultimately the benefit and livelihood of cattle farmers, but not vice versa. Accordingly, while the conservation agency can optimise its situation without being influenced by the harvest and the cattle holding of the farmers, farmers must adjust their harvest and stocks to the stock size of buffalos. In contrast, the social planner scenario takes into consideration the interest of both agents and a socially optimal resource management policy is achieved. Analytical study results show that when the social planner allocates common resources, benefits to the farmers increase compared to the conservation scenario. While culling of buffalo is not currently practised at the park, analytical study results demonstrated that culling would be beneficial to farmers if practised in the KNP. Results of the empirical simulation analyses also confirm that when culling of buffalo is implemented, the unified management scheme (social planner scenario) would yield fewer buffalo and less disease transmission (hence fewer infected cattle), as well as higher overall economic benefits than the pure conservation scenario. An important implication of the study findings is the great potential for economic policy to enhance the welfare of smallholder cattle farmers in the country. Investment in farmers’ education and awareness of new technological innovations, appropriate measures and practices in breeding and veterinary services are proposed to be critical for improving small livestock farmers’ welfare. In addition, the study also proposes policy interventions to improve access to marketing channels and information and increased public investment in efficient game-proof fences that will effectively deter wildlife from escaping from game parks to come into contact with adjacent communal livestock, as well as more effective protection measures against theft. Results of the sensitivity analyses indicate that overall, higher benefits would be achieved when intervention measures contributing to a reduction in the proportion of buffalo that escape from the park, as well as a reduction in cattle-to-cattle transmission, are introduced simultaneously. However, comparing the two measures, investing more in preventing infection among cattle populations through quarantine and vaccination programmes would yield higher benefits to the farmers compared to decreasing FMD transmission from buffalo to cattle populations through culling of buffalos and/or increased investment in maintenance of the fence. Thus, the main policy implication of this study involves weighing up the costs and benefits of the two intervention measures. While this study assessed the impact of these interventions on farmers’ livelihood, the costs of such intervention measures were not considered, which represents a gap requiring further future research work. This study is the first to use bio-economic modelling to examine the impact of FMD on small-scale farmers within the wildlife-livestock interface in a developing economy. The model developed in this study is widely applicable to many other similar situations where transmission of animal disease from wildlife populations poses serious threats to the livelihood of small-scale livestock farmers. In addition, the policy interventions proposed in the study contribute to the search for feasible management solutions and policy measures for balancing the trade-off between environmental and economic benefits from keeping wildlife and the livelihood objectives of small-scale farmers living adjacent to conservation areas. Nonetheless, this study has limitations ranging from the simplified assumptions made to the availability of suitable data. Firstly, the optimisation model treats farmers as a homogeneous group, whereas in reality the impact in terms of benefits and costs will differ across various farmer groups depending among others on location and distance to the park. The model also incorporates non-market variables such as social status attached to cattle ownership and tourist value attached to buffalo viewing, which will require better valuation methods than the overly simplified assumptions made in this study. In addition, while the study quantifies the economic benefits of proposed FMD control measures, it does not assess the cost of such measures. While the construction of proper fencing can be expensive, there are other instruments that can be implemented to reduce the transmission between wildlife and livestock. For example, a tax on the entrance fee can be imposed, which may be used for maintaining the fence around the park.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
lk2014
Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
PhD
Unrestricted

MSc (Zoology)
Department of Zoology
Mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina Westwood) is an indigenous edible insect that periodically has population eruptions in Mopane tree (Colosphermum mopane) dominated vegetation. This insect is a valuable source of food and has become an economic commodity for commercial harvesters. Despite its importance, little is known of the population dynamics of mopane worm. Considerable attention has been paid to the nutritional and social dimensions of mopane worm consumption. However, anecdotal evidence suggests there is a decline in the spatial extent of their distribution due to unsustainable utilization, land transformation, and commercialization. This is paralleled with a decrease of harvest yield, thereby affecting local communities, commercial harvesting operations, and market product availability. Partial domestication of this species may be a way of ensuring sustainable and reliable utilization of this edible insect because it improves natural survival rates. Here I explore mopane worm ecology by mainly focusing on understanding spatial structuring and the role of domestication in the development of sustainable harvest techniques of Mopane worms (G. belina). Spatial structuring of mopane worms was investigated at both a fine (10m x 10m) and medium-scale (1 km2) at sites with and without commercial harvesting. Mopane worm populations were experimentally treated through transplant experiments and manipulating access of predators to 1st – 3rd instar larvae. The role of tree characteristics (height, canopy volume and number of stems) on both spatial and experimental treatments were explored using generalized linear mixed models. Moran’s Eigenvector Maps (MEM’s) were used to represent spatial structures at various scales and the role of soil. Relative to control, seeding of worms was successful in establishing new populations in unoccupied areas while transplant and application of sleeve nets had no significant effect on larval survival. Populations at sites where no harvesting takes place were spatially structured, while this was not true where commercial harvesting takes place. Canopy volume also accounted for egg packets distribution although the relationship was ambiguous. The density of larvae increased with an increase in sodium concentration in soil. Seeding of the population provides a viable option for the sustainable utilization of mopane worms and educating people on how to domesticate mopane worms. This study also highlights that populations of mopane worms are not only clumped in time but also in space and at various spatial scales.
NRF

South Africa is at present encountering one of the worst Tuberculosis (TB) epidemics in the world, accentuating the need for intervention to eradicate TB. Various studies have established that certain population groups are at risk for increased susceptibility to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). This predominantly occurs in populations, like the native African population groups, who were not exposed to TB until the disease arrived in their country with European settlers, colonialists and missionaries. These population groups consequently lack the natural resistance to infection, which other populations developed through years of exposure to the pathogen. Several susceptibility-associated genetic polymorphisms have been proposed to explain differential susceptibility to TB. HLA class II molecules play a pivotal role in the activation of the host immune response against M. tuberculosis. Consequently numerous HLA class II genes have been found to be associated with TB. Among the most commonly observed associations is that of HLA-DR2 with TB, which has been observed in various population groups. Although this association has been observed to transcend ethnic barriers, inter-population variation has also been established regarding HLA-TB associations. In this study, the possible association of HLA class II polymorphisms, specifically of the HLA-DRB1, DQB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 loci, with TB susceptibility was investigated in the Venda population of South Africa. This was achieved by conducting both a case-control and family-based association study. The results obtained in this study established a unique association between HLA-DRB1*1302, DQ7 and TB susceptibility. A marginally significant association was also observed with DRB1*1301 and DQ6d and possible TB resistance. The above-mentioned results, which were observed in the case-control group, could not be replicated in the family-based study. It was therefore concluded from the results obtained in this study that employing both a case-control and family-based analysis when undertaking an association study is the most beneficial option.
Prof. Liza Bornman

MENVSC
Department of Ecology and Resource Management
Rodents can quickly respond to land use changes whether the change positively or negatively influences their life. In the case of positive influence, rodents exploit the additional food resources and increase their numbers to potential pest level, especially in the absence of predators. Such a population increase can potentially be harmful to humans due to the diseases that rodents carry and the costs due to damage to crops, stored foods and personal possessions that they may cause to small holder farmers. Small holder farmers live in a mixed landscape that is constantly changing. Such changes are changes in land use and they do not only affect rodent population dynamics and species composition, but also their ecosystem services and integrity. Understanding how rodents respond to these land use changes (crop, grazing and settlement) will not only improve the implementation of Ecologically Based Rodent Management (EBRM), but might also enable the monitoring of ecosystem integrity. Rodent trapping was conducted in two different study sites which experience different rainfalls during wet and dry season. A 70 m x 70 m grid was set in three different land uses (crops, grazing and settlement) per study site. A mark-recapture technique was applied and all captures were processed on a temporal station on site. In all grids at a distance of 30 m a line of 20 snap traps were set. With the tapping effort of 1470 trap nights per season for both seasons in this study we captured 839 rodents and 2 shrews, which represented 469 individual rodents and 1 individual shrew. At Vyeboom, cropping land use had the highest number capture (210) and the highest in species richness (9) rodent species and 1 shrew. The settlement land use was second at 144 captures for 8 rodent species and lastly the grazing land use at 80 captures with 7 rodent species. On the other hand, at Ka-Ndengeza also cropping land use had the highest capture (186) with highest richness at 7 rodent species. When it comes to settlement and grazing, settlement was second (129) to cropping in terms of the number of capture but last in terms of richness (5) whilst grazing was last in terms of number of captures 92 and second in terms of richness (6). Despite the high diversity of rodents, only Mastomys natalensis, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, Steatomys pratensis and Rattus rattus were captured in meaningful sample sizes to allow for robust density estimation. Similarly there were strong seasonal effects on rodent captures, with almost no captures during the wet season.

The Central Limpopo River Valley elephant population is a cross border population on which very little scientific data pertaining to numbers, distribution and demographic status is available. The total range was determined using published literature, reports, postal questionnaires and interviews. Numbers and dry season distribution were determined by means of three total aerial counts in 2000, 2001 and 2004 of the sections of the total range in which elephants were reported. Totals of 1388, 1424 and 1339 were recorded with the highest numbers in all counts in the Botswana section of the study area. Four sub groups within the population were identified. Human settlements and the distribution of rivers and fencing appeared to be the major factors influencing distribution and movement. The population is highly mobile within the total range, and numbers fluctuate markedly in any given section, but numbers in the total range appear to have been increasing slowly at below 2% per annum and the range expanding slightly over the last 30 years. Additional range is being provided by the creation of a Trans Frontier Conservation Area. Movements were determined through ground observations within the study area and seem to follow the major rivers namely the Shashe, Ramokgwabane, Simukwe, Shashani, Tuli, Umzingwane and Limpopo rivers. The social and demographic status of the population was determined through ground observations as well as total aerial counts conducted within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve from 1976 to 2004. The study has shown that group sizes increase with an increase in rainfall (average mean group size of 56.524, SDE 77.388) and decrease during low rainfall periods (mean group size of 24.157, SDE 22.223). The age structure was determined from aerial photographs during August 2000 and showed a high percentage of adults and sub adults, with infants estimated at 3%. The approximate birth rate (1.5%) calculated for 2000 is balanced by an average natural mortality determined between 1999 and 2004 of 1.8%. The inter calf interval determined from known herds observed in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve was estimated at 3.94% and suggests that the long-term birth rate for the population should be higher than that for the year 2000. The difference between the combined natural and human induced mortality rates (~4%) and the birth rate suggested by the age structure and the inter calf interval (~6%) gives the ~2% long-term increase observed in the numbers. Human elephant interactions within the study area were determined through published literature and interviews with local residents. Elephants and humans interact in both a positive and negative manor and interactions are related to human land use practices within the area. Elephants were indicated as the major problem animal in farming areas, but the major draw card within tourism operations.
Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2008.
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

Despite a large prevalence of rotator cuff impingements or tears in the elderly population, little research has focused on understanding how this population adapts to perform tasks of daily living. Past research has focused on the analysis of upper limb kinematics of young healthy individuals while performing these essential tasks (Magermans, 2004, Murray and Johnson., 2004). The purpose of this thesis was to identify kinematic and shoulder loading differences between elderly mobile individuals and elderly individuals with rotator cuff impingements during specific activities of daily living. Motion capture techniques were used in combination with the Shoulder Loading Analysis Modules (Dickerson, 2005, Dickerson et al., 2007) to estimate thoracohumeral kinematics and calculate external joint moments. Two-tailed t-tests with injury status as the factor determined that differences in active range of motion in flexion/extension and humeral rotations existed between the two populations. Results of the ADL analysis showed that the impinged population tended to have decreased plane of elevation and humeral rotations during ADLs. Task was also a main factor for most variables examined. Perineal care, hair-combing and reaching tasks were the most demanding in terms of range of motion necessary to complete the task. The reaching tasks resulted in the highest shoulder moment. K-means clustering techniques proved to be unsuccessful in identifying different motion strategies between the two study groups. This investigation showed that developing adaptations for perineal care, hair-combing and reaching tasks should be considered a priority when working with patients with rotator cuff impingements, as these tasks demanded the largest ranges of motion as well as high shoulder moments.