Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Freedom Betrayed: NGOs and the Challenges of Neoliberal Developmentin the Post-Apartheid Era

This thesis explores transformations in South African NGOs in the Post-Apartheid era. It focuses on two areas in particular that are often neglected in the study of NGOs: auditing and partnerships are increasingly core activities of NGOs and impact on their logic of operation and their location in wider civil society. In applying a governmentality framework to the neoliberalisation of development in South Africa, this research investigates how development provides a context for governmental technologies and what forms of NGOs they produce. A multi-method, multi-sited research strategy was employed that included in-depth interviews, observation research and other ethnographic techniques. South Africa's democratic transition and subsequent funding crises gave birth to a new, more streamlined NGO model which can be characterised by flexibility, fluency in auditing techniques and the ability to maintain multisectoral partnerships. Partnerships transform the activities and values of NGOs and provide a crosssectoral context for the circulation of particular auditing technologies and types of expertise. Indeed, it is argued that the entanglement of NGOs in intersectoral spaces is not only heightened by the prevalence of the partnership agenda in global development and in the new South Africa's reconciliation project, but that NGO activity very much produces these kinds of intermeshing spaces. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is shown to be a key demand of partnerships, thus further reinforcing an audit culture. NGOs, by acting as experts and translators of these apparently mundane techniques to other civil society organisations (CSOs), actively shape practices of development and may come to substitute for civil society. There is continuity between the partnership practices by which - contrary to their emancipatory claims - NGOs become more strategically and structurally embedded in the neoliberal order, and their own governing of CSOs such as the country's strong social movements. It is contended that this is particularly dangerous given the vast developmental challenges facing South Africa and the deeply felt betrayal of freedom's promises by the majority population.
Behaviour and assessment of bioavailability of organic contaminants in soil: relevance for risk assessment and remediation

Abstract. Soils contaminated with organic chemicals are now widespread in industrialized and developing countries, and the risk assessment and remediation of such contaminated sites is a priority. However, containment and remediation strategies are complicated in many cases by the range of contaminants present and the historical nature of the contamination. Research has increased our understanding of the behaviour of organic contaminants in soil and the factors that control their behaviour. There is a fundamental need to understand and, where possible, quantify the bioavailable fraction as well as the total concentration of contaminant present in soil: the bioavailable fraction is key to toxicity or biodegradation. To quantify these fractions, a large number of techniques have been employed, ranging from organic and aqueous based solvent extractions to the use of biota. Many studies have been carried out investigating the use of chemical techniques to describe bioavailability, which could be used in the assessment and remediation of contaminated land. The aim of this review is to consider the behaviour of organic contaminants in soil, highlighting issues of bioavailability, and then to discuss the relevance of the various methods for assessing risk and potential remediation of organic contaminants in soil.
Modification of Alkanethiolate Self-Assembled Monolayers by Atomic Hydrogen: Influence of Alkyl Chain Length

The interaction of atomic hydrogen with four alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), octadecanethiolate, hexadecanethiolate, dodecanethiolate, and nonanethiolate, has been studied in situ, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic hydrogen reactions with gold−sulfur bonds result in sulfur desorption and the formation of new sulfur species within the film. The loss of sulfur from each SAM exhibits first-order kinetics with a rate constant that decreases with increasing alkyl chain length. This supports the idea that sulfur desorption is controlled by the diffusion of atomic hydrogen through the alkyl chains to the film/substrate interface. In the two shorter chain SAMs, sulfur and carbon desorption is rapid and concerted. This indicates that the modification of dodecanethiolate and nonanethiolate SAMs is dominated by desorption of intact adsorbate chains and alkyl sulfur fragments formed by atomic hydrogen reactions at the film/substrate interface. For octadecanethiolate and hexadecanethiolat.
Surface modification of polymer surfaces: atmospheric plasma versus vacuum plasma treatments

An atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma (APNEP) has been developed in the UK by EA Technology Ltd and is currently being investigated in collaboration with the University of Surrey. The main focus is the use of atmospheric pressure plasmas to modify the surfaces of commercially important polymers including polyolefins, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(methyl methacrylate). These surface modifications include surface cleaning and degreasing, oxidation, reduction, grafting, cross-linking (carbonization), etching and deposition. When trying to achieve targeted surface engineering, it is vital to gain an understanding of the mechanisms that cause these effects, for example, surface functionalization, adhesion promotion or multi-layer deposition. Hence comparisons between vacuum plasma treated surfaces have also been sought with a view to using the extensive vacuum plasma literature to gain further insight. In this paper, we will introduce the APNEP and compare the key characteristics of the plasma with those of traditional vacuum plasma systems before highlighting some of the surface modifications that can be achieved by using atmospheric plasma. Data from the analysis of treated polymers (by spectroscopy, microscopy and surface energy studies) and from direct measurements of the plasma and afterglow will be presented. Finally, our current understanding of the processes involved will be given, particularly those that are important in downstream surface treatments which take place remote from the plasma source.
Development of Instant Fermented Cereal-Legume Mix Using Pulsed Microwave Vacuum Drying

Cereal-legume-based instant fermented food (Dhokla) is one of the most popular, indigenous fermented foods of India. Central composite design (CCD) was used to conduct fermentation experiments and optimization was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of fermentation time (5.5–12.5 h), fermentation temperature (26.5–35.5°C), moisture content of batter (55–65% wb), and rice- to- bengal gram ratio (1.2–2.4) was evaluated with respect to total titratable acidity (TTA), total lactic count (TLC), firmness and overall acceptability scores (OAA) of steam-cooked Dhokla. The optimized condition for fermentation process was TTA 0.64 g mL−1, total lactic count 221.62 cfu g−1, firmness 146.35 g, and OAA score 6.82 at 12.5 h fermentation time, 26.5°C temperature, 65% moisture content of batter and 1.2 rice to bengal gram ratio. Further, the optimized fermented batter was dried by microwave vacuum using independent variables like thickness of batter (10–17 mm), microwave power density (3.5–10 W g−1), and pulsating ratio (1.3–2). The responses studied were bulk density, rehydration ratio, color difference (ΔE), and OAA score. The best combination was found with bulk density 1014.22 kg m−3, rehydration ratio 4.55, ΔE 9.57 and OAA score 6.88 at 17 mm thickness of batter, 10 W g−1 microwave power density, and 1.3 pulsating ratio.
Raman Spectroscopy Employed for the Determination of the Intermediate Phase in Polyethylene

The original work of Strobl and Hagedorn suggesting the presence of a third intermediate phase in semicrystalline polyethylene was revisited. The current study, involving the collection of Raman spectroscopic data on a set of 16 polyethylene samples recorded on two different types of instruments in two different laboratories and employing two different methods of curve fitting to both sets of experimental data, has revealed that the claims in the original paper cannot be asserted. The most important reason leading to this conclusion is a problem in correctly describing the complicated overlapping spectral structure in the 1000-1200 and 1400-1500 cm -1 spectral ranges. It is noted that the contribution of the melt in the 1000-1150 cm -1 range cannot be described by a single line centered around 1080 cm -1 . The present results indicate that the quantification of a third, intermediate, phase in polyethylene is not possible when based on standard Raman spectra
Nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion and proton relaxation studies of nonionic surfactant solutions. Aggregate shape in isotropic solutions above the clouding temperature

Dans certains systemes constitues d'eau et d'un agent de surface non ionique du type monoether d'alkyle d'oxyethylene, il existe une phase isotrope au-dessus du point de trouble. On mesure les coefficients d'autodiffusion de l'agent de surface et de l'eau (D 2 O) dans cette phase L 3 , dans des systemes contenant l'ether de lauryle du triethyleneglycol ou du tetraethylene glycol, par spectroscopie RMN. On etudie, aussi, l'existence et la forme des agregats
Stress and strain state investigation of soft defects on thin steel plate using experimental and numerical methods

In all branches of industry, especially in power-engineering, thin wall steel structures are extensively used. Land vertical cylindrical steel tanks are very popular ex-amples of such structures. Manufacture and assembling of these structures are usually accompanied by the deviations from a perfect cylindrical form. Therefore, exact evaluation of real local imperfections and common deviations from the analytical model of the tank is very important for such potentially dangerous structures.The main objectives of the presented investiga-tions are: to describe some results of experiments of thin plates with a defect; to identify stress and strain state by using the finite element method; to make the comparison between experimental results and FEM results. The final remarks and conclusions have been presented.
Self-efficacy as a predictor of alcohol use among students at a University In Botswana

Worldwide, harmful alcohol use by college or university students is a public health concern. Many students in colleges and universities indulge in excessive alcohol use, which, in turn, adversely impacts on their health and diminishes opportunities to realise their full potentials. This study assessed the influence of self-efficacy on alcohol use among students at a university in Botswana. The study utilised data from a cross-sectional survey of 266 young adults (age=20.40; SD=20.10; 18-25) enrolled at a university in Botswana. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and regression analyses were performed to assess socio-demographic characteristics, sub-population differences, and the extent to which self-efficacy predicted alcohol use. Forty-six per cent of respondents (n=124) use alcohol, 40 per cent (n=49) of whom were hazardous users. Female students were younger, used less alcohol, and were more self-efficacious than their male peers. The female gender [β = 0.15, 95% (CI: 0.01, 0.28)] and the social [β = -0.24, 95% (CI: -0.45, -0.09)] and substance use [β = -0.35, 95% (CI: -0.45, -0.09)] domains of self-efficacy significantly and uniquely predicted alcohol use. University management and healthcare providers should target self-efficacy as a potential strategy to reduce alcohol abuse and enhance self-care among young adults. Self-efficacy as a strategy empowers young adults to manage their alcohol use better than an authoritarian model of managing alcohol abuse by employed by university authorities. The empowerment model shifts power to the young adults, thus enabling them to think critically, take control of their lives, creates awareness and allows them to make their own decisions based on health literacy and self-care behaviours. Keywords: self-efficacy, alcohol use, students, Botswana
Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) as Influenced by Boron Application in Boron-Deficient Calcareous Soils of Punjab

Boron (B) plays an important role in influencing nutrient uptake from soil to plant system. The present study was planned to determine the influence of B application on yield and nutrient uptake in green gram in B-deficient calcareous soils. Three soils with calcium carbonate contents of 0.8 (soil I), 2.1 (soil II), and 4.6 (soil III) percent were collected from different sites of Ludhiana and Bhatinda Districts, Punjab, India. The treatments comprised four levels of soil-applied B (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 mg B kg−1) and two levels of foliar applied B (0.1 and 0.2 percent borax solution) along with the control (no B application). The experiment was laid out in factorial design with three replications. Soil-applied B had more influence on mean dry-matter yield whereas foliar applied B affected mean grain yield. Among all of the soil-applied B, 0.5 mg kg−1 level was the best treatment, whereas 0.1 percent borax solution was best for foliar applied B. No significant variation was observed among the best soil and foliar treatments. Boron contents in stem, leaves, and grains increased significantly with increase in B application. Soil applied B had significant impact on nutrient uptake up to 0.5 mg B kg−1 level both in straw and grains. There was a synergistic effect of B application on phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake whereas an antagonistic impact was observed for nitrogen (N) uptake. There was a nonsignificant effect on nutrient uptake in both straw and grains up to 5 percent of B calcium carbonate in soil. The combined effect of B and soils had a significant effect on nutrient uptake up to the 0.5 mg B kg−1 level for soil-applied B and 0.1 percent borax solution for foliar applied B.
Ethanol Gas Sensing Mechanism in ZnO Nanowires: An ab Initio Study

Solid-state nanostructured gas sensors based on oxide materials play an important role in environmental monitoring, chemical process control, and personal safety. Yet, the underlying operating mechanism is still not well comprehended, while a deeper understanding would possibly lead to the engineering of sensing elements with enhanced sensitivities. Here we present ab initio density functional theory calculations that provide a comprehensive description of the ethanol sensing mechanism for ZnO nanowires: our results reveal that the competitive adsorption at the nanostructure surfaces between the analyte and the oxygen molecules present in the atmosphere induces a switching in surface conductance between semiconducting and conducting behavior that is related to the ethanol concentration and can be detected electronically, thus disclosing the sensing mechanism.
Complex-Forming Polyoxyethylene: Poly(acrylic acid) Interpenetrating Polymer Networks III. Swelling and Mechanochemical Behavior

Potentiometric titration, swelling and mechanochemical behavior were studied on complex-forming polyoxyethylene (POE): poly(acrylic acid) (PPA) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) having equimolar composition. In the IPN, POE associates with PAA at low pH through hydrogen bonding between acidic hydrogens and ether oxygens, but dissociates at high pH. The value of pK is lowest for PAA homopolymer, and increases in the order: equimolar POE: PAA complex, the semi-IPN in which only PAA is crosslinked, and the full-IPN in which both components are crosslinked, reflecting difference in their interpenetrating network structures. The degree of swelling of the full-IPN is dependent on pH with a maximum at pH=9 and decreases with increasing ionic strength. The swelling-deswelling and mechanochemical reactions proceed reversibly for the full-IPN, but irreversibly for the semi-IPN upon changing pH. The mechanochemical reaction of the full-IPN involves at least two distinct processes: One related to reversible association and dissociation of the POE: PAA complex, and the other to viscoelastic creep and recovery of the IPN structure.
Relative Reaktionsgeschwindigkeiten der Maleinsäureanhydrid-Addition an Kohlenwasserstoffe der Perylen- und 1.12-Benzperylen-Reihe

Die relativen Reaktionsgeschwindigkeiten [bez. auf 1.12-Benzperylen (1)] der Maleinsaureanhydrid-Addition an die Kohlenwasserstoffe 3 und 6–9 wurden bei Anwesenheit von Chloranil als Dehydrierungsmittel gemessen. Die Werte lassen sich mit einer auf der Basis eines modifizierten HMO-Verfahrens abgeleiteten Maszahl fur den Dien-Charakter der Kohlenwasserstoffe korrelieren. Relative Reaction Rates of the Maleic Anhydride Addition to Hydrocarbons of the Perylene and 1.12-Benzoperylene Series The relative reaction rates [compared with 1.12-benzoperylene (1)] of the maleic anhydride addition to the hydrocarbons 3 and 6–9 have been measured in the presence of chloranil as dehydrogenating agent. The results can be correlated with a character order for the diene character of the hydrocarbons which has been obtained on the basis of a modified HMO method.
Evolved Gas Analysis by Mass Spectrometry

Abstract The analytical applications of the evolved gas analyses (EGAs) performed by mass spectrometry for the period extending from 2005 to 2010 are collected in this review. By EGA, the nature of volatile products released by a substance subjected to a controlled temperature program are determined on-line, with the possibility to prove a supposed reaction either under isothermal or under heating conditions.
Phase separation induced by a chain polymerization: Polysulfone-modified epoxy/anhydride systems

The reaction-induced phase separation in a blend of a commercial polysulfone (PSu) with diepoxide-cyclic anhydride monomers, was studied. The diepoxide was based on diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and the hardener was methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA), used in stoichiometric proportion. Benzyldimethylamine (BDMA) was used as initiator. PSu had no influence on the polymerization kinetics, the gel conversion, and the overall heat of reaction per epoxy equivalent. A kinetic model including initiation, propagation, and termination steps was used to estimate the distribution of linear and branched species in the first stages of the chain-wise copolymerization. This distribution, together with the PSu distribution, were taken into account in a thermodynamic model of the blend. The interaction parameter was fitted from experimental determinations of conversions at the start of phase separation, obtained under different conditions. The thermodynamic model was used to explain the complex morphologies developed in materials containing different PSu concentrations as well as their dynamic mechanical response. The shift in glass transition temperatures was explained by the fractionation of different species during the phase separation process. Phase inversion produced a significant decrease of the elastic modulus in the glassy state and a thermoplastic-like behavior of the material in the rubbery region. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1349–1359, 1998
Kinetics of primary product formation from wood pyrolysis

Weight loss curves of thin layers (150 μm) of beech wood powder, measured for heating rates of 1000 K/min and final temperatures in the range 573−708 K, show final char yields of 37−11%. The process is kinetically controlled and, for the most part, isothermal. A one-step global reaction, with E = 141.2 ± 15.8 kJ/mol and ln A = 22.2 ± 2.9 s-1, is a degradation mechanism capable of capturing the main features of the process. The thermogravimetric curves also allow the formation rate constants to be estimated for char and total volatiles (activation energies of 111.7 ± 14.3 and 148.6 ± 17.4 kJ/mol, respectively) and, once integrated byproduct distribution, those for liquids and gases (activation energies of 148 ± 17.2 and 152.7 ± 18.2 kJ/mol, respectively). A comparison is provided with pyrolysis mechanisms available in the literature.
Determination of styrene in olive oil by coevaporation, cold trap, and GC/MS/SIM

A new procedure to determine styrene in olive oil, a simulant of fatty food, is presented. The method is bred on the coevaporation of styrene with a solvent of low boiling point at 90 o C. The vapors obtained are condensed in a frozen syringe, and this liquid is injected in GC/MS/SIM mode. The method hr been validated using deuterated styrene (d s ) and α-methylstyrene as internal standards. The detection limit is 10 μg/kg with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 5% for 50 μg/kg styrene in olive oil
The Synthesis and Evaluation of Some New Quinazolones as Antioxidant Additives for Egyptian Lubricating Oils

4-(4-oxo-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-2-yl)phenyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonate 2 was prepared and reacted with some nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles. The prepared products were evaluated as antioxidant and corrosion inhibitors for gasoline lubricating oil in which compounds, 4-(3-amino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)phenyl-4-methylbenzene sulfonate 12, 4-(3-(3-chloro-2-oxo-4-phenylazetidin-1-yl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)phenyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate 14, 4-(4-oxo-3-(4-oxo-2-phenylthiazolidin-3-yl)-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)phenyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate 15, and 4-(3-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)phenyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate 18 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. It was interesting also to study the effect of concentration of additive 15 to find the optimum concentration recommended to be used, 0.1 g for 1 L oil of additive 15 was the more effective concentration to be used. Also, measurements of thermal analyses were carried out.
Effect of processing methods on antinutrients in selected leafy vegetables

The effect of different processing methods on the reduction of selected anti-nutrients in ‘Ewuro’ (Vernonia amygdalina), ‘Igbo’ (Solanum macrocarpon), ‘Ugwu’ (Talferia occidentalis) and ‘Utazi’ (Marsdenia latifolium) was assessed. The treatments/processing methods used for the assessment were T1(Squeezing vegetable with salt and water only), T2(Hot water blanching with salt only) T3(Squeezing with salt, palm oil and water) and T4(Heating with potash and water only). Results obtained indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in all the anti-nutrients of all the selected vegetables. For oxalate, saponin, tannin and phytate respectively : ‘Ewuro’- 75.36mg/g, 0.079%, 27.33mg/g and 55.24 mg/g, ‘Igbo’- 84.78mg/g, 0.065%, 23.85mg/g and 58.81 mg/g, ‘Utazi’ - 95.36mg/g, 0.092%, 19.67mg/g and 53.20mg/g, Ugwu - 75.81mg/g, 0.057%, 21.05mg/g and 60.80mg/g. Treatments T4, gave the highest reduction of oxalate, saponin, tannin and phytate contents of all the selected vegetables and was recommended as a means of reducing the selected anti-nutrients.