AN EXPERT SYSTEM ON ASSESSING ROCKBURST RISKS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN DEEP GOLD MINES

Expert systems are methods that can cope with rock engineer’s expertise effectively.An expert system on assessing rockburst risks for South African deep gold mines is described.Expertise was represented by rules, frames and mathematical models integratively. About 950 rules was built in the knowledge base, which can be learned by the suggested learning algorithm. A new uncertain reasoning algorithm was proposed. According to the features such as depth below surface, energy release rate (ERR), excess shear stress (ESS), geological structure, face angle with structure, distance from structure, extent of mining, mining type, width of bracket pillar, stope width, local support, regional support and gully support, rockburst risk is assessed either "Low", "Moderate", "High" or "Severe". A computer program system was developed by Turbo Prolog. The results of testing cases show its applicability of the system.

Cleaning of South African coal using a compound dry cleaning apparatus

The compound dry cleaning principle is briefly described.A beneficiation test on South African coal was conducted using a model compound dry cleaning apparatus.Excellent results were obtained and the optimum operating parameters were determined.They are：an amplitude of 3.0 mm,a motor frequency of 47.5 Hz,an air volume of 50%,a transverse angle of 7°,and a longitudinal angle of-2°.These conditions yield a clean coal containing 11%ash and a coal production of 75%.The organic efficiency,η,is 95.86%.These results show that the South African coal can be separated effectively by compound dry cleaning,which will popularize the compound dry cleaning method.

Institutional Constraints to the Competitiveness of the South African Citrus Exports

This paper examined the dual institutional constraints arising from the market liberalisation of the South African citrus industry and the stringent food safety health and private standards associated with the globalisation of the agri-business industry. The aim of this paper was to explore the institutional challenges influencing the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the export markets. It also explored the implications of the institutional environment on market access. The logistic regression model was used to analyse the statistical data while simple ranking was used to indicate the new and emerging forces affecting the profitability of the industry in recent years. The results show that access to market information, economies of scale, compliance with strict food safety and quality standards, lack of proper infrastructure including transport and challenges of managing a business within the international business environment exerted significant effects on the competitiveness of the industry as well as the ability of domestic producers to enter the export markets. There is need for government intervention especially aligned to investing in infrastructure. Coupled with the support of private institutions, the government needs to support the exporters and producers in complying with private standards.

Ethical Trading： The Implications of the Human Rights Watch Report on South African Fruit Exports

This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical codes within the fruit industry, the prevalence of exploitative conditions for farm workers and diverse human rights abuses in farms. The report recommends import ban on culprits as well as engaging third party auditing to ensure compliance. The high vulnerability of the smallholder farmers justified the special interest in the implications on their reputation and hence their ability to access profitable export markets. Although large-scale commercial farmers are potentially at risk of reputational damage due to the Human Rights Watch Report, they are better able to cope owing to their stronger capital base. The opinions of knowledgeable industry insiders were therefore elicited through qualitative research that used a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions about market access. On the basis of the results, it is probable that the report will lead to improved working conditions for farm workers, improved concern for consumers＇ health, and enforcement of legislation by the govemment. The negative implications involve increased competition, possibility of retailers＇ rationalising their supply base and increased evaluation that ends at the farm gate. There is also high probability of increased marginalisation of the already disadvantaged smallholder suppliers, and possible increase in costs of auditing and accreditation for the entire fruit industry. Thus, active collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness of the fruit industry is inevitable.

Implementing Constitutional Commitments to Human Rights:Parliament and National Human Rights Commissions——a South African Perspective

'What is appropriate for one country in the light of its history, is not necessarily appropriatein another country with a different history. Our final constitution must now be forged in the lightof our history and on the basis of the agreed constitutional principles which both reflect that historyand are part of it'—Arthur Chaskalson: President of the Constitutional Court, 17 July 1995.

A South African Among Tibetans

Charlotte Jefferay is a volunteer teacher from South Africa who has been teaching high school English in west China’s Qinghai Province since 2003.Her school is Huangnan Nationalities No.2 Middle School in Tongren(known as Rebgong in Tibetan) County, which is a Tibetan-inhabited area.Now after eight years in the region she is returning home,and took.the opportunity to share her experiences in Tongren with ChinAfrica.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM CHINESE AND SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENTS

Your Excellency Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa. Thanks to the concerted efforts of our two sides, following the success of the Year of South Africa in China in 2014. the Year of China in South Africa 2015 is now solemnly launched in the beautiful city of Pretoria. On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, I would like to extend to you our warm congratulations. I have designated Mr. Luo Shugang. Minister of Culture, to attend the opening ceremony as the repre-sentative of the Chinese Government.

Molecular genome tracking of East,Central and South African genotype of Chikungunya virus in South-east Asia between 2006 and 2009

Objective:To understand the epidemiology of the East,Central and South African(ECSA) genotype of Chikungunya virus(CHIKV) in terms of emerging and re-emerging infections,this study has been aimed at investigating the evolutionary parameters,genomic signatures and molecular tracking of the CHIKV ECSA genotype in South-east Asia and coastal areas of the Indian Ocean between 2006 and 2009 by using phylogenetie analysis and the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo(BMCMC) evolutionary estimation.Methods:Nearly complete genome sequences of 53 CHIKV isolates from all genotypes were subjected to phylogenetie analysis and evolutionary parameter estimation.The amino acids of 67 of ECSA genotype during 2006 to 2009 were compared for finding molecular signature tracking.The ECSA genotype signatures were visualized to find the possible transmission root was projected onto a geographic map.Results: Phylogenetie analysis showed the ECSA genotype was divided into 2 groups.The first group comprises viruses from India and Southeast Asian countries.The second group consists of strains typically circulating in Sri Lanka in 2008.The evolutionary parameters of these groups depicted the time of the most recent common ancestor at approximately 7.5 years ago.The genomic signatures revealed the positions of amino acid variation in each group.Conclusions:The molecular evolution projected onto a geographical map showed the routes of CHIKV transmission from 2006 to 2009.Molecular tracking will assist in understanding transmission routes, epidemiology and molecular evolution of CHIKV.

Petrology, Age and Geodynamic Implication of the Panafrican Granitoids Associated with the Glito-Kpatala Shear Zone (South-East Togo)

The granitic plutons associated with the Glito-Kpatala shear zone are composed of biotite and amphibole granodiorites, biotite granites, two-mica granites and aplitic granites, which are very poorly represented. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of these facies indicate that they are I type and belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, with a chemical metaluminous character displayed by the granodiorites relative to the biotite and two-mica facies whose chemical compositions vary between metaluminous and peraluminous caracter. The Th/Ta (14.04 - 43.82 ppm, mean = 26.05), Th/U (2.58 to 15.05 ppm, mean = 5.85 ppm), Zr/Hf (25.27 to 37.21, mean = 30.67 ppm) and Rb/Sr (0.16 to 4.32;mean = 1.67 ppm) ratios of these granitoids reveal a strong crustal involvement in their magmatogenesis. Variations in CaO/Na2O (0.47 - 1.44 ppm), Rb/Sr (0.14 - 0.27 ppm), Rb/Ba (0.07 - 0.14 ppm) and Sr/Y (38.21 - 174.42 ppm) ratios indicate that biotite and amphibole granodiorites with their excessive Ni (135.37 - 139.51 ppm) and Cr (395.73 - 447.74 ppm) were derived from a mafic to intermediate lower continental crust where garnet and/or amphibole were stable residual assemblage minerals. The moderate Sr/Y ratios (1.81 - 9.47 ppm) and low transition elements Ni (1 - 6.44 ppm) and Cr (7.89 - 13.47 ppm) contents in both the two-mica and biotite granites are consistent with their emplacement at relatively shallow depths in the upper to mean continental crust, at pressures below 10 Kbar. In the two-mica granites, moderate CaO/Na2O (0.20 - 0.57 ppm, mean = 0.38 ppm) and Rb/Ba (0.39 - 1.37, mean = 0.84 ppm) ratios and quite varied Rb/Sr (1.53 - 4.23 ppm, mean = 2.85 ppm) ratios indicate a predominant derivation from psammitic and pelitic metasediments rather than metagreywackes. These low ratios (0.25 ≤ CaO/Na2O ≤ 0.32, mean = 0.28 ppm;0.31 ≤ Rb/Ba ≤ 0.44, mean = 0.39 ppm;1.11 ≤ Rb/Sr ≤ 1.78, mean = 0.39 ppm) in biotite granites are more consistent with melting from a metagreywacke-derived source. Evidence for the contribution of mantle-derived mafic magma with granitic magma in the plutons studied is materialized by the presence of magmatic enclaves in both granodiorites and two-mica granites, the volcanic arc geochemical signatures displayed by the plutons in geotectonic diagrams and Nb/Ta ratios (14.14 - 34.61 ppm) closer to mantle estimates. Geochemical data and radiometric dating elements suggest that the granitoids studied can be integrated into the pan-African late magmatic episode, which corresponds between 606 and 583 Ma, to the activity of transcurrent ductile strike-slips and to the synchronous emplacement of high K calc-alkaline plutons in a post-collisional context.

Assessment of the patients’outcomes after implementation of South African triage scale in emergency department,Egypt

Purpose:Overcrowding in emergency department(ED)is a concerning global problem and has been identified as a national crisis in some countries.Several emergency sorting systems designed successfully in the world.Launched in 2004,a group of branches in South African triage scale(SATS)developed.The effectiveness of the case sorting system of SATS was evaluated to reduce the patient's length of stay(LOS)and mortality rate within the ED at Suez Canal University Hospital.Methods:The study was designed as an intervention study that included a systematic random sample of patients who presented to the ED in Suez Canal University Hospital.This study was implemented in three phases:pre-intervention phase,115 patients were assessed by the traditional protocols;intervention phase,a structured training program was provided to the ED staff,including a workshop and lectures;and post-intervention phase,230 patients were assessed by SATS.All the patients were retriaged 2 h later,calculating the LOS per patient and the mortality.Data was collected and entered using Microsoft Excel software.Collected data from the triage sheet were analyzed using the SPSS software program version 22.0.Results:The LOS in the ED was about 183.78 min before the intervention;while after the training program and the application of SATS,it was reduced to 51.39 min.About 15.7%of the patients died before the intervention;however,after the intervention the ratio decreased to 10.7%deaths.Conclusion:SATS is better at assessing patients without missing important data.Additionally,it resulted in a decrease in the LOS and reduction in the mortality rate compared to the traditional protocol.

Internationalization of Higher Education:A South African Perspective

The evolution of South African universities continues to be shaped by both apartheid and more recent post-apartheid policies.Yet the South African university system is mainly an elite,low participation and high attrition system,offering a medium quality education.Moreover,there is uneven attention to the opportunities that internationalization might bring to South Africa.The paper explores South Africa’s position in a global,African and regional perspective,and looks at post-apartheid trends in the internationalization of higher education.Finally,it provides an analysis,looking forward,of the essential conditions for more beneficial internationalization.This will include addressing“brain drain”and“brain gain,”global dialogue and mutual learning,and collaborative partnerships,marked by a common commitment to sound academic values,scientific integrity,ethics and social responsibility.

South African Space Tourist on Way Back to Earth

【选注者言:贵刊去年第6期刊登了我选注的短文Space Tourist Tito’s LongJourney Into Orbit,说的是首位太空游客蒂托(Dennis Tito)的故事。继蒂托(thefirst amateur in space)之后,今年4月25日,世界第二位太空游客,年仅28岁的南非Mark Shuttleworth(沙特尔沃思)又圆了他的太空梦。我所以向贵刊选注此文,原因之一是,本文出现了Afronaut一词。此词堪称最新英语新词,一个noce word！欲知Afonaut的含义,请看文中注释。 此外,Mark Shuttleworth比起Tito来,更有奇特之处,他开办的“色特公司”(一网络咨询公司)前景看好,公司的58位员工(包括园丁和清洁工)的年薪在2000年都达到了16.6万美元以上。他却把公司以5亿美元的价格卖给美国一家竞争对手。Mark Shuttleworth决定动用其中的2000万美元实现童年的梦想——飞上太空。意志坚决的他对美联社记者说:“金钱本身对我没有任何意义。”】

Performance and Safety Improvement of Induction Motors based on Testing and Evaluation Standards

The induction motor,which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,has been recognized as the cornerstone of industrialization.The rotor of an induction motor can be either a squirrel cage rotor or a wound-type rotor,both existing as magnetless topologies.Three-phase squirrel cage induction motors are frequently utilized in industrial drives because they are dependable,have high starting torque,are selfstarting and affordable.Single-phase induction motors,on the other hand,are commonly used for small loads such as domestic appliances in form of modest fans,pumps and electric power tools.In South Africa,there have been reports of fires and explosions resulting in live and property loss because of induction motors that have not been thoroughly tested or are incorrectly labelled in terms of ratings,electrical safety and performance.The goal of this study is targeted at preventing end-user injuries and failures caused by non-compliant induction motors,by evaluating locally manufactured/imported induction motors based on tests and evaluation from standards(IEC and SANS).The study is conducted using experimental procedures at the Explosion Prevention Technology and Rotating Machines(EPT and RM)laboratory,South African Bureau of Standards(SABS),South Africa.The main finding from the study shows differences in the nameplate characteristics of various induction motors which could have detrimental effects such as production and operational downtime in their end-use industries,at later stages.

东非裂谷东支South Lokichar盆地石油地质特征及成藏规律

东非裂谷东支由多个盆地组成,South Lokichar是唯一有油气发现的盆地,目前对于该盆地的石油地质特征及成藏规律仍认识不清,严重制约着东非裂谷东支下一步勘探。本文综合利用钻井、地震、岩芯、薄片以及分析化验等资料,对South Lokichar盆地的构造和地层发育特征、关键成藏条件和影响因素以及成藏规律进行详细分析。研究结果表明:(1) South Lokichar盆地自晚渐新世开始拉张,经历了裂陷I期、裂陷II期及坳陷期三个演化阶段,以裂陷I期沉积序列为主;(2) South Lokichar盆地成藏条件优越,下中新统Lokhone Shale组半深湖-深湖相泥岩为主力烃源岩,生烃指标好,古气候及沉积环境共同控制优质烃源岩的发育;中中新统Lower Auwerwer组为主要目的层系,主要发育扇三角洲相、三角洲相以及湖泊相;扇三角洲前缘及三角洲前缘砂体储集物性最优,浊积砂岩次之,扇三角洲平原砂砾岩体储集物性差;泥质含量是影响储集物性的主要因素。中中新统Middle Auwerwer组泥岩及下中新统Lokhone Shale组泥岩为两套区域盖层;断鼻及断块圈闭为主要的圈闭类型,晚中新世是圈闭形成的关键时期;(3) South Lokichar盆地油气富集平面上呈现"西富东贫"的特点;纵向上油气主要聚集于中中新统Lower Auwerwer组,下中新统Lokhone Shale组次之;Lower Auwerwer组为下生上储的成藏模式,Lokhone Shale组为自生自储式成藏;保存条件是成藏的主控因素;(4) South Lokichar盆地东北部未钻断块圈闭及凹陷带内岩性圈闭具备较好的勘探前景。

南非工会大会民族民主革命转型及其面临的挑战研究

南非工会大会是南非工人运动中最大的工会联合会,也是非国大领导的执政联盟的重要成员。南非工会大会秉持民族民主革命理念,为实现工人阶级的经济和政治权利而斗争。近年来,由于南非经济社会形势和政党格局的演化,南非工会大会在维护非国大在联盟中的领导地位的同时,提出推进民族民主革命第二阶段激进经济转型。当前,南非工会大会在推进南非民族民主革命转型进程中面临着捍卫民族民主革命方向、联盟功能和协商机制失调以及会员流失和代表性弱化等诸多紧迫的现实问题。

俄罗斯的“全球南方”外交政策剖析

自2008年俄格战争和2014年乌克兰危机以来,俄罗斯与西方国家关系持续恶化,西方国家多次对俄罗斯实施制裁,随后俄罗斯提出了“转向东方”的外交战略。在乌克兰危机影响以及国际秩序加速转变的背景下,俄罗斯再次调整《外交政策构想》,在“转向东方”的同时,也在“转向南方”,发展与“全球南方”国家的关系。在实践上,俄罗斯更加关注非洲地区,通过俄非峰会、发展“金砖+”伙伴关系等形式,在粮食安全、能源安全、技术发展等方面加快发展与非洲国家关系。“全球南方”国家与美西方主导的国际秩序间的深刻矛盾,使之逐步成为推动当前国际秩序改革的重要力量。俄罗斯试图与“全球南方”国家合力搭建“无中心—无边缘”的新型国际体系结构,拓展国际舞台与影响力。

非洲裔黑人选举权与查尔斯顿市的种族关系——以1876年美国南卡罗来纳州州长选举为中心

1876年南卡罗来纳州州长大选前后,查尔斯顿市多次发生种族冲突,既反映了白人至上主义者与坚决捍卫公民权、平等权和选举权的非洲裔黑人之间不可调和的种族矛盾,也揭示了民主党和共和党之间激烈的政治斗争。非洲裔黑人占查尔斯顿市人口的大多数,而种族暴力并非局限在非洲裔黑人和白人之间,也存在于支持不同政党的非洲裔黑人选民之间,使得查尔斯顿市的种族关系存在明显的地方性和复杂性特征。对查尔斯顿市种族冲突的历史考察,有助于加深对美国重建后期非洲裔黑人选举权、种族关系和白人至上主义思想意识,以及民主党和共和党之间的政治斗争等问题的理解。

Modeling Severity of Tuberculosis as a Multiple Cause of Death in South Africa

The multiple cause of death (MCOD) analysis is used to account for the full contribution of TB as a cause of death to South African mortality in 2008 that were coded using ICD10. Following a review of MCOD methods, a sufficient set of variables for use in MCOD and a new method of quantifying the severity of each cause of death are proposed. The results show that a total of 86,818 (14.3% of all deaths) were TB related, and within all deaths due to natural underlying causes, 86,373 (16.1%) were TB related. Furthermore, 42,581 (7.9%) were due to TB only, 6.0% had TB as an underlying cause along with other contributory causes and 2.0% had TB as a contributory cause. TB was mentioned as the underlying cause of death in 74,863 certificates or 13.9% of deaths due to natural underlying causes. Further analysis using multinomial baseline logit models, reveals that the relative odds of death in any demographic group compared with death in the baseline categories depend on the severity level of TB considered. It is proposed that the severity measure should be adopted when studying the contribution of all main causes of death to total mortality.