“The Place of Dance in Human Life” : Perspectives on the Fieldwork and Dance Notation of Gertrude P. Kurath

This article provides a brief biographical sketch of Gertrude P. Kurath and introduces her as a central figure in twentieth century dance scholarship. Her role in the emergence of the field of dance studies in the academia is examined and her promotion of the connection between dance studies and anthropology and ethnomusicology is stressed. This article examines in detail two specific features of her scholarship: her forward-looking fieldwork and her innovation and use of movement notation. Both her fieldwork and her use of notation are contextualized within her extensive research on Native American dance.Cet article offre une brève esquisse biographique de Gertrude Kurath en la présentant comme une figure centrale du vingtième siècle parmi les spécialistes de la danse. Nous insisterons sur son rôle dans l’émergence des travaux universitaires portant sur la danse et sa mise en valeur de la relation entre les études sur la danse, l’anthropologie et l’ethnomusicologie. Cet article examine en détail deux traits spécifiques de son apport : ses recherches de terrain visionnaires ainsi que le caractère novateur de la notation du mouvement. Ses recherches de terrain ainsi que le recours à la notation sont mises en contexte au travers des recherches considérables qu’elle a menées sur la danse amérindienne

A seasonal comparison of the gut microbiome of the Southern Lesser Galago Galago moholi (A.Smith 1836)

Increased anthropogenic activities such as urbanisation and the bushmeat trade increase the degree of contact humans have with non-human primates. Zoonotic pathogens have increased the risk of disease emergence significantly. Non-human primates are major reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. The close relatedness of primates, including humans, increases chances of sharing harmful pathogens. The gut microbiome has been shown to contribute substantially to the health of its host. The composition of gut microbes is strongly affected by the diet of the host. The diet of the Southern Lesser Galago (Galago moholi) shows vast changes throughout the seasons. With the seasonal changes affecting diet and the continuous growth of human activities within their natural habitats, there is a great risk for transmission of zoonotic pathogens to occur between G. moholi and humans. This study investigated the effects that changes in season had on the gut microbiome of the Southern Lesser Galago (G. moholi) in isolated populations. In order to assess the gut microbiome, a next generation sequencing approach was taken. Ion Torrent technology was used to sequence the 16S rRNA gene regions in order to quantify the diversity and abundance of the bacterial taxa. The hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were assessed in terms of the abundance and diversity of bacteria present. The four major phyla present were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. The results showed only slight significances in variation in the taxonomic bacteria between seasons. However, the dominance of bacterial species from phylum Proteobacteria in summer and phylum Firmicutes in winter were indicative of shifting diets. Of the bacteria present, several potentially pathogenic genera were identified. The hypervariable region V3 proved to be the most consistent after an assessment of the 16S sequencing data from each individual. Conversely, hypervariable regions V2 and V9 proved to be the least informative. The results indicate the diversity and composition of the microbial community during seasonal changes. These findings form a basis for future studies to assess gut health in primate species.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.GeneticsMScUnrestricte

Seasonal drivers of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in an African strepsirrhine primate, the thick-tailed greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus)

As global non-human primate populations show dramatic declines due to climate change, land transformation and other anthropogenic stressors, it has become imperative to study physiological responses to environmental change in order to understand primate adaptability and enhance species conservation strategies. We examined the effects of seasonality on faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations of free-ranging male and female thick-tailed greater galagos (Otolemur crassicaudatus) in an Afromontane habitat. To do so, we established an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for monitoring fGCM concentrations in the species using a biological validation. Following this, faecal samples were collected each month over the course of a year from free-ranging males and females situated in the Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo, South Africa. Multivariate analyses revealed lactation period was a driver of fGCM levels, whereas sex and food availability mostly influenced seasonal fGCM concentrations in the total population. Thus far, the results of this study show that drivers of fGCM levels, an indication of increased adrenocortical activity, inO. crassicaudatus are numerous and complex within the natural environment. The species may be adapted to such conditions and an extreme change to any one component may result in elevated fGCM levels. This increases our understanding of strepsirrhine primate physiology and offers initial insights into species adaptability to a challenging environment.The National Science Foundation, USA, the University of Colorado, Boulder (USA) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute National Zoological Garden.http://conphys.oxfordjournals.orgdm2022Mammal Research InstituteParaclinical SciencesZoology and Entomolog

Environmental effects on nocturnal encounters of two sympatric bushbabies, Galago moholi and Otolemur crassicaudatus, in a high-altitude South African northern mistbelt montane habitat

Temperate living primates cope with a variety of environmental stressors, which may vary by body mass. We studied two sympatric galagos, the thick-tailed greater galago, Otolemur crassicaudatus (1.5 kg) and the southern lesser galago, Galago moholi (146 g), living in a South African northern mistbelt forest. We used 75 nightly encounter walks using thermal imaging from July 2017 to June 2018 to locate galagos (245 thick-tailed greater galago encounters, 207 southern lesser galago encounters). For each species’ encounters we documented survey location, growing season, insect and gum availability, ambient temperature, temperature season, rainfall, humidity, night length, hour, moon phase and fraction of moon illumination. We encountered the southern lesser galago at both cooler and warmer temperatures, later in the night, and more often during greater lunar illumination, e.g., they were lunarphilic. We had few encounters of the thick-tailed greater galago during very cold and very warm temperatures, more encounters earlier in the night, and more encounters during periods of low lunar illumination, e.g., they were lunarphobic. Our results can be understood in terms of body mass differences. A smaller body mass requires greater and more consistent energy, meaning the southern lesser galago needs to both maintain energy needs across different temperature regimes and to forage more extensively later in the night to attain enough food to support them throughout the following day. The thick-tailed greater galago’s larger body mass may buffer them during colder periods and allow them to forage earlier in the night. Being either lunarphobic or lunarphilic may relate to activity patterns of their predators. The southern lesser galago are visually oriented insect predators and being lunarphilic may facilitate both predator detection and enhance successful insect predation. Understanding how body mass may facilitate or hinder physiological and behavioral responses to environmental stressors is thus relevant to understanding species’ resilience to climate change.The National Science Foundation, USA and the University of Colorado, Boulder (USA).https://link.springer.com/journal/107642025-04-11hj2024Mammal Research InstituteParaclinical SciencesSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-15:Life on lan

Colorectal Cancer Screening Knowledge and Practices Among Practicing Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Resident/Fellows

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US, the third most diagnosed cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The aims of our study are to (1) investigate knowledge of and adherence to CRC screening guidelines by obstetrician-gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) and (2) assess whether this knowledge/adherence vary by demographic and practice characteristics. METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was distributed to a convenience sample of 142 practicing Obs/Gyns drawn from National Medical Association section members/conference attendees and hospital Ob/Gyn department members. RESULTS: Most respondents (80.3%) viewed colorectal screening within the scope of Ob/Gyn practice, and 71.8% used the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for screening. Most respondents were knowledgeable regarding CRC screening but not in all areas. On average they only identified half of the 10 risk factors listed and only one-quarter correctly identified the age when screening can stop. Resident/Fellows were somewhat more knowledgeable about screening guidelines and risk factors than attendings. More than half of respondents (57.8%) reported always initiating CRC screening for the appropriate age and risk factors. Respondents identified education and awareness (56.3%) and patients\u27 unwillingness to undergo an invasive procedure (75.4%) as barriers to screening. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge regarding CRC screening was less than optimal and differed by attending/Resident/Fellow status. Greater emphasis should be placed on CRC screening and guidelines training for primary care providers like Ob/Gyns. Some of this could be accomplished through maintenance of certification and continued integration into residency education