556 research outputs found
Hoe is Jesus gekruisig?
The way in which Jesus was crucified After an overview of various forms of crucifixion in the ancient world, the available archaeological data and artistic renderings of different means of crucifixion are discussed. The New Testament information concerning the crucifixion of Jesus is then discussed and evaluated. It is concluded that, in the view of the absence of convincing literary evidence, the statue representing the 'crucofixion of Marsyas in the Hermitage museum provides a contemporary example of a possible manner in which Jesus could haye been crucified
Masculine identity and the projection of âmale imagesâ in mass media : towards a pastoral hermeneutics in theory formation
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The original publication is available at http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/pubCITATION: Van der Watt, J. S. & Louw, D. J. 2013. Masculine identity and the projection of 'male images'. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 53(3&4):353-368, doi:10.5952/53-3&4-274.Human identities in general - including gender and sexual identities â have recently
become more diverse and malleable. This is to a great extent because of the
pervasive influence of the mass media and popular culture, which proposes to offer
important tools to help men (and women) adjust to contemporary life. Some parts
of popular culture are reasserting traditional forms of masculinity, whilst others are
challenging them - telling men what they are now âsupposed toâ look like, act like, be
like.
Media representations can be viewed as influencing our socialised schemata of
interpretation for gender identities. This is also applicable to theological schemata
of interpretation concerning commercialised men and masculinities. We drew upon
work in variety of disciplines, such as cultural and media studies, sociology, theology
and psychology, in order to examine issues concerning masculinities within this
information era, influenced by the prescriptive role of mass media. In this way more
insight was gained in terms of the dominating discourses reflected by images of
men and masculinities in the global mass media, and how this can be investigated
critically, from a pastoral hermeneutical perspective.
Magazines were also viewed as crucial media to analyse in order to understand male
identity in a more comprehensive way. Therefore we chose our own South African
cultural context within which we suggest the critical assessment of the influence of
certain mass media representations â particularly displayed in magazines - on various
expressions of masculinity. This was suggested in order to promote and co-create
men and masculinities that focus on life-giving intimacy, vitality and human dignity.Stellenbosch UniversityPublishers' versio
Participantsâ perspectives of weekly telephonic mood monitoring in South Africa: a feasibility study
Background
Mood and anxiety disorders have a high lifetime prevalence, and their chronicity adds to the management burden of already scarce and strained mental health care resources, particularly in developing countries. Non-professional-assisted interventions and technology (such as weekly telephonic mood monitoring) could assist in the early identification of symptoms of relapse and hospitalization prevention. The present study aimed to determine participantsâ perspectives and the feasibility of weekly telephonic mood monitoring in order to inform the development of the full study.
Method
Semi-structured telephonic interviews (nâ=â37; 89.2% female; mean ageâ=â33.1Â years) were conducted as part of the full-scale feasibility study (Nâ=â61; named the Bipolar Disorder Mood Monitoring (BDMM) Study). The BDMM Study was conducted to determine the viability of weekly telephonic mood monitoring, spanning 26Â weeks and starting 1Â week post-discharge. Frequency and descriptive statistical analyses (using SPSS version 24) were undertaken, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Results
This article presents the findings from the semi-structured interview section of the BDMM Study. Participants generally expressed positive experiences and perceptions of weekly telephonic mood monitoring, stating that they would advise others to also take part in weekly telephonic mood monitoring. Nonetheless, some participants did make suggestions for improvement of mood monitoring while others expressed negative experiences of weekly telephonic mood monitoring.
Conclusion
The results of the semi-structured interviews of the BDMM Study indicated that participants perceived weekly telephonic mood monitoring to be helpful in lightening the burden of mood and anxiety disorders (e.g., having someone to talk to, providing insight into their disorders). Not only did it help them, but they also perceived mood monitoring to be potentially helpful to future participants. However, weekly mood monitoring was also burdensome in itself (including being too time consuming and having to answer questions when feeling down). Importantly, the findings highlighted that participantsâ and researchersâ perceptions and experiences may not be congruent (especially in terms of therapeutic misconception). The current findings may inform researchersâ future approach to study design and participant relationships
The Globular Cluster Systems in the Coma Ellipticals. II: Metallicity Distribution and Radial Structure in NGC 4874, and Implications for Galaxy Formation
Deep HST/WFPC2 (V,I) photometry is used to investigate the globular cluster
system (GCS) in NGC 4874, the central cD galaxy of the Coma cluster. The
luminosity function of the clusters displays its normal Gaussian-like shape and
turnover level. Other features of the system are surprising: the GCS is (a)
spatially extended, with core radius r_c = 22 kpc, (b) entirely metal-poor (a
narrow, unimodal metallicity distribution with mean [Fe/H] = -1.5), and (c)
modestly populated, with specific frequency S_N = 3.7 +- 0.5. We suggest on the
basis of some simple models that as much as half of this galaxy might have
accreted from low-mass satellites, but no single one of the three classic modes
of galaxy formation (accretion, disk mergers, in situ formation) can supply a
fully satisfactory formation picture. Even when they are used in combination,
strong challenges to these models remain. The principal anomaly in this GCS is
essentially the complete lack of metal-rich clusters. If these were present in
normal (M87-like) numbers in addition to the metal-poor ones that are already
there, then the GCS in total would more closely resemble what we see in many
other giant E galaxies.Comment: 27 pp. with 9 Figures. Astrophys.J. 533, in press (April 10, 2000
Clinical, biochemical, and genetic spectrum of MADD in a South African cohort: an ICGNMD study
\ua9 2024, The Author(s).Background: Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in three distinct genes, with most of the variants occurring in the electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase gene (ETFDH). Recent evidence of potential founder variants for MADD in the South African (SA) population, initiated this extensive investigation. As part of the International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases study, we recruited a cohort of patients diagnosed with MADD from academic medical centres across SA over a three-year period. The aim was to extensively profile the clinical, biochemical, and genomic characteristics of MADD in this understudied population. Methods: Clinical evaluations and whole exome sequencing were conducted on each patient. Metabolic profiling was performed before and after treatment, where possible. The recessive inheritance and phase of the variants were established via segregation analyses using Sanger sequencing. Lastly, the haplotype and allele frequencies were determined for the two main variants in the four largest SA populations. Results: Twelve unrelated families (ten of White SA and two of mixed ethnicity) with clinically heterogeneous presentations in 14 affected individuals were observed, and five pathogenic ETFDH variants were identified. Based on disease severity and treatment response, three distinct groups emerged. The most severe and fatal presentations were associated with the homozygous c.[1067G > A];c.[1067G > A] and compound heterozygous c.[976G > C];c.[1067G > A] genotypes, causing MADD types I and I/II, respectively. These, along with three less severe compound heterozygous genotypes (c.[1067G > A];c.[1448C > T], c.[740G > T];c.[1448C > T], and c.[287dupA*];c.[1448C > T]), resulting in MADD types II/III, presented before the age of five years, depending on the time and maintenance of intervention. By contrast, the homozygous c.[1448C > T];c.[1448C > T] genotype, which causes MADD type III, presented later in life. Except for the type I, I/II and II cases, urinary metabolic markers for MADD improved/normalised following treatment with riboflavin and L-carnitine. Furthermore, genetic analyses of the most frequent variants (c.[1067G > A] and c.[1448C > T]) revealed a shared haplotype in the region of ETFDH, with SA population-specific allele frequencies of < 0.00067â0.00084%. Conclusions: This study reveals the first extensive genotypeâphenotype profile of a MADD patient cohort from the diverse and understudied SA population. The pathogenic variants and associated variable phenotypes were characterised, which will enable early screening, genetic counselling, and patient-specific treatment of MADD in this population
Becoming a Xhosa traditional healer : the calling, illness, conflict and belonging
CITATION: Van der Watt, A. S. J. et al. 2021. Becoming a Xhosa traditional healer : the calling, illness, conflict and belonging. South African Journal of Psychiatry, 27:a1528, doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v27i0.1528.The original publication is available at https://sajp.org.zaBackground: Traditional healers (THs) are an important part of the healthcare system in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding their training, experiences of becoming healers and their perceived roles in society is critical.
Aim: This study aimed to explore the experience of becoming a TH, including accepting the calling, and sheds light on how the experience is conceptualised within the cultural and communitarian context of THs.
Setting: This study was conducted amongst Xhosa THs in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Methods: In-depth phenomenological interviews (n = 4) were conducted with Xhosa THs and analysed using Giorgiâs descriptive pre-transcendental Husserlian phenomenological analysis.
Results: The experience of becoming a TH can be summarised in the context of three units of significance: (1) the gift of healing as an illness; (2) the experience of conflict (including with their families, the church and self-conflict); and (3) the experience of belonging. Familial conflict, specifically, was fuelled by the financial burden of becoming a TH and a lack of understanding of the process.
Conclusion: To develop a workable model of collaboration in the future, it is crucial that mental healthcare providers develop a better understanding of the experiences of THs in becoming care providers. The findings highlight an appreciation of the challenging process of becoming a TH. Finally, further research and culturally appropriate psychoeducation can provide trainee THs and their family members with the skills and knowledge to support each other through a difficult process.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1528Publisher's versio
A calibration method for broad-bandwidth cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy performed with supercontinuum radiation
An efficient calibration method has been developed for broad-bandwidth cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy. The calibration is performed using phase shift cavity ring-down spectroscopy, which is conveniently implemented through use of an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). The AOTF permits a narrowband portion of the SC spectrum to be scanned over the full high-reflectivity bandwidth of the cavity mirrors. After calibration the AOTF is switched off and broad-bandwidth CEAS can be performed with the same light source without any loss of alignment to the set-up. We demonstrate the merits of the method by probing transitions of oxygen molecules O-2 and collisional pairs of oxygen molecules (O-2)(2) in the visible spectral range
âReal interestâ? Understanding the 2018 Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean
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