313 research outputs found
A carbonate-banded iron formation transition in the Early Protorezoicum of South Africa
Seven new and two resurveyed stratigraphic sections through the important carbonate-BIF transition in Griqualand West are presented and compared with six published sections. Lateral correlation within this zone is attempted but the variability was found to be too great for meaningful subdivision. Substantial lithological irregularity is the only unifying character of this zone, for which the new name Finsch Member (Formation) is proposed. Vertical and lateral lithological variations as well as chemical changes across this zone are discussed with reference to environmental aspects. Local and regional considerations lead to the conclusion that fresh water-sea water mixing occurred in a shallowing basin
Tidal flat deposits of the Lower Proterozoic Campbell Group along the southwestern margin of the Kaapvaal Craton, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Lower Proterozoic stromatolites and associated clastic carbonate deposits of the Campbell Group, from the southern margin (Prieska area) of the Kaapvaal Craton, northern Cape Province, are described. Contrary to previous interpretations (Beukes, 1978; 1980a) shallow subtidal to supratidal facies are recognised and discussed in regional context. An alternative model for the facies development of the Campbell Group is proposed
Comments on Tao et al. (2017), âMultiple-Frequency Matching Treatment Strategy for Tinnitusâ
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U.S. Media Portrayal of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
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Teaching and learning English as a Home Language in a predominantly non-native English classroom: A study from KwaZulu-Natal1
This study focuses on a secondary school in an Indian-African suburb of Merewent in KwaZulu-Natal, an example of a suburban school where English as a Home Language (EHL) is taught to a majority of non-native English learners from township schools. The EHL classrooms were investigated for ‘communicativeness’ and then compared to English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms. It might be expected that EHL classrooms would exhibit an affinity with ESL classrooms. However, although non-native EHL has many aspects in common with ESL, there were significant differences between the two. The most important difference from the standpoint of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) was in the learning content selection, with the EHL settings using more literary works, and so focusing less on the direct teaching of grammatical forms. However, a disturbing pattern was the inability of the learners in both sets of settings to take full advantage of CLT, which suggested that the learners might not be at the appropriate level of language development.Keywords: English as Home Language (EHL), non-native English learners, township schools, English as a Second Language (ESL), Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), language developmen
Diaconate and youth in Afrikaans-speaking Reformed congregations in South Africa
South Africa is characterised by various socio-economic and socio-political challenges
(fractures) not easily met (or healed). âFracturesâ refer to social, economic, religious, spatial,
ecological, environmental, and economic injustices and other issues. Within this context, the
church is confronted with her vocation. The unique vocation of a congregation is that the
members become a ânew communityâ (koinonia) in which they not only care for one another
but also develop relationships featuring care for, and mercy and solidarity (diakonia) with
the weak, poor, and marginalised in society. Several researchers prove that the current
South African youth could be classified as vulnerable and marginalised. Since the church
does not preach the gospel in a vacuum but in relation to specific human realities, the
theme of the youth and diaconate in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed churches in South
Africa is examined in this study, based on Osmerâs Practical Theological Interpretation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTRADISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The interdisciplinary nature of
this contribution is spread across the two fields of youth ministry and diaconate. The
sub-disciplines of both the youth in general, and youth ministry and youth work within the
academic discourse of the diaconate are studied, specifically in the Afrikaans-speaking
Reformed denomination.http://www.ve.org.zaPractical Theolog
âI canât breatheâ : Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the Belhar Confession as a beacon of light for denouncing racism
Racism continues to divide, separate, oppress and hurtâas was seen by recent
global events. The church, because of the very nature of the Gospel of Christ, is
called to bring unity, reconciliation, justice, healing and peace. The current
crisis and threat of racism call for a time of new opportunity and new
resurrections, forged from resistances that breathe a new life, of which the
Belhar Confession can be a beacon of light. This article focuses on how the
theological framework of Mary-Anne Elizabeth Plaatjies-Van Huffel and the
Belhar Confession provide a historic opportunity to stand in solidarity with the
voices of those who are suffocating (âcanât breatheâ). It is an emphatic call for
the church to denounce and address all forms of racism and injustice.https://upjournals.co.za/index.php/SHE/indexdm2022Practical Theolog
Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with tinnitus
Tinnitus remains one of the most prevalent and distressing audiological symptoms. Although specialist tinnitus services are in high demand, geographical and service constraints result in limited access to these services. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has been developed to provide additional evidence-based tinnitus care. This article provides insights into what ICBT involves
Youth, faith and environmental consciousness in Africa : a practical theology research imperative
Climate change and environmental degradation are arguably among the most significant
concerns for humanity and environmental sustainability on a worldwide scale. Todayâs
youth are at the epicentre of discussions about ecological (in) justice, environmental
consciousness, and climate change discourses and practices. This is illustrated by
international protests, including the Fridays for the Future and Extinction Rebellion
campaigns, to highlight a few. However, both of the aforementioned youth movements
are western illustrations of youth who are participating in these discourses. This article
first argues that the African youth should be at the forefront of the environmental
discourse due to the impact this phenomenon has on Africa. Secondly, this article
focuses on why the environmental discourse should be prioritised in the practical
theological subject field of youth ministry. Within the practical theology discipline,
the tripartite concern with the link between youth, faith, and environmental
consciousness has been under-researched.https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stj/indexdm2022Practical Theolog
Predicting the Outcomes of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Applications of Artificial Neural Network and Support Vector Machine
Purpose:
Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been found to be effective for tinnitus management, although there is limited understanding about who will benefit the most from ICBT. Traditional statistical models have largely failed to identify the nonlinear associations and hence find strong predictors of success with ICBT. This study aimed at examining the use of an artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) to identify variables associated with treatment success in ICBT for tinnitus. Method:
The study involved a secondary analysis of data from 228 individuals who had completed ICBT in previous intervention studies. A 13-point reduction in Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) was defined as a successful outcome. There were 33 predictor variables, including demographic, tinnitus, hearing-related and treatment-related variables, and clinical factors (anxiety, depression, insomnia, hyperacusis, hearing disability, cognitive function, and life satisfaction). Predictive models using ANN and SVM were developed and evaluated for classification accuracy. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was used to identify the relative predictor variable importance using the best predictive model for a successful treatment outcome. Results:
The best predictive model was achieved with the ANN with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic value of 0.73 ± 0.03. The SHAP analysis revealed that having a higher education level and a greater baseline tinnitus severity were the most critical factors that influence treatment outcome positively. Conclusions:
Predictive models such as ANN and SVM help predict ICBT treatment outcomes and identify predictors of outcome. However, further work is needed to examine predictors that were not considered in this study as well as to improve the predictive power of these models
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