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Euclid V. The Flagship galaxy mock catalogue: A comprehensive simulation for the Euclid mission
No full textWe present the Flagship galaxy mock, a simulated catalogue of billions of galaxies designed to support the scientific exploitation of the Euclid mission. Euclid is a medium-class mission of the European Space Agency optimised to determine the properties of dark matter and dark energy on the largest scales of the Universe. It probes structure formation over more than 10 billion years primarily from the combination of weak gravitational lensing and galaxy clustering data. The breadth of Euclid’s data will also foster a wide variety of scientific analyses. The Flagship simulation was developed to provide a realistic approximation to the galaxies that will be observed by Euclid and used in its scientific exploitation. We ran a state-of-the-art N-body simulation with four trillion particles, producing a lightcone on the fly. From the dark matter particles, we produced a catalogue of 16 billion haloes in one octant of the sky in the lightcone up to redshift z = 3. We then populated these haloes with mock galaxies using a halo occupation distribution and abundance-matching approach, calibrating the free parameters of the galaxy mock against observed correlations and other basic galaxy properties. Modelled galaxy properties include luminosity and flux in several bands, redshifts, positions and velocities, spectral energy distributions, shapes and sizes, stellar masses, star formation rates, metallicities, emission line fluxes, and lensing properties. We selected a final sample of 3.4 billion galaxies with a magnitude cut of HE < 26, where we are complete. We have performed a comprehensive set of validation tests to check the similarity to observational data and theoretical models. In particular, our catalogue is able to closely reproduce the main characteristics of the weak lensing and galaxy clustering samples to be used in the mission main cosmological analysis. Moreover, given its depth and completeness, this new galaxy mock also provides the community with a powerful tool for developing a wide range of scientific analyses beyond the Euclid mission
Motor-cognitive interaction in adults with spina bifida: dual-task effects
No full textStudy design: Cross-sectional design. Objectives: To study motor-cognitive interaction during walking while performing a cognitive task (dual-task [DT]) in ambulatory adults with spina bifida (SB). Setting: A specialized spinal cord center, The Spinalis clinic at Aleris Rehab Station Stockholm, Sweden. Methods: Assessments of muscle strength and ambulatory function were performed. Gait was assessed with a sensor-based system with/without the auditory Stroop. Timed-up-and-go (TUG) with/without a cognitive task was also assessed. Regarding cognitive function, episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed were assessed. The percentage of difference between single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) was used to calculate the DT effect (DTE) as cost or benefit. Differences were analyzed with t-test and Wilcoxon’s signed rank test. Results: Forty-one persons were included, mean age 37 years (SD 12) and 20 (49%) were women. Thirty-four completed the DTE analysis. Seven could not perform the cognitive task and/or gait data and could not be registered. There was a DT cost on gait speed (4%), stride length (3%) and double support phase (3%), and cognitive function showed a cost of 3%. DTE for TUG was a 26% cost. Conclusion: We showed a DT cost on gait, possibly indicating fall risk during DT walking. The largest DT cost was seen during TUG with a cognitive task, indicating a valuable clinical test for motor-cognitive performance for adults with SB. This study is pioneering in that it increases our understanding of DT performance in ambulatory adults with SB which could facilitate development of targeted rehabilitation interventions and self-management strategies
The development of guidelines for the inclusion of spirituality and spiritual care guidelines in Unani Tibb practice
No full textTraditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) is widespread globally, with billions seeking these practices for health and wellness. Spirituality and spiritual care are essential to all TCAM and deeply connected with indigenous knowledge systems. Unani Tibb, a unique TCAM approach, integrates traditional healing practices from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, focusing on the connection between mind, body, and spirit in healing. However, the role of spirituality and spiritual care in education and practice in South Africa, and beyond, remains insufficiently emphasized. To address this, the South African Unani Tibb community calls for incorporating spiritual care into clinical practice and establishing guidelines to enhance holistic treatment. This research seeks to establish these guidelines through a two-phased sequential exploratory strategy grounded in Design-Based Research (DBR) principles. DBR emphasizes the importance of authenticity, contextual awareness, collaboration, and methodological diversity. Phase One employs a range of methodologies, including a scoping review, quantitative surveys, qualitative research, and mixed-methods, to investigate the role of spirituality and spiritual care in Unani Tibb education and practice. The research includes five interconnected studies highlighting the significant absence of spirituality and spiritual care in the Unani Tibb profession. Initial findings indicate that Unani Tibb practitioners recognise the importance of spirituality within the modality, but lack formal training, prompting calls for its inclusion in educational curricula and practice guidelines. Despite inherent spiritual care abilities, assessment and methodology challenges highlight the necessity for formalised guidelines. In Phase Two, a consensus workshop with 14 stakeholders from the Unani Tibb community developed 40 guidelines to enhance spiritual care in clinical settings. Key aspects include spiritual history-taking, spiritual care competencies, temperament analysis, personal and professional development, and advocating for better integration of spirituality in Unani Tibb. This research aims to promote ethical, holistic care and enhance future spiritual care practices within Unani Tibb and other TCAM professions, in South Africa and internationally
Representation, activism, health promotion, and communication: the role of art in advancing global health and social justice
No full textThis viewpoint advocates for the inclusion of art in global health discourse and practice. We explore four areas in which art can be leveraged to improve global health: to amplify disenfranchised voices, to advance social justice activism, to strengthen communities and individuals, and to improve global health communication. Drawing on community-driven art initiatives, we argue for an inclusive approach that respects diverse cultural perspectives and uplifts marginalized voices. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical engagement, our framework invites global health discourse and practice to integrate art in order to foster empathy, challenge systemic inequities, and envision sustainable futures. By centering art, we seek to enrich the global health discipline with insights and transformative potential grounded in human experiences, cultural diversity, and shared humanity
African humanitas: ubuntu and the global response to climate change
No full textThe human dimension within the climate change debate, involving the African ideals of Ubuntu, is persuasive and motivational in the fight against climate change. The chapter discusses the impact of Ubuntu praxis on the environment. It reflects on different forms of inequality that Ubuntu is strategically placed to addressed in the wake of climate change. Climate change has been linked to the loss of biodiversity, flooding, tsunamis and extreme heat waves, among other challenges. Our inclusion of an Ubuntu ethos in the climate change debate is an effort to relate African humane virtues to growing concerns about deteriorating environmental and climatic conditions worldwide. We explore how African humanitas (Ubuntu) promotes and establishes an important environmental ethos. We posit that Ubuntu can serve as a valuable resource in the global response to climate change
Marketing ‘Africa’: Exploring colonial legacies in the contemporary tourism industry
No full textThis study aims to examine how the African tourism industry represents itself to international tourists, by exploring the tourism industry of four African countries, i.e. South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Rwanda, through focusing on language and images in selected travel agency websites (including the national tourism departments). The selected countries reflect the differing nature of the colonial experience and vary in colonial histories, geographic location, and prominence in the African tourism industry. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, examining websites from different travel agencies in each African country, using a textual and visual approach. An interview with a marketer from South Africa was conducted to obtain further insight into the thinking behind the tourism campaigns. The focus was on the dilemmas faced by image makers in either perpetuating or contesting colonial stereotypes in representing South Africa to international tourists. The study found that these stereotypes, namely general stereotypes about Africa, African people and the colonial legacies, were indeed commonly found in the marketing of South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania. Rwanda differed in some key respects, as the Rwandan marketing hardly revealed any colonial legacies and perpetuated only a few stereotypes about African people. Marketers found it difficult to abandon the stereotypes due to the lack of awareness of certain stereotypes and because of marketing purposes as they play into the preconceived ideas that tourists have about African countries and its inhabitants
Radiographic patterns of sella turcica shape in osteogenesis imperfecta: A pilot study in a South African cohort
No full textBackground: The sella turcica (ST), a readily identifiable structure on lateral cephalograms and cone beam computed tomography (CBCTs), is important in dental and craniofacial assessment. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is associated with cranial base abnormalities, including distinct radiographic ST shapes. Patterns of ST morphology are relevant in understanding the pathophysiology of the neurocranium. The anterior part is derived from neural crest cells, and the posterior wall cartilage develops under the influence of the notochord. Results: Eighteen OI patients were included, fifteen of whom were diagnosed with OI type 3 (OI3), with eleven (73%) confirmed to have pathogenic variants in FKBP10. Figure 1 provides examples of STs identified in this study. Figure 2 provides statistical findings. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in ST shape distribution between OI1 and OI3 subtypes.SAMR
Consumption frequency of ultra‐processed foods andbeverages among 6‐ to 36‐month‐olds in Kampala, Uganda
No full textThe nutrition transition in sub‐saharan africa has led to increased consumption of ultra‐processed foods in infancy, especially sweet foods. this has heightened the risk for nutrition‐related non‐communicable diseases, including dental caries and overweight/obesity, and promotes poor food choices later in life. the present study used a cross‐sectional design to investigate the consumption frequency of ultra‐processed foods and beverages among urban 6‐ to 36‐month‐olds attending four selected health facilities in kampala using a standardised questionnaire and 24‐h diet recall record. the primary outcome was the consumption of at least one ultra‐processed food or beverage (upfb) the previous day, and frequency of upfb consumption of the week before was the secondary outcome. four hundred and ten caregiver–child pairs were randomly recruited, 94% of caregivers being mothers with a mean age of 30.7 (±5.3) years. fifty‐nine per cent of mothers and 73% of fathers had attained a college education. the median age of children was 18 months and 51% were female. most children (57%) consumed at least one upfb the previous day. in the week before, 69% had consumed upfb frequently (4–7 days) which was significantly positively associated with maternal education (odds ratio [or] = 2.85, 95% confidence interval [ci]: 1.02–7.96, p = 0.045) and child's age ([or = 2.87, 95% ci: 1.62–5.08, p < 0.001], [or = 3.68, 95% ci: 1.88–7.20, p < 0.001]). in conclusion, the dietary habits of the surveyed ugandan population were unhealthy, characterised by the frequent consumption of upfb with added sugar. there is an urgent need to re‐enforce existing ugandan food regulation guidelines and policies and to build strong nutritional education programmes to enhance health‐promoting environments in early childhood
Synergistic effects of drought and heat stress on Medicago truncatula: understanding growth response and photosynthetic mechanisms
No full textDrought and heat stress significantly threaten forage crop development and photosynthetic activity in the Mediterranean region. This study investigated the physiological responses and photosynthetic activity of two lines TN6.18 and F83005.5 (F83), to single and combined heat and drought stress treatments. Biomass traits, leaf gas exchange, and photosystem activities were evaluated. Our findings indicate a reduction in biomass parameters under heat, drought, and combined stress on both lines, particularly in F83. The stomatal conductance and photosynthetic parameters exhibited differential responses, with F83 reducing its stomatal conductance under drought stress, while TN6.18 was adapted by opening its stomata. Moreover, in TN6.18, combined stress enhanced protection mechanisms in PSI, while F83 showed changes in PSII efficiency. These insights deepen our understanding of plant responses to abiotic stresses and offer strategies for improving tolerance and resilience in changing environmental conditions
A comprehensive outline of antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic prescribing, and antimicrobial stewardship in South Africa: A scoping review protocol
No full textIntroduction The global prevalence of antimicrobial resistance transcends geographical and economic boundaries, affecting populations worldwide. Excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics encourages antimicrobial resistance which leads to complex treatment strategies for infectious diseases and possible failure of treatment. The incorrect and unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics places a burden on healthcare costs and thus, antimicrobial resistance is evident globally as a major public health concern. The impact is particularly pronounced in low to middle-income countries, where limited access to healthcare exacerbates the crisis. This scoping review aims to comprehensively map the evidence of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings, encompassing the exploration of antibiotic prescribing practices and the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives in South Africa. Methodology This protocol has been registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi-org.ezproxy.uwc.ac.za/10.17605/OSF.IO/PWMFB). This review will consider all types of study designs, conducted within South Africa. Studies that are published in English for the period 2019–2024, and that explore antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evidence in healthcare in South Africa, including antibiotic prescribing trends and antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance initiatives will be included. Non-English publications, studies outside of South Africa, animal and environmental studies will be excluded. The criteria for the scoping review will be set by two reviewers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool will be used. Studies will be identified through an extensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature databases. The results of the review will be tabulated and include a narrative synthesis of the findings