16918 research outputs found
Sort by
Baloi, clever blacks and magogo: Language as symbolic action in online violence against South African female journalists on X
No full textThis study examines online violence against South African female journalists on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), focusing on language as a tool for mob censorship. The study analyses 600 posts directed at selected female journalists targeted because of their gender and their reporting on high-profile individuals and events. Through qualitative content analysis, the study reveals how name-calling and chastisement are used to belittle, admonish, and with the aim to ultimately silence these women. Name-calling, particularly based on race and gender, employs stereotypes and derogatory terms to try to discredit the journalists and undermine their authority. Chastisement, through sexual innuendo and the weaponisation of mental health, attempts to control and shame these women by dictating how they should behave. This study expands our understanding of name-calling as a weaponised form of digital press criticism used to delegitimise and shame journalists, particularly in a non-Western context
Synthesis of immunomodulatory biomimetic lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles and application of zebrafish larvae in immunomodulation screening
No full textSince the antibiotic golden era of the mid-20th century, there have been limited antibiotics approved, while antibiotic resistance continues to escalate disproportionately, outpacing the rate of novel antibiotic discovery. This imbalance poses a serious global health concern, with an estimated annual death toll of 10 million due to antibiotic resistance by 2050. There is a growing interest in immunotherapy as an alternative approach to conventional antibiotics due to its ability to target and stimulate immune system, leveraging its innate ability to self-eradicate pathogens. This study synthesized lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) conjugated with two immunomodulatory agents, namely, curdlan and mycolic acid (MA), as a potential immunotherapy for bacterial infections. LPHNPs were synthesized using lecithin and polycaprolactone (PCL) at a 15 % lipid-to-polymer (w/w) ratio. Additionally, PCL-curdlan copolymer, comprising 15 % w/w curdlan, was successfully synthesized and used to conjugate the LPHNPs with various curdlan concentrations. Furthermore, The LPHNPs were conjugated with varying MA concentrations, with or without curdlan. In-vivo assessment of the immunomodulatory effect of the LPHNPs was conducted using a larval zebrafish model assessing behaviour and immunofluorescence, as indicators of immune stimulation. The data suggests that curdlan exhibits a more complex immunoregulatory role as demonstrated by the countered stimulated behavioural effect while inflammation remained heightened. This work also provides new insights that zebrafish larvae are a valuable screening tool in the development of nanoparticle immunotherapies
MeerKAT-derived h i kinematics and the baryonic Tully–Fisher relation in the x-ray luminous cluster Abell 3408
No full textSignificant advances in observational capabilities are continuously transforming our understanding of the dense environment of galaxy clusters and its impact on individual galaxies. Discerning between the intrinsic and the externally induced properties of galaxies, including their gas kinematics, is a key diagnostic in the field of galaxy evolution. In this paper, we present MeerKAT HI spectral line observations of the redshift z ∼ 0.042 galaxy cluster Abell 3408. A total of 64 galaxies are detected in HI in this X-ray luminous galaxy cluster (LX ∼ 3 × 1043 erg s−1). We model the H I morphology and gas kinematics of the individual galaxies, using a semi-automated pipeline based on CANNUBI and pyBBarolo. The pipeline was developed and tested as part of this study. Of the 64 galaxies detected in the cluster, we successfully modelled 16, while the remaining galaxies exhibit disturbed HI morphologies, insufficient angular or velocity resolution. We combine the galaxies with converged kinematic fits with 67 field galaxies from the MeerKAT spectral line survey early science data (⟨z⟩= 0.0435) to produce a measurement of the baryonic Tully–Fisher relation (bTFr) that encompasses a broader range of environment and provides a useful comparison. We find a slope (α = 3.66+0.32−0.28) for this relation, which is consistent with that found from the MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration (MIGHTEE) survey bTFr derived from the same definition. Interestingly, HI detections of the Abell 3408 galaxy cluster galaxies are seen to extend the bTFr of the MIGHTEE sample, both in mass and velocity, despite their cluster environment
Access to legal assistance for indigent accused person during the pre-trial stage: an analysis of the role of paralegals.
No full textSouth Africa (SA) remains one of the most unequal societies in the world with a highly skewed income distribution. The gap between the rich and poor grows each year, and it is undeniable that poverty is an epidemic in SA. In light of the vast disparities between indigent and affluent persons in South Africa, it may be understood why few people can afford legal representation and even less can access quality legal representation.The right to legal representation has been recognised in South African statutes from as early as the beginning of the Nineteenth Century.3 The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 31 of 1917 (CPEA), for example, referred to a defendant’s right to legal assistance. In section 97 of the CPEA, an accused was afforded access to their legal counsel during the pre-trial stage. Similarly, the right to legal assistance was adopted in our present-day Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 in section 73 (1) that entitles an arrestee, the assistance of their legal adviser from the time of arrest. However, for the indigent accused the accessibility to legal representation during the pre-trial stage is usually illusory. Prior to the inception of constitutional democracy, access to legal representation for the vast majority of South Africans was, sadly, inadequate. The Legal Aid Board provided limited judicare service legal representation, dependent on a means test, that left the majority of applicants unrepresented.4 Our constitutional democracy, however, brought about a significant change to the accused persons’ right to legal representation. Section 35 of the Constitution5 unequivocally confers the right to legal representation to an accused person
Hydride4mobility: an eu project on hydrogen powered forklift using metal hydrides for hydrogen storage and h2 compression
No full textThe EU Horizon2020 RISE project 778,307 “Hydrogen fuelled utility and their support systems utilising metal hydrides” (HYDRIDE4MOBILITY) worked on the commercialization of hydrogen powered forklifts using metal hydride (MH) based hydrogen stores. The project consortium joined forces of 9 academic and industrial partners from 4 countries. The work program included a) Development of the materials for hydrogen storage and compression; b) Theoretical modelling and optimisation of the materials performance and system integration; c) Advanced fibre reinforced composite cylinder systems for H2 storage and compression; d) System validation. Materials development was focused on i) Zr/Ti-based Laves type high entropy alloys; ii) Mg-rich composite materials; iii) REMNiSn intermetallics; iv) Mg based materials for the hydrolysis process; v) Cost-efficient alloys. For the optimized AB2±x alloys the Zr/Ti content was optimized at A = Zr78-88Ti12–22 while B=Ni10Mn5.83VFe. These alloys provided a) Low hysteresis of hydrogen absorption-desorption; b) Excellent kinetics of charge and discharge; c) Tailored thermodynamics; d) Long cycle life. Zr0.85Ti0.15TM2 alloy provided a reversible H storage and electrochemical capacity of 1.6 wt% H and 450 mAh/g. The tanks development targeted: i) High efficiency of heat and hydrogen exchange; ii) Reduction of the weight and increasing the working H2 pressure; iii) Modelling, testing and optimizing the H2 stores with fast performance. The system for power generation was validated at the Implats plant in a fuel cell powered forklift with on-board MH hydrogen storage and on-site H2 refuelling. The outcome on the HYDRIDE4MOBILITY project (2017–2024) (http://hydride4mobility.fesb.unist.hr) was presented in 58 publications
Young men's daily mobility needs and practices in two low-income neighbourhoods of Cape Town: reflections on first mile experiences, using an innovative community peer research methodology
No full textUnderstanding how young men navigate their journeys is important in the context of improving safe mobility for all, especially for those resident in city neighbourhoods with high rates of crime and poverty. Over the past decade, knowledge has been accumulating regarding the challenges faced by young women as they travel around urban areas across the African continent, but young men's lived mobility experiences have been largely ignored. This represents a major research gap. There often seems to be an (unwritten) assumption that men are invulnerable - free to travel wherever and whenever they choose - but there is a lack of specific knowledge of realities on the ground and how they impact on men's lives. In this paper we report recent research conducted with young men aged 18–35 years in two low-income neighbourhoods in Cape Town, utilizing a qualitative participatory Peer Research methodology. The focus is on understanding how young men resident in low-income areas experience and practice mobility, as they walk between home and local transport hubs (the ‘first mile’), wait at the hub, then journey onwards on motorised transport. Our findings suggest that while men's perceptions of potential danger do not necessarily stop them travelling, they experience moments of considerable stress in such contexts, such that they have to engage with a diversity of tactics to try to ensure a safe journey. There are potentially significant impacts on young men's well-being
Utilizing redundancy theory to explore the plausibility of conceptualising provincial intervention in municipalities as a constitutional override mechanism: South African case
No full textSection 139 of the Constitution of South Africa empowers provincial and national governments to intervene when a municipality fails to fulfill an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution or legislation. Provincial intervention in failing municipalities has been conceptualized as a constitutional override mechanism to prevent the collapse of a municipality. However, this emerging conceptualization is yet to be explored to assess its plausibility. This paper utilized the redundancy theory and content analysis research methodology to explore the validity and reasonableness of conceptualizing provincial intervention as a constitutional override mechanism. The combination of theoretical grounding and deductive content analysis offered richer empirical descriptive and explanatory indicators to use in interrogating the validity and reasonableness of the conceptualization. This suggests that the elements of redundancy theory, such as backup, independence and substitutability, are intrinsically useful in explaining provincial intervention. Furthermore, deductive content analysis unearthed text from court judgements to establish the plausibility of the conceptualization of provincial intervention in failing municipalities as a constitutional override mechanism
Derivation of allometric equations and carbon content estimation in mangrove forests of Malaysia
No full textMangrove forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, yet comprehensive data on their carbon storage capacity in Malaysia remain limited. This study investigated allometric relationships and carbon content in Malaysian mangrove forests, aiming to develop site species-specific allometric equations, determine carbon content in tree components, and assess total carbon stock. Research was conducted in four compartments of the Sg. Pulai Permanent Reserved Forest, representing a mixed-species mangrove stand. We measured 1403 trees across ten species, with Rhizophora apiculata identified as the dominant species. Using diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height, we developed site species-specific allometric equations to estimate aboveground biomass. The total aboveground biomass ranged from 183.30 t ha⁻1 to 187.06 t ha⁻1 across the study area. We calculated the total carbon stock at 91.01 t C ha⁻1, incorporating measurements from trees below 5 cm in diameter, dead and downed wood, and litter. An economic valuation of carbon storage was conducted using two approaches: the social cost of carbon method estimated a value of USD 4054.76 per hectare. In contrast, the market price approach yielded USD 1064.34 per hectare. This study provides essential data for improving biomass and carbon stock estimation methods in Malaysian mangrove ecosystems. Our findings highlight these forests' economic and ecological importance, supporting their integration into climate change mitigation strategies and informing sustainable management and conservation policies for mangrove forests in Malaysia and similar regions
The influence of season and land use on the occurrence of Metarhizium spp. in the Cape Peninsula region, South Africa
No full textTo investigate the environmental relationships between the occurrence of Metarhizium spp., season and land use in the Cape Peninsula region, soil samples were collected from randomly selected sampling sites within nature reserves and agricultural farms. Soil samples from the same sites were collected in different seasons (winter and summer), and Metarhizium spp. were isolated from the soil samples by insect baiting and plating soil, and identified. Soil pH, texture, and nutrient contents of air-dried composite soil samples were analysed, and the seasonal rainfall data were recorded. The associations between the number of Metarhizium isolates with soil nutrient contents and seasonal rainfall were assessed. Farm sites had a significantly higher number of Metarhizium isolates (36 of 40 isolates collected) and higher concentrations of soil macronutrients, P, Ca and N (NO3), than in soil samples from the reserves, while higher average monthly rainfall in winter correlated with higher occurrences of Metarhizium isolates. In conclusion, wet, cold winters and vegetable farming favoured the higher occurrence of Metarhizium spp. in the Cape Peninsula region
Experiences of internally displaced women in Bamenda, Cameroon: how an ngo works to resettle and reintegrate
No full textThe number of internally displaced people in the world has reached an all-time high (IDMC, 2022). In the year 2021, approximately 53.2 million people were internally displaced due to conflict and violence across 59 countries, which is an increase of approximately 5.8 million compared to the previous year (IDMC, 2022). Internal displacement impacts millions of people globally, but women are most at risk of becoming internally displaced. Internally displaced women constitute a vulnerable group facing unique challenges from humanitarian crises across the globe (IDMC, 2023)