Recent Submissions

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Belangrikheid van troos in die Heidelbergse Kategismus
(AOSIS, 2024-01-25) Janse van Rensburg, Antoinette
It is known that the Heidelberg Catechism is one of the many catechisms that originated during the 16th-century Reformation. It is also known that the authors of the Heidelberg Catechism made use of existing catechisms. The Heidelberg Catechism consists of three sections, with the famous introduction dealing with us as humans our only comfort in life and death, and that our body and soul belong to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Knowledge of this consolation is divided into three sections: knowledge of our sin and misery, knowledge of our deliverance, and knowledge of how we should be thankful for our deliverance. Throughout the Catechism, the theme of comfort plays an important role. Furthermore, the core of the Heidelberg Catechism deals with our comfort as human beings, as Barth formulates the question: ‘Who is the person who is comforted and how is this comfort given and what does it consist of?’ The question, ‘How is humankind comforted?’ is also a central question, with the answer that through Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are comforted. Therefore, this article focuses on the importance of comfort as a central theme in the Heidelberg Catechism, and even though we know that comfort plays an important role in the Catechism, it is important to be reminded thereof. This article provides a short overview on the Heidelberg Catechism and focuses on the importance of comfort. The findings of the article are clear that comfort plays an important role in the Heidelberg Catechism and to be comforted by Jesus Christ, gives us peace in our everyday life, as stated in the Heidelberg Catechism. This is not new information, but in the light of the fact that the celebration of the Reformation is around the corner, it is important to remember and to celebrate the Heidelberg Catechism and the importance thereof in Reformed theology. CONTRIBUTION : This article focuses on the importance of comfort throughout the Heidelberg Catechism by means of a literature study, highlighting the theme of comfort and the importance thereof. The emphasis on comfort makes the Heidelberg Catechism a unique document and this gives the Catechism its own accent.
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Die bediening aan enkelouergesinne met adolessente : 'n inklusiewe en intergenerasionele uitdaging
(AOSIS, 2024-05-31) Scholtz, Johan Willem Kemp; Nel, Malan; Beukes, Jaques
This article focused on the ministry to single-parent families after divorce. The study had its origins in the author’s observation that adolescents from single-parent homes are picked up and dropped off by their parents for catechesis, but that the parents are not involved in activities in the congregation – not even just to attend the worship service. The research had the objective to investigate why single-parent families do not experience themselves as true families within the church and do not receive the necessary support in the faith formation of their children. The fourfold reflective equilibrium approach of Osmer was used as the frame for how this article was structured. As a basis for the interpretation of the empirical findings, the relationship between youth and family ministry is portrayed to lay a theological basis for an inclusive approach. The qualitative empirical study included 17 randomly selected single parents. The empirical study confirmed that single parents find it difficult to survive. The demands placed upon them are intense and they depend on a support network to meet the basic needs of the family. These single parents further believe that the church cannot help them with this. The research confirmed that single parents do not experience acceptance in the church and that they do not receive support in the faith formation of their children. The two hermeneutic spheres for the understanding of faith are a source of tension for the adolescents because of the difference in understanding of matters of faith between their divorced parents. The involvement of grandparents was found to be a key factor in the support of the singleparent family and needs to be addressed in an intergenerational approach. The positive involvement of the local pastor can also be used as a changing factor in the support of the single-parent family. CONTRIBUTION : This article contributes to a paradigm shift in the understanding of how families are constructed, especially single-parent families. The article reports on research that will be valuable for congregations in planning their ministry towards single-parent families.
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Genomic epidemiology and immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant strains circulating in Botswana
(Elsevier, 2024-12) Choga , Wonderful T.; Gobe , Irene; Seru , Kedumetse; Maruapula, Dorcas; Ndlovu , Nokuthula S.; Zuze , Boitumelo J. L; Motshosi , Patience; Matsuru, Teko; Sabone , Phenyo; Yu , Xiaoyu; Blackard , Jason T.; San, James E.; Makhema, Joseph; Gaseitsiwe, Simani; Moyo, Sikhulile
OBJECTIVES : We characterized the molecular and mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant strains in Botswana. METHODS : We performed genomic, phylogenetic, and immunoinformatic analyses of 5254 near-complete genomes from 2020 to 2023. We assessed the presence of mutations of interested (MutOI) that may be associated with immune escape in silico . RESULTS : We observed a few recombinant strains in Botswana, with the majority being descendants of Omicron (XBB∗ ), except for XV and XM. Most recombinant sequences corresponded to transmission clusters. Most recombination events occurred within the receptor-binding domain (RDB) of the spike (S) protein. We identified 16 MutOI among different proteins, with the majority occurring at a very low global prevalence ( < 4.8 ×10− 5). We also observed S:Q474K, a MutOI in the RBD, that was predicted to escape human leukocyte antigen class I–mediated immune responses. Molecular surveillance is vital to inform early detection and response to potential variants with heightened immune and vaccine breakthrough properties. CONCLUSIONS : These results underscore the need for continued molecular surveillance to map the evolutionary landscape of SARS-CoV-2.
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Comparison of machine learning and statistical approaches for digital elevation Mmodel (DEM) correction : interim results
(International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2024-06) Okolie, Chukwuma; Adeleke, Adedayo; Smit, Julian; Mills, Jon; Maduako, Iyke; Ogbeta, Caleb; adedayo.adeleke@up.ac.za
The correction of digital elevation models (DEMs) can be achieved using a variety of techniques. Machine learning and statistical methods are broadly applicable to a variety of DEM correction case studies in different landscapes. However, a literature survey did not reveal any research that compared the effectiveness or performance of both methods. In this study, we comparatively evaluate three gradient boosted decision trees (XGBoost, LightGBM and CatBoost) and multiple linear regression for the correction of two publicly available global DEMs: Copernicus GLO-30 and ALOS World 3D (AW3D) in Cape Town, South Africa. The training datasets are comprised of eleven predictor variables including elevation, slope, aspect, surface roughness, topographic position index, terrain ruggedness index, terrain surface texture, vector ruggedness measure, percentage bare ground, urban footprints and percentage forest cover as an indicator of the overland forest distribution. The target variable (elevation error) was derived with respect to highly accurate airborne LiDAR. The results presented in this study represent urban/industrial and grassland/shrubland/dense bush landscapes. Although the accuracy of the original DEMs had been degraded by several anomalies, the corrections improved the vertical accuracy across vast areas of the landscape. In the urban/industrial and grassland/shrubland landscapes, the reduction in the root mean square error (RMSE) of the original AW3D DEM was greater than 70%, after correction. The corrections improved the accuracy of Copernicus DEM, e.g., > 44% RMSE reduction in the urban area and >32% RMSE reduction in the grassland/shrubland landscape. Generally, the gradient boosted decision trees outperformed multiple linear regression in most of the tests.
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Investigating Community-Based Mapping as a Platform for Informal Settlement Residents to Map Spatial Injustices: Opportunity Analysis for Alaska Informal Settlement in Mamelodi
(2024-12-06) Naidoo, Dhee; Mokonyama, Dineo
Informal settlements usually lack detailed spatial and socio-economic information and are often shown as blank spaces on official maps. This research investigated the potential of community-based mapping to address this issue by allowing residents of the Alaska Informal Settlement in Mamelodi to document and represent their spatial environment. Unlike top-down mapping methods, community mapping leverages local knowledge and is enhanced by technologies such as Global Positioning System, Geographic Information System, and online spatial data. This collaborative method, aided by new spatial information technologies, allows for the development of accurate maps that are relevant to local areas. This research explored how community-based mapping can generate comprehensive geospatial information that better reflects the informal settlement's spatial form. The research aimed to produce up-to-date, accurate geospatial data by involving residents in the primary data collection and mapping processes. The ultimate goal was to provide the community of Alaska Informal Settlement with the tools needed to engage with governmental authorities and address their needs effectively. This study employed a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research to explore the challenges faced by residents of the Alaska Informal Settlement in Mamelodi. The qualitative phase involved focus group sessions with the settlement’s leadership and interviews with government officials, which provided insights into the community's needs and the government's mapping tools. The quantitative aspect involved GIS-based mapping, where a base map was created using ArcGIS Pro to guide community leaders in identifying key features of the settlement. GPS coordinates were recorded, and the data was categorised into social, economic, and environmental aspects for spatial analysis. This integrated approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the settlement’s infrastructure and spatial patterns, offering valuable insights into its challenges and potential for improvement. The newly generated maps revealed significant infrastructure deficiencies, including inadequate sanitation, unreliable water supply, poor waste management, limited transportation access, and insufficient educational facilities. These challenges were noted to be further compounded by environmental hazards such as flooding, fire risks, and wildlife threats, severely impacting residents' quality of life. Despite the severe inequalities faced by residents, the local government is constrained in its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure due to the settlement's location within a Green Belt, which is an area set aside to protect nature, where people are not allowed to build or live. Consequently, the research recommends relocating the Alaska Informal Settlement to a more habitable area outside the Green Belt. The current location presents ongoing health, safety, and quality-of-life challenges, making relocation an urgent necessity. This recommendation is primarily justified by the critical health risks associated with inadequate sanitation and water supply, which could be mitigated by relocating to an area with better infrastructure.