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The genus Heliobolus comprises four recognized species, all endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Of these, only Heliobolus lugubris occurs in southern Africa, its distribution extending from Angola in the west to Mozambique in the east and reaching as far south as parts of northern South Africa. Like many of the reptile species that occur in southern Africa, Heliobolus lugubris is poorly studied, and preliminary investigation suggested that it may contain cryptic diversity. The present work focusses on the Angolan population of H. lugubris and uses an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological, coloration and DNA sequence data. The results indicate that some of the current and historical specimens of H. lugubris from Angola do not correspond to the nominotypical form, and that differences between specimens suggest the presence of two additional species, described here as Heliobolus bivari sp. nov. from the southernmost xeric/desertic regions and plateau of Namibe Province, southwestern Angola and H. crawfordi sp. nov. from the Serra da Neve inselberg north through the sub-desert coastal regions of northern Namibe, Benguela, and Kwanza Sul provinces. Nominotypical Heliobolus lugubris is confirmed to occur in Cuando Cubango Province, southeastern Angola.

African Shovel-snout snakes (Prosymna Gray, 1849) are small, semi-fossorial snakes with a unique compressed and beak-like snout. Prosymna occur mainly in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 16 currently recognised species, four occur in Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), and P. visseri FitzSimons, 1959. The taxonomical status and evolutionary relationships of P. angolensis have never been assessed due to the lack of genetic material. This species is known to occur from western Angola southwards to Namibia, and eastwards to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The species shows considerable variation in dorsal colouration across its range, and with the lower ventral scales count, an ‘eastern race’ was suggested. In recent years, Prosymna material from different parts of Angola has been collected, and with phylogenetic analysis and High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography, the taxonomic status of these populations can be reviewed. Strong phylogenetic evidence was found to include the angolensis subgroup as part of the larger sundevalli group, and the existence of three phylogenetic lineages within the angolensis subgroup were identified, which each exhibit clear morphological and colouration differences. One of these lineages is assigned to the nominotypical P. angolensis and the other two described as new species, one of which corroborates the distinct eastern population previously detected. These results reinforce that a considerable part of Angolan herpetological diversity is still to be described and the need for further studies.

Abstract Background A comprehensive, accurate description of workforce capacity is important for health service planning, to ensure that health services meet local needs. In many low- to middle-income countries, the government’s service planning ability is barred by the lack of accurate and/or comprehensively-described workforce data. In these low-resource settings, lack of appropriate planning leads to limited or no access to rehabilitation services. Variability in the definitions and scope of rehabilitation professionals further complicates the understanding of rehabilitation services and how it should be planned and delivered. Another challenge to describing the primary rehabilitation workforce capacity, is the lack of standardised and agreed-upon global metrics. These inconsistencies highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of current practices, which can offer guidance to countries wishing to describe their rehabilitation workforce. This study aimed to scope the range of descriptors and metrics used to describe the rehabilitation workforce and to compare the workforce across countries that used similar descriptors in published reports. Methods A scoping review was conducted according to the five-step framework first developed by Arksey and O’Malley. The review included a broad search of literature regarding the rehabilitation workforce and how countries quantify and describe the rehabilitation workforce. Results Nineteen studies on rehabilitation workforce capacity were identified. All but one (a cross-sectional study) were database reviews. The main descriptors and indicators used to describe the rehabilitation workforce capacity were profession type, age, gender, distributions between urban/rural, level of care, and private/public sectors, absolute count totals, and population-adjusted ratios. Conclusion This scoping review provided an overview of descriptors and indicators used to describe the rehabilitation workforce capacity internationally. The study is a first step towards developing standardised descriptors and metrics to quantify the rehabilitation workforce capacity, that will allow for comparison between different settings. Trial registration This scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (http://osf.10/7h6xz).

In post-apartheid South Africa, the representation of queer identities in Afrikaans-language films have become increasingly prominent. However, many such films focus on past contexts or serve as comedic depictions, failing to confront the complex issues faced by individuals in contemporary Afrikaner communities. Etienne Kallos’s 2018 coming-of-age film Die stropers (The Harvesters) candidly depicts the challenges faced by adoptive brothers Janno and Pieter, who must negotiate desire and gender in a conservative, Afrikaans farming community. Drawing on Judith Butler’s notion of gender performativity and recent reformulations of Raewyn Connell’s notion of hegemonic masculinity, we examine the discursive (re)production of hegemonic Afrikaner masculinity within the boys’ adoptive family and community. We investigate how the protagonists strategically deploy performative masculinities to achieve belonging and acceptance as heirs, even if the ideals they emulate oppress and restrict them. We propose that the protagonists’ strategic deployment of performative masculinities represents their claiming of agency in contexts where gender and desire are aggressively policed. Furthermore, their navigation of hegemony in this white, Afrikaner community through resistance and consent might point to a claiming of space for queer identities and the continued transmutation of hegemonic masculinity.

We describe a competitive colorimetric assay that enables rapid and sensitive detection of galactose and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) via colorimetric readouts and demonstrate its usefulness for monitoring NAD+-driven enzymatic reactions. We present a sensitive plasmonic sensing approach for assessing galactose concentration and the presence of NADH using galactose dehydrogenase-immobilized gold nanostars (AuNS-PVP-GalDH). The AuNS-PVP-GalDH assay remains turquoise blue in the absence of galactose and NADH; however, as galactose and NADH concentrations grow, the reaction well color changes to a characteristic red color in the presence of an alkaline environment and a metal ion catalyst (detection solution). As a result, when galactose is sensed in the presence of H2O2, the colored response of the AuNS-PVP-GalDH assay transforms from turquoise blue to light pink, and then to wine red in a concentration-dependent manner discernible to the human eye. This competitive AuNS-PVP-GalDH assay could be a viable analytical tool for rapid and convenient galactose quantification in resource-limited areas.

Involvement of users in the design process is generally viewed favourably, both within academia and industry. Their involvement can be seen as a strategy for designers to clarify their design task and reduce uncertainties in the design process. Simultaneously, there is a lack of understanding about the impact that user involvement has on students and how they experience doing so. This paper reports on a study where students were asked to self-report their motivation and self-confidence throughout a design exercise, stretching 11 days, with surveys repeating daily. Additionally, students were asked to indicate which--if any--strategies of user involvement they used every day. We find that students self-reported motivation did not change statistically significantly, while self-confidence did change. However, in neither case did student's involvement of end-users impact how motivated or self-confident they were. We discuss our results in relation to existing research on method use in general and user involvement in particular and conclude with some suggestions for future work.

Given that noninnocent and metalloradical-type electronic structures are ubiquitous among dipyrrin-bisphenolate (DPP) complexes, we synthesized the gold(iii) derivatives as potentially innocent paradigms against which the properties of other metallo-DPP derivatives can be evaluated. Electronic absorption spectra, electrochemical studies, a single-crystal X-ray structure, and DFT calculations all suggest that the ground states of the new complexes indeed correspond to an innocent AuIII-DPP3-, paralleling a similar description noted for Au corroles. Interestingly, while DFT calculations indicate purely ligand-centered oxidations, reduction of AuDPP is predicted to occur across both the metal and the ligand.

The trickster is a figure that joins a model that has appeared in North American fictional works from its beginnings to contemporary times and has remarkable similarities with the Spanish picaro, with the Brazilian trickster, with the French upstart, with the German smartass, among others. Taking into account its importance for the study of anti-heroic figures, section 2 of Pieter Conradie's master's thesis is translated into Portuguese, in which he defines this figure and makes important observations about its constitution and evolution throughout its existence in the fictional texts. In the referred part, the author provides its definition and illustrates its relevance to North American natives and it extends to the present day, based on the studies by Radin (1972) and Jung (1969). The trickster is considered as a mythological entity originating from the indigenous tribe located in Nebraska, Winnebago, and which ended up establishing itself as a representation of the smart guy, who does everything to get along and get away from conflicting situations. Initially, he was a folkloric figure who ended up entering the literary field and there he remains as a wandering, ambitious, selfish being, who despises work and whose only intention is survival, through fraud and deceit to third parties, permeated by humor, and always emphasizing his cleverness and agility in the actions he experiences in the fictions of the past and also in those of the present.

Angola has experienced an incredible increase of the knowledge of its herpetofauna over the past decade. However, accurate biodiversity inventories remain deficient for certain regions of particular conservation interest. We therefore provide an updated checklist of Iona National Park’s herpetofauna, with 75 recorded species, including five amphibians and 70 reptiles, 40 of these recorded for the first time in Iona National Park. These species comprise ~80% of the reptile diversity of Namibe Province. Therefore, this work recognises Iona National Park as the most reptile-diverse protected area in Angola and is potentially one of the richest in southern Africa. Consequently, this work enhances the importance of specific conservation plans in the area and the need for further investigation into the hidden biodiversity of this region.

Background: Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are accepted tools in cardiac arrhythmia management. Consistent R-wave amplitude (RWA) is essential for optimal detection. Objectives: Assess RWAs with posture/activities at insertion and at 30 days. Methods: Participants (n = 90) with Confirm Rx™ ICM had RWAs measured in different postures (supine, right-side [RS], left-side [LS], sitting, and standing) and defined physical activities (including isometric push [IPUSH] and pull) at 2 time points. ICMs were inserted in 45° to sternum and parasternal orientations. Results: There were significant reductions at insertion with RS, LS, sitting, or standing vs supine (reference position) (all P < .05). At 30 days, significant changes only occurred with LS and sitting (P

Abstract Background Incidence of stroke is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. People who survive stroke experience disability and require long-term care. Health systems in South Africa (SA) are experiencing important challenges, and services in the public health system for people with stroke (PWS) are fragmented. We aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of PWS related to stroke care services to inform health system strengthening measures. Methods In-depth interviews with 16 PWS in urban and rural areas in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of SA were conducted between August and October 2020. PWS were recruited through existing research networks, non-government organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities by snowball sampling. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analysed. We used the conceptual framework of access to health care as proposed by Levesque et al. to map and inform barriers to accessing health care from the user perspective. Results PWS recognised the need for health care when they experienced signs of acute stroke. Health literacy on determinants of stroke was low. Challenges to accessing stroke care include complex pathways to care, physical mobility related to stroke, long travel distances and limited transport options, waiting times and out of pocket expenses. The perceived quality of services was influenced by cultural beliefs, attitudinal barriers, and information challenges. Some PWS experienced excellent care and others particularly poor care. Positive staff attitude, perceived competence and trustworthiness went in hand with many technical and interpersonal deficits, such as long waiting times and poor staff attitude that resulted in poor satisfaction and reportedly poor outcomes for PWS. Conclusions Strategic leadership, governance and better resources at multiple levels are required to address the unmet demands and needs for health care of PWS. Stroke care could be strengthened by service providers routinely providing information about prevention and symptoms of stroke, treatment, and services to patients and their social support network. The role of family members in continuity of care could be strengthened by raising awareness of existing resources and referral pathways, and facilitating connections within services.

This article offers a broad overview of Christian ecotheology, a theological movement reflecting on Christian responses to ecological destruction. Any such an overview can hardly cover its spread in different geographical contexts, confessional traditions, theological schools, and languages. With these limitations in mind, this entry offers a first approximation of Christian ecotheology on the basis of the Greek roots oikos, theos, and logos, and identifies four core tasks (a dual critical and a dual constructive task) for any form of ecotheology. It then explores various prompts, precursors, and subsequent developments in global Christian ecotheology. The article lists a myriad of current discourses within ecotheology before identifying and outlining a number of ongoing contestations in the field. On this basis, some perspectives on current paths and emerging horizons in the field are offered.

BackgroundSouth African women of childbearing age are disproportionally affected by obesity and at significant risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Unless pregnant, they do not readily undergo screening for T2DM. With a local focus on improved antenatal care, hyperglycemia is often first detected in pregnancy (HFDP). This may erroneously be attributed to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in all without considering T2DM. Glucose evaluation following pregnancy is essential for early detection and management of women with T2DM in whom persistent hyperglycemia is to be expected. Conventional testing with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is cumbersome, prompting investigation for alternate solutions.AimTo compare the diagnostic performance of HbA1c to the current gold standard OGTT in women with HFDP 4-12 weeks post-delivery.MethodsGlucose homeostasis was assessed with OGTT and HbA1c in 167 women with HFDP, 4-12 weeks after delivery. Glucose status was based on American Diabetes Association criteria.ResultsGlucose homeostasis was assessed at 10 weeks (IQR 7-12) after delivery. Of the 167 participants, 52 (31%) had hyperglycemia, which was comprised of 34 (20%) prediabetes and 18 (11%) T2DM. Twelve women in the prediabetes subgroup had diagnostic fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG), but in two-thirds of the patients (22/34) only one time point proved diagnostic. The FPGs and the 2hPGs of six women with HbA1c-based T2DM were both within the prediabetes diagnostic range. According to the HbA1c measurements, 85% of 52 participants with gold standard OGTT defined hyperglycemia (prediabetes and T2DM) as well as 15 of 18 women with postpartum persistent T2DM were correctly classified. According to FPG, 15 women with persistent hyperglycemia would have been missed (11 with prediabetes and four with T2DM; 29%). When compared to an OGTT, a single HbA1c of 6.5% (48mmol/mol) postpartum demonstrated a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 97% for the identification of T2DM.ConclusionHbA1c may improve access to postpartum testing in overburdened clinical settings where the required standards of OGTT cannot be guaranteed. HbA1c is a valuable test to detect women who will benefit most from early intervention but cannot unequivocally replace OGTT.

Five CoII complexes were prepared with different multi-dentate N-donor ligands (5-Nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 2,2′-dipyridyl or 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine). Complexation was confirmed with the blue-shift of stretching frequency of the CN moiety of the ligands as measured by ATR FTIR and by XPS spectra. The average XPS binding energies (BE) of the main and satellite structures of Co 2p3/2 photoelectron lines for CoII were ca. 780.3 eV and 785.0 eV respectively. The diffusion controlled formal reduction potential E0′ of the CoII/III redox couple measured in aqueous medium ranged between 0.08 and 0.58 V versus NHE. Ihe CoII/I redox couple measured in DMF ranged between between −1.1 and −1.7 V vs HFc/HFc+. Directly proportional relationships were established between the E0′ of both the CoII/III and CoII/I redox couples and the BE of the main CoII 2p3/2 photoelectron lines and DFT calculated energies and charges. These relationships all illustrate the electronic influence of the different N-donor ligands on the effective charge of the central cobalt(II) ion the ligands are coordinated to, can be quantised by the different experimental redox and XPS BE values and DFT calculated electronic descriptors.