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Illustrated forensic pathology : necklacing
(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2025-09) Blumenthal, Ryan; Maximilian, Robert; ryan.blumenthal@up.ac.za
In July 2024, we examined the charred remains of an unidentified adult male. Remnants of a burned tire were found to be wrapped around the neck and torso. According to the available history, the deceased had been “necklaced.”
Agreement between children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their primary caregivers on participation : attendance, involvement, and perceived important activities
(Taylor and Francis, 2025) Kang, Lin-Ju; Granlund, Mats; Huus, Karina; Dada, Shakila
PURPOSES : To investigate item-level agreement between children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and their primary caregivers regarding perceived participation attendance and involvement, and identify differences in their selections of the important activities to children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : The participants included 143 children with NDD aged 6 to 12 years and their primary caregivers (n = 130). Each completed the Picture My Participation (PmP) separately. Weighted Kappa coefficients and absolute agreement/disagreement were calculated to assess agreement between child–primary caregiver dyads in attendance and involvement ratings. Frequencies of items selected as one of the three most important activities were analyzed.
RESULTS : Slight to moderate agreement was found between children and primary caregivers in perceived attendance (κ = 0.10 − 0.47, p < 0.05) and involvement (κ = 0.12 − 0.48, p < 0.05) at the item level. Children more frequently identified social activities, caregiving for others or animals, personal care, and school learning as important compared to their primary caregivers.
CONCLUSIONS : The relatively low agreement between children with NDD and their primary caregivers highlights the importance of including children’s perspectives in collaborative goal-setting. Clinicians should tailor tools and strategies to address children’s and caregivers’ differences in perceived participation and important activities to facilitate the co-construction of participation goals.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
• Clinical decision-making around participation primarily relates to specific activities.
• Children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their primary caregivers had relatively low agreement in their perceived participation, particularly concerning children’s involvement in activities related to socialization, caregiving, personal care, and school learning.
• Children’s perceptions of involvement and activity importance are essential to measure for the co-construction of participation goals, ensuring goals are grounded in the activities important to children.
• Clinicians should implement tools and strategies to bridge the discrepancies in children’s and caregivers’ perceptions, tailoring interventions to address needs from both perspectives.
The garden city as a commons : social-ethical perspectives on the new housing question
(AOSIS, 2024-11-20) Meireis, Torsten; Johrendt, Lukas
Europe faces a severe shortage in affordable housing. Even though the situation is less dire than in many cities of the Global South, rising rents and real estate prices affect the poorest hardest. Faith-based organisations, especially Christian churches, have monitored and tackled this problem for more than six decades.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The paper discusses this issue from a social-ethical perspective featuring the example of Germany. It depicts the role of the churches, scrutinises the causes of the shortage, explains the situation as a problem of justice and presents an urban vision inspired by Christian tradition, namely the garden city as a commons. In a mixed motives approach, it presents concrete policy suggestions to improve the situation.
Sustainable development goals through the lens of local churches
(AOSIS, 2024-12-10) Msebi, Mawethu; Beukes, Jacques
This article reports on the findings of the local churches' involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tembisa in Gauteng province of South Africa. The article employed Richard Osmer's model of the four tasks of practical theological interpretation, focussing on narrating and examining the situation in the Tembisa community. The article relied on documentary analysis and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study findings revealed that local churches could significantly promote the SDGs within their local communities. The study identified essential factors such as human rights, gender equality, peace and justice, and biodiversity conservation as crucial for achieving developmental outcomes. The challenges that local churches face in implementing the SDGs were also discussed.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The study outlined principles for ensuring improved quality of life for all through effective implementation of the SDGs. Additionally, the study recommended further empirical research on the role of local churches in promoting SDGs, as well as similar studies in different regions or sectors.
Revisiting women’s role in world Christianity : a theological analysis of John 4:1–42
(AOSIS, 2025-03) Gharbin, Godibert Kelly; Van Eck, Ernest
A recent study reveals that women predominantly make up global Christian congregations. However, because of religio-cultural influences – common to both the contemporary and New Testament worlds – the contributions of women often go unrealised. For instance, John 4:1–42 illustrates how Christ’s response to the Samaritan woman prevented the suppression of her contributions to Christianity. This study utilises Osborne’s theological analysis to examine John’s proposed solutions to these challenges, as it explores how the theological and dynamic dimensions of narratives convey theological ideas. This approach enables readers to reconstruct John’s theological perspective on women’s roles in global Christianity. The findings suggest that an encounter with Jesus must transcend religio-cultural barriers that marginalise women, thereby enabling them to fulfil their divinely appointed roles within global Christianity.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The characterisation of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus challenges gender-based marginalisation and redefines gendered roles in global Christianity. Therefore, the research intersects with missiology, sociology and anthropology.