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In this paper, we locate open access in the South African higher education research context where it is, distinctively, not shaped by the policy frameworks that are profoundly changing research dissemination behaviour in other parts of the world. We define open access and account for its rise by two quite different routes. We then present a case study of journal publishing at one South African university to identify existing journal publishing practices in terms of open access. This case provides the springboard for considering the implications – both positive and negative – of global open access trends for South African – and other – research and researchers. We argue that academics' engagement with open access and scholarly communication debates is in their interests as global networked researchers whose virtual identities and online scholarship are now a critical aspect of their professional engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen- and hydrogen-isotope ratios in rainfall provide important hydroclimatic information, yet despite a global network of rainfall isotope measurements, significant geographical gaps exist in data coverage, with only three long-term stations spanning the southern African region. Project-based, ad hoc collections of rainfall for isotope analysis can improve this coverage. However, all rainfall samples that are destined for stable isotope analysis must be collected in such a way to avoid evaporation and resultant isotope fractionation. While such rainwater collectors are available commercially, both the product and shipping are prohibitively costly. We describe the construction of a simple rainfall collector using a design from the literature and materials that are readily available in South African hardware stores. Our rainwater collector can be constructed for the much lower cost of just under ZAR820 in comparison with the cost of ZAR9300 inclusive of shipping from commercial outlets (2022 prices). Our design modifications have the added advantage of portability, with the rainwater collector housed in a bucket with a handle. The device was tested by comparing its performance, in terms of evaporative water loss and isotopic fractionation, with that of an open bottle, using tap water in both cases. Testing confirmed that the collector prevented evaporation over a one-week period, indicating that it is suitable for weekly or more frequent sampling of rainfall. Although the design described was based on materials procured in South Africa, it could easily be adapted for construction elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theropod dinosaurs are considered the main terrestrial carnivores in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Their rise to dominance has been linked to, among others, body size changes in their early history, especially across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. However, to qualitatively assess such temporal trends, robust skeletal and trace fossil data sets are needed globally. The richly fossiliferous southern African continental rock record in the main Karoo Basin offers an unparalleled perspective for such investigations. Herein, by documenting a newly discovered Early Jurassic trackway of very small, functionally tridactyl tracks near Storm Shelter (Eastern Cape) in South Africa, the track record can be expanded. Based on ichnological measurements at the ichnosite and digital 3D models, the footprint dimensions (length, width, splay), locomotor parameters (step length, stride, speed), and body size estimates of the trackmaker are presented. In comparison to other similar tracks, these footprints are not only the smallest Grallator-like tracks in the Clarens Formation, but also the most elongated dinosaur footprints in southern Africa to date. The tracks also show that the small-bodied bipedal trackmaker dashed across the wet sediment surface at an estimated running speed of ~12.5 km/h. During the dash, either as a predator or as a prey, the trackmaker's small feet sunk hallux-deep into the sediment. The tracking surface is overgrown by fossilised microbial mats, which likely enhanced the footprint preservation. Based on track morphometrics and the regional dinosaur skeletal record, the trackmakers are attributed to Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis (formerly Syntarsus rhodesiensis), a small-to-medium-sized, early theropod common in southern Africa. Significance: • A newly discovered Early Jurassic theropod trackway in South Africa contains not only the smallest tracks in the Clarens Formation, but also the most elongated dinosaur footprints in southern Africa to date. • The tracks show that the small bipedal trackmaker dashed across the wet sediment surface at an estimated running speed of ~12.5 km per hour. • During the run, the trackmaker's feet sunk so deeply into the sediment that even the forwards-directed halluces were impressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific reports, articles, strategies and plans in South Africa (and elsewhere) are often written in unnecessarily confusing, complex and obscure language. While this is often unintended, it can be used by some to assert authority and discourage inquiry or dissent. Specialist styles of writing and jargon used by business, management or socio-economic development professionals are often copied or echoed in other contexts where their meaning is less clear. Although there is some very clear scientific writing in South Africa, confusing and obscure writing is common and may even be a growing problem. This style of writing may act as a barrier to entry for speakers of English as a second language (the majority of South Africans), who must devote extra time to mastering the medium rather than the content of science writing. The problem is even found in some school textbooks aimed specifically at speakers of English as a second language. The various uses of poor language in science in South Africa have unwanted and potentially serious implications, including supporting unwanted power and institutional hierarchies, alienating the general public, confusing decision-makers, hampering efforts towards transformation, discouraging debate, and diverting time and energy away from scientific work and cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that accent can have a detrimental effect on the performance of automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. Whereas accents can be labelled in terms of a speaker's mother tongue, it remains to be determined if and when this distinction is appropriate for the development of ASR technology. This study compares the varieties of South African English produced by mother-tongue speakers of the Nguni and Sotho languages, who account for over 70% of the country's population. The aim of the investigation was to determine whether these two accent groups should be treated as a single variety by ASR systems, or whether it is better to consider them separately. To this end, two sets of experiments were carried out. First, a perceptual experiment was performed in which human listeners were required to classify different English accents. Subsequently, automatic speech recognition experiments were conducted to determine how the accuracy of an automatic accent identification system compares with these perceptual results, and whether the acoustic models benefit from the incorporation of Nguni/Sotho accent classifications. The results of the perceptual experiment indicated that most listeners could not correctly identify a speaker's mother tongue based on their English accent. This finding was supported by the results of the automatic accent identification and speech recognition experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of our understanding of sexual dimorphism in the crania of Bantu-speaking southern Africans is based on traditional morphometric analyses. The purpose of this study is to use geometric morphometric methods to demonstrate new, and clarify and confirm previously described, morphological features related to sexual dimorphism. A total of 332 (182 male and 150 female) southern African crania were studied. The three-dimensional coordinates of 96 landmarks were analysed using the shape analysis software morphologika. Generalized Procrustes analysis was used to register the landmark data and principal components analysis was performed to explore the shape variation between the male and the female crania. Dimorphic cranial shape features found include relative ‘bizygomatic breadth’, the profile of the forehead contour, the form of the supramastoid crest, alveolar prognathism, and the size of the posterior airway space. These features appear to be related to cranial size, muscle development, and to different male-female energy requirements. Geometric morphometric methods are shown to be a most useful tool for demonstrating and quantifying morphological shape differences between male and female crania. Further, we demonstrate how the techniques used can be applied to problems in physical and forensic anthropology with increased sensitivity and objectivity compared to traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the reasons for the lack of scholarly publications from the African continent, which include lack of government support and the inability of the academicians to achieve western standards. The author observes that the challenges of African academics are influenced by the understanding and functioning of the informal old boys' network, which represents the British elite school system where men of influence used their position to promote other men from the same school.

The editor discusses the challenges of high education programs for college students in South Africa. The editor addresses the factors of finance for higher education of students, the public debates on free education services for citizens and the impacts of the country's economic performance. The editor also cites the impacts of decolonisation and racial discrimination against Black people of South Africa on higher education program.