South Africa (SA) is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition and has the highest prevalence of obesity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with black women being the most affected (obesity prevalence 31.8%). Although genetic factors are important, socio-cultural, environmental and behavioural factors, as well as the influence of socio-economic status, more likely explain the high prevalence of o...

AIMS Several socio-cultural and biomedical risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are modifiable. However, few studies globally have examined socio-cultural associations. To eliminate confounding of increased risk of diabetes in subsequent pregnancies, elucidating socio-cultural associations requires examination only of first pregnancies. METHODS Data for all women who delivered...

This paper explores the origins of a subjective sense of meaning in life from the perspective of cultural group selection within evolutionary theory. Philosophical underpinnings are discussed, as are the origins or morality and social groups. It is argued that a subjective meaning acts as a motivator of cultural transactions which allowed pre-human groups possessing meaning to survive over grou...

The goal of this thesis is to present one concrete example of how a system can interpret and handle cultural differences in human-provided interpretations. In doing so, this thesis utilizes pictograms, a well-known iconic medium of communication which contains both the implicit cultural interpretations as well as explicit semantic interpretations. Cross-cultural pictogram interpretations are co...

This paper reports on a theory-based empirical investigation of cultural considerations in the appropriation of affordances and on the development of technological intersubjectivity in a computer supported collaborative learning environment. Socio-technical affordances are “action-taking possibilities” and “meaning-making opportunities” in a sociotechnical system relative to the capabilities of...

improving employment opportunities for people and reducing the economic burden on government requires a broad and concentrated effort on private sectors.  private sector growth is a key engine for creation jobs. the major advantage of private sector is its employment potential at low capital cost. these sectors are the nursery of entrepreurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovat...

based on a gender equity perspective and within a pluralistic civil society, women should have equal rights for presence in and use of urban open spaces. despite this, various factors decrease their presence including inappropriate design of space, as well as socio-cultural obstacles. since women’s major place of presence and activity has traditionally been in or near home, neighborhood open sp...

housing can be considered as one of the most important needs of each family and the provision ofsuitable housing for people has always been considered as one of the indicators of progress in any country. because ofthe specific attitude to the issue of housing in iran, in other words, turning it into an investment, the major part of thehouseholds' income has been accounted for housing. given the...

housing can be considered as one of the most important needs of each family and the provision ofsuitable housing for people has always been considered as one of the indicators of progress in any country. because ofthe specific attitude to the issue of housing in iran, in other words, turning it into an investment, the major part of thehouseholds' income has been accounted for housing. give...