Thermal Behaviour of Euclidean Stars

A recent study of dissipative collapse considered a contracting sphere in which the areal and proper radii are equal throughout its evolution. The interior spacetime was matched to the exterior Vaidya spacetime which generated a temporal evolution equation at the boundary of the collapsing sphere. We present a solution of the boundary condition which allows the study of the gravitational and thermodynamical behaviour of this particular radiating model.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

A family of charged compact objects with anisotropic pressure

Utilizing an ansatz developed by Maurya and co-workers we present a class of exact solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell field equations describing a spherically symmetric compact object. A detailed physical analysis of these solutions in terms of stability, compactness and regularity indicate that these solutions may be used to model strange star candidates. In particular, we model the strange star candidate Her X-1 and show that our solution conforms to observational data to an excellent degree of accuracy. An interesting and novel phenomenon which arises in this model is the fact that the relative difference between the electromagnetic force and the force due to pressure anisotropy changes sign within the stellar interior. This may be a an additional mechanism required for stability against cracking of the stellar object

Compulsory HIV testing of alleged sexual offenders – a human rights violation

Chapter 5 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act strives to achieve two objectives. It makes post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) accessible to victims of sexual assault, whether a charge is laid or not. In addition, it allows for the victim or the investigating officer to make application for the forcible disclosure of the HIV status of the accused, within 90 days of the assault. It is argued that the provision of PEP to victims of sexual assault is required by section 27(1) of the Constitution, and is an obligation that the state should assume and discharge efficiently and ably. However, it is considered that the provisions compelling the accused to disclosure his HIV status to the victim and investigating officer serve no medical purpose, and seriously infringe a number of important constitutional rights. The authors go on to argue that a magistrate has to be satisfied that a prima facie case has been made that the accused sexually assaulted the victim before compelling disclosure. Given the seriousness of this finding, it is very likely to be robustly contested by the accused and consequently victims may have to testify twice, initially at these proceedings and subsequently at the criminal proceedings. They argue that the medical, legal and support services provided to the victim should be upgraded and improved. The authors identify some clinics that are operating with reasonable efficiency. They argue that the simplistic solution of compelling the accused to disclose his HIV status is aimed at making up for the inadequacies of policing and the inability to prosecute effectively. They also submit that the test results may bring false hope and result in poor choices being made regarding treatment. They submit that the testing provisions may not be in the medical best interests of the patient and the provisions are not reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society and consequently unconstitutional

The role of shear in dissipative gravitational collapse

In this paper we investigate the physics of a radiating star undergoing dissipative collapse in the form of a radial heat flux. Our treatment clearly demonstrates how the presence of shear affects the collapse process; we are in a position to contrast the physical features of the collapsing sphere in the presence of shear with the shear-free case. By employing a causal heat transport equation of the Maxwell-Cattaneo form we show that the shear leads to an enhancement of the core temperature thus emphasizing that relaxational effects cannot be ignored when the star leaves hydrostatic equilibrium.Comment: 15 pages, To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

A Conceptual Overview Of The Impact Of Covid-19 On E-Commerce Among Small And Medium Enterprises In South Africa

SMEs are fundamental participants in a global landscape, especially in emerging economies like South Africa. During the Covid-19 pandemic, SMEs had to move their business online, due to lockdown regulations and fear of contracting the deadly virus. The sudden need to utilize e-commerce amongst SMEs became a major challenge, since many SMEs grappled with one or more of the four elements to complete e-commerce transactions, namely, access to reliable broadband, e-shop of products and services, digital payment, and logistics to the consumer. Thus, this conceptual paper attempts to understand the impact of the above elements of an e-commerce transaction on e-commerce growth among SMEs in South Africa. Following an in-depth literature review, eight (8) research propositions were developed pustulating relationships between the four elements of an e-commerce transaction and e-commerce growth

Ranking of Universities in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring a web-based technique

This study investigated university rankings in the UAE within the context of the challenges facing higher education globally in the 21st century, by using the Webometric ranking methodology. Data was collected and analysed on the top 20 UAE universities. It was apparent that the UAE universities do not perform as well as expected in the Webometrics ranking, when compared with peer countries. The ratings are slightly below that which is expected, especially when one considers measures such as research publications. Strategies to improve performance using the Webometrics indicators could have a positive impact on the UAE universities. Improvements in communicating research and their web presence is likely to move the UAE universities up the Webometrics rankings, and their academic reputation in the country

The Impact Of The International Standards Organization Quality Management System On The In Vitro Diagnostics Industry In South Africa

Quality is an important subject in the modern business world and Total Quality Management (TQM) and the ISO-based Quality Management System (QMS) have been the most common approaches to quality management by organizations. This paper assesses customer service, operational performance, quality, competitive advantage and benefits obtained through ISO certification of IVD products. Five hypotheses were tested through a survey conducted among a random probability sample of 337 employees of IVD companies in South Africa, using the online platform, Survey Monkey. The findings revealed that top management’s commitment has a strong positive effect on the adoption of ISO certification in the IVD industry and ISO certification has a positive and strong effect on product quality performance, customer service satisfaction focus as well as organisational performance. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that top management of IVD companies should be committed to the adoption of ISO certification and use it as a strategic tool to influence product quality performance, customer service satisfaction focus and organisational performance in the IVD industry

Regulatory Compliance and Private Education Provision in South Africa: Boon or a Bane?

This paper explores the impact of certain regulations on private higher education (PHEI) provision and delivery in South Africa. By scrutinizing relevant legislation and policies, the researchers demonstrate that although various government policy documents, inter-alia, the National Development Plan-2030, allude to the important role of private higher education providers in South Africa, the various polices and legislation do not seem to create a very conducive and enabling climate. Ranging from funding to accreditation, the perception among private HE providers is that there is little support for PHEIs

The quadriceps angle and the incidence of knee injury in Indian long-distance runners

Objective. To investigate the incidence of knee injuries in runners and to determine the proportion of injuries involving abnormal quadriceps (Q)-angles. Design. One hundred male Indian runners between the ages of 25 and 65 years from 5 athletic clubs in Durban volunteered to participate in the study. The Q-angle was measured using a goniometer. Other relevant information was obtained using a validated questionnaire. The data were analysed by comparing measured Q-angles with ‘normal' values of Q-angles obtained from the literature. A paired t-test at a probability of 0.05 was used. Setting. Data were collected at club meetings. Main outcome measure. The primary outcome of the study was to determine the proportion of runners with abnormal Q-angles. Thereafter the rate of knee injuries in runners with abnormal Q-angles was determined. Results. Data from 88 runners were usable. Fifty-one per cent of the runners sustained knee injuries. Fifty-eight per cent of the sample had abnormal Q-angles. Sixty-seven per cent of the runners with abnormal Q-angles sustained knee injuries. Conclusion. More runners with abnormal Q-angles sustained knee injuries. There is a need to determine reference values for Q-angles for the South African population, the proportion of the population that present with abnormal Q-angles, and the reasons for this. South African Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 19 (1) 2007: pp. 9-1