Demonstration of InAsBi photoresponse beyond 3.5 μm

An Indium Arsenide Bismide photodiode has been grown, fabricated, and characterized to evaluate its performance in the Mid Wave Infrared region of the spectrum. Spectral response from the diode has been obtained up to a diode temperature of 225 K. At this temperature, the diode has a cut off wavelength of 3.95 μm, compared to 3.41 μm in a reference Indium Arsenide diode, indicating that Bismuth has been incorporated to reduce the band gap of Indium Arsenide by 75 meV. Similar band gap reduction was deduced from the cut off wavelength comparison at 77 K. From the dark current data, shunt resistance values of 8 and 39 Ω at temperatures of 77 and 290 K, respectively, were obtained in our photodiode

Metatarsophalangeal joint function during sprinting: A comparison of barefoot and sprint spike shod foot conditions

This is the authors' post print as accepted for publication in Journal of Applied Biomechanics. The published version is available at http://journals.humankinetics.com/jabThe metatarsophalangeal joint is an important contributor to lower limb energetics during sprint running. This study compared the kinematics, kinetics and energetics of the metatarsophalangeal joint during sprinting barefoot and wearing standardised sprint spikes. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether standard sprinting footwear alters the natural motion and function of the metatatarsophalangeal joint exhibited during barefoot sprint running. Eight trained sprinters performed maximal sprints along a runway, four sprints in each condition. Three dimensional high speed (1000 Hz) kinematic and kinetic data were collected at the 20 m point. Joint angle, angular velocity, moment, power and energy were calculated for the metatarsophalangeal joint. Sprint spikes significantly increase sprinting velocity (0.3 m/s average increase), yet limit the range of motion about the metatarsophalangeal joint (17.9 % average reduction) and reduce peak dorsiflexion velocity (25.5 % average reduction), thus exhibiting a controlling affect over the natural behaviour of the foot. However, sprint spikes improve metatarsophalangeal joint kinetics by significantly increasing the peak metatarsophalangeal joint moment (15 % average increase) and total energy generated during the important push-off phase (0.5 J to 1.4 J). The results demonstrate substantial changes in metatarsophalangeal function and potential improvements in performance-related parameters due to footwear

The use of personal values in living standards measures

The Living Standards Measure (LSM), a South African marketingsegmentation method, is a multivariate wealth measure based onstandard of living. This article reports on whether a rationale canbe found for the inclusion of psychological variables, particularlypersonal values, in this type of multivariate segmentation. Schwartz’s(1992; 2006) values model was used to operationalise personalvalues.15Data were collected by means of a survey from a nationallyrepresentative sample (N = 2 566) of purchase decision-makers. ThePortrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) (Schwartz, Melech, Lehmann,Burgess, Harris & Owens 2001) was used to measure personalvalues. Centred value scores were used to statistically control forvariation among respondents in rating themselves on the PVQ. The10 LSM groups were collapsed into four LSM super groups to providea more rigorous analysis of measured personal value diff erencesbetween LSM groups. The statistical analyses included descriptiveand inferential statistics. 16 The findings in general supported Schwartz’s theory of basic human values. Respective values could be allocated among diff erent wealthbased consumer segments, which explained variances between these groups. It would be advisable to further investigate howthese diff erences can be applied in marketing. Although the LSMsegmentation approach has been adapted somewhat, the principalfi nding of this research remains applicable

Staff responsiveness to transformation initiatives and diversity at a South African university

South African organisations and particularly institutions of higher learning have been confronted with workforces that increasingly reflect the diversity of the South African population. This changing workforce composition implies that the multitude of individual and cultural differences and similarities become increasingly apparent among employees. These differences and similarities can be disruptive and may lead to disharmony, but if managed appropriately, they can also result in increased vigour, stimulation and energy. The importance of workforce diversity in especially a university environment cannot be over-emphasised, as these positive consequences are conducive and sustain universities in their role to expand knowledge that benefits the communities within which they operate. Various transformative initiatives to address diversity, have been devised and implemented, but the impact needs to be measured and assessed to enable leaders to manage diverse workforces more effectively. This article therefore aims to firstly, statistically identify the underlying dimensions of diversity within the largest university in Africa, namely the University of South Africa (Unisa). The responsiveness of university staff members who attended transformative diversity-training workshops are secondly investigated by comparing their responses to that of a matched sample of non-participating staff members. These workshops aimed to sensitise academic, administrative and professional staff at middle-management level to the new realities of an increasing diverse workforce. It is evident that the workshops had a positive impact and that they could be described as successful. The importance of noting that diversity interventions not only entail creating awareness of diversity issues, but also applying the principles of diversity management on a continuous basis, is underscored in this article.Industrial and Organisational Psycholog

Vicarious Group Trauma among British Jews

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11133-016-9337-4Given that literature on the intra- and inter-generational transmission of traumas is mainly based on secondary literature and focuses on the transmission of trauma memory in terms of the historical knowledge of group trauma, this article develops the theory of vicarious group trauma and tests this theory by exploring vicarious traumatization in the everyday lives of Jews in Britain through the methods of observation and in-depth interviewing. Vicarious group trauma is defined as a life or safety-threatening event or abuse that happened to some members of a social group but is felt by other members as their own experience because of their personal affiliation with the group. The article finds that the vicarious sensation of traumatic group experiences can create anxiety, elicit perceptions of threat and, by extension, hypervigilance among Jews. The findings demonstrate that group traumas of the past interpenetrate and interweave with members’ current lives and in this way can also become constitutive of their group identity. An institutional focus on threats to Jews can inform the construction and reinforcement of traumatization symptoms and accordingly vicarious group trauma. This article suggests an association between the level of involvement of group members in the collective’s social structure and the prominence of vicarious group trauma among them

Neonatal morbidity and mortality in the pediatric ward at the Ambohimiandra Antananarivo Madagascar hospital

Background: The 28 firsts days of life have high-risk of diverse aggression. To achieve the goal of ODD3 in reducing preventable neonatal death, our study was to evaluate main pathologies of newborn, newborn’s mortality.Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study extending over a period of 8 months, December 2014 to July 2015.Results: We collected 132 newborn, the sex ratio was 1.13. Main newborn’s pathologies are neonatal infection (59.85%). Mortality rate was 14.39% and majority of neonatal death occurs early (73.68% of all deaths). Main causes of death are neonatal infection by septic shock. The most lethal pathology was hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. We have identified as a risk factor for neonatal death: admission age of 24 hours or less (OR 7; 95% CI 2.5-20.10; p = 0.00006), presence of resuscitation at birth (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.28-9.44, p = 0.01), Apgar index less than 7 at the fifth minute (OR 4.22, 95% CI 2.25-14.87, p = 0.03) and birth weight less than 2500g (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.39-10.36, p = 0.006).Conclusions: The mortality rate remains high. The prevention of low birth weight, asphyxia and infections has shown strategies to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality

Measuring aerosol size distributions with the aerodynamic aerosol classifier

The Aerodynamic Aerosol Classifier (AAC) is a novel instrument that selects aerosol particles based on their relaxation time or aerodynamic diameter. Additional theory and characterization is required to allow the AAC to accurately measure an aerosol's aerodynamic size distribution by stepping whilst connected to a particle counter (such as a Condensation Particle Counter, CPC). To achieve this goal, this study characterized the AAC transfer function (from 32 nm to 3 μm) using tandem AACs and comparing the experimental results to the theoretical tandem deconvolution. These results show that the AAC transmission efficiency is 2.6 to 5.1 times higher than a combined Krypton-85 radioactive neutralizer and Differential Mobility Analyzer (DMA), as the AAC classifies particles independent of their charge state. However, the AAC transfer function is 1.3 to 1.9 times broader than predicted by theory. Using this characterized transfer function, the theory to measure an aerosol's aerodynamic size distribution using an AAC and particle counter was developed. The transfer function characterization and stepping deconvolution were validated by comparing the size distribution measured with an AAC-CPC system against parallel measurements taken with a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), CPC and Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI). The effects of changing AAC classifier conditions on the particle selected were also investigated and found to be small (<1.5%) within its operating range

Advertising in the eye of the time-constrained beholder

The magnetism of the advertising media may not only stimulate customers’ satisfaction and interest in an advertisement but it may create purchase intention. However, in the process of advertising, consumers take time to view and engage with advertisements. In this regard the question can be asked whether a single advertisement can have the desired impact on a diverse audience’s lived experience of the advertising in the light of perceived time constraints. An exploratory study was conducted to investigate this question, in which 52 diverse socioeconomic South African participants contributed to focus group discussions. The findings confirm disparate perceptions in the way consumers from the affluent, middle and mass economic markets engage, utilise and interpret various forms of new and traditional advertising media as a result of profound differing dynamics encapsulating the lived experience of time. By understanding consumers’ attitude towards advertising and the media in which it features, marketers can better strategise their advertising designs