Why are Orlicz spaces useful for Statistical Physics?

We review a new formalism based on Orlicz spaces for the description of large regular statistical systems. Our presentation includes both classical and quantum systems. The presented approach has the advantage that statistical mechanics is much better settled.Comment: 11 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1302.346

On applications of Orlicz Spaces to Statistical Physics

We present a new rigorous approach based on Orlicz spaces for the description of the statistics of large regular statistical systems, both classical and quantum. This approach has the advantage that statistical mechanics is much better settled. In particular, a new kind of renormalization leading to states having a well defined entropy function is presented.Comment: 20 page

Functions of operators and the classes associated with them

The important classes of normally solvable, ϴ₊ (ϴ₋) and strictly singular (strictly cosingular) operators have long been studied in the setting of bounded or closed operators between Banach spaces. Results by Kato, Lacey, et al (see Goldberg [16; III.1.9, III.2.1 and III.2.3] ) led to the definition of certain norm related functions of operators (Γ, Δ and Γ₀) which provided a powerful new way to study the classes of ϴ₊ and strictly singular operators (see for example Gramsch[19], Lebow and Schechter[28] and Schechter[36]). Results by Brace and R.-Kneece[4] among others led to the definition of analogous functions (Γ' and Δ') which were used to study ϴ₋ and strictly cosingular operators (see for example Weis, [37] and [38]). Again this problem was considered mainly for the case of bounded operators between Banach spaces. This thesis represents a contribution to knowledge in the sense that by considering the functions Γ', Δ' and Γ'₀, as well as the minimum modulus function in the more general setting of unbounded linear operators between normed linear spaces, we obtain the classes of F₋ and Range Open operators which turn out to be closely related to the classes of ϴ₋ and normally solvable operators respectively. We also define unbounded strictly cosingular operators and find that many of the classical results on ϴ₋, normally solvable and bounded strictly cosingular operators go through for F₋, range open and unbounded strictly cosingular operators respectively. This ties up with work done by R. W. Cross and provides a workable framework within which to study ϴ₋ and ϴ₊ type operators in the much more. general setting of unbounded linear operators between normed linear spaces

Factors impacting on the adoption of biometric technology by South African banks: An empirical investigation

The aim of this paper was to identify factors impacting on the adoptionof biometric authentication in the South African banking sector as a means of authentication. The study constitutes exploratory research and is limited to the use of biometric technology within the fi nancial services sector. Within this sector, specifi c focus is placed on the four leading South African banks. A survey was conducted, and the fi ndings show common agreement and acceptance of biometric authentication as a way to improve information security in the various banking channels despite its not being widely implemented. With regard to factors infl uencing the adoption of biometric authentication, the study identifi ed three main adoption inhibitors. This study contributes to the greater body of knowledge on the use of biometrics for banking applications by providing insight into current practices and perceptions

Deriving projects from the organisational vision using the Vision-to-Projects (V2P) Framework

Organisations initiate and execute projects at an ever-increasing ratein order to achieve their strategic intentions. Many of these, however,find it difficult to measure the contribution that these projects maketowards the realisation of the organisational vision. In order to effectthese changes in a cumulatively beneficial way, a holistic approachis needed. The Vision-to-Projects (V2P) Framework was developed tofacilitate such an approach and can be applied to all organisationaltypes. This article shows how participatory action research was appliedin the development of the V2P Framework. While largely validatingthe theoretical framework, it did indeed reveal several beneficialmodifications to improve its applicability. The main results of this research are twofold. It firstly provides organisations with a framework that can be used to derive projects from the organisational vision and strategies, thereby ensuring continuous alignment. Secondly, it shows the successful use of participatory action research in the field of project management thathas been dominated, thus far, by quantitative research methods

Unspoken victims: A national study of male rape incidents and police investigations in South Africa

Background. The burden of sexual violence has been well described in children of both sexes and in women, but there is minimal literature on adult male rape victims. Studies of adult male rape victims have mainly been conducted among incarcerated males or military personnel, and in high-income countries.Objectives. To describe the epidemiology, occurrence and reporting of rape cases involving male victims, both child (<18 years old) and adult, in South Africa (SA).Methods. The study consisted of a nationally representative sample of case dockets maintained by the SA Police Service of rape incidents reported in 2012. A retrospective review of the dockets provided sociodemographic information on the victim and suspect, the circumstances of the rape and the medicolegal services provided to the victim. Data on male victims were analysed using Stata 13 to test for significant differences between child and adult male victims.Results. The study comprised 209 male victims, including 120 (57.4%) children and 89 (42.6%) adults. The findings showed that there were significant differences in the occurrence and reporting of rape of male victims by age. Adult males experienced more violent rapes, perpetrators were more likely to be armed and often humiliated the victim, and rapes were more likely to occur in institutional settings. Adult males reported incidents of rape earlier and therefore had visible non-genital injuries during the medical examination. In contrast, more child rapes involved known perpetrators, occurred in a home and perpetrators were more likely to act kindly to the victim after the incident. This parallels the patterns in rape circumstances seen in female adult and child victims.Conclusions. While there is political commitment to understanding sexual violence against women as a societal problem, work on such violence against men lags behind and is little understood. Rape of males needs to be acknowledged, and their vulnerabilities to sexual abuse and rape need to be addressed. Prevention efforts to end violence against women and girls, especially in relation to children, can be used to address violence against men and boys

Burnout and work engagement of South African blue-collar workers: The development of a new scale

Research in South Africa on work-related well-being (specifically burnout and work engagement) has focused mainly on white-collar workers. Although blue-collar workers form a major part of the South African work force, no valid and reliable instruments exist to measure burnout and work engagement of blue-collar workers. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a work-related well-being scale that measures burnout and work engagement of blue-collar workers; (2) to test the newly developed items using Rasch analysis; and (3) to test the factorial validity and reliability of the new scale. A cross-sectional survey design was used in a convenience sample of blue-collar workers in different industries in South Africa (N=2769). Following scale development procedures, a scale was developed to measure burnout (exhaustion and cynicism) and work engagement(vigour and dedication). Using Rasch analyses, two items were eliminated, resulting in an 18-item instrument. Five items were retained to measure exhaustion, five items to measure cynicism, four items to measure vigour and four items to measure dedication. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that a twofactor model with two higher-order factors – burnout (consisting of exhaustion and cynicism) and work engagement (consisting of vigour and dedication) – fit the data best. All the scales were reliable