Our voice counts: adolescents’ view on their future in South Africa

We focus on the impact of societal change and related societal problems on the youth of post-apartheid South Africa. Within the parameters of an eco-systemic model, it is argued that adolescents’ perspectives on their future in this country could be negatively influenced by the extent of societal problems that are currently experienced in South Africa. Amidst severe problems such as poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, and violent crime the findings of an empirical investigation into the views 1,326 adolescents from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds indicate that a general spirit of optimism and independence exists, paired with a strong desire to escape the trappings of poverty and to fulfil their career and social expectations. The findings indicate that a new, non-racial generation is emerging, but also highlight a formidable ethical dilemma: not societal factors, but ironically the ailing education system, is blocking the future ideals of thousands of South African adolescents.Keywords: adolescents; future expectations; societal problems; yout

Some observations about the Vorlage of Ps 8:5-7 in Heb 2:6-8

The� following observations relate only to one of the approximately 30 explicit quotations� to� be� found in Hebrews and is part of a broader project on the nature of the Vorlage of these quotations. The focus in this investigation is more of a text critical than a ermeneutical nature.� It� is rather on establishing the origin and text form of the� text used by the unknown author of Hebrews than on the interpretation of the quotation itself within the broader context. Regarding the origin of the quotation from Ps 8:5-7 in Heb� 2:6-8, it is clear� from the investigation that the author of Hebrews probably knew the quotation already via the tradition, but that he quoted a longer section and that some conscious changes were made during the process of his application and re-interpretation of the quotation in its new context. The link with Ps 110(109):1 was� already made prior to Hebrews. The author did not share a testimony book with Paul for this combination, but knew the combination either via Paul or independently from Paul via the tradition. Regarding the text form of the quotation, it becomes clear that it closely resembles the reading of our reconstructed LXX

Tetra­kis(picolinato-κ2 N,O)zirconium(IV) dihydrate

In the title compound, [Zr(C6H4NO2)4]·2H2O, the ZrIV atom is located on a crystallographic fourfold rotoinversion axis () and is coordinated by four picolinate anions with Zr—O and Zr—N distances of 2.120 (2) and 2.393 (2) Å, respectively. An approximate square-anti­prismatic coordination polyhedron of the N,O-coordination ligand atoms is formed, with a distortion towards dodeca­hedral geometry. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter­molecular π–π inter­actions between adjacent picolinate rings [centroid–centroid distances = 3.271 (1) and 3.640 (2) Å], as well as O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the solvent mol­ecules and the coordinated ligands, thereby linking the mol­ecules into a supra­molecular three-dimensional network

Tetra­kis(1,3-diphenyl­propane-1,3-dionato)hafnium(IV)

In the title compound, [Hf(C15H11O2)4], the HfIV atom is coordinated by four 1,3-diphenyl­propane-1,3-dionato ligands with an average Hf—O distance of 2.17 (3) Å and O—Hf—O bite angles varying from 74.5 (1) to 75.02 (9)°. The coordination polyhedron shows a slightly distorted Archimedean square-anti­prismatic geometry. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak C—H⋯O inter­actions

Tetra­kis(quinolin-8-olato-κ2 N,O)hafnium(IV) toluene disolvate

In the title compound, [Hf(C9H6NO)4]·2C7H8, the hafnium metal centre is coordinated by four N,O-donating bidentate quinolin-8-olate ligands arranged to give a square-anti­prismatic coordination polyhedron with a slightly distorted dodeca­hedral geometry. The average Hf—O and Hf—N distances are 2.096 (3) and 2.398 (3) Å, respectively, and the average O—Hf—N bite angle is 70.99 (11)°. The crystal packing is controlled by π–π inter­actions between quinoline ligands of neighbouring mol­ecules and hydrogen-bonding inter­actions. The inter­planar distances vary between 3.138 (1) and 3.208 (2) Å, while the centroid–centroid distances range from 3.576 (1) to 4.074 (1) Å

Di-μ-hydroxido-bis[tris(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa­fluoro­acetyl­acetonato-κ2 O,O′)hafnium(IV)] acetone solvate

The binuclear title compound, [Hf2(C5HF6O2)6(OH)2]·C3H6O, contains an HfIV atom which is eight coordinated and surrounded by three chelating β-diketonato 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa­fluoro­acetyl­acetonate (hfaa) ligands and two bridging OH groups situated on a twofold rotation axis. The HfO8 coordination polyhedron shows a slightly distorted Archimedean square anti-prismatic coordination with average Hf—O, C—O, C—CMe distances of 2.19 (2), 1.26 (2) and 1.49 (2) Å, respectively, and an O—Hf—O bite angle of 75.3 (5)°. Weak O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding inter­actions are observed between one of the bridging hydr­oxy groups and the disordered solvent mol­ecule

cyclo-Tetra-μ-oxido-tetra­kis­[(acetyl­acetonato-κ2 O,O′)bis­(ethano­lato-κO)niobium(V)]

The asymmetric unit of the title tetra­nuclear niobium(V) compound, [Nb4(C2H5O)8(C5H7O2)4O4], contains two NbV atoms, two bridging O atoms, two acetyl­acetonate and four ethano­late ligands. Each NbV atom is six-coordinated by the bridging O atoms, two ethano­late and one chelating acetyl­acetonate ligands. The Nb—O distances vary between 1.817 (2) and 2.201 (2) Å and the O—Nb—O angles vary between 78.88 (8) and 102.78 (9)°, illustrating the significant distortion from ideal ocahedral geometry. The rest of the tetra­nuclear unit is generated through an inversion centre. The C atoms of two of the ethano­late mol­ecules are disordered over two sites [occupancy ratio 0.601 (12):0.399 (12)]

Food items consumed by students attending schools in different socio-economic areas in Cape Town, South Africa

Objective: We investigated the food consumption patterns of adolescent students at schools. Our findings are intended to reveal the overall nutritional quality of foods eaten by students at school, including foods brought to school and foods purchased at school. Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 476 students, mostly from grades 7 and 10, from 14 schools in Cape Town, South Africa. The schools were representative of the various ethnic groups and socioeconomic strata of the population. The questionnaire requested information on eating habits at school, foods brought to school and food purchases, and breakfast consumption before school. We also tested whether students knew which foods are healthy and which are less healthy choices. Results: The students were mostly 12 to 16 y of age (mean age 14.5 y). The large majority had breakfast before school (77.8%) and ate at school (79.7%). Food was brought to school by 41% to 56%, whereas 69.3% purchased food at school, mainly at the school store (tuck shop). Predefined “unhealthy” foods brought to school outnumbered “healthy” ones by 2 to 1. Among students who purchased food at school, 70.0% purchased no healthy items, whereas 73.2% purchased two or more unhealthy items. With six foods 84% of students correctly stated whether they were healthy or unhealthy; however, with cola drinks, samoosas (deep-fried pastry with spicy filling), and pies, only 47% to 61% knew that these were less healthy choices. Students’ scores on this question were unrelated to whether they purchased healthy or unhealthy foods. Students who attended schools of high socioeconomic status were twice as likely to bring food to school (64.7% versus 31.0%, P < 0.001), scored higher marks on the quiz of healthy versus unhealthy foods (P < 0.01), but were no more likely to purchase healthy food. Conclusions: The large majority of food eaten by adolescent students in Cape Town is classified as being unhealthy choices. This applies to foods brought to school and food purchases. Consideration needs to be given to policy measures to improve this situation and to improve education of students and their parents

Isotopic Production Cross Sections in Proton-Nucleus Collisions at 200 MeV

Intermediate mass fragments (IMF) from the interaction of $^{27}$Al, $^{59}$Co and $^{197}$Au with 200 MeV protons were measured in an angular range from 20 degree to 120 degree in the laboratory system. The fragments, ranging from isotopes of helium up to isotopes of carbon, were isotopically resolved. Double differential cross sections, energy differential cross sections and total cross sections were extracted.Comment: accepted by Phys. Rev.