Surviving the business life cycle : a theoretical framework for independent financial advisers

Independent financial advisers play a vital role in assisting clients to meet their financial goals. However, it appears that additional guidance is needed for these advisers to survive in their complex business environment, governed by strict legislation. To date, only a small amount of research has been conducted in this area and no formal research study in South Africa has provided a course of direction for these advisers. Consequently, this study aimed to expand the body of knowledge by investigating the potential problems posing a threat to the businesses of independent financial advisers in their business life cycle, as well as possible strategies that can be implemented to counter those obstacles. Based on the findings a theoretical framework was proposed, suggesting key areas independent financial advisers would need to focus on in their business life cycle to conquer the challenges they might encounter and survive. The study concluded with a number of hypotheses to set the direction for future empirical research regarding the survival and growth of independent financial advisers in South Africa

Does Air Pollution Trigger Infant Mortality in Western Europe? A Case-Crossover Study

Background: Numerous studies show associations between fine particulate air pollutants [particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10)] and mortality in adults

Detailed study of the GRB 030329 radio afterglow deep into the non-relativistic phase

We explore the physics behind one of the brightest radio afterglows ever, GRB 030329, at late times when the jet is non-relativistic. We determine the physical parameters of the blast wave and its surroundings, in particular the index of the electron energy distribution, the energy of the blast wave, and the density (structure) of the circumburst medium. We then compare our results with those from image size measurements. We observed the GRB 030329 radio afterglow with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at frequencies from 325 MHz to 8.4 GHz, spanning a time range of 268-1128 days after the burst. We modeled all the available radio data and derived the physical parameters. The index of the electron energy distribution is p=2.1, the circumburst medium is homogeneous, and the transition to the non-relativistic phase happens at t_NR ~ 80 days. The energy of the blast wave and density of the surrounding medium are comparable to previous findings. Our findings indicate that the blast wave is roughly spherical at t_NR, and they agree with the implications from the VLBI studies of image size evolution. It is not clear from the presented dataset whether we have seen emission from the counter jet or not. We predict that the Low Frequency Array will be able to observe the afterglow of GRB 030329 and many other radio afterglows, constraining the physics of the blast wave during its non-relativistic phase even further.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics after minor revisions; small changes in GMRT fluxes at 1280 MH

EUV spectroscopy of Sn5+-Sn(10+)ions in an electron beam ion trap and laser-produced plasmas

Emission spectra from multiply-charged Sn5+ –Sn10+ions are recorded from an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) and from laser-produced plasma (LPP) in the extreme ultraviolet range relevant for nanolithographic applications. Features in the wavelength regime between 12.6 and 20.8 nm are studied. Using the Cowan code, emission line features of the charge-state-resolved Sn ion spectra obtained from the EBIT are identified. Emission features from tin LPP either from a liquid micro-droplet or planar solid target are subsequently identified and assigned to specific charge states using the EBIT data. For the planar solid tin target, the 4d–5p transitions of Sn8+ –Sn10+ions are shown to dominate the long-wavelength part of the measured spectrum and transitions of type 4d–4f + 4p–4d are visible in absorption. For the droplet target case, a clear increase in the charge state distribution with increasing laser intensity is observed. This qualitatively demonstrates the potential of using long-wavelength out-of-band emission features to probe the charge states contributing to the strong unresolved transition array at 13.5 nm relevant for nanolithography

Beetles (Coleoptera) of wetlands and other aquatic habitats in the Polish part of the Polesie region found during the Balfour-Browne Club Meeting 2016

A total of 27 sites in the Polish part of the Polesie region were investigated for aquatic and wetland-associated beetles during the field sessions of the Balfour-Browne Club Meeting (23-30.05.2016). These comprised a mixture of fens and Sphagnum peat bogs, ditches draining fens, oxbow lakes of the Bug River, and sand excavations. A total of 408 species, belonging to all three sub-orders of beetle and 34 families were captured, including 351 species related to the aquatic environment (true water beetles – 157, phytophilous water beetles – 32, facultative water beetles – 1, false water beetles – 156, shore beetles – 157). Numerous rare, protected, species and those endangered in Poland or neighbouring countries were found. Information on three species (Agabus pseudoclypealis, Hygrotus polonicus and Berosus geminus) is important for our understanding of their geographical range limits. In the case of B. geminus, new data, in conjunction with information from Ukraine, points to the existence of an isolated island of occupancy in Polish and Ukrainian Polesie. Analysis of the material collected also reveals the high value of the study area, both nationally and internationally, for the protection of wetland beetle biodiversity

Understanding how immigrant entrepreneurs view business opportunity formation through ethnicity

Given that international research is now consistently showing higher rates of entrepreneurial activity from immigrants above native people, research regarding our understanding of how immigrant entrepreneurs view business opportunity formation remains underdeveloped. Based upon a review of the literature, this chapter examines how ethnicity relates to business opportunity formation through constant interactions. It also introduces the Visual Mixed Embeddedness Framework as an empirical lens for understanding the differences in the business opportunity formation process models between immigrant and native entrepreneurs. By explaining how factors and traits from both home and host countries impact upon the immigrant entrepreneurial business activity process, the framework clearly identifies how the concept of ethnicity influences immigrant entrepreneurial opportunity formation activities in different ways. The framework contributes to existing knowledge by offering a novel method for examining the influence on business opportunity formation of ethnicity, the role of home and host countries and variations between immigrant and native entrepreneurs