A ground test measurement system for the shuttle entry air data system

The Ground Test Measurement System (GTMS) for determining vacuum decay leak rate within the orifice tubing assembly of SEADS is described. The system can also monitor the absolute pressure in the tubing assembly under certain conditions. The GTMS determines leak rate by measuring vacuum-pressure decay which can be converted into leakage flow rate. Results of performance testing and operation of the GTMS are given

VIGS en die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomiese en bestuurswêreld - Enkele perspektiewe

There is no doubt anymore that AIDS as a disease has the potential to become a very serious issue in the South African social, political, demographic and economic environment. AIDS will have macro-economic as well as micro-business implications. At macro-level (without the influence of AIDS) decision-makers already anticipate and plan for a • shortage in housing for blacks; • shortage in employment opportunities; • high level of unemployment; • uncontrollable urbanisation; and a • lack of educational infrastructure. Burning issues for decision-makers and managers will be • who will be the worker tomorrow? • who will be the manager? • will there be sufficient manpower resources? • what would a training strate& took like ? • in what ways will production and productivity be managed? • in what ways will sound labour relations be created and maintained? Although a great many decision-makers and managers still have a sceptical view and perception regarding AIDS, it is certain that it will affect the entire spectrum of life. Managers should proactively plan for the implications of AIDS on business, and if projections do not realise as darkly, it could be seen and accepted as a "bonus

Selfevidensie in die natuurwetenskap

Die hoofpunte van Aristoteles se wetenskapsleer kan saamgevat word in die vorm van ’n definisie van „deduktiewe wetenskap”

Enkele aspekte van die suid-afrikaanse bevolking- en arbeidsituasie

Vanweë tegnologiese ontwikkelings wat die kommunikasie tussen lande bykans vervolmaak, is dit so dat geen land sigself geisoleerd kan beskou of probeer hou van die res van die wêreld nie. Hierdie verbondenheid tussen lande word intenser op die terrein van bevolkings en bevolkingsgroei vanweë die feit dat lande se bevolkingsdigtheid1) in baie gevalle groot verskil toon. Omdat bevol- kingstoenames een van die vemaamste bedreigings vir die mens-dom, asook vir wêreldvrede, inhou, vorm dit een van die mees delikate aangeleenthede waarmee landsowerhede hulself besig hou en gaan dit in die toekoms waarskynlik groot wrywing op intemasionaJe vlak veroorsaak. Die wrywing tussen lande vind normaalweg gestalte in gekamoefleerde geskilpunte oor „diver- se” sake maar word basics veroorsaak deur die vrees vir oorbe- volking en gevolglike hongersnood in sy uiterste graad

The explanatory value of intrinsic equity valuation models for share price variations: A survey of recent approaches

Over the past six decades, a considerable amount of research has been conducted to better understand the explanatory ability of intrinsic equity valuation models to account for variations in equity share prices or returns, in which the accounting-based Ohlson residual income valuation framework has been the primary focus. Meanwhile, several variants of this model have emerged, the foremost of which typically comprises the decomposition of the Ohlson residual income variable into substitute accounting earnings variables, such as the traditional bottom-line earnings variable or, more recently, alternative earnings performance measures, of which earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is a particular case in point. However, there appears to be a lack of consensus about the variables of interest and the most appropriate model to define the predicted interconnections between accounting values and share prices or share price returns. In light of this lack of accord, the aim of this study was to examine the recent literature with regard to the approaches and evidence pertaining to the Ohlson model and the recent variants thereof that are based either on traditional or alternative earnings performance measures, with a view to answering the following research questions: 1. Which econometric model results in the best explanation of the association between accounting information and share prices? 2. Consequently, which variable, when combined with equity book values, seems to provide the most persuasive evidence of association with equity share prices: EBITDA, earnings or residual income? To answer these questions, a systematic literature review was conducted. The criteria were that the studies had to have at least two explanatory variables of interest in accounting for share price variations or returns, with one of them being equity book values and the other being any earnings performance measure, such as residual income, earnings, EBITDA, or combinations involving transformations of these. The review entailed a critical evaluation of the methodologies, model specification and model output against the reported findings, inferences and conclusions. The results revealed that the original Ohlson (1995) model, the Collins et al. (1997) and the recent EBITDA variations yielded equally valid demonstrations of the association of accounting information with share price variations. Consequently, depending on the choice of model, all three variables, EBITDA, earnings and residual income, appear to possess an equal amount of explanatory power to account for variations in equity share prices. The study’s major contribution is to clarify the explanatory power of Ohlson-based models and the specification of variables, as well as methodological and analysis issues that could inform future research in the field. Keywords: EBITDA; equity valuation; Ohlson (1995) residual income valuation framework; value relevance; alternative performance measures; fundamental valuation; intrinsic equity valuation. JEL classification codes: M41; G10, G12; G14; G11; G3

The resurrection of Jesus: What’s left to say?

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most discussed topics in the current theological debate. It divides the theologians involved into either liberal or orthodox. Those who enter the debate are labeled. The main issue centers around the arguments: historical or metaphorical? This article is a review of the 2004 publication by Stephen Patterson entitled “Beyond the passion: Rethinking the death and life of Jesus.” John Dominic Crossan’s and N T Wright’s point of view, as summarized by Robert B Stewart in his 2006 publication “The resurrection of Jesus”, is also part of the discussion

Notations and conventions in molecular spectroscopy: part 1. General spectroscopic notation

The field of Molecular Spectroscopy was surveyed in order to determine a set of conventions and symbols which are in common use in the spectroscopic literature. This document, which is Part I in a series, establishes the notations and conventions used for general spectroscopic notations and deals with quantum mechanics, quantum numbers (vibrational states, angular momentum and energy levels), spectroscopic transitions, and miscellaneous notations (e.g. spectroscopic terms). Further parts will follow, dealing inter alia with symmetry notation, permutation and permutation-inversion symmetry notation, vibration-rotation spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy

SALT Spectropolarimetry and Self-Consistent SED and Polarization Modeling of Blazars

We report on recent results from a target-of-opportunity program to obtain spectropolarimetry observations with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) on flaring gamma-ray blazars. SALT spectropolarimetry and contemporaneous multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) data are being modelled self-consistently with a leptonic single-zone model. Such modeling provides an accurate estimate of the degree of order of the magnetic field in the emission region and the thermal contributions (from the host galaxy and the accretion disk) to the SED, thus putting strong constraints on the physical parameters of the gamma-ray emitting region. For the specific case of the $\gamma$-ray blazar 4C+01.02, we demonstrate that the combined SED and spectropolarimetry modeling constrains the mass of the central black hole in this blazar to $M_{\rm BH} \sim 10^9 \, M_{\odot}$.Comment: Submitted to Galaxies - Proceedings of "Polarized Emission from Astrophysical Jets", Ierapetra, Crete, June 12 - 16, 201

Notations and conventions in molecular spectroscopy: part 2. Symmetry notation

The field of Molecular Spectroscopy was surveyed in order to determine a set of conventions and symbols which are in common use in the spectroscopic literature. This document, which is Part 2 in a series, establishes the notations and conventions used for the description of symmetry in rigid molecules, using the Schoenflies notation. It deals firstly with the symmetry operators of the molecular point groups (also drawing attention to the difference between symmetry operators and elements). The conventions and notations of the molecular point groups are then established, followed by those of the representations of these groups as used in molecular spectroscopy. Further parts will follow, dealing inter alia with permutation and permutation-inversion symmetry notation, vibration-rotation spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy