Measuring the Impact of the New Brunswick Declaration

The purpose of the article is to measure the impact of the New Brunswick Declaration. The results of the study are in three parts: The first part of this article backgrounds the calling for the Ethics Rupture held at the University of New Brunswick in 2012 that produced the New Brunswick Declaration. The body of the article then measures the impact the New Brunswick Declaration has had on the international social science research community in terms of scholarly writing. The article concludes by reaffirming the Declaration as a living document: Its revision will occur at an ethics conference to be held in New Zealand in 2015. The methods are a google search of any mention of the Declaration

C*-algebras generated by semigroups of partial isometries

This thesis examines the C*-algebras associated to semigroups of partial isometries. There are many interesting examples of C*-algebras generated by families of partial isometries, for example the C*-algebras associated to directed graphs and the C*-algebras associated to inverse semigroups. In 1992 Nica introduced a class of partially ordered groups called quasi-lattice ordered groups, and studied the C*-algebras generated by semigroups of isometries satisfying a covariance condition. We have adapted Nica's construction for semigroups of partial isometries associated to what we call doubly quasi-lattice ordered groups. For each doubly quasi-lattice ordered group we construct two algebras: a concretely defined reduced algebra, and a universal algebra generated by a covariant family of partial isometries. We examine when representations of the universal algebra are faithful, and this gives rise to a notion of amenability for doubly quasi-lattice ordered groups. We prove several recognition theorems for amenability. In particular, we prove that the universal and reduced algebras are isomorphic if and only if the doubly quasi-lattice ordered group is amenable. Further, we prove that if there is an order preserving homomorphism from a doubly quasi-lattice ordered group to an amenable group, then the quasi-lattice ordered group is amenable and the associated universal algebra is nuclear

Practicing Ethics and Ethics Praxis

Purpose - This paper demonstrates the limited efficacy procedural ethics has for qualitative research. Ethics committee’s instructions have a short shelf life given the research question qualitative researchers create is volatile; that is, likely to change due to the inductive, emergent, informant-led nature of qualitative research. Design - This article draws on extensive literature to examine the void between the original research design and the messy reality experienced in the field. We focus on how researchers can practice ethically by recognizing the need for agile and responsive ethics praxis in their work. Findings - This practice describes the researcher, recognizing the initial support from an ethics committee and its limitations, but as the research gets underway assuming full responsibility for ethical considerations that emerge in the field. Practical implications - Researchers’ responsibilities entail recognising the dual faces of confidentiality; distinguishing external confidentiality from internal confidentiality. Other responsibilities in post procedural ethics include recognising and addressing what Guillemin and Gillam label big ethical moments and addressing these in different ways. Originality/value - At times, participants and researchers’ ethical protections are insufficient to deal with the unforeseen, requiring on the spot ethical reasoning and decision-making. Being prepared for and capable of ethics praxis is therefore crucial. Researchers should also assume they may find themselves at personal risk (physically, emotionally, reputationally) and in anticipation of that they should create a safety plan. Most importantly, the changeable nature of practicing ethical research requires researchers to establish a reference group that can provide impartial advice and guidance enhancing the ethical practice

Measurement of the dependence of the light yields of linear alkylbenzene-based and EJ-301 scintillators on electron energy

An experimental test of the electron energy scale linearities of SNO+ and EJ-301 scintillators was carried out using a Compton spectrometer with electrons in the energy range 0.09-3 MeV. The linearity of the apparatus was explicitly demonstrated. It was found that the response of both types of scintillators with respect to electrons becomes non-linear below ~0.4 MeV. An explanation is given in terms of Cherenkov light absorption and re-emission by the scintillators.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Nuclear Propelled Vessels and Neutrino Oscillation Experiments

We study the effect of naval nuclear reactors on the study of neutrino oscillations. We find that the presence of naval reactors at unknown locations and times may limit the accuracy of future very long baseline reactor-based neutrino oscillation experiments. At the same time we argue that a nuclear powered surface ship such as a large Russian ice-breaker may provide an ideal source for precision experiments. While the relatively low reactor power would in this case require a larger detector, the source could be conveniently located at essentially any distance from a detector built at an underground location near a shore in a region of the world far away from other nuclear installations. The variable baseline would allow for a precise measurement of backgrounds and greatly reduced systematics from reactor flux and detector efficiency. In addition, once the oscillation measurement is completed, the detector could perform geological neutrino and astrophysical measurements with minimal reactor background.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Ellipsometric measurements of the refractive indices of linear alkylbenzene and EJ-301 scintillators from 210 to 1000 nm

We report on ellipsometric measurements of the refractive indices of LAB-PPO, Nd-doped LAB-PPO and EJ-301 scintillators to the nearest +/-0.005, in the wavelength range 210-1000 nm.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Collective Employment Contracts and New Working Time Arrangements in New Zealand

The research reported in this paper examines the impact in New Zealand of the liberalisation of the statutory regulation on working time in collective employment contract bargaining. Specifically this research reports working time arrangements that are changed in three areas. First the reduction (or extension) of the working week - thus decreasing (or increasing) the number of hours worked by full time workers. Second, the scheduling of the hours worked each week by full time workers. Here changes to the span of days available (and whether that span includes weekend days) and the span of hours available for ordinary work each day have been identified. Third, the application of overtime payments and the specific overtime rate has been examined

Sociology Before Sociology at Otago University

A sociology minor appeared at Otago University in 2003 and a major in 2005, but these relatively late developments were preceded by a rich history of sociology-like research and teaching at our institution. This article presents a sociological prehistory which winds its way through aspects of the teaching and research of home science, preventive medicine, education, physical education, anthropology and several other disciplines, uncovering sociology-like approaches adopted in the university from the 1920s on. It then briefly considers the reasons behind the late establishment of a stand-alone sociology programme at the university.Peer Reviewe