Entanglement decoherence in a gravitational well according to the event formalism

The event formalism is a non-linear extension of quantum field theory designed to be compatible with the closed time-like curves that appear in general relativity. Whilst reducing to standard quantum field theory in flat space-time the formalism leads to testably different predictions for entanglement distribution in curved space. In this paper we introduce a more general version of the formalism and use it to analyse the practicality of an experimental test of its predictions in the earth's gravitational well

The S’Khokho ‘bushcan’ initiative: Kick a bush and condoms fall out

Background. People living in rural areas have limited access to condoms owing to distance, cost and time involved in travelling to public health facilities, around which most condom distribution efforts are centralised.Objective. In an effort to increase access to condoms in these areas, we explored the feasibility and efficacy of condom distribution by placing ‘condocans’ on trees along informal footpaths used by residents.Methods. From October 2012, steel condocans, typically seen in clinic settings, were erected on trees along pathways in bushy areas with high levels of foot traffic at several rural locations in the uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa (SA). Because of their location, the condocans were referred to as ‘bushcans’. Condom uptake was closely monitored, and the bushcans were restocked when necessary.Results. Following the introduction of the bushcans, male condom distribution increased by 237% from October 2012 to December 2012. Condom distribution in these areas increased on average by 187% from October 2012 to October 2015, with more than 408 000 condoms distributed over the 3-year period using the bushcans alone. Discussions with residents revealed that they were pleased about the increased access to condoms via the bushcans, and they recommended other areas for potential implementation of this initiative.Conclusions. The bushcan initiative highlighted the fact that condoms are not as easily accessible to all South Africans as is often thought. By providing access to condoms in a discreet and convenient manner, the bushcans have the potential to increase access to condoms in other rural and periurban areas in SA where communities face similar barriers to access

Operations Research : an indispensable toolkit for the logistician

CITATION: Pienaar, W. J. 2005. Operations research : an indispensable toolkit for the logistician. ORiON, 21(1):77-91, doi:10.5784/21-1-20.The original publication is available at http://orion.journals.ac.zaENGLISH SUMMARY : This paper traces the origin of the word logistics, outlines its conceptual evolution, and explains its meaning in contemporary usage. The background that led to the introduction of Logistics Management and Operations Research (OR) as undergraduate fields of study at the University of Stellenbosch is sketched. The concept of Logistics Management is described and its strategic, tactical and operational tiers, as well as the different activities that form part of the logistics supply chain process are identified. The role and necessity of OR in decision-making within each activity and in the coordination between the various activities are outlined. OR techniques most pertinent to the field of logistics are identified and the analytical competencies that a logistician should possess are indicated.http://orion.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/20Publisher's versio

Regsubjektiwiteit ’n prinsipiële benadering

Legal subjectivity is the capacity of an entity to act as a subject in the processes of law. In my opinion only man can act as a legal subject. Seen from a Christian point o f view, God created man to H is image, and placed him on earth as the pinnacle, o f creation, to subject, cultivate and protect that creation. To confer legal subjectivity upon something else that man would detract from man's Godgiven status

Access to housing in South Africa: An overview of dimensions and mechanisms

The historical background of influx control, group areas and the regulation of unlawful occupation of land (squatting), explain, to some extent, why unlawful occupation of land and informal settlements are still prevalent 18 years after the new Constitutional dispensation commenced. For many people in South Africa, access to land is still an ideal and not a reality. Not only have the “three pillars of apartheid” contributed to the dismal current state of affairs, but the multi-faceted and multi-dimensional nature of access to housing has also contributed to it being particularly complex. In this regard a human rights, a land reform and a property law dimension can be identified. The human rights dimension is imbedded in socio-economic rights and is founded on dignity; the land reform dimension is based on the premise that access to housing is interlinked with access to land, and the property law dimension involves the development of common law (Roman-Dutch) principles of property and ownership to provide for other (or alternative) forms of ownership. This article aims to provide an overview of the three-dimensional nature of access to housing and to highlight some of the mechanisms encapsulated within each dimension. An overview of statutory measures will be provided and, where relevant, certain aspects will be attended to in more detail. In light of its three-dimensional nature, it is clear that access to housing remains a major challenge for all role players involved

Base exchange in soils : a study of the reproducibility of base exchange values for some South African soils, as indicated by leaching with normal ammonium acetate solution

A very reliable method for the total analysis of the ammonium acetate leachate has been outlined. This is both simple and straight forward and is more rapid than any which have been seen in the literature. It is particularly applicable where a worker must perform a large number of routine analyses in the minimum of time. Shirley (29) and other workers have shown that 1000 ml. of leaching solution is generally necessary to extract all the exchangeable gases. The present investigation has shown that the time of leaching makes no appreciable difference to the amounts of bases replaced, as long as this exceeds four hours. Two alternative methods have been introduced for the rapid determination of the total exchangeable bases in a soil and there are considered to be more reliable than that of Bray and White. It is suggested that the two new methods might yield a still greater degree of accuracy if larger aliquots were to be used for each determination. It is further pointed out that the values obtained by the chloride methods are more likely to represent correct values than the sum totals of the bases as determined individually, since these are arrived at by summing the results of four different estimations, each of which is liable to experimental error, whereas in the chloride methods there is only one perfectly straightforward determination. The values for the total exchangeable bases in the soils examined were found to vary over the range 2.50 to 14.28 m.e. per 100 g. soil, with a variance of up to ± 0.2sm.e. per 100 g., corresponding to a percentage error of up to ± 4.7%. These figures are based on the analysis of 12 separate leachings of each soil with normal ammonium acetate solution of pH 7.00. This rather wide variance can be attributed to the fact that the exchangeable bases in some soils are more easily replaceable than in other soils. It is regretted that the shortage of time and the non-availability of a complete range of samples of all typical South African soils has prevented the attainment of an original objective, namely, a statistical evaluation of the base exchange figures for all South African soil types. It would also have been of great interest to have been able to establish exactly the composition of the double salt of calcium and magnesium, whose existence has been postulated to explain the effect of the Ca/Mg ratio on the results yielded by the first chloride method. Summary, p. 67-68

The prediction of the success of first-year MBA candidates: One business school as a case study

AbstractThe focus of this study was to determine the best predictors of academic success of first-year MBA students. Selection criteria and variables are tested for the reliable prediction of successful completion of the first year of an MBA programme (MBAI). A longitudinal quantitative research design is followed using data of students from a South African business school, enrolled between the years 2006 and 2013. The study population consisted of a total of N=777 students enrolled on the MBA programme for this period. Numerical- and verbal cognitive ability assessments gathered as part of enrolment assessment were used and compared to MBAI examination results. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of different variables to predict MBA first-year success, defined here as the successful completion of all first-year MBA modules within the first academic year. Results indicate that cognitive ability is related to MBA first-year success. The numerical was a better predictor than the verbal cognitive assessment. Type of undergraduate education was found to play a role in MBA first-year success. Language of delivery proved to have an influence on academic performance and Younger students performed better than their older counterparts did. Determining the best predictors MBA first-year success has practical implications on selection processes and throughput

The Janus effect: Contradictory demands placed on the academic chairperson

The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the multidimensional nature and complexity of the challenges academic chairpersons appointed at institutions of higher learning experience. A qualitative research approach was chosen to gain a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation by means of a focus group of 24 academic chairpersons. The findings indicate that academic chairpersons are inundated with responsibilities. They have to find a balance between the various roles, responsibilities and tasks originating from two opposing roles – that of scholar versus that of administrator/manager/leader – forced into one, while lacking the necessary administrative/managerial/leadership experience, skills and knowledge for their role as managers. This study provides higher education institutions and role-players responsible for the appointment, support and development of academic chairpersons with the evidence required to substantiate the necessity of redesigning this role

Teacher burnout: Construct equivalence and the role of union membership

The objective in this study was to investigate its structure and validate the Maslach Burnout Inventory for educators in the Goldfields region of the northern Free State province of South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used, where a sample of educators was drawn from the total population (N=468). An adapted version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed construct equivalence of burnout dimensions for an Afrikaans and English subgroup and an African Languages subgroup. Burnout is described as consisting of exhaustion, cynicism, depersonalisation, and professional efficacy. However, the depersonalisation construct showed better fit across language groups than the cynicism construct. Item bias analysis was carried out for the cynicism items. For biographical differences, it was found that union membership presented an important distinction in educators ' experience of burn out.South African Journal of Education Vol. 26 (4) 2006: pp. 541-55

Wissenschaftlicher Ansatz zum Entdecken von der Begabung zum Rugby bei 10- und 11jährigen Jungen

It has become apparent, since the dismantling of apartheid, that there is an urgent need especially among hitherto deprived groups of people, to develop talent in sport. The process of development and training of the young should be scientifically grounded. Departments of Physical Education can and should play an active role to ensure that such scientific individual development of Sporting talent takes place and is monitored regularly. A group of 173, ten and eleven year-old boys from a cross-section of the population was subjected to a battery of tests. The group consisted of youngsters who had never played rugby on the one hand (n = 110) and boys who played rugby (n = 63). The AAPHERD “Football Skills Test” was used together with relevant standardized motor-ability tests. The results of the tests were a) descriptively analyzed (x, sd) and b) analyzed by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine significance differences (P<0,05). Group differences were determined by means of the Newman-Keuls-posthoc test. Results were compared to existing norm scales to substantiate strengths and weaknesses. It emerged that the deprived population groups have certain weaknesses to be addressed during talent development clinics. It also emerged, however, that these groups have the some potential as their more developed counterparts, given the same opportunities. Development programmes should be devised by experts to develop rugby talent and to monitor results. It is essential that research and organized rugby should co-operate to ensure professional development.Nach dem Auseinandernehmen von der Apartheid ist es klar geworden, dabei den bisher benachteiligten Menschen die Notwendigkeit besteht, das Talent für Sport zu entwickeln. Der Prozeß der Entwicklung und des Trainings bei Jugendlichen soll wissenschaftlich gegründet werden. Die Abteilungen für Sport können und sollen eine aktive Rolle übernehmen, um zu sichern, daß eine solche wissenschaftlich basierte Entwicklung der sportlichen Begabung geschieht, und daß sie kontrolliert wird. Die Gruppe von 173 10- und 11jdhrigen Jungen wurde der Testbatterie unterzogen. Diese Gruppe umfaßte einerseits diejenigen Jugendlichen, die kein Rugby gespielt haben (n=110), und andererseits diejenigen, die diesen Sport schon betrieben haben (n=63). Es wurde der AAPHERD "Football Skills Test" verwendet, zusammen mit relevanten standardisierten Tests der motorischen Fähigkeiten. Die Resultate wurden: a) deskriptorisch analysiert (x, sd) und b) analysiert mittels der Varianzanalyse (ANOVA), um die Signifikanzunterschiede (P< 0,05) festzustellen. Die Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen wurden mittels des Newman-Keuls-Posthoc-Tests festgestellt. Die Resultate wurden mit der existierenden Normenskala verglichen, um die Starken und Schwachen zu determinieren. Es hat sich gezeigt, daß die benachteiligten Populationsgruppen bestimmte Schwächen hatten, mit denen man sich in der Begabungsentwicklung befassen Soll. Es hat sich auch gezeigt, daß diese Gruppe dasselbe Potential für Rugby hatte, wie die andere. Entwicklungsprogrammesollen von Experten entwickelt werden, mit dem Ziel, die Begabung zum Rugby zu entwickeln und die Resultate zu kontrollieren. Es ist wichtig, daß das wissenschaftliche und organisierte Rugby zusammenarbeiten, um die professionelle Entwicklung zu sichern