The relationship between research data management and virtual research environments

The aim of the study was to compile a conceptual model of a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) that indicates the relationship between Research Data Management (RDM) and VREs. The outcome of this study was that VREs are ideal platforms for the management of research data. In the first part of the study, a literature review was conducted by focusing on four themes: VREs and other concepts related to VREs; VRE components and tools; RDM; and the relationship between VREs and RDM. The first theme included a discussion of definitions of concepts, approaches to VREs, their development, aims, characteristics, similarities and differences of concepts, an overview of the e-Research approaches followed in this study, as well as an overview of concepts used in this study. The second theme consisted of an overview of developments of VREs in four countries (United Kingdom, USA, The Netherlands, and Germany), an indication of the differences and similarities of these programmes, and a discussion on the concept of research lifecycles, as well as VRE components. These components were then matched with possible tools, as well as to research lifecycle stages, which led to the development of a first conceptual VRE framework. The third theme included an overview of the definitions of the concepts ‘data’ and ‘research data’, as well as RDM and related concepts, an investigation of international developments with regards to RDM, an overview of the differences and similarities of approaches followed internationally, and a discussion of RDM developments in South Africa. This was followed by a discussion of the concept ‘research data lifecycles’, their various stages, corresponding processes and the roles various stakeholders can play in each stage. The fourth theme consisted of a discussion of the relationship between research lifecycles and research data lifecycles, a discussion on the role of RDM as a component within a VRE, the management of research data by means of a VRE, as well as the presentation of a possible conceptual model for the management of research data by means of a VRE. This literature review was conducted as a background and basis for this study. In the second part of the study, the research methodology was outlined. The chosen methodology entailed a non-empirical part consisting of a literature study, and an empirical part consisting of two case studies from a South African University. The two case studies were specifically chosen because each used different methods in conducting research. The one case study used natural science oriented data and laboratory/experimental methods, and the other, human orientated data and survey instruments. The proposed conceptual model derived from the literature study was assessed through these case studies and feedback received was used to modify and/or enhance the conceptual model. The contribution of this study lies primarily in the presentation of a conceptual VRE model with distinct component layers and generic components, which can be used as technological and collaborative frameworks for the successful management of research data.Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2018.National Research FoundationInformation ScienceDPhilUnrestricte

Seksueel-etiese aspekte in die Simsonverhaal (Rigters 13-16) as vertrekpunt vir Christelike berading binne 'n multi-godsdienstige beradingsituasie

This research was encouraged by the need for Christian religious-ethical principles for counselling of HIV/Aids patients and their families within a multi-religious environment. During his lifetime the researcher was a member of Professional Family Care, a multi-religious and multi-disciplinary organization assisting HIV/Aids patients in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. The aim of the study is to highlight the sexual ethos of people from a Christian ethical perspective by means of the example of the character Samson in the book of Judges (Jd 13-16), in order to derive sexual-ethical principles for counselling. The hypothesis is that an ethical relationship exists between the rebelliousness in Samson’s life, and his sexual conduct. A similar relationship can be identified in our current society as a result of the negligence of healthy religious-ethical norms. A socio-rhetorical approach has been applied to explore various textures found in the Samson saga. After a discussion of Old Testament ethics as a subject, emphasis was laid on analysing the intra-textual, ideological, social and cultural, and holiness structures of the Samson saga. HIV/Aids as a social problem is discussed, primarily by means of relevant statistics. Professional Family Care implements an eco-systemic model, viz. an integrated approach involving medical professions, social workers, and religious leaders from all the religions involved. The principles of this approach are explained. After the religious-ethical perspectives of various religions have been highlighted, final conclusions are drawn. The ethical conduct of individuals normally mirrors the dominant ideological framework of the society in which they live. The sexual-ethical conduct of Samson, within its context, and the ethical principles, which can be deduced from that for the current context of Middelburg, Mpumalanga, clearly indicate that a relationship exists between the violation of sexual-ethical norms of the society as well as the consequences thereof for individuals and the broader community. In the light thereof both the positive and negative conduct of Samson have been implemented to formulate basic principles for counselling.Prof. Johan Coetze

Local and global search based PSO algorithm

Abstract: In this paper, a new algorithm for particle swarm optimisation (PSO) is proposed. In this algorithm, the particles are divided into two groups. The two groups have different focuses when all the particles are searching the problem space. The first group of particles will search the area around the best experience of their neighbours. The particles in the second group are influenced by the best experience of their neighbors and the individual best experience, which is the same as the standard PSO. Simulation results and comparisons with the standard PSO 2007 demonstrate that the proposed algorithm effectively enhances searching efficiency and improves the quality of searching.Originally presented at Fourth International Conference on Swarm Intelligence (ICSI 2013), Harbin, China, 12-15, June, 2013

Small world network based dynamic topology for particle swarm optimization

Abstract: A new particle optimization algorithm with dynamic topology is proposed based on ‘small world’ network. The technique imitates the dissemination of information in a ‘small world network’ by dynamically updating the neighborhood topology of particle swarm optimization. The proposed dynamic neighborhood strategy can effectively coordinate the exploration and exploitation ability of particle swarm optimization. Simulations demonstrated that convergence of the swarms is guaranteed. Experiments demonstrated that the proposed method maintained the population diversity and enhanced the global search ability

A new multi-swarm multi-objective particle swarm optimization based on pareto front set

Abstract: In this paper, a new multi-swarm method is proposed for multiobjective particle swarm optimization. To enhance the Pareto front searching ability of PSO, the particles are divided into many swarms. Several swarms are dynamically searching the objective space around some points of the Pareto front set. The rest of particles are searching the space keeping away from the Pareto front to improve the global search ability. Simulation results and comparisons with existing Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization methods demonstrate that the proposed method effectively enhances the search efficiency and improves the search quality.Originally presented at 2011 International Conference on Intelligent Computing, Zhengzhou, China 11-14 August, 2011

The relationship between Colossians and Ephesians as a synoptic problem

Research by different scholars concluded that some letters traditionally ascribed to Paul were probably not written by him and drew a distinction between Pauline and Deutero-Pauline letters. The majority of scholars nowadays are of the opinion that the letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians are Deutero-Pauline and that Ephesians, at least, was surely not written by Paul. The results of research on the synoptic problem can be used and applied to the two letters under discussion because a comparison shows that there are striking similarities between the two. The most recent research shows that Ephesians made use of the letter to the Colossians but not without redactional changes to suit the author’s literary purpose. This method is exegetically known as redaction-criticism, linked to the social-science viewpoint that the author of the letter to the Ephesians acted as a change agent on behalf of a change agency.http://www.hts.org.zaam201

Die kerkorde en die kerklike reg in die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika aan die hand van die Presbiteriaal-sinodale kerkbegrip (Afrikaans)

This dissertation presents a contribution to measure the church order and ecclesiastical law in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa against the Presbyterial-synodal understanding of church government. The latter forms the canonical outline of Biblical Reformative Theology as an indication of the theology currently practiced in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa. At the outset a historical overview is given on the origin and development of the Presbyterial-synodal church government that was mainly shaped by Calvin in Geneva and later elaborated upon in Paris, and then further developed in the Netherlands. Reference is also made to the Algemeen Reglement of 1816, the 1951 church order of the Nederlandse Hervormde Church, as well as the 1951 church order of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa. A description is given of what is understood by Biblical Reformative Theology as a revelation theology, which objectively assesses man as a sinner redeemed by grace through Jesus Christ. In this regard the church is willed by God and exists in eschatological expectation when Jesus will be everything in everyone. An exposition of Presbyterial-synodal church government calls attention to the church's existence from the beginning of time, founded by God, and it is therefore of a covenantal nature. Offices are seen as gifts from God to mankind to bring those who had been saved by Jesus Christ to faith in Him. Office bearers gather together in an assembly of offices to govern the church according to the Word of God. The church is a confessing church who confesses its faith with the church of all ages, as summarized in the ecumenical creeds and the three formularies of unity. Reference is also made here to the sacraments, ceremonies, church festivals and days of remembrance. The chapter concludes with a reference to church discipline as well as the relationship between church and state. Finally the church order and ecclesiastical law in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Church of Africa is measured against the previous definition of the Presbyterial-synodal understanding of church government.Thesis (PhD (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006.Church History and Church Policyunrestricte

Dynamic small world network topology for particle swarm optimization

Abstract: A new particle optimization algorithm with dynamic topology is proposed based on a small world network. The technique imitates the dissemination of information in a small world network by dynamically updating the neighborhood topology of the particle swarm optimization(PSO). In comparison with other four classic topologies and two PSO algorithms based on small world network, the proposed dynamic neighborhood strategy is more eÆective in coordinating the exploration and exploitation ability of PSO. Simulations demonstrated that the convergence of the swarms is faster than its competitors. Meanwhile, the proposed method maintains population diversity and enhances the global search ability for a series of benchmark problems

Church-denomination : a nineteenth century attempt to reformation

The view exists that the term denomination is especially evident of the nineteenth century Netherlands at the time when an attempt was made to accomplish change in the Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk. The decay in the Church at the time can mainly be ascribed to the influence of the authorities on the church, material welfare, as well as the climate of thought which originated in the Aufklärung. During this period two theologians were prominent, namely P J Hoedemaker and A Kuyper. The latter protested against the synodic structure of the existing Church and proposed an alternative locally free church in its place, consisting of chosen, reborn members of the church who become part of the church by confession. At the time denomination had a prominent function in the integration of all local churches into a single denomination with the confession being the common source of fellowship

Image Based Navigation System for Pedestrians in an Indoor Environment

Indoor navigation systems provide means to guide pedestrians to their various destinations. While many tools that take advantage of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for outdoor navigation exists, their usefulness is limited to the availability of GPS signal reception, which is usually poor in indoor environments. In this research, we propose a method that employs only images for indoor pedestrian navigation. In the proposed method, a map of the indoor environment is first transformed into a graph model where features of indoor environment are attached to graph nodes and their distances represented by the graph edges. Feature images of initial and destination locations are provided by the pedestrian who needs to be guided. These images are fed into the created graph model and thereafter the Speeded-Up Robust Features (SURF) is then used to find a match to these images to discover their corresponding graph nodes. Graph nodes are identified in a manner that corresponds to pedestrian localized position and destination. Leveraging on these nodes in the graph, models are proposed to find the shortest path to user’s destination with instructions and graphical navigation path to enhance maneuverability. Experiment carried out on an indoor environment of the French South African Institute of Technology building, (Tshwane University of Technology) shows encouraging results