Limits on the neutron-antineutron oscillation time from the stability of nuclei

We refute a recent claim by Nazaruk that the limits placed on the free--space neutron--antineutron oscillation time $\tau_{{n\bar n}}$ can be improved by many orders of magnitude with respect to the estimate $\tau_{{n\bar n}}>2(T_0/\Gamma)^{1/2}$, where $T_0$ is a measured limit on the annihilation lifetime of a nucleus and $\Gamma\sim 100$ MeV is a typical antineutron-nucleus annihilation width.Comment: 4 pages, Latex, submitted to Physics Letters

Branding the local church: reaching out or selling out?

For-profit organisations recognise the importance of a strong brand. The world all have brand values over $1 billion. A brand, a distinct image and idecompanies to differentiate themselves from their competition. In contrast, non-profit organisations (NPOs) have not seen branding as essential. However, recent research shows that NPOs with a high branding orientation, (i.e., those that perceive themselves as a brand), experience increased: revenue; member and public awareness; and strategic focus. This paper examines how a branding orientation has impacted on Christian churches. A survey of UK and Irish church leaders was conducted to identify whether they: (a) perceived their church as a brand; and (b) were aware of the potential benefits of branding, as identified in the literature. The leaders were also asked for their views on whether branding distorts their mission. The study found that whilst the majority of church leaders surveyed perceived significant benefits in branding, they also recognised its potentially negative effects on organisational values. Drawing on organisational identity theory, the paper argues that tensions lie at the heart of branding in NPOs. NPOs often have ambiguous and multiple identities, formed out of strong ideological values which are perceived differently by a range of stakeholders. It is not possible to simply ‘cut and paste’ for-profit management/marketing concepts - which may overlook the complexity of the non-profit form and dilute the NPO’s identity in a search for a clear and concise image. Navigating these tensions involves giving consideration to the relationship between branding orientation (i.e., the commitment to brand) and branding focus (i.e., those within the organisation or outside it). A new model which can be tested in future research is discussed. This model reveals several organisational types and makes it possible for leaders to consider how branding might assist or detract from their core mission and values

The Old Farmhouse, Blashenwell, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Archaeological Assessment.

An archaeological assessment was carried out at the Old Farmhouse, Blashenwell, prior to building work at the site. The farmhouse is situated in an area rich in archaeological deposits dating from the Mesolithic through to the medieval period. A comprehensive watching brief was recommended during all ground disturbance and associated structural work

Lessons from Learning the Craft of Theory-Driven Research

This article presents a case study of the structure and logic of the author’s dissertation, with a focus on theoretical content. Designed for use in proposal writing seminars or research methods courses, the article stresses the value of identifying the originating, specifying and subsidiary research questions; clarifying the subject and object of the research; situating research within a particular research tradition, and using a competing theories approach. The article stresses the need to identify conceptual problems and empirical problems and their associated conceptual and operational definitions. The primary theoretical perspective is drawn from emerging sociology of externalities rooted in ecological theory, within the institutionalist tradition

The moment of microaggression: The experience of acts of oppression, dehumanization and exploitation

After a brief introduction and review of recent literature on microaggressions, a theoretical typology of three sources of social injustice (oppression, dehumanization, and exploitation) contributes to the theorization of the sources of microaggressions. A selected compendium of words and affective phrases generated in classroom exercises illustrates the nature of the experience of the moment of microaggression. Future research on microaggressions as well as evaluation of practice should examine the experience of microaggression, including being subjected to microaggression, initiating such acts, and observing such acts

A Needs-Based Partial Theory of Human Injustice: Oppression, Dehumanization, Exploitation, and Systematic Inequality in Opportunities to Address Human Needs

The article presents an original needs-based partial theory of human injustice and shows its relationship to existing theories of human need and human liberation. The theory is based on an original typology of three social structural sources of human injustice, a partial theorization of the mechanisms of human injustice, and a needs-based theorization of the nature of human injustice, as experienced by individuals. The article makes a sociological contribution to normative social theory by clarifying the relationship of human injustice to human needs, human rights, and human liberation. The theory contends that human injustice is produced when oppression, mechanistic dehumanization, and exploitation create systematic inequality in opportunities to address human needs, leading to wrongful need deprivation and the resulting serious harm. In one longer sentence, this needs-based partial theory of the sources, mechanisms, and nature of human injustice contends that three distinct social systemic sources—oppression, mechanistic dehumanization, and exploitation—produce unique and/or overlapping social mechanisms, which create systematic inequality in opportunities to address universal human needs in culturally specific ways, thus producing the nature of the human injustice theorized here: wrongfully unmet needs and serious harm