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High-Statistics Measurement of the Cosmic-Ray Electron Spectrum with H.E.S.S.
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Centre for Space Research (CSR)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom Campu
Social well-being profiles: Associations with trust in managers and colleagues, job satisfaction, and intention to leave
Get PDFOptentia Research Unit, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Afric
Antioxidant defense strategies of urban ornamental plants in southern Iran against heavy metals
Get PDFArticle, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Workwell: Research Unit for Economic; Management Sciences)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusOne of the effective approaches to reduce heavy metals (HMs) contamination is phytoremediation. The concentration of 10 HMs was measured in 10 ornamental plants grown in the city of Bushehr, located in southern Iran. The concentration of HMs was determined by ICP-MS. Some physiological parameters and antioxidant enzymes activity were measured. Bougainvillea had greater amount of Zn (61.86 mg/kg D.W.), Cu (45.52 mg/kg D.W.), and Cr (14.71 mg/kg D.W.) than the other HMs. Greatest amount of Co (0.686 mg/kg D.W.), Fe (428.00 mg/kg D.W.), and Ni (6.44 mg/kg D.W.) was obtained in Conocarpus erectus. Also, Clerodendrom inerme had maximum As (0.0087 mg/kg D.W.) and Sn (2.516 mg/kg D.W.). The POD activity (1.462 and 1.214 U/g F.W./min) was highest in leaves of C. inerme and Ficus elastica containing the highest concentrations of As, Sn, and Pb, respectively. The SOD activity was high in these two species. Synthesis of osmolytes increased under Co and Sn stresses. The selected plant species followed a defensive strategy (enzymatic or non-enzym-atic) against excess of HMs. Overall, shrubs were much more suitable than trees for absorption and accumulation of HMs, and C. inerme, F. elastica, and Bougainvillea are the best plant species for phytoremediation
Introduction to Syncretism and Pentecostalism in the Global South
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Theology, Unit for Reformational Theology and Dev of the SA Society-- Potchefstroom CampusCritiquing current neo-Pentecostal practices is complex and requires a nuanced approach because this movement’s wide range of beliefs and practices. Scholars refer to syncretism as a significant factor in the phenomenal growth of this movement, especially in the Global South (Maxon 2019). It functions within general areas of concern raised by leaders and scholars. Two areas of concern are relevant. Theologically, neo-Pentecostalism is influenced by prosperity theology, emphasising material blessings and personal wealth as a sign of God’s favour while exploiting vulnerable individuals and establishing a culture of consumerism, constituting a hierarchical leadership reflecting authoritarian leadership structures that concentrate power in the hands of pastors or prophets, potentially leading to abuse and exploitation and the selective interpretation of scripture, cherry-picking verses to support its teachings, neglecting the broader context and potentially distorting the overall message (Bafford 2019). The sociocultural concerns are the promotion of traditional gender roles by some members, which are limiting and oppressive for women and hinder gender equality as well as a negative, prejudiced approach to homosexuality, leading to the discrimination and exclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals and the exploitation of vulnerable people, promising miraculous solutions to poverty while extracting financial and emotional
resources. Syncretistic elements colour all these concerns, reflecting, in many instances, traditional cultural and religious values that may compromise the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Dube 2014)
A classification of human resource management bundles for the inclusion of vulnerable workers
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Humanities, North--West University- VanderbijlparkBACKGROUND: Despite the societal importance to improve understanding of the role of employers in the inclusion of workers with a distance to the labor market, scant knowledge is available on the effectiveness of human resource management (HRM) bundles for the inclusion of vulnerable workers. OBJECTIVE: This paper studies which HRM bundles are applied by employers that hired people with a distance to the labor market, and to what extent these different bundles of HRM practices are related to employment of workers with specific vulnerabilities, such as people with disabilities or people with a migration background. METHODS: A latent class analysis of 1,665 inclusive employers was used to identify HRM bundles based on seven HRM practices: financial support practices, specialized recruitment, promotion and career opportunities, training opportunities, part-time work, job crafting, and adaptations to the workplace. RESULTS: Six bundles were identified: a recruitment and development bundle (34.4% of employers), a development bundle (24.8%), maintenance-focused practices (16.5%), a recruitment bundle (9.4%), a sustainable employment bundle (8.9%), and passive HRM (6.0%). Post-hoc analyses showed the probability of hiring specific vulnerable groups for each bundle (e.g., sustainable employment bundles showed the highest overall probability to hire people with a physical disability). CONCLUSION: Nuancing what is suggested in strategic HRM literature, we conclude that both extensive HRM and focused HRM bundles can be successful for the employment of vulnerable workers. In conclusion, there is no one-size-fitsall approach to inclusive employment and employers, large or small, can tailor their HRM systems to include vulnerable worker
Electronic and Optical Properties of Sn/Ge-Substituted 2D Dion- Jacobson Phase (3-AMPY)4Pb4I16 Perovskite for Photovoltaic Applications: A First Principle Study
Get PDFJournal Article, Center for Space Research, North-West University, PotchefstroomThe structural, electronic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of Sn/Ge-substituted 2D slightly shifted DJ phase (3-AMPY)4Pb4I16 perovskite were investigated using first principle calculations. The toxic Pb was substituted in the primary geometry by less toxic Sn/Ge. We found that Ge/Sn doping is energetically favorable for decreasing and eliminating the Pb content in pristine (3-AMPY)4Pb4I16. On both Ge/Sn doping critical characteristics for perovskite, strong optical absorption, p–p/s-p couplings, and direct band gap are observed. The strong p–p/s-p couplings in both Ge/Sn-substituted conformers decrease the band gap of the pristine (3-AMPY)4Pb4I16 to the value suitable for photovoltaic applications. This further helps us get good optical absorption coefficient and high-power conversion efficiency in (3-AMPY)4Pb4–xGexI16 (x = 1, 2, 3, 4) and (3-AMPY)4Ge4–xSnxI16 conformers. The partial density of states and band structure plots show significant contributions of the dominant organic cation to the conduction band minimum. This contribution becomes more pronounced with increasing Ge/Sn doping. The presence of Ge/Sn dopant atoms in the substituted 2D (3-AMPY)4Pb4I16 perovskite showed improved photovoltaic performance compared to that of the pristine system. This study should form a basis for realizing a more benign photovoltaic perovskite-based system
A comparative numerical investigation of the thermal-fluid phenomena between helium and nitrogen cooled pebble bed reactors
Get PDFJournal Article, Unit for Energy and Technology Systems, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe study assesses the thermal-hydraulic performance of a pebble bed type nuclear reactor using nitrogen and helium as coolants. The analysis is done in two separate parts using CFD. First, a segment of the pebbles is modeled and later the whole reactor core. The study assesses the core performance under normal and after reactor shutdown conditions using these two different coolants. The assessment concludes that nitrogen as a coolant candidate for PBR behaves in an acceptable manner in both conditions at a cost of increased pumping power consumption. It is found that under steady state conditions, the heat stored in the pebbles (both for the segment and the whole core) is more in the case of the nitrogen cooled bed compared to the helium cooled bed
Focalisation and its performative nature in John 3:1–21
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Theology, North--West University-PotchefstroomWithout seeking to diminish its authority as the Word of God, this article acknowledges the Fourth Gospel as a brilliant piece of literary artistry by the implied author. The aim of this article is to substantiate this assertion by conducting a study on focalisation and illustrating how it invites the implied reader’s participation in the narrative. This contribution
acknowledges the existence of insightful contributions on the topic, particularly in relation to the Fourth Gospel. However, it asserts that the study of the performative nature of focalisation in this particular Gospel has not received the attention it deserves. The main contribution of this article is its analysis of a selected narrative of the Fourth Gospel using focalisation as an
analytical tool, with the objective of demonstrating that the Fourth Gospel is performative in nature, crafted and formulated to consistently engage the implied reader in considering its purpose, as stated in 20:30–31. Contribution: The article showcases that focalisation, when used as an analytical tool, can unlock, and enable the interpreter of the Fourth Gospel to recognise its performative nature to the implied reader of the text. This is critical, given that the text is crafted to encourage the reader to participate in it by making decisions regarding their faith in Jesus Chris
Comparative Effects of Efavirenz and Dolutegravir on Metabolomic and Inflammatory Profiles, and Platelet Activation of People Living with HIV: A Pilot Study
Get PDF1 Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
[email protected] (L.D.V.d.T.); [email protected] (T.M.R.); [email protected] (H.C.S.)
2 Human Metabolomics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University,
Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; [email protected]
3 Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
[email protected] therapy (ART) has reduced the mortality and morbidity associated with HIV.
However, irrespective of treatment, people living with HIV remain at a higher risk of developing
non-AIDS-associated diseases. In 2019, the World Health Organization recommended the transition
from efavirenz (EFV)- to dolutegravir (DTG)-based ART. Data on the impact of this transition are
still limited. The current study therefore investigated the metabolic profiles, cytokine inflammatory
responses, and platelet activation before and after the treatment transition. Plasma samples from nine
virally suppressed adults living with HIV and sixteen healthy, HIV-uninfected individuals residing
in Gauteng, South Africa were compared. Metabolite and cytokine profiles, and markers associated
with platelet activation, were investigated with untargeted proton magnetic resonance metabolomics,
multiplex suspension bead array immunoassays, and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assays, respectively. In those individuals with normal C-reactive protein levels, the transition to
a DTG-based ART regimen resulted in decreased concentrations of acetoacetic acid, creatinine,
adenosine monophosphate, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, glycolic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, urea, and
lysine. Moreover, increased levels of formic acid, glucose, lactic acid, myo-inositol, valine, glycolic
acid, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid were observed. Notably, levels of interleukin-6, platelet-derived
growth factor-BB, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor–alpha,
soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand, as well as regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed
and secreted (RANTES) reached levels close to those observed in the healthy control participants. The
elevated concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha was the only marker indicative
of elevated levels of inflammation associated with DTG-based treatment. The transition from EFV- to
DTG-based regimens therefore appears to be of potential benefit with metabolic and inflammatory
markers, as well as those associated with cardiovascular disease and other chronic non-AIDS-related
diseases, reaching levels similar to those observed in individuals not living with HIV
Improved attentional abilities after playing five weeks of active video games in children with and without developmental coordination disorder
Get PDFJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec), North-West University, PotchefstroomBackground: Besides motor coordination problems, attentional impairments are reported in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), but the connection or trainability is still unclear.
Aim: To test changes on attentional abilities after playing active video games (AVG) in children with DCD and their peers (TD), to evaluate near transfer and the relationship between omissions in attentional and motor tests.
Methods: Seventy children (35 DCD; 35 TD), 7–12 years old, were assessed on three types of attention: distractibility (DIS); divided-attention (DA); sustained-attention (SA) and on the Wii Fit test pre- and post-training.
Results: A significant decrease of errors in attentional tasks was found after training, independent of group (TD/DCD) and console (Wii Fit/Xbox) with medium-strong effect sizes (DIS η2p =.42; DA η2p =.51; SA η2p =.41). The groups responded similarly to the training but the DCD children scored poorer on the DA. A positive transfer-effect to the non-trained Wii Fit test was found in accuracy (missed gates), while speed proved console-specific. A medium/strong relation was found between omissions in attentional tasks and the missed gates (Wii Fit test).
Conclusion: More accurate responses on attentional tasks were found after AVG-training in both groups. A clear relationship between attentional abilities and motor performance was found.This work was supported by the Fundac¸ao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de S~ao Paulo–FAPESP [grant number 18/10081-1]