University of Johannesburg

About: University of Johannesburg is a education organization based out in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 8070 authors who have published 22749 publications receiving 329408 citations. The organization is also known as: UJ.

The implementation of environmental management towards sustainable universities and education for sustainable development as an ethical imperative

Abstract: Purpose – To show that the practices, processes and resources for the management of the university environment should be aligned to meet the ever‐growing demands of sustainability and its motivations should be clearly spelt out to all stakeholders. Universities should also strive to become leaders in the development of effective environmental programmes and work to overcome the barriers that may exist in this regard.Design/methodology/approach – The general focus of this inquiry was based on the qualitative research paradigm. Information was gathered from a wide variety of formats, both printed and online databases which was used to build a foundation for analysis, consideration, description, explanation and prediction. It is maintained that universities – which arguably have played a significant role in bringing mankind to its current position – must practice, demonstrate and educate on the path to sustainability.Findings – Effective environmental management systems (EMSs), must be adopted so as to manag...

Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer: What's Past is Prologue.

Abstract: Thomas J Dougherty from Roswell Park Cancer Center played a major role in the progress of photodynamic therapy (PDT) from a laboratory science into a real-world clinical therapy to treat patients with cancer. Nevertheless over the succeeding 45 years, it is fair to say that the overall progress of clinical PDT for cancer has been somewhat disappointing. The goal of this perspective article is to summarize some of the clinical trials run by various companies using photosensitizers with different structures that have been conducted for different types of cancer. While some have been successful, others have failed, and several are now ongoing. I will attempt to touch on some factors, which have influenced this checkered history and look forward to the future of clinical PDT for cancer.

Distributed Filtering for Switched Linear Systems With Sensor Networks in Presence of Packet Dropouts and Quantization

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the distributed $H_\infty $ filtering problem of discrete-time switched linear systems in sensor networks in face of packet dropouts and quantization. Specifically, due to the packet dropout phenomenon, the filters may lose access to the real-time switching signal of the plant. It is assumed that the maximal packet dropout number of switching signal is bounded. Then, a distributed filtering system is proposed by further considering the quantization effect. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a sufficient condition is obtained for the convergence of filtering error dynamics. The filter gain design is transformed into a convex optimization problem. In this paper, a quantitative relation between the switching rule missing rate and filtering performance is established. Furthermore, the upper bound of the switching rule missing rate is also calculated. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed filter design is validated by a simulation study on the pulse-width-modulation-driven boost converter circuit. The impact of noise covariance, system dynamics, and network connectivity is studied, and some discussions are presented on how these parameters affect the filtering performance.

An investigation of the social identity model of collective action and the 'sedative' effect of intergroup contact among Black and White students in South Africa

Abstract: Two studies investigated the role of intergroup contact in predicting collective action tendencies along with three key predictors proposed by the social identity model of collective action (SIMCA; Van Zomeren, Postmes, & Spears, 2008). Study 1 (N= 488 Black South African students) tested whether social identity would positively, whereas intergroup contact would negatively predict collective action and support for policies benefiting the ingroup. Study 2 (N= 244 White South African students) predicted whether social identity would positively predict collective action benefiting the ingroup, and intergroup contact would positively predict support for policies to benefit the Black outgroup. Both studies yielded evidence in support of the predictive power of social identity and contact on collective action and policy support. Additionally, Study 1 confirmed that intergroup contact moderated the effects of social identity on relative deprivation, and relative deprivation on collective action. Overall findings support an integration of SIMCA and intergroup contact theory, and provide a fuller understanding of the social psychological processes leading to collective action.