The selective implementation of the responsibility to protect principle: a comparative case study of Libya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Yemen

The Responsibility to Protect principle was created as a response to the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 and the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. During the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, Secretary-General Kofi Annan contemplated the future of sovereignty and the responsibility that comes with it. He implored the international community to accept responsibility in the protection of people should the state manifestly fail to do so. As a consequence of his request, the Responsibility to Protect principle was created as a call to action. This thesis examines the conflicts in which this principle has been utilized, compares and contrasts the conflicts with similar situations in which the principle was not used, and discusses the factors that could explain why. It seeks to fill the gap in existing literature and offer an alternative explanation for states’ behavior. The theoretical framework juxtaposes two theoretical lenses, Realism and Constructivism, to illustrate that at the intersection of the two is best suited to be used in the comparative case study of Libya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Yemen. The results of the research demonstrate that states behave in accordance to maintaining power and resources when that overlaps with upholding norms and values. It is only at this intersection that this principle is utilized. The purpose of the thesis is not to provide an alternative theory or principle, but rather to demonstrate that states’ behavior can be explained through the theoretical framework proposed in this thesis. Also this thesis suggests that in order to properly utilize R2P, it should be implemented in all conflicts that meet the intervention criteria. By selectively implementing R2P the international community is disregarding the original intent of the principle and allowing for future misuse. If R2P is not going to be properly implemented, it should not be considered an option.https://www.ester.ee/record=b5243320*es

Quantification of C02 concentration in Apatite

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geology or Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Earth and Environmental SciencesThe infrared (IR) method for determining CO2 concentrations in apatite was calibrated with absolute concentrations obtained through Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA). IR data were obtained on double-polished apatite samples of varying thickness using polarized transmission infrared spectroscopy. Due to the various sites and orientations of CO3 2– in apatite, the IR spectra are complicated and do not have the same shape in different apatite samples. Hence, simple peak heights are not used to characterize CO2 concentrations in apatite. The total absorbance (Atotal) was derived using the integrated area under the curves in a given spectral region (for a given vibrational mode but typically include differently sited or oriented CO3 2– subspecies). Then Atotal is calculated as AE//c + 2AE⊥c The calibration has been carried out for two wavenumber regions, one with high sensitivity and the other can be applied to apatite with high CO2 concentrations. One calibration is for the fundamental asymmetric CO3 2– stretching at wavenumbers of 1600-1300 cm–1, and the CO2 concentration in wt% can be obtained as (7.56±0.36)Å~10–6 Atotal/d where d is sample thickness in cm. The fundamental stretching bands are strong and hence sensitive for measuring low CO2 concentrations in apatite, down to ppm level. The second calibration is for the overtone CO3 2– bands at wavenumbers of 2650-2350 cm–1, and the CO2 concentration in wt% is (9.3±0.6)Å~10–4 Atotal/d where d is sample thickness in cm. The overtone bands are weak and hence are useful for measuring high CO2 concentrations in apatite without preparation of super-thin wafers. The anisotropy is significant: difference between AE//c and 2AE⊥c can reach a factor of 2.8. Hence, for high-accuracy, it is best to use polarized IR to determine CO2 concentrations in apatite. For rough estimation, unpolarized IR spectra may be used by estimating Atotal = 3Aunpol, where Aunpol is the average of integrated absorbance from unpolarized spectra.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116846/1/Clark_Kathryn_MS_2015.pdf1

Exploring the sensitivity of precipitation behavior using a single-column model

Relationships between land-surface conditions, boundary layer (PBL) growth, atmospheric stability, and convective precipitation behavior are explored using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW WRF) in single column model (SCM) mode. SCMs are computationally inexpensive, which enables the exploration of a wide range of parameter space. This study aims to determine the effects of land properties and atmospheric stability on convective precipitation behavior, specifically addressing precipitation event frequency and magnitude, and bridge the gap between computation- ally expensive three-dimensional models and low-order bulk models. This study focuses on the effects of soil moisture and large-scale synoptic forcing on surface fluxes, PBL structure and evolution, and precipitation behavior for different vegetation fractions. Soil moisture conditions become less influential on precipitation behavior with increasing vegetation cover, and large-scale vertical motion becomes more important with increasing subsidence as events become more intense but less frequent. Changes to the low-level inversion weakly affects event frequency while free-tropospheric stability substantially influences total precipitation. Thermodynamic mixing diagrams capture the multi-day dynamics and preferential regions of thermodynamic parameter space where sharp boundaries are delineated. Results indicate that idealized SCMs are able to capture some aspects of land-atmosphere interactions (PBL response to soil moisture, precipitation event magnitude) but not others (precipitation frequency), suggesting the simplifying assumptions pertaining to synoptic forcing may not be justified in all cases

Biotechnology and development: threats and promises for the 21st century

This paper sets out to clarify the complex issues of risk perception and management in connection with biotechnology and Third World development. It summarises the main threats and promises associated with the technology before explaining why traditional approaches to risk are flawed from both a scientific and an ethical standpoint. It ends by making suggestions about how the precautionary principle may be made an operational tool for governments interested in ensuring that biotechnology leads to sustainable development

Nonprofits and Change: Building Competencies for the Future

Nonprofit organizations are connected integrally to the communities in which they exist. They are important providers of health care and social services, libraries and the arts, and education for children and adults. They form the local associations we join as volunteers. Today, many of these same nonprofits face the need to change in order to survive into the 21st century. This article describes the imperative to change currently faced by nonprofit organizations and presents eight core competencies for surviving the future. It is intended for nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and board members alike

Kinematic Components of the Reach-to-Target Movement After Stroke for Focused Rehabilitation Interventions:Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Better upper limb recovery after stroke could be achieved through tailoring rehabilitation interventions directly at movement deficits. Aim: to identify potential; targets for therapy by synthesizing findings of differences in kinematics and muscle activity between stroke survivors and healthy adults performing reach-to-target tasks. Methods: A systematic review with identification of studies, data extraction, and potential risk of bias was completed independently by two reviewers. Online databases were searched from their inception to November 2017 to find studies of reach-to-target in people-with-stroke and healthy adults. Potential risk-of-bias was assessed using the Down’s and Black Tool. Synthesis was undertaken via: (a) meta-analysis of kinematic characteristics utilizing the standardized mean difference (SMD) [95% confidence intervals]; and (b), narrative synthesis of muscle activation. Results: Forty-six studies met the review criteria but 14 had insufficient data for extraction. Consequently, 32 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Potential risk-of-bias was low for one study, unclear for 30, and high for one. Reach-to-target was investigated with 618 people-with-stroke and 429 healthy adults. The meta-analysis found, in all areas of workspace, that people-with-stroke had: greater movement times (seconds) e.g. SMD 2.57 [0.89, 4.25]; lower peak velocity (millimeters/second) e.g. SMD -1.76 [-2.29, -1.24]; greater trunk displacement (millimeters) e.g. SMD 1.42 [0.90, 1.93]; a more curved reach-path-ratio e.g. SMD 0.77 [0.32, 1.22] and reduced movement smoothness e.g. SMD 0.92 [0.32, 1.52]. In the ipsilateral and contralateral workspace, people-with-stroke exhibited: larger errors in target accuracy e.g. SMD 0.70 [0.39, 1.01]. In contralateral workspace, stroke survivors had: reduced elbow extension and shoulder flexion (degrees) e.g. elbow extension SMD -1.10 [-1.62, -0.58] and reduced shoulder flexion SMD -1.91 [-1.96, -0.42]. Narrative synthesis of muscle activation found that people-with-stroke, compared with healthy adults, exhibited: delayed muscle activation; reduced coherence between muscle pairs; and use of a greater percentage of muscle power. Conclusions: This first-ever meta-analysis of the kinematic differences between people with stroke and healthy adults performing reach-to-target found statistically significant differences for 21 of the 26 comparisons. The differences identified and values provided are potential foci for tailored rehabilitation interventions to improve upper limb recovery after stroke

Preparing adolescents attending progressive and no-excuses urban charter schools to analyze, navigate, and challenge race and class inequality

Background/Context: Sociopolitical development (SPD) refers to the processes by which an individual acquires the knowledge, skills, emotional faculties, and commitment to recognize and resist oppressive social forces. A growing body of scholarship has found that such sociopolitical capabilities are predictive in marginalized adolescents of a number of key outcomes, including resilience, academic achievement, and civic engagement. Many scholars have long argued that schools and educators have a central role to play in fostering the sociopolitical development of marginalized adolescents around issues of race and class inequality. Other scholars have investigated school-based practices for highlighting race and class inequality that include youth participatory-action research, critical literacy, and critical service-learning. Objective of Study: The present study sought to add to the existing scholarship on schools as opportunity structures for sociopolitical development. Specifically, this study considered the role of two different schooling models in fostering adolescents' ability to analyze, navigate, and challenge the social forces and institutions contributing to race and class inequality. Setting: The six high schools participating in the present study were all urban charter public high schools located in five northeastern cities. All six schools served primarily low-income youth of color and articulated explicit goals around fostering students' sociopolitical development. Three of these high schools were guided by progressive pedagogy and principles, and three were guided by no-excuses pedagogy and principles. Research Design: The present study compared the sociopolitical development of adolescents attending progressive and no-excuses charter high schools through a mixed methods research design involving pre-post surveys, qualitative interviews with participating adolescents and teachers, and ethnographic field notes collected during observations at participating schools. Results: On average, adolescents attending progressive high schools demonstrated more significant shifts in their ability to analyze the causes of racial inequality, but adolescents attending no-excuses high schools demonstrated more significant shifts in their sense of efficacy around navigating settings in which race and class inequality are prominent. Neither set of adolescents demonstrated significant shifts in their commitment to challenging the social forces or institutions contributing to race and class inequality. Conclusions: Both progressive and no-excuses schools sought to foster adolescents' commitment to challenging race and class inequality, but focused on different building blocks to do so. Further research is necessary to understand the pedagogy and practices that show promise in catalyzing adolescents' analytic and navigational abilities into a powerful commitment to collective social action-the ultimate goal of sociopolitical development

Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of functional strength training for people between six months and five years after stroke: FeSTivaLS trial

Background: Functional Strength Training (FST) could enhance recovery late after stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a subsequent fully powered, randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, observer-blind trial. Both interventions were provided for up to one hour a day, four days a week, for six weeks. Evaluation points were before randomization (baseline), after six weeks intervention (outcome), and six weeks thereafter (follow-up). The study took place in participants’ own homes. Participants (n = 52) were a mean of 24.4 months after stroke with a mean age of 68.3 years with 67.3% male. All had difficulty using their paretic upper (UL) and lower limb (LL). Participants were allocated to FST-UL or FST-LL by an independent randomization service. The outcome measures were recruitment rate, attrition rate, practicality of recruitment strategies, occurrence of adverse reactions, acceptability of FST, and estimation of sample size for a subsequent trial. Primary clinical efficacy outcomes were the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC). Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of participants’ views of FST. A power calculation used estimates of clinical efficacy variance to estimate sample size for a subsequent trial. Results: The screening process identified 1,127 stroke survivors of whom 52 (4.6%) were recruited. The recruitment rate was higher for referral from community therapists than for systematic identification of people discharged from an acute stroke unit. The attrition rate was 15.5% at the outcome and follow-up time-points. None of the participants experienced an adverse reaction. The participants who remained in the study at outcome had received 68% of the total possible amount of therapy. Participants reported that their experience of FST provided a sense of purpose and involvement and increased their confidence in performing activities. The power calculation provides estimation that 150 participants in each group will be required for a subsequent clinical trial. Conclusions: This study found that a subsequent clinical trial was feasible with modifications to the recruitment strategy to be used