Crosstalk Statistics via Collocation Method

A probabilistic model for the evaluation of transmission lines crosstalk is proposed. The geometrical parameters are assumed to be unknown and the exact solution is decomposed into two functions, one depending solely on the random parameters and the other on the frequency. The stochastic collocation method is used to estimate the crosstalk statistical moments. The results are obtained from a limited number of carefully-chosen values of the random geometrical parameters. The estimated statistical moments are then used to build the probability density function of the crosstalk parameters. A Monte Carlo validation demonstrates the accuracy and efficiency of the advocated method.\ud \u

The effects of migration on children's activities in households at origin: Evidence from Senegal

This paper examines the repercussions of international migration on children?s time allocation in households at origin. We focus on children of age 7 to 12 and distinguish three activities: market work, French school attendance, and enrollment in Medersa (Arab/Islamic traditional school). In our analysis, we account for heterogeneities in migration constraints considering differences in migration destinations and the number of migrants within households. We instrument for migration using policy and governance facets in destination countries, precisely France, Spain, and Italy. Results show that ? after controlling for endogeneity ? migration has a positive and significant impact on enrollment in French curriculum school. However, once we account for the destination of the migrant, this positive and significant impact is only verified in households with migrants in Europe. We also note that when the number of migrants within a household increases, children of age 7 to 12 are less likely to attend French school and they are more likely to be involved in paid work activities. We draw evidence from the 2009 Senegalese household survey on migration and remittances (Enquête Ménage sur la Migration et les Transferts de Fonds).International migration; Child Labour; Education; Time allocation; Left-behind; Senegal

Looking Back, Looking Ahead - Reflections from the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC

The ICC was created in 1998 by the Rome Statute. The Statute defines the mission of the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP”): to put an end to impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community—genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes—and thereby contribute to the prevention of such crimes. The OTP and the Court itself are part of a new system of international justice created by the Statute. There are now 121 State Parties to the Rome Statute, the latest member being the Guatemala, all committed to prevent and punish massive crimes, using the rule of law to protect their own citizens. This is a twenty-first century institution

Gambian Women’s Struggles through Collective Action

Women have a long history of organizing collective action in The Gambia. Between the 1970s to the 1990s, they were instrumental to The Gambia’s politics. Yet they have held no political power within its government. This paper argues that, since authorities failed to serve women’s interests, Gambian women resorted to using collective action to overcome their challenges through kafoolu and kompins [women’s grassroots organizations] operating in the rural and urban areas. They shifted their efforts towards organizations that focused on social and political change. These women’s organizations grew significantly as they helped women to promote social and economic empowerment. The women cultivated political patronage with male political leaders to achieve their goals. Political leaders who needed popular support to buttress their political power under the new republican government cash in patronage. Thus, this study relies on primary data from oral interviews. Secondary sources such as academic journals, books, and policy reports provide context to the study

The Gambia: Citizenship and Civic Consciousness

Citizens are an important component of national development enterprise. This is because citizenship is crucial to the promotion of nationhood. But being a citizen alone means very little if it does not come with certain responsibilities and civic consciousness. Through the historical lens of The Gambia, this paper argues, an understanding of citizenship and civic consciousness is necessary for sustained national development. It draws an interrelation among these concepts. Therefore, supports for responsible citizenship through education and emphasizes education’s role in attaining national development. Also, this paper refers to primary and secondary sources. It uses oral interviews, content analysis of government publications, academic journals, books, and media reports to provide context to the paper. The article suggests some viable strategies for sustainable national development in The Gambia such as free and fair election, informed citizenry, visionary leadership and vibrant civil society organizations

The Incipient Fertility Transition and Women’s Labor Force Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1991-2005: Evidence From the Demographic and Health Surveys

Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced an expansion of schooling, accompanied by delays in marriage and lower fertility. These trends stand to boost women’s employment prospects and foster further fertility decline through a variety of plausible mechanisms. But the evidence has been spotty. Building on the diversity of recent fertility changes within countries and taking advantage of repeat nationally representative and comparable DHS surveys, we attempt a large-scale historical analysis to provide an early assessment of the status of the transition in 21 countries. To evaluate the prospects for further declines in the region, we use multiple techniques to quantify the effect of fertility on employment as well as its contribution relative to other factors to observed changes in women’s employment within countries. Results show a growing negative relationship in some countries and no relationship in others.  Implications for the transition and inequality in the region are discussed.