533 research outputs found
Seeking Civilian Control: Rule of Law, Democracy, and Civil-Military Relations in Zimbabwe
Rule of law and democratic reform projects often concern lofty questions of constitutional law. But in many countries desperate for reform, deeply entrenched social and political problems present preconditions to any discussion of constitutional reforms aimed at democracy and the rule of law. Zimbabwe is one such nation, which like many others faces the problem of military intervention into domestic politics. This Note examines structural and historical aspects of Zimbabwe\u27s military problem and utilizes the theory of objective civilian control to demonstrate the plausibility of meaningful reforms. In so doing, this Note provides a demonstrative model for reforming civilmilitary relations in rule of law and democratic reform projects the world over
Master of Laws
thesisWildlife, one of the United States' most treasured natural resources, faces a dire future. Changing climate conditions will upend the natural world wild creatures inhabit. Dramatic shifts in precipitation, spreading disease, cascading ecological events, and catastrophic events such as wildfires and floods will present wildlife with challenges of a degree and frequency not seen in U.S. history. These shifts in climate will in turn bring to bear great pressure on the heralded U.S. approach to wildlife management. Ill equipped to respond to the jurisdictional fragmentation and scientific uncertainty that will predominate wildlife management in a changing climate, U.S. wildlife managers must seek out new tools to cope with the difficulties that lie ahead. Collaborative governance and adaptive management-management techniques designed to cope with fragmentation and uncertainty-have obvious appeal. While both have failed to date to deliver their theoretical appeal in practice, these failures can be readily attributed to inadequate implementation efforts. Remedying those deficiencies can greatly increase the likelihood of successful implementation. The federal land management agencies, which oversee the vast majority of wildlife habitat in the United States, are well suited to advance collaborative and adaptive experiments in wildlife habitat management. Acting as hubs to deploy collaboration and adaptation more broadly in the context of wildlife management, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service should incorporate implementation baselines to ensure the appropriate and sufficient deployment of collaborative and adaptive processes. Such efforts will not eliminate the grave risks wild animals face, but will help wildlife managers to have at least a chance of ushering the United States' other inhabitants through the storm
Seroprevalence of HIV and frequencies of haemoglobin genotypes, ABO and Rh blood groups among premarital couples in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Background:
Premarital screening is fast gaining grounds as a pre-requisite condition for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith based organizations in Nigeria yet there is scanty literature on the subject.
Methods:
Fifty (50) premarital heterosexual couples (50 males and 50 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), haemoglobin genotypes, ABO and Rh blood groups using standard laboratory procedures.
Results:
The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 2.0%. The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotypes were as follows; HbAA (72%), HbAS (26%) and HbAC (2.0%) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were: group A (22%), B (14%), AB (0%), 0 (64%), Rh ‘D' Positive (96%) and Rh ‘D' Negative (4.0%). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant. (χ2 = 21.630, p< 0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows; HbAA/AA (52%), AA/AS (36%), AA/AC (4.0%) and AS/AS (8.0%). This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (χ 2 = 38.957, p < 0.0001), the mean ages of the participants were 35.48 ± 12.26 years for men and 26.32 ± 7.31 years for women (t = 10.538, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
This study observed a low prevalence of HIV among the premarital couples and a relatively high frequency of HbAS/AS couples. ABO and Rh blood groups were found to be stable and consistent with previous reports. For the prevention of hereditary blood diseases, haemolytic disease of the newborn and transmission of HIV to off springs, premarital testing should be encouraged
South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (2) 2007: pp. 1
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of General Medical Practitioners In Port Harcourt Towards The Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV.
Background: Pregnant women living with HIV infection are at risk of transmitting HIV to their babies. Most of this transmission occurs during labour and delivery and during breast feeding. About 45% of all deliveries are conducted in private clinics. This study aims to access the knowledge, attitude and practice of general medical practitioner in Port Harcourt toward the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out on two hundred and twenty four private medical practitioners in Port Harcourt. Data management was carried out using ® SPSS 15 for windows statistical software.Results: Only 50% of respondents had read the national guideline on PMTCT while 48.2% had three or more sources of information on PMTCT. Majority of the respondents (95.5%) identified prevention of HIV in the pediatric age group as the primary aim of PMTCT. Labour was identified by 80%of respondents as the time of transmission of MTCT of HIV while 48.2% preferred a specialist unit for HIV positive pregnant women. Forty two percent would screen pregnant women without consent. About half (46.6%) do not offer antenatal or delivery services to HIV positive women. Of the doctors that offer those services 58.7% could name 2 or more drugs to prevent MTCT of HIV during pregnancy. Of the respondents, 74% would offer HIV positive women elective caesarean section. Most of the respondents (89.3%) agreed that their knowledge, attitude and practice of PMTCT was deficient and 90.1% were willing to attend an update course.Conclusion: The Private General Practitioners were not well informed on practical aspects of prevention of MTCT of HIV/AIDS. They showed a discriminatory attitude towards HIV positive pregnant women.Key words: Private Practitioners, HIV, PMTCT
The Story of Kleppe v. New Mexico: The Sagebrush Rebellion as Un-Cooperative Federalism
federal power advancing national conservation objectives collided with traditional, local economic interests on public lands in the 1970s. This Article connects that history with current approaches to natural resources federalism. New Mexico challenged the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which diminished both state jurisdiction and rancher influence over public rangelands. In response, the Supreme Court resoundingly approved federal authority to reprioritize uses of the public resources, including wildlife, and spurred a lasting backlash in the West. Further legislation passed in the wake of Kleppe transformed this unrest into a political movement, the Sagebrush Rebellion. Though Kleppe failed to undermine Congress\u27s public land reform agenda, the Sagebrush Rebellion lived to fight another day. Adjudicated rights do not necessarily translate into social facts. This Article argues that a strictly legal evaluation of Kleppe fails to measure its true significance as a galvanizing event for opposition to public land management reform. The ill-fated litigation became a successful failure, prompting ranchers and states to employ effective non-judicial means of shaping implementation of rangeland reform. Even as Congress invited states to influence public land management through cooperative federalism, the Kleppe legacy of un-cooperative federalism remains a common, useful response.
The Impact of Galactorrhoea on Infertility In Port Harcourt.
Background: Infertility is a major global problem and is regarded as a social stigma in the Nigerian society. At least one in every ten couples of reproductive age has infertility. Galactorrhoea is one of the complaints often associated with infertility. Its relationship with amenorrhoea and infertility is well established. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence and contribution of galactorrhoea to female infertility and to determine any correlation between galactorrhoea and hyperprolactinaemia.Methods: A descriptive prospective study involving 186 consecutive patients presenting with infertility at the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2009. All patients presenting with infertility at the gynaecological clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2009 were included in this study. Data was collected based on a protocol developed for the study. Data collected was entered into a spread sheet ® using SPSS 14.0 for Windows statistical software which was also used for analysis.Results: Galactorrhoea was present in 101 (54%) of the infertile patients. Only 58% of the patients who had galactorrhoea were aware they had galactorrhoea. Galactorrhoea was associated with menstrual abnormalities in 37.8% of the patients, 17% had amenorrhoea while 20.8% had oligomenorrhoea. Hyperprolactinaemia was found in 55% of the study population, 76.9% of these had galactorrhoea while 80% o f all patients with galactorroea had hyper prolactinaemia. Galactor rhoea (with hyperprolactinaemia) was the only abnormality found in 16.1% of the study population and in 29.7% of those with anovulation.Conclusion: There is a high incidence of galactorrhoea (54%) and hyperprolactinaemia (55%) amongst infertile women as seen in this study. 16.1% of the study population had galactorrhoea (with hyperprolactinaemia) as the only abnormal finding. Most patients with galactorrhoea would also have Hyperprolactinaemia.There is a positive correlation between galactorrhoea & hyper prolactinaemia, not all women with hyperprolactinaemia had galactorrhoea and vice-versa.Keywords: Galactorrhoea; infertility; Nigeria
Pattern of Complicated Unsafe Abortions in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Nigeria: A 4 Year Review.
Background: Abortions performed by persons lacking the requisite skills or in environments lacking minimal medical standards or both are considered unsafe. It is estimated that over 20 million unsafe abortions are performed annually and about 70,000 women die globally as a result, with majority occurring in the developing world. This study aims to determine the pattern of complicated unsafe abortions in Niger delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Okolobiri.Methods: The study is a four-year retrospective analysis of cases of complicated unsafe abortion managed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, Bayelsa state.Results: The prevalence of complicated unsafe abortion during the study period was 4.1% of all deliveries and 14.0% of all gynaecological admissions. Majority (55.6%) of the patients had secondary education, while 31.8% were teenagers. Two thirds had a history of previous termination of pregnancy and 87.3% of the patients had never used any form of modern contraceptive. 'Quacks' accounted for 47.6% of the abortions and 53.9% of the abortions were performed late in the first trimester. Genital sepsis, retained products of conception, pelvic abscess and septicaemia were the most frequent complications occurring in 88.9%, 82.5%, 22.2% and 19.1% respectively. Surgical management was employed in 87.3% of the patients. The case fatality ratio was 4.8%, contributing 17.6% of all maternal deaths during the study period. The commonest cause of death was septicaemia (66.7%).Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of unsafe abortions in our environment. It continues to be a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the Niger Delta. Most of its victims are single adolescent school girls. Efforts directed at reducing unintended pregnancy by comprehensive family planning programs and effective post abortal care services will reduce the problem.Keywords: Unsafe abortion, morbidities, outcome
Dynamics of Rotating Accretion Flows Irradiated by a Quasar
We study the axisymmetric, time-dependent hydrodynamics of rotating flows
that are under the influence of supermassive black hole gravity and radiation
from an accretion disk surrounding the black hole. This work is an extension of
the earlier work presented by Proga, where nonrotating flows were studied.
Here, we consider effects of rotation, a position-dependent radiation
temperature, density at large radii, and uniform X-ray background radiation. As
in the non-rotating case, the rotating flow settles into a configuration with
two components (1) an equatorial inflow and (2) a bipolar inflow/outflow with
the outflow leaving the system along the pole. However, with rotation the flow
does not always reach a steady state. In addition, rotation reduces the outflow
collimation and the outward flux of mass and kinetic energy. Moreover rotation
increases the outward flux of the thermal energy and can lead to fragmentation
and time-variability of the outflow. We also show that a position-dependent
radiation temperature can significantly change the flow solution. In
particular, the inflow in the equatorial region can be replaced by a thermally
driven outflow. Generally, as it have been discussed and shown in the past, we
find that self-consistently determined preheating/cooling from the quasar
radiation can significantly reduce the rate at which the central BH is fed with
matter. However, our results emphasize also a little appreciated feature.
Namely, quasar radiation drives a non-spherical, multi-temperature and very
dynamic flow. These effects become dominant for luminosities in excess of 0.01
of the Eddington luminosity.Comment: accepted for publication in Ap
Data mining approach for predicting the daily Internet data traffic of a smart university
Internet traffic measurement and analysis generate dataset that are indicators of usage trends, and such dataset can be used for traffic prediction via various statistical analyses. In this study, an extensive analysis was carried out on the daily internet traffic data generated from January to December, 2017 in a smart university in Nigeria. The dataset analysed contains seven key features: the month, the week, the day of the week, the daily IP traffic for the previous day, the average daily IP traffic for the two previous days,the traffic status classification (TSC) for the download and the TSC for the upload internet traffic data. The data mining analysis was performed using four learning algorithms: the Decision Tree, the Tree Ensemble, the Random Forest, and the Naïve Bayes Algorithm on KNIME (Konstanz Information Miner) data mining application and kNN, Neural Network, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes and CN2 Rule Inducer algorithms on the Orange platform. A comparative performance analysis for the models is presented using the
confusion matrix, Cohen’s Kappa value, the accuracy of each model, Area under ROC Curve, etc. A minimum accuracy of 55.66% was observed for both the upload and the download IP data on the KNIME platform while minimum accuracies of 57.3% and 51.4% respectively were observed on the Orange platform
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