Jus Ad Bellum: The Next Iraq

Our chairman said that the task of this panel is to discuss preemptive military intervention to combat either: the threatened use of force, for example, by terrorists armed with weapons of mass destruction; or outrageous human rights violations, like genocide

The UN's role in transitions from war to peace: sovereignty, consent and the evolving normative climate

This study looks at the expanding definition of threats to international peace and security, in relation to traditional notions of sovereignty, employed by the Security Council. Ian Johnstone traces the evolution in the Security Council’s conception of permissible intervention in internal affairs in the period since 1990. He examines the fine line between consent and coercion in international operations, discusses the implications of UN’s involvement in peacebuilding activities for the concept of sovereignty, and asks in what ways the development in the international normative climate has affected UN efforts to manage transitions from war to peace

Treaty Interpretation: The Authority of Interpretive Communities

Part I of this paper sets out a theory of interpretation (drawing on Stanley Fish\u27s idea of interpretive communities) relevant to all interpretive techniques. In Part II, a conception of the purposes and conventions of treaty practice is offered with the aim of shedding light on the interpretive constraints structuring that enterprise. Part III identifies two interpretive communities associated with treaty practice (one narrow, the other broad) and describes their operation in the interpretive process. Special attention is paid to the government legal advisor, who plays a key role within the relevant interpretive communities. Part IV is a case study of the ABM Treaty reinterpretation debate ignited by the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative; this debate is chosen because the treaty\u27s political character renders it typical of international instruments not likely to be submitted to impartial tribunals for authoritative interpretation. The final part of the article consists of a brief discussion of interpretive disputes over the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the United Nations Charter, illustrating how the theory applies to multilateral and constitutional instruments as well as bilateral treaties. These less fully-developed case studies are offered in support of the proposition that, while the interpretive process is apt to be more diffuse with respect to norms embodied in more general instruments, the authority of interpretive communities is no less significant

Work and Timing of First Live Births in New Zealand

In this paper we have used data from a nationally representative sample survey of New Zealand women (N=2673) aged between 20 and 59 years. We employ life-table technique and proportional hazard modelling to assess the role of individual and group level variables in determining the timing of first live births. This study suggests that a woman's decision to work and to have children and when to have them are intimately linked. While the age at which women obtain their first job has not changed much over the generations the age of the mother when her first child was born has risen considerably over recent generations. The result has been a widening period of time between the first job and the first child (for both Maori and non-Maori). Our analysis suggests that the number of years a woman has worked is very closely associated with when she has her first child having worked increases the chances of having a child, but as the work experience lengthens so this chance declines

Small to Medium Enterprise Cyber Security Awareness: An Initial Survey of Western Australian Business

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent a large proportion of a nation’s business activity. There are studies and reports reporting the threat to business from cyber security issues resulting in computer hacking that achieve system penetration and information compromise. Very few are focussed on SMEs. Even fewer are focussed on directly surveying the actual SMEs themselves and attempts to improve SME outcomes with respect to cyber security. This paper represents research in progress that outlines an approach being undertaken in Western Australia with SMEs in the northwest metropolitan region of Perth, specifically within the large local government catchments of Joondalup and Wanneroo. The high order goal of the project was to assist with measures to improve their cyber security resilience and resistance to threats. This paper documents outcomes of an initial survey of SMEs and its implications for interventions to improve information security and make the businesses less susceptible to computer hacking incidents

Cluster randomisation or randomised consent as an appropriate methodology for trials in palliative care: a feasibility study [ISRCTN60243484]

BACKGROUND: Although guidelines for the care of the dying patient exist the evidence base to support the guidelines is poor. Some of the factors contributing to this include failure to recruit to trials, protective healthcare professionals and subsequent attrition from trials due to the death of the patients. Recent studies report favourably on the use of cluster randomisation as an appropriate methodology for use in this patient group. METHODS/DESIGN: A feasibility study, exploring two types of randomisation as appropriate methodology for trials involving dying patients. Cluster randomisation and randomised consent will be utilised following a crossover design at two sites, one oncology ward and one Macmillan unit within the Northwest Wales NHS Trust. All patients commencing on the Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) for the Last Days of Life will be eligible for inclusion in the study. Using the hypothesis that it is not necessary to prescribe an anti-emetic medication when setting up a syringe driver for the dying patient, the study will evaluate different models of research methodology. DISCUSSION: The identification of the most appropriate methodology for use in studies concerning this patient group will inform the development of future clinical studies. Furthermore, the outcomes of this feasibility study will inform the development, of a proposal seeking funding for Wales-wide trials in palliative care. The identification of an appropriate methodology will provide a starting point for the establishment of a robust evidence base for the care of the dying patient

Effectiveness of No-Take Marine Reserves in Subtropical Australia

This study uses several simple and cost-effective methods to assess the effectiveness of two existing no-take marine reserves withing subtropical Australia

Measurement of CO2 concentration and temperature in an aero engine exhaust plume using wavelength modulation spectroscopy

In this paper, the 2f/1f tunable diode laser wavelength modulation technique is used for the simultaneous measurement of concentration and temperature of CO2 in the exhaust plume of an aero engine. The suitability of the R48 spectral feature of CO2 at 1997.2 nm is discussed for this application and for further investigations into the application of CO2 tomographic imaging on large-scale aero-engines. To ensure accurate recovery of gas parameters at the high exhaust temperatures a full spectral characterisation of the spectral feature is presented using direct spectroscopy. The 2f/1f method is validated in the laboratory for controlled gas mixtures and temperatures to recover concentration and temperature, showing good agreement with the actual temperature and concentration values. Finally, single path measurements are presented for an aero engine exhaust showing good correlation with the measured engine conditions

Nutritional status, growth and disease management in children with single and dual diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus and coeliac disease

Background: The consequences of subclinical coeliac disease (CD) in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) remain unclear. We looked at growth, anthropometry and disease management in children with dual diagnosis (T1DM + CD) before and after CD diagnosis.<p></p> Methods: Anthropometry, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and IgA tissue transglutaminase (tTg) were collected prior to, and following CD diagnosis in 23 children with T1DM + CD. This group was matched for demographics, T1DM duration, age at CD diagnosis and at T1DM onset with 23 CD and 44 T1DM controls.<p></p> Results: No differences in growth or anthropometry were found between children with T1DM + CD and controls at any time point. Children with T1DM + CD, had higher BMI z-score two years prior to, than at CD diagnosis (p <0.001). BMI z-score change one year prior to CD diagnosis was lower in the T1DM + CD than the T1DM group (p = 0.009). At two years, height velocity and change in BMI z-scores were similar in all groups. No differences were observed in HbA1c between the T1DM + CD and T1DM groups before or after CD diagnosis. More children with T1DM + CD had raised tTg levels one year after CD diagnosis than CD controls (CDx to CDx + 1 yr; T1DM + CD: 100% to 71%, p = 0.180 and CD: 100% to 45%, p < 0.001); by two years there was no difference.<p></p> Conclusions: No major nutrition or growth deficits were observed in children with T1DM + CD. CD diagnosis does not impact on T1DM glycaemic control. CD specific serology was comparable to children with single CD, but those with dual diagnosis may need more time to adjust to gluten free diet

Work and Timing of First Live Births in New Zealand

In this paper we have used data from a nationally representative sample survey of New Zealand women (N=2673) aged between 20 and 59 years. We employ life-table technique and proportional hazard modelling to assess the role of individual and group level variables in determining the timing of first live births. This study suggests that a woman's decision to work and to have children and when to have them are intimately linked. While the age at which women obtain their first job has not changed much over the generations the age of the mother when her first child was born has risen considerably over recent generations. The result has been a widening period of time between the first job and the first child (for both Maori and non-Maori). Our analysis suggests that the number of years a woman has worked is very closely associated with when she has her first child having worked increases the chances of having a child, but as the work experience lengthens so this chance declines