A Blessing in Disguise? Ghana\u27s Potential to Overcome Nigeria\u27s \u27Oil Curse\u27 and Develop a Successful Model for Oil Production Within a Human Rights Framework

Although Africa possesses rich natural resources, the Afro-pessimistic conception that African countries cannot manage their resources remains widespread. This research project provides a comparative analysis between the political and economic histories of Ghana and Nigeria following independence. In addition to focusing on these countries’ post-independent histories, this thesis examines the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) of the early 1990s in Nigeria as an effective civil society organization that vocalized the Nigerian government and Shell Petroleum Corporation’ corruption in the oil industry. Additionally, this research project explores Ghana’s potential to overcome Nigeria’s “negative” experience with oil due to its relatively stable democracy, diversified and liberalized economy, mutually beneficial relationship with multinational corporations, ability to look to other models of oil production, and vibrant civil society. As necessary components in developing a human rights model of oil production, these qualities enable Ghana to debunk the prevailing idea of the African ‘oil curse.’ Through analyzing primary sources on the MOSOP movement and Nigeria’s current environmental state, scholarly works on different perspectives of Ghana’s potential with oil production, and Ghanaian news websites, one can see Ghana’s prospect to embody a human rights model of oil production. The primary sources discussing Nigeria’s defective paradigm for establishing an oil industry that abides by the human rights mentioned earlier show that the country’s minorities and civil society did not receive adequate representation. After exploring the different perspectives of Ghana’s potential to overcome the oil production model presented by Nigeria, one sees that some scholars believe Ghana will follow Nigeria’s path of corruption, while others believe Ghana’s relatively stable democracy and economy will ultimately lead to the country’s success. Apart from these secondary sources, the news articles examined depict Ghana’s free press and its ability to publish a myriad of opinions on the oil industry. After researching the different perspectives of Ghana’s ability to disprove the African ‘oil curse,’ the evidence shows that the country possesses the ability to prosper, but must implement the necessary regulatory framework, look to other models and of oil production, and include civil society in policy-making

Perspectives on the application of technology to enhance learning in an undergraduate nursing degree programme

This paper discusses concepts and practice relating to the use of computer-based technologies for enhancing learning. It draws on examples from a UK nursing degree programme

Nano-particle labelling of nucleic acids for enhanced detection by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Oligonucleotides containing biotin functionality were successfully labelled with a streptavidin nanogold conjugate and subsequently separated and analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS)

Planning Library Promotions: An Idea Workshop

Planning library promotions: An idea workshop Anyone who works with social media or marketing events and programs for their library knows that it can be hard to keep the creative juices flowing. During the course of this workshop we will: Engage in creativity boosting exercises and activities Brainstorm ideas, activities, and resources Discuss the importance of planning cross-channel promotions Learn how to spot opportunities to promote the work of other organizations and promotions from other organizations that can be shared Learn from each other’s experiences of the difficulties and triumphs of working with social media Whether you are running the one-person social media show or working with a team, this workshop will give you the tools you need to design unique and eye-catching promotions without breaking the bank or spending hours on one post

Enhancing nucleic acid detection using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, by means of metal and nano-particle labelling

The application of ICP-MS to the fields of proteomics and genomics has arisen in part due to its ability to detect and quantify trace levels of S and P, which are major constituents in proteins and nucleic acids respectively. The development of collision/reaction cell technology and high resolution instruments has enabled these biologically important elements to be measured and quantified at the pg - ng ml-1 level. Despite these advances, the detection limits of P and S are still inferior compared to other elements. Oligonucleotides containing biotin functionality were labelled with Au nano-particles attached to a streptavidin protein to achieve site specific labelling, with 100% labelling efficiency. Each nano-particle contained ~86 Au atoms, resulting in an 882 fold signal enhancement for 24 base length oligonucleotides. However, this enhancement factor was only observed when one oligonucleotide bound to one nano-particle in a 1:1 ratio. Much lower Au labelling efficiencies and signal enhancements were observed when thiolated oligonucleotides were labelled with maleimide functionalised gold nano-particles. This was attributed to the extensive and difficult sample preparation steps that were required prior to labelling. The detection and quantification of adducts formed between DNA and the Pt anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and oxaliplatin were also investigated with ICP-MS. Acid digestion of the carbon based DNA matrix enabled Pt adducts to be quantified at low dose rates of 1 Pt atom per 1 500 000 nucleotides in ~12 μg DNA. Such sensitive mass spectrometric determinations could be employed in clinical tests to detect and quantify low level adducts formed in patients in-vivo. To complement ICP-MS analysis, electrospray ionisation linear ion trap mass spectrometry was employed to study the interaction of oxaliplatin with the four DNA nucleobases. Multiple stage mass spectrometry enabled detailed Pt-nucleobase adduct fragmentation pathways to be established. The method of DNA detection using P in conjunction with the collision cell, or cool plasma to form PO+ was also demonstrated and the limitations of the method, namely, polyatomic interferences and severe matrix effects were highlighted.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The perception, aetiology and clinical assessment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements

thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2013Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements (PLM) are common neurological disorders for which the underlying aetiology is not fully understood. Currently RLS and PLM are thought to be caused by a central deficiency of dopamine or other functional abnormalities of the central nervous system. The work included in this thesis investigated different new methods of assessing the sensory and motor features of RLS and PLM, in an attempt to extend our understanding of their aetiology and improve the accuracy of diagnosis of these conditions. The first two studies in the thesis described and characterized the sensations of RLS symptoms, and whether they are influenced by the presence of pain, in an English speaking South African population. The most frequently cited descriptors were different to those used in the current RLS diagnostic criteria. Inclusion of the most commonly used RLS descriptors in the diagnostic criteria may help to improve the accuracy of RLS diagnosis. Patients who experienced painful RLS had greater McGill Pain Questionnaire scores and used different terms to describe their RLS to those that did not have painful RLS sensations. The third project quantified the responses of the Hoffman and patellar reflexes in RLS patients using electromyography and kinematics. The RLS patients exhibited hyporeflexia in the evening compared to the morning, and compared to control participants. This data suggests that RLS is not the result of a global state of hyperexcitability, as the literature suggests, but may reflect more discrete functional abnormalities of the spinal cord. A diurnal variation in the patellar reflex was found, supporting the notion of circadian variations of spinal excitability in RLS patients. The final investigation assessed the sensory qualities (discomfort and pain) of RLS in conjunction with motor activity evoked by using the Suggested Immobilization Test. Despite rating significant levels of discomfort, the majority of the RLS patients did not exhibit PLM; possibly suggesting a disconnect between the sensory and motor components of RLS. In conclusion, it is the major finding of this thesis that inclusion of new assessment techniques for the measurement of sensory and motor features of RLS and PLM provides both new insights and potential clinical tools enhancing our understanding of these disorders

The trade-off between distance and accuracy in the rugby union place kick: a cross-sectional, descriptive study

Little attention has been given to the rotational kinematics of the rugby union place kicking performance, especially in a field setting. The place kick is a means to score points. By maximizing the distance and accuracy a kicker is able to achieve increases the number of point scoring opportunities available to a team. The hypothesis of this study was that there is a relationship between distance and accuracy and the rotational kinematics of place kicking performance of rugby players in the field setting. Twelve first-team university rugby players had their full body kinematics measured for five place kicks. Kick distance and accuracy were directly measured. The current study showed a positive correlation between torso (r=.76) and pelvis (r=.66) rotation with kick distance. Place kick distance (r=.24) or accuracy (r=.54) were not correlated to playing experience. Negative correlations between stance elbow flexion (r=-.78), torso rotation (r=-.74) and X-factor (r=-.79) with kick accuracy were noted. Place kick distance could potentially be maximized by improving torso and pelvic rotations. Place kick accuracy could be improved by full extension of the stance arm. The data suggests that larger torso rotations may promote kicking distance; however, they impede kicking accuracy

The power of at-line amino acid measurements for accelerated process and media development of a mAb-expressing CHO cell line

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