167 research outputs found
Building Legitimate and Accountable government in South Sudan Re-thinking inclusive governance in the post CPA-2005
Inclusive governance is significant to the realisation of democracy and peace dividends in states emerging from conflict. In principle, it offers platform for equitable representation of the ethnic majority, minority, marginalised and indigenous groups in public decision making bodies as well as ensuring that these groups benefit equally from development initiatives. In South Sudan, the exercise of inclusivity has been marred with contradictions between constitutional provisions and extant practices, for example, political parties are found to be the foci for rewarding the âwarlordsâ dubbed as freedom fighters at the expense of participatory civilian structures, the nerves of ethnic factionalism over nationalism, exercise of centralised nomination system, all of which breed disaffection and tensions among the citizenry. Moreover, the observed militarisation of public service, perception of ethnic favouritism in public employment and appointments, the âfeltâ development marginalisation of regions outside Central Equitoria, and unequal share of national resources comprise practices that violate the foundations of inclusive governance. In effect, these malpractices around inclusivity have fermented call for federalism (return to 23 semi-autonomous colonial districts with federal mandates) as a viable inclusive development platform over the current constitutionally mandated decentralisation (where South Sudan is sub-divided into 10 states). These ills in the exercise of inclusivity compounded with the inability to meet the 25% quota threshold for women & minorities across appointive and elective positions cast doubt on the facets of legitimacy and accountability in post-CPA South Sudan. Thus, achieving consensual and inclusive state in South Sudan must begin with constitutionalism, citizen-accelerated and equitable development and political leadership open to salient arguments on federalism and state stability. Key words: Participation, equality, federalism, marginalise
Comparative assessment of diet and condition factor of Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis leucostictus in Lake Naivasha, Kenya
The study compared and assessed the diet and condition factors of two fish species, Oreochromis leucostictus and Cyprinus carpio, in Lake Naivasha. Fish samples were collected monthly using gill nets (35-70 mm mesh size) from July to December 2013. Stomach contents of all the specimens were analysed using the point method. Results indicated that detritus was the most abundant food item in the diet of both O. leucostictus and C. carpio accounting for 50% and 63%, respectively, while benthic macroinvertebrates contributed the least with each fish having 2%. Rooting and digging behaviour of the carp probably led to both C. carpio and O. leucostictus ingesting the suspended detritus as their main source of food with C. carpio outcompeting O. leucostictus due to its prolific nature and better adaptability to benthic conditions. Fultonâs condition factor of all the fish samples had values of >1. A comparison of the two fish species showed C. carpio had a condition factor of 1.51 while O. leucostictus had 1.32. The higher condition factor of C. carpio in Lake Naivasha is an indication that the fish have better tissue energy reserves, greater reproductive potential and higher survival rates compared to O. leucostictus with a lower condition factor
Fait accompli: legitimizing the illegitimate in elections outcomes Does the legality of the electoral process matter in Kenya?
Credibility of the electoral process across the world is both a means and a necessity to peaceful and stable democracy as credible elections serve to anchor functional legitimate democracy. It also serves as a vehicle that affords citizens an opportunity put in place a people-responsive government that mirrors the peopleâs will. Elections in most African states, however, have over time tended to validate evidently glaring constitutionally flowed outcomes. This trend is further aggravated by seemingly complicit and dysfunctional constitutional and electoral bodies and institutions. With a focus on the 2013 general elections in Kenya, this paper raises the question of the role of these bodies and institutions tasked with overseeing and ensuring credible electoral outcomes and their ability to live up to their expectations. Key words: Constitutionalism; Elections; Legality of electoral proces
Spin dynamics and spin freezing in the triangular lattice antiferromagnets FeGa2S4 and NiGa2S4
Magnetic susceptibility and muon spin relaxation (muSR) experiments have been
carried out on the quasi-2D triangular-lattice spin S = 2 antiferromagnet
FeGa2S4. The muSR data indicate a sharp onset of a frozen or nearly-frozen spin
state at T* = 31(2) K, twice the spin-glass-like freezing temperature T_f =
16(1) K. The susceptibility becomes field dependent below T*, but no sharp
anomaly is observed in any bulk property. A similar transition is observed in
muSR data from the spin-1 isomorph NiGa2S4. In both compounds the dynamic muon
spin relaxation rate lambda_d(T) above T* agrees well with a calculation of
spin-lattice relaxation by Chubukov, Sachdev, and Senthil in the renormalized
classical regime of a 2D frustrated quantum antiferromagnet. There is no firm
evidence for other mechanisms. At low temperatures lambda_d(T) becomes
temperature independent in both compounds, indicating persistence of spin
dynamics. Scaling of lambda_d(T) between the two compounds is observed from
~T_f to ~1.5T*. Although the muSR data by themselves cannot exclude a truly
static spin component below T*, together with the susceptibility data they are
consistent with a slowly-fluctuating "spin gel" regime between T_f and T*. Such
a regime and the absence of a divergence in lambda_d(T) at T* are features of
two unconventional mechanisms: (1) binding/unbinding of Z_2 vortex excitations,
and (2) impurity spins in a nonmagnetic spin-nematic ground state. The absence
of a sharp anomaly or history dependence at T* in the susceptibility of
FeGa2S4, and the weakness of such phenomena in NiGa2S4, strongly suggest
transitions to low-temperature phases with unconventional dynamics.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review
Susceptibility Inhomogeneity and Non-Fermi-Liquid Behavior in Ce(Ru_{0.5}Rh_{0.5})_2Si_2
Magnetic susceptibility and muon spin rotation (\muSR) experiments have been
carried out to study the effect of structural disorder on the non-Fermi-liquid
(NFL) behavior of the heavy-fermion alloy Ce(Ru_{0.5}Rh_{0.5})_2Si_2. Analysis
of the bulk susceptibility in the framework of disorder-driven Griffiths-phase
and Kondo-disorder models for NFL behavior yields relatively narrow
distributions of characteristic spin fluctuation energies, in agreement with
\muSR linewidths that give the inhomogeneous spread in susceptibility. \muSR
and NMR data both indicate that disorder explains the "nearly NFL" behavior
observed above \sim2 K, but does not dominate the NFL physics found at low
temperatures and low magnetic fields.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, REVTeX, submitted to Phys. Rev.
A contribuição do municĂpio de Guarulhos (estado de SĂŁo Paulo) para a qualidade da ĂĄgua no Sistema Alto TietĂȘ
The population growth in Guarulhos (SĂŁo Paulo State) has been above the average for the SĂŁo Paulo Metropolitan Region (RMSP). The Baquirivu-Guaçu River Basin (BHRBG), where the Baquirivu-Guaçu River is located, is exactly the urban expansion vector of Guarulhos municipality and neighboring areas. This study presents an analysis of the quality of the Baquirivu-Guaçu River waters at the entrance and at the exit of the Guarulhos municipality, in order to assess the effects of the implementation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and land use on the Baquirivu-Guaçu River water quality between 2010 and 2014. For that were prepared the land use maps in the period analyzed, an analysis of the functioning of STPs in the study area, a statistical analysis of the Water Quality Index (WQI) and its parameters at different points of the river. The data relative to the Baquirivu-Guaçu River physico-chemicals and microbiological analyses indicate a much lower water quality in the exit of the Guarulhos municipality (WQI=16), when compared to that coming from the ArujĂĄ municipality (WQI=32). The mean values highlighted for BOD, DO, TU, TS and FC parameters indicate a considerable worsening of the Baquirivu-Guaçu River waters at point BQGU 03850. The values of TN, TP and pH parameters both at the entrance and exit of the basin are close. The analysis of land use evolution and water quality shows the consequences of an improper process of urban growth in the basin and that the domestic and industrial polluting sources represent considerable risk to water quality, attesting that the sanitation works carried out up to now have not been effective in reducing the polluting charges launched in the Baquirivu-Guaçu River waters.A contribuição do municĂpio de Guarulhos (Estado de SĂŁo Paulo) para a qualidade de ĂĄgua do Sistema Alto TietĂȘ. Guarulhos (SP) tem apresentado Ăndices de crescimento populacional acima da mĂ©dia da RegiĂŁo Metropolitana de SĂŁo Paulo (RMSP). A Bacia HidrogrĂĄfica do Rio Baquirivu Guaçu (BHRBG), onde se localiza o Rio Baquirivu Guaçu, Ă© o vetor de expansĂŁo urbana do municĂpio e da regiĂŁo. Este trabalho apresenta uma anĂĄlise da qualidade das ĂĄguas do Rio Baquirivu-Guaçu na entrada e na saĂda do municĂpio de Guarulhos, avaliando os efeitos da implantação das ETEs e do uso da terra sobre a qualidade das ĂĄguas do Rio Baquirivu-Guaçu, entre os anos de 2010 e 2014. Para isto foram elaborados os mapas de uso de terra no perĂodo analisado, uma anĂĄlise do funcionamento das ETEs na ĂĄrea de estudo, e a anĂĄlise estatĂstica dos Ăndices de Qualidade de Ăguas (IQA) e de seus parĂąmetros nos diferentes pontos do rio. Os dados referentes Ă s anĂĄlises fĂsico-quĂmica e microbiolĂłgica do Rio Baquirivu-Guaçu indicam uma qualidade de ĂĄgua na saĂda do municĂpio de Guarulhos (IQA=16), muito inferior Ă quela que recebe do municĂpio de ArujĂĄ (IQA=32). Os valores mĂ©dios, em especial para os parĂąmetros DBO, OD, TU, ST e CF indicam uma piora na qualidade das ĂĄguas do Rio Baquirivu-Guaçu no ponto BQGU03850. Os valores dos parĂąmetros NT, PT e pH foram muito prĂłximos para ambos os pontos da entrada e saĂda da bacia. A anĂĄlise entre a evolução do uso da terra e a qualidade da ĂĄgua demonstra as consequĂȘncias do processo inadequado de crescimento urbano na bacia e que as fontes poluidoras domĂ©sticas e industriais representam considerĂĄvel risco Ă qualidade das ĂĄguas, demonstrando que as obras de saneamento realizadas atĂ© o momento nĂŁo foram eficazes na redução de cargas poluidoras das ĂĄguas do rio Baquirivu-Guaçu
Asteroids' physical models from combined dense and sparse photometry and scaling of the YORP effect by the observed obliquity distribution
The larger number of models of asteroid shapes and their rotational states
derived by the lightcurve inversion give us better insight into both the nature
of individual objects and the whole asteroid population. With a larger
statistical sample we can study the physical properties of asteroid
populations, such as main-belt asteroids or individual asteroid families, in
more detail. Shape models can also be used in combination with other types of
observational data (IR, adaptive optics images, stellar occultations), e.g., to
determine sizes and thermal properties. We use all available photometric data
of asteroids to derive their physical models by the lightcurve inversion method
and compare the observed pole latitude distributions of all asteroids with
known convex shape models with the simulated pole latitude distributions. We
used classical dense photometric lightcurves from several sources and
sparse-in-time photometry from the U.S. Naval Observatory in Flagstaff,
Catalina Sky Survey, and La Palma surveys (IAU codes 689, 703, 950) in the
lightcurve inversion method to determine asteroid convex models and their
rotational states. We also extended a simple dynamical model for the spin
evolution of asteroids used in our previous paper. We present 119 new asteroid
models derived from combined dense and sparse-in-time photometry. We discuss
the reliability of asteroid shape models derived only from Catalina Sky Survey
data (IAU code 703) and present 20 such models. By using different values for a
scaling parameter cYORP (corresponds to the magnitude of the YORP momentum) in
the dynamical model for the spin evolution and by comparing synthetics and
observed pole-latitude distributions, we were able to constrain the typical
values of the cYORP parameter as between 0.05 and 0.6.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, January 15, 201
GYNOCARE Update: Modern Strategies to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Gynecologic TumorsâCurrent Challenges and Future Directions
More than 50% of all gynecologic tumors can be classified as rare (defined as an incidence of â€6 per 100,000 women) and usually have a poor prognosis owing to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In contrast to almost all other common solid tumors, the treatment of rare gynecologic tumors (RGT) is often based on expert opinion, retrospective studies, or extrapolation from other tumor sites with similar histology, leading to difficulty in developing guidelines for clinical practice. Currently, gynecologic cancer research, due to distinct scientific and technological challenges, is lagging behind. Moreover, the overall efforts for addressing these challenges are fragmented across different European countries and indeed, worldwide. The GYNOCARE, COST Action CA18117 (European Network for Gynecological Rare Cancer Research) programme aims to address these challenges through the creation of a unique network between key stakeholders covering distinct domains from concept to cure: basic research on RGT, biobanking, bridging with industry, and setting up the legal and regulatory requirements for international innovative clinical trials. On this basis, members of this COST Action, (Working Group 1, âBasic and Translational Research on Rare Gynecological Cancerâ) have decided to focus their future efforts on the development of new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of RGT. Here, we provide a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art and describe the goals of this COST Action and its future challenges with the aim to stimulate discussion and promote synergy across scientists engaged in the fight against this rare cancer worldwide
Akkermansia muciniphila and improved metabolic health during a dietary intervention in obesity: relationship with gut microbiome richness and ecology
Objective: Individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes differ from lean and healthy individuals in their abundance of certain gut microbial species and microbial gene richness. Abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin-degrading bacterium, has been inversely associated with bodyfat mass and glucose intolerance in mice, but more evidence is needed in humans. The impact of diet and weight loss on this bacterial species is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the association between fecal A. muciniphila abundance, fecal microbiome gene richness, diet, host characteristics, and their changes after calorie restriction (CR).
Design: The intervention consisted of a 6-week CR period followed by a 6-week weight stabilization (WS) diet in overweight and obese adults (N=49, including 41 women). Fecal A. muciniphila abundance, fecal microbial gene richness, diet and bioclinical parameters were measured at baseline and after CR and WS.
Results: At baseline A. muciniphila was inversely related to fasting glucose, waist-to-hip ratio, and subcutaneous adipocyte diameter. Subjects with higher gene richness and A. muciniphila abundance exhibited the healthiest metabolic status, particularly in fasting plasma glucose, plasma triglycerides and body fat distribution. Individuals with higher baseline A. muciniphila displayed greater improvement in insulin sensitivity markers and other clinical parameters after CR. A. muciniphila was associated with microbial species known to be related to health.
Conclusion: A. muciniphila is associated with a healthier metabolic status and better clinicaloutcomes after CR in overweight/obese adults, however the interaction between gut microbiota ecology and A. muciniphila has to be taken into account
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