Scalar Tensor Teleparallel Dark Gravity via Noether Symmetry

In this paper, in the framework of teleparallel gravity we consider scalar tensor theories of gravity in which scalar fields are nonminimal coupled to torsion scalar. Noether symmetry of the Lagrangian of such a theory for the Friedman-Robertson-Walker spacetime is used to determine the explicit forms for the coupling function and for the potential, and it is shown that both must be power-law forms as a functions of the scalar field. The solutions of the field equations for the considered models are presented by using the results obtained from the Noether symmetry. It is shown that the equation of state parameter in the present model can cross the phantom divide line for a special case with the coupling function $F(\phi) = \frac{3}{16} \phi^2$ and for the potential $V(\phi) = \lambda \phi^{2}$.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, Published in The European Physical Journal C, Feb. 201

Teleparallel dark energy model with a fermionic field via Noether symmetry

In the present work, we consider a model with a fermionic field that is non-minimally coupled to gravity in the framework of teleparallel gravity. In order to determine forms of the coupling and potential function of fermionic field for the considered model, we use Noether symmetry approach. By applying this approach, for the Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric, we obtain respective potential and coupling function as a linear and power-law form of the bilinear $\Psi$. Further we search the exact cosmological solution of the model. It is shown that the fermionic field plays role of the dark energy.Comment: 7 pages, no figure, the version accepted for publication in The European Physical Journal

Voting and Information Aggregation in Parliamentary and Semi-Presidential Democracies

This paper investigates legislation in parliamentary and semi-presidential democracies where the legislature and the president have formal role in legislation. A proposed law is first voted in the legislature and if it passes, comes to the consideration of the president. I study two prevalent legislative procedures: (i) Single-round legislation where the president's action is final, (ii) Two-round legislation the president's approval enacts the law but after his veto proposal returns to the legislature for rediscussion. In this setup I examine power balance and the efficiency of information aggregation. For this I build a model of strategic voting with incomplete information and analyze different ideological profiles of the president and the homogenous legislature. The president seems powerless in two-round legislation but in equilibrium there are instances he can change the legislation result. Power struggle arises only when the legislature is modernist and the president is conservative. If the legislature is conservative and the president is modernist, the president has no impact on the outcome, but adversely affects informational efficiency. If they have the same ideological bias, the presidential institution is beneficial and the president's existence provides full information aggregation with finite legislature size in single-round legislation. Above results can be generalized to heterogeneous legislature with two types, except full information aggregation is never achieved

The judiciary and political change in Africa : developing transitional jurisprudence in Nigeria

At a time of increased evaluations of law, human rights, and the rise of judicial power all over the globe, the work of most African judiciaries and the principles of the jurisprudence they espouse in promoting social justice remain an unlikely focus of comparative legal scholarship. This ought not to be so in view of the considerable activities of the courts on the continent in the dawn of the third wave of democratization. This article explores the work of the Nigerian Supreme Court in the political transition to democracy since 1999. Utilizing insights from the work of Ruti Teitel, it attempts to outline some of the major constitutional and extraconstitutional principles adopted by the Court in mediating intergovernmental contestations in the turbulent transition away from almost three decades of authoritarian military rule. It emerges that the task of fostering social transformation through the “weakest” branch seriously tasks the institutional integrity of the judiciary

Calling the judiciary to account for the past : transitional justice and judicial accountability in Nigeria

Institutional and individual accountability is an important feature of societies in transition from conflict or authoritarian rule. The imperative of accountability has both normative and transformational underpinnings in the context of restoration of the rule of law and democracy. This article argues a case for extending the purview of truth-telling processes to the judiciary in postauthoritarian contexts. The driving force behind the inquiry is the proposition that the judiciary as the third arm of government at all times participates in governance. To contextualize the argument, I focus on judicial governance and accountability within the paradigm of Nigeria’s transition to democracy after decades of authoritarian military rule

THE STUDY ON THE MESSAGES FOUND IN “THE ANIMAL SONG” IN SAVAGE GARDEN’S ALBUM “AFFIRMATION”

Human ideas and emotions are buried deeply in the bottom of the world of imagination. Within the process of communication, human being could express the curiousity of translating emotion that is never silent and bringing out the new idea invention that never stops. At certain chances, human expression is reflected in the form of poetry. This literary work is assumed to have flexibility to represent the translation of ideas and emotions. The lyrical poem of poetry is furthermore compiled and played together in the sway of the beats as a song. The song is an amazing and unique way to express human feeling and emotion. Based on the explanation above, the writer conducts a study to dig both general and detailed meaning and the messages found in Savage Garden’s “The Animal Song” of the AFFIRMATION album on reason that music has become more favourable as a unique way to express thought, feeling and emotions. Moreover, Savage Garden is one of the most interesting music bands whose lyrical poems is kind of wise thought of idealism as critical sympathy and empathy for social life all around the world. \ud The research design of this study is descriptive qualitative because there is no quantity of available data and obtained information that will be presented. Meanwhile, the approach of this study is objective approach to interpret the core of Savage Garden’s “The Animal Song” based only on the writer’s personal view toward the literary work without any consideration of the relationship of the song to either the writer’s or the band’s experience and social cultural background when or where the song was written. Beside, in the process of data collection, library research is the most appropriate instrument due to the problem of study.\ud The result of this study revealed that the whole lyrical poems of Savage Garden’s “The Animal Song” tell very deeply about the recent world where peace and harmony of heavenly life start to vanish and fade away. The rules and principles of life to keep the world in the continuum of peace and harmony had left prohibited, infringed, and violated. The sense of sympathy, empathy and the nature of humanity are being excluded from attitudes toward the effort of keeping such mutual life of peace and harmony out of the manner of violence and destruction. The messages of the whole lyrical poems tell that modern world has turned wicked, struggle, hard and severe; and also sympathy, empathy and humanity. Savage Garden’s “The Animal Song” is furthermore a metaphor for the expectation of the only living creature who could, should and would maintain the continuum of beautiful life. \u