Linking Peace, Security and Regional Integration in Africa

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Domestic mobile satellite systems in North America

Telest Mobile Inc. (TMI) and the American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) are authorized to provide mobile satellite services (MSS) in Canada and the United States respectively. They are developing compatible systems and are undertaking joint specification and procurement of spacecraft and ground segment with the aim of operational systems by late 1993. Early entry (phase 1) mobile data services are offered in 1990 using space segment capacity leased from Inmarsat. Here, an overview is given of these domestic MSS with an emphasis on the TMI component of the MSAT systen

DIGITAL CURRENCIES AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO DISRUPT AND REPLACE FIAT MONEY: THE CASE OF BITCOINS

This paper aims to investigate how digital currencies have caused a drastic evolution, especially in the payment sector. It aims to further studies on how bitcoin is the most conspicuous digital currency and is perceived as disruptive innovation with the potential of replacing fiat currency. The study was employed through a case study to examine whether bitcoins are disruptive innovation or a threat to the Central Banks and Fiat money. The study adopted a mixed approach research design by using qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The literature reviewed journals were published in credible journals in various databases. The Time series analysis approach was used to forecast the future prices of bitcoins. The study used an in-sample and out-of-sample time series forecasting using the Gretl software. The ARIMA (1,2,1) Model was found to be a good fit with 85% accuracy (the Mean Absolute Percentage Error -MAPE was 15%) to forecast the future of bitcoin prices. The outcome of the forecast suggested that bitcoin price will have a gradual but insignificant increase. The results of this study also suggest that bitcoins fail to fulfill the functions of money as a store of value, medium of exchange, and unit of account. This is attributed to high price volatility, lack of centralization, and exposure to hackers and fraudsters. The study further suggests that bitcoins are not disruptive innovations and do not pose any threat to the Central banks and the Fiat currency in the future. The results support that bitcoin can benefit the community as well as attracting investors as a speculative investment mainly because the bitcoins are limited in transactions. The study recommends more research on the potential impact of the Central bank's digital currencies on National and Global currencies particularly because China launched its digital Yuan recently. JEL: G21; E58; E51; 031; C10 Article visualizations

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre de journal) June 2015

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent

Characterization of in-hospital cardiac arrest in adult patients at a tertiary hospital in Kenya

Background:In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is defined as a cardiac arrest that occurs in a hospital and for which resuscitation is attempted. Despite the increased morbidity and mortality, IHCA incidence and outcomes remain largely unknown especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes the baseline characteristics, prearrest physiological parameters and the rate of survival to hospital discharge of adult patients with an IHCA at a tertiary hospital in Kenya. Methods:This was a retrospective chart review. Data on patient characteristics, pre-arrest physiological parameters and discharge condition were collected on all patients 18 years of age or older with an IHCA at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, from January 2013 to December 2013. Results:The main study population comprised 108 patients. The mean age was 59.3 ± 18.4 years and 63 (58.3%) patients were men. The initial rhythm post cardiac arrest was pulseless electrical activity (41.7%) or asystole (35.2%) in the majority of cases. Hypertension (43.5%), septicaemia (40.7%), renal insufficiency (30.6%), diabetes mellitus (25.9%) and pneumonia (15.7%) were the leading pre-existing conditions in the patients. A Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) of 5 or more was reached in 56 (67.5%, n= 83) patients before the cardiac arrest. The rate of survival to hospital discharge was 11.1%. All the patients who survived to hospital discharge had a good neurological outcome. Conclusions:Early identification of warning signs that precede many in-hospital arrests may enable institution of treatment to prevent patient deterioration. Local hospitals should be encouraged to provide patients with resuscitation services and equipment in line with evidence-based programmes. Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is defined as a cardiac arrest that occurs in a hospital and for which resuscitation is attempted. Despite the increased morbidity and mortality, IHCA incidence and outcomes remain largely unknown especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes the baseline characteristics, prearrest physiological parameters and the rate of survival to hospital discharge of adult patients with an IHCA at a tertiary hospital in Kenya. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review. Data on patient characteristics, pre-arrest physiological parameters and discharge condition were collected on all patients 18 years of age or older with an IHCA at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, from January 2013 to December 2013. Results: The main study population comprised 108 patients. The mean age was 59.3 ± 18.4 years and 63 (58.3%) patients were men. The initial rhythm post cardiacarrest was pulseless electrical activity (41.7%) or asystole (35.2%) in the majority of cases. Hypertension (43.5%), septicaemia (40.7%), renal insufficiency (30.6%), diabetes mellitus (25.9%) and pneumonia (15.7%) were the leading pre-existing conditions in the patients. A Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) of 5 or more was reached in 56 (67.5%, n= 83) patients before the cardiac arrest. The rate of survival to hospital discharge was 11.1%. All the patients who survived to hospital discharge had a good neurological outcome. Conclusions: Early identification of warning signs that precede many in-hospital arrests may enable institution of treatment to prevent patient deterioration. Local hospitals should be encouraged to provide patients with resuscitation services and equipment in line with evidence-based programmes

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre de Journal) June 2012

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre de Journal) March 2012

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/ Montre de Journal) June 2017

The purpose of an effective emergency care system is to provide universal emergency care to all regardless of socioeconomic status, to stabilise patients who have a life-threatening illness or injury, and to reduce consequences of preventable mortality, morbidity and disability. Unfortunately, the limited availability of resources remains a significant barrier to the development and implementation of emergency care systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this recent study from Cameroon, of 3201 participants from 619 households surveyed, 1113 (34.8%) had experienced one or more emergency conditions in the previous year. Despite this high incidence of emergency conditions, only 7% had accessed emergency centres; the primary reasons for not seeking healthcare being economic issues (37.2%) and use of complementary medicine (22.2%). Increased usage of emergency care systems and better public health may be achieved in LMICs by improving access to emergency care systems, affordability, reasonable payment systems for emergency care, and training highly skilled personnel with enhanced life-saving capability

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre de Journal) March 2013

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent

Uchunguzi (Journal WatchMontre de Journal) March 2015

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent