The Independence-Separation Problem on the 3-D Rook’s Graph

Both independence and independence-separation problems on chessboard graphs have been studied in detail, with hundreds of papers in the broader independence category, and several on the independence-separation problem variant for chessboard graphs. In this paper, the inde-pendence-separation problem is considered on the d-dimensional rook’s graph. A lower bound of k, for , is found for the independence-separation number on the d-dimensional rook’s graph, denoted by . For the case where , it is found that when n is odd and , . Conjecture and discussion are added.

How the African Public Views China＇s Aid to Africa

As a vital part of China's foreign relations,China's aid to Africa has scored great achievements.Based on data from the Afrobarometer Survey in 2010 and data from the database of China's aid to Africa in 2000-2010 co-created by the US Center for Global Development and AidData,this paper dissects the macro-and micro-level determinants of the African public's perception of the effectiveness of aid from China through an empirical analysis.As descriptive statistics reveal,the African public has a highly positive view of aid from China despite country differences.According to our further analysis of a multilevel model,aid recipients with higher levels of democracy and economic development have a more favorable view of aid from China,while the size and sector of aid from China are not correlated with public favorability.At the micro-level,age,gender,education,race and media consumption are positively correlated with the public perception of aid.In conclusion,China must refocus its future aid programs on livelihood and welfare that directly benefit local people,rather than simply increasing the amount of aid.In delivering its commitments to Africa,China must also attach importance to public communication and "telling the China story " in its international affairs to improve its national image and gain more recognition by the African people.

Africa's Perspectives on China-Africa Relations and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC)

China is in Africa in a vigorous way,and doing business in several countries like Sudan,Congo DRC,Angola,South Africa,and Nigeria.In the short term,the relationship may appear to be mutually beneficial.This paper seeks to address the issue of Africa's perspectives on China-Africa Relations and the FOCAC and examine the concept of strategic partnerships,determine the state of China-Africa relations,examines FOCAC and draw conclusion as well as recommendation on possible ways and issues for future engageme...

Efficient Fast Independent Component Analysis Algorithm with Fifth-Order Convergence

Independent component analysis （ICA） is the primary statistical method for solving the problems of blind source separation. The fast ICA is a famous and excellent algorithm and its contrast function is optimized by the quadratic convergence of Newton iteration method. In order to improve the convergence speed and the separation precision of the fast ICA, an improved fast ICA algorithm is presented. The algorithm introduces an efficient Newton＇s iterative method with fifth-order convergence for optimizing the contrast function and gives the detail derivation process and the corresponding condition. The experimental results demonstrate that the convergence speed and the separation precision of the improved algorithm are better than that of the fast ICA.

China-Africa Relations will Not Be Thwarted by Temporary Difficulties

IN face of the global outbreak of the contagious coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),China and Africa have made concerted efforts to contain the pandemic.In reflection upon history,China and Africa,in the struggle against imperialism,colonization,apartheid,and in the endeavor to win national independence and liberation,have forged a brotherhood of common aspiration and solidarity in the pursuit of economic development and national rejuvenation.As the world ushered in the new century,China-Africa relations have embarked on a fast track of development.To achieve common development,oppose hegemonism and power politics,safeguard multilateralism,China and Africa are united in close cooperation.The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has won acclaim in the realm of international cooperation with Africa,and the headquarters of the African Union and other new landmarks of China-Africa cooperation constitute the symbols of vitality of China-Africa friendship in the new era.China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and is an important booster for Africa’s development and rise.No matter how the international situation changes,China and Africa will always be connected,as guardians of each other’s development,and fellow travelers braving hardships.

SOX A Comparison With the South African Status Quo

Auditor independence provisions enshrined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act （SOX） were promulgated in 2002 in response to the Errron-Anderson scandal leading to a diminution of trust in the audit profession. In seeking to regulate auditor independence in the name of investor protection, SOX has been heralded as ＂ground-breaking＂ public interest reform. Ironically, when one considers the substance of these reforms and contrasts them with the situation prevailing in South Africa, a different impression results. Despite the fact that South Africa is classified as a ＂developing＂ nation and one which has only recently transitioned to democracy, many of the auditor independence principles legislated under SOX have been part of generally accepted practice in South Africa since the 1950s. Accordingly, SOX may not be the progressive example of auditor regulation that it is generally perceived to be.

Research on Sustainability of China’s Economic Cooperation With Africa

Africa is one of the important polars in the current political and economic pattern of the world.This paper explores the problems in China’s economic cooperation with Africa from the perspective of Chinese-funded enterprises in Africa being pioneers and barometers in the cooperation,and researches sustainable development of China’s economic cooperation with Africa focusing on connectivity and integrating African characteristic.

Disclosure, Multiple Sex Partners, and Consistent Condom Use among HIV Positive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Inconsistent condom use among persons on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is a major public health concern because of the risk of HIV transmission. This study examined the association between socio-demographic variables and knowing partners’ HIV status, multiple sex partners, and consistent condom use among 400 HIV-infected adults who had received ART for at least six months in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study used a cross-sectional survey and a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Over half (n = 225, 56.3%) of participants were on ART for more than two years. Two thirds (n = 234, 63.2%) were aware of partner’s HIV status. Over a third (n = 136, 34.0%) reported having more than one sex partners. Three quarters (n = 279, 75.8%) reported consistent condom use with regular partner. Discussing HIV testing (aOR = 2.28, CI: 1.31 -3.95), awareness of partner’s HIV status (aOR = 2.59, CI: 1.50 -4.46), level of education (aOR = 0.64, CI: 0.42 -0.98), and duration on ART (aOR = 0.71, CI: 1.31 -3.95) were predictors for consistent condom use. Awareness of partner’s HIV status was associated with multiple partnership (aOR = 0.38, CI: 0.21 -0.66), living with partner (aOR = 4.75, CI: 2.86 -7.91), discussing HIV testing (aOR = 2.43, CI: 1.48 -3.99), and duration on ART (aOR = 2.04, CI: 1.43 -2.92). While gender (aOR = 5.68, CI: 3.46 -9.34), marital status (aOR = 0.44, CI: 0.25 -0.77), and awareness of partner’s HIV status (aOR = 0.52, CI: 0.30 -0.89) were associated with multiple partnerships. Risky sexual behaviours occurred in all types of partners and knowing partner’s HIV status was a predictor for consistent condom use with all types of partners. It is essential that HIV prevention strategies create an enabling environment for disclosure and reductions of risky sexual behaviours by HIV-infected persons on ART.

Rethinking China's Soft Power Building in Africa

Sino-African relations have progressed significantly on the economic front over the past one and half decade ever since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) in October 2000.For example。

Lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic response in China,Italy,and the U.S.:a guide for Africa and low-and middle-income countries

Africa can be"left behind"after other advanced continents recover from the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic as reflected by the global pandemic of HIV/MDS.In this paper,we summarize potentially adaptable,effective and innovative strategies from China,Italy,and the U.S.The purpose is to help African countries with weaker healthcare systems better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.China,being the first to report COVID-19 infection swiftly swung into anti-epidemic actions by the use of innovative risk communication and epidemic containment strategies.Italy and U.S.,the next rapidly hit countries after China,however,experienced sustained infections and deaths due to delayed and ineffective response.Many African countries responded poorly to the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by the limited capacity for public health surveillance,poor leadership,low education and socioeconomic status,among others.Experience from China,Italy and U.S.suggests that a better response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mrica needs a strong public health leadership,proactive strategies,innovative risk communication about the pandemic,massive tests and isolation,and scaling-up community engagement.Lastly,African countries must collaborate with other countries to facilitate real-time information and experience exchange with other countries to avoid being left behind.

Study on the Characteristics, Problems, and Models of China＇s Aid to Africa under the New Situation

In this paper, the characteristics of China＇s aid to Africa under the new situation are summarized, and also the existing problems are smmnarized from the level of strategy, the level of public opinion, the level of methods and contents, and the level of effect. Combined with the change of the current international political and economic trend, the model of China＇s aid to Afiica is innovatively concluded by tile author as Ihe model of＂Bidirectional Balance Improved Aid＂ and also its definition, main contents, and practice keys are expounded. This model provides a reference model for China＇s aid to Africa and is good for solving the problems in the aid, so that a better actual effect can be achieved.

CHINA＇S IMAGE IN AFRICA RESTS WITH CHINA＇S SUCCESSFUL STORIES IN AFRICA

China＇s image in Africa depends on an ＇African China success story＇. First decade of the 21st Century experienced a rise in efforts to cultivate public diplomacy among different nations to augment practices in bilateral relations. Public diplomacy has been mostly pronounced within the framework of soft power as a means of establishing appeal and grounding the likeability of one＇s nation in foreign shores. China has been at the forefront of cultivating means of public diplomacy in their new spheres of influence as it positions itself on the global centre stage. The promotion and success of the Chinese Dream by President Xi Jinping ought to be viewed within the context of efforts by China to complement the usual foreign policy practices through public diplomacy.

It’s Time for Africa

FOR the first time In its 16-year existence, the Milken Institute Global Conference 2013 in Los Angeles included four panels devoted to discussing African opportunities and challenges. A decade ago, perceptions of Africa were extremely negative. The May 2000 cover of a major international publication described Africa as “The Hopeless Continent.” Fast forward to 2011, and the same magazine ran a more optimistic headline： ＂Africa Rising.＂ There is a media frenzy focused on Africa and the continent＇s gains are tangible.

Nigeria’s ‘Great Leap’ Past South Africa

IN a long overdue exercise, the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria recalculated the country＇s GDE dethroning South Africa as Africa＇s largest economy earlier this year. While the rebasing of economic output is a standard procedure usually done quite regularly by countries, Nigeria has not recalculated its GDP in more than 20 years. With a population of at least three times the size of the incumbent number one economy in Africa Nigeria＇s claim of the economic pole position in Africa did not come as a surprise. Its rise to the top was inevitable and arguably the only surprise may have been that it took the West African giant of 170 million people so long to do so.

Investing in Africa’s Future

A Chinese property developer invests billions of dollars in Johannesburg to build the ＂New York of Africa＂

Unlocking Africa’s Potential

Investment remains the vital ingredient for Africa’s success WHILE there are meaningful objections to the nature and structure of much of the new investment in African agriculture,it is clear that the introduction of new capital,skills and technology is an essential component in unlocking the continent’s ultimate allure.

Africa’s ICC Tightrope

TH E International Criminal Court＇s （ICC） decision to grant Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta leave not to attend all of his trial in November, on charges of crimes against humanity, is a sign that the ICC was not after regime change in Kenya as many observers had speculated. Kenyatta will only be required to attend the opening and closing sessions of his trial, along with hearing when victims present their testimony in person. Kenyatta had argued that attending the trial in The Hague would prevent him from governing his country.

Understanding China’s Role In Africa

China prepares for its future

East Africa’s Quick Killer

HEALTH and politics don’t always mix.In January,as increasing numbers of returnees from North Sudan entered Southern Sudan to vote on a referendum for independence, the World Health Organization(WHO) reported that a major visceral leishmaniasis epidemic was in danger of breaking out.Incidences of the disease - the world’s second deadliest parasitic killer after malaria - had nearly doubled within the span of a month,according to case records from last November. WHO officials speculated that the surge was due to that fact that returnees typically did not have immunity against the disease.

Africa＇s Industrialization： Lessons From China

China＇s development over the past 30 years is undoubtedly the most remarkable economic developnrent story. A once poor rural society quickly transformed itself into a manufacturing powerhouse and created millions of jobs for its people in the process.