Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Guineo-Congolese Species in Southeastern Cameroon: The Case of the Gari-Gombo Communal Forest

The conservation of plant biodiversity has become one of the most important objectives in the sustainable management of Guinean-Congolese ecosystems. However, in the south-east zone of Cameroon, there is a lack of rigor in the management of these forests, which can result in the loss of species of high conservation value. The study was carried out in communal forests in the south-east zone of Cameroon. Its aim was to carry out a floristic inventory and then compare the list of species with the IUCN catalog. Twenty-four plots, each with a surface area of 0.2 ha, were set up in the Gari-Gombo communal forest. All timbers with a DBH ≥ 5 cm were systematically counted. A total of 176 species, belonging to 144 genera and 45 families, were surveyed. Fabaceae (42.08%), Malvaceae (39%), Euphorbiaceae (24.64%), Moraceae (20.92%), Apocynaceae (18.64%), Cecropiaceae (16.60%), Ulmaceae (14.76%), Meliaceae (14.61%), Violaceae (14.08%), Combretaceae (12.67%), Theobroma cacao (21.17%), Baphia leptobotrys (18.06%), Rinorea sp. (14.09%), Musanga cecropioides (12.18%), Terminalia superba (10.32%), Neosloetiopsis kamerunensis (10.14%), Celtis zenkeri (8.29%) and Alstonia boonei (7.77%) were the most important taxa. Nearly 90% of the species in this forest are Guinean species, with a dominance of Guinean-Congolese species (66%). Fourteen (14) threatened species have been identified in the FCGG. This study, which highlights the rich biodiversity of communal forests, is important for guiding biodiversity conservation policies in ecosystems used for production.

Postpartum Intrauterine Device: Use and Follow-Up of Users in the Maternity Ward of the Ratoma Communal Medical Center in Conakry, Guinea

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the use of the postpartum intrauterine device in the maternity ward of the Ratoma communal medical center in Conakry. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between July 1st 2015 and June 30 2016, i.e. a duration of one year. Results: A total of 551 patients received advice on various contraceptive methods. Most of this advice was given in the post-partum period (40.2%) and during antenatal care (39.1%). Of the patients advised, 87 (15.8%) used the intrauterine device. The majority of users (93%) were married and uneducated (63.2%), and 39.1% were poor. The majority (56.3%) of intra-uterine devices were inserted in the immediate post-partum period. The majority of women had no adverse events either during the first six weeks (n = 57;65.5%) or at 3rd months (n = 75;86.2%) or 6th months (n = 76;87.4%) after IUD insertion. Most users remained complication-free throughout the follow-up period (n = 76;87.4% at 6th weeks and 3rd months, and n = 77;88.5% at 6th months). The continuation rate was 89.7% at 6 weeks and 3rd months, and 87.4% at 6th months after insertion. The majority of users (87.0%) were satisfied with the care they received. Conclusion: This study showed very few complications among intrauterine device users, and high continuation and satisfaction rates. The intrauterine device is a long-acting, effective, reversible and safe contraceptive that can be used by most women for birth spacing in Guinea, where women do not regularly visit health facilities.

Assessment of Domestic Wastewater Management Practices in the Communal District I of Maradi City, Niger Republic

Wastewater treatment is a problem with much acuity in the city of Maradi in general, and particularly in the Communal District I of Maradi. It is for this reason that the present study was conducted which deals with wastewater sanitation. The main objective of this study conducted through a survey is to investigate in the domestic wastewater sanitation in the Communal District I of Maradi city. Specifically, the study aims to estimate the amount of wastewater produced by households and to analyze the sanitation system at household and at district levels. The wastewater management practices in this district were assessed through a descriptive cross sectional study in which a total of 129 households were selected by sample distribution technique in the district neighborhoods and studied using interviewer and administered questionnaires at communal and household levels. The results of the study showed that the amount of domestic wastewater generated is quite large, about 32.27 m3 per person per day, and this comes from several sources including showers, laundry, dishwashing and income generating activities. The results also revealed that the unhealthy state of the Communal District I of Maradi is related to the absence of a wastewater treatment system, the methods and practices used in its management, and the population is also largely responsible for this unhealthy state and not willing to participate to a sanitation project.

Dynamics of Communal Land Degradation and Its Implications in the Arid Mountains of Pakistan:A Study of District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkuwa

Similar to other areas of Pakistan, land resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP) is kept under various ownership regimes for socio-economic and ecological benefits. For the last three to four decades, communal lands and resources are subjected to high rate of degradation and deterioration, which is leading to multifarious socio-economical and ecological implications. This paper intends to look into factors that are responsible for the degradation of communal land and the adaptability of the management mechanisms developed by the local inhabitants to conserve these resources. Moreover, this study also explores the sustainability of these adopted strategies in present circumstances. Data regarding socio-economic parameters of the inhabitants and their interactions with communal lands were collected through questionnaire cum interview method. As long-term climatic data for the area do not exist therefore focus group discussions were conducted to document the changing trend in rainfall regimes and temperature variations for the last about four decades. Results indicate that communal lands are highly vulnerable to degradation due to biophysical and anthropogenic factors. Local inhabitants have developed suitable measures to control the situation, however, accelerated socioeconomic transformations in the area have weakened the role of local institutions and that led to further degradation of these resources. Nevertheless, a number of locally formulated rules have been revived and implemented and it is hoped that these threatened resources would be conserved.

Analysis of Irrigation Systems Employing Comparative Performance Indicators： A Benchmark Study for National Irrigation and Communal Irrigation Systems in Cagayan River Basin

Comparative performance analysis of four irrigation schemes within Cagayan River Basin was assessed using comparative performance indicators between the years 2008 and 2012. The objectives were to establish benchmarks for both productivity and performance of irrigation schemes along the valley and to inquire whether small schemes function better than large schemes. The performance evaluation study of the systems composed of three general performance indicators, based on three domains-（1） system operation performance; （2） agricultural productivity and economics; （3） financial performance. Each indicator was assessed based on the prescribed descriptors used by the International Water Management Institute （IWMI） and Food and Agriculture Organization （FAO）. Analysis showed an overall system performance efficiency of 59%, 55%, 47% and 36% for Magat River Integrated Irrigation System （MARI1S）, Lucban, Garab and Divisoria Communal Irrigation Systems （CIS）, respectively. In terms of annual productivity performance, Lucban CIS dominates the three other systems with 0.35 kg/m3, which was classified as moderately performing system, while the rest were classified with low productivity index. Financial sustainability of the systems were extremely poor with cost recovery ratio of 0, 0.33, 0.41 and 0.49 for Divisoria, Garab, Lucban and MARIIS, respectively, which were exceptionally below the standard value of at least one. Also, analysis of the indicators revealed that on average, large schemes performed similarly to small-scale schemes, but small schemes were more variable, particularly in input-use efficiency. The benchmarking study will provide strategic information to policy makers of agricultural and irrigation agencies on the existing weaknesses of irrigation systems in the country and determine in a more quantifiable terms levels of potential improvement and intervention targets.

Communalism as a Theory of Justice and the Human Person in African Culture

Discussions about justice in cross-cultural context give rise to assorted theories. In this paper, issues surrounding communalism as a theory of justice in African culture will be examined with a view to show that its principles of care and fellow feeling could be worked out to address the problem of alienation from society characterizing some members of the contemporary African society. Recognition of the social dynamics of human society and relationships is of essence to communalism. As a theory of justice and a world view, communalism describes the human being as ＂being with others＂ and what that should be. The expression, ＂I am because we are, and because we are, I am＂ is the driving force of the communalistic society. Such a society is characterized by care, love, belongingness, solidarity, and interconnectedness. The aim of this paper is to highlight the manifestations of the idea of justice in communalism using leadership or governance, consensus in decision making, moral rules, punishment for wrong doing, and the equitable distribution of resources. It also aims to show that the communalist idea of justice is integrationist in outlook being constitutive of political and socio-economic elements, which the individual enjoys in practical terms as opposed to the paper rights, which citizens in much of the contemporary societies enjoy. The paper notes that drastic changes have occurred in the socio-economic relations within African societies as a consequence of acculturation subsequent to European colonization and these have had far reaching consequences.

City Communal Aspiration System—City without Chimneys

Gas emissions are produced by each economic entity individually—whether they are a large industrial enterprise, a boiler-house or a household (dwelling house). At that, in addition to visible chimneys, there are a lot of hidden (unrecorded) sources of emissions in form of ventilation branch pipes. Communal systems for removal and reprocessing of wastes of two types: liquid (municipal sewage lines) and solid (collection and removal of wastes) are operated in populated localities. For the third type of waste—gaseous—a similarly municipal structure does not exist. For the time being there is no possibility for full system control and neutralization of dust and gas wastes because there is no system in the physical form which would enable comprehensive receipt of exit gases from all the city sources for further processing thereof. It is for the first time when a principally new holistic approach to cleaning/treatment of all city dust and gas emissions (wastes) is proposed which consists in creation of a City Communal Aspiration System (Municipal Aspiration System) containing a city communal aspiration network (gas outlets) for receipt/transportation of exhaust (flue) gases and a plant for utilization of such wastes connected to such network. In other words, it is proposed to organize a “City without Chimneys”. The proposed solution permits to remove mass unsystematic and uncontrolled emissions of environmentally harmful gas wastes in cities, reduce climate risks and make the transition to a new level of organization of environmental planning and management and, therefore, eliminates or principally simplifies many ecological difficulties and restrictions in urban planning (inseparably related to ecology) in sanitary rules and standards.

Visual Nationalism and Communal Rituals:Park Saengkwang’s Art and Korean Shamanism

This paper analyzes Park Saengkwang(1904-1985)’s artwork,created in the 1980s and influenced by Musok,Korean Shamanism.It explores Musok’s thematic significance in the development of his distinctive style and the inspiration behind his stylistic changes.Park’s ink paintings are done in bold and intense colors and create an intriguing,mysterious mood,inviting the viewers to the primordial visual experience and exposing its viewers to Korean Shamanism,which has endured the perception that fluctuated between positive and negative throughout Korean history.The practice became a fitting cultural emblem associated with the national identity during the 1970s and 1980s,and thus became a way for Park to explicitly articulate his cultural roots,creating a visual connotation of“Korean.”His art,portraying gut,Korean shamanistic communal rituals,could be conceived as a pictorial rendering of the idea of kibok,praying for good fortune,and served as a pujŏk,talisman paper,that possesses magical healing and protecting power.By striving to overcome the stylistic conflicts between Korean and Japanese,or traditional and Western,Park’s art accomplished the visual rhetoric of national aesthetic sensitivity that built on the communal thoughts and cultural experience of shamanism in the modern history of Korea.

Power Electronics for PV-Based Communal Grids

In this paper power electronics used in PV power generation systems have been reviewed and modelled. PV systems need converters for maximum power point tracking, power conditioning, voltage step-up/down as necessary, and for storage charge-controlling. Inverters are needed for AC loads and for utility grid interfacing. The four basic DC-DC converters commonly used with PV systems have been reviewed and modelled. Different DC-AC inverter types and operational architectures have also been reviewed with the two-stage DC-AC inverter, with the point of common coupling (PCC) at the inverter input, suggested as the most cost-effective and efficient architecture for PV-based communal grids. This is because only one inverter is used for the entire system as opposed to an inverter for every module string, resulting in higher efficiencies, low cost, and low harmonic distortions when compared to systems with PCC at AC terminal. The aim of power conversion/inversion is to extract maximum power possible from the PV system and where necessary, to invert it at close to 100% as possible. Highlight: 1) DC-DC converters are necessary for power conditioning in PV systems;2) DC-AC inverters are necessary for AC loads and for utility grid interfacing;3) DC-AC inverters are also used to control the PV systems when grid connected;4) Best inverter configuration cost-effectively and efficiently allows easy system modifications.

COMMUNAL VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

An integral part of risk assessment for natural hazards, communal vulnerability assessment (CVA) is now receiving considerable attention, with the on-going International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). This article expounds the definition of the CVA concept and its implication. In addition, it offers a brief discussion of the reasons why CVA has been neglected and its relationship with socio-economic and physical vulnerability assessment. The article also gives an explorative exposition of the methodology and application of communal vulnerability analysis in risk reduction.

Role of social indicators on vitality parameter to enhance the quality of women＇s communal life within an urban public space （case： Isfahan＇s traditional bazaar, Iran）

Vitality is a quality that makes a public space operational and attractive throughout the day in relation to ongoing activities. This parameter can be evaluated through measures such as collective people presence, mixed-use functions, diversity of activities, and other related supportive physical elements. The aim of this research is to evaluate women＇s communal life in terms of vitality measures within public spaces. The commercial setting of Isfahan’s traditional bazaar was selected as the study area. To enhance the credibility of the results, several data collection methods, for example, semi-structured individual interviews （n = 24）, semi-structured focused group interviews （five groups including 28 middle-aged women）, direct observation, snap photography, and unobtrusive behavioral observation of women in communal life within the selected study area, were employed. To analyze the collected data, qualitative content and descriptive analyses were used. Our results indicate that by increasing the vitality of a public space through its related measures, women＇s presence will grow, and through this growth, the quality of their communal life would be enhanced.

Heidegger,Communal Being,and Politics

There are two critical,but opposite interpretations of Heidegger's understanding of being as a social ontology.One charges Heidegger with adhering to an anti-social"private irony,"while the other charges him with promoting a"self-canceling"totality.The current essay replies to these two charges with a discussion of Heidegger's understanding of being as"communal being,"which is implicated both in the early Heidegger's concept of"being-in-the-world-with-others"and in the later Heidegger's keyword of Ereignis.It argues that Heidegger's understanding of being as communal being is neither identical with totalitizing publicness nor the same as voluntaristic egotism.According to Heidegger,both the publicness of das Mem and voluntaristic egotism are the real threats to humanity at present.Because of them,we human beings are in danger of being uprooted from the earth upon which we-as communal beings-have already and always dwelled and lived with others from the very beginning of human history.

The Practice and Reconstruction of Village Communal Ownership: An Analytical Framework for Collective Forest Tenure Disputes in China

As shown in the many disputes occurring in reforms to collective forest tenure, reforms aimed at clarifying property rights that follow the contract responsibility system for arable land are not wholly compatible with the informal system of property rights followed in village communities up to the present. This highlights the fact that the existing theory of collective property rights no longer provides a sufficient or effective interpretation of the property rights game in the practice of collective forest tenure. Further, the existing institutional arrangements for collective property rights are conducive neither to the resolution of disputes over forest tenure nor to the sustainable management and utilization of forest land. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a more inclusive analytical framework for rural property rights： village communal ownership. This highlights the village community as the main force in the practice of property fights and integrates the communal ownership values accumulated and inherited in the course of village transition. The introduction of a rational mechanism developed through the practice of village communal ownership may be able to further improve and encourage the reform of rural property fights in China, leading to the construction of a modem system of rural property rights involving clear title to the land.

Extinction of lizards in Sri Lanka’s geographically isolated locations

Climate warming is projected to drive the extinction of approximately one-fifth of the world’s lizard species within the next 60 years(by 2080).However,it remains unclear to what extent and how the global lizard population will be affected by this phenomenon on a geographical scale.Furthermore,there is a need to establish a connection between extinction risk and the prioritization of conservation efforts.In this context,we aim to address concerns related to geographically isolated and critically small lizard populations,highlighting why they face an exceptionally high risk of extinction.We also explore the potential for entire populations to vanish without notice.A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential to inform the prioritization of conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding lizard populations in tropical countries under future climate change scenarios.

Different Storage-Focused PV-Based Mini-Grid Architectures for Rural Developing Communities

Impacts of grid architectures on temporal diffusion of PV-based communal grids (community owned minigrids or microgrids) in a rural developing community are modelled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and a survey-informed agent-based model (ABM) developed in NetLogo. Results show that decentralised control architectures stimulate minigrid formations and connections by allowing easy expansions of the minigrids as each decentralised PV system within a minigrid is treated equally and determines its own real and reactive power, eliminating the need for communication links. This also reduces the cost of implementing such a system;fewer connections are realized with centralised controls as such systems require high speed communication links which make them both difficult to expand and expensive to implement. Results also show that multi-master operation modes lead to more communal grid connections compared to single-master operation modes because in the former, all distributed PV systems within a communal grid have the same rank and can act as masters or can be operated as combinations of master generators (VSIs) and PQ inverters, allowing for more design flexibility and easy connections from potential customers.

Improved Response to Water Shortage: A Discrete Choice Experiment Study in Langata Sub County, Nairobi City-Kenya

This study aimed at identifying the most preferred water quality tracking system (WQTS) for adoption and the determining factors for the same among the Langata sub County households in Nairobi city, Kenya. Perrenial municipal water shortage in this neighborhood has forced the residents to depend on vended water supplication but whose quality is not possible to verify at the moment. Accordingly, a mobile phone quality tracing application running on blockchain technology platform was developed to fill the gap of provenance tracking. A non-market discrete choice experiments (DCEs) model was deployed in which four-option attribute bundles;with one being the “status quo” choice were presented to each of the 382 randomly sampled respondents from the five wards within the area. Results indicated that Option 2;the communally managed WQTS emerged as the most preferred choice at 53.9%. Secondly, the male factor was identified as the major determinant to this decision. In conclusion, the study proposes for the installation of this new WQTS which will trigger a 12% adjustment of the average household’s monthly water bill. In addition, this paper recommends for a city-wide assessment of residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for this WQTS, which it deems as an improved response to water shortage problem. Finally, the study contributes to the application of DCEs model in technology adoption literature.

A Cognitive Science Framework for the Analysis of Knowledge-Based Systems

The paper presents a cognitive science framework for the analysis of knowledge-based systems,including people, media. simulation and expert systems, resulting in a practical model for the procedures ofknowledge engineering. Starting with the construct of a social organization model driven by anticipationand thed differentiating this into pesonal scientists with diverse relations to people and their internal andexternal communication, it provides powerful and general model of society. people, and the roles of peoplein society. This model extends naturally ic the role of conventional media in the knowledge processes ofsociety and the new roles of computer-based simulation and expert systems. In particular it provides amodel of knowledge transfer that enables the processes of knowledge engineering to be analyzed andautomated.

Microhabitat characteristics related to seasonal roost switching:implications from a threatened and introduced cockatoo species in an urban landscape

Background:Communal roosting is a common avian social behaviour,which potentially provides foraging benefits,predation avoidance or thermoregulation in birds.To identify the crucial environmental factors associated with roost site selection,most studies have focused on the comparison of physical characteristics between roosts and non-roosts.However,the differences among roosts have usually been neglected and the causes of roost switching have seldom been investigated.Methods:To explore the variations among roost sites and assess the most influential environmental factors related to seasonal roost switching,we conducted a 105-day observation on an introduced population of critically endan-gered Yellow-crested Cockatoo(Cacatua sulphurea)in an urban environment in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2016.We identified seven roost sites that were occupied in different seasons and then measured their microhabitat character-istics in terms of land use types,human disturbance and microclimate temperature.To quantify these differences,we used Pearson’s chi-squared test,partial least squares determinant analysis(PLS-DA)and one-way repeated measures ANOVA,respectively.Results:Our results distinguished roost sites occupied in three seasons,i.e.spring,summer and winter roosts,using several microhabitat characteristics.The land use types were significantly associated with roosts,where spring roosts were usually located in tree-dominated areas,which are the major feeding grounds.The discriminant analysis on human disturbance variables indicated that summer roosts were positively associated with night illumination.The microhabitat temperatures of winter roosts were significantly higher than those of most other roosts on cold nights.Conclusions:The results highlighted significant variations among roosts,and seasonal roost switching was likely driven by specific microhabitat characteristics of each roost site,such as microclimate.It also helps us understand the behavioural adaptation of birds to urban environments.

Microsoft Office Communicator 在医院中的扩展应用

本文阐述了Microsoft Office Communicator（以下简称OCS）在医院推广过程中所遇到的问题,并分析其产生成因.通过笔者对OCS的扩展应用的开发经验及医院业务的了解,结合医院目前的状况设计出一系列可扩展功能.作者认为这些功能对Microsoft Office Communicator的推广有着积极的作用.

Phenotypic Characterization and Strategies for Genetic Improvement of WAD Goats under Backyard Systems

West African Dwarf (WAD) goats represent one of the predominant small ruminant breeds raised by resource-limited households in southern Nigeria as well as in the humid west and central Africa. This breed of goats is renowned for its adaptation to hot and humid environments, high fertility and prolificacy under backyard systems where they are raised almost with zero investment. On account of its contributions to household income and food security in southern Nigeria, there is the need for a detailed phenotypic and genetic characterization as well as the design of breeding strategies for its conservation through sustainable utilization. A critical challenge, however, is that there are no national breeding policies in most of the countries where WAD goats are raised. The objectives of this paper are: to review literature reports on trait-level information and estimates of genetic parameters for some economic characters of WAD goats;and to discuss a communal breeding scheme for its conservation through sustainable utilization. The presentation shows that WAD goats represent a highly diverse population, with particular reference to qualitative and performance-related traits, reflecting the role of traditional institutions in the maintenance of animal diversity in local populations. A genetic improvement programme involving dispersed open nucleus breeding scheme was discussed. The scheme involves backyard WAD goat units in villages as base population and dispersed communally managed schemes that maintain a population of bucks only, as nucleus units. Critical issues such as the definition of breeding goals by farmers, as well as communal project ownership, are emphasized. The ultimate goal of the breeding programme is to create opportunities for community-based management of WAD goat genetic resources for the benefit of backyard goat farmers in the region.