Local Administrative Authorities Research Articles

Legalizing Illegitimate Large-Scale Land Deals for Commercial Agriculture in Cameroon

Abstract Many communities in Cameroon are fast losing large expanse of ancestral land in the wake of a global land rush to local and foreign capitalists operating in the mining and agricultural sectors. This study examines the legal status of commercial land acquisition, the extent to which investors are complying with the law, and the land rights of those affected. It is based on primary data collected through interviews conducted among local administrative and traditional authorities, community members, and civil society organizations. The article highlights how agro-investors with complicity of the State have exploited weakness in Cameroon land laws to dispossess poor communities from ancestral lands. Findings indicate that in violating both laws and due processes to acquire land, the current land rush has left affected communities impoverished and without land and security. Commercial agriculture has displaced communities from traditional sources of livelihood to promote international capitalist interest.

Considerations Regarding the Attributions of the Prefect in the Field of State Aid

In recent years the prefect (in his capacity as representative of the Government at the local level) gained tasks relating to domestic proceedings in the field of state aids granted by local government authorities to various beneficiaries. The article aims at establishing to what extend this procedure (which is part of the domestic proceedings concerning the appropriateness analysis that is carried, prior to notification procedure to the European Commission by the national authority, by the Competition Council), is liable to affect the way the prefect carries out the legality review for acts issued by local administrative authorities.

Assessment of orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India.

IntroductionIndia is home to many tribes which have an interesting and varied history of origins, customs and social practices. Oral health care in tribal areas is limited due to shortage of dental manpower, financial constraints and the lack of perceived need for dental care among tribal masses.ObjectiveTo assess orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India.MethodsA cross-sectional house to house survey was carried out among 800 tribal children aged 5 to 15 years old in two major tribal districts of Indore division. Permissions and consent were obtained from local administrative authorities, ethical committee and parents respectively. A structured proforma was used to record demographic data. Examination for dentofacial anomalies was conducted according to WHO 1997 survey methods. Descriptive tables and analytical tests like ANOVA, post-hoc and chi-square test were employed.ResultsThe mean age was 9.75(±2.43) years. The mean DAI score among 12 to 15 years old children was 23.19±5.22. Female exhibited higher (24.51±5.34) mean DAI score compared to males (22.12±4.87) (p<0.05). The Patelia tribes (24.38±5.13) reported higher mean DAI score than Bhilala (23.02±5.69) and Bhil tribe (22.73±4.79) (p<0.005).ConclusionThe tribal children had minor malocclusion with no or slight treatment need. Categorization of orthodontic treatment need according to malocclusion severity is particularly important for the planning of corresponding public policies. The isolation of the villages, lack of transportation options imposes limitations on the availability of health professionals to provide dental services.

RISK SCENARIOS FOR FLASH-FLOODS IN THE RURAL AREA GENERATED BY COMBINED HAZARD, TECHNOLOGIC AND NATURAL

Certain rural settlements situated in the floodplain area are exposed to a high risk of flash-floods, in case a sudden damage appeared in the supply water system network. The purpose of the present research is the anticipation of hydrological risk in this type of areas in case of a simultaneous occurrence of two types of hazard: torrential rain and damages to the supply water system network. Therefore we will use an ArcGIS procedure of building flash-floods scenarios generated by extreme events, namely the high level of soil saturation, damages to the supply water system network and a high intensity torrential rain. The article presents different scenarios according to the return period (T) of the torrential rain: T= 20 years, T=100 years and T=1000 years. The results will highlight the several vulnerability categories of the terrain and households related to combined risk. The flash-floods scenarios in the rural settlements that benefit from a supply water system network will be of great use to the local administrative authorities for the management of combined risk emergencies.

VALUE OF SERUM ASSAYS OF COPEPTIN VERSUS TROPONIN I AT ADMISSION FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Background: The major drawback of current troponin assays is sensitivity deficit at presentation due to delayed release of circulating levels. Therefore, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) exclusion requires prolonged period of monitoring for 6 to 9 hours and serial blood sampling, the grey zone for troponin elevation, which consequently leads to overcrowding in the emergency department and increases the associated cost every year. As a result, novel biomarkers are continuously in development. A particularly interesting observation is the response of circulating copeptin levels as a result of an acute myocardial infarction. Objective: Comparing the value of serum copeptin assays to serum troponin I for early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Patients and methods: A prospective non- randomized study will be conducted over 45 patients in National heart institute (NHI). All of the patients were above 40 years old, presented to the emergency department (ED) within 12 hours of symptom onset of acute chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. After informed consent and permission from the local administrative authority, all patients were subjected to a thorough history taking, examination, 12- lead ECG monitoring, coronary angiography and echocardiographic assessment. In addition to the routine laboratory investigations. Cardiac troponin I and copeptin were assayed from venous blood samples obtained at admission, then 6 hours later. Based on clinical picture, ECG findings, serial troponin I assays, coronary angiography and echocardiographic findings all of the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1. ST-segment elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI). 2. Non ST- segment elevation of myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) . 3. Unstable angina (UA). Results: The admission values of copeptin was significantly different. At a cutoff value of 30.5 pmol/l, AMI can be diagnosed with 100 sensitivity, 100 specificity, 100 PPV, 100 NPV and accuracy 100%. The admission values for troponin I was significantly different. At cutoff value of 0.23 ng/ ml AMI can be diagnosed with 93.33 sensitivity, 100 specificity, 100 PPV, 88.2 NPV and accuracy 98%. The 6 hours-later copeptin values were also significantly different. AMI was diagnosed at cutoff value of 32.2 pmol/l with 100 sensitivity, 100 specificity, 100 PPV, 100 NPV and 100% accuracy. The 6 hours later values of troponin I were significantly different. At cutoff value of 0.23 ng/ml, AMI was diagnosed with 93.33 sensitivity, 100 specificity, 100 PPV, 88.2 NPV and accuracy 98%. Conclusion: The current study provided evidence that measurement of serum copeptin was better than troponin I for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, but could not evaluate the value of copeptin in UA diagnosis versus non -ischemic causes of chest pain.

Organization of city police on the Charter of the Deanery (1782).

УДК 340 The subject. The subject of analysis in the article is the organization of the city police of the Russian Empire under the Charter of the Deanery 1782. Special attention is given to the structure and legal issues of the activities of local government and its interaction with the local administrative authorities. The purpose. The growing interest in the history of local government connects not only with the aspiration of historians to look more deeply into the past but also with practical needs. Researching of the forgotten traditions of public administration allows to take greater account of historical experience that has been accumulated over the centuries as well as use it in legislation and law enforcement. We also need to take a look at already known facts and events in the light of today's realities. Methodology. Theoretical and methodological basis of the research are such principles of historical knowledge as objectivity, historicism, determinism, alternativeness and social ap-proach which are assuming an unbiased approach to the analysis of the researched problems, as well as a critical attitude to sources. Results, scope of application. The article describes the process of codification in the administrative legislation of the Russian Empire and also organization of local governance in the Russian Empire according with Charter of the Deanery. The basic aspects police activities are also characterized. This approach may overcome the old myths and misconceptions in the sphere of police organization and also prevent the birth of new ones. Conclusions. This act created the system of local police management which was centralized by establishing of the police bodies with number of state employees, specified in the law. Such institutes became both representatives of the sovereign power in the provinces and guides of its policies until reforms of the 60s and 70s of the 19 century.

A GIS-based methodological framework to characterize the Resource Management Domain (RMD): A case study of Mewat district, Haryana, India

Resource Management Domains (RMD) represent a way to characterize land units, based on biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics. This concept has been applied to delineate and characterize sustainable land units for agricultural use in the Mewat District of Haryana, India. A GIS-based framework was conceptualized to characterize RMD and appropriate biophysical and socioeconomic parameters were identified based on local conditions and expert opinion. The biophysical characteristics of the region were represented by soil (soil erosion and fertility) and groundwater (groundwater quality, potential and vulnerability) parameters. Population density, landholding, cropping pattern, irrigation source, fertilizer type, sprinkler density, tubewell type and tractor density were considered for socioeconomic characterization. Each of these parameters was modelled and mapped using well established methods The biophysical and socioeconomic parameters were integrated using a multivariate clustering method. The integration modelling results in the delineation of the region into seven RMDs, which were validated with two focus group discussions (FGD) in each of the RMD’s. The correlation between the RMD modelling results and the FGD was found to be more than 90% in five RMDs and 65% and 39% in the remaining two RMDs respectively. The result was also validated with feedback from the local administrative authorities. The study charts a sound basis for policy makers for taking the necessary steps to address location-specific differential agricultural needs in any region.

Forms of Communication between Large-scale Farms and Local Administrative Authorities in Russian Villages: About Benefactors and Sponsors

This article investigates the forms of communication emerging between local administrative authorities and large-scale agricultural enterprises with regard to public service provision in two Russian villages. Using a systems theory approach and conceptualising Soviet society as an organisational society, privatisation and local government reform may be observed as attempts to disentangle former collective farms and local authorities and adjust them to the logics of functional differentiation. Empirical evidence from a former kolkhoz and an agro-holding shows that both react to the contradiction between global transformation imperatives and local expectations, using a specific combination of formality and informality as a condition of their reproduction in the villages.

Institutional Arrangements and Management of Environmental Resources in Ethiopia

&lt;p class="1Body"&gt;The study was conducted in three main eco-regions, namely Bale Mountains, South-West and Semien Eco-Regions in Ethiopia with the following objectives - to: (i) review the current institutional arrangements in terms of rights and responsibilities, planning system, capacity, and motivation of local communities for the management of environmental resources in Ethiopia in general, and the forest sector in particular and (ii) assess constraints for the successful implementation of policies/legislation, strategies, programs, projects and actions at a landscape level. Focus group discussion and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Purposive sampling method was employed to select respondents. Environmental resources conservation and management (ERCM) institutions considered in this study were agriculture and natural resources, water, irrigation and electricity, land and environmental protection, local administration, and road authorities. Within the above-mentioned institutions a total of 56 questionnaires were administered and 48 interviews were conducted. The results show that the capacity of the existing institutions is constrained by lack of clear rights and responsibilities, absence of common result framework, absence of common planning system, high staff turnover, absence of spatial planners and failure to respond to the demands of community-based organizations. The institutional arrangements need critical review and analyses in order to design responsible institutions for ERCM at all levels, which includes availing knowledgeable and all-rounded professionals at all levels, with proper incentive mechanisms, who would be able to cope with future challenges emanating from climate change and other social tensions.&lt;/p&gt;

Association of body mass index with dental caries among malnourished tribal children of Indore division.

Background and aimNutrition is an essential component in human growth, development and maintenance of healthy life. Tribal communities are highly disease prone and do not have the required access to basic health facilities, also having a high degree of malnutrition.The aim of this study was to determine the association of body mass index with dental caries among malnourished tribal children of Indore division (M.P.)MethodsA cross-sectional house to house survey was carried out among 275 study subjects, 6–15 years old tribal children in two major tribal districts of Indore division. Permissions and consent was obtained from local administrative authorities, ethical committee and parents respectively. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, mid-arm and head circumference were recorded. Children with confirmed malnourishment on basis of BMI index were considered for data collection. Oral examination for caries was conducted according to WHO 1997 survey methods. Descriptive tables and analytical tests such as ANOVA and chi-square test were employed. Independent effects of age, gender, BMI, oral hygiene status and daily intake sugar on caries status were tested using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe mean age was 9.75 (±2.43) years. The caries prevalence among permanent dentition of malnourished children was 61.4% with a mean of 1.61 (±0.48). Among tribes, malnourished children of Bhilala tribe showed significantly higher caries prevalence (1.82±0.46, p<0.01). Increase in caries prevalence was seen with increase in severity of malnourishment (p<0.05). Logistic regression indicated gender (males OR=1.19), age (5–10years OR=1.11) and high sugar intake (OR=1.49) were significantly associated with caries occurrence (p=0.001).ConclusionCaries was more prevalent in malnourished tribal children and was seen to increase with severity of malnourishment.

Land subsidence, seismicity and pore pressure monitoring: the new requirements for the future development of oil and gas fields in Italy

Abstract. The Emilia earthquake of 2012 (Italy) stimulated a controversial debate concerning the possibility that the event could have been induced or triggered by underground fluids production. The public discussion led the Italian Government to issue a protocol of guidelines for the monitoring of microseismic activity, ground deformation and reservoir pore pressure. The guidelines will be put into operation as soon as practicable when licensing is being considered, and all data provided by mining operators must be made available to the relevant Authorities. The implementation of an outreach and communication program to local residents and administrative authorities is prescribed, so that the civil and scientific community at large can gain confidence that operations are being managed optimally.

Game theoretical transportation network design among multiple regions

Previous studies of transportation network design assumed that transportation network was managed by a central administrative authority with an objective of improving the performance of the whole network. In practice, the transportation network may comprise of multiple local regions, which are independently and separately managed by local transportation administrative authorities with different objectives. Therefore, it is possible that local authorities may act with different behaviours, either cooperatively or competitively, in designing transportation networks. This paper addresses various network design strategies, such as competitive, cooperative, chronological, Stackelberg and the mixed schemes. Multiple-level games are used to describe the behaviours of different regions. The proposed NDP models are used to describe various game behaviours of regional authorities that evaluate the NDP effects more reasonably. It can also be used to assess the impact of regional budget distribution and help the central authority make reasonable budget distribution scheme.

국내 공공도서관의 보편성과 특수성 담론

대다수 국가의 공공도서관은 지방행정당국 및 중앙정부의 예산과 지원으로 설립되는 지식문화기관이다. 그러므로 공공도서관은 지역사회의 모든 구성원이 공평하게 이용할 수 있는 다양한 자원과 서비스를 통하여 지식정보에 대한 접근을 보장해야 한다. 이러한 역할은 범세계적 현상이며, 모든 국가의 공공도서관에 적용되는 보편성이다. 반면에 많은 국가의 공공도서관 정책과 운영에는 예외적 상황을 의미하는 특수성이 존재하며, 그것은 경제성장 및 발전단계의 차이와 사회문화적 다양성에서 기인한다. 이에 본 연구는 국내 공공도서관을 대상으로 정책적, 기능적, 운영적 측면에서 특히 주목할 필요가 있는 작은도서관 확충, 평생학습 지상주의, 위탁경영 비율의 가파른 상승, 자유열람실의 설치와 운영이 보편성에 기반을 둔 특수성의 용인인지, 특수성을 가장한 보편성의 부정인지를 담론차원에서 분석하였다.

権力概念によるLRT導入計画に関する合意形成過程の記述と体系化の試み

Light rail transit （LRT） is a functional urban transportation system. The main benefits of LRT involve reduction of pollution and mitigation of traffic congestion. Many cities have studied the efficacy of implementing this type of a public transportation system. However, few have succeeded in placing LRT into practice because of the complexity of the interests of various parties, such as the local chief executive, other administrative authorities, railroad companies, and individual citizens. The interactions of these entities are a deterrent to building the necessary consensus for a successful outcome.Hence, we focused on the interaction process to build consensus for the introduction of actual LRT based urban planning. We first theoretically studied the time series of interactions of stakeholders by applying the concept of pluralistic power. The concept of pluralistic power is a comprehensive theory including not only influences derived from the political power relationship based on a job or status, but also negotiation strategies in consensus building using advantages, conquest of weaknesses, convictions and compromises. Utilizing this theory, we empirically considered the conflictive and convergence points of a series of arguments. The study area of the analysis was Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. An interview survey was first conducted in December 2010 with municipal staff involved in the project for introduction of LRT, members of a citizens’ organization and six railroad residents. The project for LRT in this city virtually fell apart in 2009.As a result, the following implications were determined. First, the process of information disclosure by the project promoter （local chief executive and administrative authorities） did not have a functional role as “persuasion” or “muscle” because of unfairness, and became the crucial reason that consensus building did not work in 2003. After 2003, the confidence of the promoters, which could warrant persuasiveness for opponents in the discussions, decreased and introduction of LRT was unavoidably terminated.This is a study not only of the beneficial nature of a public transportation system, but more importantly of a theory that leads to cooperation between various sectors of a community. Future research will evaluate the validity of the pluralistic power concept through field surveys and studies on successful implementation of LRT systems.JEL Classification: Z18, Z19

Effectiveness of Administrative Appeals - Empirical Evidence from Romanian Local Administration

Before resorting to a court for the annulment/modification of an administrative decision, an interested party has the possibility of challenging the decision before the administration itself. The (internal) administrative appeal is addressed to the issuing public authority (or to the higher public authority). Administrative appeals have always been considered an affordable tool for alternative dispute resolution in administrative matters, and a way of reducing the burden of litigation on the courts. The present article endeavors to make an analysis of the issues related to this topic. Empirical research conducted at the level of local public administrative authorities in Romania shows the importance and effectiveness of administrative appeals, in spite of the (sometimes) discouraging provisions of &#x0D; the law

The Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network - Regional Collaborative Efforts on Joint Air Quality Management

The Guangdong and Hong Kong governments have collaboratively established the first Pearl River Delta regional air quality monitoring network (“PRD RAQMN”) since November 2005 which represented the first joint air quality monitoring of the regional air pollution and reporting efforts at a rapidly developed and heavy-polluted area in the southern China. The PRD RAQMN keeps track on the long-term evolution of air pollution status in the PRD region located in the south coast of China. It recorded the air quality trend during the 11th Five-Year Plan (FYP) implemented between 2006 and 2010, and the years of synchronous of leapfrogging economic development and stringent emission control on coal-fired power plants and vehicles for the 12th FYP to be implemented between 2011 and 2015. The PRD RAQMN showcases as a role model for the cooperation of local administrative authorities and also serves the surveillance system for joint prevention and management of air pollution. The PRD RAQMN catalyzed the cooperation among regions in the nation and public dissemination of air quality information which is otherwise under tight scrutiny in the past. The PRD RAQMN demonstrates that the regional collaboration and formation of consortium is critical in air quality management strategy to address and resolve the air pollution problems in China more effectively.

Practical estimation and distribution of diffuse pollutants arising from a watershed in Turkey

This study presents the diffuse pollution profile of a coastal watershed with respect to the dominating sector of agriculture including forestry. A rough estimation of the diffuse loads expressed by two major nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorous is realized by calculations based on unit loads obtained from the literature for each land-use activity. The key concern is to rank the different diffuse loads arising from the watershed. The major diffuse nitrogen loads are estimated to arise from agricultural activities with 54 %, followed by livestock breeding that contribute to the nitrogen budget by 11 %. Almost 7 % of the nitrogen loads come from meadows and pasture, and 5 % from forests. In the distribution of diffuse phosphorus loads, it is estimated that 48 % of the loads arise from agricultural activities, and 18 % from livestock breeding. Almost 14 % of the phosphorous loads come from septic tank effluents; however, 13 % of the loads are due to rural run-off. The future loads for 2028 and 2039 are also estimated; 30–40 % decrease is foreseen in the agricultural pollutants and animal manure through the stepwise application of ecological agriculture and livestock breeding. The basic aim of this study is to put forth a practical methodology for estimating diffuse loads in a watershed for the decision-makers and local administrative authorities with especially limited available data. Through such, distribution of various diffuse loads becomes available among the administrative units composing the watershed.

Impediments to community fisheries management: Some findings in Kompong Pou commune, Krakor District in Cambodia's Tonle Sap

This paper broadly assesses some reasons why co‐management of inland fisheries by resource users and state agencies in Cambodia remains difficult to realize. Our survey of the resources, human capacity and associated de facto mechanisms for achieving community fisheries (CFi) objectives among fishing communities of Krakor District, located along Tonle Sap Lake, found these mobilizations at a crossroads in terms of empowered institutional and legal frameworks. Although the commune is a local administrative authority in the context of Cambodia's evolving decentralization and deconcentration (D&amp;D) reform process, decision making and accountability in natural resource management have yet to be transferred to, or opened to participation from, local and subcommune level stakeholders and agencies. Furthermore, the institutional links between the commune council and CFi are ambiguous. This lack of linkages between central government, state agencies and CFi has left fisherfolk struggling to survive against more powerful competing interests. The preliminary findings presented here suggest that the achievement of sustainable CFi management in the Tonle Sap Lake remains problematic without local level decision making powers, sustained funding of CFi and related local government, and partnership between key shareholders in rural development programmes that recognize and encompass women's roles in natural resource management.

Epidemiological investigation into the introduction and factors for spread of Peste des Petits Ruminants, southern Tanzania

A study was carried out to confirm and identify sources and elucidate factors associated with the introduction of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in southern Tanzania. This study was conducted in Tandahimba and Newala districts of Mtwara region following suspected outbreak of PPR in the area. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews of key informants who included goat and sheep owners with suspected cases of PPR and animal health service providers as well as local administrative authority. Additionally, 216 serum samples and 28 swabs were collected for serological and virological laboratory disease confirmation. The results show that PPR was first introduced in Likuna village of Newala district in February 2009 through newly purchased goats from the Pugu livestock market located about 700 km in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city. Factors which contributed to spread of PPR included communal grazing and the cheap prices of sick animals bought by livestock keepers for slaughtering in other villages. Laboratory findings confirmed presence of PPR in the area by RT-PCR and serological analysis revealed that seroprevalence was 31%. These findings have confirmed, for the first time, introduction of PPR in southern Tanzania. The presence of PPR poses high risk of southward spread of the disease to other southern African countries in the SADC region thus calling for concerted and collaborative efforts in prevention and control of the disease to avoid losses. Further elaborate studies on the spread, prevalence and risk factors associated with the disease should urgently be investigated.

Une « décolonisation » par défaut? Le cas de Lacroix, centre de colonisation de la commune mixte de La Calle (1920–1950)

Abstract This paper explores the case of a village named Lacroix, located in a commune mixte of French East Algeria—La Calle—where many European settlers abandoned their land a few years after obtaining it. In the early1920s, most of the first settlers put their land up for rent or sale to native people, because they were attracted by Tunisia, the border of which was just next to the village. In the 1950s, only five French families were still living in Lacroix. This movement can be considered as a sort of decolonization, even if this concept must be handled with care. Those migrations were very usual throughout the country at that time, but the case of Lacroix is a good example of a colonization area being recovered by the natives. The analysis of this long and complex process shows how the French authorities tried to retain land, creating inventive strategies for over 20 years. The process was very difficult, however, and finally failed, especially because of the conflicts between the local administration and central authorities. Moreover, the General Government showed no interest in this rural part of the colony, located at the Tunisian border. This case also raises the issue of the influence of local politicians, who managed to be heard over the administrator of the village or the settlers themselves. Finally, this paper discusses the objections that colonization had to face to be efficient while French Algeria was nearing its centennial.