Local plant use and traditional conservation practices in Nhema communal area,Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article is based on a study that was carried out in Nhema communal area in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, with the main objective of documenting local plant use and traditional conservation practices. Data collected through household semi-structured and open interviews showed that 46 plant species in 40 genera and 24 families were mainly used for firewood, construction wood, food and traditional medicine. Other minor uses included using plant species for making mats, rope and shading. Firewood and construction wood ranked as the most important tree products used. The preferred plant species included: Julbernardia globiflora (Mutondo); Brachystegia spiciformis (Musasa); Terminalia sericea (Mususu); Brachystegia boehmii (Mupfuti); Combretum imberbe (Mutsviri); Combretum molle (Mubondo) and Burkea africana (Mukarati). Some of the highly preferred species, considered to be declining in the local environment, included Adenium obesum (Chisvosve); Azanza garckeana (Mutohwe); Brachystegia boehmii (Mupfuti); Brachystegia spiciformis (Musasa); Burkea africana (Mukarati); Combretum imberbe (Mutsviri); Combretum molle (Mubondo); Dalbergia melanoxylon (Mukonashanhu); Diospyros mespiliformis (Musuma); Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Ntorani); Julbernardia globiflora (Mutondo); Phragmites australis (Shanga; Poulzozia hypoleuca (Munanzwa); Pterocarpus angolensis (Mubvamaropa); Terminalia sericea (Mususu) and Uapaca kirkiana (Muzhanje). Highly preferred and declining species were characteristically large trees and shrubs. Local people are aware of the need to conserve plant resources in order to protect the environment and avoid the extinction of these rare species.Traditional conservation practices have substantially contributed to the conservation of plant species in Nhema communal area. The protection of indigenous timber, fruit trees, trees with social and cultural significance, the use of deadwood for firewood, the use of eucalyptus trees as construction wood and the occurrence of sacred woodland areas represented some of the traditional conservation techniques employed in Nhema communal area. These local practices demonstrate the dynamism and significance of African indigenous knowledge systems.     

Single‐Image Rectification Technique in Forensic Science

Many researchers have been working in Spain to document the communal graves of those assassinated during the Spanish Civil War. This article shows the results obtained with two low‐cost photogrammetric techniques for the basic documentation of forensic studies. These low‐cost techniques are based on single‐image rectification and the correction of the original photo displacement due to the projection and perspective distortions introduced by the lens of the camera. The capability of image rectification is tested in an excavation in the village of Loma de Montija (Burgos, Spain). The results of both techniques are compared with the more accurate data obtained from a laser scanner system RIEGL LMS‐Z390i to evaluate the error in the lengths. The first technique uses a camera situated on a triangle‐shaped pole at a height of 5 m and the second positions the camera over the grave using a linearly actuated device. The first technique shows measurement errors less than 6%, whereas the second shows greater errors (between 8% and 14%) owing to the positioning of the carbon‐fiber cross on an uneven surface.     

Secure pathways for women in the UK: lessons from the women’s enhanced medium secure services (WEMSS) pilots

Abstract

Women’s enhanced medium secure services (WEMSS) is a model of care aimed at providing a more appropriate level of security for women and, in so doing, reducing the number of women in high secure psychiatric services. In 2007, three Department of Health commissioned WEMSS pilots became operational. This study compared the clinical outcomes of women in WEMSS with control women in six standard medium secure services and one high secure service matched on key clinical and risk characteristics, in order to examine their pathways of care. Our findings confirm that the WEMSS pilots were successful in transitioning women from high secure services who had previously been thought unsuitable for medium secure services. However, WEMSS showed no additional clinical benefit, suggesting that these women could be cared for equally well within standard medium secure services. We make recommendations about WEMSS and the future shape of women’s secure care in England.     

Least restrictive practice: its role in patient independence and recovery

One of the five overarching principles of the Mental Health Act: Code of Practice is to provide patients with care and treatment which is least restrictive whilst encouraging recovery and promoting independence. However, there is limited research which explores the application of these principles within a medium secure unit. The aims of the research were to explore what are patient’s experiences of least restrictive practices and to what extent do they perceive that least restrictive practices maximise their independence and recovery. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 12 male inpatients within a medium secure unit. Five themes were evident: Positive Changes, Perceived Lack of Transparency, Social Isolation, Institutionalisation and Normality. It was found that patient’s perceived that there was lack of shared understanding between staff and patients of what is considered least restrictive. Patient recovery was promoted through positive risk-taking, the reduction in the use of seclusion and through the promotion of meaningful activities that resembled life in the community. Nevertheless, patients perceived that there was a lack of opportunities to socialise with patients from other wards. Due to the security level of the hospital patients perceived that independence was not achievable.     

Quality of low secure services in the UK: development and use of the Quality of Environment In Low Secure Services (QELS) checklist

Low secure services provide care for psychiatric patients whose risk cannot be safely managed in other settings. The physical environment in these units plays an important role in supporting recovery and risk management. We developed the Quality of Environment in Low secure Services (QELS) checklist to assess the quality of the physical environment of these services. Using recommendations from previously published standards we piloted a draft checklist with a weighted scoring system reflecting the views of patients and providers. The checklist showed good criterion validity and inter-rater reliability. Data collected from 33 low secure services showed considerable variation in the quality of the physical environment. The QELS checklist provides an accessible and reliable means for managers and clinicians to assess whether the quality of the physical environment of low secure units meets recommended standards and can be used to support efforts to improve the quality of care delivered by these services.     

论耕地保护法律制度之完善——基于粮食安全视角的解析

耕地是粮食生产的基础,而粮食生产又是粮食安全的基础,因此,耕地的保护对粮食安全生产的保障具有重要意义。我国耕地的现状令人堪忧:一是耕地数量不断减少;二是耕地质量有下降的趋势。考其原因,主要是关于耕地保护的法律制度不健全。针对此种情况,应从非农建设用地、教育用地及耕地质量保护三个维度,完善我国耕地保护法律制度。     

对社会危害性理论刑法学地位的新的曲解与新的辩护

在我国刑法学中,社会危害性理论的刑法学地位问题一直在争议之中。有学者将社区犯罪观和刑事和解观作为新的突破口,试图将社会危害性理论予以消解,以期最终将社会危害性理论从我国刑法学中清除。但是,由于包含着诸多曲解,故这一清除不仅没有实现,反而可被用来加固社会危害性理论在我国刑法学中的地位。     

社会治安系统工程的一种模式:安全文明小区

安全文明小区在综合治理社区治安过程中的积极意义早已是不争的事实。然而，安全文明小区的运行机制却有持提炼。在本文中，笔者试图探求一种将社会治安系统工程引入安全文明小区中去的思路。     

Blame attribution regarding index offence on admission to secure hospital services

Abstract

Assessment by psychologists is part of the routine multi-disciplinary admission process to secure facilities for those with a diagnosis of severe mental illness and an offending history. Non-engagement with the assessment process is a common clinical phenomenon. Using a survey design, we report on the administration of the Gudjonsson Blame Attribution Inventory, (a questionnaire which elicits causal attributions about offending), where possible, to a cohort of consecutive admissions to a medium secure unit, and a maximum security hospital. Reasons for non-compliance with the assessment process are examined. The responses of those who completed a series of questionnaires are compared using unit, sex, ethnicity, diagnosis and index offence as group variables. With regard to attribution of blame for index offence, contrary to prediction, those with a history of psychosis, rather than personality disorder, obtained higher external attribution scores. The implications of these findings for the assessment of blame and guilt feelings during the early stages of admission to a secure mental health service, and possible treatment implications, are considered.     

论朝鲜半岛多边安全合作机制

冷战时期 ,朝鲜半岛形成了美苏之间军事和意识形态上两极体制上的对立。但随着冷战的结束 ,韩俄、韩中、美俄、美中等国家间实现了政治上的和解。东北亚地区的安全环境发生了巨大的变化 ,出现了多样的国际行为体 ,形成了多元化的结构 ,致使这一地区内国家间各种合作的重要性也在不断加强。在变化了的安全状况下 ,会产生建立多边安全合作机制的要求。面向 2 1世纪 ,多边安全合作机制对于保障国家安全、地区稳定以及东北亚和平与繁荣有着重大的影响 ,也是非常必要的。