Rwanda and Ethiopia: Developmental Authoritarianism and the New Politics of African Strong Men

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Matfess

Abstract:Current classification systems create typologies of authoritarian regimes that may overlook the importance of national policies. Rwanda and Ethiopia in particular are perplexing case studies of post-1990s governance. Both nations are characterized by high growth economies with significant state involvement and the formal institutions of democracy, but deeply troubling patterns of domestic governance. This article proposes a new category of authoritarianism called “developmental authoritarianism,” which refers to nominally democratic governments that provide significant public works and services while exerting control over nearly every facet of society. The article then reflects upon the durability and implications of this form of governance.

Author(s):  
Andy Shih ◽  
Arthur Choi ◽  
Adnan Darwiche

We propose an approach for explaining Bayesian network classifiers, which is based on compiling such classifiers into decision functions that have a tractable and symbolic form. We introduce two types of explanations for why a classifier may have classified an instance positively or negatively and suggest algorithms for computing these explanations. The first type of explanation identifies a minimal set of the currently active features that is responsible for the current classification, while the second type of explanation identifies a minimal set of features whose current state (active or not) is sufficient for the classification. We consider in particular the compilation of Naive and Latent-Tree Bayesian network classifiers into Ordered Decision Diagrams (ODDs), providing a context for evaluating our proposal using case studies and experiments based on classifiers from the literature.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey B. Hodgin ◽  
Laura H. Mariani ◽  
Jarcy Zee ◽  
Q Liu ◽  
Abigail R. Smith ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe current classification system for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) does not fully capture the complex structural changes in kidney biopsies, nor the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of these diseases. The Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) Digital Pathology Scoring System (NDPSS) was applied to 221 NEPTUNE FSGS/MCD digital kidney biopsies for glomerular scoring using 37 descriptors. The descriptor-based glomerular profiles were used to cluster patients with similar morphologic characteristics. Glomerular descriptors and patient clusters were assessed for association with time to proteinuria remission and disease progression by using adjusted Cox models, and eGFR measures over time by using linear mixed models. Messenger RNA from glomerular tissue was used to assess differentially expressed genes (DEG) between clusters and identify genes associated with individual descriptors driving cluster membership. Three clusters were identified: X (N=56), Y (N=68), and Z (N=97). Clusters Y and Z had higher probabilities of proteinuria remission (HR [95% CI]= 1.95 [0.99, 3.85] and 3.29 [1.52, 7.13], respectively), lower hazards of disease progression 0.22 [0.08, 0.57] and 0.11 [0.03, 0.45], respectively), and greater loss of eGFR over time compared with X. Cluster X had 1920 DEGs compared to Y+Z, which reflected activation of pathways of immune response and inflammation. Six individual descriptors driving the clusters individually correlated with clinical outcomes and gene expression. The NDPSS allows for characterization of FSGS/MCD patients into clinically and biologically relevant categories and uncovers histologic parameters associated with clinical outcomes and molecular signatures not included in current classification systems.TRANSLATIONAL STATEMENTFSGS and MCD are heterogeneous diseases that manifest with a variety of structural changes often not captured by conventional classification systems. This study shows that a detailed morphologic analysis and quantification of these changes allows for better representation of the structural abnormalities within each patient and for grouping patients with similar morphologic profiles into categories that are clinically and biologically relevant.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (Special-Issue1) ◽  
pp. 144-156
Author(s):  
Mahmood Feizabadi ◽  
Mohammadjavad Mahdavinejad ◽  
Seyyed Mirhosseini

In this study, we discuss ways of affecting nature on contemporary architecture and utilise them to survey the naturalism of case studies of Iranian architecture. The basic question in this study is: 'how ways of utilising nature have influenced on contemporary public works of Iran?' Descriptive-analytic method is used to achieve the results. The literature review was done by using archival methods, then the ways of affecting nature on contemporary architecture were listed as an evaluation criteria. Next, characteristics of sample projects were analyzed by using surveying methods, and their effects were submitted in qualitative and quantitative manner. The results of the study showed that some ways of affecting nature include scenery, material and conceptual have had the most usage in contemporary public buildings of Iran, and some others include spatial, functional and formal have been overlooked.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-811
Author(s):  
Erik Martinez Kuhonta

A major debate in the literature on the political economy of development centers on the relationship between regime type and economic development. This debate has been heavily influenced by the East Asian development model, where authoritarianism has often gone hand in hand with high growth rates. In South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, development has been propelled by authoritarian or semidemocratic regimes. One key element of this argument is that the repression of labor under these authoritarian regimes has been especially helpful in states' pursuit of high growth rates because it has ensured political stability and checked societal demands.


1992 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Sondrol

The Process of the transition from authoritarianism to more representative forms of government has become a major subject of the scholarship on Latin American politics today (O'Donnell, et al, 1986; Malloy and Seligson, 1987; Stepan, 1989; Diamond et al, 1988-1990; Lowenthal, 1991). Given this interest, as expressed by the growing literature in this area, little attention has been paid to the transition process now going on in Paraguay, which is now emerging from one of Latin America's most long-standing authoritarian regimes.A number of studies testify to the authoritarian nature of Paraguay's government and society. Johnson indicates that Paraguay ranked either 18th or 19th—out of 20 Latin American nations ... in 9 successive surveys of democratic development, carried out at 5-year intervals from 1945 to 1985 (Jonnson> 1988). A longitudinal study of press freedom found that Paraguay was invariably placed in the category of “poor,” or even “none,” between 1945-1975 (Hill and Hurley, 1980). When Palmer applied his 5 indicators of authoritarianism (nonelective rule, coups, primacy of the military, military rule, executive predominance) to the countries of Latin America, Paraguay consistently ranked first in its degree of authoritarianism (Palmer, 1977).


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1455-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Truex

Legislative gridlock is often viewed as a uniquely democratic phenomenon. The institutional checks and balances that produce gridlock are absent from authoritarian systems, leading many observers to romanticize “authoritarian efficiency” and policy dynamism. A unique data set from the Chinese case demonstrates that authoritarian regimes can have trouble passing laws and changing policies—48% of laws are not passed within the period specified in legislative plans, and about 12% of laws take more than 10 years to pass. This article develops a theory that relates variation in legislative outcomes to the absence of division within the ruling coalition and citizen attention shocks. Qualitative analysis of China’s Food Safety Law, coupled with shadow case studies of two other laws, illustrates the plausibility of the theoretical mechanisms. Division and public opinion play decisive roles in authoritarian legislative processes.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michi M. Shinohara ◽  
Andrei Shustov

Abstract The primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders are a family of extranodal lymphoid neoplasms that arise from mature postthymic T cells and localize to the skin. Current classification systems recognize lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and borderline cases. In the majority of patients, the prognosis of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders is excellent; however, relapses are common, and complete cures are rare. Skin-directed and systemic therapies are used as monotherapy or in combination to achieve the best disease control and minimize overall toxicity. We discuss 3 distinct presentations of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder and present recommendations for a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis, evaluation, and management of these conditions in keeping with existing consensus guidelines.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1839 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MANUEL ELÍAS-GUTIÉRREZ ◽  
FERNANDO MARTÍNEZ JERÓNIMO ◽  
NATALIA V. IVANOVA ◽  
MARTHA VALDEZ-MORENO ◽  
PAUL D. N. HEBERT

DNA barcoding, based on sequence diversity in the mitochondrial COI gene, has proven an excellent tool for identifying species in many animal groups. Here, we report the first barcode studies for freshwater zooplankton from Mexico and Guatemala and discuss the taxonomic and biological implications of this work. Our studies examined 61 species of Cladocera and 21 of Copepoda, about 40% of the known fauna in this region. Sequence divergences among conspecific individuals of cladocerans and copepods averaged 0.82% and 0.79%, respectively, while sequence divergences among congeneric taxa were on average 15-20 times as high. Barcodes were successful in discriminating all species in our study, but sequences for Mexican Daphnia exilis overlapped with those of D. spinulata from Argentina. Our barcode data revealed evidence of many species overlooked by current classification systems —for example, based on COI genotypes the Diapahanosoma birgei group appears to include 5 species, while Ceriodaphnia cf. rigaudi, Moina cf. micrura, Mastigodiaptomus albuquerquensis and Mastigodiaptomus reidae all include 2–3 taxa. The barcode results support recent taxonomic revisions, such as recognition of the genus Leberis, and the presence of several species in the D. birgei and Chydorus sphaericus complexes. The present results indicate that DNA barcoding will provide powerful new insights into both the incidence of cryptic species and a better understanding of zooplankton distributions, aiding evaluation of the factors influencing competitive outcomes, and the colonization of aquatic environments.


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