An alternative capacity in metric measure spaces

A new condenser capacity $\CMp(E,G)$ is introduced as an alternative to the classical Dirichlet capacity in a metric measure space $X$. For $p>1$, it coincides with the $M_p$-modulus of the curve family $\Gamma(E,G)$ joining $\partial G$ to an arbitrary set $E \subset G$ and, for $p = 1$, it lies between $AM_1(\Gamma(E,G))$ and $M_1(\Gamma(E,G))$. Moreover, the $\CMp(E,G)$-capacity has good measure theoretic regularity properties with respect to the set $E$. The $\CMp(E,G)$-capacity uses Lipschitz functions and their upper gradients. The doubling property of the measure $\mu$ and Poincar\'e inequalities in $X$ are not needed.

Analyzing the Similarity between Abagusii and Judean Conception of God as Reflected in the Book of Ruth

The belief that God, or the Supreme Being, is the source of all that exists is common among a wide range of African communities that still retain a good measure of their traditional religio-cultural heritage. The Abagusii of Western Kenya is one of the communities that has been exposed to and actually embraced the western culture. This notwithstanding, the Abagusii are still proud of their traditional customs and still maintain a good measure of these practices, either in their original form or with modifications. In this paper we examine the influence of belief in God on the day-to-day activities of the Abagusii and assess the similarity of their religiosity with that of the Judeans as reflected in the book of Ruth. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the on-going debate on inculturation by projecting a trajectory that appreciates the authenticity of all cultures. In comparing the similarity between Abagusii and Judean conception of and interaction with the divine, this paper covers the following key areas: the nature and function of God, human limitations, the relationship between God and humans, the notion of divine intervention, and the influence of religious consciousness on the daily life of the community and its members. The author is cognizant that the Book of Ruth may not provide a comprehensive picture of the Judean concept of God. But it provides a basis for a comparative study on the way community members utilized their religious awareness and identity to govern their daily lives.

EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICIES AND THE RE-INTEGRATION OF EX-CONVICTS: THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM

In a recent development, the Nigeria Prison Service was renamed, “the Nigeria Correction Service”, a move that is designed to reorient the department along the lines of emergent demands of justice dispensation on the global scene. This study examined the extent to which the new Nigeria Correction Service can adjust to the laudable objective of repositioning itself for purposes of reformation and re-integration of the nation’s ex-convicts for a better Nigerian society. Data was obtained from secondary materials including books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, the internet, etc. Content analysis was adopted as the mode of analysis while the theory of social integration (Blau, 1960) was employed as the theoretical framework of the study. Findings revealed that the re-orientation of the “service” for purposes of reformation and reintegration of ex-convicts had long been taking place as many of such citizens had either acquired a good measure of education while in prison, learned various vocations, and even attained higher spiritual growths. The study suggested adequate funding to enhance the effort of the service in achieving its objectives.

From exceptional to normal: changes in the structure of US banking since 1920

A century ago the US commercial banking system was exceptional in two ways. It was by good measure the largest commercial banking system of any country. And it was different from the commercial banking systems of other leading countries in having tens of thousands of independent banks with very few branches rather than the more typical pattern of a far smaller number of banks with many branches. Today, a century later, the US system is more normal than exceptional, dominated by a small number of very large banks with extensive branch systems. This article describes the US banking-structure transition from exceptional to normal. It closes with an interesting contrast of US and European banking developments.

Atlante dei siti fortificati della provincia di Viterbo, Italia (X-XV secolo). Fonti e metodi per la ricostruzione della rete insediativa bassomedievale

Atlas of fortified settlements in the province of Viterbo, Italy (tenth-fifteenth centuries). Sources and methods for the reconstruction of the late-medieval settlement networkThis study addressed the historical phenomenon known as incastellamento, in the area of the current province of Viterbo, from a quantitative and geographical perspective. The time period considered was the tenth-fifteenth century. The paper describes the documentary sources, historical maps, aerial images, past studies and archaeological sources that are available to researchers, and which have been used, in good measure, to reconstruct the fortified settlement network. Moreover, the paper explains the methodologies used to identify, store and geocode the whole dataset, which so far comes to a total of 191 fortified settlements. In conclusion, we discuss the main characteristics of the online atlas, intended as an open and interoperable platform to consult, query and retrieve information from the dataset of late-medieval fortified settlements.