Diss.--Universiteit te Utrecht.

Diss.--Universiteit te Utrecht.

Despite abundant evidence that race has been a significant factor in informing historical processes in Swaziland there is presently no major study that focusses on the theme. The main aim of the current thesis is to examine the impact of discriminatory policies and practices in the country by analyzing the reaction of different sections of the society to formal and informal discrimination. While focussing on the period between 1945 and 1973 the thesis traces the evolution of Swaziland’s racial history dating back to the 1840s. The thesis also shows how the conditions created by the intervention of the colonial state as well as competing white interests between 1903 and 1944 deepened political and economic inequality in the country. In parallel, the thesis explores Swazi agency as was manifested through the reactions and initiatives of the monarchy when it stood up to challenge discriminatory policies and practices which were being applied to blacks. This was strongly indicated from the 1930s when a revived cultural nationalism was embraced by the Swazi monarchy to articulate Swazi grievances. To highlight contradictions in Swaziland’s racial patterns Coloured identity is discussed extensively. The thesis also explores the manner in which the Swazi educated elite confronted racial discrimination and argues that their approach was inadequate in alleviating racial injustices as they were experienced by most Swazis in different places. The central argument of the thesis, therefore, is that the formal abolition of discrimination in Swaziland in 1961 is to be understood against the anti - colonial politics in the post - World War II era. The thesis contends that the abolition of racial discrimination by the Swaziland colonial administration was largely a diplomatic gesture necessitated by the local and contemporary political climate as well as changing international relations of the 1960s including developments in the Union / Republic of South Africa. Finally, the thesis observes that since the outlawing of discrimination was not necessarily an indication of government’s political commitment to confronting racism the post - abolition period was not a fundamental departure from the pre - abolition era. Discriminatory attitudes and practices persisted in covert as well as overt, but, subtle forms in most spheres of Swazi society and particularly at the work place. This thesis also observes that the lack of holistic strategies to curb racially inspired practices led to unabated manifestations of discrimination in the country.

The purpose of the studies reported in this thesis was to provide a better understanding of the effects of purified ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) from llama seminal plasma in reflex ovulators (lama glama) and spontaneous ovulators (Bos taurus). The objective of the first study was to determine if the dose of OIF of llama seminal plasma required to elicit ovulation is physiologically relevant, and to test the hypothesis that CL form and function is affected by OIF in a dose-dependent manner. Llamas were treated with four different doses (500 £gg, 250 £gg, 125 £gg and 60 £gg) based on knowledge that for every ejaculate there is approximately 3 mg of OIF. Results supported the hypothesis that OIF affects ovulation and CL form and function in a dose-dependent manner. The high dose of OIF (500 Ýg) was associated with the highest incidence of ovulation, maximum CL diameter, plasma progesterone concentrations and plasma LH concentrations. The low dose of OIF (60 Ýg) was minimally effective for induction of ovulation and associated with smaller CL diameter and lower plasma concentrations of progesterone and LH. The second study was carried out to test the hypotheses that OIF will induce ovulation and affects CL form and function in cattle (Experiment 1), and that OIF given at different stages of development of the first follicular wave will induce atresia of the dominant follicle and hasten emergence of a new follicular wave (Experiment 2). Heifers were treated on Day 5 (Day 0 = wave emergence; Experiment 1) or on Days 3, 6 and 9 (Experiment 2) with a) 1ml of saline, b) 100 £gg of GnRH, or c) 1.0 mg purified OIF per 100 kg of body weight. Results of Experiment 1 demonstrated that OIF did not induce ovulation in cattle but it did induce atresia of the dominant follicle and earlier emergence of a new follicular wave. Results from the second study suggested that the effect previously demonstrated could be accomplished in sexually mature females after treatment on Day 6 corresponding to the late growing phase of the dominant follicle. In summary, the minimum dose of OIF necessary to induce ovulation in llamas was between 60 £gg and 250 £gg. This dose is physiologically relevant and represents less than 1/6th of what is normally present in a single llama ejaculate. In cattle OIF induced regression of the dominant follicle and early emergence of a new follicular wave in pre-pubertal heifers and had a similar effect in sexually mature heifers after treatment on Day 6 of the estrous cycle.

The purpose of the studies reported in this thesis was to provide a better understanding of the effects of purified ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) from llama seminal plasma in reflex ovulators (lama glama) and spontaneous ovulators (Bos taurus). The objective of the first study was to determine if the dose of OIF of llama seminal plasma required to elicit ovulation is physiologically relevant, and to test the hypothesis that CL form and function is affected by OIF in a dose-dependent manner. Llamas were treated with four different doses (500 £gg, 250 £gg, 125 £gg and 60 £gg) based on knowledge that for every ejaculate there is approximately 3 mg of OIF. Results supported the hypothesis that OIF affects ovulation and CL form and function in a dose-dependent manner. The high dose of OIF (500 Ýg) was associated with the highest incidence of ovulation, maximum CL diameter, plasma progesterone concentrations and plasma LH concentrations. The low dose of OIF (60 Ýg) was minimally effective for induction of ovulation and associated with smaller CL diameter and lower plasma concentrations of progesterone and LH. The second study was carried out to test the hypotheses that OIF will induce ovulation and affects CL form and function in cattle (Experiment 1), and that OIF given at different stages of development of the first follicular wave will induce atresia of the dominant follicle and hasten emergence of a new follicular wave (Experiment 2). Heifers were treated on Day 5 (Day 0 = wave emergence; Experiment 1) or on Days 3, 6 and 9 (Experiment 2) with a) 1ml of saline, b) 100 £gg of GnRH, or c) 1.0 mg purified OIF per 100 kg of body weight. Results of Experiment 1 demonstrated that OIF did not induce ovulation in cattle but it did induce atresia of the dominant follicle and earlier emergence of a new follicular wave. Results from the second study suggested that the effect previously demonstrated could be accomplished in sexually mature females after treatment on Day 6 corresponding to the late growing phase of the dominant follicle. In summary, the minimum dose of OIF necessary to induce ovulation in llamas was between 60 £gg and 250 £gg. This dose is physiologically relevant and represents less than 1/6th of what is normally present in a single llama ejaculate. In cattle OIF induced regression of the dominant follicle and early emergence of a new follicular wave in pre-pubertal heifers and had a similar effect in sexually mature heifers after treatment on Day 6 of the estrous cycle.

The objective of the present study was to systematically evaluate the impact of methodology on thromboelastometry with canine whole blood. Thromboelastometry was performed on citrated blood using a variety of combinations of clotting activators [ex-tem (tissue factor or TF), in-tem (ellagic acid), diluted TF from Innovin, or Ca (recalcification only)] and storage times. Thromboelastometry was also performed using diluted TF from Innovin on blood collected into a contact inhibitor. Ex-vivo contact activation was compared between canine and human blood. Clotting activator had a marked impact on coagulation time, a minor impact on alpha angle, and no impact on clot formation time or maximum clot firmness. When ex-tem or in-tem was the clotting activator, sample storage up to 30 min did not affect results. With diluted TF from Innovin or Ca, sample storage was associated with the development of increased coagulability (as indicated by shorter coagulation time and clot formation time and higher alpha angle) due to ex-vivo contact activation. Canine blood underwent markedly more ex-vivo contact activation than did human blood. Canine blood undergoes significant ex-vivo contact activation during and after collection, which influences thromboelastometry results when a weak clotting activator (such as low TF or recalcification) is used. Thromboelastometry with a strong activator (such as ex-tem or in-tem) is less influenced by ex-vivo changes, and, therefore, likely to be more reflective of in-vivo hemostatic capabilities and to provide consistently interpretable and comparable results.

Yes / This paper aims to deepen and advance our understanding of the de-facto accountability processes and practices within Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs). We employ a three-fold accountability framework of felt, imposed and adaptive accountability, supported by insight from the Islamic perspective to elucidate our empirical findings. We adopt this framework because it enables us to localise the notions of accountability, allowing a more complete understanding of the de-facto nature of Muslim NGO accountability to emerge within the context of religious ideals and between accountabilities that are externally imposed and those that are internally generated.

This diploma thesis deals with issues of statehood. In this study, we examined the de facto states, i.e. countries that are not internationally recognized. First described the characteristics of the state. Subsequently, we examined the international recognition of the state. It will also define the term de facto work is divided into four main chapters. On the basis of the criteria laid down Montevideo Convention of 1933 will be discussed features of statehood. Described is also the state sovereignty and the principles of international recognition by members of the international community. In the second chapter will be presented in greater detail the general features of de facto states. Attention will be paid to formation of de facto states including a detailed explanation of the issue of the right to self-determination and secession. In the third and fourth chapters, attention will be given to the two de facto states, Turkish Republic of Northern and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. In these chapters, the emphasis is also on the historical aspects, the political situation inside these entities, as well as in the whole region. Another goal of these chapters is also to analyse the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. In the case of Northern Cyprus will be analysed in particular the judgments of...

This thesis has for major aim to present the de facto state through another approach, by placing their intrinsic frozen conflict situation as a rational choice rather than a symptom of the lack of recognition. To do so, the case studies of Transnistria and Somaliland have been chosen since, the de facto state's academic field had, so far, focus more on the Caucasus' cases - therefore lack of similar comparisons. It appears indeed that, both these cases possess numerous similarities - such as not basing their identity on ethnicity or religion. Thus, through an empirical research, it has been possible to approach the establishment of these two de facto states and the reason behind the lack of international recognition; but also the role and influence of the frozen conflict within their internal evolution as well as their role in its perpetuation; and finally, the place of their parent state and the international community in the continuation of the status quo. It seems thus that, if it remains unlikely to find out if Somaliland and Transnistria do use the frozen conflict as a political tool to reach their political goals - namely international recognition but also identity building -, it appears that all actors involved in these conflicts do benefit from the perpetuation of such status quo.

<p><strong><em>Objective:</em></strong> The IFRSs are getting more popularity all over the world. IAS 39 is one of the most sophisticated standards included in the IFRS jurisdiction, which mainly addresses the recognition and measurement of financial instruments and hedge accounting. When these instruments had been <em>off-balance sheet</em> hidden, accounting scandals were the consequences. Capturing these risky instruments in the body of the financial statements, according to IAS 39, implies diverse accounting choices where the selection is tied to managers' judgment.</p><p>The Swedish GAAPs have been criticized in the literature of being less conservative than the US GAAPs. Sweden as an EU member has mandated the adoption of IFRSs in the consolidated financial statements of all listed companies, since 2005. No published research has studied the effect of IAS 39 diverse accounting practices on <em>de facto</em> harmonization and comparability in Sweden. The current study fills this gap in the literature, and goes beyond to investigate whether the selected accounting choices are associated with the industry sectors.</p><p><strong><em>Methods:</em></strong> A sample of 50 companies listed in NASDAQ, Stockholm in the financial and the industrial sectors is selected. Secondary data are obtained from the 2007 annual reports of the selected companies. Six accounting practice categories are detected under the standard. Herfindahl (H) index and Chi- square test are applied on the data.</p><p><strong><em>Results:</em></strong> The results show a relatively low harmonization and comparability in most of the accounting practices, and variation in associations between accounting practices and sectors. This infers to the risk of producing non-comparable financial statements that may distort the value of accounting numbers, the content of financial statements and negatively affect market participants.</p><p><strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong> Much effort is still needed to enhance <em>de facto</em> harmonization and comparability of financial reporting. Further research is also motivated in order to develop a harmonization theory that support standard setters in revising the existing standard to eliminate inconsistencies in accounting choice selection and enhance comparability.</p><p> </p>