The transformation of South African administrative law since 1994 with particular reference to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000

South Africa’s constitutional revolution has profoundly affected its administrative law. Since 1994 South Africans have enjoyed constitutional rights to administrative justice as well as a range of other constitutional safeguards. More recently legislation mandated by the 1996 Constitution has been enacted, in the form of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000, to give effect to the constitutional administrative-justice rights. This thesis describes and critically assesses the transformation of South African administrative law since 1994 with particular reference to that legislation. The essential transformative promise of the democratic Constitution is to replace the old, pre-democratic culture of authority with a culture of justification. Drawing on the seminal Breakwater Declaration of 1993, the most serious deficiencies of the pre-democratic law are indentified as consisting in narrow and impoverished grounds of review; restricted access to judicial remedies; an overly formalistic style of judicial reasoning; and an incomplete system of administrative law, the result of a paucity of safeguards apart from judicial review. Conversely, the main aspirations of a transformed administrative law – the law associated with a culture of justification – are identified as well-developed grounds of review; improved access to judicial remedies; the achievement of a more substantive style of judicial reasoning; and the completion of administrative law through the supplementation of judicial review. The transformation of the law in relation to each of these four aspirations is investigated in turn. It is concluded that South African administrative law the transformative promise of the democratic Constitution has been realised to a great extent

Space and Time: Wind in an Investment Planning Model

Investment planning models inform investment decisions and government policies. Current models do not capture the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, restricting the applicability of the models for high penetrations of renewables. We provide a methodology to capture spatial variation in wind output in combination with transmission constraints. The representation of wind distributions with stochastic approaches or an extensive historic data set would exceed computational constraints for real world application. Hence we restrict the amount of input data, and use boot-strapping to illustrate the robustness of the results. For the UK power system we model wind deployment and the value of transmission capacity

Abnormal Brain Connectivity Patterns in Adults with ADHD: A Coherence Study

Studies based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the resting state have shown decreased functional connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and regions of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in adult patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) relative to subjects with typical development (TD). Most studies used Pearson correlation coefficients among the BOLD signals from different brain regions to quantify functional connectivity. Since the Pearson correlation analysis only provides a limited description of functional connectivity, we investigated functional connectivity between the dACC and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in three groups (adult patients with ADHD, n = 21; TD age-matched subjects, n = 21; young TD subjects, n = 21) using a more comprehensive analytical approach - unsupervised machine learning using a one-class support vector machine (OC-SVM) that quantifies an abnormality index for each individual. the median abnormality index for patients with ADHD was greater than for TD age-matched subjects (p = 0.014); the ADHD and young TD indices did not differ significantly (p = 0.480); the median abnormality index of young TD was greater than that of TD age-matched subjects (p = 0.016). Low frequencies below 0.05 Hz and around 0.20 Hz were the most relevant for discriminating between ADHD patients and TD age-matched controls and between the older and younger TD subjects. in addition, we validated our approach using the fMRI data of children publicly released by the ADHD-200 Competition, obtaining similar results. Our findings suggest that the abnormal coherence patterns observed in patients with ADHD in this study resemble the patterns observed in young typically developing subjects, which reinforces the hypothesis that ADHD is associated with brain maturation deficits.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)National Institute of Mental HealthNovartisJanssen-CilagAbbottEli-LillyShireBristol-Myers SquibbUniv Fed ABC, Ctr Math Computat & Cognit, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Interdisciplinar Neurociencias Clin, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, Child & Adolescent Psychiat Div, ADHD Outpatient Program, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilNYU, Ctr Child Study, Phyllis Green & Randolph Cowen Inst Pediat Neuros, New York, NY USAInst Nacl Psiquiatria Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Lab Interdisciplinar Neurociencias Clin, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilNational Institute of Mental Health: R01MH083246Web of Scienc

Podem as técnicas de imagem molecular identificar biomarcadores nos distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos?

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasInstituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert EinsteinSINAPSE InstituteUNIFESP, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasSciEL

Comparison of the collagen haemostat Sangustop(R) versus a carrier-bound fibrin sealant during liver resection; ESSCALIVER-study

Background: Haemostasis in liver surgery remains a challenge despite improved resection techniques. Oozing from blood vessels too small to be ligated necessitate a treatment with haemostats in order to prevent complications attributed to bleeding. There is good evidence from randomised trials for the efficacy of fibrin sealants, on their own or in combination with a carrier material. A new haemostatic device is Sangustop(R). It is a collagen based material without any coagulation factors. Pre-clinical data for Sangustop(R) showed superior haemostatic effect. This present study aims to show that in the clinical situation Sangustop(R) is not inferior to a carrier-bound fibrin sealant (Tachosil(R)) as a haemostatic treatment in hepatic resection. Methods: This is a multi-centre, patient-blinded, intra-operatively randomised controlled trial. A total of 126 patients planned for an elective liver resection will be enrolled in eight surgical centres. The primary objective of this study is to show the non-inferiority of Sangustop(R) versus a carrier-bound fibrin sealant (Tachosil(R)) in achieving haemostasis after hepatic resection. The surgical intervention is standardised with regard to devices and techniques used for resection and primary haemostasis. Patients will be followed-up for three months for complications and adverse events. Discussion: This randomised controlled trial (ESSCALIVER) aims to compare the new collagen haemostat Sangustop(R) with a carrier-bound fibrin sealant which can be seen as a "gold standard" in hepatic and other visceral organ surgery. If non-inferiority is shown other criteria than the haemostatic efficacy (e.g. costs, adverse events rate) may be considered for the choice of the most appropriate treatment. Trial Registration: NCT0091861

A Minor Hazard: Social Hosts Liability in Washington after \u3ci\u3eHansen v. Friend\u3c/i\u3e

In Hansen v. Friend, the Washington Supreme Court held that a host who furnishes alcohol to a minor in a social setting is liable for all resulting injuries to the minor. In reaching this result, the court limited the cause of action to minors, denying all third parties injured by intoxicated minors a claim against social hosts. Additionally, the court allowed intoxicated minors to bring an action for injuries resulting from any type of hazard they encountered while intoxicated. This Note examines the Hansen decision and proposes that, given the court\u27s decision to impose civil liability upon hosts, the court should extend a cause of action to third parties but limit liability to injuries resulting from automobile accidents

After Mazibuko: exploring the responses of communities excluded from South Africa’s water experiment

Despite a constitutional right to water, challenges remain for access to sufficient water in South Africa. This article considers the degree to which current legal provisions perpetuate approaches, which are antithetical to genuinely eco-socio-sustainable water access. Water in South Africa has largely been re-cast as a commodity, exposed to market rules, proving problematic for many and giving rise to various responses, including litigation. In the seminal case of Mazibuko the Constitutional Court failed to provide robust protection to the right to water, providing impetus for the formation of “commons” strategies for water allocation. Indeed “commoning” is beginning to represent not only an emerging conceptual strand in urban resource allocation, but also a dynamic, contemporary, eco-sensitive, socio-cultural phenomenon, driving innovative, interactive and inclusive forms of planning and social engagement. Against the backdrop of unequal water access, commoning offers glimpses of an empowering and enfranchising subaltern paradigm

The impact of photorefractive excimer laser keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on visual quality and life in patients with ametropias

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life, vision and stress before and after refractive surgery. METHODS: This is a longitudinal, observational study, where 100 patients were evaluated; 54 espectacles wearers, 21 contact lens users before surgery and 25 controls wearers spectacles or contact lenses, who did not want to undergo refractive surgery during one year despite refractive error. The applied questionnaires were Self Reporting Questionnaires SRQ-20 of quality of life and vision and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire NEI VFQ-25 for the assessment of mental health. The intervention group answered the questionnaires before surgery, three, six and twelve months after follow-up and the control group answered the questionnaires at six and twelve months after the baseline. The questionnaires of the intervention group were applied by an independent person. RESULTS: In the intervention group (54 spectacle wearers), 39 were treated by photorefractive excimer laserkeratectomy (PRK) and 15 by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), of the 21 contact lens users: 12 received photorefractive excimer laser keratectomy and nine were treated by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The control group remained stable during the study. After three months of follow-up the intervention group showed improvement in quality of life, vision and reduction of stress. After one year of follow-up the assessments of quality of life and mental health were similar to the control group. After three months there was a significant reduction of psychiatric symptomatology in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Patients operated for correction of ametropia showed a significant improvement in quality of life and mental health assessments.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e de visão e o estresse de pacientes portadores de ametropias submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal observacional em que foram estudados 100 pacientes; 54 usuários de óculos, 21 usuários de lentes de contato interessados no procedimento cirúrgico e 25 controles usuários de óculos ou lentes de contato, mas que não desejavam ser operados no período de um ano. Os questionários aplicados foram o National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) de qualidade de vida e o Self Reporting Questionnaire - SRQ-20 para avaliação da saúde mental. Os pacientes que se submeteram à cirurgia responderam aos questionários aplicados por uma observadora antes da mesma, três, seis e doze meses após a intervenção. O grupo controle respondeu de forma auto-aplicada no início do estudo, seis e doze meses após a primeira avaliação. RESULTADOS: No grupo da cirugia dos 54 pacientes que usavam óculos 39 fizeram cirurgia de ceratectomia fotorrefrativa por excimer laser(PRK) e 15 fizeram ceratomileuse assistida por excimer laserin situ (LASIK) e dos 21 que usavam lentes de contato 12 fizeram cirurgia de ceratectomia fotorrefrativa e nove fizeram ceratomileuse assistida por excimer laser in situ (LASIK). O grupo controle esteve estável durante os 12 meses em relação aos instrumentos aplicados. Três meses após a cirurgia o grupo da cirurgia apresentou melhora significante da qualidade de vida e de visão em relação ao pré-operatório independentemente do tipo de cirurgia realizada. Um ano após a cirurgia os índices de qualidade de vida e de saúde mental, foram semelhantes aos do grupo controle. O Self Reporting Questionnaire - SRQ 20 mostrou diminuição significante do índice de sintomas a partir dos três meses de pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade de visão e de vida dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de correção de ametropia mudou significantemente para melhor em relação ao préoperatório, com redução substancial do estresse psicológico.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP Departamento de Oftalmologia Departamento de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Depto. de PsiquiatriaSciEL

Attention in schizophrenia and in epileptic psychosis

The adaptive behavior of human beings is usually supported by rapid monitoring of outstanding events in the environment. Some investigators have suggested that a primary attention deficit might trigger symptoms of schizophrenia. In addition, researchers have long discussed the relationship between schizophrenia and the schizophrenia-like psychosis of epilepsy (SLPE). On the basis of these considerations, the objective of the present study was to investigate attention performance of patients with both disorders. Patient age was 18 to 60 years, and all patients had received formal schooling for at least four years. Patients were excluded if they had any systemic disease with neurologic or psychiatric comorbidity, or a history of brain surgery. The computer-assisted TAVIS-2R test was applied to all patients and to a control group to evaluate and discriminate between selective, alternating and sustained attention. The TAVIS-2R test is divided into three parts: one for selective attention (5 min), the second for alternating attention (5 min), and the third for the evaluation of vigilance or sustained attention (10 min). The same computer software was used for statistical analysis of reaction time, omission errors, and commission errors. The sample consisted of 36 patients with schizophrenia, 28 with interictal SLPE, and 47 healthy controls. The results of the selective attention tests for both patient groups were significantly lower than that for controls. The patients with schizophrenia and SLPE performed differently in the alternating and sustained attention tests: patients with SLPE had alternating attention deficits, whereas patients with schizophrenia showed deficits in sustained attention. These quantitative results confirmed the qualitative clinical observations for both patient groups, that is, that patients with schizophrenia had difficulties in focusing attention, whereas those with epilepsy showed perseveration in attention focus.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PsiquiatriaUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Instituto de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PsiquiatriaSciEL

Características clínicas e de neuroimagem molecular de pacientes brasileiros com doença de Parkinson e mutações nos genes PARK2 ou PARK8

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and neuroimaging (SPECT) characteristics of Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and mutations in PARK2 or PARK8 genes. METHOD: A total of 119 patients meeting clinical criteria for PD were evaluated. RESULTS: Of all patients studied, 13 had mutations in either PARK2 (n=9) or PARK8 genes (n=4). No statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics in both groups were seen. SPECT with [99mTc] TRODAT-1 showed significant differences between patient and control and the most remarkable difference was between PARK2 and control. CONCLUSION: The study found a frequency of mutation of 10.1% and it was most commonly seen in women. These patients had long disease course and high rates of dyskinesia after L-DOPA use. PARK8 patients did not have a relevant family history of PD.OBJETIVO: Descrever as características clínicas e de neuroimagem (SPECT) de pacientes brasileiros com doença de Parkinson e mutações PARK2 e PARK8. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 119 pacientes com critérios clínicos para a doença de Parkinson. RESULTADO: Entre os pacientes avaliados foram encontrados 13 pacientes com mutação nos genes PARK2 (n=9) ou PARK8 (n=4). Não houve diferença significativa na avaliação das características clínicas entre os dois grupos. Os resultados de SPECT mostraram diferenças significativas quanto ao potencial de ligação do [99mTc] TRODAT-1 SPECT entre pacientes vs. controle, sendo a diferença mais pronunciada entre PARK2 e controle. CONCLUSÃO: A freqüência de mutação encontrada foi 10,1%, sendo mais comum em mulheres. Estes pacientes apresentavam longo tempo de doença e alta prevalência de discinesias associadas ao uso da levodopa. Nossos pacientes com PARK8 não apresentaram uma história familiar relevante de doença de Parkinson.Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein Instituto Israelita de Ensino e PesquisaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Division of Movement DisordersUNIFESP-EPM Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasUNIFESP, EPM, Division of Movement DisordersUNIFESP, EPM Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências ClínicasSciEL