They protect us,but are they using protection? The potential impact of HIV on the South African Police Service

The drivers of HIV/AIDS in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and impact of the disease on this workforce are neglected areas of research. Existing evidence suggests that while the occupational risk for contracting HIV is low, there are factors associated with the profession that, if left unmanaged, place police officers at risk of contracting HIV. This study's two aims are to identify the potential pathways of HIV infection within policing services and determine the probable impact of HIV/AIDS on SAPS. Through a systematic literature review on HIV/AIDS within police services, and by analysing selected SAPS human resource data, the causal pathways and impact of HIV/AIDS on police services are explored. The study finds that police officers (particularly male officers) are likely to be highly susceptible to HIV infection as a result of risky sexual behaviours born out of occupational characteristics such as high levels of stress, difficult working conditions, living away from home and interactions with sex workers. The problem is exacerbated by the ‘macho’ culture that often prevails among police officers. HIV/AIDS interventions within SAPS must focus on sustained behaviour change. Further, HIV programmes must equip officers with the knowledge and awareness to avoid engaging in high-risk sexual practices that may compromise their health and the effectiveness of the policing service.     

THE ‘EXPANDING TORRENT’: BRITISH MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION

In May 2012, Zambia's Inspector-General of Police announced a crackdown on sex workers. This commentary discusses the rationale behind this proposed crackdown and the problems associated with such a policy response.     

Demobilisation,disarmament and reintegration in the Democratic Republic of Congo: The numbers game

Abstract

The creation of the Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reflected the growth in the strategic importance of Africa in US foreign policy since the end of the 1990s. One of the objectives of this new geographical military command is to forge closer links between foreign, security and development policies. However, this approach met with a number of difficulties associated with the challenge of ‘inter-agency cooperation’ among rather disparate actors from foreign affairs, defence and development. In addition, the establishment of AFRICOM has met with fierce criticism in the US and elsewhere – especially in Africa – culminating in the charge that the US foreign and development policies in Africa are being militarised. Although AFRICOM has a number of interesting features, this paper shows that it has reacted to these criticisms by realigning itself more closely with the traditional model of a military command, at the expense of the innovative interagency elements.     

具有终端约束的制导炸弹模糊变结构制导律设计

针对INS/GPS制导炸弹对地面目标的精确打击问题,提出带落角约束的模糊变结构制导律。在变结构制导律的基础上,引入终端落角约束项,应用模糊规则对所设计制导律中的变结构开关项系数增益进行在线调节。仿真结果表明,在对地面目标进行攻击时,该制导律降低变结构控制系统的抖振,同时满足制导精度和期望落角的要求,具有有效性和鲁棒性。     

直接力/气动力复合控制系统鲁棒稳定性分析

脉冲发动机作为直接力与空气舵复合控制能有效提高导弹的快速性和末端大过载机动能力。由于脉冲发动机的喷流干扰会对复合控制系统的稳定性产生影响,本文在考虑脉冲发动机自身喷流因子效应以及对导弹气动干扰的情况下,把直接力喷流作用等效为弹体的气动力进行建模,并结合复合控制系统的性能指标以及稳定判据,对一类复合控制自动驾驶仪的鲁棒稳定性进行了分析,给出了直接力喷流作用下复合控制系统的满足性能要求的稳定边界。     

一种新的双输入多通道直流变换器

在传统的含储能单元分布式供电系统中,一般都需要多个单向直流变换器和双向直流变换器才能实现其功能。提出一种新的双输入多通道直流变换器,它的功能等效于一个单向直流变换器和一个双向直流变换器。分析了双输入多通道直流变换器的工作原理,给出了变换器的稳态关系式以及能量管理方法,并运用Saber软件进行仿真,验证了理论分析的正确性。该直流变换器除具有双输入Buck直流变换器的优点外,还能实现可再生能源向储电输入源充电。     

Review of the ordered and proportionate flow shop scheduling research

Ordered flow shop models have appeared in the literature since the mid‐1970s and proportionate flow shop models have appeared since the early 1980s. We provide a detailed review of these models along with some analysis and potential topics for future research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013     

鱼雷外形参数化建模平台研究

鱼雷外形建模是鱼雷设计过程中非常重要的一项工作环节.传统的鱼雷外形建模方法仅仅是利用了CAD绘图软件进行手动建模,但是在鱼雷外形初步设计过程阶段,往往需要对设计参数进行多次调整,这就造成了参数一旦调整就要重新建模,既降低了效率,也浪费了大量的人力和时间.采用了基于Java环境开发的参数输入界面,同时与UG/OPEN二次开发技术相结合,完成鱼雷外形参数化建模平台的搭建,开发出了较为简单方便的鱼雷外形参数化建模的方法,大大提高了鱼雷外形建模的效率.     

A gentle occupation: unravelling the Dutch approach in Iraq, 2003–2005

This article examines the so-called ‘Dutch approach’ to conducting stabilisation operations. The term is mostly used in relation to the mission carried out by the Netherlands armed forces in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province from 2006 to 2010, but actually originates in the Iraqi province of Al Muthanna. Here, a 1350-strong battle group operated from July 2003 until March 2005 as part of the US-led coalition, after which the Dutch forces left Iraq relatively unscathed and self-confident of their ability in dealing with this type of conflict. On the basis of archival research and interviews, the authors unravel the ‘Dutch approach’ in southern Iraq by tracing its roots and by examining the Dutch operation in the context of the American and British experiences. They argue that despite predominantly effective tactical reflexes and an overall adequately broad interpretation by battle group commanders of a too narrowly defined political mandate, stability in Al Muthanna was conditions-driven rather than the result of a unique and effective approach. The term ‘Dutch approach’ turned out to be a convenient fabrication which, after the relatively successful mission in Al Muthanna, became increasingly politicised in the run-up to a dangerous new operation in southern Afghanistan.     

Stranglehold: The Context,Conduct and Consequences of an American Naval Blockade of China

The mounting challenge posed by China's military modernization has highlighted the need for the United States to analyze its ability to execute a naval blockade. A blockade strategy is viable, but it would be limited to a narrow context: the United States would have to be engaged in a protracted conflict over vital interests, and it would need the support of key regional powers. The United States would also need to implement a mix between a close and distant blockade in order to avoid imperiling the conflict's strategic context. If enacted, a blockade could exact a ruinous cost on the Chinese economy and state.