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A Multiperspectival Approach to Democratic Theory:Five Lessons for Democratic Innovations
No full textDeliberative democratic theory and the practice of deliberative minipublics currently hold a dominant position within the study of democratic innovations. This one-dimensional view inhibits learning from other perspectives in democratic theory. Responding to the post-model debate in democratic theory, the article argues for a multiperspectival approach that combines the normative grounding provided by models with diversity and innovation. Through the multiperspectival approach, the article presents five lessons for democratic innovations. By engaging with conceptions of democratic space in participatory, deliberative, agonistic, feminist, and transformative democratic theory, it argues that democratic innovations need to be (1) grounded, (2) connected, (3) agonised, (4) embodied, and (5) politicised. Drawing on empirical studies, it translates these five lessons into concrete recommendations for designers of democratic innovations
Innovations in X-ray tube design and instrumentation for conventional radiological applications:a scoping review
No full textThis scoping review explores the advancements in diagnostic X-ray tube technology and instrumentation for radiological applications over the past decade. A PRISMA-ScR-guided search strategy was employed across three electronic databases, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. The search criteria included the beam-shaping capability, beam quality characteristics, and radiation dose analysis reported in studies on novel X-ray tube designs for operation at diagnostic ionizing X-ray beam energies. Data extraction followed a comprehensive process aligned with PRISMA-ScR. The initial search identified 4,563 studies, 80 of which were selected for full-text assessment. The reviewed literature focuses on the advancements in conventional radiography, computed tomography, and mammography. The key areas of investigation included the development of multisource X-ray systems, optimization of focal spot characteristics, and enhancement of the beam quality through advanced filtration techniques. These advancements contribute to improved imaging performance, reduced patient radiation exposure, and enhanced diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.</p
Indigenous Ontology and International Law
No full textThis chapter examines the ontological foundations of international law and their impact on Indigenous peoples, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. It argues that international law’s concepts of sovereignty, civilization, nature, and rights are grounded in a distinctly Western, modernist ontology that has been used to justify colonialism and environmental exploitation. This ontological framework contrasts with many Indigenous ontologies, which tend to emphasize relationality, reciprocity, and obligations to Country. The chapter explores how this ontological clash has aected Indigenous peoples through the imposition of international law norms in domestic legal systems. It then considers how Indigenous peoples are actively challenging and reshaping international law’s ontological foundations through interventions in both international and domestic forums. Key examples include the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the successful human rights communication regarding climate change made by Indigenous claimants from the Torres Strait Islands, and recent Australian jurisprudence recognizing Indigenous ontologies. By unsettling international law’s foundational concepts, these Indigenous legal interventions open up possibilities for ontological and legal pluralism. The chapter argues that such pluralism is necessary to address the global environmental crisis and achieve social and ecological justice. It concludes that embracing Indigenous wisdom and ontologies in international and domestic law could transform our collective response to planetary challenges
Paying for elections every three years is worth it
No full textThere’s an old joke about divorces. Do you know why they’re so expensive? Because they’re worth it. Elections are no different. Mr Albanese wants four-year fixed terms. Apparently, Mr Dutton used to want four-year terms but then he didn’t, and now he does again. Four-year terms might make their job easier. It might also save us some 3 billion each year to make our politicians work harder for us
This week’s federal budget will focus on cost-of-living measures – and a more uncertain global economy
No full textWe can’t afford Albo’s phoney election campaign
Get PDFFrom the National Press Club: Australia is in a phoney election campaign. We’re in that period where we know an election must be held by May 17 at the latest, but no election has been announced. The last day for the government to announce the election is April 14. The government must then enter caretaker mode and cannot make any major decisions. In my opinion, the Albanese government is deliberately using its position to campaign at public expense in the meantime
Traditional practices versus modern healthcare:Determinants of traditional medicine use after potential dog bites among dog-owning households in Nigeria
No full textCanine rabies is endemic in Nigeria, with a low dog vaccination rate. Often, dog bite victims resort to traditional remedies, which can lead to fatalities. Our study investigated factors influencing decisions to seek traditional remedies in Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2022 involving 4,162 dog-owning households. A joint random effect Bayesian regression model was developed to examine the role of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and infrastructural covariates. This model included a latent variable measuring a respondent's understanding of rabies risk based on literacy levels and responses to questions about rabies epidemiology. Our results indicated that 27% (95% Confidence Interval [Cl); 26-27) of respondents would preferably seek traditional remedies following a dog bite. Male respondents were 24% more likely than female respondents to seek traditional remedies (odds ratio [OR]: 1.24; 95%, Credible Interval CrI): 1.07-1.31). Similarly, individuals residing in rural areas reported 55% higher likelihood of using traditional remedies than those in urban areas (OR: 1.55; 95% CrI: 1.43-1.67). Respondents residing in areas with no veterinary services reported 35% higher likelihood of using traditional remedies than those near such facilities (OR: 1.35; 95% CrI: 1.15-1.42). Children under 16 years reported 27% lower likelihood of using traditional remedies than adults (OR: 0.73; 95% CrI: 0.49-0.84). Private or unemployed individuals were more likely to seek traditional remedies than civil servants (OR: 1.99; 95% Crl: 1.53-2.37). Respondents with tertiary education reported 42% lower likelihood of using traditional remedies than those without formal education (OR: 0.58; 95% CrI: 0.49-0.62). Our latent variable representing understanding of rabies risk was negatively associated with the probability of seeking traditional remedies (OR: 0.67; 95% CrI: 0.54-0.73). Lastly, poverty was negatively associated with the likelihood of seeking traditional remedies (OR: 0.78; 95% CrI: 0.66-0.82). Our findings provide important insights into healthcare behaviour decisions and their possible associations with rabies outcomes in Nigeria. These results highlight the need to improve public education, enhance access to medical care, and involve traditional healers in rabies prevention and control programs.</p
Diagnostic analytics for the mixed Poisson INGARCH model with applications
No full textIn statistical diagnosis and sensitivity analysis, the local influence method plays a crucial role and is sometimes more advantageous than other methods. The mixed Poisson integer-valued generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (INGARCH) model is built on a flexible family of mixed Poisson distributions. It not only encompasses the negative binomial INGARCH model but also allows for the introduction of the Poisson-inverse Gaussian INGARCH model and the Poisson generalized hyperbolic secant INGARCH model. This paper applies the local influence analysis method to count time series data within the framework of the mixed Poisson INGARCH model. For parameter estimation, the Expectation-Maximization algorithm is utilized. In the context of local influence analysis, two global influence methods (generalized Cook distance and Q-distance) and four perturbations–case weights perturbation, data perturbation, additive perturbation, and scale perturbation–are considered to identify influential points. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods are demonstrated through simulations and analysis of a real data set.</p
Albo and Dutton debate was a complete farce
No full textCentral to our two-party liberal democracy is political debate. Our system allows for peaceful revolutions at the ballot box. It requires our political leaders to fight so that we don’t have to. The current debate format that brings voters into the equation is a complete cop-out. It sucks. Instead of our leaders debating each other, they have to be nice to the voters participating in the debate show. The contemporary political debate format where voters get to ask questions in the middle of the debate sucks. It is not good for our democracy