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Are Legal Systems Converging or Diverging? Lessons from Contemporary Crises
No full textThis edited volume investigates legal convergence. It takes an international and thematical approach where chapters focus on how selected legal areas in selected jurisdictions have responded to contemporary crises. The volume aims to provide some insights as to whether national legal systems are indeed truly converging or whether globalisation and integration have come to a halt and the world is witnessing a phenomenon of disintegration. The volume relies on two important real-word phenomena: globalisation and crises. These developments have challenged countries’ legal systems and prompted some institutional responses to tackle perceived shortcomings in specific legal fields. Although many countries around the world have, in the last twenty years, reformed their domestic systems, these efforts have been underscored by a host of events such as, inter alia, the financial crisis of 2007, the refugee crisis in Europe, Brexit in 2016 and Covid-19 in 2019. This book therefore investigates whether policy and legal responses from Russia and Chile to Germany and Japan, have re-created features of other legal systems (convergence) or rather, have departed from existing legal norms and policies (divergence). Studies in convergence or divergence have usually adopted: (i) a purely thematical approach, i.e. comparatively studying whether one area of law is converging across countries; (ii) a common law versus civil law dichotomy; (iii) a purely theoretical or historical perspective; (iv) a focus on international entities (especially the EU); (v) an interdisciplinary approach, usually mixing law, political sciences and/or economics; or (vi) a focus on the evolution of an area of law following a specific crisis. The originality of our proposed edited volume lies in:(i)its truly global nature, with chapters and authors surveying jurisdictions in Africa, America, South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania; (ii)its breath of legal areas, with a mix of private law areas and public law areas; and (iii)its focus on the evolution of these fields following varied domestic and international contemporary crises
Modelling the drivers of data science techniques for real estate professionals in the fourth industrial revolution era
Get PDFPurposeThe study aims to develop a model that supports the application of data science techniques for real estate professionals in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) era. The present 4IR era gave birth to big data sets and is beyond real estate professionals' analysis techniques. This has led to a situation where most real estate professionals rely on their intuition while neglecting a rigorous analysis for real estate investment appraisals. The heavy reliance on their intuition has been responsible for the under-performance of real estate investment, especially in Africa.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilised a survey questionnaire to randomly source data from real estate professionals. The questionnaire was analysed using a combination of Statistical package for social science (SPSS) V24 and Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS) graphics V27 software. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to break down the variables (drivers) into meaningful dimensions helpful in developing the conceptual framework. The framework was validated using covariance-based structural equation modelling. The model was validated using fit indices like discriminant validity, standardised root mean square (SRMR), comparative fit index (CFI), Normed Fit Index (NFI), etc.FindingsThe model revealed that an inclusive educational system, decentralised real estate market and data management system are the major drivers for applying data science techniques to real estate professionals. Also, real estate professionals' application of the drivers will guarantee an effective data analysis of real estate investments.Originality/valueNumerous studies have clamoured for adopting data science techniques for real estate professionals. There is a lack of studies on the drivers that will guarantee the successful adoption of data science techniques. A modern form of data analysis for real estate professionals was also proposed in the study
Investigating Cultural and Structural Influences on Optimising Engineer-to-Order Project Delivery and Sustainability
Get PDFSeveral culture theories, which explain the formation, embedment, and propagation of organisational culture, suggest that certain organisational culture practices of an executing organisation may enable sustainable outcomes in project manufacturing. However, practices that support sustainability may not support project delivery, and vice versa. We explore the effects of organisational culture practices and structural complexity on the ability of manufacturing projects to optimise both sustainability and project delivery. We use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to calculate a sustainability-delivery quotient – a measure of each organisation’s ability to optimise both sustainability and project delivery outcomes – for 186 projects conducted in the UK. By conducting generalised linear modelling and censored regression of the sustainability-delivery quotient, we estimate the effects of the GLOBE organisational culture dimensions, principal components of culture dimensions, and project structural complexity indicators. Results indicate a noteworthy gap between the delivery of projects and their sustainability performance, which is worse. Both institutional and in-group collectivism may support the optimisation of each. However, neither the principal components of culture dimensions nor structural complexity indicators are likely to be significant. We discuss the managerial implications
Hearing loss and cognition: A protocol for ensuring speech understanding before neurocognitive assessment
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Many neurocognitive evaluations involve auditory stimuli, yet there are no standard testing guidelines for individuals with hearing loss. The ensuring speech understanding (ESU) test was developed to confirm speech understanding and determine whether hearing accommodations are necessary for neurocognitive testing. METHODS: Hearing was assessed using audiometry. The probability of ESU test failure by hearing status was estimated in 2679 participants (mean age: 81.4 ± 4.6 years) using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 2.2% (N = 58) of participants failed the ESU test. The probability of failure increased with hearing loss severity; similar results were observed for those with and without mild cognitive impairment or dementia. DISCUSSION: The ESU test is appropriate for individuals who have variable degrees of hearing loss and cognitive function. This test can be used prior to neurocognitive testing to help reduce the risk of hearing loss and compromised auditory access to speech stimuli causing poorer performance on neurocognitive evaluation
The critical role of affect regulation accounting for increased general distress, risk to self, and lower quality of life in females with EUPD and CPTSD, compared to EUPD alone
Get PDFBackground: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) have shared aetiology and symptomatology, and are associated with multiple comorbidities and poor clinical outcomes. Evidence from studies with clinical populations indicates high levels of morbidity between the two diagnoses. Yet, the cumulative impact of coexisting CPTSD and EUPD diagnoses on levels of general distress, risk, quality of life and resulting treatment needs have not been explored. Accordingly, our understanding of the impact of experiencing both disorders and the relationship between coexisting trauma responses, and associated treatment needs remains limited.Methodology: Using a convenience sample of 47 women admitted to a specialised DBT inpatient service, associations between general distress, risk, quality of life and diagnostic status were explored.Results: Women with comorbid EUPD and CPTSD reported significantly higher levels of general distress and risk to self, and significantly lower quality of life compared to women with EUPD alone. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, when exploring the isolated effect of each symptom cluster, only affective dysregulation remained a significant predictor of distress, risk to self, and quality of life (all p<.05).Conclusions: Although our results require further replication, the current study indicates that the experience of comorbid EUPD and CPTSD is impactful. Affect regulation may play a critical role in explaining comorbidity between EUPD and CPTSD. Accordingly, the current findings offer novel insights into the relationship between the two diagnoses, with clinical and theoretical consequences explored
Carbon price and firm greenhouse gas emissions
Get PDFDrawing on the recent enthusiasm in the carbon markets, I examine the impact of carbon prices on firm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using a sample of 1591 firms from 23 European countries, I demonstrate that an increase in carbon price decreases corporate GHG. At hypothesized higher carbon pricing levels, I document that the effect of pricing on corporate GHG emissions is negative. The negative impact of high carbon prices manifests in other harmful gases such as sulphur and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In evaluating how the various phases of the EU emission trading scheme have affected firm greenhouse gas emissions, I show that the negative effect of pricing became pronounced in Phase 3 of the EU ETS. The findings from this study are robust to alternative econometric specifications and further sample selection criteria
Online information for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) survivors and their families: a systematic appraisal of content and quality of websites
Get PDFBackgroundSpontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) survivors often seek information online. However, the quality and content of websites for SCAD survivors is uncertain. This review aimed to systematically identify and appraise websites for SCAD survivors. Methods A systematic review approach was adapted for websites. A comprehensive search of SCAD key-phrases was performed using an internet search engine during January 2023. Websites targeting SCAD survivors were included. Websites were appraised for quality using Quality Component Scoring System (QCSS) and Health Related Website Evaluation Form (HRWEF), suitability using the Suitability Assessment Method (SAM), readability using a readability generator, and interactivity. Content was appraised using a tool based on SCAD international consensus literature. Raw scores from tools were concerted to percentages, then classified variably as excellent through to poor.ResultsA total of 50 websites were identified and included from 600 screened. Overall, content accuracy/scope (53.323.3) and interactivity (67.111.5) were poor, quality was fair (59.122.3, QCSS) and average (83.15.8, HRWEF) and suitability was adequate (54.913.8, SAM). The mean readability grade was 11.6 (2.3), far exceeding the recommendations of 8. By website type, survivor affiliated and medically peer-reviewed health information websites scored highest. Appraisal tools had limitations, such as overlapping appraisal of similar things and less relevant items due to internet modernity.ConclusionMany online websites are available for SCAD survivors, but often have limited and/or inaccurate content, poor quality, are not tailored to the demographic, and are difficult to read. Appraisal tools for health website require consolidation and further development
DenMerD: a feature enhanced approach to radar beam blockage correction with edge-cloud computing
Get PDFIn the field of meteorology, the global radar network is indispensable for detecting weather phenomena and offering early warning services. Nevertheless, radar data frequently exhibit anomalies, including gaps and clutter, arising from atmospheric refraction, equipment malfunctions, and other factors, resulting in diminished data quality. Traditional radar blockage correction methods, such as employing approximate radial information interpolation and supplementing missing data, often fail to effectively exploit potential patterns in massive radar data, for the large volume of data precludes a thorough analysis and understanding of the inherent complex patterns and dependencies through simple interpolation or supplementation techniques. Fortunately, edge computing possesses certain data processing capabilities and cloud center boasts substantial computational power, which together can collaboratively offer timely computation and storage for the correction of radar beam blockage. To this end, an edge-cloud collaborative driven deep learning model named DenMerD is proposed in this paper, which includes dense connection module and merge distribution (MD) unit. Compared to existing models such as RC-FCN, DenseNet, and VGG, this model greatly improves key performance metrics, with 30.7% improvement in Critical Success Index (CSI), 30.1% improvement in Probability of Detection (POD), and 3.1% improvement in False Alarm Rate (FAR). It also performs well in the Structure Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) metrics compared to its counterparts. These findings underscore the efficacy of the design in improving feature propagation and beam blockage accuracy, and also highlights the potential and value of mobile edge computing in processing large-scale meteorological data
The effect of a web-based intervention on perinatal emotional wellbeing and coping: A nested case-control study
Get PDFUtilization of a Genetic Algorithm to Identify Optimal Geometric Shapes for a Seismic Protective Barrier
Get PDFThe utilization of seismic barriers for protection against the hazardous impact of natural or technogenic waves is an extremely promising emerging technology to secure buildings, structures and entire areas against earthquake-generated seismic waves, high-speed-transport-induced vibrations, etc. The current research is targeted at studying the effect of seismic-barrier shape on the reduction of seismic-wave magnitudes within the protected region. The analytical solution of Lamb’s problem was used to verify the adopted numerical approach. It was demonstrated that the addition of complementary geometric features to a simple barrier shape provides the possibility of significantly increasing the resulting seismic protection. A simple genetic algorithm was employed to evaluate the nontrivial but extremely effective geometry of the seismic barrier. The developed approach can be used in various problems requiring optimization of non-parameterizable geometric shapes. The applicability of genetic algorithms and other generative algorithms to discover optimal (or close to optimal) geometric configurations for the essentially multiscale problems of the interaction of mechanical waves with inclusions is discussed
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