Areas Of Disagreement Research Articles

India and Australia: Strategic Maritime Partners in the Indo-Pacific

In this article the author analyses the strategic, security and maritime aspects of cooperation between India and Australia and describes how this relationship is underpinned by growing economic and people to people ties. It addresses a number of important questions including, what are the strategic drivers in the Australia-India Relationship? What are the areas of convergence in the strategic outlooks of the two countries? What are the areas of divergence in the strategic outlooks of the two countries? Why both countries must cooperate within the Regional Security Architecture. What are our doubts and reservations about each other? What common challenges are Australia and India likely to face in the future? How can we develop the Regional Security Architecture for the Indian Ocean region? What is the Evolving Asian Maritime Landscape in the Eastern Indian Ocean? How do we assess the development of India-Australia Defense and Security Ties? How has Civil Nuclear Cooperation consolidated the Strategic Ties between the two countries? What are the prospects for India-Australia Economic and People to People Ties? How does India look at Australia?

The lived experience of major and treatment-resistant depression in England: a mixed-methods study

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, frequently recurrent condition associated with decreased well-being and increased healthcare-related costs. Mixed-methods research provides multiple ways of illustrating the phenomenon to better understand patient experience, including where treatment is not working, referred to here as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). MethodsA mixed-methods study investigated the experiences of people with symptomatic MDD, symptomatic TRD or TRD in remission, surveying 148 adults recruited from English clinical sites to measure symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L/World Health Organisation Brief Assessment of QoL [WHOQOL-BREF]) and work productivity/activity impairment (WPAI:D). Interviews with 26 survey respondents were analysed thematically. Integrated datasets explored areas of convergence and divergence, with concepts mapped against the EQ-5D-5L. ResultsQualitative data explained low WHOQOL-BREF domain scores and the interrelation of psychological, emotional, cognitive and physical difficulties. Tiredness, lack of energy and motivation impacted daily activities, socialising and career goals. Low work performance scores were explained by poor concentration, decision-making and motivation. Participants also described the influence of social support and housing insecurity. Only 19 % of HRQoL qualitative codes mapped to the EQ-5D-5L. Themes dominant in patients with TRD were inability to cope, self-care challenges, dissatisfaction with mental health services and treatment pessimism. LimitationsLimited data collected on people with TRD in remission. ConclusionsThe EQ-5D-5L and WPAI:D likely underestimate how depression impacts the HRQoL and work of people with MDD or TRD. Qualitative data suggest increased distress for people with TRD compared to those with MDD. Clinical management and treatment access decisions should consider the broader impacts of depression and environmental factors affecting the patient's experience.

Why we break the law and relapse: Exploring the societal factor-recidivism nexus among selected inmates in a custodial center

ABSTRACT Despite consistent literature supporting recidivism, data-based studies that explore the societal factor-recidivism nexus are essentially of Western sources, so only little empirical evidence linking the two variables exists in Nigeria. A cross-section of 38 recidivists were recruited using purposive and snowballing techniques. Thematic method was used to analyze the interview data. Different predictive variables were found, showing their areas of convergence and divergence, in recidivism causation. While lower class, poverty, sociocultural exclusion, inequality, discrimination, and stigmatization accounted for the leading causes, unemployment was not acknowledged as a main and/or direct predictor. The problem has severely impacted prison reforms, criminal justice administration, and norm validation that are aimed at (re)socialization of people within and outside the correctional institutions. Conducting in-depth oral interviews with offenders presents diverse practical pathways toward understanding the dynamics of offending and offenders, as well as missing links in the existing policy, research, and practice with a view to strengthening the evidence base and establishing what works in the real world. Gaining firsthand knowledge and insider information from the recidivists themselves will add to the global call for synergy and mutual reinforcement in both State and community-based policing, justice, and corrections for better performance outcomes.

A review of the impairments, preserved visual functions, and neuropathology in 21 patients with visual form agnosia – A unique defect with line drawings

We present a comprehensive review of the rare syndrome visual form agnosia (VFA). We begin by documenting its history, including the origins of the term, and the first case study labelled as VFA. The defining characteristics of the syndrome, as others have previously defined it, are then described. The impairments, preserved aspects of visual perception, and areas of brain damage in 21 patients who meet these defining characteristics are described in detail, including which tests were used to verify the presence or absence of key symptoms. From this, we note important similarities along with notable areas of divergence between patients. Damage to the occipital lobe (20/21), an inability to recognise line drawings (19/21), preserved colour vision (14/21), and visual field defects (16/21) were areas of consistency across most cases. We found it useful to distinguish between shape and form as distinct constructs when examining perceptual abilities in VFA patients. Our observations suggest that these patients often exhibit difficulties in processing simplified versions of form. Deficits in processing orientation and size were uncommon. Motion perception and visual imagery were not widely tested for despite being typically cited as defining features of the syndrome – although in the sample described, motion perception was never found to be a deficit. Moreover, problems with vision (e.g., poor visual acuity and the presence of hemianopias/scotomas in the visual fields) are more common than we would have thought and may also contribute to perceptual impairments in patients with VFA. We conclude that VFA is a perceptual disorder where the visual system has a reduced ability to synthesise lines together for the purposes of making sense of what images represent holistically.

Balancing conservation and welfare in ex situ management of the extinct‐in‐the‐wild sihek: sex‐ and age‐specific causes of mortality and contributions to population growth rate

AbstractEx situ threatened species management has both conservation and welfare objectives and these objectives often align, but can diverge. Areas of agreement can present win‐wins for achieving welfare and conservation objectives, while identifying areas of divergence is important to ensure management strategies achieve balance across objectives. We examined welfare and conservation objectives in the ex situ population of Extinct in the Wild sihek (Guam kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus) by quantifying mortality rates, determining sex‐ and age‐specific causes of mortality and identifying associated welfare domains, as well as quantifying sex‐ and age‐specific differences in reproductive value and contributions to variation in population growth rate (λ). Females had significantly higher mortality rates than males, potentially impacting population viability and suggesting females may be more vulnerable to experiencing lower welfare than males. Mitigating causes of female mortality would therefore present a clear win‐win for both welfare and conservation objectives. Both causes of mortality and contributions to variation in λ were found to differ across sex‐ and age‐classes. In particular, nutritional and metabolic diseases tended to impact younger age‐classes and these age‐classes had large contributions to variation in λ. Mitigation of these diseases could therefore also present a win‐win for welfare and conservation objectives. However, we also identified a potential divergence between objectives: a major cause of female mortality was reproductive disease with older aged females primarily affected, but older aged females contributed little to variation in λ and had low reproductive value. Developing mitigation strategies for reproductive disease could therefore aid welfare objectives but have little benefit for conservation objectives, suggesting careful balancing across objectives is required. Our results highlight the need to explicitly consider conservation and welfare objectives in threatened species management, in particular in the context of an increasing conservation need for ex situ population management, coupled with increasing social concern for animal welfare.

A new analytical framework for Maxent species distribution models unveils complex spatiotemporal suitability patterns for two migratory seedeaters (Aves: Sporophila) of conservation concern

Maxent species distribution models (SDMs) for rare, migratory taxa can be hindered by methodological and analytical issues. To overcome these problems, we developed an analytical framework to build SDMs for key stages of the annual lifecycle of the Marsh Seedeater and the Black-bellied Seedeater, two Neotropical grassland bird species of conservation concern. Occurrence data were compiled from multiple sources and ten environmental variables were used as predictors. We built SDMs with different spatial partitions, feature classes, and regularization multipliers, and devised a procedure to select models with high discrimination ability, low overfitting, statistically significant performance metrics, and high biological realism. From a total of 992 SDMs, 22 fully met the selection criteria for both species. These selected SDMs were equally or less overfit than non-selected ones and were mostly trained with the checkerboard 2 and n − 1 jackknife partitions. For each modeling scenario, we projected and interpreted composite models that emphasized areas of both consensus and divergence across individual predictions, rather than choosing a single model from the set of final SDMs. In the breeding season, areas of highest suitability occurred in restricted, disjunct sectors of the Campos and Pampas grasslands for the Marsh Seedeater and the highland grasslands of southern Brazil for the Black-bellied Seedeater. In the winter, high suitability for the Marsh Seedeater occurred in the western and northern Cerrado and the Pantanal, while in the spring migration, high suitability for the Black-bellied Seedeater was mostly concentrated in the southeastern portion of the Cerrado. The restricted breeding distribution of the Black-bellied Seedeater suggests that its conservation status should be reviewed. Both species shift their climatic niches and track their habitats throughout the year, responding to a few topographic, land-use, and climatic variables that represent different niche components. By addressing major modeling issues in a three-step model selection procedure, we were able to project precise and biologically interpretable SDMs with the level of complexity required for each modeling scenario. Our framework is readily replicable and can be used to unravel intricate spatial suitability patterns of organisms whose distribution undergoes temporal shifts throughout the year.

The nexus between COVID-19 and gender, peace, and security: opportunities and risks for gender planning responses

ABSTRACT This article presents a textual analysis of areas of convergence and divergence between the United Nations (UN) Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19 and the six National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) of the Arab States region. The article contributes to debates on the centering or sidelining of gender analysis and planning in crisis response to the nexus between COVID-19 and gender, peace, and security. Gender and gender planning inform the textual analysis, which shows that there are significant areas of overlap between the UN COVID-19 Framework and the NAPs. Divergences, such as the greater emphasis on economic recovery in the UN COVID-19 Framework, expose the gaps in engagement with the socio-economic and subsistence harms in the WPS agenda. Given the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and the expectation of future novel outbreaks, the article provides evidence that rather than sidelining gender in times of crisis, existing tools such as NAPs should be centered in planning responses.

Recognizing limits on the generalizability of findings of psychological science research.

The five commentaries on the target article "Generalizations: The Grail and the Gremlins" (Bauer, 2023) provide food for thought on the issue of generalizations in psychological science. Generally speaking, there seems to be agreement in the field that unrecognized limits on the generalizability of the findings of psychological science research are a matter of serious concern. This reply to the commentaries features elaboration of this basic point of agreement as well as discussion of other points of convergence with the arguments in the target article. The reply also addresses areas of divergence between the target article and the commentaries, and among the commentaries themselves. The reply develops suggestions for ways forward inspired by the commentaries. Echoing the target article, the reply calls for greater authenticity in psychological science research, movement toward which would strengthen efforts along the full range of inquiry, from basic to applied.

Revision of ASCE 8 - Design of cold-formed stainless steel structural members

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Stainless Steel Structural Members was last updated in 2002 and significant advancements in research knowledge and companion design standards have occurred in the intervening 20 years. A dedicated group of volunteers re-formed the ASCE 8 specification committee and over the course of four years completely revamped the standard. The new version, ASCE 8–22, still parallels the cold-formed carbon steel standard AISI S100, and has improved and simplified design expressions for members and connections. Both the Continuous Strength Method and the Direct Strength Method are provided in ASCE 8–22, along with traditional effective width design approaches. The standard provides a robust set of provisions for slender austenitic, ferritic, and duplex cold-formed stainless steel structural members and their connections. This paper overviews major changes in the ASCE 8–22 standard highlighting areas of divergence from carbon cold-formed steel (AISI S100) and from stainless structural steel (AISC 370–21).

Unsilencing the Echoes of Historical Trauma: A Comparative Analysis

Indigenous communities in North America have distinct colonial histories with their own story of how their ancestors were able to survive the mass effort to take their land, resources, language, culture, and sometimes even their lives. These stories have been passed down orally and through the DNA of the descendants of survivors via epigenetics. The Historical Loss Scale (HLS) and Historical Loss Associated Symptoms Scale (HLASS) are two validated scales that measure historical trauma among Native Americans. However, as different Indigenous communities have different colonial histories, it is critical to ensure that tools used to measure historical trauma are valid for that specific communities. When these scales are applied to Native Hawaiians, these measures may not provide an accurate picture of the historical trauma experienced by Native Hawaiians. As part of the effort to adapt the HLS for Native Hawaiians, we conducted a crosswalk analysis of the HLS and HLASS with a recent study on Native Hawaiian historical trauma (NHHT) to identify areas of overlap and divergence. We found that while there was significant overlap, several areas of divergence emerged likely stemming from the unique colonial histories of different Indigenous communities.

Integrating Management and Operations of Rapid Response Teams and Emergency Medical Teams Programs Globally

Introduction:Health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, strain health systems and emergency response mechanisms. Identifying critical points during the response cycle where the emergency workforce and operational capacity can be improved can help break the protracted nature of responses. Global health emergency workforce, or health emergency and alert response teams such as multidisciplinary Public Health Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), play critical roles in response to public health emergencies.The project aims to explore and understand how countries manage and operationalize their RRT and EMT programs. With anecdotal evidence of countries integrating the two historically disparate groups, we propose to examine how countries are jointly or separately addressing legal frameworks and policies; management practices, reporting processes and protocols, training, as well as program operations and standards.Method:Through existing global partnerships and networks, a convenience sample of national focal points responsible for the management of their RRT and EMT program are sent an online survey followed by participating in a one-on-one interview, and descriptive and thematic analyses.Results:Sixteen countries representing all six World Health Organization regions with both RRT and EMT programs have been selected for engagement.Conclusion:Factors contributing to/or against countries’ integration of RRT and EMT programs will be identified. Areas of divergence or synergy of plans and standard operating procedures will be mapped. Recommendations for strengthening global health emergency alert and response teams will be generated.

Assessing the Impact of Audit Quality on Accountability and Transparency among Financial Institutions in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of audit quality on accountability and transparency among financial institutions in the United States. By synthesizing empirical evidence from relevant literature, the study aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between audit quality and financial reporting practices in the banking and financial sector. This research not only evaluated the effectiveness of current auditing standards but also offers valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders seeking to enhance the overall quality and trustworthiness of financial reporting. The review methodology involved a rigorous selection process to identify and analyze relevant studies that have investigated the relationship between audit quality, accountability, and transparency in financial institutions. By aggregating the findings of these studies, the study conduct a meta-analysis to identify trends, patterns, and areas of consensus or divergence. This approach enabled the researcher to assess the strength and generalizability of the evidence, as well as highlight potential gaps in the literature. The findings of the study revealed a significant positive association between audit quality and the level of accountability and transparency in financial institutions. Enhanced audit quality leads to more accurate financial reporting, which in turn strengthens the trust of stakeholders in the financial sector. The meta-analysis also identified the effectiveness of a risk-based audit approach, the importance of auditor independence, and the need for greater regulatory oversight in fostering higher-quality audits. Furthermore, study observed a positive relationship between transparency in the auditing process and stakeholder trust, underscoring the importance of robust disclosure requirements. The study concludes by providing recommendations for improving audit quality, promoting transparency, and strengthening accountability among financial institutions in the United States. Keywords: Audit quality, accountability, financial transparency, financial growth

Points of entry dynamics: understanding the cross-border threats for Ebola virus disease and COVID-19 in Ghana using a logic model approach.

The influx of people across the national borders of Ghana has been of interest and concern in the public health and national security community in recent times due to the low capacity for the prevention and management of epidemics and other public health risks. Although the international health regulations (IHR) stipulate core public health capacities for designated border facilities such as international airports, seaports, and ground crossings, contextual factors that influence the attainment of effective public health measures and response capabilities remain understudied. This study aims to assess the relationship between contextual factors and COVID-19 procurement to help strengthen infrastructure resources for points of entry (PoE) public health surveillance functions, thereby eliminating gaps in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of pandemic-related interventions in Ghana. This study employed a mixed-methods design, where quantitative variables were examined for relationships and effect size interactions using multiple linear regression techniques and the wild bootstrap technique. Country-level data was sourced from multiple publicly available sources using the social-ecological framework, logic model, and IHR capacity monitoring framework. The qualitative portion included triangulation with an expert panel to determine areas of convergence and divergence. The most general findings were that laboratory capacity and Kotoka International Airport testing center positively predicted COVID-19 procurement, and public health response and airline boarding rule negatively predicted COVID-19 procurement. Contextual understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola epidemic is vital for strengthening PoE mitigation measures and preventing disease importation.

Is Africa China’s neo-dependency in the making?

The rise of China as a new great power and the evolving patterns of Sino–African relations have generated different interpretations of the ambitions of China in Africa and the consequences for the continent. In this article, we outline the dominant trends in China’s activities in Africa in the last 25 years and compare them with those of Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We do so, first, in order to identify and highlight the areas of convergence and divergence between the two. We then infer from the analysis the outcome of Sino–African interactions. But we begin with an exploration of aspects of the scholarship of Africa’s great conceptualiser, Ali Mazrui, that focus on Africa and the West, in order to adapt some of his conceptual categories to gain comparative insights into the changes and continuities in, on the one hand, China’s emerging system of empire, or neo-dependency, in Africa, and, on the other hand, Europe’s colonial empires.

Stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of lynx Lynx lynx reintroduction in Scotland

Abstract Conservation translocations are complex and challenging, but are frequently employed to tackle biodiversity decline. Large predator translocations can be particularly emotive and contentious, in part because they present actual or perceived risks to the safety and livelihoods of people. Understanding the social feasibility of conservation translocations is imperative, and provides opportunities to identify and address these risks. In Britain, the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx is the most frequently raised prospect for large carnivore reintroduction. We used Q‐Methodology to explore stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of lynx reintroduction to Scotland. We identified five perspectives: Lynx for Change was supportive of lynx reintroduction, feeling that lynx could facilitate ecosystem restoration. Lynx for Economy was also supportive, anticipating economic benefits to local communities. No to Lynx was strongly opposed, perceiving that humans were fulfilling the roles of absent large carnivores. Scotland is not Ready supported the conversation but perceived prohibitive socio‐ecological barriers. We are not Convinced was not satisfied that an adequate case for biodiversity gain had been made, but was open to further exploration of the potential. There were important areas of divergence among the perspectives over the potential impacts on sheep farming and the degree to which environments should be managed by people or encouraged to self‐regulate. There was a consensus on a lack of trust between stakeholder groups, which was primarily rooted in participants' experiences of previous wildlife reintroductions and the contemporary management of recovering predators. However, there was also consensus that, should lynx reintroduction continue to be explored, a participatory, cross‐sectoral approach could address these trust issues, help manage existing and emergent conflicts, and build knowledge collaboratively. We provide a foundation for future dialogue between stakeholders over the prospective reintroduction of the lynx to Scotland and recommend a stakeholder‐focused participatory process as the next step. Our findings have wider relevance for wildlife reintroductions, species recovery and conservation conflicts elsewhere. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

With a little help from China: the Trump administration and the reinvigoration of the Quad

This article examines the reasons underlying the re-emergence of the Quad in 2017 and the areas of convergence and divergence between U.S. and Indian views of it especially during the Trump administration. While doing so, it makes the following arguments. First, the current iteration of the Quad emerged because of changing threat perception regarding China among all four Quad countries. Second, President Trump’s hard line, bordering on adversarial, position vis-à-vis China was positively received by other members of the Quad and encouraged them to shed their inhibitions. In addition, Trump’s delegative style of leadership on the Quad allowed senior and mid-level officials to creatively engage with the other powers. Third, all this notwithstanding, there were still significant divergences, stemming from strategic and diplomatic worldviews, between the perspectives of the Quad countries on the future direction and purpose of the grouping. Put another way, the Quad will always be a work in progress because of the divergences between its member states and its inherently flexible design. The article concludes by analysing the prospects for the Quad.

Introduction

ABSTRACT Did India-US relations strengthen under Trump? Was there greater political, diplomatic, strategic, and defense cooperation between the two largest democracies in the world under the Trump administration? Was there increasing convergence or divergence at the bilateral and multilateral level, in relations with third countries, and in the realm of regional security and geopolitics? This special issue answers these questions and highlights that answers are not straight forward, but more nuanced than one might expect. Contributors reach the following conclusions. First, bilateral ties received a significant boost in the Modi-Trump era because of the camaraderie between the two leaders and shared apprehensions about China’s rise and aggressive foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. Second, despite the burgeoning partnership between the two countries, there were areas of both convergence and divergence between the two countries under the Trump administration regarding democracy, trade and commerce, the UN, multilateralism and global governance, and climate change, relations with third countries including China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, and in the realm of regional security and geopolitics in the context of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). Third, the Trump administration, especially President Trump, played a significant role in mitigating or exacerbating the convergence/divergence in almost all the issue areas.

Mapping and review of self-neglect policies and procedures from safeguarding adults boards in England

PurposeLocal Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) policies, procedures, guidance and related documents on self-neglect were gathered and analysed, to map what approaches are being taken across England. This paper aims to identify areas of divergence to highlight innovations or challenges faced by SABs.Design/methodology/approachSelf-neglect documents were identified by searching SAB websites. Data were extracted into a framework enabling synthesis and comparison between documents.FindingsThis paper reports on how English SAB documentation defines self-neglect, treats executive capacity, lays out pathways for self-neglect cases, advises on refusal of service input and multi-agency coordination and draws on theories or tools. Greater coherence in understanding self-neglect has developed since it was brought within safeguarding in 2014; however, variation remains regarding scope, referral pathways and threshold criteria.Research limitations/implicationsThis review was limited to published SAB documentation at one point in time and could not consider either the wider context of safeguarding guidance and training or implementation in practice.Practical implicationsThis review provides an overview of how SABs are interpreting national guidance and guiding practitioners. The trends and areas of uncertainty identified offer a resource for informed research and policy-making.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first systematic survey of SAB self-neglect policies, procedures and guidance since self-neglect was included under safeguarding.

A Contrastive Analysis of Word Formation Processes in French and Yorùbá: Areas of Convergence and Divergence

The paper attempts to find answers to the following questions: are there areas of convergence/divergence in the word formation processes in French and Yorùbá? In what areas are the convergence and divergence? And if there is divergence, does it possess any learning difficulty for Yorùbá learners of the French language? To answer the questions, the paper ventures into the contrastive analysis of word formation processes in French and Yorùbá. Adopting the literary and historical-analytic methods, it takes a close at the various processes of word formation in both languages and points out areas of convergence and divergence. The paper further analyses the import of divergence regarding the mastery of the word formation process in French by the Yorùbá French learners and concludes by offering some didactic approaches that could make the wordformation process in French easier for the Yorùbá learners of the French language.

Just what is data-driven campaigning? A systematic review

ABSTRACT Discussions of data-driven campaigning have gained increased prominence in recent years. Often associated with the practices of Cambridge Analytica and linked to debates about the health of modern democracy, scholars have devoted considerable attention to the rise of data-driven politics. However, most studies to date have focused solely on practice in the US, and few scholars have made efforts to define the precise meaning of ‘data-driven campaigning’. With growing recognition that data-driven campaigning can take different forms dependent on context and available resource, new questions have emerged as to exactly what features are indicative of this phenomena. In this piece we systematically review existing discussions of data-driven campaigning to unpack the components of this idea. Identifying areas of convergence and divergence in existing discussions of ‘data’, ‘driven’, and ‘campaigning’, we classify existing debate to highlight integral features and variable practices. This article accordingly provides the first comprehensive definition of data-driven campaigning, and aims to facilitate international study of this activity.