Complex Intersection Research Articles

Navigating the Complex Intersection of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review.

The co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric conditions, often referred to as comorbidity or concurrent disorders, presents intricate challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. This comprehensive narrative review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing evidence surrounding the management of individuals with comorbid SUDs and psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in these domains carries profound implications for clinical practice, research, and policymaking, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics that arise when these conditions coexist. This review explores recent research findings, evidence-based guidelines, and emerging trends within the field, offering valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex terrain of comorbidity in substance use and psychiatric disorders.

Immersive Realities: A Comprehensive Guide from Virtual Reality to Metaverse

This comprehensive literature review explores the diverse landscape of immersive realities, offering a thorough examination of key technologies from Virtual Reality (VR) to the emerging and innovative concept of the Metaverse. The article concentrates the nuances of Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), providing an in-depth understanding of their individual functionalities, applications, and evolving interplay. The paper also mentions about wearable technologies which play key role in the realization of these immersive realities. The article begins by explaining the fundamental principles of each immersive reality, tracing their technological evolution and highlighting distinctive features that define their user experiences. It then navigates through the complex intersections and synergies between these immersive technologies, shedding light on how they collectively contribute to shaping the future of digital interaction. The paper unfolds how the journey of immersive realities lead to the Metaverse which is relatively a novel paradigm that transcends individual immersive realities, creating a unified, interconnected digital space. The exploration of the Metaverse encompasses its conceptual foundations, potential societal impacts, and the fusion of various immersive technologies within this evolving ecosystem. With an inclusive approach, this paper caters to both novices and seasoned professionals in the field, offering insights into the practical applications associated with different immersive realities. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of these technologies, the paper aims to empower readers to navigate and contribute to the dynamic landscape of immersive realities.

The Complexity of the Intersectionality of Domestic and International Non-Governmental Peacebuilding Organisations in South Sudan

As peace operations and peacebuilding develop, recent discussions have centred on the growth of peacebuilding literature on inclusivity, bottom-up and local approaches. Given that a substantial number of peacebuilding is conducted by Non-governmental organisations, which occupy a middle level to governments and community levels, the paper unpacks the complexity of the interaction of the international and domestic middle-level organisations. The paper presents a case study of South Sudan’s experience, which proves difficult to operationalize the critical inclusivity debates in their operations. The article argues that although there is more participation of local organizations in peacebuilding, the internal and external organizations are still riddled with complex intersections that still maintain the liberal (international) order of peace constituted by a specific form of external governance.

Predicting Autonomous Driving Behavior through Human Factor Considerations in Safety-Critical Events

This paper investigates the ability of autonomous driving systems to predict outcomes by considering human factors like gender, age, and driving experience, particularly in the context of safety-critical events. The primary objective is to equip autonomous vehicles with the capacity to make plausible deductions, handle conflicting data, and adjust their responses in real-time during safety-critical situations. A foundational dataset, which encompasses various driving scenarios such as lane changes, merging, and navigating complex intersections, is employed to enable vehicles to exhibit appropriate behavior and make sound decisions in critical safety events. The deep learning model incorporates personalized cognitive agents for each driver, considering their distinct preferences, characteristics, and requirements. This personalized approach aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of autonomous driving, contributing to the ongoing development of intelligent transportation systems. The efforts made contribute to advancements in safety, efficiency, and overall performance within autonomous driving systems. To describe the causal relationship between external factors like weather conditions and human factors, and safety-critical driver behaviors, various data mining techniques can be applied. One commonly used method is regression analysis. Additionally, correlation analysis is employed to reveal relationships between different factors, helping to identify the strength and direction of their impact on safety-critical driver behavior.

The ‘Mascara Boys’: Performance, Subversion, and the New Pakistani Masculinity

This study offers an exploration into the performative expressions of gender and masculinity by the "Mascara Boys" in Pakistan. Situating the research within the frameworks of performativity theory and hybrid masculinities, the study investigates how these individuals subvert and challenge established masculinity norms through the strategic use of Instagram as a transgressive digital space. The findings reveal a multifaceted landscape where digital platforms act as both a stage and a catalyst for conversations on gender diversity, both within Pakistan and transnationally. The Mascara Boys emerge as agents of change who navigate complex intersections of socio-cultural expectations to embody a form of hybrid masculinity that is both locally informed and globally resonant. Through their intentional acts, they not only disturb entrenched heteropatriarchal structures but also contribute to a richer, more complex understanding of masculinity. The study concludes that their emergence as practitioners of hybrid masculinity within the Pakistani context signals a significant paradigm shift, urging a re-evaluation of normative gender roles and paving the way for a more inclusive discourse on gender diversity in Pakistan.

Predictors of Adolescent Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Victimization: Patterns of Intersectional Social Positions in a Statewide, School-based Sample.

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a substantial public health issue faced by youth, with disparities along lines of race, gender, and sexual orientation. Using an intersectional framework, the current study describes the prevalence of self-reported IPSV victimization across intersecting social positions among adolescents. High school students who completed the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey were asked whether they had ever experienced IPSV. Using exhaustive Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection (eCHAID), responses were modeled using five indicators: racial/ethnic identity, transgender/genderqueer/genderfluid identity, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, and school location. The prevalence of IPSV victimization within each end group identified by the eCHAID varied from 2.6% to 32.0%. The highest prevalence of IPSV among all students was observed in subgroups defined by multiple marginalized social positions; for example, 32.0% among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or questioning (LGBQ+) students of color who were transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid or unsure of their gender, and assigned male at birth; 22.8% among LGBQ+ students assigned female at birth and enrolled in a Greater Minnesota (outside of the Twin Cities) school; and 22.2% among Native+ or missing race LGBQ+ students assigned female at birth and enrolled in a metropolitan school. Within the eCHAID decision tree, several subsamples of students were split into two more subsamples with a twofold or greater statistically significant difference in IPSV victimization prevalence between them. Findings from this study highlight notable disparities in the prevalence of IPSV victimization among Minnesota youth and demonstrate the importance of detailing the distribution of interpersonal violence outcomes across youth with multiple marginalized identities. Findings suggest that disparities reported along one categorical axis only may miss important nuances in how risk for IPSV is distributed. Population health researchers should utilize methods that allow for the explication of complex intersections that characterize individuals' social positions in estimating the prevalence of sexual violence.

Towards liminal balance: Unpacking the UK's urban canal space

AbstractThis paper critically examines the liminal geographies of the United Kingdom's 7,000‐mile canal and river network, embodying a thread of complex intersections and interactions between water and land. Drawing on a study involving stakeholder interviews, group discussion with canal users, and observational walks in Manchester and London, the paper explores the concepts of liminal flux, scalar intersections, and deliminalisation. We first outline how the UK's urban canals are characterised by liminal flux over time and space, reflecting their dynamic geographies. Revealing the presence of critical intersections between liminality and scale, we then focus on the ongoing and everyday spatial and territorial entanglements between different canal and towpath users. Finally, we consider the challenge of deliminalisation, and an associated shift from liminality and in‐betweenness towards greater spatial fixity via neoliberal intervention and development. Our findings highlight the importance of preserving the unique characteristics of urban canals as liminal spaces, arguing that they provide recreational opportunities and contribute to urban wellbeing by providing opportunities for ‘transitory dwelling places’. Maintaining a liminal balance within urban canal environments is therefore crucial and requires careful curation. In turn, this notion of curating liminal balance has implications for other potential waterfront developments that offer a similar positive potential for hydrocitizenship and its fluid ambiguities of in‐betweenness. Moreover, it demonstrates the importance of a ‘lighter touch’ of redevelopment and governance in some parts of the urban environment to help preserve, or even enhance, citizen wellbeing.

Improving Information Security with Machine Learning

The study Improving Information Security with Machine Learning explores the fusion of machine learning methodologies within information security, aiming to fortify conventional protocols against evolving cyber threats. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, this scholarly endeavor highlights the efficacy of machine learning in anomaly detection, threat identification, and predictive analytics within security frameworks. Through practical demonstrations, such as z-score-based anomaly detection in network traffic data and NLP-based email security systems, the study illustrates the practical applications of machine learning techniques. Additionally, it delves into the mathematical underpinnings of predictive analytics and the architecture of neural networks for malware detection. However, while showcasing the transformative potential of machine learning, the study also confronts significant challenges. Ethical, legal, and privacy considerations emerge prominently, emphasizing the need for regulations addressing algorithmic biases, ethical dilemmas, and data protection. Moreover, the study emphasizes the practical challenges of scalability, interpretability, continual adaptation to evolving threats, and the harmonious interaction between human expertise and machine intelligence. By offering practical recommendations and future research directions, this scholarly exploration aims to empower researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in navigating the complex intersection of machine learning and information security, thereby fostering innovation and comprehension in this evolving domain.

More Than Abortion: Why Reproductive Justice Matters in Cincinnati Post-Roe

ABSTRACT This study examines Reproductive Justice (RJ) for Black women in Cincinnati. While recognizing the importance of ensuring safe, legal, and affordable abortion access, RJ extends beyond this narrow focus and delves into the complex intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. Employing principles from Black feminist praxis in utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methods, we conducted qualitative interviews to center the voices and experiences of 24 self-identified Black women. The research uncovers three main themes: 1) Ideological violence against Black women, with subthemes: beauty and body image, strength and resilience, and stigmatized mothering; 2) Distrust in daycare services; and 3) Hurdles for low income women in accessing abortion care. These findings shed light on a post-Roe reproductive justice landscape for Black women in Cincinnati.

Aging, Masculinity, and Ecology: Celso Bugallo’s Multiple Insurgencies in Cenizas del cielo

Environmental drama film Cenizas del cielo (2008), set in a polluted area of the otherwise idyllic North-western region of Asturias, was internationally saluted as Spain’s first explicitly ecologist film. While most studies have focused on its environmentalist theme, the film presents additional thematic complexities, such as the progressive depopulation of fast-aging rural Spain, the challenges of growing old as a lonesome man in a traditional, patriarchal community, and generational frictions between older peasants and younger environmental activists. In Cenizas del cielo, Galician-born actor Celso Bugallo embodies the complex intersections between aging, masculinity, and ecology. He plays the combative character of Federico, a local farmer in his sixties who lost his wife to the pollutants of a nearby power plant. In his determination to see the plant closed, this rebellious character clashes with numerous opponents, such as workers of the power plant, local authorities and even some of his own small-village neighbors. A living metaphor of an aging but defiant España vaciada, Bugallo’s character is studied in this paper as the site of multiple insurgencies.

The Emergence and Escalation of Online Racial Discrimination in Digital Spaces: A Systematic Review

COVID-19 required educators and students to rapidly move to online learning. Simultaneously, while navigating the pandemic in lockdown, citizens were exposed to the brutal murder of George Floyd. The increased exposure to online activity and discrimination generated a hyperawareness of the potential link between the two. Our interest was to examine that linkage as we considered the prevalence and escalation of online racial discrimination (ORD) as a student phenomenon. Filtering for adolescent and young adult students, this systematic review ultimately employed 21 articles. Our results reflect that ORD as defined, changed over time, as did the ways it manifested. Importantly, the impacts of ORD on student learning and well-being were revealed. This review further indicates that the expansion of online instruction created a complex intersection between online social interactions and academic outcomes ripe for vigilance. Our work adds to the ORD literature while informing future education researchers, educators, and stakeholders of its harmful impacts.

Shifting Mindsets; A Critical Commentary on Child Protection and Welfare, Disability, and Online Risk Through Critical Literature Review

ABSTRACT Critical commentary is presented at the complex intersection of child protection and welfare, disability, and internet use. A profound lack of research exists on this topic. Findings from a critical literature review focus on the theme of online risk which included the topic of child abuse/online solicitation, cyber victimization/cyberbullying, problematic internet use, and breach of data protection. The approach taken to review literature was adopted from Aromataris and Pearson (2014). Disabled young people are exposed to and impacted by harmful online content. Key points, and online resources are highlighted for parents and guardians of disabled children, social care practitioners, safeguarding professionals, and educators. This paper attempts to advance scholarly discourse, policy, and practice, the authors arguing that it is time to shift our mindsets about safeguarding disabled young people online from thoughtful attention to purposeful action.

Unveiling child trafficking: Local perspectives and context in addressing sustainable development goals in Sierra Leone

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included the goal of combating child labor and human trafficking, but regional variations complicate efforts to address these problems. In Sierra Leone, the government has taken steps to address these issues, but challenges remain, particularly in relation to access to education, in rural areas, and for young girls. This article examines local stakeholder understandings of child trafficking, and the distinction between child labor and child work in Sierra Leone. Participants included community leaders and those with lived experience of exploitation. Findings identify complex intersections and overlaps in understandings of these terms, and the ways these connect with norms and expectations impacting children and childhood in Sierra Leone. Lessons are drawn out for local and international policy and programming to incorporate structural factors within a wider lens of child protection, reframing anti‐trafficking to focus on positive aspects of recovery and resilience.

Optimized path planning and scheduling strategies for connected and automated vehicles at single-lane roundabouts.

This paper focuses on the cooperative driving challenges of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at single-lane roundabouts. First, a geometric path planning method is proposed for CAVs navigating a single-lane roundabout. Based on this method, a vehicle roundabout model is established. Four potential traffic scenarios for CAVs are established, and the optimal arrival times at conflict points are analyzed. By correlating the optimal arrival times at conflict points with the optimal entry times into the roundabout, the multi-vehicle coordination problem in complex intersections is simplified to a speed control issue during entry. Utilizing the principles of optimal control and Pontryagin minimization, two speed optimization strategies are proposed. Finally, MATLAB is employed for simulation analysis. The results indicate that the control strategy proposed in this paper enables the system to clearly identify potential conflicts between vehicles and implement an optimal control strategy, ensuring that vehicles can navigate the roundabout efficiently in terms of time and fuel without collisions. Additionally, the minimum time interval is established at 0.2 seconds to completely prevent vehicle collisions. In this study, the fusion problem involving two vehicles at a single conflict point is further expanded to encompass multiple vehicles at multiple conflict points. Thus, the efficient scheduling of multiple vehicles in single-lane roundabouts is realized.

Traffic study using unmanned aerial vehicle & simulation of traffic flow at congested junctions of Salem City using hybrid approach

The number of road accidents in 2022 increased by 11.9% compared to 2021. Similarly, the number of deaths and injuries on account of road accidents also increased by 9.4% and 15.3% respectively. Road collision incidences in India are increasing at a rate of 5% faster than the world average. Since everyone moves about a lot in their everyday lives, transportation has become a part of everyone’s existence. All people, regardless of age, must travel to do their daily tasks, which causes roadways to get blocked. This research examines how urbanization and industry are causing traffic congestion in the current environment. In the Salem Corporation specified road network, 162 road links were chosen for the study and surveyed with unmanned aerial vehicles. By adopting this digital aerial survey, local authorities may overcome their challenges in estimating the varied road network required at any time from all aspects. Drone have been used to conduct extensive investigations of the condition of the Five Roads Junction, Kondalampatti, Seelanaikanpatti, Shewapett, Junction Main Roads in the Salem district. The intersections were selected because they see a higher volume of traffic, particularly during peak hours. The manual traffic study was conducted to determine the reasons for traffic congestion. Pedestrian laws, appropriate bus stops, signalized junctions, and other measures can all be used to manage traffic. Unlike conventional methods, traffic simulation software such as PTV VISSIM and Any-logic are being used in this research to minimize the identified problems since it may be the alternative approach. This research deals with the Salem district traffic issue at five complex intersections and offers some fundamental remedies.

"Educational Insights into the Complex Intersections of Green Chemistry and Arsenic-Induced Groundwater Pollution in Sustainable Development"

"Educational Insights into the Complex Intersections of Green Chemistry and Arsenic-Induced Groundwater Pollution in Sustainable Development"

Myelin Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease: Potential Therapeutic Opportunities.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. Despite significant efforts over several decades, our understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is still incomplete. Myelin is a multi-layered membrane structure ensheathing neuronal axons, which is essential for the fast and effective propagation of action potentials along the axons. Recent studies highlight the critical involvement of myelin in memory consolidation and reveal its vulnerability in various pathological conditions. Notably, apart from the classic amyloid hypothesis, myelin degeneration has been proposed as another critical pathophysiological feature of AD, which could occur prior to the development of amyloid pathology. Here, we review recent works supporting the critical role of myelin in cognition and myelin pathology during AD progression, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying myelin degeneration in AD. We also discuss the complex intersections between myelin pathology and typical AD pathophysiology, as well as the therapeutic potential of pro-myelinating approaches for this disease. Overall, these findings implicate myelin degeneration as a critical contributor to AD-related cognitive deficits and support targeting myelin repair as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.

Educational Insights into the Complex Intersections of Green Chemistry and Arsenic-Induced Groundwater Pollution in Sustainable Development

Educational Insights into the Complex Intersections of Green Chemistry and Arsenic-Induced Groundwater Pollution in Sustainable Development

Ethical Implications and Governance of Artificial Intelligence in Business Decisions: A Deep Dive into the Ethical Challenges and Governance Issues Surrounding the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Making Critical Business Decisions

This paper focuses on governance frameworks as a means of addressing the pressing need to identify ethical challenges surrounding the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in making critical business decisions, to help businesses navigate the ethical issues of AI-driven decision-making. The study employs a qualitative methodology to investigate current literature, assess regulatory frameworks, examine case studies from the real world, and suggest moral guidelines to address ethical dilemmas and governance concerns in AI applications.Results point to a variety of problems, including algorithmic biases, data storage procedures, and AI-powered business decisions. The study places a strong emphasis on moral issues, which is consistent with responsible AI development. Assessing regulatory environments, the research pinpoints opportunities for enhancement and efficiency. The recommendations emphasize the continued significance of ethical issues in AI and promote public awareness, developer accountability, user empowerment, and stringent regulations. The recommendations prioritize societal well-being and individual privacy to encourage the responsible deployment of AI.Therefore, to navigate the complex intersection of AI and privacy, researchers, policymakers, developers, and users can benefit substantially from the insights provided by this research.

An exploration of anxiety and depressive symptoms among sexual and gender minority young adults visiting a drop-in center for youth experiencing homelessness

BackgroundResearch suggests that marginalized young adults, particularly sexual and gender minorities (SGM), face distinctive healthcare transition challenges. SGM often navigate a complex intersection of identities, experiences, and stressors that can contribute to mental health disparities. However, they often lack access to appropriate support and resources tailored to their needs, which can result in increased psychological distress. Drop-in centers are effective mental health interventions for marginalized communities. Therefore, we conducted a study to explore the healthcare access experiences and mental health outcomes of young adult SGM compared to their non-SGM counterparts. MethodsWe surveyed 151 young adults aged 18–25 who visited two drop-in centers for young adults experiencing homelessness in Houston, Texas, between October and November 2018. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire- 4 (PHQ-4.ther variables included demographics, prior mental health diagnosis, and experiences of homelessness and involvement in justice. ResultsTransgender and gender-diverse individuals had higher proportions of anxiety symptoms than their cisgender counterparts, while gay and lesbian individuals were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. In general, SGM individuals were three times more likely to report a previous anxiety diagnosis and four times more likely to report a previous depression diagnosis than their non-SGM counterparts. However, we did not find a significant association between having anxiety or depressive symptoms with seeking healthcare, experiences of homelessness, and justice involvement. ConclusionThe findings suggest that drop-in centers can provide targeted care for SGM youth with intersecting needs, thus improving their mental health outcomes. Nevertheless, more research is needed to understand further and inform more targeted and effective evidence-based interventions that support SGM young adults across the trajectory of experiences, changing needs, and care coordination over time during this critical and vulnerable transition to adulthood.