Relevant Authorities Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes, and support needs of obstetric and gynecological nurses and midwives toward perinatal mental health disorders screening in Central China: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

The perinatal period is a time of increased vulnerability regarding maternal mental health status. Although guidelines and policies have been published for perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs) screening in China, the knowledge, attitudes, and support needs of nurses and midwives toward implementing mental health screening programs during pregnancy remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge of PMHDs, attitudes and support needs related to implementing mental health screening during pregnancy among obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) nurses and midwives in the central region of China while identifying the related influencing factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 14 cities in Hubei, China, using convenience sampling from July to October 2023. The Chinese version of the Perinatal Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Perinatal Mental Health Attitudes Scale, and the Health Care Facilities Support Needs Scale were used to investigate the PMHDs knowledge, attitudes, and support needs of OB/GYN nurses and midwives, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. The average scores for knowledge, attitudes, and support needs were 6.09 ± 1.99 (total score: 13), 47.67 ± 8.80 (total score: 80), and 29.35 ± 4.66 (total score: 35), respectively. After adjusting for years of nursing experience and years of obstetrics and gynecology nursing experience, the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that having mental health-related education or work experience [adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.43, p = 0.01], being midwives (aOR = 1.78, p < 0.001), and working in specialist maternity hospitals (aOR = 1.55, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher knowledge scores; having mental health related education or work experience (aOR = 1.59, p = 0.014) and working in specialist maternity hospitals (aOR = 1.42, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with higher support needs scores. OB/GYN nurses and midwives demonstrated insufficient knowledge and moderate attitudes toward PMHDs screening, and have great support need for PMHDs screening. To address these issues, medical organizations and relevant government sectors should enhance training for nurses and midwives on PMHDs and provide professional support to promote routine maternal mental health screening programs and improve perinatal mental health outcomes.

Assessing Psychological Health in School-Going Adolescents: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in North India

Introduction: - Adolescence is a critical phase marked by significant physical and psychological transformations. Research has shown a strong link between lifestyle-related diseases and unhealthy habits developed during this period, which often persist into adulthood. Early assessment of adolescents' psychological health and lifestyles can play a crucial role in preventing the progression of these behaviors into more serious health conditions. Methods: - This cross-sectional study involved 600 adolescents from 9th to 12th grades in selected schools in Rohtak, Haryana, India. The psychological health of adolescents was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Ethical approval was secured from the relevant authorities prior to the study. Results: - The average age of the participants was 15.9 years (SD = 1.4), with the majority being male (61%). Over half of the participants (52.7%) had a BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m², and 39.8% were from a lower-middle socio-economic background. In most of the items on the PHQ-4, the majority of participants reported experiencing psychological distress. Approximately one-fifth of the participants reported negative emotions, such as sadness (25.5%) and anxiety (18.8%), occurring at least once a week. Around 62% of the participants reported experiencing anxiety, while 67% reported symptoms of depression. Overall, 86.3% of the participants exhibited psychological distress in the form of either anxiety or depression. None of the sociodemographic variables showed a statistically significant association with the psychological impacts observed in the study. Conclusion: - The study highlights the presence of anxiety and depression among school children in this setting. It offers preliminary data for policymakers to consider when revising existing policies and interventions to better address the needs of adolescents.

The city at ear level - Qualifying the role of soft data in soundscape development and research

The ISO/TS 12913-series on Soundscape, has the potential to exert significant influence on urban life, impacting infrastructural development, sustainability practices, and overall quality of life. This paper underscores the imperative of exploring the city's soundscape at ear-level, emphasizing a perspective of sonic citizenship wherein the individual's lived experience takes precedence. Such a perspective focuses on an understanding of soundscapes as dynamic attuning relations, including how multisensory atmospheres shaped by non-acoustic factors influence our assessment of soundscapes. Citizens engage in negotiating, performing, and sharing responsibility for these soundscapes. We propose how urban interventions and experiments can help glean finer insights into people's lived experiences and capture such nuanced, often subconscious aspects when developing urban soundscapes. These initiatives aim to motivate and empower a diverse spectrum of citizens, to engage in co-creating the urban development process. We argue that fostering such participatory activities enhances awareness and underscores the urgency of high-quality soundscapes in collaboration with relevant authorities and urban stakeholders. Additionally, these interventions yield soft data elucidating cultural and social practices, enriching our understanding of the experiential dimensions of soundscapes and informing future urban development.

Perceived social, economic, environmental and health effects of solid waste management practices in logia town, afar, ethiopia

Improper solid waste management in urban and semi-urban areas has led to adverse impacts on the environment, public health, and the economic well-being of communities. Therefore, this study analyzes the status of household solid waste management practices and their effects in Logia Town, Afar, Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the study utilizes both descriptive and econometric models (binary logistic regression model). The descriptive results of the study revealed that there is general awareness of the importance of solid waste management (SWM) and its impact on the environment, economy, and human health among the respondents. Regarding respondents’ attitudes, the majority of households understand the responsibility of proper waste disposal and its impact. However, in terms of solid waste management practices, 80% of households do not properly segregate their waste, 59.3% do not separate solid waste (SW) before disposal, and 74% of households engage in improper disposal practices. About 95.9% of respondents were aware that improper waste management can lead to diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera. Around 65% of the sampled households considered solid waste as a source of wealth, and, as a result, 56% of them reuse, recycle, and reduce waste. This indicates that solid waste has economic value for society. Regarding the environmental impact of SW, about 89% of respondents argued that SW adversely affects the environment by polluting rivers, lakes, wells, and air. This environmental impact negatively affects the well-being and economic status of the community. The binary logistic regression model found that having adequate solid waste landfills, access to door-to-door solid waste collection, knowledge of SWM rules and regulations, treating waste as a resource, and understanding the 3Rs (recycle, reuse, reduce) had positive and significant effects on the adoption of proper solid waste management practices in the study area. Therefore, to reduce undesirable effects and improve the value of SW, the relevant authorities should provide adequate solid waste landfills and door-to-door collection services, create awareness about SWM rules and regulations, and promote knowledge of the 3Rs.

Identifying Cultural Diplomacy and Sustainable Development in Sister Province Cooperation of Bali, Indonesia

While States have traditionally formed the focus of International Relations studies, the contributions of local government actors have become increasingly important in both influencing and responding to the forces of global politics, including in the Global South. In this vein, this preliminary study explores the practice of the local government in initiating sister province cooperation in Bali, Indonesia. This study uses three conceptual frameworks: paradiplomacy, sustainable development, and critical discourse analysis. Primary data were collected through interviews with relevant local government officials in Bali and secondary data were gathered from academic articles, official websites, and online news items. This paper identified two most prominent sectors of this cooperation, namely: tourism and culture. These two areas align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While clearly connected with governmental and international goals, challenges remain in implementing sister province cooperation, achieving continuity among the parties involved, and dealing with funding limitations.

Factors Affecting Single and Multivehicle Motorcycle Crashes: Insights from Day and Night Analysis Using XGBoost-SHAP Algorithm

This study aimed to identify and compare the risk factors associated with motorcycle crash severity during both daytime and nighttime, for single and multivehicle incidents in Thailand using 2021–2024 data. The research employed the XGBoost (Extreme Gradient Boosting) method for statistical analysis and extensively examined the temporal instability of risk factors. The results highlight the importance of features impacting the injury severity of roadway collisions across various conditions. For single motorcycle crashes, the key risk factors included speeding, early morning incidents, off-road events, and long holidays. In multivehicle crashes, rear-end collisions, interactions with large vehicles, and collisions involving other motorcycles or passenger cars were linked to increased injury severity. The findings indicate that the important factors associated with motorcyclist injury severity in roadway crashes vary depending on the type of crash and time of day. These insights are valuable for policymakers and relevant authorities in developing targeted interventions to enhance road safety and mitigate the incidence of severe and fatal motorcycle crashes.

Irrigation Water Management and Food Security in Nigeria

Food security remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, a country with a rapidly growing population and a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture. Effective irrigation water management is crucial to improving agricultural productivity and addressing this critical issue, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity. This study investigates the current state of irrigation water management and its impact on food security in Nigeria. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining an extensive literature review with field surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including farmers, water resource managers, policymakers, and subject matter experts. The findings reveal significant gaps in Nigeria's existing irrigation water management system, including outdated infrastructure, inefficient water distribution, limited access to irrigation technology, and poor coordination among relevant government agencies and agricultural extension services. The study explores the multifaceted relationship between irrigation water management and food security, highlighting the impact of water availability, quality, and accessibility on crop yields, livestock production, and overall agricultural output. The analysis also examines the socioeconomic and environmental implications of poor irrigation water management, such as reduced farm incomes, food price volatility, and environmental degradation. Based on the research findings, the study proposes a comprehensive framework for sustainable irrigation water management in Nigeria. This framework emphasizes the integration of technological innovations, policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and community-based approaches to enhance the efficiency, equity, and resilience of the irrigation system. Key elements of the framework include modernizing irrigation infrastructure, promoting precision agriculture techniques, improving water governance and stakeholder coordination, and enhancing the capacity of farmers and water user associations. The implications of this study are far-reaching, as it provides policymakers, development agencies, and agricultural practitioners with a thorough understanding of the critical role of irrigation water management in achieving food security in Nigeria. The proposed framework offers a roadmap for the implementation of sustainable irrigation practices, which can contribute to increased agricultural productivity, improved rural livelihoods, and enhanced national food security. The findings of this research also offer valuable insights for other developing countries facing similar challenges in the realm of irrigation water management and food security.

Predictors Affecting the Attitude Towards Homosexuality Among Health Sciences University Students in East Coast Malaysia

Introduction As a minority group homosexuality poses the risk of various mental illnesses and medical comorbidities. In Malaysia, homosexuality is prohibited according to culture, law, and religion. Thus, this group is reluctant to seek help due to the negative attitude of certain healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals’ negative attitudes towards this group may negatively impact patient care quality. This study aimed to identify predictors of health sciences students’ attitudes toward homosexuality. Materials and methods An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 undergraduate clinical students at a university on the east coast of Malaysia from December 2020 to February 2021. The instruments consisted of the Homosexual Attitude Scale Malay Version (HASMV), Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS), and Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). Results The mean (SD) age of participants was 22.91 (0.78) years old. The majority are female, Malay, and Muslim. Mean (SD) scores of attitudes towards homosexuality among health sciences students were 61.53 (17.06). Non-Muslims, final-year students, and those with higher self-reflection scores in central and southern Peninsular Malaysia displayed a more positive attitude towards homosexuality, as did students with a history of contact with homosexuals. Students with higher intrinsic religiosity scores were shown to be more negative towards homosexuality. Conclusion The attitude towards homosexuality of Malaysian future health practitioners leaned mostly towards the positive attitude towards homosexuality. These findings shall aid the relevant authorities in revising the curriculum to raise awareness about homosexual health, as well as arranging training programs. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 04 October’24 Page : 1120-1128

A new model of the impact of information dissemination with emotional responses on disease transmission in multilayer networks

During disease transmission, the dissemination of information about the disease prompts safety concerns among individuals. Individuals’ various emotional responses to information may affect infection prevention measures and, consequently, disease transmission. In this paper, we propose a new coupled information and disease transmission model with emotional factors in multiplex networks. Our specific focus is on the impact of diverse emotional responses on the dynamics process. We employ the Microscopic Markov Chain Approach (MMCA) to analyze the model, and obtaining state transfer equations, and deriving the disease transmission threshold. Extensive numerical simulations show that dissemination of information by relevant authorities motivates individuals to adopt scientific self-protective behaviors, thus helping to control disease transmission. Furthermore, individuals who have different emotional responses after obtaining information have varying effects on disease transmission, and reducing the anxiety response or increasing the calm response of individuals can more effectively decrease the scale of disease transmission and increase the disease transmission threshold. In summary, improving the quality of information released by the emergency management department, reducing the individual’s anxiety response, and encouraging the adoption of positive and effective protective measures are of paramount importance for epidemic prevention and control.

Envisioning a decision support system for the planning of alternative fuel bunkering operations in Singapore

Abstract In the coming decades, the global maritime industry will face a most formidable technological and societal challenge set by climate change – achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To meet this target, ships are shifting towards the use of low-carbon alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol. While this paradigm shift to the bunkering of greener fuels is encouraging, it also introduces a new and unique type of environmental risk in the unfortunate scenario of a spill. In the past decades numerous environmental studies have been conducted and mitigation techniques for petroleum oil spills have been developed. However, ammonia and methanol spills are comparatively less understood globally and in the region. There is a significant knowledge gap regarding how the complex atmosphere, hydrodynamic and environmental conditions of the Singapore Straits may influence the dispersion and assimilation of hypothetical ammonia or methanol plumes. Together with other emerging alternative fuels such as electricity and hydrogen, ammonia and methanol have different physical and chemical properties in ambient water compared to conventional LNG or petroleum oil which makes modelling the risk they pose to the environment more challenging. In view of these challenges, the key objective of our research is to develop an operationally running decision support system (DSS) that combines physics-based atmospheric and coastal hydrodynamic models that can forecast the marine and atmospheric plume dispersion of alternative fuels. This forecasting capability will be supplemented with data-driven and rule-based optimisation algorithms that can be used to determine the optimal mitigation scenarios which minimises the potential environmental impacts. Overall, the DSS will integrate observation data, models, mitigation scenarios, and decision-making tools pertaining to efficient and safe bunkering operations within Singapore’s ports. This is essential as the use of alternative fuels in maritime industry becomes more common in Singapore and around the world. Such a system will aid relevant authorities to better calculate risk and plan mitigation measures at designated bunkering locations and periods having optimal atmospheric, hydraulics, and environmental conditions. In this paper, we describe the potential consequences of alternative fuel spills, mitigation measures and a plan for assessing their environmental impact within the context of Singapore. We will review the limited current efforts to model ammonia spills in the literature and propose for a more integrated modelling approach through the DSS.

Study on Impact of Entertainment in the Context of Digital Capitalism on Youth Development

The development of electronic Internet technology has led to the construction of another world - a world constructed by data, or numbers of all kinds, where real-life individuals meet in another world in a “virtual body” state, and where the limits of time and space are completely broken. The limitations of time and space are completely broken. This has brought great convenience to the media industry and new business opportunities to capital. Major digital platforms have a huge number of Internet users, and after collecting their personal data and browsing information, they can accurately deliver content that may be of interest to them. In addition, the boom in the culture and entertainment industry has led to platforms putting icons in front of the public and making them objects of imitation and admiration. People are exposed to the data network constructed by mature technology, and the digitalisation and digital industrialisation of the industry have become a general trend. Stars, the money-making tools of capital, are being created in various ways, forming a complete industrial chain and controlling the vast number of Internet users. Teenagers, as active users of the Internet, are still at the stage of forming their values, so the various idol stars launched by the media industry have a huge impact on their development. The media industry, controlled by capital, pays more attention to economic benefits and sometimes even ignores social benefits in order to realise its value proliferation, seriously misleading young people whose values are not yet set and increasing the scope and intensity of capital exploitation, which urgently needs to be regulated and corrected by measures taken by the relevant authorities.

Effect of various temperature indicators on patients' hospitalization with cardiovascular diseases in Zhangye city, China.

This study assessed the impact of various temperature indices, including mean temperature (MT), diurnal temperature range (DTR), and temperature changes between neighboring days (TCN) on hospitalization rates for cardiovascular system diseases among residents of Zhangye City, a typical western city in China. The Quasi-Poisson generalized additive regression model (GAM) in conjunction with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was applied to estimate the association of temperature indices with CVD hospitalization rates in Zhangye City during the periods of 2015-2021. The exposure-response relationship and relative risk were discussed and stratified analyses by age and gender were conducted. We found that the hospitalization rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients in Zhangye City was significantly related to different temperature indicators (MT, DTR, TCN). Both low and high MT, DTR, and TCN increased the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among residents. Besides, different demographic populations exhibited distinct sensitivities to temperature conditions. Relevant authorities should devise corresponding preventive and control measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Legal and Illegal Trade in CITES Protected Mammals – a Closer Look at the European Union

ABSTRACT More than 37,000 animal and plant species are protected by CITES meaning a significant burden for enforcement officers. We aimed to identify mammalian taxa and goods of mammalian origin that are most frequently traded and, thus, most frequently inspected and identified by relevant authorities in the EU. Additional aims were to find if there are any relations between the traded taxa and the form in which they are traded and traded taxa/type of goods and the legality of the transaction. In total, 176,185 shipment-by-shipment records from the CITES Trade Database (legal trade) and 7,294 seizure records from EU-TWIX (illegal trade) concerning trade in mammals in the EU between 2005 and 2019 were analyzed. Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Cetacea, Primates and Proboscidea were the most frequently traded orders. The results did not exclude the existence of any of the mentioned relationships. When the most traded genera were analyzed, 6 out of the first 15 showed to be joint between legal trade and seizures. When only records with known genera were considered, the 15 most frequently traded genera represented 83.24% of legal trade and 82.89% of seizures. The results can facilitate the prioritization of the taxa and goods to take appropriate responses within law enforcement.

Role of Physical Evidence and Empathy in Influencing Patient Visit Rates at Hialu Health Center, North Konawe

Introduction: The number of patient visits to the Hialu Health Center continues to increase with an average number of patient visits in 2021 of 225 visits per month. This study was conducted at the Hialu Health Center, Landawe District, North Konawe Regency. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Relationship between Physical Evidence and Empathy to the Level of Patient Visits at the Hialu Health Center, Landawe District, North Konawe Regency. Method: This study uses a quantitative method with a comparative research design. The population of the entire Landawe District community is 2,843 people and a sample of 351 using the Slovin formula. Result: Based on the linearity test between variables, the variables of physical evidence and empathy generally have an effect on the level of patient visits to the Hialu Health Center, Landawe District, North Konawe Regency. Conclusion: The relevant government, especially the Health Service, must continue to provide easy access for the Hiau Health Center to improve health facilities and infrastructure in order to provide more optimal health services to the community.

Classification of Traffic Violations Using the Naïve Bayes Algorithm at Padang City Police

Traffic violations have been increasing each year. According to data from the Padang City Police from 2018 to 2023, there were 128,913 traffic violation cases. This is not a small number, and it is time for the police to start utilizing machine learning (ML) technology to evaluate traffic violation cases, as ML can identify hidden patterns or information that cannot be detected manually by conventional statistics or by traffic officers. This research aims to classify traffic violations using the Naïve Bayes algorithm at the Padang City Police by conducting evaluations and comparisons using different dataset ratios. The best algorithm obtained from the comparison will then be analyzed, and the research findings are expected to serve as a reference for the relevant authorities. This research is quantitative in nature, using an experimental method. The data sources or information were obtained from traffic ticket documentation at the Padang City Police and questionnaires distributed to traffic officers of the Padang City Police. The research results show that the Naïve Bayes (NB) algorithm can be used to classify traffic violations at the Padang City Police. The performance test results of the Naïve Bayes (NB) algorithm using all comparison algorithms with different training and testing dataset ratios resulted in 100% accuracy. However, during cross-validation, the Naïve Bayes algorithm achieved the highest accuracy only with training and testing dataset ratios of 80%:20% and 90%:10%. This is due to the large dataset size in this research, which is more than 100,000 entries. The evaluation results of the Naïve Bayes algorithm show that the best model is achieved with the Naïve Bayes algorithm using an 80% training and 20% testing dataset split. Although the performance is similarly high with a 90%:10% training and testing ratio, the researcher chose the 80%:20% training and testing ratio as the best algorithm for reasons of efficiency during training. The argument is that even with just 80%, it is able to predict/classify 20%, which is more efficient than training 90% to predict/classify 10%. Another finding from this implementation is that with a large dataset of 100,000 entries or more, high and stable performance can be achieved, so this research also suggests that to achieve good results from traffic violation classification, the dataset should be above 100,000 entries.

A survey on the reasons why victims of stalking did not exhibit help-seeking behavior: a text-mining analysis.

Stalking can escalate into violent acts such as threatening and inflicting physical harm, posing a serious threat to personal safety. To prevent exacerbating stalking victimization, victims must seek help and report incidents to the police or relevant authorities. However, victims, in general, underreport these incidents to public institutions. Moreover, there is insufficient understanding of why victims of stalking, especially men, refrain from seeking help. Therefore, this study used text mining to explore the reasons victims of stalking in Japan do not seek help while considering the severity of victimization and analyzing data separately for men and women. Among 908 Japanese individuals who reported experiencing repeated stalking behavior from a former intimate partner in the past five years, 253 men and 321 women who did not consult public authorities were included in this study. Participants provided their experiences of being stalked by former romantic partners and were classified into stalking-only, threatened, and physical aggression victim groups based on their self-reported experiences in an online survey. Reasons for not seeking help were collected through open-ended questions and analyzed using text mining. A co-occurrence network analysis revealed that among men in the threatened victim group, the reason for not seeking help was the belief that their complaints would not be taken seriously. The physical aggression victim group did not seek help due to the perception that a female perpetrator does not pose a danger. Among women in the physical aggression victim group, concerns about provoking the perpetrator or worsening the situation by seeking help, as well as feelings of embarrassment, were reasons for not seeking assistance. The identification of gender stereotype-related reasons among male victims was a valuable insight that could only be obtained through comparison with female victims. However, the study was limited to addressing the individual characteristics of the cases, thus providing only hypothetical insights into general trends. In future research, it will be necessary to generate hypotheses from the findings of this study and accumulate hypothesis-testing research to develop effective strategies for promoting help-seeking behavior among stalking victims.

Diabetes knowledge, attitudes and practices among Chinese primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a public health crisis that requires adequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) by health care providers to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding T2DM among primary care providers (PCPs) in Central China.MethodsThis multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 971 PCPs using self-employed KAP questionnaires. Questionnaires were designed to evaluate KAP regarding T2DM among PCPs, and was measured with SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression models used to analyze the data.70%, 80% and 70% of total values were considered as the cut-off point for defining good knowledge, positive attitude and correct practice.ResultsA total of 971 PCPs with a mean age of 44.0 ± 10.2 years were evaluated. 620 (63.9%) PCPs worked at village clinic and 605 (62.3%) PCPs have been working more than 20 years. Only 26.3% of the respondents participated in Continued Medical Education (CME) programs regarding diabetes in the past year due to Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, despite positive attitudes toward diabetes, there were substantial gaps in knowledge and practices. The PCPs scored 7.25 out of 14 points on the knowledge subscales, 7.13 out of 8 on the attitude subscales, and 4.85 out of 11 on the practice subscales. Gender, age, practice setting, professional titles, duration of practice and CME attendance were significant predictors of knowledge; Age, practice setting and duration of practice were significant predictors of attitudes; and family history of diabetes affected PCP practices.ConclusionsDespite positive attitudes toward diabetes, there were substantial gaps in knowledge and practices. These findings call for action from relevant health authorities and policy makers to improve PCPs’ KAP regarding diabetes in Central China.

Sanctions compliance as a basis for non-performance of contractual obligations

Targeted financial sanctions are routinely used to combat financial crime. As they are endorsed by the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force, the vast majority of jurisdictions have established regulatory frameworks that make provision for targeted financial sanctions. These frameworks translate into compliance obligations and expectations for so-called regulated entities, which includes banks. Although sanctions have been the subject of much discourse recently in the wake of the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the risk of non-performance of contractual obligations due to sanctions compliance has not been explored sufficiently. The objective of this contribution is to shed light on the distinction between compliance with domestic sanctions and compliance with foreign sanctions with specific reference to the risk of non-performance of contractual obligations. It focuses on the basis and legal implications of compliance in each case within the context of the bank-customer relationship. This is undertaken primarily from a South African perspective. The contribution finds that compliance with domestic sanctions may give rise to an interference with contractual performance that is rooted in law, while compliance with foreign sanctions may necessitate an interference that is based on either a contractual provision (force majeure clause) or business and reputational considerations. In both instances, clients of banks are less certain that their payment instructions will be processed and banks, in turn, run the risk of being sued. This tension between sanctions and international banking and finance requires serious reflection by the relevant authorities.

An Analysis of User Perceptions Towards Public Parking Management in Kampala City

The parking problems in Kampala City have become more pronounced due to the increasing vehicle numbers resulting from a growth in population and income levels. Understanding public perceptions and the various stakeholders’ parking needs and preferences is fundamental for identification of priority areas for improvement. This paper assessed the user perceptions of public parking management and the parking needs and preferences for various stakeholders in Kampala City. The study was evaluative and employed a cross sectional research design with a range of data diverse triangulation quantitative and qualitative techniques. From 328 questionnaires, participants were asked to assess fifteen (15) public parking management attributes from a point of view of their satisfaction. Also, a public parking stakeholder analysis was done and the level of influence by each stakeholder category in regards to parking management in the city and their parking needs and preferences were established. The study results revealed- that the customer satisfaction Index (CSI) of parkers was 52.4% indicating a relatively lower satisfaction level of the parking management in Kampala. From the fifteen public parking management attributes, four (4) of them to include affordability of parking, availability of parking spaces, accessibility to parking spaces and as well Safety and security were accorded the greatest importance. While thirteen (13) public parking stakeholders in Kampala City that included Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Multiplex Limited, Private Parking suppliers, public transport operators, Business Community, Commuters, Private Car Drivers, Logistics Vehicles, Traffic Police, Residents, shoppers and tourists and the academia were identified. The study recommends prioritization of those factors that parkers deem very important by the relevant authorities, stakeholder involvement in parking planning and management, establishment of an efficient enforcement and control mechanism, having a public parking vision with clear goals and objectives and as well the use of technology to enhance efficiency for both parkers and parking suppliers.

Silence vs. Catering: Carbon Information Disclosure Strategies and High-Quality Corporate Development

A corporate carbon information disclosure strategy is essentially an environmental responsibility manifestation of “inconsistency between words and deeds”. It has two forms:, green “silence” and green “catering”, both of which restrict the externalization of green productivity and affect the high-quality development of enterprises. This study shows that ① there is a U-shaped relationship between carbon information disclosure strategies and the high-quality development of enterprises. Green “silence” positively affects the high-quality development of enterprises, and the impact of green “catering” on the high-quality development of enterprises changes from negative to positive. ② Green “silence” affects the high-quality development of enterprises by increasing R&amp;D investment, reducing tax burdens, and intensifying financing constraints, while green “catering” affects the high-quality development of enterprises by decreasing R&amp;D investment, increasing the tax burden, and easing financing constraints. ③ If the competition in the industry is fierce, the green “silence” strategy should be adopted. When there is monopoly in the industry, the green “catering” strategy is dominant. The findings of this study not only provide management suggestions for enterprises on how to correctly treat the carbon information disclosure strategies that have been implemented or planned to promote their own high-quality development, but also provide policy inspiration for relevant regulatory authorities to complete the transition from voluntary disclosure to mandatory disclosure.