Regulatory Design for Scientific Uncertainty: Acknowledging the Diversity of Approaches in Environmental Regulation and Public Administration

Environmental regulatory design addresses scientific uncertaintythrough a range of regulatory design tools. The seven approachesidentified and considered in this article are termed (1) theacknowledgement of scientific uncertainty (2) the burden shiftingapproach (3) the ‘sound science’ approach (4) theconsequences approach (5) the consensus approach (6) the estimationapproach and (7) the adaptive management approach. Analysisof some common environmental legislative frameworks suggeststhat, rather than occurring in isolation, these seven approachesare frequently incorporated into legislative regimes in a multitudeof combinations. The article also highlights the implicationsof expressly embedding a precautionary approach within pre-existingenvironmental regulatory frameworks, such as has occurred withinAustralian environmental regimes. Finally, the article exploresthe advantages and disadvantages of each approach and the variouscircumstances that favour the adoption of a particular regulatoryapproach to scientific uncertainty. In doing so, it suggestsan agenda for future empirical research on approaches to regulatorydesign for scientific uncertainty.     

A Comparison of Thresholding Methods for Forensic Reconstruction Studies Using Fluorescent Powder Proxies for Trace Materials

Image segmentation is a fundamental precursor to quantitative image analysis. At present, no standardised methodology exists for segmenting images of fluorescent proxies for trace evidence. Experiments evaluated (i) whether manual segmentation is reproducible within and between examiners (with three participants repeatedly tracing three images) (ii) whether manually defining a threshold level offers accurate and reproducible results (with 20 examiners segmenting 10 images), and (iii) whether a global thresholding algorithm might perform with similar accuracy, while offering improved reproducibility and efficiency (16 algorithms tested). Statistically significant differences were seen between examiners’ traced outputs. Manually thresholding produced good accuracy on average (within ±1% of the expected values), but poor reproducibility (with multiple outliers). Three algorithms (Yen, MaxEntropy, and RenyiEntropy) offered similar accuracy, with improved reproducibility and efficiency. Together, these findings suggest that appropriate algorithms could perform thresholding tasks as part of a robust workflow for reconstruction studies employing fluorescent proxies for trace evidence.     

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Reports of Fatal Cases

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is one of the more clinically challenging effects of cannabis consumption. It is characterized by cyclic attacks of nausea and vomiting in chronic cannabinoid users and learned behavior of compulsive hot bathing. The deaths of a 27‐year‐old female, a 27‐year‐old male, and a 31‐year‐old male with a history of CHS are reported. The decedents had a history of cyclical nausea and vomiting, chronic cannabinoid use and negative laboratory, radiological and endoscopic findings. All presented to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting in the days preceding death and were treated symptomatically. Toxicological analysis revealed tetrahydrocannabinol in postmortem blood. The cause of death of two of the three cases was attributed to CHS. CHS was appreciated in the third case but was not the cause of death. These three cases demonstrate the importance of recognizing CHS as a potential cause or contributing factor to death in cannabinoid user.     

The influence of trust and collaboration with external partners on appropriability in open service firms

The Journal of Technology Transfer - This study explores how service firms in an open exchange of knowledge protect themselves against opportunistic behavior while trying to acquire some knowledge...     

Book reviews

Transcaucasia: ancient, recent and modern

R.G. Suny, editor. Transcaucasia: Nationalism and Social Change (Essays in the history of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). University of Michigan in association with the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies. Michigan Slavic Publications, East European Series No. 2. 1983.

Aspects of the job situation in Uzbekistan: part two

Nancy Lubin. Labour and Nationality in Central Asia: An Uneasy Compromise. London, Macmillan, in association with St Antony's College, Oxford, 1984, xxi + 305 pp, map, tables, appendices, glossary, index. Foreword by Murray Feshbach. Cloth, £25.00. ISBN 0333 36739 1.     

Devolution Paradox and the US South

There is an inherent trade-off in federalism regarding representation and equity. With the devolution of responsibilities to regional governments offering increased representation, there comes the inequity of services provided by some governments and not others. However, citizens in these federations may want the best of both worlds—desiring regional control but without the regional policy variation. This tension, dubbed ‘the devolution paradox’ in a study of federal countries in Europe, was less apparent in one key group of regions—those with historic ties through language, culture, or experience. This article examines US respondents to identify whether the devolution paradox is evident in this country and looks specifically at the South, a region with long-standing distinctiveness. We find that there is evidence of the devolution paradox among the American public and that the South is indeed different.     

Breaking The Cycle Of Intergenerational Child Maltreatment: A Case For Active Efforts For Dependent Minor Parents And Their Children In State Custody

Dependent minor parents placed in foster care with their children often face significant hurdles. These parents are responsible to make caregiving decisions for their children, while they themselves fall under the caregiving responsibility of the state child welfare system. As such, dependent minor parents live in a “twilight zone” – they hold full parental rights, but limited rights as teenagers. For a number of reasons, the children of minor parents in foster care often come into state custody. When two generations are in foster care at the same time, states must balance the safety and best interests of the children with the rights of minor parents to care for their own children. Currently, the state child welfare system is only required to provide “reasonable efforts” to reunify parents with children when they have been removed from their care for abuse, neglect, or dependency. However, dependent minor parents in state custody often require more supportive services in order to successfully reunify with their children than in a typical child welfare case. This article places the circumstance just described in the context of dependent minor parents’ constitutionally protected rights, and advocates for a higher standard which would require states to provide “active efforts” to protect and preserve these young families.