How bad can a voting location be

Two questions concerning the location of a single facility by a voting process are investigated for transportation networks:

- What is the maximum number of customers located on the network preferring some rival point over a voting solution?

- How does the average distance of the customers to the facility increase when a voting location instead of a Weber location is chosen for the facility?

Complete answers are given for general networks and for certain planar networks, viz., the so-called generalized cacti.     

Konstruktionen der Geschlechtsidentit?t �C Widerspr��che aktueller Sozialisationsprozesse

I will first describe in four aspects a frame about gender socialization. Then I will study actual contradictions in the gender socialization of four international research areas. Doing so, I can also relate to own empiric studies about family??s biographies and gender roles (Macha und Witzke 2008; Macha 2009). The four example research areas are:

1. Typical gender socialization in the family and the stability of time structures,
2. gender socialization in the school
3. Typical gender socialization for and through the employment market, taking as an example, the academic career.
4. Typical gender socialization for and through the employment market, taking as an example, the leadership positions in the economy and the income of men and women.

     

A law of large numbers for weighted plurality

Consider an election between $k$ candidates in which each voter votes randomly (but not necessarily independently) for a single candidate, and suppose that there is a single candidate that every voter prefers (in the sense that each voter is more likely to vote for this special candidate than any other candidate). Suppose we have a voting rule that takes all of the votes and produces a single outcome and suppose that each individual voter has little effect on the outcome of the voting rule. If the voting rule is a weighted plurality, then we show that with high probability, the preferred candidate will win the election. Conversely, we show that this statement fails for all other reasonable voting rules. This result is an extension of one by Häggström, Kalai and Mossel, who proved the above in the case $k=2$ .     

Extending the Condorcet Jury Theorem to a general dependent jury

We investigate necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Bayesian-Nash equilibria that satisfy the Condorcet Jury Theorem (CJT). In the Bayesian game G _n among n jurors, we allow for arbitrary distribution on the types of jurors. In particular, any kind of dependency is possible. If each juror i has a ??constant strategy??, ?? ⁱ (that is, a strategy that is independent of the size n ?? i of the jury), such that ?? = (?? ¹, ?? ², . . . , ?? ⁿ . . .) satisfies the CJT, then by McLennan (Am Political Sci Rev 92:413?C419, 1998) there exists a Bayesian-Nash equilibrium that also satisfies the CJT. We translate the CJT condition on sequences of constant strategies into the following problem:

(**) For a given sequence of binary random variables X?=?(X ¹, X ², . . . , X ⁿ , . . .) with joint distribution P, does the distribution P satisfy the asymptotic part of the CJT?

We provide sufficient conditions and two general (distinct) necessary conditions for (**). We give a complete solution to this problem when X is a sequence of exchangeable binary random variables.     

Responses to globalization: Indian perspectives

India has a long tradition in influencing and participating to the globalization processes. Three phases can be distinguished in India’s history:

1. Colonial period up to 1947
2. Nation building through government policies from 1947 to 1990, and
3. The era of liberalization since 1991.

Like any ancient civilization, India has responded to the forces of globalization and has experienced both continuity and change. In the current phase, globalization is experiences a two-way scheme: while multinational companies are entering India, many Indian companies have a clear ambition to “take India to the world”. Given the number and diversity of Indian organizations, all approaches and interventions of OD have been already used. Family enterprises and the government have played a central role in shaping the Indian answer to globalization. Developing a global mindset is India’s major challenge for the future.     

The original Borda count and partial voting

In a Borda count, bc, M. de Borda suggested the last preference cast should receive 1 point, the voter’s penultimate ranking should get 2 points, and so on. Today, however, points are often awarded to (first, second,..., last) preferences cast as per (n, n?1, ..., 1) or more frequently, (n ?1, n?2,..., 0). If partial voting is allowed, and if a first preference is to be given n or n ? 1 points regardless of how many preferences the voter casts, he/she will be incentivised to rank only one option/candidate. If everyone acts in this way, the bc metamorphoses into a plurality vote... which de Borda criticized at length. If all the voters submit full ballots, the outcome—social choice or ranking—will be the same under any of the above three counting procedures. In the event of one or more persons submitting a partial vote, however, outcomes may vary considerably. This preliminary paper suggests research should consider partial voting. The author examines the consequences of the various rules so far advocated and then purports that M. de Borda, in using his formula, was perhaps more astute than the science has hitherto recognised.     

On credible coalitional deviations by prudent players

In this paper we first explore the predictive power of the solution notion called conservative stable standard of behaviour (CSSB), introduced by Greenberg (The theory of social situations, 1990), in environments with farsighted players (as modelled in Xue, Econ Theory 11:603–627, 1998) as intuitively it is quite nice. Unfortunately, we find that CSSB has a number of undesirable properties: most importantly, it makes vacuous predictions for most natural social environments. Therefore, we introduce an intuitive refinement of this solution which we call conservative stable weak predictor. In settings of proper voting games, we explore some existence properties of this new solution and also show that it may not be unique. However, unfortunately, this refinement may also lead to non-intuitive vacuous predictions.     

Reliability of measures of centrality and prominence

This paper evaluates the reliability of measures of centrality and prominence of social networks among high school students. The authors present and discuss results from eight experiments. Four types of social support: (1) instrumental support, (2) informational support, (3) social companionship, and (4) emotional support—were measured three times within each class. Four measurement scales: (1) binary, (2) categorical, (3) categorical with labels and (4) line production—were applied. Reliability of in- and out-degree, in- and out-closeness, betweenness and flow betweenness was estimated by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Meta analysis of factors affecting the test-retest reliability of measures of centrality and prominence was done by multiple classification analysis. Results show that,

• -Global measures (considering direct and indirect choices) are more sensitive to measurement errors than local measures (considering only direct choices).
• -In-measures are more stable than out-measures.
• -Among types of social support, emotional support gives the least stable measures of centrality and prominence, whereas social companionship gives the most stable results.
• -The reliability of centrality and prominence measures is higher when the network is denser.

     

Generalized average rules as stable Nash mechanisms to implement generalized median rules

We consider a problem in which a policy is chosen from a one-dimensional set over which voters have single-peaked preferences. While Moulin (Public Choice 35:437–455, 1980) and others subsequent works have focused on strategy-proof rules, Renault and Trannoy (Mimeo 2011) and Renault and Trannoy (J Pub Econ Theory 7:169–199, 2005) have shown that the average rule implements a generalized median rule in Nash equilibria and provide an interpretation of the parameters in Moulin’s rule. In this article, we first extend their result by showing that a wide range of voting rules which includes the average rule can implement Moulin’s rule in Nash equilibria. Moreover, we show additionally that within this class, generalized average rules are Cournot stable. That is, from any strategy profile, any best response path must converge to a Nash equilibrium.     

The UNCRC and Social Workers' Relationships with Young Children

In the UK, The Munro Review of Child Protection (2010, 2011a, 2011b) has recently highlighted that among the failings in safeguarding children known to social services is the lack of meaningful relationships between social workers and children. In her final report, Munro (2011b) has made recommendations for a more child‐centred system anchored on two themes – the child's journey and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This article illustrates by way of practical examples how the UNCRC, together with the detailed advice and guidance contained in the UNCRC general comments numbers 5, 7 and 12, provides the best framework for developing effective social work relationships with, and safeguarding, young children. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Citing Literature

Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 14

• Robert B Porter, Recording of Children and Young People’s Views in Contact Decision-Making, The British Journal of Social Work, 10.1093/bjsw/bcz115, 50 , 6, (1796-1815), (2019). Crossref
• Ercüment Erbay, Ertu?rul Hatipo?lu, Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanlar?n?n Gerçekle?tirdikleri Mesleki Uygulamalarda ve Ald?klar? Kararlarda Çocuklar?n Kat?l?m Hakk?n? Dikkate Alma Durumlar?, OPUS Uluslararas? Toplum Ara?t?rmalar? Dergisi, 10.26466/opus.538109, (2019). Crossref
• Cheryl McCormack, Marie Gibbons, Caroline McGregor, An Ecological Framework for Understanding and Improving Decision Making in Child Protection and Welfare Intake (Duty) Practices in the Republic of Ireland, Child Care in Practice, 10.1080/13575279.2019.1685464, (1-17), (2019). Crossref
• Paul McCafferty, Implementing Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Child Protection Decision-Making: a Critical Analysis of the Challenges and Opportunities for Social Work, Child Care in Practice, 10.1080/13575279.2016.1264368, 23 , 4, (327-341), (2017). Crossref
• Joe Duffy, Mary Collins, Sook Hyun Kim, Linking family engagement with a rights perspective: macro factors influencing practice, European Journal of Social Work, 10.1080/13691457.2016.1255925, 21 , 1, (45-60), (2016). Crossref
• Jo Dillon, Daz Greenop, Mel Hills, Participation in child protection: A small-scale qualitative study, Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice, 10.1177/1473325015578946, 15 , 1, (70-85), (2015). Crossref
• Michele Cascardi, Cathy Brown, Svetlana Shpiegel, Ariel Alvarez, Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? A Conceptual Framework for Child Advocacy, SAGE Open, 10.1177/2158244015576763, 5 , 1, (215824401557676), (2015). Crossref
• Karmen Toros, Michael C. LaSala, Marju Medar, Assessment of Children in Need in a Post-Soviet Context: Reflections of Child Protective Workers in Estonia, Journal of Family Social Work, 10.1080/10522158.2015.1065458, 18 , 4, (267-287), (2015). Crossref
• G.G. van Bijleveld, C.W.M. Dedding, J.F.G. Bunders-Aelen, Seeing eye to eye or not? Young people's and child protection workers' perspectives on children's participation within the Dutch child protection and welfare services, Children and Youth Services Review, 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.09.018, 47 , (253-259), (2014). Crossref
• Julie Ridley, Cath Larkins, Nicola Farrelly, Shereen Hussein, Helen Austerberry, Jill Manthorpe, Nicky Stanley, Investing in the relationship: practitioners’ relationships with looked‐after children and care leavers in Social Work Practices, Child & Family Social Work, 10.1111/cfs.12109, 21 , 1, (55-64), (2013). Wiley Online Library
• Sara Johnsdotter, European Somali Children Dumped? On families, parents, and children in a transnational context, European Journal of Social Work, 10.1080/13691457.2013.844682, 18 , 1, (81-96), (2013). Crossref
• C. Larkins, J. Ridley, N. Farrelly, H. Austerberry, A. Bilson, S. Hussein, J. Manthorpe, N. Stanley, Children's, Young People's and Parents' Perspectives on Contact: Findings from the Evaluation of Social Work Practices, British Journal of Social Work, 10.1093/bjsw/bct135, 45 , 1, (296-312), (2013). Crossref
• Karmen Toros, Anne Tiko, Koidu Saia, Child-centered approach in the context of the assessment of children in need: Reflections of child protection workers in Estonia, Children and Youth Services Review, 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.03.011, 35 , 6, (1015-1022), (2013). Crossref
• Jane V. Appleton, Peter Sidebotham, Making an Impact for Children, Child Abuse Review, 10.1002/car.1208, 20 , 6, (391-394), (2011). Wiley Online Library

Volume 20 , Issue 6 November/December 2011

Pages 395-406     

Proportional quota weighted voting system hierarchies II

This article completes a characterization of achievable and unachievable hierarchies in weighted voting systems where the quota is a proportion of the total weight, proving the main conjecture of Bean et?al. (Soc Choice Welf 34: 397–410, 2010).     

Path independent choice and the ranking of opportunity sets

The indirect utility principle provides an instrumentalist basis for ranking opportunity sets, given an underlying preference ranking on alternatives. Opportunity set A is weakly preferred to B if A includes at least one preference-maximising element from $A\cup B$ . We introduce the Plott consistency principle as a natural extension of this logic to decision-makers who choose amongst alternatives according to a path independent choice function. Such choice functions need not be rationalisable by a preference order. Plott consistency requires that A is an acceptable choice from $\left\{ A, B\right\} $ if A includes at least one element from the set of acceptable choices from $A\cup B$ . We explore necessary and sufficient conditions (imposed on a choice function defined on collections of opportunity sets) for Plott consistency.     

Implementation of Jefferson-d’Hondt rule in the formation of a parliamentary committee

Same parliaments, to form a committee of size $q$ , use a voting process like the following: every parliamentary member votes for one out of a fixed set of candidates, and those $q$ candidates receiving more votes are elected for the committee. Assuming total discipline of vote, this is a game form in which players are the parliamentary groups. We investigate, according to some natural hypotheses about preferences, the likely distribution of the members of this committee. The main results are: (a) when fractional votes are allowed, there is a complete agreement between the distribution among the groups of the elected candidates that are outcomes of a Nash equilibrium and the distribution that, according to the size of the groups, would compute the Jefferson-d’Hondt allocation rule, and (b) when fractional votes are not allowed, there is a near agreement for a majority of situations.     

Subgroup independence conditions on preferences

The concept of n-scale independence is introduced for a preference relation defined on ${\mathbb{R}^{n}=\mathbb{R}^{n_{1}}\times \cdots \times \mathbb{R}^{n_{p}}}$ . In addition to zero-independence and upper semicontinuity at zero, n-scale independence allows us to characterizate linear oligarchies as well as to offer a (semi)continuous welfarist analogue of Wilson’s theorem. We also include a characterization of the class of continuous, n-separable and n-scale independent, p ≥ 3, social orderings in terms of what we call homogeneous oligarchies.     

How the size of a coalition affects its chances to influence an election

Since voting rules are prototypes for many aggregation procedures, they also illuminate problems faced by economics and decision sciences. In this paper we are trying to answer the question: How large should a coalition be to have a chance to influence an election? We answer this question for all scoring rules and multistage elimination rules, under the Impartial Anonymous Culture assumption. We show that, when the number of participating agents n tends to infinity, the ratio of voting situations that can be influenced by a coalition of k voters to all voting situations is no greater than $D_{m} \frac{k}{n}Since voting rules are prototypes for many aggregation procedures, they also illuminate problems faced by economics and decision sciences. In this paper we are trying to answer the question: How large should a coalition be to have a chance to influence an election? We answer this question for all scoring rules and multistage elimination rules, under the Impartial Anonymous Culture assumption. We show that, when the number of participating agents n tends to infinity, the ratio of voting situations that can be influenced by a coalition of k voters to all voting situations is no greater than , where D _m is a constant which depends only on the number m of alternatives but not on k and n. Recent results on individual manipulability in three alternative elections show that this estimate is exact for k=1 and m=3.

Arkadii SlinkoEmail:

     

Priority setting for evaluation: Developing a strategic evaluation portfolio

Resources for evaluation are frequently scarce and best use should be made of them to deliver against the typical purposes of an evaluation function to (i) enhance accountability and (ii) promote operational improvement and learning. This paper presents a method for analyzing and prioritizing potential evaluations to improve the selection of a portfolio of activities that give the greatest pay-off. The method establishes the relative priority of ‘evaluation opportunities’ against criteria that relate to the usual primary purposes of an evaluation function. The method was developed in the context of a multilateral organization but is of general utility to the wider evaluation community and, with suitable adaptation can be applied to help ensure that scarce evaluation resources are used to their best advantage.A range of benefits are expected to accrue to an organization from adopting a more thorough, analytical priority setting process. These include:

• •Enhancing the relevance of evaluations to the wider organizational agenda
• •Providing structured justification for allocating funds to evaluation activities
• •More transparent, predictable decision-making
• •Enabling realignment of evaluation priorities with changing needs and circumstances
• •Improved credibility with stakeholders
• •Providing a clear direction and sense of purpose to evaluation staff
• •Documenting a clear framework for the development of an organization's evaluation portfolio.

The paper describes a priority setting method, including the key criteria that are used to assess ‘evaluation opportunities’, and presents different analyses of an evaluation portfolio. Examples from a practical application of the approach to the preparation of an evaluation work plan in a multilateral environmental agency are given.     

A Public Health Approach to Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Evidence from a Data Linkage Project in the United States

Historically, data concerning children reported for abuse or neglect in the US have been compiled by child protective service agencies and analysed independently from other sources of information. Yet these data suffer from the notable limitations of being both narrow in scope (i.e. containing a limited set of variables) and narrow in coverage (i.e. capturing data for only those children who are reported). In order to extend an understanding of children reported for maltreatment, the California Department of Social Services, in partnership with the University of California at Berkeley, is pursuing a ‘public health’ oriented approach to the surveillance of child maltreatment through linkages between child protective service records and population‐based sources of data. As an example of the information that can be generated through linked records, this article reports results from child‐level matches completed between the state's child protective service records and vital birth records. The cumulative percentage of children reported for abuse or neglect before the age of five is examined based on maternal and child characteristics at birth. This is followed by a discussion of record linkages as a means of furthering a public health approach to child maltreatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Citing Literature

Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 28

• Jared W. Parrish, Julia M. Fleckman, John J. Prindle, Andrea L. Eastman, Lindsey E.G. Weil, Measuring the Incidence of Child Maltreatment Using Linked Data: A Two-State Comparison, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.11.007, (2020). Crossref
• Muhammad Chutiyami, Shirley Wyver, Janaki Amin, Is Parent engagement with a child health home-based record influenced by early child development and first-born status? hypotheses from a high-income countries’ perspective, Medical Hypotheses, 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109605, (109605), (2020). Crossref
• Fred Wulczyn, Race/Ethnicity and Running Away from Foster Care:, Children and Youth Services Review, 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105504, (105504), (2020). Crossref
• Amy Conley Wright, Melissa Kaltner, Assessing the Outcomes of Alternative Care and Treatment Responses, 5G for Future Wireless Networks, 10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_3, (35-47), (2019). Crossref
• Katharine W. Buek, David L. Lakey, Dorothy J. Mandell, Paternity establishment at birth and early maltreatment: Risk and protective effects by maternal race and ethnicity, Child Abuse & Neglect, 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104069, 95 , (104069), (2019). Crossref
• A J Mason-Jones, J Loggie, Child sexual exploitation. An analysis of serious case reviews in England: poor communication, incorrect assumptions and adolescent neglect, Journal of Public Health, 10.1093/pubmed/fdy227, (2019). Crossref
• Gia Elise Barboza-Salerno, Examining Spatial Regimes of Child Maltreatment Allegations in a Social Vulnerability Framework, Child Maltreatment, 10.1177/1077559519850340, (107755951985034), (2019). Crossref
• Stacy Ann Hawkins, Kathrine S. Sullivan, Ashley C. Schuyler, Mary Keeling, Sara Kintzle, Paul B. Lester, Carl A. Castro, Thinking “Big” About Research on Military Families, Military Behavioral Health, 10.1080/21635781.2017.1343696, 5 , 4, (335-345), (2017). Crossref
• Gillian Henderson, Christine Jones, Ruth Woods, Sibling birth order, use of statutory measures and patterns of placement for children in public care: Implications for international child protection systems and research, Children and Youth Services Review, 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.10.001, 82 , (321-328), (2017). Crossref
• Steven A. Sumner, Matthew J. Maenner, Christina M. Socias, James A. Mercy, Paul Silverman, Sandra P. Medinilla, Steven S. Martin, Likang Xu, Susan D. Hillis, Sentinel Events Preceding Youth Firearm Violence, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.08.002, 51 , 5, (647-655), (2016). Crossref
• Michael S. Wald, Beyond CPS: Developing an effective system for helping children in “neglectful” families, Child Abuse & Neglect, 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.01.010, 41 , (49-66), (2015). Crossref
• Kenneth A. Dodge, Ron Haskins, Children and Government, Handbook of Child Psychology and Developmental Science, 10.1002/9781118963418, (1-50), (2015). Wiley Online Library
• Jane V. Appleton, Peter Sidebotham, The Child at the Centre of Care, Child Abuse Review, 10.1002/car.2383, 24 , 2, (77-81), (2015). Wiley Online Library
• Emily Putnam-Hornstein, James David Simon, Andrea Lane Eastman, Joseph Magruder, Risk of Re-Reporting Among Infants Who Remain at Home Following Alleged Maltreatment, Child Maltreatment, 10.1177/1077559514558586, 20 , 2, (92-103), (2014). Crossref
• Michelle Johnson-Motoyama, Emily Putnam-Hornstein, Alan J. Dettlaff, Kechen Zhao, Megan Finno-Velasquez, Barbara Needell, Disparities in Reported and Substantiated Infant Maltreatment by Maternal Hispanic Origin and Nativity: A Birth Cohort Study, Maternal and Child Health Journal, 10.1007/s10995-014-1594-9, 19 , 5, (958-968), (2014). Crossref
• Christopher Wildeman, Jane Waldfogel, Somebody's Children or Nobody's Children? How the Sociological Perspective Could Enliven Research on Foster Care, Annual Review of Sociology, 10.1146/annurev-soc-071913-043358, 40 , 1, (599-618), (2014). Crossref
• Carol W. Metzler, Matthew R. Sanders, Julie C. Rusby, Multiple Levels and Modalities of Measurement in a Population-Based Approach to Improving Parenting, Emerging Methods in Family Research, 10.1007/978-3-319-01562-0_12, (197-214), (2014). Crossref
• Michael S. Wald, Beyond Maltreatment: Developing Support for Children in Multiproblem Families, Handbook of Child Maltreatment, 10.1007/978-94-007-7208-3_13, (251-280), (2014). Crossref
• Peter Fallesen, Natalia Emanuel, Christopher Wildeman, Cumulative Risks of Foster Care Placement for Danish Children, PLoS ONE, 10.1371/journal.pone.0109207, 9 , 10, (e109207), (2014). Crossref
• Janice McGhee, Fiona Mitchell, Brigid Daniel, Julie Taylor, Taking a Long View in Child Welfare: How Can We Evaluate Intervention and Child Wellbeing Over Time?, Child Abuse Review, 10.1002/car.2268, 24 , 2, (95-106), (2013). Wiley Online Library
• Emily Putnam-Hornstein, Barbara Needell, Bryn King, Michelle Johnson-Motoyama, Racial and ethnic disparities: A population-based examination of risk factors for involvement with child protective services, Child Abuse & Neglect, 10.1016/j.chiabu.2012.08.005, 37 , 1, (33-46), (2013). Crossref
• Rhema Vaithianathan, Tim Maloney, Emily Putnam-Hornstein, Nan Jiang, Children in the Public Benefit System at Risk of Maltreatment, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.04.022, 45 , 3, (354-359), (2013). Crossref
• Bryn King, Jennifer Lawson, Emily Putnam-Hornstein, Examining the Evidence, Child Maltreatment, 10.1177/1077559513508001, 18 , 4, (232-244), (2013). Crossref
• Emily Putnam-Hornstein, Mario A. Cleves, Robyn Licht, Barbara Needell, Risk of Fatal Injury in Young Children Following Abuse Allegations: Evidence From a Prospective, Population-Based Study, American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301516, 103 , 10, (e39-e44), (2013). Crossref
• J.P. Mersky, J. Topitzes, A.J. Reynolds, Impacts of adverse childhood experiences on health, mental health, and substance use in early adulthood: A cohort study of an urban, minority sample in the U.S., Child Abuse & Neglect, 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.07.011, 37 , 11, (917-925), (2013). Crossref
• Michael S. Wald, Beyond Maltreatment: Developing Support for Children in Multiproblem Families, SSRN Electronic Journal, 10.2139/ssrn.2205471, (2013). Crossref
• Anne Lazenbatt, Lisa Bunting, Julie Taylor, Consequences of infant maltreatment on child wellbeing, British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 10.12968/bjmh.2012.1.3.171, 1 , 3, (171-175), (2012). Crossref
• Public Health Approaches to Safeguarding Children, Child Abuse Review, 10.1002/car.1196, 20 , 4, (231-237), (2011). Wiley Online Library

Volume 20 , Issue 4 July/August 2011

Pages 256-273     

An axiomatization of success

In this paper we give an axiomatic characterization of a family of measures of success defined by Laruelle and Valenciano (Soc Choice Welf 27:171–197, 2005) for voting rules.