Search Results (25)

The internet has revolutionized communication, becoming central to daily life. Consequently, news consumption shifted dramatically with increased media access, exposing individuals to global traumatic events, such as armed conflicts. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of this exposure due to their media expertise and developmental stage. Young adults are more mature and independent but remain vulnerable to the harmful effects of internet exposure. This study examined the relationship between internet media exposure to armed conflict and post-traumatic symptoms and psychiatric symptomology among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, self-mastery was explored as a resilience factor in both groups. A sample of 329 participants, including 159 adolescents (ages 12–18) and 168 young adults (ages 20–26), completed questionnaires assessing direct and internet media exposure to armed conflict events, self-mastery, post-traumatic symptoms and psychiatric symptomology. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that internet media exposure was positively associated with post-traumatic symptoms and psychiatric symptomatology only among adolescents, whereas direct exposure was significantly related to post-traumatic symptoms only among young adults. Self-mastery moderated these effects in both groups, buffering the psychological impact of the most relevant exposure. The findings underscore the need for interventions that foster self-mastery to mitigate the adverse effects of traumatic media exposure, particularly among adolescents. Developmental implications are discussed. Full article

The accurate collection of spatially distributed electrification data is considered of great importance for tracking progress toward target 7.1 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the formulation of policy decisions on electricity access issues. However, the existing datasets face severe limitations in terms of temporal discontinuity and restricted threshold selection. To effectively address these issues, in this work, an improved remote sensing method was proposed to monitor global building electrification. By integrating global land cover data, built-up area data, and annual NPP/VIIRS nighttime light images, a regional threshold method was used to identify electrified and unelectrified areas yearly, generating a global building electrification dataset for 2012–2023. Based on our analysis, we found the following: (1) The five assessment metrics of the product—Accuracy (0.9856), Precision (0.9734), Recall (0.9984), F1-score (0.9858), and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (0.9715)—all exceed 0.9, demonstrating that our method achieves high reliability in identifying electrified buildings. (2) In 2023, 91.88% of global building areas were electrified, with the unelectrified buildings being predominantly located in rural regions of developing countries. (3) Between 2012 and 2023, the global electrified building area increased by 2.4199 million km², with rural areas experiencing a faster growth rate than town areas. The annual reduction rate of unelectrified building area was 0.62%. However, to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, this rate must nearly double. (4) External factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, and armed conflicts significantly affect global electrification progress, with developing countries being particularly vulnerable. In our work, remote sensing methodologies and datasets for monitoring electrification trends were refined, and a detailed spatial representation of unelectrified areas worldwide was provided. Full article

This article analyses the impacts of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain and logistics related to the management of agro-food production based on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature. The challenges and lessons posed by market dependence in a scenario of globalization through monopolies and oligopolies in the production and export of agro-food are assessed, highlighting the vulnerability and uncertainty faced when an international conflict occurs. The review examines the format of globalization versus glocalization, analyzing their respective advantages and disadvantages in supply chains and management in the context of two major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Likewise, the resilience of agro-food and agro-industrial systems that were negatively affected by food insecurity and food price inflation in parts of Europe, Africa, and other regions of the planet is analyzed. By identifying opportunities arising from these challenges, the research offers insights into fostering a more robust agro-food supply chain that is more adaptable to global crises based on the geographic location and regional development of agribusinesses capable of responding to demand in the event of a global crisis such as a pandemic or armed conflict. Full article

In the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, energy security is essential to economic challenges nowadays. The basis for the proper operating of the energy sector is to ensure a stable supply of energy to end users and to secure finances of energy companies, so that they can operate sustainably in times of uncertainty. In our studies, we have addressed this issue with the main objective of assessing the state of energy security from the perspective of the stability of the financial situation of energy sector companies in the context of the global energy crisis and a sustainable energy future. Financial indicators and a canonical variable analysis were used to examine the financial situation of companies in the energy sector and to describe links between selected groups of energy companies. Such companies operating during political and economic instability did not record worse financial results than in the year 2018. It was found that in case-studied firms, total debt decreased and moreover, liquidity and return on assets improved. Companies have focused on securing their financial health and ensuring the stability of their energy supplies and the issue of the environmental impact of energy production has unfortunately become a secondary concern. Nevertheless, in the event of further crises, it is reasonable to assume that a focus on maintaining liquidity and generating profits for energy companies will be more important to companies than environmental challenges and the fight against climate change. Full article

After the onset of the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Poland was forced to change its markets for sourcing raw materials, specifically oil and gas. Simultaneously, as a member of the EU and due to its geographical location in Europe, Poland must meet emission standards and ensure energy security. The aim of this publication is to analyze and evaluate the management of the fuel supply chain (FSC) in Poland in the context of energy security. The main research question formulated is to what extent the management of the FSC can ensure Poland’s energy security. The publication employs two models: MAED (Model for Analysis of Energy Demand) and CDM (canonical distribution model). The research is based on data from the Statistical Office and data provided by the fuel industry. Between 2021 and 2023, Poland diversified its supply sources, mainly from Saudi Arabia (45.2%) and Norway (35.2%), which together account for 80.4% of imports. The current fuel storage capacity (15.05 million m³) is capable of securing production logistics in the event of SC disruptions and market uncertainties. The shift in fuel supply logistics during the discussed period, along with the increase in the fuel safety stock coefficient to quantities exceeding current demand in case of further disruptions caused by external factors, affects the security of the Polish state as well as neighboring countries in Central Europe. Distribution logistics are managed domestically through networks of fuel stations operated by Polish and foreign corporations, including a group of independently owned private fuel stations (47.5%). The fuel industry in Poland has risen to the challenge, maintaining the stability of fuel supplies and their prices. Full article

For decades, the armed conflict in Colombia has profoundly impacted across various domains, causing psychosocial, economic, environmental, political, and moral damages throughout the country. One of the most affected sectors has been education, which involves all stakeholders within the educational system, particularly teachers who have directly or indirectly experienced this violence. This article, stemming from research on the resignification of armed conflict and peacebuilding, focuses on how teachers have transformed these impacts into educational actions that contribute to peacebuilding. We analysed the experiences and reflections of 412 participating teachers on-site in five conflict-affected zones in Colombia. Four main categories emerged: (1) psychosocial actions, (2) responsible teaching practices, (3) pedagogical actions, and (4) discussion and reflection spaces. These findings reveal insights not only about the actions that foster peace through school activities but also those within homes and, importantly, the work on oneself. While these actions may not be adopted by all teachers and do not guarantee immunity against future violent events, we believe this analysis could greatly benefit humanity. It prepares us to prevent and confront various forms of aggression, while also assisting in reframing everyday events that could nurture a vulnerable society suffering in silence. Full article

As both satellite imagery and image-based machine learning methods continue to improve and become more accessible, they are being utilized in an increasing number of sectors and applications. Recent applications using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and satellite imagery include estimating socioeconomic and development indicators such as poverty, road quality, and conflict. This article builds on existing work leveraging satellite imagery and machine learning for estimation or prediction, to explore the potential to extend these methods temporally. Using Landsat 8 imagery and data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) we produce subnational predictions of the risk of conflict fatalities in Nigeria during 2015, 2017, and 2019 using distinct models trained on both yearly and six-month windows of data from the preceding year. We find that predictions at conflict sites leveraging imagery from the preceding year for training can predict conflict fatalities in the following year with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of over 75% on average. While models consistently outperform a baseline comparison, and performance in individual periods can be strong (AUC > 80%), changes based on ground conditions such as the geographic scope of conflict can degrade performance in subsequent periods. In addition, we find that training models using an entire year of data slightly outperform models using only six months of data. Overall, the findings suggest CNN-based methods are moderately effective at detecting features in Landsat satellite imagery associated with the risk of fatalities from conflict events across time periods. Full article

Hemoperfusion is a novel adjunct therapy that targets the dysregulated inflammatory events in severe sepsis. Previous studies have reported conflicting results on its efficacy and safety. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of hemoperfusion among leptospirosis patients in septic shock and renal failure in terms of improvement in 28-day mortality, SOFA score, level of inflammatory markers, hemodynamics, and renal and pulmonary function. A total of 37 severe leptospirosis patients were enrolled and randomized into either standard medical therapy (SMT) alone, n = 20, or with hemoperfusion (HP), n = 17. Vital signs, urine output, vasopressor dose, PaO₂/FiO₂ (P/F) ratio, and biochemical parameters of patients from each treatment arm were compared. The hemoperfusion group showed a 36.84% (p = 0.017) risk reduction in 28-day mortality. Levels of procalcitonin, IL6, and lactate significantly decreased from baseline to day 7 in both groups. Statistically significant improvements in serum creatinine (p = 0.04) and PF ratio (p = 0.045) were observed in the hemoperfusion cohort. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches showed that hemoperfusion increased the survival rate and decreased the mortality risk. This benefit for survival persisted even when patients were also receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), showing that hemoperfusion’s benefits are independent of ECMO use. Hemoperfusion is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for managing severe sepsis. It promotes earlier renal and pulmonary function recovery and improves the survival of septic shock patients. Full article

Cultural property includes immovable assets that are part of a nation’s cultural heritage and reflect the cultural identity of a people. Hence, information about armed conflict’s impact on historical buildings’ structures and heritage sites is extremely important. The study aims to demonstrate the application of Earth observation (EO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, and in particular Sentinel-1 SAR coherence time-series analysis, to monitor spatial and temporal changes related to the recent Russian–Ukrainian war in the urban areas of Mariupol and Kharkiv, Ukraine. The study considers key events during the siege of Mariupol and the battle of Kharkiv from February to May 2022. Built-up areas and cultural property were identified using freely available OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. Semi-automated coherent change-detection technique (CCD) that utilize difference analysis of pre- and co-conflict coherences were capable of highlighting areas of major impact on the urban structures. The study applied a logistic regression model (LRM) for the discrimination of damaged and undamaged buildings based on an estimated likelihood of damage occurrence. A good agreement was observed with the reference data provided by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) in terms of the overall extent of damage. Damage maps enable the localization of buildings and cultural assets in areas with a high probability of damage and can serve as the basis for a high-resolution follow-up investigation. The study reveals the benefits of Sentinel-1 SAR CCD in the sense of unsupervised delineation of areas affected by armed conflict. However, limitations arise in the detection of local and single-building damage compared to regions with large-scale destruction. The proposed semi-automated multi-temporal Sentinel-1 data analysis using CCD methodology shows its applicability for the timely investigation of damage to buildings and cultural heritage, which can support the response to crises. Full article

Background: Robotic-assisted surgery is the gold standard for performing radical prostatectomy (RARP), with new robotic devices such as Hugo^TM RAS gaining prominence worldwide. Objective: We report the surgical, perioperative, and early postoperative outcomes of RARP using Hugo^TM RAS. Design, setting, and participants: Between April 2022 and October 2023, we performed 132 procedures using the Montsouris technique with a four-robotic-arm configuration in patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa). Outcome measures: We collected intraoperative and perioperative data during hospitalization, along with follow-up data at predefined postoperative intervals of 3 and 6 months. Results and limitations: Lymphadenectomy was performed in 25 procedures, with a bilateral nerve-sparing technique in 33 and a monolateral nerve-sparing technique in 33 cases. The mean total surgery time was 242 (±57) min, the mean console time was 124 (±48) min, and the mean docking time was 10 (±2) min. We identified 17 system errors related to robotic arm failures, 9 robotic instrument breakdowns, and 8 significant conflicts between robotic arms. One post-operative complication was classified as Clavien–Dindo 3b. None of the adverse events, whether singular or combined, increased the operative time. Positive margins (pR1) were found in 54 (40.9%) histological specimens, 37 (28.0%) of which were clinically significant. At 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the PSA levels were undetectable in 94.6% and 92.1% of patients, respectively. Social urinary continence was regained in 86% after 6 months. Limitations of our study include its observational monocentric case-series design and the short follow-up data for functional and oncological outcomes. Conclusions: Our initial experience highlights the reliability of the Hugo^TM RAS system in performing RARP. Additionally, we also list problems and solutions found in our daily work. Full article

Following the peace accord on 26 September 2016 between the Colombian government and the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), significant structural issues persisted in Colombia, such as state fragility, land distribution challenges, and rural impoverishment, all of which jeopardized sustainable peace. Previous disarmament events indicated potential shifts in violence and recidivism rates among ex-combatants. This paper aims to determine the likelihood that, in the post-conflict era with FARC, these ex-combatants would rearm themselves into new criminal factions. Employing a methodology by Paul Collier, the study utilized logit, probit, and panel data models with both fixed and random effects to evaluate the recidivism risk at the municipal level. A 1% increase in per capita municipal income decreased conflict probability due to the increased opportunity cost of disrupting economic endeavors. Conversely, 1% increases in potential conflict benefits from tax revenue and natural resource proceeds raised the probability of conflict by 40% and 17%, respectively. Key results indicate that economic advancement, as measured by per capita income, reduced the duration of paramilitary presence, whereas revenue from taxes and natural resources extended it at the municipal level in Colombia. Full article

International policy and humanitarian guidance emphasize the need for precise, subnational malaria risk assessments with cross-regional comparability. Spatially explicit indicator-based assessments can support humanitarian aid organizations in identifying and localizing vulnerable populations for scaling resources and prioritizing aid delivery. However, the reliability of these assessments is often uncertain due to data quality issues. This article introduces a data evaluation framework to assist risk modelers in evaluating data adequacy. We operationalize the concept of “data adequacy” by considering “quality by design” (suitability) and “quality of conformance” (reliability). Based on a use case we developed in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, we assessed data sources popular in spatial malaria risk assessments and related domains, including data from the Malaria Atlas Project, a healthcare facility database, WorldPop population counts, Climate Hazards group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) precipitation estimates, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) precipitation forecast, and Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) conflict events data. Our findings indicate that data availability is generally not a bottleneck, and data producers effectively communicate contextual information pertaining to sources, methodology, limitations and uncertainties. However, determining such data’s adequacy definitively for supporting humanitarian intervention planning remains challenging due to potential inaccuracies, incompleteness or outdatedness that are difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, the data hold value for awareness raising, advocacy and recognizing trends and patterns valuable for humanitarian contexts. We contribute a domain-agnostic, systematic approach to geodata adequacy evaluation, with the aim of enhancing geospatial risk assessments, facilitating evidence-based decisions. Full article

When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Idlib, it alarmed and disturbed international observers. However, HTS is only one among a number of radical Islamist groups in a part of Syria that has become an incubator of Jihadism. As the last remaining redoubt of the armed opposition in the country, the governorate has become an international concern. Events have now reached an impasse, and the time is thus right for a reappraisal that steps back and considers contemporary developments in the wider context of ongoing events in the governorate. This article also places local developments in a wider context in another sense by considering how regional and international interventions contributed to HTS’s rise in the Idlib governorate. This is particularly important as external interventions by Turkey, Iran, Russia and the US have not only failed to establish a sustainable basis for peace by addressing the root causes of violence but have actually inflamed hostilities and exacerbated the various challenges involved in ending the conflict, which has at times taken on the appearance of a proxy war. In seeking to better theorise externalisation, this article draws on peacebuilding theory. This historical and political contextualisation seeks to contribute to an improved understanding of HTS’s rise and the means through which it can be most effectively combated in the future. Full article

Armed conflicts and other types of violence are key drivers of human-induced landscape change. Since March 2011, Syria has been embroiled in a prolonged and devastating armed conflict causing immense human suffering and extensive destruction. As a result, over five million people have been forced to seek refuge outside the country’s borders, while more than six million have been internally displaced. This study focuses on examining the impact of this conflict on forest cover by identifying the drivers of forest change. To assess this change, Landsat and PALSAR imagery were used to differentiate between forested and non-forested areas. Spectral information was synthetized using the Tasseled Cap transformation and the time series data was simplified and despiked using the LandTrendr algorithm. Our results show that between 2010 and 2019 there was a substantial decrease of 19.3% in forest cover, predominantly concentrated in the northwestern region of Syria. This decline was induced by the armed conflict, with several key drivers contributing to the decline, such as illegal logging activities conducted by both locals and refugees living in nearby forest areas. Drivers such as proximity to refugee camps, roads, and settlements played an important role in producing this change by facilitating access to forests. In addition, the occurrence of explosive events such as bombings and shelling near forests also contributed to this decline by causing forest fires. To mitigate further deforestation and reduce dependence on forests for fuel, it is crucial for local governments in the post-conflict period to offer sustainable alternatives for heating and cooking to both the local populations and refugees. Additionally, governments are recommended to enforce strict laws and regulations to protect forests and combat illegal logging activities. These measures are essential for preserving and restoring forests, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of both displaced populations and local communities. Full article

This research seeks to find out to what extent the Spanish press reflects the role played by the Red Cross during the first 100 days of the war in Ukraine. It aims to identify the main characteristics of the information in which the organization has taken a leading role in the press. The theoretical framework includes a literature review on the strategic relationship between the press and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the benefit of their reputation, as well as the role of the Red Cross in armed conflicts, and the link between the third sector and geopolitics. In order to examine how different media treated the Red Cross as the protagonist of the news, articles published in the written press that included “Red Cross” as keywords in the headline were selected through the Onclusive platform (formerly Kantar Media). The period of analysis covered the first 100 days of war in Ukraine, from 24 February to 3 June 2022. The methodology used was developed in two phases: the first based on content analysis, and the second focused on the description and interpretation of the informative development of the sample. The results reveal that the role of the Red Cross in the conflict is not the focus of media attention and that its name has become a lure for political communication, for social events or for the publicity of the more traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) of companies. We can say that the relationship between the Red Cross and the written press has not contributed to explaining or clearly expressing the institution’s task or mission in a war. This is why it can be deduced that the articles analyzed do not improve the brand value and its positioning among readers. Full article