Search Results (128)

Identifying areas that frequently experience post-rainfall ponding is essential for effective flood mitigation and planning. This study integrates Sentinel-1 radar imagery and the Topographic Control Index (TCI) to identify 378 flood-prone urban depressions in Beaumont, Texas. Out of 159 major rainfall events, only six had Sentinel-1 radar imagery acquired within six hours of peak rainfall, and these were used to generate the flood frequency map; the ground-based flood sensor data were used to verify that these selected events corresponded to actual peak rainfall and to validate radar-detected water pixels. Validation results showed 100% precision, 70.87% recall, an F1-score of 82.95%, and 71.32% overall accuracy. Approximately 84% of medium-to-high TCI depressions overlapped with Beaumont’s two-year inundation map, confirming a strong relationship between TCI and observed flooding. A total of 124 depressions retained significant water, and after excluding 25 engineered detention ponds, 99 natural depressions remained flood vulnerable. Among these, 74 depressions with medium or high TCI were identified as the highest-priority nuisance flooding hotspots. The results demonstrate that combining TCI with radar imagery provides a reliable and cost-effective approach for identifying areas prone to frequent urban ponding. This framework supports practical decision-making for drainage improvements, hotspot identification, and early-warning system development in urban flood-prone regions. Full article

This study investigated the impact of a Yard Management System (YMS) implemented at a third-party logistics distribution center in the United States. Five years of operational data (2018–2022), including 72 monthly observations of inbound and outbound freight performance (measured in pounds) and detention occurrences (measured in US dollars), were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to assess pre- and post-implementation performance. The results indicated that the YMS significantly improved inbound and outbound freight volume, reduced detention occurrences, and enhanced operational efficiency within the third-party logistics distribution center. These findings suggest that YMS can be an effective tool for enhancing yard-level operational efficiency, reducing delays, and supporting broader supply chain optimization strategies in third-party logistics environments. Full article

Although trauma exposure (TE) has been shown to be a robust predictor of youth involvement in the juvenile justice system, evidence regarding the role of TE amongst youth who recidivate has been more mixed. Recidivist youth are a population of particular concern, given evidence of declining mental health and diminished likelihood of returning to an adaptive developmental course. One way in which TE may contribute to these negative outcomes over time is through potentiating or “driving” mental health problems, which are especially prevalent among trauma-exposed youth in the justice system. To examine this hypothesis, longitudinal data were obtained over a 10-year period from a sample of 5615 juvenile justice-involved youth (1499 girls and 4116 boys) who completed a mental health screening at each admission to detention. Results of analyses assessing the associations among trauma exposure, linear and quadratic time, and mental health problems were consistent with the hypothesis that increases in TE were associated with increasing anger/irritability, depression/anxiety, somatic complaints, and suicidal ideation across repeat admissions. With the exception of alcohol/drug use, all mental health outcomes followed a quadratic trajectory over the course of multiple admissions. Rates of mental health problems were consistently highest for girls and White youth across all waves. These results add to our understanding of the role of trauma in mental health problems among persistent offenders and may help to inform interventions designed to reduce youth contact with the potentially iatrogenic effects of justice system involvement. Full article

Rainfall retention and runoff detention are the key hydrological processes that reduce runoff from green roofs. This study aims to quantify and model the hydrological response of nine combinations of growing substrates and drainage layers for extensive green roofs. Retention and detention capacities were evaluated using laboratory column experiments under two extreme initial moisture conditions—air-dried (D) and field capacity (W)—and three rainfall intensities (30, 60, and 100 mm h⁻¹). Regardless of the substrate–drainage combination, retention capacity, W_R, was significantly higher under dry conditions than under wet ones. Under wet conditions and rainfall intensity of 30 mm h⁻¹ (30 W tests), the mean W_R value (5.2 mm) was significantly lower than those recorded at higher intensities (14.3 and 14.2 mm, for 60 W and 100 W tests, respectively). Detention capacity, W_D, was less influenced by initial moisture and rainfall intensity, with mean values ranging from 7.4 to 10.9 mm. The distinct hydrological responses of green roof columns in the two antecedent moisture conditions were attributed to contrasting infiltration mechanisms: capillary flow dominated under dry conditions, while gravity-driven preferential flow prevailed under wet conditions. The application of a simple reservoir-routing model revealed that the AgriTerram (AT)—expanded perlite (EP) combination achieved the greatest reduction in total outflow volume and peak runoff. Under wet initial conditions, no single configuration clearly outperformed the others. This study highlights how the combined use of simulated rainfall experiments and a reservoir-routing model enables the identification of the most effective combination of substrate and drainage system to improve the hydrological performance of green roofs. Full article

Risk assessment instruments are widely used in U.S. juvenile justice systems to predict recidivism. However, concerns persist that these tools may embed systemic inequities by relying on indicators shaped by racialized disadvantage and community-level deprivation. This study examines whether race/ethnicity, detention and placement histories, and neighborhood disadvantage predict juvenile recidivism, and whether these effects vary across contexts. Using public data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and a longitudinal cohort of 2877 youth (11,508 assessments, 2015–2018), generalized estimating equations modeled rearrest within 365 days. Detention history significantly predicted rearrest; placement history showed limited effects. Neighborhood disadvantage did not predict rearrest directly but significantly amplified the effect of prior detention. Race and SDI interactions revealed divergent patterns across groups. These findings underscore the need to contextualize risk assessments within structural inequities and to reform predictive tools to support equity-centered, rehabilitative decision-making. Full article

The compounding effects of hydrometeorological hazards are being driven by climate change. As urban areas expand, this leads to degradation of the surrounding environment and exposes more people to hazards. Growing losses show that conventional approaches to addressing these issues can compound these problems. Over the last few decades, nature-based solutions (NBSs) have become an increasingly popular alternative. These measures, inspired by natural processes, have shown potential for reducing hazards by complementing traditional approaches and providing co-benefits in the form of eco-system services. With the adoption of NBSs becoming a more mainstream approach, there is a need for tools that support the planning and implementation of interventions. Geospatial suitability assessment is a part of this planning process. Existing tools are limited in their application for large-scale measures. This paper intends to improve this by building upon a multi-criteria analysis (MCA)-based approach that incorporates biophysical and land use criteria and conditions for mapping the suitability of large-scale NBSs. The methodology was developed and tested on six sites to assess the suitability of floodplain restoration, retention or detention, afforestation, and forest buffer strips. The resulting suitability maps also show potential for combining two or more measures for greater risk reduction. Full article

Using five years of field monitoring data, this study compares two types of roof systems that combine green roofs, cisterns, and real-time control (RTC) strategies: one optimized to reduce stormwater runoff (a fully vegetated roof with cisterns operating under a “smart detention” [SD] logic that fully empties within 24 h), and one designed to balance architectural, economic, and structural tradeoffs (a half vegetated, half bare roof with cisterns operating under a “rainwater harvesting” [RWH] logic that partially drains in anticipation of rainfall while maintaining a reserve for green roof irrigation). Both configurations demonstrated strong stormwater performance, with cisterns improving roof retention by 10.2 to 13.0% over five years. For small to medium storms (under 25 mm), representing 71.2% of events, both strategies prevented more than 95% of runoff, while forecast accuracy primarily influenced larger events. Even with modest cistern sizing, the SD system captured 96.7% and the RWH system 95.8% of runoff from small to medium storms, approaching 100% assuming perfect weather forecasts. Irrigation analysis showed that RWH cisterns supplied ~51% of irrigation demand, increasing to ~70% under perfect forecasts. This study is among the first to compare stormwater and irrigation outcomes from side-by-side RTC-managed roof systems over multiple years. The results underscore that the mixed green/bare roof with RWH logic provides nearly equivalent stormwater benefits while offering added value through irrigation supply, reduced structural loading, and design flexibility. Full article

Pre-trial detention is intended to be a measure of last resort, yet it is excessively applied across jurisdictions worldwide. This paper examines its use, with particular emphasis on its application to women and its incompatibility with international human rights law, standards, and norms. We demonstrate that the inappropriate and widespread use of custodial remand violates fundamental human rights, while exposing the gendered and intersectional barriers that impede women’s access to bail. We further underscore the far-reaching social, economic, and emotional consequences of women’s incarceration. Drawing on a limited but expanding body of research, we argue that pre-trial detention operates as a form of gendered punishment that reflects and reinforces structural inequalities, producing enduring harms for women, their families, and communities. The paper concludes by calling for investment in gender-sensitive, non-custodial, and community-based alternatives that advance women’s decarceration. These measures must be underpinned by reforms that give practical effect to human rights law, standards, and norms, while also addressing the structural conditions that lead to women’s involvement in the criminal-legal system, and ending the unnecessary imprisonment of those who are legally innocent. Full article

There is very limited information available on secure care in Australia. There is no national oversight, standards, or data collection mechanisms. This article aims to outline which Australian states and territories deliver secure care, provide an overview of these interventions, identify trends and outlying practice, and highlight the human rights implications. A comparative systemic methodology was utilised, gathering qualitative data on secure care across Australian states and territories to compare and analyse. The findings are presented descriptively, and a qualitative content analysis was completed. This article identifies that there is secure care in all states and territories in Australia except Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland. The content analysis identified that the Northern Territory and New South Wales do not have secure care legislation, and that the Australia Capital Territory and New South Wales are the only jurisdictions that require a specific secure care judicial order to authorise admissions. Victoria, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia utilise ‘administrative detention’ to authorise a secure care admission—this is when the admission to secure care of children with the involvement of child protection is authorised by the government, not through a court order via the judicial system. A consequence of the use of administrative detention is that children ‘in care’ in Australia are being deprived of their liberty without legal representation or access to the right to appeal in a court of law. There is minimal publicly available admission data on secure care in Australia. This article argues that secure care’s welfare-based position, conceptualisation, and discourse simultaneously obscures visibility, legitimises depriving children of their liberty and the use of restrictive measures, and undermines a rights-based approach to children experiencing extreme vulnerability. The use of administrative detention undermines system accountability, and the legal safety of children admitted to secure care in Australia. This is placing the rights of children in secure care in Australia as secondary to the management of organisational risk. Full article

This literature review examines the relationship between the number and type of deficiencies identified during Port State Control (PSC) inspections and a ship’s overall risk. The main objective is to synthesise the current academic evidence, detailing the analytical methodologies employed and highlighting key research contributions. The selection of literature has focused on peer-reviewed articles and relevant doctoral theses addressing detention risk prediction, accident risk and ship risk profiling. The findings indicate a consistent correlation between PSC deficiencies and ship risk, although the nature and strength of this correlation may vary depending on the type of risk considered and the specific deficiencies. A methodological evolution is observed in the field, from descriptive statistical analyses and regressions towards more complex predictive models, such as Machine Learning (ML) and Bayesian Networks (BNs). This transition reflects a search for greater accuracy in risk assessment, going beyond simple numerical correlation to improve the selection of ships for inspection. Multivariate statistical techniques, on the other hand, focus on the identification of risk patterns and the evaluation of the PSC system. The conclusions underline the importance of deficiencies as indicators of risk, the need for differentiated inspection approaches and the persistent challenges related to data quality and model interpretability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite legal frameworks acknowledging the need to protect the rights of female prisoners, penitentiary systems often neglect gender-specific needs, particularly for foreign women. Among them, Muslim women face distinct challenges linked to cultural and religious practices, which are frequently unmet in prison contexts. This review aims to explore the academic literature on the experiences of Muslim women in detention. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using three major bibliographic databases—Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science—covering the period from 2010 to 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies examining the condition of Muslim women in prison. Of the initial pool, only four articles met the criteria and were included in the final analysis. Results: The review reveals a marked scarcity of research on Muslim women in prison at both national and international levels. This gap may be due to their limited representation or cultural factors that hinder open discourse. The selected studies highlight key issues, including restricted access to services, limited ability to practice religion, and language and cultural barriers. These challenges contribute to increased psychological vulnerability, which is often underestimated in prison settings. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for targeted research and culturally competent training for prison staff to adequately support Muslim women in detention. Greater academic and institutional attention is essential to develop inclusive policies that consider the intersection of gender, religion, and migration, particularly in the post-release reintegration process. Full article

This study developed a model to predict ships with high deficiency risk under Port State Control (PSC) through machine learning techniques, particularly the Random Forest algorithm. The study utilized actual ship inspection data from the Port of Singapore, comprehensively considering various operational and safety indicators of ships, including but not limited to flag state, ship age, past deficiencies, and detention history. By analyzing these factors in depth, this research enhances the efficiency and accuracy of PSC inspections, provides decision support for port authorities, and offers strategic guidance for shipping companies to comply with international safety standards. During the research process, I first conducted detailed data preprocessing, including data cleaning and feature selection, to ensure the effectiveness of model training. Using the Random Forest algorithm, I identified key factors influencing the detention risk of ships and established a risk prediction model accordingly. The model validation results indicated that factors such as ship age, tonnage, company performance, and flag state significantly affect whether a ship exhibits a high deficiency rate. In addition, this study explored the potential and limitations of applying the Random Forest model in predicting high deficiency risk under PSC, and proposed future research directions, including further model optimization and the development of real-time prediction systems. By achieving these goals, I hope to provide valuable experience for other global shipping hubs, promote higher international maritime safety standards, and contribute to the sustainable development of the global shipping industry. This research not only highlights the importance of machine learning in the maritime domain but also demonstrates the potential of data-driven decision-making in improving ship safety management and port inspection efficiency. It is hoped that this study will inspire more maritime practitioners and researchers to explore advanced data analytics techniques to address the increasingly complex challenges of global shipping. Full article

Urbanization and climate change have disrupted natural water circulation by increasing impervious surfaces and altering rainfall patterns, leading to reduced groundwater infiltration, deteriorating water quality, and heightened flood risks. This study investigates the application of Low Impact Development (LID) and flood control facilities as structural measures to address these challenges in the upper watershed of the Fucha River in Bogotá, Colombia. The methodology involved analyzing watershed characteristics, defining circulation problems, setting hydrological targets, selecting facility types and locations, evaluating performance, and conducting an economic analysis. To manage the target rainfall of $26.5$$\mathrm{m}$$\mathrm{m}$ under normal conditions, LID facilities such as vegetated swales, rain gardens, infiltration channels, and porous pavements were applied, managing approximately 2362 ${\mathrm{m}}^3$ of runoff. For flood control, five detention tanks were proposed, resulting in a 31.8% reduction in peak flow and a 7.3% decrease in total runoff volume. The flooded area downstream was reduced by $46.8$$\mathrm{h}\mathrm{a}$, and the benefit–cost ratio was calculated at 1.02. These findings confirm that strategic application of LID and detention facilities can contribute to effective urban water cycle management and disaster risk reduction. While the current disaster management approach in Bogotá primarily focuses on post-event response, this study highlights the necessity of transitioning toward proactive disaster preparedness. In particular, the introduction and expansion of flood forecasting and warning systems are recommended as non-structural measures, especially in urban areas with complex infrastructure and climate-sensitive hydrology. Full article

Under the dual pressures of global climate change and rapid urbanization, urban drainage systems (UDS) face severe challenges caused by extreme precipitation events and altered surface hydrological processes. The drainage paradigm is shifting toward resilient systems integrating grey and green infrastructure, necessitating a comprehensive review of the design and operation of grey infrastructure. This study systematically summarizes advances in urban stormwater process-wide regulation, focusing on drainage network design optimization, siting and control strategies for flow control devices (FCDs), and coordinated management of Quasi-Detention Basins (QDBs). Through graph theory-driven topological design, real-time control (RTC) technologies, and multi-objective optimization algorithms (e.g., genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization), the research demonstrates that decentralized network layouts, dynamic gate regulation, and stormwater resource utilization significantly enhance system resilience and storage redundancy. Additionally, deep learning applications in flow prediction, flood assessment, and intelligent control exhibit potential to overcome limitations of traditional models. Future research should prioritize improving computational efficiency, optimizing hybrid infrastructure synergies, and integrating deep learning with RTC to establish more resilient and adaptive urban stormwater management frameworks. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered an important health issue worldwide. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade through the administration of angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as Losartan (LOS), has been considered the best strategy for CKD treatment for decades. However, this approach promotes only partial detention of CKD progression and cannot reverse renal damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the therapeutic administration of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose stem cells (ASCs), associated to LOS treatment, would promote additional renoprotection in rats underwent the 5/6 renal ablation CKD model. ASC-derived EV were administered locally, in the renal subcapsular area, 15 days after CKD induction, when LOS therapy also began. Animals were followed for additional 15 days and our results demonstrated that subcapsular injection of ASC-derived EV associated with LOS significantly reduced glomerulosclerosis, renal interstitial infiltration by myofibroblasts, and macrophages in the 5/6 CKD model. Additionally, LOS + EV abrogated systemic hypertension, proteinuria, and albuminuria, and stimulated local gene overexpression of the endogenous anti-inflammatory Il-4. Although more studies are still required to establish the best EV dose and administration route, these findings point to therapy with ASC-derived EV as a potential adjuvant in CKD treatment Full article