Search Results (271)

Anna Burns’ No Bones has extensively documented its depiction of trauma during the Troubles; less attention has been paid to the systematic mechanisms through which pervasive psychosocial harm is quietly administered and normalised. This article moves beyond readings of individual suffering to diagnose a collective condition, arguing that Burns constructs a veritable architecture of harm: a meticulously designed system operating not through overt aggression alone, but through the mundane, yet powerfully insidious, interplay of social forces governing everyday life. This synthesis reveals how these forces converge to produce what Achille Mbembe terms a death-world: a state of being where populations are subjected to conditions that confer upon them the status of the living dead. Within this necropolitical landscape, the protagonist Amelia’s routines are dictated by shrinking spatial affordances, while incessant rumour functions as a policing mechanism that enforces social death long before physical death is a threat. This analysis demonstrates that harm is not an atmospheric byproduct of conflict, but the very logic of this architecture, which compels the community to participate in its own subjugation. Ultimately, by mapping this architecture, this article reframes Burns’ novel from a historical text of the Troubles into a trenchant meditation on the governance of populations under duress. It offers a vital framework for understanding how quiet harm is spatially engineered, a dynamic with profound relevance for contemporary studies of carceral geographies, algorithm-driven social control, and the politics of atmospheric violence. It posits Burns’ work as a crucial resource for theorising the invisible structures that shape and constrain modern life. Full article

Background/Objectives: The implementation of COVID-19 vaccination in the United States has revealed substantial disparities driven by geography, socioeconomic conditions, and political ideology. This study examines the association between these factors and COVID-19 vaccination uptake across 360 counties in four U.S.–Mexico border states, characterized by distinct socio-political traits. Methods: Using county-level data, this study employed multivariable regression analysis and GIS mapping to assess the effects of income, education, employment, age, race, ethnicity, occupation, metropolitan status, border status, and political affiliation on Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccination rates. Results: The analysis showed that Dose 1 vaccination rates were significantly higher in border counties and metropolitan areas. Democratic population share and per capita income were positively associated with vaccination uptake. Dose 2 vaccination rates exhibited patterns similar to those observed for Dose 1. Booster vaccination rates were positively associated with Democratic affiliation, the proportion of the population with at least a high school education, and the share of individuals aged 65 years and older. In contrast, unemployment rates were negatively associated with booster uptake. Racial and ethnic composition was also associated with vaccination outcomes: higher Black population shares were associated with lower Dose 1 vaccination rates, whereas higher Native American population shares were associated with higher vaccination rates. Booster uptake was higher with larger shares of the Asian population but slightly lower with larger shares of the White population. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination uptake in U.S.–Mexico border counties was associated with a complex interaction of geographic, socioeconomic, demographic, and political factors. These findings underscore the importance of targeted, context-specific public health strategies to reduce vaccination disparities and improve booster coverage in border regions. Full article

The complexity of the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus demands a comprehensive framework for its implementation, particularly concerning place-based governance and sustainable transitions. In this work, the WEF Nexus is conceptualized through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems Transition Theory and its interconnections with geo-ecological system components, enabling its recognition as a place-based Socio-Technical–Ecological meta-System (STES). The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are introduced as landscape drivers of the WEF Nexus, as they acknowledge the crucial role of society, technology and ecological systems in its interconnected domains. A novel integrated methodology to develop the WEF Nexus as a STES transition is presented, encompassing literature review, qualitative analysis, conceptual mapping, and multi-stakeholder co-creation. This theoretical framework was empirically tested and improved across selected case studies on hydrological basins in Africa within the ONEPlanET Horizon Europe Project. Both leverageable subsystems and promising transitional innovation assets were identified. The transitional X-Curve assisted in the discussion in the empirical context of ONEPlanET to generalise the findings and the visual presentation of the identified pathways. The methodology that resulted is suitable for supporting a concrete exploration of systemic mapping, analysis, and planning towards a sustainable WEF Nexus in complex geographies, facilitated through multi-stakeholder engagement and co-creation. Full article

The paper aims to provide spatial evidence on where to prioritize place-based support for women’s entrepreneurship by linking the geography of female founders to the proximity of formal support infrastructure in Germany. To pursue this objective, we assemble nationwide venture microdata covering founding cohorts 2015–2021 and geocoded locations of support infrastructure. Using GIS-based (Geographic Information System) spatial analysis, in particular kernel density and hot/cold-spot mapping and bivariate correlations, we quantify proximity-entrepreneurship associations and identify policy-relevant hot- and cold-spots. Our findings reveal female entrepreneurship clusters in major urban corridors. Proximity to support infrastructure is positively associated with women founders. At 10 km buffers, correlations reach r = 0.26 for women and r = 0.31 for men. Effects attenuate at 20 km (r = 0.15 and r = 0.14). We map actionable cold-spots, i.e., places with sparse infrastructure and low female-founder presence, alongside high-performing hot-spots. As a practical implication, we propose a spatial targeting logic: resources should be concentrated in identified cold-spots via women-focused hubs, mobile advisory, and improved last-mile accessibility. Progress through a compact KPI set should be monitored. Targeted spatial support can advance gender equity in entrepreneurship while strengthening regional cohesion and efficient public spending. Full article

Against the backdrop of climate change and rapid urbanization, assessing urban flood resilience requires spatially continuous and interpretable approaches capable of capturing nonlinear interactions between natural and human systems. This study proposes a high-resolution framework for mapping urban flood resilience in the built-up areas of Chongqing, China, grounded in the geography–ecology–society–infrastructure systems (GESIS) concept. A Flood Resilience Index is constructed at a 50 m grid resolution using ten core indicators and objective weighting based on combined entropy and coefficient-of-variation methods. Three machine learning models—multilayer perceptron (MLP), random forest, and XGBoost—are then trained to reproduce the resilience surface by integrating these indicators with additional historical flood-exposure variables, with SHAP used for model interpretation. The MLP model achieves the best performance (R² ≈ 0.78) and generates spatially coherent resilience patterns. Impervious surface fraction and building density exert dominant negative effects, whereas elevation and ecological connectivity contribute positively. The results reveal pronounced nonlinear thresholds in key drivers, indicating that flood resilience cannot be inferred from monotonic factor effects alone. By combining objective weighting, explainable machine learning, and historical exposure information, this framework supports both accurate prediction and policy-relevant interpretation of urban flood resilience for sustainable urban planning in mountainous megacities. Full article

The issue of land use is currently commonly taken up by researchers in many aspects, e.g., geography, GIS or related sciences. However, the research gap occurs in the historical, partial reconstruction of the old agricultural and natural realities. The main objective of this article is to determine potential and actual places that were most useful for agriculture in the Early Middle Ages and to present human pressure on the natural environment. The results were developed in the form of colorful models that were generated on the basis of the following parameters: slope, river network, settlement, landscape and climate-vegetation belts. As a result, after summing up the above-mentioned maps, a new model was created, which was properly analyzed in terms of geoarchaeology in relation to early-medieval hillforts and the soil map in southern Małopolska. This article illustrates methods that can support broader interdisciplinary research in other regions of Europe (e.g., Italy) and the delimitation of medieval administrative borders. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with early-age onset. While vitamin D (VitD) has been associated with AD alleviation, geographical factors should be considered as VitD synthesis depends on sunlight exposure and dietary intake. We conducted a mapping review to identify geography-related evidence gaps in interventional and observational studies on the VitD-AD inverse association. We analyzed latitude and the Human Development Index (HDI) as background geographical factors. The review identified 38 studies (17 interventional, 21 observational), of which 26 confirmed the inverse VitD-AD association. Of all reviewed studies, 73% were from latitudes above 35° N, and 70.3% were from developed countries. The median latitude and HDI were 37.5° N and 0.915, respectively. Conversely, only 5.4% of studies were from Africa and 8.1% from Latin America. Studies that did not confirm the inverse VitD-AD association tended to be concentrated in developed countries at higher latitudes (median latitude 42.4° N, median HDI 0.937). Only 8.1% of all studies were from low-latitude developed countries, and among interventional studies this share was even lower (6.3%). In addition, 52.6% of studies lacked data on baseline VitD variability and 13.2% had no baseline VitD data at all. More thorough data reporting and additional clinical studies from countries that do not follow the high latitude/high HDI overlap pattern would facilitate future meta-analyses aimed at clarifying the role of VitD in AD treatment. Full article

In order to meet the urgent needs of refined geological disaster risk assessment at a county scale, and in view of the shortcomings of existing methods in the aspects of sample dependence, rainfall time-varying differences, and vulnerability quantification, this study takes Linxiang City as an example, integrates multi-source data such as geology, geography, meteorology, remote sensing, and field survey, and explores practical methods. A random forest (RF) model was implemented for geological hazard susceptibility mapping, and its hyper-parameters were tuned using Bayesian optimization. Based on a statistical analysis of the frequency of historical disaster events, a risk classification of rainfall in the flood season and non-flood season was evaluated. A vulnerability simplification method based on the value and exposure of disaster-bearing bodies was proposed. Finally, rapid risk assessment was achieved by matrix superposition. The results showed that the model had high accuracy (AUC = 0.903). The use of field survey risk types effectively enhanced the susceptibility sample set and verified the accuracy of risk assessment. The risk factor in the flood season and non-flood season was significantly different, and the very-high- and high-risk areas in the flood season were mainly distributed in the shallow metamorphic rock mountainous area in the east of Yanglousi Town and the granite residual soil area in the south of Zhanqiao Town, the latter of which was highly consistent with the field survey results. This study demonstrated value in terms of sample enhancement, model optimization, consideration of time-varying rainfall, and vulnerability simplification. The evaluation results can provide direct support for the construction of a “point–area dual control” system for geological disasters in Linxiang City, and the methodological framework can also provide a practical reference for risk evaluation in other counties. Full article

Tree pollen allergies are influenced by regional atmospheric pollen concentrations and flora distribution. Climate change and urban landscaping have altered airborne pollen profiles in Ukraine, potentially affecting sensitization patterns. We examined 7518 patients (57.63% children) sensitized to at least one of 26 molecular components from 19 tree species using ALEX testing (2020–2022). Atmospheric pollen data from Ukrainian aerobiology stations were integrated with clinical data. Regional sensitization was mapped using the Geographic Information System, and Bayesian network modeling determined hierarchical relationships. Sensitization to Cry j 1 (46.01%), Bet v 1 (41.67%), and Fag s 1 (34.38%) dominated across age groups. High Fagales sensitization correlated with elevated atmospheric Betula, Alnus, and Corylus pollen concentrations, confirming environmental exposure-sensitization relationships. Bayesian modeling identified Bet v 1 as the root allergen (89.43% accuracy) driving cascading sensitization to other Fagales and non-Fagales allergens. Unexpectedly high Cry j 1 sensitization despite minimal atmospheric Cryptomeria presence suggests Thuja and Ambrosia cross-reactivity. Fagales sensitization dominated 10 of 17 regions, correlating with forest geography and urban landscaping. This study validates aerobiological monitoring’s clinical relevance. Diagnostic protocols should prioritize Bet v 1 while interpreting Cry j 1 positivity as potential cross-reactivity. Climate-driven shifts in atmospheric pollen patterns require ongoing coordinated aerobiological and clinical surveillance. Full article

In a situation where cities are increasingly being developed vertically and complexly, a novel approach for analyzing vertical urban functional patterns is proposed. For this purpose, a multi-dimensional GDC (Geo Data Cube) consisting of spatial and temporal data x, y, z, t, and f dimensions containing layer information was created. At this time, the size of the GDC cell (interval in x, y, z dimensions) is calculated by cell point data using the three-dimensional (3D) Moran’s I index value calculated with the 3D Diversity Factor (DF) based on information entropy proposed to reduce the uncertainty of information for each cell. In other words, the cell with the smallest index value was chosen to minimize the influence of Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) that occurs when mapping. The 3D land use index (3D LUI) is calculated as a linearly weighted sum of the spatial accessibility of uses between cells (3D KDF) and the enrichment of uses (3D EF), taking into account the first law of geography. Finally, the 3D LUI value for each use was calculated for each cell of the GDC, and the use with the highest value was determined as the urban function of the cell. As a result of applying this to Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK) in June 2024 and visually evaluating it using the street view provided by Kakao Map, it was confirmed that commercial and residential functions were vertically separated in buildings with residential–commercial complexes or shops on the ground floor. It was also confirmed that such characteristics did not appear in the two-dimensional (2D) urban functional patter analysis. Full article

The metric for probing the variation in atmospheric refractive indices is radio refractivity (RR), which is a key factor in determining the losses associated with a radio signal as it traverses from one atmospheric layer to another. Ten years (2015–2024) of surface hourly data of temperature (K), pressure (P), and relative humidity (RH) obtained from ERA-5 reanalysis were used for RR computations based on ITU-R models. Twelve major cities of South Africa were benchmarked for the study. Time series plots of the overall ten-year RR hourly mean were generated for the cities. The correlation coefficient (R) between RR and RH was investigated. The results indicate the highest and lowest RR of 360.94 and 301.09 (N-Units) in Pietermaritzburg and Kimberly, respectively, with a range of 59.85 over the country. In the southern coast, Pietermaritzburg recorded the highest and lowest values of 360.14 and 325.52 (N-Units) at 21:00 and 11:00 hrs., followed by Durban with 348.55 and 339.44 at 17:00 and 10:00 hrs., Bhisho with 346.88 and 320.622 at 00:00 and 11:00 hrs., and Cape Town with 328.54 and 322.47 (N-Units) at 00:00 and 10:00 hrs., respectively. In the central region, Bloemfontein recorded values of 344.97 and 305.58 at 04:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively, while Kimberly recorded 338.06 and 301.09 at 04:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively. In the northern region, Johannesburg recorded the highest and lowest values of 358.79 and 318.56 (N-Units) at 03:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively; Pretoria recorded values of 352.25 and 316.76 at 04:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively; Emalahleni recorded values of 358.79 and 318.95 at 03:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively; and Polokwane recorded values of 357.59 and 320.82 at 03:00 and 13:00 hrs., respectively. Mahikeng recorded values of 346.70 and 311.37 at 04:00 and 13:00 h, while Mbombela recorded values of 360.11 and 329.17 (N-Units) at 00:00 and 12:00 h, respectively. The implications of these results are a higher refractive attenuation effect of terrestrial transmitted radio signals in cities with higher RR and during the early morning, evening, and night hours of the day. A high positive (R) of 0.84 to 0.99 was observed between RR and RH across the country. A geo-spatial RR contour map was generated for the study stations for practical applications and could be helpful in cities where the contour passes within South Africa. These findings should be taken into consideration in the design and reappraisal of terrestrial radio-link and power budgets to ensure quality of service. The overall findings provide practical applications for mitigating RR-prone attenuation on terrestrial radio channels, such as Radio and Television broadcasting, GSM, and microwave link systems, among others, across South Africa and other countries with similar geography and climate. Full article

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are crucial for building equitable and thriving communities. The majority of NPOs are small, community-based organizations that serve local needs. Despite their significance, NPOs often lack the resources to manage cybersecurity effectively, and information about them is usually found in nonacademic or practitioner sources rather than in the academic literature. The recent surge in cyberattacks on NPOs underscores the urgent need for investment in cybersecurity readiness. The absence of robust safeguards and cybersecurity preparedness not only exposes NPOs to risks and vulnerabilities but also erodes trust and diminishes the value donors and volunteers place on them. Through this systematic literature review (SLR) mapping framework, the existing work on cyber threat assessment and mitigation is leveraged to make a framework and data collection plan to address the significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by NPOs. The research aims to offer actionable guidance that NPOs can implement within their resource constraints to enhance their cybersecurity posture. This systematic literature review (SLR) adheres to PRISMA 2020 guidelines to examine the state of cybersecurity readiness in NPOs. The initial 4650 records were examined on 6 March 2025. We excluded studies that did not answer our research questions and did not discuss the cybersecurity readiness in NPOs. The quality of the selected studies was assessed on the basis of methodology, clarity, completeness, and transparency, resulting in the final number of 23 included studies. Further, 37 studies were added investigating papers that referenced relevant studies or that were referenced by the relevant studies. Results were synthesized through quantitative topic analysis and qualitative analysis to identify key themes and patterns. This study makes the following contributions: (i) identify and synthesize the top cybersecurity risks for NPOs, their service impacts, and mitigation methods; (ii) summarize affordable cybersecurity practices, with an emphasis on employee training and sector-specific knowledge gaps; (iii) analyze organizational and contextual factors (e.g., geography, budget, IT skills, cyber insurance, vendor dependencies) that shape cybersecurity readiness; and (iv) review and integrate existing assessment and resilience frameworks applicable to NPOs. Full article

The Rucăr–Bran Corridor, a critical transit route in the Carpathian Arc, has been the subject of interdisciplinary research in the fields of geology and physical and human geography. This paper aims to design a safe, efficient, and sustainable high-speed expressway that will improve regional connectivity while respecting the natural, social, and economic constraints of the area. Based on bibliographic sources and using Geographic Information Systems, this study integrates geomorphological, lithological, protected area, and infrastructure data to identify the most suitable route. The methodology includes data collection, multi-criteria analysis, and environmental impact assessment. The land suitability map resulting from the multi-criteria analysis using the specialized QGIS software led to the routing of a 41.7 km expressway connecting the two extreme localities of the area: Rucăr and Bran. This study demonstrates the value of integrated geomorphological analysis in infrastructure planning, offering a model for the development of economically viable express roads in challenging geomorphological terrain. The proposed route enhances regional socio-economic integration by improving access to isolated areas, promoting tourism, and reducing travel times, aligning with national and European transport strategies. Full article

The quality of scanned topographic maps—including parameters such as image compression, scanning resolution, and bit depth—may strongly influence the performance of deep learning models for contour vectorization. In this study, we investigate this dependence by training eight U-Net models on the same map data but under varying input quality conditions. Each model is trained to segment contour lines from the raster input, followed by a postprocessing pipeline that converts segmented output into vector contours. We systematically compare the models with respect to topological error metrics (such as contour intersections and dangling ends) in the resulting vector output and overlay metrics of matched contour segments within given tolerance. Our experiments demonstrate that while the input data quality indeed matters, moderate lowering of quality parameters doesn’t introduce significant practical tradeoff, while storage and computational requirements remain low. We discuss implications for the preparation of archival map scans and propose guidelines for choosing scanning settings when the downstream goal is automated vectorization. Our results highlight that deep learning methods, though resilient against reasonable compression, remain measurably sensitive to degradation in input fidelity. Full article