Search Results (43)

Since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022, Ukraine’s agricultural production has faced significant disruption, leading to widespread cropland abandonment. These croplands were abandoned at different stages, primarily due to war-related destruction and displacement of people. Existing methods for detecting abandoned cropland fail to account for crop type differences and distinguish abandonment stages, leading to inaccuracies. Therefore, this study proposes a novel framework combining crop-type classification with the Bias-weighted Time-Weighted Dynamic Time Warping (BTWDTW) method, distinguishing between sowing and harvest abandonment. Additionally, the proposed framework improves accuracy by integrating a more nuanced analysis of crop-specific patterns, thus offering more precise insights into abandonment dynamics. The overall accuracy of the proposed method reached 88.9%. The results reveal a V-shaped trajectory of cropland abandonment, with abandoned areas increasing from 28,184 km² in 2022 to 33,278 km² in 2024, with 2023 showing an abandoned area of 24,007.65 km². Spatially, about 70% of sowing abandonment occurred in high-conflict areas, with hotspots of unplanted abandonment shifting from southern Ukraine to the northeast, while unharvested abandonment was observed across the entire country. Significant variations were found across crop types, with maize experiencing the highest rate of unharvested abandonment, while wheat exhibited a more balanced pattern of sowing and harvest losses. The proposed method and results provide valuable insights for post-conflict agricultural recovery and decision-making in recovery planning. Full article

Despite decades of intense interest and investment in cognitive science, there remains a not only incomplete but also highly inconsistent body of evidence regarding how adult brains recover from even the most focal injuries associated with stroke. In this paper, I provide a broad narrative review of the studies of post-stroke aphasia recovery that have sought to identify the mechanisms of language recovery through longitudinal functional imaging. I start with studies that used functional imaging in groups of neurotypical individuals that have revealed areas of the brain that are reliably activated by language tasks and are functionally connected, referred to here as the “language network.” I then review group studies in which functional imaging data were averaged across groups of people with post-stroke aphasia to characterize the neurobiology of recovery. These group studies of post-stroke aphasia have yielded very different results and have led to conflicting conclusions. Subsequently, I examine results of studies of single subjects that have employed longitudinal functional imaging to identify mechanisms of language recovery. Together, these single subject studies make it clear that mechanisms of neural recovery are far from uniform, even in people with very similar lesions and time since stroke. On this basis, I argue that it is not justifiable to average functional imaging data across individuals with post-stroke aphasia to draw meaningful insights into how brain networks change to support language recovery. Each individual’s brain networks change over time, but in divergent ways that depend on the extent of disruption to the normal language network, interventions to facilitate recovery, the health of the intact brain, and other variables yet to be identified. While averaging results across participants with post-stroke aphasia might be able to identify certain changes in the networks that are correlated with specific language gains, uncovering the range of mechanisms and dynamics of language recovery after stroke requires longitudinal imaging of individuals. Full article

As part of the post-conflict reconstruction and recovery, the development of Kabul New City aims to bring relief to the existing capital city, Kabul, which has experienced exponential population growth, putting heavy pressure on its existing resources. Kabul New City is divided into four subsectors, and each of them is being developed and is expected to reach a target population by 2025, as defined by the master plan. The study’s objective is to determine which of the four zones are in demand and need to be prioritized for development, as per the model results. The data collection involves an online questionnaire, and the responses are collected from residents of Kabul and Herat. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is an emerging method of simulating urban dynamics. Cities are evolving continuously and are forming unique spatial patterns that result from the movement of residents in search of new locations that accommodate their needs and preferences. An agent-based model is developed using the weighted random selection process based on household size and income levels. The agents are the residents of Kabul and Herat, and the environment is the land use classification image using the Sentinel 2 image of Kabul New City. The barren class is treated as the developable area and is divided into four sub-sectors. The model simulates three alternative growth rate scenarios, i.e., ambitious, moderate, and steady. The results of the simulation reveal that the sub-sector Dehsabz South, being closer to Kabul city, is in higher demand. Barikab is another sub-sector high in demand, which has connectivity through the highway and is an upcoming industrial hub. Full article

This study investigates the challenges and opportunities of balancing cultural preservation, tourism investment, and community resilience in historic Syrian cities during the post-war recovery period. The Syrian conflict has imposed considerable harm upon the nation’s cultural heritage, encompassing UNESCO World Heritage sites, thereby interrupting not only the urban infrastructure but also local economies and social networks. Utilizing a comprehensive methodology that includes a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and local surveys, this research investigates the potential for aligning cultural preservation with tourism investment to promote sustainable economic revitalization while simultaneously enhancing social cohesion and community resilience. The results underscore the significance of inclusive governance, participatory planning, and capacity enhancement to guarantee that post-conflict urban redevelopment fosters enduring environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. By framing the Syrian case within the broader context of global urban sustainability and resilience discourse, the study offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and heritage managers working in post-conflict or post-disaster environments worldwide. In the end, the study highlights that the revitalization of historic cities transcends being a simple technical or economic endeavor; it is a complex process of re-establishing identity, strengthening communities, and fostering sustainable, resilient urban futures. Full article

Prolonged conflicts in Iraq over the past four decades have profoundly disrupted environmental systems, not only through immediate post-conflict emissions—such as residues from munitions and explosives—but also via long-term infrastructural collapse, population displacement, and unsustainable resource practices. Despite growing concern over air quality in conflict-affected regions, comprehensive assessments integrating long-term data and localized measurements remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by analyzing the environmental consequences of sustained instability in Mosul, focusing on air pollution trends using both remote sensing data (1983–2023) and in situ monitoring of key pollutants—including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, TVOCs, NO₂, SO₂, and formaldehyde—at six urban sites during 2022–2023. The results indicate marked seasonal variations, with winter peaks in combustion-related pollutants (NO₂, SO₂) and elevated particulate concentrations in summer driven by sandstorm activity. Annual average concentrations of all six pollutants increased by 14–51%, frequently exceeding WHO air quality guidelines. These patterns coincide with worsening meteorological conditions, including higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more frequent storms, suggesting synergistic effects between climate stress and pollution. The findings highlight severe public health risks and emphasize the urgent need for integrated urban recovery strategies that promote sustainable infrastructure, environmental restoration, and resilience to climate change. Full article

The use of post-operative drainage has been a topic of debate for several years. While the trend has increasingly shifted toward avoiding routine drainage, opinions on its necessity remain divided. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to effectively summarize and present the current knowledge and up-to-date evidence on the role of prophylactic drainage in women undergoing obstetric, oncological, or other types of gynecological surgical procedures in terms of the indications, post-operative surgical infections, morbidity recovery, post-operative complications and outcomes. Prophylactic drainage does not seem to decrease morbidity in cases of lymphadenectomy and radical hysterectomy. Debulking surgery does not necessitate prophylactic drainage in the majority of cases; however, its usage should be individualized based on the surgical complexity. Conflicting evidence exists regarding drains’ effectiveness in preventing anastomotic leakage, with high rates of re-operation and abscess formation noted. Despite the fact that vaginal drains may help with hematoma and infectious morbidity, the overall benefit of vaginal and peritoneal drains in preventing post-operative morbidity is questionable. Finally, negative pressure wound therapy may reduce surgical site infection rates in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. Although there is still a great need for further investigation, the topic has been covered adequately by many prospective trials and the international guidelines have provided clear suggestions to guide physicians in clinical practice. However, need for individualization and personalized strategies is well emphasized by the published evidence in an effort to balance the benefits and risks of drainage usage determined by the type of surgery and patient status. Full article

In pursuit of a higher-quality post-pandemic economic recovery, Chinese authorities have accelerated the development of the e-CNY. This study posits that the e-CNY distinguishes itself from other payment instruments through its controlled anonymity, programmability, and non-interest-bearing attributes. By analyzing patents filed by the Digital Currency Research Institute of the People’s Bank of China between 2016 and 2023, the paper elucidates potential implementation strategies for these distinctive features. The findings suggest that the e-CNY may facilitate a zero-interest accrual model within the prevailing legal framework. Restricted authority access and the anonymity ensured by encrypted data further allow users to maintain a high degree of confidentiality. Additionally, conditional automatic transfers—a prominent function in the e-CNY’s smart contracts—mirror traditional automatic transfers for directed fund utilization without impeding the circulation of fiat currency. The People’s Bank of China has sought to thoughtfully integrate these functionalities into its Central Bank Digital Currency framework, aiming to minimize potential conflicts with existing legal standards. Instead of relying solely on extensive legislative revisions, China’s experience illustrates how deliberate and incremental CBDC design choices can reconcile regulatory compliance with innovative technological advancements. Full article

Zimbabwe’s 2008 electoral violence created lasting societal impacts, yet the psychological consequences for youth, particularly through intergenerational effects, remain under-explored. This study examines how memories of this violence are transmitted to contemporary youth, including those born after 2008, and influence their political attitudes and participation. The study employed a qualitative approach in Harare’s Mbare suburb, utilising 20 in-depth interviews and four (4) focus groups, which were analysed through a trauma-informed lens. Findings indicate that youth inherit ‘traumascapes’ from elders, which cultivate fear, silence, and political apathy. Parental warnings and experiences link activism directly to vulnerability, prompting youth to adopt disengagement or performative allegiance as survival strategies amidst structural impunity and socio-economic precarity. Unresolved, intergenerationally transmitted trauma perpetuates cycles of civic disempowerment. The study concludes that post-conflict recovery in Zimbabwe requires moving beyond institutional reforms to prioritise psychosocial healing and demands that transitional justice frameworks explicitly address these inherited psychological wounds. Full article

The rapid adoption of smart technologies is increasingly evident in both personal and business contexts. The ‘post-pandemic’ economic recovery of 2022 and 2023 coincided with a global energy supply shortage driven by heightened energy demand and supply chain disruptions stemming from the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The implementation of smart metering systems is a central component of European policies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and environmental sustainability of energy markets. However, limited research exists on the acceptance of Smart Meter Technology (SMT) in general, specifically in Norway, as compared to other nations. SMT devices offer the potential for real-time energy consumption monitoring, enabling users to track and modify their usage patterns for optimized consumption. This study employs a mixed-methods research design to gather insights from both SMT consumers and vendors. Findings underscore the pivotal roles of familiarity, cost, social influence, and perceived usefulness in shaping consumer adoption of SMT. This article provides critical insights and implications for researchers, network operators, electricity companies, and government agencies. Full article

Deforestation in Colombia, driven by armed conflict and illicit crops, triggered an environmental crisis, particularly in the Caribbean region, where forest loss in areas such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta degraded ecosystems, reduced carbon sequestration, and increased soil erosion, threatening biodiversity and local food security. In response, the Arhuaco Indigenous community implemented an ethnic territorial management system to restore degraded lands and safeguard their ancestral territory. This study evaluates the effectiveness of their efforts, supporting their call for territorial expansion by analyzing forest cover changes (1973–2023) in the Tucurinca and Aracataca river basins. Using Landsat imagery, remote sensing, and a maximum likelihood algorithm, we generated thematic maps and statistical vegetation change data, validated by a 91.4% accuracy rate (kappa coefficient and confusion matrices). Results demonstrate significant forest recovery, highlighting collective reforestation and Indigenous sustainable management as pivotal strategies for reversing deforestation in post-conflict scenarios. Full article

The development of restorative tourism in post-war countries is crucial to economic recovery, cultural preservation, and social stabilization. While various nations have adopted different reconstruction strategies following conflicts, Ukraine’s situation requires an innovative and large-scale approach due to the extensive damage inflicted on infrastructure, cultural heritage, and tourism assets. This study explores the role of virtual and augmented reality technologies in restoring tourism potential, particularly in preserving destroyed cultural heritage through digitalization. Virtual tourism is increasingly relevant to maintaining cultural identity, attracting investment, and fostering international engagement. This study examines the evolution of digital tourism solutions, consumer behaviour shifts towards online leisure, and the integration of geoinformation systems for post-crisis planning. The findings emphasize that Ukraine’s tourism sector must adapt to digital trends while developing physical infrastructure, ensuring a comprehensive, resilient, and future-oriented restoration strategy. This study provides recommendations for leveraging innovation in post-crisis tourism development. It explains how the change in the paradigm of consumption of recreation and leisure services in the modern world impels the restoration of the destroyed tourism infrastructure. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of strategic migration policies to rebuild the labour market, which is essential for sustainable recovery. Full article

Amidst the growing challenges of climate change, the advancement of bioenergy in Ukraine emerges as a strategic imperative for achieving sustainable development, energy independence, and compliance with international climate commitments. As one of the key pillars of Ukraine’s economy, the agricultural sector holds vast potential for renewable energy production, utilizing both crop residues and dedicated energy crops. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state and potential of agrobiomass, taking into account the destruction of infrastructure and the urgent need for soil restoration. The novelty of this research lies in its in-depth evaluation of Ukraine’s bioenergy potential under conditions of energy system destabilization and in the introduction of innovative solutions aimed at strengthening sectoral resilience. The findings highlight the critical importance of expanding bioenergy production while identifying key institutional and regulatory barriers that hinder its progress. This study proposes actionable strategies to overcome these challenges, including the adaptation of international best practices, regulatory framework enhancements, and the implementation of targeted government support programs. The insights are valuable not only for policymakers in Ukraine but also for other countries striving to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and establish sustainable decentralized energy systems. Future research directions include the development of cutting-edge biomass processing technologies, a thorough economic evaluation of bioenergy’s long-term impact on energy and environmental sustainability, and an in-depth exploration of bioenergy’s cross-border potential to enhance the energy security and resilience of the European Union. Full article

Background/Objectives: Forensic psychiatric expertise significantly contributes to clinical criminology. Interdisciplinary investigations, evaluation tactics, and the use of criminology indices are essential for psychosocial prognostic assessments of conflict, aggression, adaptability, and recovery. Methods: This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on forensic psychiatric expertise by analyzing demographic variables such as age, gender, background, and other relevant data including criminal records, forensic antecedents, personal pathological antecedents, diagnosis, and discernment. Our study included 186 patients categorized into pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Results: Most participants were male, with no significant rural–urban distribution differences. During the COVID period, common criminal acts included aggression and child pornography, followed by attempted murder. A significant association was found between discernment and psychiatric disorders (p < 0.0011), with 67.6% of the patients lacking discernment having mental illnesses. Legal outcomes varied with discernment; 60.3% of patients without discernment required mandatory hospitalization (p < 0.0011). Conclusions: Medico-legal antecedents were more frequent during the pandemic, and safety measures were more commonly applied to those lacking discernment. Full article

In the context of post-war reconstruction, this study introduces a novel assessment model tailored for the preliminary management of blast-damaged reinforced concrete buildings without structural collapse risk. The model addresses the critical challenge of prioritizing reconstruction efforts within constraints of time and resources while integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Developed using the Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment and refined through the Delphi method, the model provides stakeholders with a practical tool to evaluate alternative reconstruction scenarios, including refurbishment, demolition, reconstruction with retained identity, and preservation for future work. Validation is carried out through a case study of a tourist hotel in the historic area of Damascus, where a report confirmed the building posed no structural collapse risk. The results indicate that “preservation for future work” is the most sustainable option environmentally, while “refurbishment” emerges as the most sustainable economically and socially. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive damage assessments and sustainability-oriented tools for resilient and sustainable post-war reconstruction strategies that respect heritage contexts. Full article

Introduction: The recovery room (RR) is a hospital area where patients are monitored in the early postoperative period before being transferred to the surgical ward or other specialized units. The utilization of scores in the RR context facilitates the assignment of patients to the appropriate ward and directs necessary monitoring. Some scoring systems allow nurses to select patients who can be discharged directly to their homes. Aim and methods: The aim of this narrative review was to describe and compare the scoring systems employed to discharge postoperative patients from RR, with a focus on item characteristics. Results: Nine scoring systems were identified and discussed: the “Aldrete Score System” and its modified version, the “Respiration, Energy, Alertness, Circulation, Temperature Score”, the “Post Anesthetic Discharge Scoring System”, the “White and Song Score”, the “Readiness for Discharge Assessment Tool”, the “Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Service Checklist”, the “Post-Anesthetic Care Tool”, the “Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale”, and the “Discerning Post Anesthesia Readiness for Transition” instrument. Discussion and conclusions: To obtain a comprehensive overview, the items included in the scoring systems were compared. Despite the availability of guidelines for patients’ discharge readiness from the RR, there is no universally recommended scoring system. Next-generation scores must be improved to ease their use, minimize errors, and increase safety. The main goals of the scores included in this narrative review were to be simple to use, feasible, intuitive, comprehensive, and flexible. However, these goals frequently conflict because patient assessment takes time, and a smart and comprehensive score may not consider some clinical parameters that may be crucial for the discharge decision. Therefore, further research should be conducted on this topic. Full article