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Weapon target assignment is a critical challenge in military contexts. Traditionally, commanding officers manually decide weapon assignments, but the problem's complexity has grown over time. To address this, automated systems have been introduced. These systems fall into two categories, which are static (time-independent) and dynamic (considering changes over time). Static systems solve the problem for a single time step without considering temporal changes. Dynamic systems incorporate time as a variable, adapting to evolving scenarios. Two main approaches exist, which are asset-based and target-based. Asset-based approach maximizes the survival probability of assets, which is our focus in this study. We propose a solution using game theory that spans the entire area and all time frames. We employ game theory, treating continuous functions of time as utility functions for vessels. Continuous probability-to-kill values for weapons are defined across the area. Threat trajectories yield continuous kill probabilities for the weapons, translating to vessel utility. To avoid inefficiencies, we align individual vessel utility with global utility. The Nash Equilibrium provides the optimal weapon assignment strategy. Our study uses a naval environment for analysis. In summary, our research leverages game theory to dynamically assign weapons to naval vessels, aiming to maximize asset survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social vulnerability may play a role in social media-involved crime, but few studies have investigated this issue. We investigated associations between social vulnerability and social media-involved violent crimes. Methods: We analyzed 22,801 violent crimes occurring between 2018 and 2023 in Prince George's County, Maryland. Social media involvement was obtained from crime reports at the Prince George's County Police Department. Social media application types included social networking, advertising/selling, ridesharing, dating, image/video hosting, mobile payment, instant messaging/Voice over Internet Protocol, and other. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social Vulnerability Index to assess socioeconomic status (SES), household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, housing type and transportation, and overall vulnerability. Modified Poisson models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) among the overall sample and stratified by crime type (assault and homicide, robbery, and sexual offense). Covariates included year and crime type. Results: Relative to high tertile areas, we observed a higher prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes in areas with low SES vulnerability (aPR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.37-2.43), low housing type and transportation vulnerability (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17-2.02), and low overall vulnerability (aPR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.23-2.17). Low SES vulnerability areas were significantly associated with higher prevalences of social media-involved assaults and homicides (aPR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02-2.62), robberies (aPR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.12), and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.02-4.19) compared to high SES vulnerability areas. Low housing type and transportation vulnerability (vs. high) was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.54, 95% CI:1.01-2.37). Modified Poisson models also indicated that low overall vulnerability areas had higher prevalences of social media-involved robberies (aPR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.10-2.67) and sexual offenses (aPR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.05-4.39) than high overall vulnerability areas. Conclusions: We quantified the prevalence of social media-involved violent crimes across social vulnerability levels. These insights underscore the need for collecting incident-based social media involvement in crime reports among law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally. Comprehensive data collection at the national and international levels provides the capacity to elucidate the relationships between neighborhoods, social media, and population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dimorphism and male combat are observed in many species. Often, the outcome of male combat affects the outcome of subsequent combats, mating success, number of sperm, and fitness of the male's offspring. Also, the quantity and quality of sperm may be regulated by winning or losing, depending on species ecology and mating system. However, very few studies have experimentally examined the influence of fight outcomes on male offspring fitness. We studied male combat in the giant mealworm (Zophobas atratus) in which males bite each other's hind legs. We hypothesized that subsequent fitness could differ between winners and losers in the escalated male combat of this species. We measured several fitness traits including the number of eggs laid by mated females, and the number of hatches sired by uncontested males, winners, and losers in escalated and non-escalated combat, and compared the fitness of each winner and loser to that of an uncontested male. We also measured mating duration. The numbers of eggs and the percentages of hatched eggs of losers in the escalated combat were significantly reduced compared to that of the uncontested males. This reduction may be due to injuries from escalated leg- biting fights and a result of the sperm amount of the uncontested males being greater than that of the loser males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dark Web is a subset of the Deep Web, requiring special browsers, the Dark Net refers to encrypted networks, the Deep Web encompasses non-indexed online content, and darknet includes unused IP address networks. The Dark Net has become a hotbed of cybercrime, with individuals and groups using the anonymity and encryption provided by the network to carry out a range of criminal activities. One of the most concerning trends in recent years has been the weaponization of cybercrimes, as criminals use their technical skills to create tools and techniques that can be used to launch attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments. This paper examines the weaponization of cybercrimes on the Dark Net, focusing on the question of detection and application. This paper uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to appraise the Dark Web, examine the crimes and their consequences and identify future measures to reduce crime threats. Data from 88 relevant articles from 2011 to 2023 were extracted and synthesized, along with the latest data from 2024 to answer research questions, providing comprehensive knowledge on growing crimes; assessing social, economic, and ethical impacts; and analyzing established techniques and methods to locate and apprehend criminals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Poder Aéreo is the property of Escuela de Postgrados de la Fuerza Aerea Colombiana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Individual and social characteristics are attributed to violent behavior in schools, yet environmental hazards may play an understudied role. Ambient air pollution has been linked to neurological dysfunction that inhibits decision-making and may result in violent behavior in adult populations. However, little is known on how air pollution may be associated with violent behaviors in children. Methods: A cross-sectional ecologic study was designed to estimate the associations between air pollution (fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide) with the occurrence of violent incidents and incidents involving a weapon among a cohort of children in Minnesota schools (2008–2012). Differences by urban and rural status of schools were also explored. Negative binomial regression models were developed to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and incidence rate differences (IRD) to describe associations between air pollution and violent incidents in school settings. Results: Our results indicate that the highest levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter concentrations were associated with increased violent disciplinary incidents. Among the total student population, the 4th quartile of carbon monoxide exposure was associated with an IRD of 775.62 (95% CI 543.2, 1008.05) violent incidents per 100,000 students per school year compared to schools in the lowest quartile of exposure. Comparing the 4th to the 1st quartiles of exposure, nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter had an IRD of 629.16 (95% CI 384.87, 873.46), and 510.49 (95% CI 274.92, 746.05) violent incidents per 100,000 students per school year respectively. Schools in urban settings shared a larger burden of violent incidents associated with air pollution compared to rural schools. Conclusions: Modifying environmental pollutants surrounding school environments, particularly for high exposure communities, may be a novel tool for reducing violence and subsequent injuries in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two‐wheeled robot has high maneuverability and can spin around with a high velocity but is prone to roll over under a recoil force. Because the wheels are only used to control the maneuver speed of the robot. However, a two‐wheeled robot using a gyroscope does not need the control of the wheels and can maintain the stability of the robot under a recoil force during maneuvers even if the gimbal of the gyroscope is not controlled by a torque. In this study, the equations of motion of the gyroscopic robot are derived via Lagrangian equations, and the balancing performance of the uncontrolled gyroscope is simulated via Matlab to determine a desired configuration for mechatronics system design. Then, a linear‐quadratic regulator (LQR) is implemented to the chosen control moment gyroscope (CMG) configuration and compared in simulations of RecurDyn. LQR controller was used to prevent oscillating motions of double CMGs under the recoil force of a weapon. The simulation results showed that the gyroscopic two‐wheeled robot is improved using an LQR controller and powerfully balanced in static with excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pravnik is the property of Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of State & Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Homicide means the killing of one human being as a result of conduct of another. Homicidal deaths are seen in every part of the world but the toll varies from place to place. As per National Crime Records Bureau and Statistics, in 1953 the number of homicidal deaths were 9082 which has exponentially increased to the extent of 29,272 in 2021.Such being the disturbing data and Belagavi being the biggest district of Karnataka state, a detailed study was undertaken on the pattern of injuries in homicidal deaths. Materials and Methods: A Prospective study was conducted on all cases of homicidal deaths registered under Sec 302 IPC autopsied at Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences from January 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017 formed the study material. Information on various factors such as age, sex, weapon used, injury pattern were noted for each case in a separate proforma. Results: Among 1265 cases autopsied during the study period, 54 cases were homicidal deaths. Among 54 cases, head injuries were present in 15 cases (27.78%), stab injury involving neck, thorax and abdomen were present in 14 cases (25.93%), injuries caused by asphyxia were seen in 14 cases (25.93%), majority of the victims were males (64.81%) and the predominant age group was 20 to 39 years (48.15%). Conclusion: The homicide being the preventable cause of death, its incidence and prevalence can be reduced by strict implementation of law. The long term, wide-ranging policies are required to eradicate this heinous crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of a weapon in the perpetration of a crime can impede an observer's ability to describe and/or recognise the person responsible. In the current experiment, we explore whether weapons when present at encoding of a target identity interfere with the construction of a facial composite. Participants encoded an unfamiliar target face seen either on its own or paired with a knife. Encoding duration (10 or 30 s) was also manipulated. The following day, participants recalled the face and constructed a composite of it using a holistic system (EvoFIT). Correct naming of the participants' composites was found to reduce reliably when target faces were paired with the weapon at 10 s but not at 30 s. These data suggest that the presence of a weapon reduces the effectiveness of facial composites following a short encoding duration. Implications for theory and police practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Engineer Military Bulletin / Muszaki Katonai Közlöny is the property of National University of Public Service and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Christianity in Africa has changed in several ways since the rise of the independent church movement early in the twentieth century. Among the changes that have taken place is the way in which Christianity is instrumentalised against the forces of evil that impair human efforts at flourishing. In contemporary Pentecostal/charismatic Christianity with its emphasis on prosperity and well-being, imprecatory prayers and curses have become important in dealing with the shortfalls of this gospel of success and upward mobility. The use of curses, although justified by its exponents by appeal to various scriptures, also resonates with African traditional systems of thought in which sources of evil are cursed in libation prayers to remove them as obstacles to human self-actualisation believed to be promised by God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homicide is the ultimate crime and its effects go far beyond the original loss of human life. Homicide also affects the lives of the victim's family, assailant's family and the community as a whole. Hence, they are the "secondary victims". This study was done to know the age distribution, gender distribution, social background, pattern of weapon used for homicidal purpose and the cause of death in homicidal death. This retrospective study was done by analysis of data from inquest reports, dead body challan and autopsy reports at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar for a period of one year from 1st January 2022 to 31th December 2022. Data were entered in Microsoft excel sheet and statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics. In this study majority of homicide victims were in 45-59 year age group. Most victims were male. Homicides are rare crime and hence reflected in our results. Law enforcement forces and every individual should feel responsible and help the state in the deliverance of justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquisition evaluations are expensive, have a high time liability, and tend to prioritize engineering requirements over human factors and good experimental design. Shooting serials usually consist of static prone shooting to minimize movement variability, increase reliability of accuracy and timing data or use a single data point to make acquisition decisions. To better understand the number of trials required to achieve representative performance of accuracy and timing, 60 shots from the standing unsupported position while cyclically moving the weapon from the low ready to shoot was utilized. Intra‐class correlations, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and sequential averaging analysis (SAA) were used to evaluate the variables of radial error, shot interval, x‐bias and y‐bias over the 60 shots. The number of trials required to achieve an intraclass correlation of greater than 0.8 ranged from 2 (shot interval) to 58 (y‐bias), whereas SAA varied between 3 (x‐bias) and 43 (shot interval) trials. When averaging 10 shots at a time, the moving intraclass correlation remained above 0.8 for radial error and y‐bias between 7 and 15 shots, shot interval from the second shot, but x‐bias never reached 0.8. The number of trials required to satisfy each reliability method was inconsistent, in line with previous literature. Given the limitations identified in the literature as well as practical considerations such as the preference for prioritizing radial error reasonable performance stability can be achieved after 15 shots, and using the moving intraclass correlation results it is recommended that the first six shots are discarded with the following nine shots used for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretation of a legal norm and its correct application to concrete cases depends on its understanding. It is therefore necessary that certain phrases or certain terms benefit from a legal definition. Sometimes, depending on the amendments and additions that are made by the legislator in the content of an incrimination norm, the legal provision that includes the definition of the concept used in that norm is also amended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Höyük is the property of Turkish Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article examines the articulation of Situationist perspectives on art and politics with reference to the cycle of protest, surveillance, detention, scandal, repression and violence which accompanied the theoretical writings and practical activities of the Situationists. The Situationist International (SI) was, by design, a mercurial organization whose existence was marked by clandestine activity, conflict – internally and externally – scandal and subversion in multiple guises. The twin concepts of détournement [hijacking] and récupération [recovery] will be explored to show why the recourse to the terminology of war was more than a commonplace rhetorical trope for the SI. The group's deployment of militaristic language reflects, first, the real-life attention the Situationists received from the forces of order and, secondly, an antagonism which underpinned their conception of political action. Their eponymous journal or review was not itself a privileged organ of the Situationist International, intellectually or aesthetically, but 'heavy artillery' which provided a convenient platform to become known to an active readership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information technology for detecting armed people is proposed and its software implementation is investigated. The YOLO convolution neural network was used to detect objects in real time. The Python programming language and the PyTorch library were used to develop the neural network. A program designed to detect armed people in a video stream has been created, the functionality of which allows classifying the type of recognized weapon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Systems Engineering & Electronics is the property of Journal of Systems Engineering & Electronics Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study is a descriptive, exploratory approach, which aims to carry out a short conceptual analysis for the main predictors that describe the criminal behavior of the sociopathic type. Among them, in addition to the favorable environment, the authors describe the presence of the weapon in the criminal's social environment, considered one of the most important predictors of the development of sociopathic behavior. Added to this is the existence of defense mechanisms specific to the sociopathic personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the concept of the latest tool of global digital governance and administration is formed as control from space in the conditions of demilitarization and denuclearization of the aggressor states. The concepts of “demilitarization of the aggressor state” and “denuclearization of the aggressor state” were formed as global processes. A scheme of the process of demilitarization and denuclearization of the aggressor state is proposed. The role of space in the conditions of active activity of the aggressor states is revealed. The unique characteristics of control from space in the conditions of demilitarization and denuclearization of the aggressor states have been formed. A scheme for implementing control from space in the conditions of demilitarization and denuclearization of the aggressor states is proposed. The international mechanism for verifying control from space in the conditions of demilitarization and denuclearization of the aggressor states has been tentatively defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeological survey of the Kamon cave revealed several groups of finds, including a hoard of coins and jewelry; a cache comprising a lamp with agate beads inside it; several pottery vessels and an arrowhead found together in a rock crevice; and scattered pottery and metal artifacts. Based on the finds, it was concluded that the major period of human activity in the cave was at the beginning of the Hellenistic period, with meager activity during Iron Age IIA. The cave probably served as a refuge for a group of people during the Wars of the Diadochi. This article discusses the social background of the refugees and the circumstances leading to the deposition of the hoard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies longitudinal predictors of weapon-carrying in a sample of 10–25 year olds in England and Wales. It conceptualises weapon-carrying as anticipation of an adverse event and proposes hypotheses about the origins of weapon-carrying derived from the field of risk analysis. Specifically, it tests if worry about victimisation and experience of violence predict later weapon-carrying and assesses the moderating influence of trust in the police. The results indicate that worry about victimisation does not predict weapon-carrying, but experience of violence does. Distrust of police and peer criminality were also identified as important precursors to weapon-carrying. The study provides further evidence that, at least over longer periods, weapon-carrying is a product of experience of violence and criminogenic factors rather than a response to concern about victimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to explore police officers' beliefs, meaning whether a "crime priming" is capable of showing automatic prejudice in the identification of weapons and whether a crime reduction priming can mitigate it, seeking to understand which processes can make the expression of racism more evident. With that we conducted two experiments with police officers (N = 80) and university students (N = 77) randomly allocated to an experimental group subjected to crime priming. In the second experiment we submitted the groups to a criminal's rehabilitation priming. In Study 1, crime priming contributed to shorter response times for both guns and tools preceded by a black individual's face. Under rehabilitation priming, participants showed longer response times for both guns and tools, an effect intensified when preceded by a black individual's face. With regard to hits, more hits occurred for guns than for tools, a result unaffected by the experimental manipulation. With regard to hits, more hits occurred for gun than for tool, a result unaffected by the experimental manipulation. In the 500 ms time-limited phase (study 2), there was no effect of the priming types on response times, with only a higher hit rate for black individual's faces. With that, questions about the importance of replicating WIT results in a more mixed sample in which both the control group and the police officers group can be considered as coming from minorities (i.e. blacks and latinx). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Belügyi Szemle / Academic Journal of Internal Affairs is the property of Ministry of Interior of Hungary and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pravni Vjesnik is the property of Pravni fakultet Sveucilista J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To get access to the resources-rich central Asian states and to nip in the bud the state of Afghanistan, that had proclaimed itself under the Taliban regime to be a state run solely under the ideology and system of Islam-the next threat to The US after the socialism-the US, after the 9/11 incident, took resource to using the linguistic weapon of metaphor before and along the surgical strikes and managed to beset the thoughts of every individual on the globe. It was successfully used as a justification to approve finances from the US Parliament for mongering an uncalled for war, to enlist moral support of its citizens by means of instilling fear in them, to elicit active financial and personnel support of its European allies and to silence the international community from raising its voice against the attack. It is the domain of cognitive linguistic where these conceptual metaphor, or cognitive metaphor, are used to the understanding of one idea, or conceptual domain, in terms of another. This study focused on identifying the conceptual metaphors used in the War on Terror discourse for influencing opinion against the enemy and dehumanizing it. Metaphors are used in the conceptual domain of covering the false ideas of the US and influencing the world to manipulate and pursue their ulterior motives. There actual motive was to get the justified war on terror as legal and the only source of getting away with it. They influenced the world with their justified war on terror policy and gained their motives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the replacement of hard chrome plating by applying the duplex system plasma nitriding + CrN coating (hereinafter referred to as PN + CrN). The goal of the research was to find a suitable alternative for steel surface treatment that would replace hard chrome plating and ensure similar mechanical and tribological properties. An exposed part of a small-bore weapon was selected for evaluation, namely the gas piston of the 42CrMo4 steel breech mechanism drive. The PN + CrN duplex system was compared with a hard chrome coating as well as a self-deposited CrN coating. The mentioned surface treatments were evaluated in terms of metallography, mechanical and tribological properties and surface texture. From the mechanical properties, the hardness of the surface was analyzed, an indentation test was performed (Mercedes test) and adhesive-cohesive behavior was evaluated (Scratch test). Furthermore, an instrumented penetration test was performed (an evaluation of plastic and elastic deformation work and indentation hardness). As part of the assessment of tribological properties, the Ball-on-Flat test, the measurement of the coefficient of friction and the measurement of traces of wear were performed. The surface texture was evaluated in terms of morphology and surface roughness measurement by selected 2D and 3D parameters. The PN + CrN duplex system showed higher hardness than hard chrome, better tribological properties (lower friction coefficient), but worse surface texture. The PN + CrN duplex system has proven to be a suitable alternative to the hard chrome coating for exposed parts of small-caliber weapons, which can be applied in arms production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Aero Weaponry is the property of Aero Weaponry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is limited information regarding the integrated effect of various small arm weapons and ammunition types on the airborne lead levels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the internal mechanical mechanism of gas-operated ammunition loading systems of weapons has an effect on airborne lead levels and to provide quantitative data on potential inhalation exposure of airborne lead. Remote-controlled firing under laboratory conditions was conducted in a closed shooting range with the Micro-Tavor (MT) and M16 automatic weapons with M193, Frangible, Brass, and Blank ammunition. The results of the study revealed higher airborne lead levels using M16 type weapon compared to the MT with all the ammunition types. The mean airborne lead levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher using M16 weapon with either Brass and Frangible ammunitions (0.065 + 0.023 mg/m3, 0.046 + 0.031 mg/m3 respectively) as compared to MT (0.007 ± 0.006 mg/m3 and 0.016 ± 0.019 mg/m3, respectively). Lower airborne lead levels were measured opposite the ejection port while firing the MT compared to the M16 when firing all ammunition types. The weapon different internal mechanical mechanisms in MT and M16 weapons of the gas-operated ammunition loading systems have a key role affecting the levels of lead emission to the air. Lead concentrations at shooting ranges can be reduced significantly by implementing better management practices and the use of unleaded ammunition. The present study demonstrated methods for characterizing the specific effects of different weapons and ammunition types on emissions that can be used to initiate studies of inhalation risk and environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering is the property of Chongqing University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Structures used in intrasexual competition span a continuum, with pure weapons that are used exclusively in physical fights at one extreme and pure aggressive signals that are used exclusively to assess and threaten rivals at the other. We propose this weapon-signal continuum offers a framework for understanding the variation in allometric slopes among intra-sexually selected structures. We predict allometric slopes will become steeper as the relative importance of signaling increases, because aggressive signaling will favor the evolution of hypervariable structures that facilitate the assessment of subtle differences in body size. We provide preliminary empirical support for the continuum hypothesis using species with different types of armaments and offer suggestions for how to test the weapon-signal continuum among closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal contests involve threatening displays and physical coercion, which are respectively performed by threat devices used in mutual evaluation of size or strength, and weapons used for grasping, stabbing, striking, or dislodging a rival. According to the functional allometry hypothesis, directional selection consistently favors hyper-allometry in threat devices, whereas the allometry of weapons depends on the way they are used in contests. Here, we tested this hypothesis using the Amazonian tusked harvestman Phareicranaus manauara (Arachnida: Opiliones), a male-dimorphic species, as a study system. Behavioral observations allowed us to recognize four contest-related traits and three control traits, not used in contests. Two weapons used to grasp or prod the opponents from afar and one threat device were hyper-allometric, whereas one tactile signaling device (used to tap the opponent) and all control traits were either iso- or hypo-allometric. These findings support the hypothesis that function predicts the allometry of contest-related traits. However, function does not explain allometric differences in homologous traits between males and females (whose traits also were used as controls). We suggest that if a trait used in contests by males is used by both sexes in another context, natural selection and cross-sexual genetic correlations may constrain its developmental trajectory, preventing the evolution of sexual dimorphism in allometric slopes. Therefore, using female traits as controls for homologous contest-related male traits may not be appropriate. Finally, we show that function does not explain differences between male morphs in the allometric slopes of male-dimorphic traits. Thus, an important next step in allometric studies is to understand what factors affect the slopes of male-dimorphic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines Scythian long knives that are similar in length to double-edged daggers. Critically analysing the hypothesis which interprets these items as weapons, it shows that the difference between a fighting knife and utilitarian knife consists not in their measurements, but in their constructive features. In particular, long knives have much slimmer proportions, unlike daggers. They have neither cross guards nor pommels. This study is concerned with both flat full-metal knives and knives with a short tang. Considering those knives with a partial tang, even the longest ones looks less durable when compared with samples truly designed for combat, as the construction was not intended for heavy strikes. As a result, only full-metal specimens with organic plates on the hilt are here interpreted as weapons. They are similar to those finds from the Northern Balkan region and their morphological features allow us to consider them to be much like daggers. One can suppose that some of the long knives could have been used in ritual proceedings, during feasts or sacrificial offerings. In some cases, it is also possible to consider long knives as a symbolic alternative to the weapon in the burial inventory. At the same time, it is clear that long knives were in use mostly as utilitarian tools. The difference in morphology between the Archaic and Classical knives shows the variation in the culture of these two periods of the Scythian culture. The spread of the long knives across the Steppe and Forest-Steppe areas also indicates the cultural connections between these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deaths due to high end machineries like guns and sophisticated explosives are on increasing trends with throughout the world. Such deaths lead to high morbidity and mortality in the human society. The present study was conducted to explore various socio demographic characters of victims and medicolegal aspects related to firearm and explosive injuries death. This was a descriptive cross sectional autopsy based study of all firearm and bomb blast injury deaths brought to mortuary of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal Manipur during the period from October 2013 to August 2015. In this study a total of 46 cases of firearm and explosives death during the study period was analysed in various medico-legal aspects. Rifled firearm and bomb blast was commonest weapon employed. Multiple injuries and head injuries were commonest cause of death. The trends of death might help the law enforcement authorities and Government to take proactive steps to curb this menace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article considers a methodical approach to assessing the level of threat to the civilian population in the case of the use of small arms for shooting at unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This approach is based on modeling the process of bullet flight in the vertical plane, based on the algorithm for determining the probability of accidental human impact, which allows, depending on the kinetic energy of the bullet, to calculate the probability of accidental death and probability of accidental injury. Based on the simulation, the indicators of the probability of human injuries depend on the angles of the shot, which allows to justify the restrictions when firing UAVs from small arms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has revealed sexual minority youth are more likely to carry weapons both outside of and within school. However, to date, no study has examined the degree to which bullying and harassment is associated with weapon carrying among sexual minority youth. We utilized the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the prevalence and likelihood of carrying weapons by sexual identity, adjusting for adverse experiences. From the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009-2015, we examined self-report of adverse experiences (e.g., being bullied, skipping school due to fear for personal safety) and performed Logistic regressions to estimate the odds of carrying a weapon and were adjusted to include demographics and adverse experiences. When surveyed by sexual identity, 14.0% of heterosexual, 21.8% of gay/lesbian, 18.5% of bisexual, and 17.4% of "not sure" students reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days. Odds of carrying a weapon were significantly increased for youth who skipped school due to feeling unsafe at school, had ever been threatened with a weapon in the past year, and had ever been in a physical fight. Compared to heterosexual female peers, sexual minority women had increased odds of carrying a weapon. Pediatricians should recognize that experiencing bullying and feeling unsafe are associated with weapon carrying, particularly among sexual minorities. Pediatricians and professionals who work with youth should recognize that reported experiences of bullying may not be the most salient indicator of risk for weapon carrying among all youth, and that other fears of or experiences with bullying are crucial to screen for among sexual minorities in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Death due to domestic violence is an issue throughout the country and the world and Manipur is not an exception. Violence ranges from mental torture to physical and ultimately to death. Victims are man to man, man to women and women to men but the majority of cases, women are the most sufferers along with morbidity and mortalities. This retrospective analysis is targeted to dig out the actual scenario of the state. Objective: To find out the socio-demographic profile of domestic violence death cases, different mode of killing, motives, patterns of injuries & cause of death etc. Materials and Methods: A descriptive retrospective autopsy based study of deaths due to domestic violence is conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal Manipur during the period from the year 2004 to 2013. Results: In this study a total of 61 cases of domestic violence deaths out of 4313 cases of postmortem during the study period is analysed in various medico-legal aspects. The maximum deaths were among males and reported against the 2nd & 3rd decade's age group and land disputes and personal violence were the common reason for such fatalities. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that deaths out of domestic violence are of increasing trend in all format of society all over the state. Strict legislation and appropriate implementation existing law and order is need of the hour and further laws are to be adopted to curb this menace of the society is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being threatened or injured with a weapon is a serious form of physical bullying. Little is known about the effects of being threatened or injured with a weapon on substance use and mental health among adolescents. A secondary analysis of 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data assessed the associations between having been threatened or injured with a weapon and substance use (binge drinking, marijuana, tobacco use, prescription medication misuse) and mental health (feeling sad or hopeless, considering suicide). Multiple logistic regression models with complex survey weights were used, controlling for potential confounders. Approximately 6.0% of students reported having been threatened/injured with a weapon. After adjusting for covariates, having been threatened/injured with a weapon was associated with binge drinking (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.9–3.4), marijuana (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6–2.7), tobacco use (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 2.0–3.5), and misuse of prescription medication (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6–3.0) compared with students who have not been threatened/injured. Having been threatened/injured with a weapon was associated with 1.6 times the odds (95% CI: 1.2–2.2) of feeling sad/hopeless and 1.7 times the odds (95% CI: 1.3–2.3) of considering suicide. Having been threatened or injured with a weapon is an important public health issue associated with negative mental health and substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and generalized method of end-game algorithm has been proposed to engage air-borne evaders, including high speed, highly maneuvering, and small evaders, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Performance of interceptors using time delay estimation and guidance integrated real-time prediction algorithm has been simulated to estimate the errors in engaging maneuvering evader targets. After extensive modeling of engagement geometry and simulation studies of the proposed algorithm, it is concluded that the algorithm can be used for defeating ballistic as well as maneuvering target with higher accuracy compared to other methods that are reported in the literature. The accuracy of estimation is found to improve by 12% over the reported methods used for engaging maneuvering evaders. The algorithm is implemented in hardware and results are presented for a typical case of engagement geometry against a small maneuvering target, which ensured maximum damage to target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Despite a sizable minority of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) acting aggressively toward family members, little is known about this topic. The objectives of the present analyses are to examine the association of offenders' SMI status with offender behaviors and victim outcomes and to compare the immediate contextual characteristics of incidents involving offenders with and without SMI. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, all incidents of domestic violence to which police were called between adult children and their parents in Philadelphia, PA, in 2013 (N = 6191) were analyzed. Additionally, incidents in which the offender was indicated to have SMI (n = 327) were matched with a sample of incidents in which the offender was not indicated to have SMI (n = 327). Results: Offenders having SMI was not associated with using a bodily weapon or gun, threatening victims, or damaging property. Offenders having SMI was associated with a decreased risk of offenders using a non-gun external weapon and victims being observed to have a complaint of pain or visible injuries. When offenders had SMI, conflict was less likely to focus on family issues and more likely to focus on offenders' behaviors and to involve contextual characteristics related to mental illness. Conclusions: Efforts to prevent gun and other violence between non-intimate partner family members should target factors more strongly associated with violence than SMI (e.g. history of domestic violence, substance abuse). Intervening in family aggression by persons with SMI likely requires addressing unique circumstances these parties experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to gain an understanding of the effectiveness of mail armour in protecting horses against arrow shot, and to assess the circumstances in which such armour might play a useful role. Since the protection given by mail is largely dependent on the thickness of the underlying padding, a preliminary step was to estimate the maximum thickness of padding that could be worn by the horse during cavalry operations. Experimental tests were then conducted by shooting arrows with reproduction medieval bodkin points at reproduction mail over various thicknesses of woven linen fabric. It was concluded that it would not be feasible to attain complete protection against arrows by mail armour and linen padding while remaining within the carrying capacity of horses for day-long operations. The fully-armoured medieval warhorse would probably have had a very limited role. The combined effect of weight and thermal loading meant that it could only perform effectively for relatively short periods. In engagements where remounts might be at hand, such as battles and tournaments, this was not a problem. However, for chevauchée type operations, which were likely to be carried out further afield and required sustained periods of speed and endurance, it would have proved counterproductive.1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Faculty of Letters / Trakya Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Trakya University, Faculty of Letters and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)