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Abstract 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.

To solve complex forensic cases, medico-legal issues such as cause of death, manner of death, weapon used, postmortem interval, and volitional activity must be resolved. An otherwise healthy 43-year-old male was found dead in a pool of blood 500 m from his home. On inspection, six penetrating lacerations were found on the left side of the chest. Police began an inquiry because they suspected firearm injuries. A dual-pointed weapon inflicted these paired penetrating injuries. The same weapon stabbed the victim three times. The injuries resembled rifle entry wounds, yet there were no exit wounds or bullets inside the corpse. In the field of forensic pathology, there exist numerous cases when antemortem penetrating wounds and post-mortem defects exhibit similarities to firearm injuries, leading to potential confusion among the parties involved in the investigation. In order to effectively manage complex cases, a thorough comprehension of various injury types and the weapons responsible for causing them is essential. Therefore, appropriate training and close supervision are required to enhance the quality and credibility of these investigations as a whole.

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.

Prehistoric wooden projectiles likely have a complex evolutionary story in a similar way to stone tools, depending on their functions, and the cognitive and physical capabilities of hominins who used them. The technologies of some ancient projectiles (e.g., spears, arrows) can be studied more directly because they were equipped with stone points which survive archaeologically, but other implements made entirely of wood are extremely rare archaeological finds and need an indirect study of their ethnological diversity to try to shed light on their evolution. The evolution of throwing sticks is often restricted to the invention of boomerangs which, as returning objects, have fascinated Europeans, particularly since the early 19th century colonisation of Australia. However, the innovation of returning boomerangs is probably relatively recent, compared to their entire technological evolution. The resulting technological diversity of forms through time is reflected in the different morphological types of ethnological throwing sticks found on the Australian continent but is also present in other parts of the world. A scheme of evolution for throwing sticks is proposed here, according to the technology that can be observed on numerous ethnological objects studied in museum collections, and experience gained from throwing replicas, which allow us to distinguish different development phases for these projectiles.

The subject matter of this work is the metal military equipment that was found in the military settlement of Tepecik, situated on a natural rock north of the Patara city center and east of the inner harbor. Construction activities for defense purposes can be traced back to the 6th century B.C. in the settlement. During the excavations conducted in recent years, a garrison was unearthed, that had been built in the middle of the 4th century B.C. and remained in use until the end of the 3rd century B.C. with some architectural transformation. The metal military equipment comprises a pilum, arrowheads, bolt-heads / spear butts, javelin heads, a catapult trigger mechanism part, sling bullets and a dagger. A limited number of metal military tools are dated to the 6th/5th century B.C. Apart from these, the great majority of the weapons pertain to the period to the middle of the 4th century B.C. and the 3rd century B.C. with a few other examples dating to the 2nd century B.C. All the metal equipment accords well with the history of Patara and strengthens the data on various architectural phases detected in the Tepecik settlement. Furthermore, we can say that certain weapons found among the military equipment stand out as rarely seen specimens: A pilum and a curved dagger which are known to have very few examples in Anatolia. A lead sling bullet inscribed with the names of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great is the one and only example of this specimen in Anatolia. The trigger claw of a catapult is also of capital importance since it provides evidence for a much-debated mechanism.

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.

The Museum of History and Local Lore (Altai State Pedagogical University) contains a vast collection of weapon items from the Early Iron Age. Most of the artifacts were obtained by the famous Siberian archeologist Alexei P. Umansky. This article introduces the burial semantics of two iron spearheads from archeological sites Novotroitskoye 2 and Maslyakha 1. These artifacts have already been described in several theses on the ancient military art of the Upper Ob Valley. However, they remain understudied in terms of local funeral rituals in the second half of the 1st millennium BC. The author used some rare archival materials from the museum of the Altai State Pedagogical University to give a new perspective to the spearheads from the Upper Ob. The contextual analysis involved related finds from the burial sites of Bystrovka 1, Bystrovka 2, and Kamenny Mys. It made it possible to interpret the role of weapon in the rite of passage. Unusual and symbolically broken items could represent event sacralization, which was a widespread adaptation strategy for integrating objects and ideas into the funeral practice of a multicultural community.

Kurul Fortress in Ordu is one of the many fortresses constructed during the reign of Mithradates VI Eupator Dionysus (120-63 BC), a significant figure in the Hellenistic Pontic Kingdom in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea regions. The large number of these fortresses is due to the king’s struggle with the Roman Republic. Three major wars occured between Mithradates VI and Rome. The last of these wars (74-63 BC), known as the Mithradatic Wars, mostly consisted of the battles that took place in the Black Sea region. During this last war, Pontos was exposed to two major Roman invasions, first under the command of Lucullus and then under the command of Pompeius. While the initial damage to Mithradates’ fortresses occurred during Lucullus’ campaign, the real destruction occurred as a result of Pompey’s campaign. The Roman army commanded by Pompey destroyed all the fortresses of Mithradates VI and made them unusable. Kurul Fortress is one of the most important settlements that contains traces of this destruction. The large number of weapons and missiles found in the Kurul Fortress, which was never inhabited again after the Roman invasion, is evidence of what happened at that time. Most of the weapons and missiles associated with the last building phase, which coincided with the invasion of Pompey. The presence of traditional Roman weapons such as pila, javelin and spear-sickle (Falx muralis) among these weapons are the most important military technologies that point to the perpetrators of the destruction in the Kurul Fortress.

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.

Laser weapons have long been the subject of debate. The article discusses the potential adoption of laser weapons by infantry units and the future of small firearms. The text analyses these weapons in selected categories that subsequently support the evaluations and the conclusion. If miniaturisation is successfully managed, the comparison reveals an interesting paradox. While laser weapons and firearms do not rival each other as distinct functionalities, given the right conditions, they can actually complement each other and compensate for any disadvantages within their respective categories. Today's complex battlefield is placing ever greater demands on small arms, pushing conventional weapon mechanisms – combined with ammunition that guarantees accuracy and lower recoil, albeit at the expense of penetration – towards the limits of further possible advancement in technology. Improved passive individual protection restricts the wounding potential of pistol ammunition, reducing it to below 150 m for rifle cartridges, while guided ammunition tends to be prohibitively expensive. Under the right conditions, laser weapons could compensate for any of these drawbacks.

Without a principal law in Ukraine on weapons and munitions for them, certain difficulties arise in law enforcement activities with the qualification of the actions of offenders in the field of illegal circulation of weapons, manufacture of munitions, and the use of explosives. The purpose of this study was to investigate such weapons as ammunition and explosives, which become the subject of offences by criminals in connection with the illegal circulation of weapons, their components, their manufacture, and use. The study employed historical-legal, comparative-legal, systemic-structural, statistical, and sociological methods. Military supplies and explosives were classified to establish a particular object as an object of criminal encroachment; their forensically significant features and properties were determined. The role of ballistics specialists, explosives specialists, and other experts during the inspection of the scene, the investigation of illegal arms trafficking, the manufacture of ammunition and the use of explosives was covered. It was proved that ammunition and explosives have a close relationship with the persona of the criminal, the method of committing the criminal offence, and the trace pattern. The theoretical provisions regarding the properties and signs of ammunition and explosives were improved. Forensic recommendations on the actions of law enforcement officers with ammunition and explosives in criminal proceedings were developed. Recommendations regarding the removal and packaging of munitions and explosives as physical evidence have gained further development. The practical significance lies in clarifying the properties and signs of ammunition and explosives, which allows for the identification of these items at the initial stage of the investigation; correct actions for their detection, fixation, extraction, packaging; appropriate criminal-legal qualification of the offence committed

This contribution focuses on the notion of territory in video games, and on the way in which video games participate in the circulation of representations of territories among cultural industries. To this end, the article proposes an analysis of the notion of “spatial emblem” (Lussault, 2007, p. 173) and endeavors to show its relevance in the communicational and representational dynamics at work in the video game, but also in the way in which these emblems can, in a formal way, arouse a ludic attitude. The article then examines the Japanese sword, the katana, and explores, from the notion of ludic attitude, how this weapon acts both as a spatial emblem and as an element orienting the ludic attitude towards a specific framework of reception and experience. For this purpose, the analysis considers the Monster Hunter’s game license and questions the nature of the weapon within the game.

Aiming at the defect that traditional PPC usually leads to control singularity when dealing with the input constrained problem, a new non-fragile prescribed performance control (PPC) methodology is proposed based on neural approximation for waverider vehicle (WV). To deal with the saturation of velocity control input and altitude control input, compensated systems are devised. Furthermore, the states of compensated systems are used to construct adaptive re-adjusting terms that are further applied to improve the constraint envelopes of traditional PPC. Besides, neural networks are introduced to approximate the WV normalized unknown terms, which guarantees the robust performance. The advantage of the proposed method is that it overcomes the fragile defect of traditional PPC, and also reduces the control complexity and online computational load. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the exploited method are validated via numerical simulation.

It is now broadly admitted that female reproductive senescence – a decline in reproductive performance with increasing age – occurs in most species, at least among birds and mammals. Although information is more limited, male reproductive senescence has been regularly inferred from the decline in the size or performance of phenotypic traits that underly male reproductive success, particularly secondary sexual traits. However, the degree to which environmental conditions influence the pattern of senescence in sexual traits remains largely unknown. From the analysis of two long-term studies of populations of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) subjected to markedly different environmental contexts in the wild, we tested the hypothesis that harsh natal and/or current conditions should lead to earlier and/or stronger rates of senescence in the length of fully-grown antlers than good natal and/or current conditions. We found evidence of similar patterns of antler length senescence in both populations, with an onset of senescence around 7 years of age and a decrease of length by about 1–1.5 cm per additional year of life from 7 years of age onwards. We found that good early-life conditions delay senescence in antler length in roe deer. Our results also revealed that senescent males seem to be unable to allocate substantially to antler growth, confirming that antler size is, therefore, an honest signal of male individual quality. By modulating age-specific allocation to secondary sexual traits, natal and current conditions could influence female mate choice and male–male competition over mates, and as a result age-specific reproductive success, and should be accounted for when studying the dynamics of sexual selection.

Despite the writing of various dictionaries in the Persian language, there are still many Persian words that have been overlooked by lexicographers or some forms of them have not been recorded. Recently, with the study of various Persian sources and the preparation of rich corpora, attempts have been made to record the lost words and to some extent compensate, but still this problem has not been solved properly. The Adab al-Harb va al-Shaja’ah is one of the valuable Persian works that has a great reputation both in terms of antiquity and having general words and military terms that many of these words has not been registered. Also, due to the specialization of this book in the military subject, research in this subject is of great importance; However, due to the wide range of military terms and their various dimensions in this book, it is not possible to research in all these dimensions; Therefore, in this study, only military words that related to the types of arrowheads and Maces are recorded and introduced for the first time. The method is to study this book and extract related words, and the next step is to search in Persian dictionaries to make it clear that these words have not been previously recorded in any of them. The result of this research indicates that there are thirteen military terms that have not been recorded in any dictionaries so far, and this paper is the first that records and registers these terms.

In 479 BC, Plataea was the site of the final battle that repelled the second Persian invasion of Greece. The major source of information is Herodotus, who describes how the Spartan general Pausanias led an allied Greek army to expel Mardonius' Persian forces. The battle saw the largest Greek cavalry force assembled in the period, most of it fighting for the Persians. Although they were outnumbered, the Greeks were able to kill Mardonius precipitating a route resulting in the capture of the Persian camp.

There is an indisputable fact that in Medieval Armenia, as in most countries of the Middle Ages, the sword was a popular (but expensive) type of weapon. However, what did these “swords” look like? The aim of the article is to analyse one internal fresco called “Massacre of the Innocents” from Aghtamar Church (915–921), where a depiction of the sword with the sleeve cross-guard could be found. Comparisons of the known archaeological finds of “Byzantine” type swords from Eastern Europe and Near East have been made, proving the idea that such type of swords actually existed. The authors, with the following analysis, would like to support the idea that medieval figurative sources are a very accurate for studying medieval military history.

Introduction: Injuries to the face caused by stabbing weapon are often severe and can constitute maxilla-facial emergencies. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical features and the difficulties in the management of these injuries caused by this trauma in a context of limited resources. Material and methods: This was a, retrospective and descriptive study that took place from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 in the Odontostomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the University Hospital of Bouaké. It concerned patients admitted to the department for maxillofacial trauma caused by stabbing weapon. Results: 38 cases were collected. The average age was 32.96 years (extremes 19 and 48 years). The male gender predominated with a sex ratio of 8.5. All patients were victims of intentional assault with stabbing weapon. The weapon used was the machete in all cases. The injuries caused by this trauma were all complex, sometimes involving bone and organ damage. The jugal location predominated (34, 21%). The delay in treatment was most often more than 3 days. Discussion: The lesions caused by this trauma can be particular due to the complexity of the lesions caused. Their management is hampered by the economic difficulties of the patients and the lack of health infrastructure. Conclusion: The improvement of care will require the strengthening of infrastructural capacities and the establishment of an effective system to combat insecurity.

The article examines the process of the formation of military garrisons on the southern border of the Russian state in the 17th century. Particular attention is paid to the many variations of this process, the use of both numerous fugitives from among the taxable population from their owners, and former service people, representatives of the Don and Zaporozhye Cossacks, the townspeople. The needs of the state in the process of settling border territories were put in the foreground, sometimes to the detriment of noble interests. The state tightly controlled migration processes, seeking to resettle a significant part of the younger generation to these counties, whо then contributed to the demographic explosion and the rapid settlement of the territories, including them in the Russian centralized state. The flight of the taxable population was also under control, but the need to increase the number of the military contingent on the southern border forced the authorities until the end of the 60s. XVII century be careful to pursue a policy of finding fugitives and returning them to their former owners. The structure of military garrisons in the south of Russia was generally of the same type, with a predominance of cavalry for constant border control.

The safety and reliability of electric explosive device, as the most sensitive initiating energy for igniting powder and explosive, directly impact those of weapon system. The safety and reliability of the electric explosion device were determined by the ignition temperature of the electric explosion device. Based on the conservation of energy and Fourier's law, a mathematical model was built for the relationship between the temperature rise of the bridge line and the amplitude of the electromagnetic pulse. In the experiment, the semiconductor band gap temperature measurement technology was used, and the correctness of the mathematical model was verified by altering the amplitude of the pulse signal. Then, the 50% ignition excitation of the device was determined with the Bruceton method and the statistical theory. According to the built mathematical model, the ignition temperature of the electric explosion device was determined as 412 ℃. In this paper, the measurement method of the ignition temperature of the electric explosive device was developed, which could act as a technical means for the safety assessment of the electromagnetic environment of the weapon system. Moreover, this method is critical to improve the safety and survivability of the weapon system in the complex electromagnetic environment.

Anarchy, which had occupied Ottoman's Empire in its last decade, had a negative impact on the position of Serbian population. Porte did not take more decisive measures to improve the situation in the field, but their politics was founded on the favouring of Albanians. Such attitude of Turkish authorities had long-lasting consequences, and Albanian unbridleness was getting larger. Oppressions were committed every day, and the main objective of Albanians was to break off compact settlements inhabited by Serbs as it was Ibarski Kolašin. Being found between Albanian oppressors from one side, and non-interested Turkish authorities, Serbs started arming themselves more actively. They purchased rifles in Serbia, and were given assistance by their compatriots, who escaping from villains, inhabited territory in the area of the Kingdom of Serbia along the border. Besides them, they were getting to weapon via some Albanians, with a certain monetary compensation. Albanians, after knowing that Serbs are being armed from Serbia, hoped more actively of their destruction. They requested from Turkish authority's weapon investigation in Ibarski Kolašin, and after the search of Shemsi pasha, in January of 1901 they were not pleased. In the summer of the same year, Isa Boljetinac with the help of his partisans was searching for weapon through Kolašin's villages, by committing crimes over innocent people. During the stay of Isa Boljetini in these areas the Kolašin's region had been deserted, and not only men were on strike but women and children as well. The only salvation from Isa's atrocities at that moment was the presence of Russian consul Mashkov, who, by the intervention via his embassy in Constantinople, managed to obtain the publication of imperial decree on the breaking of the weapon search. The publication of imperial decree and d the retreat of Isa Boljetinac from Ibarski Kolašin did not bring peace to Serbs. Namely, Isa was not pleased with the booty he had got during the summer of 1901 so that he was persuading other Albanian villains to go on with the weapon search in Kolašin's region.

In the epic repertoire of the famous jangarchi Teltya Lidzhiev (1906–1970) who belonged to the epic school of the rhapsodist Eelyan Ovla, the motif of heroic duel is a plot-forming one. Goals. The article examines the motif of heroic duel in the repertoire of jangarchi Teltya Lidzhiev in order to identify the preservation and sequence of its narrative units. Methods. When it comes to analyze the epic songs of Teltya Lidzhiev against similar songs of the rhapsodist Eelyan Ovla, the comparative method is employed. Results. The comparative analysis reveals that the motif of heroic duel, associated with the presentation of an ultimatum to the hostile ruler and the raiding of the enemy’s herd, retains the same sequence of narrative units as that in the source text of the predecessor. Conclusions. The research has shown that the motif of heroic duel associated with the enemy’s ultimatum, being an important part of the narrative, appears in the form of a predicative construction where all elements are interconnected. The motif of the heroic duel, associated with the presentation of an ultimatum by Jangar himself to the hostile khan and the raiding of the latter’s herd, being a plot-forming element, is characterized by a stable sequence. In the songs of Teltya Lidzhiev, the epic narrative is always centered around the hero whose heroification is emphasized in the course of the development of the motif of heroic duel.

The article represents a shot, taken at analyzes of weapon as a party to a relationship in the realm of traditional military cultures. The grounds for the question are the folkloristic data and ethnographic watch that testify the specific for the traditional cultures way of weapon perception, which goes far beyond the instrumental approach, typical for the modern cultures. In a traditional culture object, in general, and weapon, in particular, obtains semantic ties with mythological era of the Creation and hence, have its own cultural status. The special position of weapon in the cultural hierarchy presumes its complex internal structure, which permits it to exist adequately in the system of relationship with other objects and the universe. The current research presents the complex of metaphors, suitable for the description of the weapon morphology in the system of symbolic interconnections. The topic, which is studied in depth in the article, is the weapon intended purpose. The author provides evidences of weapon perception as a subject with its own destination and fate. There were acts of “blood drinking” that were deemed as the main idea of weapon existence, while blood itself was treated as vital point of a living creature. The author presents the complex system of metaphors, describing the circle of weapon activity/inactivity in the process of its purpose manifestation within the myth. The epical from the origin point of view concept of “battle admiration”, which is analyzed precisely, appeared to signify the weapon ability of self-intention and self-realization. In the part, devoted to the man-weapon relationship, weapon is presented as complete, fully-fledged phenomenon, which can serve as a startup for warrior personality becoming. To exist to the utmost, weapon, in its turn, needs warrior. Hence, author analyzes the man-weapon relationship as a dialectical process. One of its important elements is the warrior ability to bring up scare, hidden in weapon, against the counterpart. Simultaneously, the weapon ability to studies in depth the difficulty of establishment long-lasting man-weapon relationship in case the self-containment of the parts is substituted with the interconnection of subjects, defining and controlling each other. In the folklore and in the reality, determined by the mental models, going along the folklore, the act of “weapon mastering” represents the initiation, signifying both overcoming the obstacles and transition from one status and condition to another. Simultaneously, “luckiness” as an integral feature of an individual, permitting him to act effectively in the uncertainties, is perceived as inevitable element of this transition. The harmony and effectiveness of joint man-weapon actions are the evident signs of successful mastering. The author provides examples of warrior and weapon partnership. The special attention is paid to the importance of weapon for the development of warrior qualities during daily activity, tightly connected with sophisticated coordination and necessity to control the conscious state.

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.

Honestly, before I got to know Douglas S. Meyer, I had no idea that blowguns existed in North America. They are well known in South America, particularly for being used with poisoned darts, but the ones from the Southeast of the United States were completely new to me. Meyer is a very experienced expert on primitive skills who studied this weapon for more than 30 years. Eight years ago, he published an article about the Native American blowgun on EXARC: https://exarc.net/issue-2013-3/at/hunting-cane-traditional-cherokee-blo…

The analysis of sharp force trauma has usually been reserved for prehistoric osteological case studies. Bog bodies, on the other hand, due to the excellent preservation of the soft tissues, provide a unique example of visible lesions. This type of preservation of prehistoric soft tissue trauma that would otherwise be predominantly absent from osteological remains allows archaeologists to understand better the methods in which these individuals died and potentially the demographic for who performed these acts. Unfortunately, analysis of sharp force trauma in modern forensics is limited, lacking major revision for the last decade. Likewise, archaeological analysis of sharp force trauma is limited to osteological indicators (e.g., marks on bone and cartilage). Therefore, this experimental study performed in 2016 aimed to compare lesions observed on prehistoric bog bodies with those on a human proxy – pig carcases and create an assailant profile through correlating weapon type and volunteer body mass index (BMI). A Multivariate Kruskal-Wallis test (MKW) revealed that the wound areas created by two different weapons under study (a dagger or spear) could not significantly differentiate assailants based on their BMI with 95% confidence level. A binomial logistic regression model was used to predict further the likelihood that either a spear or a dagger caused the observed stab wounds on the individual bog bodies under investigation, given the specific wound lengths and unknown true BMI of the victims. This logistic model was approximately 92% accurate in classifying the weapon type given the exact wound length across different possible BMI values of an assailant (BMI range: 18.0-31.5 kg/m2).

Byzantium’s arms and armours were researched by many historians. For that reason, the military history of the medieval Roman Empire enjoyed a dominant position in medieval historiography, with the consequence that very often the military history of small nations (under Roman influences) was written from the perspective of the Eastern Romans historians. The aim of the paper is to change this perspective and give the subject of the medieval Armenian military the attention it deserves. The idea is to perform an analysis of the relief on the Door of the Msho Arakelots monastery, where four equestrians and one infantryman are depicted, and to compare it with other Armenian, Byzantine and Muslim sources. In this relief, a spherical mace head and a sword with sleeve cross-guard are represented, suggesting many parallels with East-Roman archaeological and figurative sources. No less important is the depiction of the military trumpet because it is the first image of this object in Armenian art, which can be compared with pictures from the Madrid Skylitzes (13th c.). In addition, the only defensive weapon which is presented in this relief is a round shield with a floral ornament. There are many depictions of round shields in Armenian miniatures and reliefs from 10th–11th c. Moreover, this relief is one of the few where stirrups and the chape of a scabbard are shown. These elements represent an important piece of information because these pictures can be compared with actual archaeological East-Roman artefacts to reconstruct their real look. The conclusions are that the majority of Armenian weapons bear similarities to Byzantine ones but no less important are the Muslim influences, which have been found in some cases. Located between two civilizations (Byzantium and the Muslim Potentates), Armenians adopted the best solutions of their military technologies, creating their own culture. Moreover, thanks to this comparative analysis, further support will be given to the idea that medieval figurative sources are more or less accurate material for studying medieval military history.

F-35 and B-2 Bomber Are Getting Killer Upgrades That Seem Unstoppable; This Submarine Ranks Among the Best (And Some Of Its Technology Is In Your Pocket); KF41 Lynx IFV: In from the cold; Just How Stealthy Are France's Rafales F4.2s? / Нови хардвер и софтвер за невидљиве; Јапанска подморница са литијум-јонским батеријама; Борбено возило пешадије KF41 Lynx – Велика извозна прилика; Колико је стварно „невидљив“ нови француски ловац Rafale F4.2?.

This article details a systematic and organized search in the cloud through different databases worldwide, with the purpose of identifying existing technologies concerning transport processes and installation of weapons in military and defense aircrafts, as well as major suppliers or manufacturers of these technologies. It is mentioned a compilation of images and designs of these systems that describe technical specifications such as weight, load capacity, speed, specific functions, type of mechanism, type of aircraft for which it is designed, among others. At the end of the document, a series of conclusions are presented regarding the search carried out, highlighting which are the leading manufacturers of transport systems and installation of ammunition, as well as the countries that generate the greatest number of patents in this regard, what is the purpose of the leading manufacturers when designing ground support equipment; information that will serve as the basis for designing a ground support system that meets the specific needs of the Colombian Air Force, specifically for the AH60L fleet.

Destruction of an individual is the most heinous expression of aggression found in any culture. Homicidal investigation requires a scientific and detailed analysis of circumstances and a trough autopsy. And to take a directed step in preventing a crime, the pattern of crime is to be known. The present study was done in Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, to observe the trend of homicide. It was seen that males were predominantly involved with higher incidences being in the age group of 21 to 40 years of life. Blunt objects were more frequently used and head injuries were chiefly causing deaths.

Throwing sticks and boomerangs are present in the collections of many French and international museums. Collected mainly in the 19th and 20th centuries by travelers, they were mainly analyzed from a stylistic point of view, to relate them to their region of origin. Some of these objects were made by the indigenous populations especially to be exchanged with Europeans and only bear macro-traces of manufacture. However, many others can have additional various traces of use and repair which reflect a real function and which are often less studied. Indeed, these traces can shed light on the functionality of the object in relation to their physical characteristics, which determine their aerodynamic properties. However, these throwing weapons were not only used as projectiles. In some cases, a major modification of the object may have taken place to adjust it for a new use.

The subject of this article are the legal and criminal aspects of regulating access to firearms. This issue has become extremely important in recent years for sociality. Furthermore, the availability of firearms has been widely discussed in Poland.

Little is known about the process of the invention of the prehistoric spear thrower which appeared around 25,000 years ago in Europe, although it may have emerged earlier on other continents. This innovative weapon had a late arrival in Australia from Papua New Guinea at the end of the late glacial maximum, and probably induced an adaptation in hand throwing spear technology used by local people. But could the spear thrower have also originated independently from older prehistoric technology on this continent? In this work, the hypothesis of a technological evolution from throwing sticks to the spear thrower is examined through several particular wooden Australian Aboriginal implements observed in ethnographic collections. Indeed, some traditional Aboriginal hooked throwing sticks from Coopers Creek might be a trace of a prehistoric throwing stick/spear thrower technological complex which has disappeared to be replaced by true specialised spear throwers from New Guinea, rendering them obsolete. Interestingly, other intersections between these two weapons could be found in the particular type of “on edge” built Aboriginal spear throwers from Northern Queensland where rare examples of spear throwers made from modified throwing sticks can also be found. Do they result from an adaptation of throwing sticks in contact with spear thrower importations from New Guinea or do they reflect the continuity of an older, independent Indigenous Australian spear thrower invention? Experimental replicas and throwing tests have been used here to try to shed light on the potential and limits of such implements which could have been used simultaneously for both functions.

In the late 5th century AD, the famous Ostrogoth Theoderic the Great received a truly regal gift from the king of the Warini: he was given highly elaborated swords, richly decorated and able to cut through armour. Their fullers (long grooves along the flat side of the blade to reduce weight and to gain stability, often falsely called “blood groove”) were so well made it was as if worms (or dragons) were crawling upon the surface. But the most outstanding feature was indeed the surface of the blades, which were so expertly polished as if to create “a mirror for men”. To prove that this description of the quality of medieval swords wasn’t an exaggeration I was granted funding by the Tyrolean Scientific Fund (TWF) to reconstruct a medieval polishing bench and to examine possible historical abrasive agents.

The purpose of this paper is to explain our experience with the process of experimental archaeology, involving the reproduction and field testing of embossed decorations, inspired to archaeological finds. As a re-enactment group focused on Celts and Ligurians of III – II century BC we reproduce items and/or ornaments often crafted using the embossing technique: helmets, jewels, brooches, belt buckles and various appliques.

The modern market for personal protection devices has brought about such challenges as the need to phrase legal regulations regarding possession and use of such devices. The aim of the study is to answer the questions whether RAM devices are firearms and whether they are weapons at all within the meaning of the Act of 21 May 1999 on weapons and ammunition. On the way to achieve this goal, a thorough analysis of the translation of the detailed charac- terisation of RAM devices into specific definitions of the Act in question is used. The result of the author’s research is the conclusion that RAM devices are neither weapons nor firearms within the meaning of Polish legislation. Furthermore, the article provides a number of legal consequences resulting from such research conclusions, e.g. no obligation to undergo medi- cal or psychological examinations by a potential RAM device owner.

This article is devoted to an analysis of burials with weaponry from the Ostriv graveyard near the River Ros’, about 100 kilometres to the south of Kyiv in the Middle Dnieper area, excavated during 2017 and 2018. Weapons (axes, pila, sword pommels) were discovered in 11 burials, representing approximately 20% of the total number of burials, and about 60% of all male burials investigated in the graveyard. An analysis of the material from the graveyard (weapons and jewellery) refers burials to West Balt migrants: Old Prussians, Curonians and Skalvians. They probably protected hill-forts of Kyivan Rus’ in the Ros’ region. The archaeological finds were supported by historical sources: chronicles of Kyivan Rusʼ. They evidence about the activities of Yaroslav the Wise aimed at reinforcing the southern borders of Kyivan Rus’. But it is hard to say exactly when Yaroslav relocated West Balts to the region of the River Ros’. Nevertheless, according to written sources and archaeological material, it could be dated from 1030 to the middle of the 11th century.

The American-North Korean conflict on nuclear weapons has been making headlines for a long time. The potential of both countries is unquestionable and has an enormous influence on the entire world. The nuclear dispute between the United States and the DPRK began with the Korean War in 1950s and has been growing since. North Korea has strengthen its nuclear capability and is threatening the United States, the territory of Guam island, and the entire human nation. The regime is the only country which has tested nuclear weapons in the 21st century. The American government has been raising the sanctions against Pyongyang and China has been trying to invite both sides for negotiations and to ease the worsening tensions on the peninsula. Washington puts a lot of hopes into Beijing being able to handle the threats from North Korea, but Chinese claim they do not have enough leverage to hamper Kim Jong Un’s regime. North Koreans, living under the constant control from the regime and propaganda, are separated from their families and the rest of the world. The Winter Olympics, which will be held by South Korea in February, 2018, gave both Koreas a chance to talk and to participate in the event together again, and maybe it is a possibility for the two sides to negotiate further agreements.

This article tackles a subject related to the field of public order and national safety, since it focuses on realities and perspective of the current security environment, from the perspective of the impact of bioterrorism on public health and order. With the beginning of this century, security has turned more and more into an extended concept and, at the same time into a security of synthesis, defined as a concept of complex integration, namely at a state, regional and global level, by the more and more powerful, evident and necessary multitude of interdependencies. The current world situation is extremely favorable to the spread of contagious diseases by means of agro-food products, taking into account the demographic explosion and the geopolitics of food in the last century. The set in of new diseases or reoccurrence of older ones, deemed eradicated, suggest that in the future we might face a recrudescence of infectious diseases of an epidemic or food nature, that is with possible bioterrorist or bio-security attacks.

As a fascinating weapon, Rencong Aceh cannot be separated from the life of Acehnese people. In order to describe the morphology of which, a qualitative method was implemented to collect the data through observation, interview and document analysis. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive analysis. The four types of Rencong Aceh – rencong meucugek, rencong meukuree, and rencong podoi or puntong – have the structure of Bismillahirrahmanirrahim entirely. Those also possess the letter of Ba. Every morphology form of Rencong Aceh is constant, either in the form of Bismillah, Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, or Ba. Philosophically, the compilation of morphology upon the weapons cannot be disconnected from the Islamic context developed within the social and culture understanding and its practice of the Acehnese people. Every beginning of an action should be initiated with the words of Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. The expression is done to get the mercy and blessing of God, particularly when the enemies attack. Sebagai senjata yang memesona, Rencong Aceh tidak dapat dipisahkan dari kehidupan masyarakat Aceh. Untuk menggambarkan morfologi, metode kualitatif diterapkan untuk mengumpulkan data melalui observasi, wawancara dan analisis dokumen. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis dengan analisis deskriptif. Empat jenis Rencong Aceh - rencong meucugek, rencong meukuree, dan rencong podoi atau puntong - memiliki struktur Bismillahirrahmanirrahim seluruhnya. Mereka juga memiliki surat Ba. Setiap bentuk morfologi Rencong Aceh adalah konstan, baik dalam bentuk Bismillâh, Bismillâhirrahmanirrahim, atau Ba. Secara filosofis, kompilasi morfologi atas senjata tidak dapat dilepaskan dari konteks Islam yang dikembangkan dalam pemahaman sosial dan budaya dan praktiknya terhadap rakyat Aceh. Setiap awal tindakan harus dimulai dengan kata-kata Bismillâhirrahmanirrahim. Ungkapan itu dilakukan untuk mendapatkan rahmat dan berkah Tuhan, terutama saat musuh menyerang.

This international experimental project focused on the production of replicas of different models of flat-retouched flint arrowheads (stemmed, with flat base, and ogives -with rounded base-) in use within the Neolithic Squared-Mouthed-Pottery Culture (SMP) of Northern Italy. The aim was to test their efficiency in order to understand if different morphologies of points produce different effects on the target. During the experimentation, an average penetration rate between 5 and 10 cm was registered. Both the models with a stem (“Italian type”) and those with flat base (used north of the Alps) are efficient, so it is supposed that their adoption could be due to cultural factors. On the other hand, none of the “ogives” remained stuck in the target, suggesting their interpretation should be considered as a preformrather than an arrowhead. The impact fractures registered on the replicas mostly have an oblique morphology that does not affect the re-use of the arrowhead.

The purpose of this experiment was to examine the shepherd sling to form an understanding as to why it would appear to be the most dominant missile weapon of Iron Age Britain (Harding, 2012, p.194). The experiment consisted of making and using the sling, testing its range and accuracy to reveal its strengths and limitations. This experiment was also intended to introduce a different interpretation from previous experiments which have been conducted by both, professional slingers and novices in the practical use of weaponry; each brought solid conclusions which suggested that the sling was hard to master and only used by professionals. What we must consider is that people of the Iron Age would have been very practically minded with transferable skills, potentially; making the use of the sling much easier for the common person of this period. As I am a qualified weapons expert in Kobujutsu and Ninjutsu, I intended to put this theory to the test and see if my skills were transferable. Within these disciplines, chained or roped weaponry are used as climbing aids or to trap, ensnare and even throw at opponents (Hayes, 1981, pp.69-76), additionally; bladed implements of all types are also taught to be thrown (Hatsumi, 1981, pp.165-77). My aim was to combine the swinging technique of a chain, followed by a throwing technique to understand the dynamics of how to use a sling; challenging the theory that the sling was difficult to master and filling the void from previous perspectives. Before construction it was important to look at the history of the sling, the archaeological record and how it may be used in modern-day society, gauging a better understanding of how it was used and for what reason. This knowledge gave me enough information to replicate and use the sling to undertake controlled experiments, giving a better insight into the sling’s capabilities and the people of Iron Age Britain.

In the Merovingian era (5th-8th century AD) a lot of variously shaped iron arrowheads were used by the Franks, Alemannians and Bavarians, who dwelled in the region known today as Germany, Austria and Switzerland (See Figure 1). As archaeological artefacts, two-winged arrowheads with rhombic, willow-leaf or triangular blades represent a standard Germanic type. Iron bodkin and needle-shaped tips are also found in Merovingian warrior graves, although they are less numerous. Finally, we have three-winged arrowheads. They belong to a type that seldom occurs in Central Europe. Such arrowheads were adopted by the Franks from Italy, that is the Byzantine Mediterranean area where this design, originally invented as bronze arrowheads by Scythian steppe nomads, was used since ancient Greek and Roman times. Other exceptional archaeological findings like transverse and trident-shaped arrowheads, or special forms that could have belonged to fire arrows, are also known from early medieval burial sites.

Throwing sticks, including boomerangs as a subclass, are prehistoric objects as old as humanity. They have endured on many continents in different forms, uses, and traditions of manufacture. Numerous different approaches have been used to study them. Many studies of throwing sticks are dominated by morphological determination and focused on Australian objects which have been classified by the origin of their cultural area on this continent (Davidson, 1936; Jones, 1996). However, few authors give importance to a fairly complete record of Australian Aboriginal throwing stick and boomerang features (Turck, 1952; Callahan, 1999).

Hand-delivered spears are the earliest clear hunting technology in the archaeological record, with origins from 400,000 years ago, before the evolution of our own species. Experimental archaeological approaches to early weaponry continue to grow, and both controlled and naturalistic experiments are making significant contributions to interpreting such technologies. Using human participants is often useful and sometimes necessary for such work. This paper argues that greater consideration should be afforded to a number of aspects of human performance in experimental work - whether naturalistic or controlled - including how proficiency and physiology may affect outcomes.

The paper is devoted to the depiction of deer in the decoration of Tagar weapons. Such images are not numerous, much fewer than the deer images on other types of Tagar inventory. However, in terms of expression and diversity the deer images in the decoration of Tagar weapons are not inferior and even superior to those in other extant categories of items. The paper presents the experience of systematizing animal style decoration of Tagar weapons based on such features as the type of weapon, animal posture and image style. The authors revealed the stylistic traditions of images dating back to Arjan-Mayemir traditions, images on deer stones of the Sayan-Altai and Mongolian-Trans-Baikal type, as well as the impact of the Scythian art from Tuva and Altai. Styles of deer depiction in knife decoration were correlated with blade types. It was possible to determine that some of the images with depictive signs of the early Scythian tradition were performed on items related to the later stages of Tagar culture, indicating the duration of the early Scythian traditions along with new versions of images.

Introduction: Measurements were made of the sound pressure levels on a military ship HMS Grimsby during firing of a Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) mounted on the starboard bridge wing. The measurement positions comprised three locations on the ship’s bridge (the wheelhouse) and one location on the starboard bridge wing. Equipment and Procedure: The three locations on the bridge were the starboard door, centre and port door. A total of 255 burst firings were measured during the survey comprising 850 rounds with each burst encompassing from 1 to 10 rounds. Analysis: The data have been assessed and interpreted in accordance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Results: The highest peak sound pressure levels measured on the bridge wing and on the bridge were 160.7 dB(C) (2170 Pa) and 122.7 dB(C) (27.3 Pa), respectively. The highest sound exposure levels measured on the bridge wing and on the bridge corresponding to one round being fired were 127.8 dB(A) and 88.9 dB(A), respectively. The ship’s structure provided about 40 dB attenuation in the transmitted noise. Discussion: The operator of the weapon would be required to wear some form of hearing protection. On the basis of the measured peak noise levels, there would be no requirement for bridge crew to wear any hearing protection during firing of a HMG. However, crew exposure to noise on the bridge is likely to exceed the upper exposure action value corresponding to 85 dB(A) after about 11,750 rounds. Conclusions: Measurements made on the bridge wings are likely to be affected by reflections from the ship’s structure.

Male stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) use their mandibles as weapons to compete for resources and reproduction. Mandible size in stag beetles can be associated with different behaviours and the outcome of male contests. We investigated the allometric relationship between mandible and body size in males of the stag beetle Cyclommatus mniszechi to uncover distinct morphs. The results divided male C. mniszechi into majors and minors with the switch point of mandible length at 14.01 mm. The allometric slope of mandibles was positive for both morphs but was steeper for the minors. We also characterised the fighting behaviour of the different morphs in size-matched contests using sequential analyses. Males matched each other’s behaviour in contests with many physical contacts, no injury and a progression from low towards high aggression and rare de-escalation. Major and minor males employed the same behavioural elements in contests, but major males were more likely to escalate directly into more aggressive phases and minor males tended to stay within phases. This finding suggests that major males may compete more aggressively than minor males in contests.

This paper analyzed the use of rape as a weapon in Democratic Republic of Congo conflict zone. Rape usually used by the arm group to weaken their enemy. This strategy did not only targeted to women but also men. Rape gave different effect toward women and men. The purpose of this paper is to explain how rape become the weapon of conflict and their effect to the victims, even men and woman. Feminist perspective used in this paper. In the end, the author found that women have a way to overcome the effect and impact of rape better than men do. Social structure, which placed men in the upper side of women, made the effect and impact on the men who experienced rape victim hard to release their suffering. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to show how women and men could manage their self as a victim in the conflict zone.

The international terrorism usually has intercourse with the illegal trade to available funds them that group can survive. Various terrorist network generally has a very different ways with the others, so it was hard to figure relation between one and the other. Nevertheless, in a manner funding had then we can see how a terrorist network was in a continent can be connected with terrorists in other continents through this funding. Terrorist financing itself obtained from illegal trade like as drug trafficking and illegal weapons. Drug trafficking by terrorists is then called narcoterrorism where business assisted by user in the world. The user uses the links between terrorist networks on the continents.