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Most of the literature on fires focuses on the wild or rural environment. Nevertheless, urban fires, and in particular those related to criminal activity, have recently begun to receive greater attention. This study focuses on the analysis of fires in shopping malls, public markets and businesses in Mexico City to study the criminal intention of arson in cities. Using spatial analysis and count models, we study emergency calls (911) from January 2019 to February 2021 to explore the occurrence of fires and extortion in order to predict these events. Our main finding indicates a spatial concentration of fires in the city, with extortion as a significant predictor that increases the occurrence of fires by an average of 16.63%, controlling for non‐intentional factors. In commercial nodes, extortionists may burn down premises that resist extortion in reprisal and as an indirect threat to future victims. The results contribute to the understanding of a new line of research on arson, real estate fraud and financially profitable activities for organised crime. It is possible that 'professional torches' are also linked to another, previously unconsidered crime: that of extortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reveals the specifics of criminal liability for intentional destruction or damage to someone else's property provided for in Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The problematic issues of the composition of the criminal offense of intentional destruction or damage to someone else's property are analyzed, the difference between this composition and the intentional destruction or damage to property that has special features (objects of the electric power industry, nature reserve fund, archaeological heritage, weapons, military supplies, official documents, military property, etc.). Intentional destruction or damage to someone else's property, which has special features to be qualified according to the special norms provided for by articles: 113, 1941, 252, 258, 292, 298, 338, 357, 360, 378, 399, 411, 437, 433, 438 of the Criminal Code, is proposed. of Ukraine. On the basis of the analysis of judicial practice, it was proposed that in the case of using an explosive device, for the intentional destruction or damage of someone else's property, such actions of the perpetrator must be additionally qualified under Part 1 of Art. 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The imperfection of the provisions of the current criminal legislation in terms of the formulation of the qualifying signs of intentional destruction or damage to property was revealed. It has been established that the current legislation of Ukraine on criminal responsibility does not include the concept of a generally dangerous method, arson, explosion, the content of the death of people, serious consequences is not disclosed. The concept of a generally dangerous method and its varieties is proposed. The concept of a generally dangerous method and its varieties is proposed. A generally dangerous method of intentional destruction or damage to property is a method that causes property, non-property, physical damage to an individual or legal entity or creates a real danger of causing such damage to two or more people. In order to avoid unnecessary differentiation of criminal law norms, it is proposed to exclude from the Criminal Code of Ukraine articles 347, 3471, 352, and part 2 of Art. 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to add the sign of intentional destruction or damage to someone else's property in connection with the person's performance of official powers or professional duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research is to determine changes in the composition of selected gasoline compounds in cotton carpet samples due to different weathering times. EVO 95 gasoline was used as a fire accelerant and a cotton carpet was used as a matrix. The samples were exposed to various weathering durations (0–360 min) in laboratory conditions. We investigated samples that were unburnt (only weathered) and samples that were burned and subsequently subjected to further weathering. Residual gasoline compounds in carpet samples were determined by gas phase extraction (headspace – HS) coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). We focused on the comparison of selected gasoline compounds; toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (TMB), 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene. The biggest changes were determined in the reduction of the intensity of most volatile compounds (alkylalkanes), where toluene decreased by 11.92%. A similar but not so pronounced trend, occurred in the burned samples, where toluene decreased by 7.40%. Minor changes occurred in alkyl derivatives of benzene, where some of the total 15 gasoline markers also occur, e.g. (1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene). On the contrary, naphthalene as a heavier compound showed an increase in intensity about 0.42%. For burnt samples, the increase was 1.31%. The results show that largest changes can be observed after four or five hours of weathering, which implies the need for rapid sampling and subsequent timely analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of the issues of legal regulation of the procedure and forms of interaction between the investigator and the expert at the stage of checking crime report related to the fire. Based on the analysis of the peculiarities of the forensic characteristics of these crimes, as well as on the novel of the criminal procedure legislation, the conclusion is formulated on the need to introduce changes to the criminal procedure legislation aimed at consolidating the evidentiary value of the preliminary expert conclusion.

Cloud Research (N = 320) participants read a hypothetical description of an arson and police investigation. They were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions in a 2 (presence of alibi evidence) X 2 (presence of prosecution evidence) X 2 (presence of judicial alibi instructions) between-participants design. They completed alibi believability ratings, chose a verdict and evaluated the defendant’s character. Alibis were more believable in the absence of incriminating prosecution evidence and the presence of exonerating alibi evidence. Alibi evidence also led to more positive views of the defendant. The presence of judicial instructions decreased likelihood of guilt ratings. Most participants chose a not guilty verdict, yet guilty verdicts were more common when prosecution evidence was present. Scalar verdict-confidence ratings were higher when prosecution evidence was present and alibi evidence was absent. While participant recall on the judge’s instructions were poor, they performed well on two recognition questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in the journal for the entire criminal law science discusses the reform of arson offenses in 1998 and their development in the last 25 years. It is debated whether the reform was successful and how practice deals with norm deficits. Special attention is paid to the public danger of arson offenses, as well as the interpretation and significance of the objects of the offense. The Federal Court of Justice has not yet recognized a general possibility of reduction in cases of lack of danger, but only in specific individual cases. It is emphasized that a new legislative reform may be necessary to create a coherent and fair arson law. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the devastating wildfires that occurred in Lāhainā, Maui, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of the town. The fires were caused by corporations and institutions that diverted streams, leading to a shortage of water resources. The testimony of nearly two hundred Maui residents at the state Commission on Water Resource Management highlighted the need to protect streams and water sources that are vital to the Indigenous and working-class communities in Lāhainā. The article also explores the historical significance of Moku'ula, a sacred island and wetland pond, and ongoing efforts to restore it. The wildfires have exposed the consequences of colluding with corporate interests and have provided an opportunity to restore Moku'ula and its resources. The text emphasizes the importance of fair management of water resources, solidarity, and coalition building to address the needs of marginalized communities affected by the fires. Despite the challenges, there are signs of hope, such as the return of water to ancient irrigation ditches and the survival of old-growth 'ulu trees. The article concludes by highlighting the connection to the land and the importance of taking on the responsibility of water stewardship. [Extracted from the article]

In New Zealand, adolescents contribute to almost half of property damage caused by fire. Data on firesetting location (at-home or away-from-home) of adolescents (aged 12–18 years), referred to a fire-awareness intervention programme (N = 2696), were analysed using chi-square and logistic regression. Characteristics of the ‘at-home’ group (93% male; mean age 13.5 years) included setting a fire alone; a history of misusing fire; a history of a psychiatric diagnosis; no history of offending; firesetting motivated by experimentation; and identifying as non-Māori/non-Pacific. Conversely, the ‘away-from-home’ group (88% male, Mage = 13.8 years) were predicted by firesetting with peers; this being their first misuse of fire; negative feelings (fear, shame) after the fire; an offending history; firesetting motivated by peer pressure; and identifying as Māori1 or Pacific. Finding distinct subgroups within the adolescent firesetting population enhances opportunities to appropriately target interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Accelerant facilitated fire significantly effects the detection of blood on carpet and tile surfaces. • Successful soot removal can increase detection of heat damaged blood. • Wiping is the superior soot removal method on carpet and tile samples. • There is evidential worth in recovering heat damaged blood evidence at arson scenes. Previous literature has established that recovering heat damaged body fluids is possible, however with little investigation into the effect of accelerants used in initiating arson fires. This study therefore aimed to determine whether presumptive blood detection was affected by heat damage resulting from accelerant facilitated fires. Another objective was to examine various techniques for removing soot, which is a noted barrier to blood detection. The study focused on blood deposited on household flooring materials, one porous and one nonporous surface: carpet and tile respectively. Samples were burned with butane, petrol, and kerosene then presumptively tested using the Kastle Meyer colourimetric blood detection test. Testing was then repeated following soot removal by either wiping, scraping, or using liquid latex. The "strength" of positive detections was evaluated using a scale based on reaction speed and colour intensity. Results demonstrated that accelerants weakened detection strength, although nearly all samples tested positive overall, and the impact of each accelerant on both surface types was largely similar. It was also discovered that soot removal improved the strength of blood detection results in approximately 69% of carpet and 47% of tile samples, with wiping being the superior method on both surface types. Consequently, introducing this investigative step may be critical to maximizing blood evidence recovery in arson casework. These findings indicate the worth in recovering severely burned items, particularly for evidence as crucial as blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations. It is targeted at those responsible for fire safety management and fire safety practitioners with a contribution to prevent or mitigate the risk of injury or death arising out of a delayed evacuation at work. It seeks to define occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations, identify its antecedents and explore effective measures to mitigate or control the antecedents of occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations. Research was conducted using a survey instrument by contacting safety, health and fire safety professionals globally through convenience sampling and several international safety, health and fire safety-related institutions. This included demographics of the respondents, the confirmation of a definition of complacency, and means of dealing with complacency as defined by the questionnaire including priority strategies. The research team then sought to identify the antecedents of occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations using raw data from a previous study. This study addresses the hypothesis that if there is a clear definition of occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations and control measures are developed, tested and implemented, the risks of injury and death related to occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations could be prevented or mitigated. Analysis of survey findings clarified a number of key strategies to avoid evacuation complacency including but not limited to underscoring the importance of leadership involvement within a safety culture; training and education, awareness raising and communications to avoid occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations; evacuation drills; procedures, and the role of fire wardens. Based on information from a published report that explored individual attitudes, perceptions and experiences as well as perceived vulnerability that shape antecedents of occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations and individual behaviours when an evacuation alarm is initiated, the authors identified and filled a gap in the report, by suggesting a working definition of occupant complacency during workplace fire evacuations and control measures to prevent or mitigate this behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire deaths present several diagnostic challenges for the forensic examiner, the most significant of which is the identification of the cause of death and the evaluation of the morphological consequences of heat injuries in the ante-mortem and post-mortem periods. Here, we describe the case of two young lovers found dead inside a travelling carousel destroyed by a fire. Circumstantial evidence of disputes between families running the town fair raised the suspicion of intentional arson. Comparative analysis of crime scene investigation, radiological, autoptic, histological, and toxicological findings revealed signs of vitality (i.e., presence of soot deposits inside the respiratory and digestive tracts, heat damage to the respiratory mucosa) and identified fatal asphyxia from haemorrhagic pulmonary oedema as the cause of death. Since the experimental burning of plastic samples collected from a similar carousel demonstrated the significant production of phosgene, the death of the two lovers was attributed to the probable inhalation of this gas. The case presented here underlines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach of any fire-related death, providing an insight into circumstantial and forensic (autopsy, toxicological, and immunohistopathological) elements useful in raising suspicion of possible toxic gas inhalation. In the presence of high levels of PVC materials at the fire scene and pulmonary oedema at the autopsy, with no alternative causes of death, the forensic pathologist must suspect a fatal exposure to phosgene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the prevalence of deliberate firesetting in an un-apprehended New Zealand sample and factors that differentiate firesetting and non-firesetting individuals. An anonymous online survey assessing demographic and background characteristics, history of firesetting and psychological characteristics was advertised on Facebook community groups and pinboards across New Zealand. A total of 626 adults completed the survey. One-hundred and three participants (16.45%) self-reported having deliberately set at least one fire over the age of 14 years. When controlling for all other variables in a logistic regression model, having a high-school qualification as the highest level of educational attainment (odds ratio, OR = 2.24), history of a mental health diagnosis (OR = 1.91), fearful attachment style (OR = 1.16) and fire interest (OR = 1.05) showed the strongest unique association with un-apprehended firesetting. Further research is needed to examine the full range of behavioural and psychological characteristics associated with un-apprehended firesetting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global healthcare fires cause major casualties. Despite fewer incidents in Thailand, fire prevention is crucial. This study develops a prototype of fire risk assessment model for hospital buildings in urban areas aligned with NFPA 551 and OHSAS 18001, The model comprised four steps: 1) Hazard identification and fire opportunity assessments (Sources of fire, people at risk, fire and life safety and fire protection management); 2) Fire severity assessment; 3) Fire risk level assessment and 4) Fire risk management of hospital buildings in urban areas. Data was collected through interviews with eight specialists and by testing the model with simulated scenarios by eighteen specialists. Results indicated that fire opportunities in Category 4 had the highest risk score at 64.14%, followed by Category 1 at 62.58%, Category 3 at 58%, and Category 2 at 52.53%. Calculating opportunities using an equation yielded a value of 59.85, categorizing it as "Moderate". Fire severity was assessed as "High", implying a severe impact on building occupants, potentially leading to disability or death, and significant structural damaged. A "High" fire risk level mandates proactive safety management to mitigate risks before operations commence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the increasing frequency of urban fires, driven by urban functional enhancements and climate change, has posed a growing threat to metropolitan sustainability. This study investigates the temporal and spatial characteristics of fire incidents in Shanghai from 2019 to 2023. Using satellite fire point data and official government records, kernel density analysis and wavelet analysis were employed to analyze the time series and spatial distribution of fire data. Subsequently, eleven primary factors influencing urban fire occurrence were identified, encompassing probability, regional characteristics, and hazard sources. A combined methodology of subjective and objective weights with game theory was used to generate a fire risk assessment at a 1 × 1 km2 grid scale. Furthermore, the spatial distribution characteristics of the assessments were analyzed. The results reveal that the downtown area exhibits the highest intensity of urban fires in terms of spatial domain, with a decreasing intensity towards the suburbs. Temporally, fire frequency demonstrates significant periodicity at an 18a time scale, while clear seasonal fluctuations and periodicity are observed at a 16-22a time scale, with higher occurrences in spring and winter. The study identifies typical aggregation patterns of urban fires, with high-risk centers in downtown Shanghai. Considering the impact of climate change and human activities, high-risk areas may gradually expand to adjacent urban suburbs, presenting a concerning future scenario. By examining the dual attributes of "combustibles and fireproof space" within urban greening systems, this research offers recommendations for the future strategies of disaster prevention and mitigation of green systems in Shanghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of public and private locations now have surveillance cameras installed to make those areas more secure. Even though many organizations still hire someone to monitor the cameras, the person hired is more likely to miss some unexpected events in the video feeds because of human error. Several researchers have worked on surveillance data and have presented a number of approaches for automatically detecting aberrant events. To keep track of all the video data that accumulate, a supervisor is often required. To analyze the video data automatically, we recommend using neural networks to identify the crimes happening in the real world. Through our approach, it will be easier for police agencies to discover and assess criminal activity more quickly using our method, which will reduce the burden on their staff. In this paper, we aim to provide anomaly detection using surveillance videos as input specifically for the crimes of arson, burglary, stealing, and vandalism. It will provide an efficient and adaptable crime-detection system if integrated across the smart city infrastructure. In our project, we trained multiple accurate deep learning models for object detection and crime classification for arson, burglary and vandalism. For arson, the videos were trained using YOLOv5. Similarly for burglary and vandalism, we trained using YOLOv7 and YOLOv6, respectively. When the models were compared, YOLOv7 performed better with the highest mAP of 87. In this, we could not compare the model’s performance based on crime type because all the datasets for each crime type varied. So, for arson YOLOv5 performed well with 80% mAP and for vandalism, YOLOv6 performed well with 86% mAP. This paper designed an automatic identification of crime types based on camera or surveillance video in the absence of a monitoring person, and alerts registered users about crimes such as arson, burglary, and vandalism through an SMS service. To detect the object of the crime in the video, we trained five different machine learning models: Improved YOLOv5 for arson, Faster RCNN and YOLOv7 for burglary, and SSD MobileNet and YOLOv6 for vandalism. Other than improved models, we innovated by building ensemble models of all three crime types. The main aim of the project is to provide security to the society without human involvement and make affordable surveillance cameras to detect and classify crimes. In addition, we implemented the Web system design using the built package in Python, which is Gradio. This helps the registered user of the Twilio communication tool to receive alert messages when any suspicious activity happens around their communities.

The Regional Court of Amberg has sentenced a defendant to a suspended sentence of one year and three months for theft. However, the court is of the opinion that the positive criminal prognosis has not been fulfilled, as the defendant started sociotherapy shortly before the trial. The Higher Regional Court has found a defendant guilty of genocide and imposed a life sentence. The article describes the background of the "Church Massacre of Kiziguro" in Rwanda in 1994. The convicted person was sentenced in Germany for attempted murder and aggravated arson and placed in a detoxification facility due to their paranoid schizophrenia and drug use. The Federal Court of Justice has criticized the decision of the Regional Court. The text refers to a decision of the Federal Court of Justice regarding placement according to § 64 of the Criminal Code. [Extracted from the article]

Indonesia possesses a substantial expanse of peatland, including an area of over 265,500 square kilometers throughout the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua. Humbang Hasundutan Regency, located in North Sumatra, encompasses a total area of 2358 ha of peatland, making it a significant carbon reservoir worldwide. Peatlands within a district can be classified into two main types: topogenic and upland. This research aims to review issues related to peatlands in Humbang Hasundutan Regency and their sustainable management. The study was conducted using a systematic review method using e-books and journal articles to support a review that includes observational studies. E-books and journal articles were searched in online databases such as Google Scholar using the keywords: "Humbang Hasundutan," "peatland," and "topogenic." The downloading process was done independently by the authors. This resulted in 5 e-books and 27 journal articles, 6 of which were observational or experimental studies conducted in the Humbang Hasundutan Regency while the rest discussed peatlands outside of Humbang Hasundutan Regency. Moreover, 20 articles discussed peatland management. This systematic review proves that many factors must be considered in good peatland management. These include the physiographic, topographical, and hydrological characteristics of the land, as well as fire prevention measures, the selection of appropriate materials and fertilizers, the use of geospatial technology, the adoption of adaptation strategies for peatland use, the way communities view peatlands, and the economic importance of peat ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze sustainable peatland management to reduce the risk of peatland fires. Data were collected through observations and interviews with 20 informants, including farmers, civil servants, heads of government offices, and the Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) or Fire Care Community. Findings confirmed that knowledge of peatland characteristics, economic morals, local wisdom, and adaptation carried out by the community has an impact on sustainable peatland management. Local knowledge about the peatland, economic morals, and adaptations have been passed on from generation to generation by reducing land preparation by burning and using appropriate agricultural equipment and farming systems. Managing peatlands while maintaining local wisdom through the tapulikampar system is a better option to reduce the risk of land fires. If the community continues to maintain the local values in managing peatlands, the risk of fires on peatlands can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assess competing interpretations of a burnt ceremonial structure from the terminal Middle Formative period (ca. 300–100 BCE) by analyzing the stepped platform mound at Chiripa, Bolivia, through a systematic reconstruction of the fire that destroyed it. We developed a model of potential fire pathways, their social contexts, and material indicators. Our approach contrasts incipient fires from accident or arson to planned fires initiated for functional or social ends. We assessed these pathways for the Chiripa mound fire through experimental, geoarchaeological, faunal, and botanical data. Experiments were aimed at deducing the temperature, duration, and oxidation conditions of the fire. The fire temperature and duration were approximated from geoarchaeological analyses of construction materials in comparison with controls, and thermal alteration of faunal bone. Fuels were reconstructed through paleoethnobotanical analysis of charred remains from discrete areas within the burnt structure. We conclude that an intentional fire burned the structures on the Chiripa mound to temperatures of 700 °C or higher under oxidizing conditions for several hours. The pattern of heat-altered materials recovered would have required a substantial supplemental fuel load. At the 3840 masl elevation of Chiripa, the effective control of a high temperature oxidizing fire demonstrates technical expertise in fire management. Our findings indicate the fire appears intentional, likely a ritual event. We believe the structures were burned to facilitate a socio-political change during a period of social transition at the end of the Middle Formative period in Bolivia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the densely populated Kathmandu Metropolitan City, inadequate fire service coverage poses a significant fire risk. With the demand for fire services increasing due to rapid growth in population and infrastructure development, the limited number of fire stations, insufficient human and physical resources, poor street connectivity, narrow streets, and delays in response to calls for emergency services have resulted in significant property loss, environmental impact, serious injuries, and even loss of life. Although a substantial body of research exists on understanding fire patterns and fire station site selection in developed countries, there is a noticeable lack of similar research in developing countries, which can be attributed to a lack of available data and interest. This study utilises ward-level urban fire incident data in Kathmandu from July 2019 to February 2023 to examine the spatial pattern of fire risk, fire service coverage and identify potential sites for fire stations. Results reveal a significantly higher fire rate in the central part of the city. Fire rescue service cannot reach most areas in Kathmandu within 5 min, with some areas exceeding 10 min response time. The findings from this study will enable fire agencies to enhance the operational efficiency of emergency response and help develop policies and programs related to fire risk prevention and mitigation. This includes targeted education and awareness campaigns and the allocation of finite fire service resources, such as the strategic placement of fire stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the contemporary era, computer vision applications assume significance due to their role in the real world. Video surveillance is one such application that has become indispensable with plenty of unprecedented applications. Detection of abnormal events from surveillance videos in real time has its importance in applications like traffic monitoring, crime investigation, public safety, healthcare and operations management to mention few. With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) automatic video surveillance is taken to the next level with sophistication in learning detection of anomalies. Particularly deep learning model like Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is found more appropriate for image processing. However, as one size does not fit all, CNN does not provide acceptable accuracy unless it is enhanced with suitable number of layers and configurations. Towards this end, in this paper, we proposed a novel deep learning architecture known as VidAnomalyNet which is based on CNN model. It is designed to have more appropriate learning process and detection of anomalies from surveillance videos. We proposed a framework to exploit our VidAnomalyNet architecture for leveraging detection performance. We also proposed an algorithm known as VidAnomalyNet for Automatic Anomaly Detection (VAAD). Automatic anomaly detection in the context of video anomaly networks refers to the use of computational methods to automatically identify unusual or abnormal patterns within a sequence of video frames. The goal is to develop models that can distinguish between normal activities and unexpected events or anomalies. Video anomaly detection is crucial in various applications, including surveillance, industrial monitoring, and public safety. At present, this algorithm detects three classes of anomalies like fire, accident and robbery. It can be easily extended to identify more number of anomalies. We also explored MobileNetV1 with transfer learning by adding new layers to the base model for video anomaly detection. Our empirical study has revealed that VidAnomalyNet outperforms MobileNetV1. Highest accuracy achieved by the proposed model is 96.35%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire is one example of a larger class of wicked environmental management problems that require community‐based management for long‐term success. This study aimed to support participatory decision making in a data poor and complex system by using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) within the decision‐making framework Structured Decision Making (SDM) to develop a community‐based wildfire management plan in partnership with a local group in Wai'anae Hawaiʻi. SDM is an organized process to create and evaluate decisions that can clarify trade‐offs and increase transparency. FCM is a semi‐quantitative method to describe system relationships that can handle low data and high uncertainty. We used SDM to define the problem, articulate community concerns related to wildfire, and identify management actions. We then used FCM to model how these actions affected valued ecosystem services and other stakeholder‐identified objectives. Modeling results highlighted the trade‐offs across three valued ecosystem services from three community‐led wildfire management actions. We found that native species outplanting was the most beneficial action to each of the three valued ecosystem services. Through this participatory research, we conclude that the SDM and FCM pairing provided an inclusive and cost‐effective way to engage with a specific wildfire management context, and that the process effectively engaged stakeholders while tackling uncertainty. This process also aided consensus‐building and group member communication. This pairing can be used to aid community decision‐making across diverse management problems as it provides a way to elicit objectives and model trade‐offs, even under uncertainty and data limitations, while including stakeholders impacted by such decisions. Key Points: Using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) within Structured Decision Making (SDM) offered a flexible way to incorporate diverse stakeholder values into a community‐led fire management decision‐making processParticipants valued biodiversity and the FCMs found native species outplanting to be the most beneficial action for group member objectivesTogether, FCM and SDM overcame uncertainty and data limitations while enhancing the transparency and consensus of complex decisions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban planning work carried out in the old seminary district of Lleida, over an area of more than 6,000 m2, uncovered important remains of the old Cuirassa quarter. This quarter was inhabited by the Jewish aljama between the 12th century and the end of the 15th century CE. Archeological excavations have documented streets, squares, and private spaces corresponding to several houses, one of which was destroyed by the Christian assault and fire of the Jewish quarter on 13 August 1391. The study of the important archeozoological assemblages from this area has made it possible to characterize, for the first time, the dietary practices of the Jewish communities in different periods of occupation of this neighborhood. In addition, the consumption of certain non‐kosher species in the late 14th century assemblages could be related with a situation of crisis or famine (which could correspond to the period after the attack of 1391), providing relevant data on the status and situation of the Jewish community in the city at that time. The results are consistent with the context defined by the historical sources, which describe an important period of decline after the attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we investigate extremists' appraisals of and sensitivity to perceived sanction risk during the commission of arson. We pay specific attention to the decision-making processes of extremists leading up to and during the offending opportunity. Methods: We examined data collected from self-reported communiqués (n = 275) describing acts of arson committed by radical environmental extremists. Results: We found that extremists, like other criminals, are sensitive to situational factors that affect the certainty of apprehension. Additionally, extremists work to reduce the risk of detection by engaging in crime-specific risk management techniques prior to and during the offending opportunity. Conclusions: Analysis of the communiqués is consistent with recent works on extremism, situational crime prevention, and restrictive deterrence. We discuss our findings in the context of rational choice and situational crime prevention theory and the advancement of preventative policies aimed at ideological and political crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping literature review explores the correlation of a behavioral alteration commonly found in people with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), specifically fire setting. KS is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy, presenting with a heterogeneous pattern of neuropsychiatric disorders. Several studies have specifically described fire-setting behavior in KS. A scoping literature review on KS and fire-setting behavior was conducted, consulting electronic databases. The research extended from 1988 to December 2023 and was limited to the English language. Finally, described is the experience of a young man who was diagnosed with KS and who presented with incendiary behavior despite having no psychiatric history. This article aims to investigate potential gaps in knowledge on this topic, considering its implications in the forensic field. Summarizing the review of literary sources,13 relevant case reports are included. No other reviews on this topic in forensic psychiatry were found. This search helped in assessing criminal liability in a similar case discussed in 2022. Given the further progress in forensic psychiatry, there is an incentive to better understand whether plausible triggers or a preliminary psychopathological predisposition for antisocial traits, for committing arsons, or even to develop a proper psychiatric issue, such as pyromania, might be found in KS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grootbos Nature Reserve falls within the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa and comprises fynbos and forest vegetation elements, which exist as alternate stable states and are naturally maintained by feedbacks between vegetation, fire, topography and climate. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in forest extent in the Baviaansfontein valley in Grootbos Nature Reserve in order to understand whether current forest coverage was greater or lesser prior to colonial settlement. Incorporating paleoecology has the potential to define historical ranges of landscape variability that can guide forest restoration programs that are aligned to historical forest occurrence. Not all landscapes are suited for tree planting initiatives as they harbor indigenous open vegetation, which is of conservation value. Historical and palaeoecological information is especially valuable as tree planting initiatives and reforestation programs are becoming more popular. Here we present a combined palynological (pollen, spores, charcoal) and geochemical approach (X-ray fluorescence elemental ratios, Loss-on-ignition), to evaluate the historic extent and distribution of forest and fynbos vegetation for the past ~250 years at Baviaansfontein in the Grootbos Nature Reserve. The start of the record was dominated by pollen typical of asteraceous fynbos, with evidence of forest elements also present, though in low abundance. After 200 years (c.1750 CE-1950 CE) of increased input of micro- and macrocharcoal, the subsequent decline in charcoal indicates a decrease in fire occurrence. This decline coincides with increased input of forest pollen taxa, suggesting that fire suppression most likely triggered forest expansion and perhaps initiated the beginning of a biome boundary shift. The continued decline in fire promoted the development of the present-day proteoid fynbos type around ~1980 CE and was responsible for the replacement of the previously more asteraceous-dominated fynbos type. The results show that changes in fire occurrence have driven compositional changes over time within fynbos but also contributed to the expansion of forest at the expense of fynbos. Considering the palaeoecological record and the expected warmer climate with more fires, forest expansion at Baviaansfontein is not recommended. The proteoid-dominated fynbos biome might be similarly negatively affected by warmer climate and a shift to an asteraceous fynbos community could occur in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the Conservative Member of Parliament and Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg complained on London's LBC radio that the 72 victims of the 2017 Grenfell fire did not use common sense and simply leave the building, and that he could not understand how it had 'anything to do with race or class', he fell into a trap which is now at least 150 years old. This has seen the art and act of evacuating – especially tall buildings – blamed on the evacuees themselves. It is also revealing of an aesthetics of erasure which silences a classed, raced and gendered politics which has served to render certain subjects and bodies as not only victims, but culpable. The vertical evacuee has been considered too slow, too big, too indecisive, too passionate, too weak, too much, too many – too inadequate. In this paper, and in building on a wider politics of verticality and mobility, I pull on several threads of the gendered and raced geographies of high-rise vertical evacuation focusing particularly on the solidaristic movements and expressions of the workers. The paper explores the history of tall building evacuations, focusing on early high-rise factory fires, their investigation, and subsequent changes to fire regulation, building technologies and working practices in North America which affected predominantly young, female and migrant working labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Beitrag zeigt und untersucht Erinnerungspraktiken in Gesellschaft, Presse und Social Media im Kontext des rassistischen und extrem rechten Brandanschlags in Solingen im Jahr 1993. Zunächst wird der Brandanschlag in historische und gesellschaftspolitische Kontexte eingeordnet, um dann Einblick zu gewähren in lokales Erinnern und die bis heute andauernden Kämpfe für die Aufrechterhaltung der Erinnerung an die fünf Opfer. Dann geht es um die mediale Repräsentation von Erinnerungspraktiken. Zunächst werden Medientexte mit Fokus auf das Erinnern und Gedenken in der Presseberichterstattung untersucht. Die sich anschließende Hashtaganalyse auf Instagram arbeitet dominierende Hashtags und Posts im Zeitverlauf punktuell heraus. Sichtbar wird, dass das Erinnern an den Solinger Brandanschlag mittlerweile auch in digitalen Räumen stattfindet. The article shows and examines practices of remembrance in society, the press and social media in the context of the racist and extreme right-wing arson attack in Solingen in 1993. Initially, the arson attack is contextualized within historical and socio-political frameworks. Subsequently, insight is provided into local remembrance and the ongoing struggles to maintain the memory of the five victims. It then examines the media representation of remembrance practices, beginning with an analysis of media texts focused on remembrance and commemoration in press coverage. The following hashtag analysis on Instagram selectively identifies dominant hashtags and posts over time. It becomes clear that remembrance of the Solingen arson attack now also takes place in digital spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sassanid dynasty mainly known as a religious government that tried to develop Zoroastrianism through Iran. Religious structures are among the most outlined archaeological evidence, generally known as "Chahar Taqi". Despite of vast studies about Sassanid religious architecture, during recent half century, there are ambiguities about excavated Sassanid religious sites, including religious function, and relation to the three sacred fires. The site A of Bandian Dargaz, was excavated during late 20th century, is one of the most important Sassanid sites at northeastern Iran, for architectural spaces and modeling. It was suggested as a Bahram V's sanctuary. Later, the suggestion changed to a lord house or a burial complex. The authors attempt to present better understanding of the architectural identity and function of site A, considering comparing the D architectural space of Bandian, known as fire temple, to similar architectures and adaption to Zoroastrian rites. The most significant question is the function of Architecture D of Bandian Site A, in relation to the triad sacred fires, and any relevant application. Consequently, what was the function of Bandian Site A, considering the function of Architecture D? Methodologically, present paper follows descriptive-analytical method, while it has a fundamental nature. The data collected in a bibliographic and field work, which compare the sites in filed, use disseminated reports, and adaptation architectural spaces to Zoroastrian rites. Comparison of "T" form platform of Space D to the features of Space B of Takht-i-Suleiman, and internal features of the modern Zoroastrian Yazišngāh, architectural limitation for keeping fire except Ātaš Dādgāh, and finally conditions relevant to the Zoroastrian Yazišngāh can indicate Space D of Bandian as Yazišngāh, whereas the fire was the third sacred Ātaš Dādgāh. Present paper is significant for a new presentation of the identity of Bandian Dargaz complex, and revelation of a Sassanid family Fire Temple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family and community resilience in the contexts of natural disasters and climate change have earned a place of prominence in the research field. This article provides a descriptive review of the literature published between 1997 and 2023 examining family and community resilience in the context of wildfires, climate change, and sustainability. Ninety-two articles were included and analyzed, with three research questions addressed. Results show family and community resilience as essential to the adaptation process to extreme natural events. Family and community experiences appear to be linked with changes in beliefs, behaviors, and priorities. Findings point to potential connections with sustainability, adaptation and mitigation efforts, and the need for communities to coexist with fire in forest ecosystems. Some gaps in literature are pointed out, including scarcity of data from diverse geographic locations, looking at the family unit perspective, and spanning the entire trajectory of disaster and recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of temporal and spatial distribution of aerosol particles and microadmixtures included into them (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls) in the near-water layer of the atmosphere above Lake Baikal obtained during a ship expedition from July 18 to July 24, 2022. During the study period, in the lake near-water atmosphere, for the most part, low values of mass and number concentration of aerosol particles and resistant organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs)) were observed when compared to the fire hazard periods of 2016–2020. During the expedition, the PAHs content in the atmosphere varied from 0.071 to 2.6 ng/m3, which is lower than the concentrations established during the fires (0.22–133 ng/m3). Increased concentrations of the studied components were found only in some areas of southern Baikal, where the formation of aerosol structure occurred due to local pollution sources situated in the populated near-shore areas (namely, Listvyanka, Kultuk, Slyudyanka, and Baikalsk) and at the moment of transfer of polluted air masses northwestward to the lake from Irkutsk and Angarsk. In the aerosol samples from background areas, a PAHs group with two or three benzene rings dominated mainly by naphthalene and phenanthrene. Near local sources in the southern part of Lake Baikal, the proportion of PAHs with four, five, and six benzene rings (fluoranthene > pyrene > benz(b)fluoranthene) increased; they are of pyrogenic origin and are formed at high temperature processes of organic fuel combustion (while combusting coal, wood, and liquid fuel). We revealed a positive correlation between the content of aerosol particles and PAHs. The concentrations of aerosol particles (1.0–13.7 µg/m3) and benz(а)pyrene (0.01–0.22 ng/m3) rated in Russia did not exceed the MAC. Despite the prohibition of production and limited use of PCBs, their traces were found in various industrial and background regions worldwide. It is shown that polychlorinated biphenyls content in Lake Baikal near-water atmosphere (0.48–5.63 pg/m3) is comparable to the concentrations observed in background regions worldwide (0.04–25 pg/m3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building fires are a major hazard to residents, first responders, and the structural system. Rapid spread can impede evacuation, resulting in human fatalities. However, studying occupant characteristics in a burning building is unrealistic and unethical. Hence, the current data-gathering techniques employed in evacuation simulation models have constraints when capturing occupant attributes. To address these constraints, The study introduces a novel method of serious gaming that combines Building Information Modelling (BIM) with an occupant characteristics simulator with varying mobility capabilities depending on age, gender, and physical ability, using Unity3D, to simulate fire growth and evacuation duration for residential buildings with and without emergency requirements. The study reveals that occupant characteristics significantly affect evacuation time, and implementing emergency requirements can improve evacuation efficiency in fire-exposed residential buildings by up to 100%. Implementing emergency requirements reduced mortality rates from 50% to 0%, suggesting that simulation results can be used to improve building design and emergency needs assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the phenomenon of revolutionary violence, cultivated and entrenched in the mass peasant consciousness at the beginning of the XX century. The author, relying on archival sources, explores the evolution and features of the excesses of revolutionary violence manifested inthe peasantmovement in 1905–1906 usingthe example ofthe Saratov province. The article concludesthatthe syndrome of violence in the agrarian movement has formed as an archetype of the mass revolutionized consciousness of the peasant masses, manifested in their illegal actions. The excess of revolutionary violence inevitably led to the marginalization of the peasantry, destroying its class values and traditions

In this article we seek to advance our understanding of unhoming in a population not previously perceived to be vulnerable to such processes. We examine the particular forms of trauma in an emergent space of urban marginality, which has arisen through the fracturing of longstanding citizen–state relations and the rupturing of habitual orientations to home in a world that had hitherto been knowable and predictable. In this article we highlight the centrality of waiting in experiences of unhoming, which act as a mechanism of domination over a group newly subject to a specific manifestation of marginality; this mechanism has particular significance for understanding the differentiated dynamics of urban displacement. In this article we utilize interviews with 31 residents of residential flats in England living in buildings affected by fire safety defects, identified following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London in which 72 individuals died. We argue that research on urban dispossession needs to be attentive to distinctive processes and consequences of—and resistance to—unhoming. The experiences of newly affected populations unmask the underpinning precarity and unequal power relations of housing‐based urban citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Methodology for a complete geometrical analysis of the vaults of Notre-Dame de Paris after the fire. • 2D image-based method for comparison before and after the fire. • 3D point cloud-based method for comparison before and after the fire. • New method for accurate alignment of very large point clouds. The work presented in this article was carried out following the fire (April 15, 2019) that ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris. The goal was to establish in a short and limited time-span the structural diagnosis of the remaining vaults of the cathedral. The analysis relied on 2D and 3D data acquired before and after the fire, and available at that time. Two complementary methods have been developed to estimate potential displacements from multi-temporal surveys. The first method is mainly based on the processing of image collections obtained with photogrammetric routines right after the fire. The second method, based on the processing of raw 3D data acquired with Terrestrial Laser Scanning, was developed afterward to refine and complete the analysis. Both methods have benefited from essential functionalities offered by two open-source solutions proven to enable "real-based" modeling in Cultural Heritage contexts, namely Micmac and CloudCompare. This paper presents the complementary use of these two software packages whilst detailing some procedural computing approaches to document and support structural diagnosis in an emergency situation. The limits and capabilities of each method are exposed and analyzed, toward the objective to develop 2.5D and 3D based geometrical analysis, respectively from photogrammetric and lasergrammetric sources. The results are presented and discussed regarding their potential usage for a quantitative and accurate diagnosis of vaults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a list of books and films that may have been overlooked by mainstream audiences. The books include a controversial crime novel exploring questions of truth and justice, a collection of short stories featuring diverse characters and themes, a timely whodunit novel set in Montana, a Dust Bowl-era murder mystery, a complex crime novel set against the backdrop of African colonies' struggles for independence, and an inventive poetry collection. The nonfiction books cover topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement, capitalism, the dairy industry, the history of drugs in the United States, and the dynamics of a white evangelical mega-church. The films include stories about racism, chess champions, supermarket workers, indigenous women, evictions and exploitation, a trans woman's journey, a young man with Down Syndrome, Holocaust survivors, and the impact of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

This research aims to develop an animated video to enhance early childhood understanding of fire safety procedures. The study employs a modified Research and Development (R&D) model based on Borg and Gall's framework, comprising six stages: identifying potential and problems, collecting initial data, designing media, validating media, revising the design, and conducting product trials. The video, created using Adobe After Effects and Adobe Animate, was tested on 38 children at RA Tarbiyah Islamiyah. Data collection involved three types of questionnaires: media validation, content validation, and children's comprehension assessment. Validators and teachers evaluated each questionnaire using a checklist scale. Data analysis employed qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the effectiveness of educational media. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in children's understanding of fire emergencies, with pre-test scores averaging 62% and post-test scores at 74.8%. The animated video effectively visualised fire scenarios in a realistic yet comprehensible manner for children, reinforcing safety messages and encouraging prompt and safe responses during fires. The study concludes that animated videos are compelling educational tools for enhancing disaster preparedness among young children. The implications of this research suggest that early childhood education programs should integrate disaster preparedness training into their curricula. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of such interventions, assess their applicability in diverse educational settings, and incorporate additional multimedia elements to enhance engagement and educational outcomes. Collaboration between educators, disaster management professionals, and digital media experts is essential for developing comprehensive and practical safety education resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first analysis of Wrocław’s fire regulations from 1602 and 1630. The origin of such acts can be derived from medieval city council regulations. One of the oldest dates back to March 19, 1324. Over time, the originally laconic sets of provisions evolved into multi-faceted fire protection regulations, which included issues concerning the organization of fire protection, fire alarms, fire tools, water supply and extinguishing methods. Both documents have a similar structure and content, as the one from 1630 is an amendment to the act of 1602. The main difference concerns the regulations related to the military defense of the city, which appeared for the last time in 1602. These documents were continued with amendments from 1751, 1760 and 1777, later replaced by regulations of state authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sodium dentrite formed by uneven plating/stripping can reduce the utilization of active sodium with poor cyclic stability and, more importantly, cause internal short circuit and lead to thermal runaway and fire. Therefore, sodium dendrites and their related problems seriously hinder the practical application of sodium metal batteries (SMBs). Herein, a design concept for the incorporation of metal–organic framework (MOF) in polymer matrix (polyvinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) is practiced to prepare a novel gel polymer electrolyte (PH@MOF polymer‐based electrolyte [GPE]) and thus to achieve high‐performance SMBs. The addition of the MOF particles can not only reduce the movement hindrance of polymer chains to promote the transfer of Na+ but also anchor anions by virtue of their negative charge to reduce polarization during electrochemical reaction. A stable cycling performance with tiny overpotential for over 800 h at a current density of 5 mA cm−2 with areal capacity of 5 mA h cm−2 is achieved by symmetric cells based on the resulted GPE while the Na3V2O2(PO4)2F@rGO (NVOPF)|PH@MOF|Na cell also displays impressive specific cycling capacity (113.3 mA h g−1 at 1 C) and rate capability with considerable capacity retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the role of fire and arson in the final period and ending of slavery in the United States. It discusses the historical evidence for slaves setting many fires in the southern states as a form of rebellion against slavery, looking closely at fires in Charleston, South Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana, in the period 1830-1860. Fire as a weapon of war in the U.S. Civil War is also discussed.

Repeated fires cause peatlands to degrade. Fire management has been carried out, but fires continue to occur, especially during the dry season. Through social capital that exists in the community based on the local wisdom of the Banjar people in environmental management, it is hoped that peatland fires can be overcome in this area. This research aims to analyze the social capital of the Banjar people in mitigating land fires based on local wisdom and the environment. The sample in this study was 250 people who live in an area prone to fires on peatlands in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. There are three variables in this study, namely Trust (T), Network (N), and Norm (N). There are 33 Likert scale questions (1–4, strongly agree-strongly disagree). We also conducted interviews with 20 members of the Fire Care Community (MPA) to obtain information about the social capital of the Banjar community in mitigating land fires. The analysis used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study results show norms have the greatest influence on disaster mitigation of peatland fires compared to trust and social networks. Norms in the community in the form of values from peatlands, rules, norms, and sanctions regulate the community more to deal with the problem of peatland fires than trust and social networks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a social autopsy of the Kiss Nightclub Fire and an exploration of the networks of trauma and reconstruction in its wake. We present a critical analysis of the social and political conditions that created this large-scale tragedy, placing these in the context of political conflict and profit-seeking in Brazil’s recent past. We explore the role of the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) in responding to the tragedy. We trace the trauma of the fire in a network of survivors and family members in Rio Grande do Sul and beyond, and the contrasting ways they have sought to make sense of and respond to the fire with political action and/or spiritual exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a memory place that exemplifies contemporary Zainichi experiences, the Utoro district in Kyoto, Japan, entails stories of Japan's colonial exploitation and postcolonial oppression, yet simultaneously reveals human hope, cooperation, and solidarity. First formed for the Korean workers and their families mobilized for the construction of a military airport during World War II, Utoro was left abandoned for decades in postwar Japan. Its Korean residents have suffered from continuous eviction suits, harassment, and violence including the most recent arson attack in 2022. At the same time, these intricacies of colonial origin and postcolonial controversy also invited networked grassroots efforts among the Japanese and Koreans to remember and reconstruct the place's sociohistorical meanings, resulting in the construction of the Utoro Peace Memorial Museum in 2022. This paper highlights the significance of Zainichi experiences with/in Utoro through an analysis of identity, discourse, and representation of the place. Drawing upon collective memory scholarship and adopting a theoretical framework of re-collection, the paper unravels complex meanings of a site in relation to human acts of remembering, making sense of, and finding significance to our past experiences with/in it. By situating visual and discursive voices of the Utoro community (Zainichi in Utoro), such as its former residents' oral testimonies and museum displays, this study elucidates the significance of Utoro in Zainichi history. This paper argues that Utoro projects contradictory positionalities of Korean subjects as both integral and excess in the history of colonial and postcolonial socio-politics of ethno-racial Other in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Prohistoria is the property of Prohistoria Ediciones 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.)