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This research project, reported in three parts, focuses on Henry Nock's 'screwless lock', or, as it is called in documents at the time of its manufacture, the 'Duke's Lock', in the most important production variant of this novel and sophisticated design. This is the 5.5in long 'Type 2' Duke's Lock, as fitted to the final design iteration of the Board of Ordnance's Duke of Richmond's Musket (DoRM), namely its rammer-to-the-muzzle (RTM) version. The three papers report the results of the first published systematic assessment of the Duke's Lock's interchangeability. No statement has yet been found in archival material to suggest that the lock is, or was considered to be, interchangeable, or that it has interchangeable components, but the authors of many secondary works think that it was, and therefore we set out to investigate this important matter systematically. This, the first paper, presents the findings of a five-lock component exchange experiment, which permits 20 component interchange tests. Measurements of key dimensions have also been made to assist in understanding the fits at which interchangeability was achieved. The exchange experiments establish that from 50% to 100% of the lock's small components are interchangeable, with two especially surprising results: all cocks exchange on the large centres of the locks (20/20 or 100%), and all sears which can be tested are found to exchange between bents (17/17 or 100%). Tests assessing the complete assembly of all components in the lock thickness direction, omitting problematic individual components, show success rates of 16/20 (80%) and 14/20 (70%). The results of this process are placed in a material context through metallographic analysis of components of a less well-preserved Board of Ordnance 5.5in Duke's Lock by Nock, and, for comparison, on an almost contemporary Board of Ordnance India Pattern Musket lock. The analysis has revealed that many components of the Duke's Lock are made of steel rather than wrought iron, and that, for the centres and some other key components, these steels were selected because their properties suited machine turning, and this reflects Nock's expert use of lathes within a factory that was using steam power by 1795. The analysis is supported by the disassembly and technical examination of some locks, including one that was partially completed, to analyse methods of construction. As regards archival sources, we have built upon Howard Blackmore's seminal paper of 1956 by discovering additional archival data in the Ordnance Bill books, specifically the records of transactions with Nock's executors after his death in 1804, to as late as 1808. This has allowed an improved understanding of the number of locks supplied and the uses to which they were put. The Ordnance Bill Books show that Nock delivered 12,010 Duke's Locks in only 29 months, between 4 July 1793 and 25 November 1795. Together the papers explore how Henry Nock was able to produce the remarkable figure of 12,010 interchangeable locks in 1793–95, five years before the production of 10,000 interchangeable locks was achieved in France by Honoré Blanc, who is widely regarded as the first in this field. Significantly, Nock's work also preceded that of Samuel Bentham, Mark Brunel and Henry Maudslay on the famous machines for making interchangeable components – in wood – for the blocks required for ships' rigging; the three principals began their work on this in 1799. The present three-part study not only firmly establishes Henry Nock's leading position in the field of firearm development but also as one of the pioneers of interchangeable manufacture at scale in engineering more widely, both nationally and internationally. Part 2 uses studies of the marks on a sample of 25 locks to reveal more about the manufacturing system for Duke's Lock and how the people within the system were organised. The final paper, Part 3, discusses the small changes in design and inspection made during and after production that are revealed in the earlier Parts, and also how the design of George Bolton's later patent lock was influenced by Nock's work and the experience of his workmen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artillery designers are always searching for means of improving a gun's external and internal ballistic properties and this resulted in both new theories surrounding gun construction based on the properties of materials and new methods of building guns capable of firing heavier projectiles to greater ranges. The concept of the accelerator gun sought to achieve the same result without the need for larger and heavier guns and reducing recoil through the use of multiple propellant charges fired sequentially, thus accelerating the projectile without the need for a single high-pressure discharge. It was a quest initiated in France, pursued in the United States and then adopted by a desperate Germany during the latter years of World War 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an author index for the journal "Bipolar Disorders," listing the names of authors and their corresponding articles. The index covers a wide range of topics related to bipolar disorders, including treatment approaches, neurobiology, and psychological factors. It serves as a valuable resource for library patrons conducting research on specific topics within the field. The list includes authors from diverse backgrounds, providing a comprehensive reference for further exploration. [Extracted from the article]

The use of ordnance gelatine has been widespread in the field of ballistics as a simulant for soft tissue when assessing ballistic threats. However, the traditional method of preparing ordnance gelatine is time-consuming and requires precision to ensure that the final mold meets the required specifications. Furthermore, temperature control is necessary post-production, and there are limitations on its usage duration. To address these issues, manufacturers have developed pre-mixed, gelatine-like products that are stable at room temperature and require less preparation time. Nonetheless, it is uncertain whether these new products can perform in the same manner as the gold standard of ordnance gelatine. This study used five types of blocks, including ordnance gelatine (10% and 20%), Clear Ballistics (10% and 20%) and Perma-Gel (10%) and subjected them to 9 mm, 0.380 Auto fired from a universal receiver and a 5.56 × 45 mm ammunition fired by a certified firearms instructor. Delta-V and total energy dissipation were measured after each test using data collected from ballistic chronographs placed in front of and behind each block. High-speed video was recorded, and a cut-down analysis conducted. The findings revealed variations in energy dissipation and fissure formation within the block, with greater energy based on fissure formation observed in the ordnance gelatine. Additionally, the high-speed video showed the occurrence of secondary combustions occurring in the premixed gelatines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining a ship's identity is usually based on a critical and integral analysis of several approaches and lines of evidence. Based on Harpster's seminal work, an insight into this endeavour is developed here for the Deltebre I site. The archaeological information obtained since 2008 from the remains of the cargo, hull structure, equipment, and personal possessions, combined with documentary data, helped to address the dating, type, function, and provenance of the vessel. More specifically, we discuss its links with the British ordnance ships Southampton and Magnum Bonum, lost in 1813 at the mouth of the Ebro river, Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borehole ground‐penetrating radar (BGPR) measurements allow for the detection of objects and structures in the subsurface and are often applied to the detection of unexploded ordnance (UXO). If omnidirectional borehole antennas in reflection mode are used for the measurement, the localization of UXO is only possible if the data from a multitude of boreholes are analysed. Data analysis is usually still done by manual picking of reflections. We propose novel approaches to process and visualize data from BGPR measurements in a more advanced and appealing manner. Therein, the reflected energy recorded in the radargrams is projected back to all potential reflection points in the three‐dimensional space around the boreholes. If the projection direction is considered, we obtain a vectorized energy projection image. Superposition of projected energy yields an easy‐to‐grasp indicator of possible locations of UXO and of regions of interest that ought to be investigated in more detail. These approaches have been applied to synthetic data and to data measured on a test site with buried UXO. The results show that energy projection is a useful tool for BGPR data visualization, although the result is dependent on data pre‐processing. The proposed methods provide novel representations of BGPR data based on an objective algorithm which will at least complement the conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The problem of landmines is becoming increasingly prevalent, with a growing impact on all spheres of society and a consequent slowing down of sustainable development planning at the international, national and local levels. Since February 2022, the issue of mine clearance has become even more relevant for Ukraine, where active hostilities are still ongoing, which requires a thorough study of the economic, social and environmental aspects of this process. In order to mitigate the negative impact of the war and possibly speed up the clearance of mines and other explosive hazards, it is important to analyse the key results of international experience in this area, which has already been gained by a significant number of countries. In order to expand on the subject of this study the example of demining territories of the seven most heavily mined countries in the world were chosen: Albania, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia and Turkey. The authors concentrated on identifying problems and highlighting the potential for further research into the sustainable dimension of demining, which is considered in this study to be the initial stage of territorial rehabilitation. In this context, the authors focus on the key results of demining through the prism of sustainable development, with particular emphasis on the economic component, as it affects the possibility of rapid resumption of economic and other peaceful use of the territories affected by armed conflicts. This formed the basis of the conclusions, where the authors substantiated ways to implement international demining experience in Ukrainian practice that lies in the inclusion of sustainable development components in strategic and operational documents at the national level. This is to lay a solid foundation for restoring the economic, social and environmental potential of territories in the context of war and post-war recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the corrosion behavior and microstructural changes in seventeenth-century cast iron cannons exhibited at the Archaeological Museum in Goa. Chipped samples from four cannons underwent analysis for surface morphology, microstructure, and elemental composition using optical microscopy, SEM-EDX, and X-ray diffraction. FTIR spectroscopy was employed to identify the molecular structure of organic compounds, metal oxides, and oxyhydroxides on the surface. The findings reveal that the pearlite matrix of the cast iron contains graphite flakes, leading to a distinctive form of graphitic corrosion on the cannon surface. Highly localized graphitic corrosion areas on the surface have resulted in pits or series of pits, posing a potential risk to the structural integrity of the cannons over time. The study identifies the presence of chloride as a contributing factor to the corrosion process, working in tandem with graphitic corrosion of the cast iron. Understanding these corrosion mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies to ensure the long-term preservation of these historical artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the determination of the critical crack depth in howitzer cannon barrels, which is essential for ensuring operational safety, particularly under high-pressure conditions during firing. The fracture-mechanics-based approach, emphasizing the stress intensity factor Ki, is employed to evaluate crack propagation. Specifically, the R6 procedure is applied to assess the failure assessment diagram (FAD), crucial for identifying critical pressures concerning varying crack shapes and depths. The study examines the utilization of high-strength steel 35NiCrMoV12-5 in two distinct heat treatments (materials A and B). Experimental tensile tests and measurements of the critical stress intensity factor Kic were conducted on both materials. The Finite Element Method (FEM) using Abaqus/CAE software was used in combination with experimental results. The FEM model was used to analyses semielliptical cracks of different depths and two different shapes. Stress intensity factor distributions along the crack tip were derived, indicating the material resistance to crack propagation.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) in the marine environment is a high-risk activity. Structured risk assessment (RA) can be a helpful tool to provide EOD experts with decision-making support. This paper hypothesizes that existing RA approaches that address unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the sea do not meet the requirements of EOD RA. To test this hypothesis, the paper proposes a novel categorization tool. It uses five review criteria: study type (qualitative vs. quantitative), level of decision-making (strategic vs. applied), risk component (probability vs. consequence), spatial scale (global vs. local), and temporal scale (long-term vs. short-term). The categorization tool is used to identify the requirements of EOD RA and to test whether nine existing RA methods fulfill these requirements. The study finds that none of the investigated RAs meets the requirements and, hence, concludes that a new method should be developed. However, some aspects of the existing studies should be considered when designing a new method. This includes using risk factors (type and mass of explosive material, type and state of the fuze, and water depth) that are relevant for EOD RA. It also involves setting up a directed graph to assess the complex interdependencies between these risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the fragmentary apologia for pederasty by Thomas Cannon. Published in pamphlet form in 1749, it was suppressed and prosecuted, and lost to history until its recent recovery. The recovery of the text is only partial, as it was preserved in quoted excerpts in the wording of the indictment against it. Despite its fragmentary state, it is one of the earliest defences of same-sex love, and classical texts and examples naturally form a major part of its argument. Although Cannon's treatise is important for the history of sexuality and translation studies, it has received limited attention from classicists, despite containing multiple translations from classical authors, together with Cannon's editorial comments. This paper explores the contribution of the pamphlet to the history of sexuality, through a focus on Cannon's translations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sumptuary laws that regulated clothing based on social status were an important part of the political economy of premodern states. We introduce a model that captures the notion that consumption by ordinary citizens poses a status threat to ruling elites. Our model predicts a non-monotonic effect of income—sumptuary legislation initially increases with income, but then falls as income increases further. The initial rise is more likely for states with less extractive institutions, whose ruling elites face a greater status threat from the rising commercial class. We test these predictions using a new dataset of country and city-level sumptuary laws. It is unfortunately an established fact that both men and womenfolk have, in utterly irresponsible manner, driven extravagance in dress and new styles to such shameful and wanton extremes that the different classes are barely to be known apart. —Nuremberg Ordnance of 1657, Quoted in Hunt (1996) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we document the use of hail cannons in Mexico to dispel or suppress heavy rain episodes, a common practice among farmers, without scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This study uses two rain databases: one compiled from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission and the other generated with the implementation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The aim is to explore the association between heavy rain episodes and hail cannon locations. The analysis includes two geographic features: a pair of coordinates and a 3 km radius area of influence around each hail cannon. This dimension is based on the size and distribution of the heavy rainfall events. This study analyzes four years of half-hourly rain data using the Python ecosystem environment with machine learning libraries. The results show no relationship between the operation of hail cannons and the dissipation or attenuation of heavy rainfall events. However, this study highlights that the significant differences between the GPM and WRF databases in registering heavy rain events may be attributable to their own uncertainty. Despite the unavailability of ground-based observations, the inefficiency of hail cannons in affecting the occurrence of heavy rain events is evident. Overall, this study provides scientific evidence that hail cannons are inefficient in preventing the occurrence of heavy rain episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix multiplication plays a crucial role in various engineering and scientific applications. Cannon's algorithm, executed within two-dimensional systolic arrays, significantly enhances computational efficiency through parallel processing. However, as the matrix size increases, reliability issues become more prominent. Although the previous work has proposed a fault-tolerant mechanism, it is only suitable for scenarios with a limited number of faulty processing elements (PEs). This paper introduces a pair-matching mechanism, assigning a fault-free PE as a proxy for each faulty PE to execute its tasks. Our fault-tolerant mechanism comprises two stages: in the first stage, each fault-free PE completes its designated computations; in the second stage, computations intended for each faulty PE are executed by its assigned fault-free PE proxy. The experimental results demonstrate that compared to the previous work, our approach not only significantly improves the fault tolerance of systolic arrays (applicable to scenarios with a higher number of faulty PEs) but also reduces circuit areas. Therefore, the proposed approach proves effective in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As China escalates its assertive tactics in the South China Sea, the United States must take bolder action to support its regional allies and partners, starting with the Philippines. This article argues that the United States should begin directly escorting Philippine vessels within their exclusive economic zone, employing nonlethal measures like water cannons to counter Chinese harassment. This measured but resolute stance would send a clear deterrent signal to Beijing, build confidence with Manila and other Asian allies, and emulate the gray-zone tactics China itself uses. Additionally, the United States should encourage the Philippines' "assertive transparency" strategy to rally broader international condemnation of China's expansionist claims. While stopping short of overt military conflict, this multifaceted approach would demonstrate the United States' reliability as a regional security partner and put pressure on China to adhere to international norms. Concrete action to defend the Philippines' sovereignty is a critical first step in countering China's ambitions across the Indo-Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexploded ordnance (UXO), often deployed in WWI and WWII, are still present on the seabed posing a risk to seabed construction. UXO surveys identify potential UXO targets which are then investigated and removed where necessary; however, approximately 96 per cent of targets investigated on projects included in this study were non-UXO (false positives). Here we investigate methods of improving statistical confidence in targets picked through the improved classification of magnetic response, utilizing simulation methods and historic data. A simulation of the induced magnetism of UXO was developed to model the most likely dimensions and orientation of a given source item. Modelling results and measured variables were combined in an optimization algorithm, hereon referred to as 'the classifier'. We document the results of integrating the magnetic responses of 3027 targets from 18 offshore wind projects into the classifier. Five of these projects were performed as tests in which the target results were unknown during classification. Finally, the classifier was deployed on a live project, Hollandse Kust Zuid 3 and 4 Offshore Wind Farm, in which it enabled the removal of 67 targets from the from the 1200-target investigation list. The classifier proved to be a valuable additional tool to assist the target rationalization process, reliably and repeatably distinguishing UXO from other items, thereby reducing false positives and repeatably demonstrating no threshold UXO false negatives. Assumptions and limitations of this methodology were highlighted, which must be understood and considered when integrating this approach on future projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1854 and 1856 the shape of private and public collections of arms, armour, and ordnance were influenced directly by the conflict with Russia, especially from the main theatre in the Crimea and its key military engagements including Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman, and Sevastopol. While antiquities and some examples of militaria had entered private collections through personal travel during the first half of the nineteenth century, it was the outbreak of war with Russia that perhaps had the strongest influence on collections. The new theatre of war provided fresh opportunities to begin a collection or expand an existing one. Moreover, a greater number of individuals from all levels of society were given chances to acquire objects than hithertofore, from militaria to objets d'art to ordinary domestic items. Pictures and photographs were often the most highly prized, particularly of the time before war had started and the destruction of cities such as Sevastopol had occurred.1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple diseases and disorders are connected with occupational and environmental exposure risk. It is also well-established that chemicals and chemical mixtures have an influence on the immune cells of humans. This is an important field of research that has been pursued extensively in relation to autoimmune illnesses, allergy/asthma, and lung cancer, but Prostate Carcinoma has received rare reports. Chronic chemical exposure is known to produce inflammation, which is one of the most prominent characteristics of all malignancies. Changes in the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory molecules are thought to be a key factor in the emergence of inflammation. Prostate gland cells express the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18), which is a major facilitator of immunological responses. Conversely, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is linked to immune responses and inhibits the development of an inflammatory environment. Our goal is to investigate the inflammatory status of IL-18 (pro-) and IL-10 (anti-) in a variety of occupationally exposed populations in patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and patients with Prostate Carcinoma. The present study was conducted with 664 subjects, comprising 285 Prostate Carcinoma patients, 94 BPH patients and 285 controls. The subjects of BPH and Prostate Carcinoma were screened and confirmed on the basis of Prostate Serum Antigen (PSA) and pathological biopsy. All subjects were categorized as per their occupational exposure into various groups. The pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory Interleukins (IL-18 and IL-10) and serum PSA levels were analysed by using corresponding quantitative ELISA kits. The results showed that as compared to control participants, the serum PSA levels were higher in the Prostate Carcinoma and BPH groups. When mean levels of IL-18 were compared between various occupational groups, Tanners (tanning industry), Agriculture, and Ordnance workers had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of IL-18 than sedentary workers. The pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-18) levels were also found to be aggravated in Prostate Carcinoma compared to BPH and controls. According to the findings of the current study, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-10) in various occupational groups of BPH, Prostate Carcinoma, and controls were altered. Long-term occupational exposure may have a negative influence on inflammation levels and the immune system; therefore, preventative measures should be explored for improved health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This article discusses the use of a deep learning neural network (DLNN) as a tool to improve maritime safety by classifying the potential threat to shipping posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) objects. Unexploded ordnance poses a huge threat to maritime users, which is why navies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) around the world are using dedicated advanced technologies to counter this threat. The measures taken by navies include mine countermeasure units (MCMVs) and mine-hunting technology, which relies on the use of sonar imagery to detect and classify dangerous objects. The modern mine-hunting technique is generally divided into three stages: detection and classification, identification, and neutralisation/disposal. The detection and classification stage is usually carried out using sonar mounted on the hull of a ship or on an underwater vehicle. There is now a strong trend to intensify the use of more advanced technologies, such as synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) for high-resolution data collection. Once the sonar data has been collected, military personnel examine the images of the seabed to detect targets and classify them as mine-like objects (MILCO) or non mine-like objects (NON-MILCO). Computer-aided detection (CAD), computer-aided classification (CAC) and automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms have been introduced to reduce the burden on the technical operator and reduce post-mission analysis time. This article describes a target classification solution using a DLNN-based approach that can significantly reduce the time required for post-mission data analysis during underwater reconnaissance operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In creole bovine breeds, it is essential to know the change in morphological traits related to the size of the animal; this morphological change is known as allometry. With allometric studies, the function of body structures and their relationship with the performance and survival of breeds and species can be analyzed. The aim of this study was to describe the allometric growth of certain body parts of the Sanmartinero creole bovine breed, from an early age. A total of 79 females with an age range of 0.5 to 10 years were studied. Body measurements were obtained individually: cannon perimeter, thoracic perimeter, body length, withers height, and body weight. Functional and production indices were obtained for animals aged more than 3 years: corporal index, anamorphosis index, dactylo thoracic index, and the relative thickness of the cannon. The correlation between body weight and cannon perimeter did not show any tendency towards a plateau. In other words, in the Sanmartinero bovine, a very early development of the cannon perimeter is detected, which could cause bone fragility in heavier animals. The data suggest a low harmony with appendicular bone development, that is, less robust shaft bones to support body mass. Therefore, the measurement of the thoracic perimeter, the withers height, and the thorax perimeter should be considered in genetic improvement programs of the Sanmartinero creole bovine. The variation in the dimensions of the body of living beings in relation to their size, function, or shape is known as allometry. Allometry studies allow the analysis of the function of body structures and their relationship with the performance and survival of breeds and species. The aim of this study was to describe the ontogenetic characteristics of the weight of certain bone elements of the Sanmartinero creole bovine breed, from an early age (6 months) until maturity. A total of 79 females of the Sanmartinero creole bovine breed with an age range of 0.5 to 10 years were studied. Body measurements were obtained individually using standard procedures: cannon perimeter, thoracic perimeter, body length, withers height, and body weight. Functional and production indices were obtained for animals aged more than 3 years (n = 53): corporal index, anamorphosis index, dactylo thoracic index, and the relative thickness of the cannon. The correlation between body weight and the cannon perimeter showed no trend towards a plateau. In the Sanmartinero creole bovine, therefore, a very early development of the cannon perimeter is detected, which could lead to bone fragility in heavier animals. Therefore, data suggest little harmony with appendicular bone development, i.e., with less robust cannons which are those necessary to support body mass. It is suggested that in genetic improvement programs of the Sanmartinero creole bovine, the measurement of the cannon perimeter, the withers height, and the thoracic perimeter should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advancements in both the quality and collection speed of magnetic data captured by uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based systems, there is a growing need for robust and efficient systems to automatically interpret such data. Many existing conventional methods require manual inspection of the survey data to pick out candidate areas for further analysis. We automate this initial process by implementing unsupervised machine learning techniques to identify small, well-defined regions. When further analysis is conducted with magnetic inversion algorithms, then our approach also reduces the nonlinear computation and time costs by breaking one huge inversion problem into several smaller ones. We also demonstrate robustness to noise and sidestep the requirement for large quantities of labeled training data: two pitfalls of current automation approaches. We propose first to use hierarchical clustering on filtered magnetic gradient data and then to fit ellipses to the resulting clusters to identify subregions for further analysis. In synthetic data experiments and on real-world datasets, our model successfully captures all true targets while simultaneously proposing fewer computationally costly false positives. With this approach, we take an important step towards fully automating the detection of high-risk subregions, but we wish to emphasize the importance of prudent skepticism until it has been tested and proven on more diverse data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers logistics and supply in the China Relief Expedition. In the China campaign, as in all armed conflicts, the availability of matériel and subsistence determined what military options were available to commanders. In 1900, because of a strong industrial base and a burgeoning logistical network, the US Army, Marine Corps, and Navy demonstrated an increased capacity and capability to project power on hemispheric scales. Throughout the entirety of their intervention in China, Americans moved animals, artillery, medical supplies, men, ordnance, and subsistence across great distances – over sea and land, to and within the theatre of operations – with remarkable efficiency under difficult conditions. Thus, the China Relief Expedition was instructive for the US profession of arms, and pointed to a future in which large-scale combat operations on land and at sea would require careful integration and more extensive logistical support than military operations of nineteenth-century conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The transcript is of one from a number of interviews with disaster risk reduction (DRR) "pioneers" carried out in 2022 as a part of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) project to record the history of the field. It aims to enable one of the "pioneers" to explain his role in the emergence of disaster studies and provide critical commentary on what he considers is wrong with current DRR approaches. Design/methodology/approach: Terry Cannon was interviewed to explain the beginnings of his involvement in disasters research and to comment on his views on progress in the field of disaster risk reduction since his early work in the 1980s. The transcript and video were developed in the context of the UNDRR project on the history of DRR. Findings: The interview provides an account of the origins of the book "At Risk" and why it was considered necessary. This is put into the context of how the field of DRR has emerged since the 1980s. It elicits opinions on what he considers the gaps in both his early work (especially in the book "At Risk" of which he was a co-author) and in the field of DRR recently. Originality/value: It provides historical context on how early disaster research developed the alternative framework of "social construction" of disasters, in opposition to the idea that they are "natural". It challenges some of the approaches that have emerged as DRR and has been institutionalised, including its increasing difficulty in supporting the ideas of social construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interviewer Martin Turkis focuses on Dale Cannon's intellectual career in relation to Polanyi studies, how he was introduced to the thought of Michael Polanyi through the guidance of William H. Poteat and his publications, what led to Cannon's focus on the meaning and importance of the shift from the critical to the post-critical, and what that shift means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Problems of Mechatronics. Armament, Aviation, Safety Engineering / Problemy Mechatroniki. Uzbrojenie, lotnictwo, Inżynieria Bezpieczeństwa is the property of Index Copernicus International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The document titled "Reviewer Acknowledgement 2023" is a list of individuals who have assisted the editors of the journal Ecosystems. The list includes a diverse range of reviewers from various backgrounds and expertise. The purpose of the document is to acknowledge and thank these individuals for their contributions to the journal. [Extracted from the article]

Ballistic gelatin has been extensively used in ballistics research for decades, but calibration standards were established on limited datasets, and only few studies have attempted to recreate these experiments with biological tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated better biofidelity with 20% ordnance ballistic gelatin, but researchers have discredited the use of synthetic gelatin claiming different behavior than ordnance gelatin. To investigate the use of synthetic clear gelatin as an acceptable surrogate of biological tissue, depth of penetration was compared between low-velocity impacts of various projectiles into porcine tissue (n = 192), post-mortem human subjects (n = 29), and Clear Ballistics synthetic gelatin (n = 39). The predicted depth of penetration of the 0.177" steel BB (38.1 mm) was consistent with the manufacturer's calibration standard (31.75–44.45 mm) and within calibration bounds of recently proposed empirical equations. Compared to impacts in biological tissue, synthetic gelatin demonstrated the least variability in depth of penetration (R2 = 0.96). Using ANCOVA, velocity was a significant covariate (p < 0.001), and there were no significant differences in normalized depth of penetration over density between porcine tissue, post-mortem human subjects, and 20% synthetic gelatin (p = 0.22). Ultimately, this study confirmed the use of 20% synthetic gelatin as an acceptable tissue simulant using standard calibration methods for use in future ballistic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book review discusses "Humphrey Welfare, General William Roy, 1726–1790: Father of the Ordnance Survey" by Humphrey Welfare. The author praises Welfare's meticulous research and use of various sources to piece together a comprehensive biography of William Roy. Roy, the son of a Lanarkshire estate factor, was chosen to conduct a rapid survey of Scotland after the Jacobite campaigns, which set him on a military career focused on improving mapping systems. His work in surveying Roman camps in Scotland contributed to the field of field surveying and the understanding of Roman Britain. The book also delves into the political and technological background of Britain in the late eighteenth century, highlighting the importance of Roy's mapping in the military defense of Great Britain. While the reviewer notes that the maps in the book are reproduced at a small scale, overall, the biography is considered helpful and informative. [Extracted from the article]