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This article examines the classification and assignment of U.S. Army inductees to military occupational specialty (MOS) 745, rifleman, between 1942 and 1945. Before fall 1944, "high-quality" inductees were primarily sent into the Army Service Forces or Army Air Forces, while "low-quality" men were channeled into the ground combat arms, in particular the infantry. This was a utilitarian error that led to poor combat performance in early deploying divisions and a social inequity that imposed a higher burden of lethal risk on less-privileged men. Only out of dire necessity, late in the war, did high-quality inductees become riflemen in significant numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the complex landscape of modern warfare, understanding combat-related injuries leading to hospitalization is crucial for optimizing injury treatment. This study aims to compare combat casualty characteristics and outcomes during the major conflicts between Israel and Hamas in 2023 and 2014 as a basis for understanding the effectiveness of trauma care practices for wounded soldiers. Methods: A cohort study of soldiers hospitalized due to combat injuries during two major wars between Israel and Hamas in 2023 and 2014, using data from the Israeli National Trauma Registry. This study did not include deaths before hospital arrival or casualties who were discharged from the Emergency Department. Results: Of the 1,198 study subjects, 67.8% belonged to the 2023 cohort and 32.2% to the 2014 cohort. The percentage of casualties with severe and critical injuries (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 16–75) was higher among the 2023 cohort (18.6% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.036), as was the percentage of casualties with multiple severe injuries (≥ 2 regions with Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3: 11.5% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.035) and firearm injuries (19.6% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.081). Injuries to the torso and extremities were more frequent among the 2023 cohort. Among the critically injured casualties (ISS 25–75), the mortality rates were 17.3% vs. 28.6%, respectively, for the 2023 and 2014 cohorts (p = 0.351); adjusted HR (95% CI): 0.56 (0.21–1.49). The 2023 cohort had higher rates for treatment in the trauma bay (61.5% vs. 47.9%, p < 0.001), ICU utilization (admission: 16.3% vs 11.7%, p = 0.036), surgical intervention (51.5% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.005), longer duration from arrival to surgery (median [interquartile range]: 4.6 (1.2–18.5) vs. 2.6 (1.1–10.1) hours, p = 0.037), and longer hospital stays (> 14 days: 15.5% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that more casualties who survived to hospital arrival were severely and multiply injured in the 2023 Israel-Hamas war as compared to the 2014 war. Despite the increased severity, in-hospital survival did not worsen though there was an increase in hospital resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data aggregation across multiple research centers is gaining importance in the context of MRI research, driving diverse high‐dimensional datasets to form large‐scale heterogeneous sample, increasing statistical power and relevance of machine learning and deep learning algorithm. Site‐related effects have been demonstrated to introduce bias in MRI features and confound subsequent analyses. Although Combating Batch (ComBat) technique has been recently reported to successfully harmonize multi‐scale neuroimaging features, its performance assessments are still limited and largely based on qualitative visualizations and statistical analyses. In this study, we stand out by using a robust cross‐validation approach to assess ComBat performances applied on volume‐ and surface‐based measures acquired across three sites. A machine learning approach based on Multi‐Class Gaussian Process Classifier was applied to predict imaging site based on raw and harmonized brain features, providing quantitative insights into ComBat effectiveness, and verifying the association between biological covariates and harmonized brain features. Our findings showed differences in terms of ComBat performances across measures of regional brain morphology, demonstrating tissue specific site effect modeling. ComBat adjustment of site effects also varied across regional level of each specific volume‐based and surface‐based measures. ComBat effectively eliminates unwanted data site‐related variability, by maintaining or even enhancing data association with biological factors. Of note, ComBat has demonstrated flexibility and robustness of application on unseen independent gray matter volume data from the same sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Combat deployment increases exposure to potentially traumatic events. Perceived social support (PSS) may promote health and recovery from combat trauma. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize studies investigating the level of PSS and associated factors among (ex-)military personnel who served in the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched in August 2023 and searches were restricted to the beginning of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts in 2001. The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A quality assessment was carried out, and a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed. Results: In total, 35 papers consisting of 19,073 participants were included. Of these, 31 studies were conducted in the United States (US) and 23 were cross-sectional. The pooled mean PSS score was 54.40 (95% CI: 51.78 to 57.01). Samples with probable post-traumatic stress disorder had a lower mean PSS score (44.40, 95% CI: 39.10 to 49.70). Approximately half of the included studies (n = 19) investigated mental health in relation to PSS, whilst only four explored physical health. The most frequently reported risk factors for low PSS included post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, whilst post-traumatic growth and unit support were protective factors. Conclusion: Higher levels of PSS were generally associated with more positive psychosocial and mental health-related outcomes following deployment. PSS should be targeted in psychosocial interventions and education programmes. Future research should investigate PSS in (ex-)military personnel across other countries and cultures, based on the lack of studies that focused on PSS in countries outside of the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of human trafficking is a very harmful and disturbing crime for Kosovo and the countries of the region, which are encountering this criminal issue that seriously attacks human rights. Human trafficking is often associated with organized criminal groups that operate outside the state borders of Kosovo, making the fight against this occurrence much more challenging for the mechanisms that combat this type of crime. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of human trafficking in Kosovo, evaluating the contributing factors and assessing the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks. It also offers actionable recommendations for enhancing collaboration among key stakeholders. The method used in this research is a literature review, systematically analyzing academic literature, reports, and relevant documents on human trafficking. The findings indicate that human trafficking severely deteriorates the socio-economic conditions in Kosovo and reinforces organized crime networks. Therefore, close cooperation at both regional and international levels is essential for effectively addressing this criminality, which remains a pressing concern in Kosovo and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Casualties of military conflicts suffer a multitude of injuries, and recent research has documented a significant number develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on the treatment of ARDS in combat casualties near the battlefield.We review the extent of the current ARDS care, from intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV) to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and how the respective echelons of care across the Military Health System (MHS) are involved in the care of these patients. Online databases were used to identify article published 1988–2022, from which we selected 112 publications from various countries including the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, and India that used military relevant keywords (i.e., battlefield, combat, deployed, military trauma), in the titles or abstract in conjunction with the MeSH descriptors for battlefield respiratory failure, and MV or ECMO.Mechanical ventilation and ECMO have clearly moved forward with progressions in technologies and now are routinely used and are well documented in the prehospital setting and during aeromedical transport. Overview of the MHS and descriptive analysis of battlefield casualties are well represented in the literature. There are multiple publications on airway management on the battlefield and innumerable regarding the somewhat comparable civilian prehospital trauma airway management.While there is an abundance of publications on MV in the prehospital and combat environments, there are few case examples of the use of ECMO on the battlefield. Although MV may be required for many combat casualties, airway management failure remains the second leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women who are currently serving in a variety of combat roles and combat support positions in many state militaries around the globe have had to struggle for their positions by proving their abilities, and such struggles are still ongoing. Based on interview materials with veterans, this article examines the ways in which the veterans interpret their roles as women in combat positions and how they understand agency. The article further traces how their presence in war could alter the gendered meaning of protection. While the military is a key institution of overt gendered power in the state, women combatants' voices can create a crack in the masculine dominance that is taken for granted in state narratives; they can also create a wedge that allows in a reconsideration of gendered roles and power relations in the context of militaries, thereby offering more nuanced interpretations of protection and agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer pharmacokinetics and binding properties lead to discrepancies in amyloid‐β uptake estimates. Harmonization of tracer‐specific biases is crucial for optimal performance of downstream tasks. Here, we investigated the efficacy of ComBat, a data‐driven harmonization model, for reducing tracer‐specific biases in regional amyloid PET measurements from [18F]‐florbetapir (FBP) and [11C]‐Pittsburgh compound‐B (PiB). One hundred thirteen head‐to‐head FBP‐PiB scan pairs, scanned from the same subject within 90 days, were selected from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies 3 (OASIS‐3) dataset. The Centiloid scale, ComBat with no covariates, ComBat with biological covariates, and GAM‐ComBat with biological covariates were used to harmonize both global and regional amyloid standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR). Variants of ComBat, including longitudinal ComBat and PEACE, were also tested. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and mean absolute error (MAE) were computed to measure the absolute agreement between tracers. Additionally, longitudinal amyloid SUVRs from an anti‐amyloid drug trial were simulated using linear mixed effects modeling. Differences in rates‐of‐change between simulated treatment and placebo groups were tested, and change in statistical power/Type‐I error after harmonization was quantified. In the head‐to‐head tracer comparison, ComBat with no covariates was the best at increasing ICC and decreasing MAE of both global summary and regional amyloid PET SUVRs between scan pairs of the same group of subjects. In the clinical trial simulation, harmonization with both Centiloid and ComBat increased statistical power of detecting true rate‐of‐change differences between groups and decreased false discovery rate in the absence of a treatment effect. The greatest benefit of harmonization was observed when groups exhibited differing FBP‐to‐PiB proportions. ComBat outperformed the Centiloid scale in harmonizing both global and regional amyloid estimates. Additionally, ComBat improved the detection of rate‐of‐change differences between clinical trial groups. Our findings suggest that ComBat is a viable alternative to Centiloid for harmonizing regional amyloid PET analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the individual differences that can buffer the impact of combat and other adverse exposures on deleterious behavioral health outcomes could lead to more targeted prevention and intervention efforts. Cognitive reappraisal, an antecedent-focused emotion regulation strategy, is linked to positive health outcomes such as lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. This study examined the moderating effect of individual differences in cognitive reappraisal use on the association between combat exposure and behavioral health outcomes in active-duty U.S. Soldiers (N = 2,290). This study utilized survey data collected approximately 18 months following a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2014. Results showed that individual differences in cognitive reappraisal use significantly moderated the effect of combat exposure on anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms but not depressive symptoms. Specifically, increasing combat exposures predicted a steeper increase in negative behavioral health symptoms for Soldiers reporting lesser (versus greater) cognitive reappraisal use. These findings highlight a role for cognitive reappraisal as a targetable factor that can mitigate the behavioral health consequences of exposure to combat stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metaphor conceptualizes one, typically abstract, experience in terms of another, more concrete, experience with the goal of making it easier to understand. Although combat metaphors have been well described in some health contexts, they have not been well characterized in the setting of critical illness. How do clinicians use combat metaphors when describing critically ill patients and families in the electronic health record? We included notes written about patients aged 18 years or older admitted to ICUs within a large hospital system from 2012 through 2020. We developed a lexicon of combat words and isolated note segments that contained any combat mentions. Combat mentions were defined systematically as a metaphor or not across two coders. Among combat metaphors, we used a grounded theory approach to construct a conceptual framework around their use. Across 6,404 combat-related mentions, 5,970 were defined as metaphors (Cohen κ, 0.84). The most common metaphors were "bout" (26.2% of isolated segments), "combat" (18.5%), "confront" (17.8%), and "struggle" (17.5%). We present a conceptual framework highlighting how combat metaphors can present as identity ("mom is a fighter") and process constructs ("struggling to breathe"). Identity constructs usually were framed around: (1) hope, (2) internal strength, (3) contextualization of current illness based on prior experiences, or (4) a combination thereof. Process constructs were used to describe: (1) "fighting for" (eg, working toward) a goal, (2) "fighting against" an unwanted force, or (3) experiencing internal turmoil. We provide a novel conceptual framework around the use of combat metaphors in the ICU. Further studies are needed to understand intentionality behind their use and how they impact clinician behaviors and patient and caregiver emotional responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible common reaction to exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) during military service. However, knowledge about correlates of PTG among female combat veterans is sparse. This study examines associations between combat exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), general self‐efficacy (GSE), and PTG among Israeli female veterans. This is a cross‐sectional studyA volunteer sample of female Israeli combat veterans (n = 616) and non‐combat veterans (n = 484) responded to self‐report questionnaires. Combat veterans reported higher levels of combat exposure, PTSS, GSE, and PTG, as compared to non‐combat veterans. Among combat veterans, combat exposure and GSE were associated with greater PTG. Importantly, PTSS and GSE mediated the link between combat exposure and PTG. The study's findings are among the first to report about possible psychological growth outcomes among Israeli combat veterans. Clinicians treating female veterans coping with combat trauma should be aware of the heterogeneity of reactions to military service challenges and the importance of enhancing veterans' GSE to facilitate PTG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma-related spinal injuries have been reported as far back as Egyptian times when their severity was recognized but treatment limited and outcomes poor. Advances in the knowledge and management of these injuries have arisen due to increased periods of conflict in the 20th and 21st centuries. With terrorist activity increasing globally, clinicians working in the civilian environment are increasingly being called upon to manage severe, high-energy injuries of the sort usually seen in conflict. This review considers the differences in the mechanism, pattern, and management of spinal trauma in a military combat setting to allow translation to a civilian setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Strategic Universe Journal / Univers Strategic is the property of Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, Institute for Security Studies 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.)

In the British Armed Forces, military education is almost exclusively for the officer class. Below the rank of officer, within the 'other ranks', emphasis is typically placed on physical ability. Yet, it is knowledge, acumen and skill that now prove to be the determining factors in combat performance. Conceptual understanding and tactical success are correlated. This underscores the need to fuse the physical component with the conceptual. James White provides an analysis of tactical understanding at the point at which combat takes place–in the sections and platoons responsible for the conduct of fighting–detailing how an academic approach can be used to achieve tactical excellence.◼ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soldiers in combat may experience acute stress reactions (ASRs) in response to trauma. This can disrupt function, increasing both immediate physical danger and the risk for post-trauma mental health sequelae. There are few reported strategies for managing ASRs; however, recent studies suggest a novel peer-based intervention as a promising approach.Objectives: This study assesses the feasibility of ReSTART training, a peer-based course designed to prepare soldiers to manage ASRs. ReSTART builds on programmes established by US and Israeli militaries. The current study evaluates the ReSTART programme in a Norwegian setting, across distinct groups of soldiers, professionals and conscripts.Methods: Participants included professional soldiers deploying to Mali and conscripts with 6 months of service, who completed the ReSTART training course and surveys administered pre- and post-training. These surveys assessed attitudes and programme acceptability. Analyses included 74 soldiers who provided complete survey responses.Results: ReSTART training received high ratings in terms of usefulness, relevance, and importance in managing ASRs. From pre- to post-training, respondents had significant increases in positive attitudes towards ASR management and confidence in handling ASRs personally, and at the unit level; decreases in stigma-related attitudes associated with ASRs; and increased perception of leadership emphasizing ASR management.Conclusions: ReSTART training shows potential as an effective tool when preparing soldiers to manage ASRs in high-risk environments, enhancing military units’ capacity to support each other and effectively respond to stress-induced functional disruptions. This study adds evidence supporting the utility of peer-based ASR management in operational settings and highlights the need for broader implementation and systematic evaluation.

In the armies of the late Middle Ages, engineering forces fell into a gray area between combatant and noncombatant. They might fight if necessary, but that was not their primary role, suggesting that late medieval military engineers might best be defined as combat support personnel. A study of contemporary sources supports the argument that engineers in King Edward III of England's expeditionary armies, although proportionately few in comparison to his fighting forces, were key to his strategic successes and that they occupy a pivotal spot in the history of military engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study investigated whether the Combat compensation method can remove the variability of radiomic features extracted from different scanners, while also examining its impact on the subsequent predictive performance of machine learning models. Materials and methods 135 CT images of Credence Cartridge Radiomic phantoms were collected and screened from three scanners manufactured by Siemens, Philips, and GE. 100 radiomic features were extracted and 20 radiomic features were screened according to the Lasso regression method. The radiomic features extracted from the rubber and resin-filled regions in the cartridges were labeled into different categories for evaluating the performance of the machine learning model. Radiomics features were divided into three groups based on the different scanner manufacturers. The radiomic features were randomly divided into training and test sets with a ratio of 8:2. Five machine learning models (lasso, logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, neural network) were employed to evaluate the impact of Combat on radiomic features. The variability among radiomic features were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Accuracy, precision, recall, and area under the receiver curve (AUC) were used as evaluation metrics for model classification. Results The principal component and ANOVA analysis results show that the variability of different scanner manufacturers in radiomic features was removed (P˃0.05). After harmonization with the Combat algorithm, the distributions of radiomic features were aligned in terms of location and scale. The performance of machine learning models for classification improved, with the Random Forest model showing the most significant enhancement. The AUC value increased from 0.88 to 0.92. Conclusions The Combat algorithm has reduced variability in radiomic features from different scanners. In the phantom CT dataset, it appears that the machine learning model’s classification performance may have improved after Combat harmonization. However, further investigation and validation are required to fully comprehend Combat’s impact on radiomic features in medical imaging.

What rules of fighting (armed combat) does Hinduism espouse? The sacred texts are the pre-eminent sources, so these need to be summarized and compared to each other. Teaching mostly through stories, the texts describe deeds of people (especially warriors), gods and demons to show how to behave and not to behave in war. While the injunctions in the Mahābhārata and Arthaśāstra are already covered in the literature, including in this journal, this present work examines the Purāṇas in depth. After a thorough search of all relevant passages, we find the Purāṇas to be very similar to the epics in terms of the list of prescribed and proscribed actions in war that they provide. We also make comparisons to international humanitarian law (IHL); as in the epics, we find that the Purāṇas contain many similar provisions to those found in IHL but that they go above and beyond what is required by IHL in urging that fighting be fair at the tactical level (i.e., between individual fighters). Being religious texts, the Purāṇas also deal with the afterlife consequences of both righteous and unrighteous combat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies investigate grief among soldiers who experienced combat loss, but little research exists on the qualitative lived experience of such an event. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with soldiers (n = 19) who lost a comrade (3–21 years ago) to delve into their bereavement process. The reflexive thematic analysis of soldiers' accounts identified six main themes: (1) an unexpected and shattering experience; (2) emotional dissociation; (3) detachment from the outside world; (4) group formation; (5) accommodating the bereaved family; and (6) life-long impact. These themes were positioned on four distinct circles relating to the self and the surrounding social systems, indicating how soldiers' grief unfolds and remains encapsulated and disenfranchised. The findings emphasize the value of peer support groups that should be facilitated and encouraged by official bodies—even years after—as part of providing social recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2022, the so-called Special Military Operation launched by Vladimir Putin activated the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This article seeks to answer why the conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be configured as a fifth-generation war. The research found that the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine can be categorized as a fifth-generation war because the fighting is taking place in cities, which are categorized as the military, political and economic centers of gravity. Furthermore, the confrontation, despite taking place on the traditional plane of warfare, has also involved the fifth domain of warfare, cyberspace, and finally, the involvement of private military companies in the conflict was identified. In this respect, the qualitative methodological approach allows us to analyses the characteristics of fifth generation warfare in the light of an international case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sur le Journalisme, About Journalism, Sobre Jornalismo is the property of Sur le journalisme, About journalism, Sobre jornalismo 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.)

Introduction: A significant portion of individuals exposed to combat-related trauma will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe, debilitating disorder with adverse impacts on both mental and physical functioning. Current treatments are effective for many individuals, however, there is a need for new treatment approaches to improve outcomes in PTSD and address the many existing barriers to seeking or completing treatment. Methods: In this open trial pilot study, we tested a novel, brief, computer-based intervention for PTSD utilizing "affect labeling" that was inspired by recent advances in neuroscience with U.S. veterans. Results: As expected, pre-intervention clinical and fMRI neuroimaging data indicated that U.S. veterans with combat-related PTSD (N = 20) had significantly higher PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and amygdala reactivity to trauma cues than trauma-exposed healthy control veterans (N = 20). Veterans with PTSD who completed the affect labeling intervention (N = 13) evidenced reduced PTSD symptoms and these reductions were correlated with reductions in amygdala reactivity. Discussion: Results from this initial proof-of-concept study are intriguing and suggest that affect labeling training offers significant potential as a novel, costeffective, computer-based intervention for PTSD. Implications and next steps for further developing affect labeling interventions for PTSD are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combat soldiers are exposed to various potentially traumatic events and face high risk of developing military-related psychopathology, such as depression, posttraumatic stress and grief (PTSS). However, a strong body of research shows that resilience is the default in the aftermath of trauma and indeed, many veterans do not develop high symptomatic levels. To explicate this inconsistency, the current study examined the associations among PTSS, resilience, and patterns of emotional-approach coping. A sample of 595 male combat veterans filled out questionnaires on trauma exposure, PTSS, depressive symptoms, resilience, and emotional-approach coping. Their data were analyzed using structural equation modeling path analysis. Participants reported high exposure to potentially traumatic events during service. Mean scores were high for resilience and relatively low for PTSS and depressive symptoms; 13% had a clinical level of posttraumatic stress disorder. Structural equation modeling revealed that emotional-approach coping strategies mediated the relationship between resilience and PTSS. However, emotional expression was associated with lower PTSS levels, whereas emotional processing was associated with higher PTSS levels. These results suggest that although emotional-approach coping was related to higher resilience, emotional expression (an intrapersonal coping strategy) might have a more positive effect than self-oriented emotional coping strategies. Providing veterans with supportive opportunities and a wider repertoire of emotional coping skills might enhance their well-being, reduce post-service emotional distress while not harming veterans’ resilience levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated whether the Combat compensation method can remove the variability of radiomic features extracted from different scanners, while also examining its impact on the subsequent predictive performance of machine learning models. Materials and methods: 135 CT images of Credence Cartridge Radiomic phantoms were collected and screened from three scanners manufactured by Siemens, Philips, and GE. 100 radiomic features were extracted and 20 radiomic features were screened according to the Lasso regression method. The radiomic features extracted from the rubber and resin-filled regions in the cartridges were labeled into different categories for evaluating the performance of the machine learning model. Radiomics features were divided into three groups based on the different scanner manufacturers. The radiomic features were randomly divided into training and test sets with a ratio of 8:2. Five machine learning models (lasso, logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, neural network) were employed to evaluate the impact of Combat on radiomic features. The variability among radiomic features were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Accuracy, precision, recall, and area under the receiver curve (AUC) were used as evaluation metrics for model classification. Results: The principal component and ANOVA analysis results show that the variability of different scanner manufacturers in radiomic features was removed (P˃0.05). After harmonization with the Combat algorithm, the distributions of radiomic features were aligned in terms of location and scale. The performance of machine learning models for classification improved, with the Random Forest model showing the most significant enhancement. The AUC value increased from 0.88 to 0.92. Conclusions: The Combat algorithm has reduced variability in radiomic features from different scanners. In the phantom CT dataset, it appears that the machine learning model's classification performance may have improved after Combat harmonization. However, further investigation and validation are required to fully comprehend Combat's impact on radiomic features in medical imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Among combat injured, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) result in significant morbidity. Cultures and histopathology are the primary diagnostic methods for IFIs, but they have limitations. We previously evaluated a panfungal polymerase chain reaction assay, which was 83% sensitive and 99% specific for angioinvasive IFIs. Here, we evaluated 3 less resource-intensive seminested assays targeting clinically relevant fungi in the order Mucorales and genera Aspergillus and Fusarium. Methods Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from a multicenter trauma IFI cohort (2009-2014) were used. Cases were US military personnel injured in Afghanistan with histopathologic IFI evidence. Controls were patients with similar injury patterns and no laboratory IFI evidence (negative culture and histopathology). Seminested assays specific to Mucorales (V4/V5 regions of 18S rDNA), Aspergillus (mitochondrial tRNA), and Fusarium (internal transcribed spacer [ITS]/28A regions of DNA) were compared with a panfungal assay amplifying the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of rDNA and to histopathology. Results Specimens from 92 injury sites (62 subjects) were compared with control specimens from 117 injuries (101 subjects). We observed substantial agreement between the seminested and panfungal assays overall, especially for the order Mucorales. Moderate agreement was observed at the genus level for Aspergillus and Fusarium. When compared with histopathology, sensitivity and specificity of seminested assays were 67.4% and 96.6%, respectively (sensitivity increased to 91.7% when restricted to sites with angioinvasion). Conclusions Prior studies of seminested molecular diagnostics have focused on culture-negative samples from immunocompromised patients. Our findings underscore the utility of the seminested approach in diagnosing soft-tissue IFIs using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples, especially with angioinvasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does a leader's childhood exposure to war influence their propensity to initiate conflicts? While much research explains leaders' national security policies using their combat and rebel experiences, few scholars have examined the effects of childhood wartime violence. I develop and test two competing arguments about the effects of childhood war trauma on future conflict behavior. One argument expects that leaders exposed to war at a young age will be less likely to initiate conflict because they fear its consequences. An alternative perspective expects that these leaders are more likely to initiate conflict out of anger and a desire for revenge. I test my hypotheses using an original dataset and a research design that reduces inference barriers. Leveraging variations in the level of violence experienced during wartime, I only compare leaders who were exposed to foreign military invasions as children. I find that those who experienced severe war trauma, such as family deaths, injuries, or displacement, are less likely to initiate interstate conflicts than those who did not experience such traumatic events. These effects are substantial, particularly when political constraints are weak. My results suggest that childhood war trauma has a long-term impact on leaders' conservatism about using force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 24, 2022, the armed forces of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. After participating in hostilities Ukrainian military personnel accumulated combat stress. Drinking alcohol was one of the ways to overcome them. This study aimed to identify the role of negative emotional reactions and states in increasing the risk of alcohol addiction in Ukrainian military personnel after participation in hostilities. Ukrainian Defense Forces military personnel (N= 405, between 20-60 years of age) participated in this study. To determine the risk of developing alcohol addiction the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used. To determine the negative emotional experiences the Assessment of Negative Mental Reactions and Conditions in Military Personnel Questionnaire was used. Multiple regression analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and exploratory factor analysis were used to determine the relationship between negative emotional experiences and states in military personnel and the risk of alcohol abuse. The results showed that not only the strength of negative affect but also its structure, which determines the ability to regulate emotional experience and behavior, is associated with the risk of alcohol abuse among military personnel after participating in combat operations. As a result, after leaving the combat zone, military personnel with high levels of negative affect abused alcohol to relieve stress artificially. Other servicemen who had a less affective reaction to manifestations of combat stress could timely control the manifestation of negative emotions and were able to predict the negative development of the situation and prepare for it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing task-specific, post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) strategies, to acutely improve Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance. Nineteen ROTC cadets completed two ACFTs, separated by 72 hours. Approximately half (n = 10) completed the traditional “Preparation Drill” as their warm-up prior to the first session and added PAPE warm-up strategies as part of their second session. The other group (n = 9) completed the treatments in the opposite order to facilitate a repeated-measures, crossover design. The participants’ composite ACFT score was used as the primary outcome measure of interest to explore mean difference in a two-way (Time x Treatment), repeated measures ANOVA. There was no interaction [F(1,8) = 0.075, p = 0.79] nor main effect of treatment [F(1,8) = 0.084, p = 0.78]. However, there was a main effect of Time [F(1,8) = 58.87, p < 0.001, d = 0.25] (mean ACFT score ± SD: Session 1 = 527 ± 43, Session 2 = 537 ± 39). The results of this study did not support the use of additional PAPE strategies to improve ACFT performance. However, there was a practice effect when the test was completed twice, separated by 72 hours in those with ACFT experience. The effect of Time was present for ACFT cumulative score, as well as event-level differences in three out of six events. Further research should implement familiarization sessions to minimize a practice effect from influencing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the discursive construction of moral conflict in a military veteran's (post)war story. By closely examining the linguistic details of a single veteran's narrative of war, this article addresses how moral conflict is revealed in shifts among varying modes of morality: from the conventional moral dispositions of the military, in which soldiers are socialized into acting, often violently and without reflection, to conscious ethical reasoning, which soldiers have historically been socialized not to engage in. The analysis of this veteran's narrative, informed by ethnographic research on veterans' experiences of combat and return after deployment, outlines how structural and linguistic components of the narrative engage shifting modes of moral experience. As such, the article provides a critical discussion of moral injury, as well as a potential model for the study of language and morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital revolution in military affairs has caused repercussions within the military sector and strategic thinking by moving from the traditional concept of Clausewitz, which is based on the rule of combat and confrontation in the physical field, to the concept of Sun Tzu, which focuses on the knowledge base and reducing dependence on the human element and combat in the cyber field. The progress in technological means and information systems has changed the form of confrontation and led to the emergence of new forms of war. The RussianUkrainian war is a clear example of this transformation. The study found that the war has changed not in its nature but in the way it is fought, through Using the contents of the digital revolution in the operational field has enabled Russia to adapt to the situation on the ground. However, it still faces challenges at strategic level of the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Money laundering and financial crimes pose a significant threat to the integrity and stability of South Africa’s financial system. This paper explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and prevent money laundering in South African banking institutions. Through the implementation of big data technologies and data processing analytics, AI can enhance the detection and prevention of money laundering activities in South Africa’s banking sector. AI can be harnessed to improve the detection of suspicious activities, enhance accuracy of financial intelligence and adapt to evolving money laundering techniques. The paper also examines the benefits and challenges of implementing AI as an anti-money laundering (AML) measure in the South African banking sector. These include the need for quality data, integration with existing systems, regulatory compliance and ethical considerations. The paper further highlights the potential of AI in transaction monitoring, customer due diligence, outcomes-based risk assessment, and improved detection of suspicious transactions by analysing how AI can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of AML measures. The importance of coordination between banking institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement bodies is also highlighted as an important component of leveraging AI to combat money laundering and related financial crimes in South Africa’s banking sector.

Despite their importance, the role of pikemen in battle and the mechanics of pike combat during the seventeenth century have not received proper attention. Taking English armies of the period as a case study, this article uses contemporary sources and recent research on the warfare of other periods with the goal of redressing this. It examines several seventeenth-century battles involving English armies and concludes that pikemen played a far more critical part than previously assumed. It examines the limitations of previous models used to explain how pikemen actually fought and suggests a new model, based on a close reading of the sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of neuroimaging datasets aggregated from multiple sites may be biased by site-specific profiles in participants' demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as MRI acquisition protocols and scanning platforms. We compared the impact of four different harmonization methods on results obtained from analyses of cortical thickness data: (1) linear mixed-effects model (LME) that models site-specific random intercepts (LMEINT), (2) LME that models both site-specific random intercepts and age-related random slopes (LMEINT+SLP), (3) ComBat, and (4) ComBat with a generalized additive model (ComBat-GAM). Our test case for comparing harmonization methods was cortical thickness data aggregated from 29 sites, which included 1,340 cases with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (6.2-81.8 years old) and 2,057 trauma-exposed controls without PTSD (6.3-85.2 years old). We found that, compared to the other data harmonization methods, data processed with ComBat-GAM was more sensitive to the detection of significant case-control differences (Χ2(3) = 63.704, p < 0.001) as well as case-control differences in age-related cortical thinning (Χ2(3) = 12.082, p = 0.007). Both ComBat and ComBat-GAM outperformed LME methods in detecting sex differences (Χ2(3) = 9.114, p = 0.028) in regional cortical thickness. ComBat-GAM also led to stronger estimates of age-related declines in cortical thickness (corrected p-values < 0.001), stronger estimates of case-related cortical thickness reduction (corrected p-values < 0.001), weaker estimates of age-related declines in cortical thickness in cases than controls (corrected p-values < 0.001), stronger estimates of cortical thickness reduction in females than males (corrected p-values < 0.001), and stronger estimates of cortical thickness reduction in females relative to males in cases than controls (corrected p-values < 0.001). Our results support the use of ComBat-GAM to minimize confounds and increase statistical power when harmonizing data with non-linear effects, and the use of either ComBat or ComBat-GAM for harmonizing data with linear effects.