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The article emphasises that in the context of a full-scale war and economic crisis, protection of Ukraine's leading industries becomes one of the state's priority tasks. Not only the economic independence of the country, but also its defence capability depends on the preservation and development of these industries. The article identifies the leading industries of Ukraine that require priority protection. The main risks and threats to these industries are analysed. A set of priority measures to protect the leading industries has been developed, including financial support, tax and customs benefits, state guarantees, creation of a favourable investment climate, technology modernisation and innovation, and protection of intellectual property. The implementation of the proposed measures will definitely contribute to strengthening the country's economic security and, accordingly, its defence capability. It is emphasised that in the context of globalisation and competition in international markets, it is extremely important to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of key production sectors, including energy, machine building, and heavy industry. National priorities in this area should include the development and implementation of effective protection strategies, modernisation of the technological base, improvement of product quality, creation of a favourable investment climate and ener gy security. The author suggests that analysis of innovation trends, study of international experience and introduction of advanced technologies are key aspects of development and protection of leading industries. An effective system of intellectual property protection, implementation of effective cybersecurity and information security measures, and support of state programmes for the development of production capacities contribute to strengthening the protection of import ant sectors of the economy. The author concludes that studying and analysing the problems of protecting Ukraine's leading industries and developing national priorities in this regard are important tasks for ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the country's economy in the current conditions of geopolitical and economic challenges, as well as for the post-war reconstruc tion of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure their vital role in disseminating the species, dormant seeds have developed adaptive strategies to protect themselves against pathogens and predators. This is orchestrated through the synthesis of an array of constitutive defences that are put in place in a developmentally regulated manner, which are the focus of this review. We summarize the defence activity and the nature of the molecules coming from the exudate of imbibing seeds that leak into their vicinity, also referred to as the spermosphere. As a second layer of protection, the dual role of the seed coat will be discussed; as a physical barrier and a multi-layered reservoir of defence compounds that are synthesized during seed development. Since imbibed dormant seeds can persist in the soil for extensive periods, we address the question of whether during this time a constitutively regulated defence programme is switched on to provide further protection, via the well-defined pathogenesis-related (PR) protein family. In addition, we review the hormonal and signalling pathways that might be involved in the interplay between dormancy and defence and point out questions that need further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research is a value sensitive based approach to designing autonomous systems in a military context. Value sensitive design is an iterative process of conceptual, empirical and technical considerations. We enhance value sensitive design with Participatory Value Evaluation. This allows us to mine values of a large unorganized stakeholder group relevant to our context of research, namely Australian citizens. We found that value prioritizations differ depending on the context of use and that no one value fits all autonomous systems. General ethical frameworks can serve as high level guiding principles, but when it comes to actual technologies, a more nuanced and granulated approach to selecting and incorporating values is needed. Our research contributes to a greater awareness of the importance of inclusion of values in autonomous systems design in the context of defence. We suggest relevant frameworks and methods for values-based autonomous military systems design in the context of Australia, which may serve as a blueprint for other countries. Finally, we provide suggestions on how to operationalise values in systems design, as this is underrepresented in the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper's purpose is to systematically analyse and understand the complexity of strategic-level stakeholder management within defence. Empirical data was collected via a rigorous systematic literature review of 10,369 manuscripts contained within the Web of Science, with 206 A1 studies constituting the final paper set. This was followed by bibliometric and maturity analysis leading to extraction, synthesis and integration of insights. In doing so, knowledge on defence stakeholders is consolidated beyond the traditional field of political science. The results illuminate aspects of stakeholder network complexity, including stakeholders that need to be better understood and holistic frameworks important for contextualising initiatives. Further, the need to move beyond bilaterally-focussed relationships towards the consideration of the larger ecosystem is emphasized. Finally, managers are encouraged to internalise engagement capabilities, able to continuously balance diverse stakeholder cultures and interests. Thereby, contributions are made towards the development of descriptive, instrumental and normative stakeholder theory within defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As NATO marks its 75th anniversary it is facing a future more uncertain than at any point since the end of the Cold War. The European security environment is changed and challenged by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, while the Israel-Gaza war poses further challenges. Given this critical moment, this article offers a strategic intervention to highlight and reinforce the essential role of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in defence and deterrence, including through the integration of a gender perspective, for NATO members and partners. It does so by bringing together former Chairs of the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) into conversation about the continued importance of NATO's oldest committee in ensuring NATO's future approach to WPS is fit for purpose. Drawing upon their reflections and insights, we recommend policy points to embed and advance WPS and the gender perspective in NATO's response to this new security environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Aussen- und Sicherheitspolitik is the property of Springer Nature 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 genus Ulva is one of the most commonly commercially cultivated seaweeds both on land in ponds and in the open sea. As a crop, its cultivation is accompanied by three pest groups: (1) diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria, algae, virii, and fungi, which cause perforations, deterioration, and decreased growth of thalli; (2) various grazers, e.g. small crustaceans, gastropods, and non-defined invertebrates, which decrease growth and damage the thalli; and (3) an epiphytic biofilm of microorganisms, which also causes damage to the end-crop decreasing its yield and value. Mitigation categories against Ulva pests may be divided into three categories: (A) pro-active human intervention by washing the infected thalli with acid, fresh water, proprietary chemicals or CO2-saturated seawater, the use of methanolic Ulva extracts, or exudate from the green seaweed, all of which are reported to restrict pest activity; (B) using the beneficial properties of probiotic bacteria thereby eliciting antifouling activity, with selective abilities against pathogens of Ulva spp.; (C) enhancing the effects of environmental changes on pests, i.e. acidification and increased seawater temperature, which mainly decrease the grazer population and thereby their pressure. A summary of these studies is presented as a guide for rapid responses and applied management techniques for the amelioration of cultivation diseases, grazers, and harmful epiphytes affecting the foliose green alga Ulva spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No one is perfect, and organisms that perform well in some habitat or with respect to some tasks, do so at the cost of performance in others: there are inescapable trade‐offs. Organismal trade‐offs govern the structure and function of ecosystems and attempts to demonstrate and quantify trade‐offs have therefore been an important goal for ecologists. In addition, trade‐offs are a key component in trait‐based ecosystem models. Here, I synthesise evidence of trade‐offs in plankton organisms, from bacteria to zooplankton, and show how a slow–fast gradient in life histories emerges. I focus on trade‐offs related to the main components of an organism's Darwinian fitness, that is resource acquisition, survival, and propagation. All consumers need to balance the need to eat without being eaten, and diurnal vertical migration, where zooplankton hide at depth during the day to avoid visual predators but at the cost of missed feeding opportunities in the productive surface layer, is probably the best documented result of this trade‐off. However, there are many other more subtle but equally important behaviours that similarly are the result of an optimisation of these trade‐offs. Most plankton groups have also developed more explicit defence mechanisms, such as toxin production or evasive behaviours that are harnessed in the presence of their predators; the costs of these have often proved difficult to quantify or even demonstrate, partly because they only materialise under natural conditions. Finally, all multicellular organisms must allocate time and resources among growth, reproduction, and maintenance (e.g. protein turnover and DNA repair), and mate finding may compromise both survival and feeding. The combined effects of all these trade‐offs is the emergence of a slow–fast gradient in the pace‐of‐life, likely the most fundamental principle for the organisation of organismal life histories. This crystallisation of trade‐offs may offer a path to further simplification of trait‐based models of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While co-design methods are crucial for developing digital educational interventions that are user-centred, contextually relevant, inclusive, and effective in meeting the diverse needs of learners and educators, little attention has been paid to the potential value of co-design processes for digital application development in the Defence context. This research gauged the efficacy of combining a generative co-design framework making use of agile and iterative co-design principles in an applied research and development project. The project produced an immersive virtual reality based digital solution in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) Army. Specifically, the ParaVerse project sought to develop a solution considering the advanced Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) relevant to special operations soldiers for advanced parachute training. A Defence advisory group consisting of a series of subject matter experts was formulated to consult with the research and development team over the course of the co-design process. End-user testing with 35 SOCOMD personnel demonstrated the value of the ParaVerse application for SOCOMD personnel, speaking to the success of the leveraged generative co-design model. End-users rated ParaVerse as having greater capacity to influence education and training practices for SOCOMD and Defence generally in comparison to a pre-existing virtual parachute simulator. ParaVerse was also rated higher for satisfaction and useability and was associated with fewer instances of motion sickness. The Generative Co-Design Framework leveraged for this research provides one roadmap on how to integrate end-users in innovation design, particularly for projects working across the nexus of Defence and academia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of China combined with a growing "America First" approach to US foreign policy has generated a debate in Australia about the status of the alliance with the United States. This article contributes to this debate by exploring what a Plan B, for Australian security outside the alliance, might look like. It assesses existing scholarship on the subject, highlighting how recent arguments that Australia can "go it alone" are fundamentally flawed as they fail to address requirements to protect the economic and human security of Australians. The article goes on to examine why it is still necessary to consider a Plan B, and what Australia's core national interests are. It emphasises the importance of protecting the lives and livelihoods of Australians, as opposed to the pure focus on the territorial defence of Australia that has marked out much of the existing literature. This leads the article to conclude that, outside the US alliance, Australia would need to rely on a more holistic concept of security, and less on a military approach. It concludes by putting forward suggestions for how Australia could provide itself with security outside the US alliance, primarily through building resilience and adopting a form of neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European defence market can be described as a geoeconomically relevant sector that forms part of Europe's overall economy, not least in the way that it is a producer of military capabilities and technologies and a repository of scientific skills. Traditionally, European Union (EU)‐level steps to support and liberalise the sector have reflected a regulatory approach marked by soft law, but in recent years, the EU has also developed financial tools to incentivise defence co‐operation. Looking specifically at the European Defence Fund (EDF), this article views this transition as evidence of a 'geoeconomic turn' in European defence market policy that is a response to structural challenges related to technology control, security of supply and geopolitical competition. Employing relative gains theory and liberal intergovernmentalism, this article charts the transition from market liberalisation to industrial policy in EU defence market initiatives based on specific intra‐ and extra‐political dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intellectual property law is a relatively new institution in Ukrainian law. As of today, the fundamental issues of intellectual property have remained debatable and in need of updating and improvement. The difficulties with the legal regulation of intellectual property are connected both with the constantly expanding range of objects and with the increase in the scope of rights and freedoms of participants in civil and economic turnover. No less important issues of effective regulation of the national intellectual property system have been related to the Association agreement between the European Union and its member states, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part. Also, in Ukraine, a whole series of problems of legal regulation of intellectual property is caused by a significant historical period during which intangible objects as an economic category did not exist, and therefore did not require protection. After the restoration of the independence of our State, the development of legislation on the defence of intellectual property began. Building an effective intellectual property system in Ukraine is an important stage and prerequisite for the integration of our country into the European community. After the restoration of Ukraine's independence, our legislation in the field of intellectual property underwent serious changes and reforms. The Constitution of Ukraine provided that citizens are guaranteed freedom of literary, artistic, scientific and technical creativity, protection of intellectual property, their copyrights, moral and material interests arising in connection with various types of intellectual activity. Every citizen has the right to the results of his intellectual and creative activity; no one can use or distribute them without his consent, with exceptions established by law. Intellectual property relations in Ukraine are regulated by both national legislation and international legal acts. The terms «protection» and «defence», which are often used interchangeably, are not identical. At the same time, the prospects for improving the legislation of Ukraine on the protection of intellectual property include its harmonization with the law of the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental approaches to measure territory defence can be used to interpret the relative magnitude of intraspecific aggression in different ecological contexts. The aim of this study is to examine the response of Fijian forest bird species to conspecific intruders using playback of previously recorded songs along an elevational gradient. We address two questions: Do different foraging guilds in Fiji's forest birds show different patterns of territorial defence behaviour towards conspecific intruders? Secondly, do Fiji's forest birds show stronger territorial defence at higher elevations? We explore these questions across two foraging guilds (insectivore and omnivore) on Viti Levu Island, Fiji. All four focal species had a stronger response at the highest elevation, and the endemic insectivore had the strongest response. Perhaps high elevation insects are less abundant and hence increased aggressiveness is favoured to defend the territory, and/or perhaps in general more aggressive birds colonise higher elevation areas, both ideas that require further testing. This study provides first insights into response to conspecifics in Fiji's forest birds that can be explored in relation to avian behaviour also in the context of human activity, human disturbance and threats to the persistence of birds across elevational gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revija Šport is the property of Sport: Revija Za Teoreticna in Praticna Vprasanja Sporta 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.)

Understanding the factors that contribute to success or failure in Super Rugby is paramount for teams aiming to achieve positive results. This study compares winning and losing teams by analysing match-related performance indicators from 2017 to 2019, offering valuable insights for coaches, players, and performance analysts. Significantly, winning teams exhibited notable disparities in their attacking play, surpassing losing teams in total tries (4.5 vs. 2.4), offloads (12.5 vs. 11.2), number of kicks (22.2 vs. 19.4), and line breaks (3.1 vs. 2.2) (p <.0001 for all). Moreover, defensive performance emerged as a crucial factor, with winning teams demonstrating higher tackle completion rates (89.3 vs. 87.9) (p <.0001) and an increased number of breakdown turnovers won (0.8 vs. 0.6) (p =.0518) compared to losing teams. These findings illuminate distinct performance characteristics that can assist coaches, players, and analysts in optimising tactical analysis, player development, and overall performance. Despite the COVID-19 disruption in 2020 and teams transitioning to other competitions, the research remains relevant due to the expected persistence of fundamental game aspects and performance indicators. This adaptability enables informed decision-making, leading to improved performance and a competitive advantage in the current Super Rugby competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU and its Member States have taken unprecedented collective steps to support Ukraine militarily. That has not yet translated into a stronger momentum to further cooperation between their own defence forces, however. Ideally, Member States would integrate national capabilities into large multinational formations. NATO's New Force Model could provide an extra stimulus to that end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the current state of the Australian defence industry, highlighting its achievements, threats, and opportunities. Also discussed are the importance of having a robust national service scheme with regard to the manufacturing industry, and implications of the AUKUS (Australia United Kingdom United States) initiative on Australia's defence industry and national security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of the specifics of criminal proceedings involving minors, in the context of the norms of national legislation and certain scientific works. It has been determined that the special procedural position of children in criminal proceedings is determined by the age peculiarities of these субʼєктів. The actual international standards concerning the procedure of criminal procedural activity in proceedings involving minors are considered. It is noted that at the national level, the specificity of proceedings in cases of minors is represented primarily in the isolation of the legislative regulation of criminal procedural relations with the participation of these individuals, as evidenced by the provisions of Chapter 38 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine «Criminal proceedings against minors.». During the study, the opinions of domestic scientists on the most problematic issues related to the procedural features of criminal proceedings against persons who have not reached the age of majority were analyzed. As a result of a comprehensive analysis of the legal norms of criminal procedural legislation, it was proved that certain procedures and rules of criminal proceedings are adapted specifically to the needs of minors, although their basis are general legal norms. In particular, this fact is evidenced by the dualistic representation of the interests of the juvenile suspect and the accused, the special субʼєктний composition of the participants in criminal proceedings against minors and certain specific aspects both at the stage of pre-trial investigation of juvenile crimes and during subsequent court proceedings. The article also identified a number of problematic aspects related to the implementation of these provisions at the practical level, in the context of which it is proposed to introduce certain additions and changes to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. It is considered necessary to consolidate the special principles of criminal proceedings against minors at the legislative level in the form of a separate article. The conclusion focuses on the fact that despite the existence of certain shortcomings in the legal regulation of proceedings in cases of minors, the criminal procedure legislation of Ukraine is developing in the right direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The actions of a state in foreign policy are often linked to the capabilities or forms of strength available to its government, including the organization of defence with civilian support. This connection frequently manifests at the discursive level. In this article, we argue that the discourses on foreign policy and references by political elites to citizens' willingness to defend their country serve as messages that bolster the state's foreign and defence policies under various historical conditions. By leveraging discourse, these messages seek to reinforce the perception of defence capability in the context of foreign policy. Our qualitative analysis of Swedish and Finnish political debates and key documents from the early Cold War era through the 2010s demonstrates that the populace's willingness to defend has consistently been emphasized as a crucial component of a credible military defence, thereby supporting a stance of neutrality or non-alignment in foreign policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Balqa Journal for Research & Studies is the property of Al-Ahliyya Amman University 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.)

Considering a series of events from the last ten years, politically and militarily relevant, International Relations scholars are questioning the robustness of the Euro-Atlantic relations. However, such a cooperation, that started decades ago, does not end without serious consequences that can go beyond the area of the involved parties. The main assumption of this article is that, for the short term, no serious transformation -- such as a division between the European and the American parties, be it political, military, or economic -- can take place in the present security framework -- without severe implications for the global order. However, in the longer term, the cooperation can find a rather independent European Union -- thought not entirely, capable of defending itself and projecting its military power beyond its borders (European Parliament 2022, 1). For the purpose of this article, there will be analysed the relationship between the European Union and NATO, based on the latest strategic documents adopted in 2022 by the two organizations -- EU's Strategic Compass and NATO's Strategic Concept, as well as the most recent Joint Declaration signed by the two partners in January 2023. The latter provides common responses to new challenges and joint efforts to promote an international environment based on stability and prosperity, and the condemnation of the actors who cause instability affecting peace and security. The overall objective is to present the ability of the two organisations to adapt to the new challenges and threats in order to achieve their common objectives. The expected outcome of the analysis is to position the Transatlantic Partnership as a fundamental element of stability in the transatlantic area through the implementation of agreed security and defence strategies and objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of women's involvement in acts of terrorism around the world is growing, including acts of terrorism in Indonesia that use women as suicide bombers. Terrorism crimes are included in non-military threats so that they must be faced with non-military strategies. In this case, BNPT is the leading sector in implementing non-military strategies to prevent women from being involved in terrorism and also deradicalisation efforts for prisoners, deportees and returnees. The purpose of this study is to analyse how the motives and factors of women can be involved in terrorism and how the non-military defence strategy to overcome women's involvement in terrorism. The research method used is qualitative which is conducted by using desk review technique. The results show that there are two opinions found to be the root cause of women's involvement in terrorism, the first is patriarchy culture and women as victims. But the tendency in Indonesia that occurs is women as victims, the powerlessness of women who are bound by patriarchal culture, the limited insight they have is also the reason so that women are victims of terrorism itself, the findings of the other root of the problem are social inequality or economic problems. Non-military strategy can be implemented by increasing awareness and education for women with a religious approach, economic empowerment, and also women's equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text analyses normative solutions concerning the right to defence in Polish proceedings in cases of offences. It discusses the formation of selected elements of the right to defence, from the pre-war solutions to modern times. The author highlights the autonomy of the solutions in force in the 2001 Code of Proceedings in Misdemeanour Cases, and their similarities to the right to defence in criminal cases, constituting the most comprehensive model of this right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a decision-support methodology to support the development and assessment of military asset and resource strategies. The methodology is built around a system dynamics model that allows users to examine the performance of a strategy over time. The novelty of the model lies in its flexibility and ability to address questions about asset planning from both holistic and lifecycle viewpoints. From the user perspective, the decision-support methodology is structured around three phases: (1) Design an asset management strategy, (2) Evaluate strategy using system dynamics simulation model, and (3) Generate performance indicators and analyse results. The methodology is developed and used in a real case study to support the modernisation of the Australian Defence Force. This paper demonstrates that system dynamics offers useful methods to study the dynamics of supply-demand, and support the development of systemic asset and resource management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building simulation models that are valid and credible is an enduring challenge in the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) context. Establishing validity and credibility can be achieved through the rigorous use of appropriate Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VVA) processes. Such processes are well-known in modeling and simulation (M&S) practice. However, these are generally not applied within the ADO, typically due to resourcing concerns and a lack of authoritative guidance. Even if there are any, due to security concerns and commercial reasons, the application of M&S within ADO is generally not published in open-access platforms. Depending on where in the M&S life-cycle VVA is started, it may also serve a secondary aim of risk reduction, assisting in the early discovery of possible problems or mistakes. This research reviews current VVA practices from academic literature and recommends processes that are appropriate for application to combat simulation tools within the ADO context. A scoping review has been conducted to gather insight into current VVA practice in the M&S community. The results of this review are presented in the form of charting relevant characteristics from selected references. The scoping review shows that executable validation of simulation results against referent data sourced from physical experiments is the most prevalent form of VVA, with referent data from comparative models being a prevalent alternative. Furthermore, there is evident reliance on graphical comparison of data; this could be enhanced with objective data comparators, such as aggregate error measures or statistical techniques. Finally, there is an evident gap in VVA references from Australia, which could be addressed through the propagation and reporting of prevalent VVA practices within the ADO context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolaris oryzae is the causative agent of rice brown spot disease, leading to serious economic yield losses all over the world. The present study aims to manage brown spot disease on susceptible rice cultivar PR 124 using botanical extracts of three meliaceae species. In vitro screening of botanical extracts revealed the dose dependent response of botanical extracts, though maximum mycelial inhibition occurred at 50% concentration. Ethanolic extracts showed a better inhibition percentage when compared to the aqueous extracts. Azadirachta indica exhibited the highest antifungal ability, followed by Melia azedarach and Toona ciliata. A field experiment conducted during two consecutive years (2021–22) revealed that pre-treatment with promising doses of botanical extracts followed by challenge inoculation 48 h after a foliar spray led to a significant reduction in the severity index, incidence, mean spot count, AUDPC and r value of treated plants over control. A significant increase in yield parameters was also recorded with the foliar application of botanical extracts as compared to un-inoculated (C1) and inoculated (C2) plots. The number of filled grains, test weight, panicle weight and fertility also increased as compared to control plants. The stimulation of the defence system and the antioxidant potential (phenols and lignin) coincided with the induction of endurance in susceptible cultivars. The results demonstrate that defence enzymes like PAL, TAL, glucanase and chitinase are expressed during the activation of a defence response induced by botanical extracts. A. indica was most effective at managing the disease development followed by M. azedarach and T. ciliata. Findings from this research are important for producing a biocide that is safe for the environment and could result in the effective management of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In defence applications, blast mitigation for armoured fighting vehicles underbody protection is vital. To overcome the weight limitations of conventional materials, a modular test coupon solution was developed using A286 micro-metallic honeycomb and gyroid lattice structures via laser powder bed fusion. Ultrasound imaging showcased significant improvements in flaws after heat treatment, enhancing internal structures and mechanical properties. Surface morphology revealed optimized grain structures with enhanced toughness and residual stresses. Compression tests demonstrated a reduction in compressive residual stress by 6.4 to 22.2% for honeycomb and 10.02 to 18.74% for gyroid post-compression. Lattice strain analysis indicated improved structural stability and alignment after compression in honeycomb structures. The present research exhibited enhanced surface characteristics, lower displacement for higher loads, and increased stiffness, rendering lattice structures effective for blast mitigation in armoured fighting vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria spp. cause different diseases in potato and tomato crops. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani and brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata are most common, but the disease complex is far more diverse. We first provide an overview of the Alternaria species infecting the two host plants to alleviate some of the confusion that arises from the taxonomic rearrangements in this fungal genus. Highlighting the diversity of Alternaria fungi on both solanaceous hosts, we review studies investigating the genetic diversity and genomes, before we present recent advances from studies elucidating host–pathogen interactions and fungicide resistances. Taxonomy: Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Pleosporales, Family Pleosporaceae, Genus Alternaria. Biology and host range: Alternaria spp. adopt diverse lifestyles. We specifically review Alternaria spp. that cause disease in the two solanaceous crops potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). They are necrotrophic pathogens with no known sexual stage, despite some signatures of recombination. Disease symptoms: Symptoms of the early blight/brown spot disease complex include foliar lesions that first present as brown spots, depending on the species with characteristic concentric rings, which eventually lead to severe defoliation and considerable yield loss. Control: Good field hygiene can keep the disease pressure low. Some potato and tomato cultivars show differences in susceptibility, but there are no fully resistant varieties known. Therefore, the main control mechanism is treatment with fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition from the military environment into a civilian environment is a topic that has seen increasing attention within the last two decades. There is, in the literature, a clearly articulated issue that transition from the military to the civilian world is somewhat different to transitioning from school to work, or from career to career, or from work to retirement. Many, but not all, of the extant examples regarding military transition are case studies, focus groups or small-scale qualitative surveys. The following article details a large-scale survey that took place in New Zealand in 2019. From just over 1400 responses, a wide range of information was gathered. The aim of the survey was to uncover the experiences of military who had undergone transition within New Zealand. In this respect, the survey was exploratory. We report here the qualitative results that expand the existing body of knowledge of military transition. Our results are in line with international results and demonstrate that a large majority of respondents had a less than desirable transition experience. The contribution made therefore is a reinforcement that current practice in this area is needing a great deal of attention. The following outlines the experiences our New Zealand-based respondents had and how this mirrors the extant international literature. As this was the first survey of its kind to attract large numbers of respondents within New Zealand, the results and discussion that follow present aspects of transition that the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force may wish to consider when planning future transition programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boys have been identified as the main perpetrators of school violence and bullying, evoking debates on masculinities. However, boys are not always the active producers of violence. This article examines the ways in which primary school boys who otherwise denounce violence explain their participation in it. The data draw from a more extensive qualitative study that focuses on the experiences of school violence among boys at a primary school in KwaZulu-Natal. The study sample comprised a group of thirteen Grade 7 boys. The primary method of data production was through semi-structured individual interviews. The study draws on theories of masculinities that regard them as multiple, fluid and socially constructed. The findings show that although the boys in the study condemned school violence, many could not escape being part of it. As boys, they felt compelled to protect and defend themselves, their families, girls and their friends. In their efforts to resist and mediate violence, they often resorted to violent methods as part and parcel of their masculine constructions. This article argues that it is necessary to focus on boys' perspectives and to shift the focus on violence from problematic individual behaviour to an understanding of the complex social and cultural contexts within which they navigate the everyday world of school. Towards this end, the conflicting implicit and explicit demands on boys sustained through social and institutional structures must be reworked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoiding attacks is clearly better than suffering, or even overcoming attacks. Here we discuss the signalling ways by which galls (i.e., gall-inducers) may defend themselves from damage by avoiding attacks. Many colourful galls that are simultaneously chemically and/or physically defended, and/or omit repelling odours fulfilling the general criteria to be tentatively considered as aposematic. It has been shown experimentally that chemically defended galls also emit volatiles that repel relevant herbivores. Thus, both visual and olfactory gall traits may serve as adaptive signals that have been usually overlooked. It is also highly probable that the conspicuous colours (red, yellow) of many galls may also serve physiological functions, such as defence from reactive-oxygen production, from UV, and from excess visible light, or serve other, unknown functions. The certain role of camouflage (especially by being green), in defence from enemies, thus potentially increasing a gall-inducers' fitness, was not given the attention it deserves. Detailed comparative and especially experimental studies on the adaptive role of gall shape, colouration and odours can further shed light on these phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to broaden the understanding of Operational Depth (OD) by rethinking how it can be perceived. The emphasis when doing so is dedicated to cognitive effects, thus another dimension of depth, compared to the mainstream physical- or temporal approaches to depth in military thought. The empirical focus draws on Israel and explicitly the case of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah to provide an example where a lack of physical depth is skillfully handled, hence the title Wizards of Depth. The empiric inquiry is guided by an analytical framework, departing from a theoretical elaboration where OD is approached as a circular trinity: the ability to project, absorb, and manoeuver available coercive assets along offensive and defensive lines of operation. By using this definition in concert with the analytical framework, the article represents a mediation − a dialectic practice between the linear approaches to operations of the West and the more circular, often non-contiguous, and evolving perceptions found further east. When doing so, the article demonstrates how depth can be perceived in various ways, subsequently providing possible avenues to extend depth for actors beyond the Israeli example. A qualitative approach is employed, drawing on extensive fieldwork in Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the Nordics will be united for the first time in a military alliance encompassing not only northern Europe but also the broader transatlantic region. It will eventually fortify northern European security, but several obstacles must be overcome first. NATO has done a formidable job since 2014 in updating its defence plans, cumulating in the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) family of plans approved in Vilnius 2023. Now Finland and Sweden need to be incorporated into these plans. A more challenging task is to implement NATO's New Force Model which is tremendously ambitious. Finland and Sweden's contributions will be important, but new investments must be made. NATO's Command Structure is yet to be fully reformed and fitted to the DDA. Joint Force Command Norfolk must urgently be staffed, without undue politicization in NATO. Nordic defence buildup can draw on regional cooperation in particular in five areas: in strengthening the area's command design through functional double-hatted headquarters; developing close air power cooperation through e.g. a Combined Joint Air Operations Centre; strengthening total defence cooperation across borders and expanding logistical infrastructure; establishing joint intelligence task forces; and joint training and exercises. The contributions of the United States and United Kingdom are indispensable when it comes to upholding the alliance's guarantee in northern Europe. The recent signing of Defense Cooperation Agreements between the US and the Nordics reinforces this—together with an increased presence of air and naval assets in the region. The same applies to the UK and the Joint Expeditionary Force which now has shifted its focus towards northern Europe. This engagement is a crucial addition to Nordic and NATO plans and activities in a period when growth in Nordic defence structures is occurring at a relatively slow pace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article discusses various aspects of plant cell exocytosis and defense mechanisms. It highlights the importance of studying exocytosis in plant cells, which is often overlooked compared to endocytosis. The article explores the regulation and spatial control of exocytosis, the role of formins and ROP guanine exchange factors in membrane dynamics, the organization of the secretory pathway for cell wall remodeling, the involvement of RHO/RAC/ROP GTPases in cell wall defense, and the secretion of small proteins in plants. The authors also mention emerging areas of research, such as the formation of exocytotic vesicles and liquid-liquid phase separation. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the complex processes involved in plant cell exocytosis and defense. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Horses respond to threats by moving away or, if that is not an option, by behaving in ways that deter the threat or move it away. These responses that help to reduce the threat are regularly labelled aggression, but this overlooks the motivation that underpins the responses which are often simply forms of defence. A catch-all term that avoids the need to interpret the motivation for defence and aggression responses is agonistic behaviour. In domestic horses, all such responses are important because they can be dangerous for both horses and personnel; they can prompt humans to defend themselves and can compromise the relationships that horses have with their carers. This study used an online questionnaire to ask owners about the management, training, and behaviour of the horses in their care. Although this questionnaire included data on horses that had not yet been trained to be ridden or had retired, this article focuses on the results of 2743 ridden horses. It reports a scale from warning signs—threatening to bite, pinning ears, tail swishing, threatening to kick or strike—to the most serious actions that include actual biting, kicking, or striking. The analysis revealed that agonistic behaviour is associated with certain management or training activities and that horses that show one form of behaviour are likely to show others in the same context. This means that some horses are particularly motivated to show these responses by certain triggers that arise in such contexts. The clusters with common characteristics were those observed in the context of: accelerating when ridden; saddling; familiar management activities; proximity to unfamiliar horses and other species. Taken together, these results highlight the prospect that the motivation to show these responses differs with context. This finding challenges the simplistic view that the problems with equine aggression and defence lie with the horses themselves rather than with historic or current management practices. Agonistic behaviours are often directed at other animals for self-defence or to increase distance from valued resources, such as food. Examples include aggression and counter-predator behaviours. Contemporary diets may boost the value of food as a resource and create unanticipated associations with the humans who deliver it. At the same time the domestic horse is asked to carry the weight of riders and perform manoeuvres that, ethologically, are out-of-context and may be associated with instances of pain, confusion, or fear. Agonistic responses can endanger personnel and conspecifics. They are traditionally grouped along with so-called vices as being undesirable and worthy of punishment; a response that can often make horses more dangerous. The current study used data from the validated online Equine Behavioural and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) to explore the agonistic behaviours (as reported by the owners) of 2734 horses. With a focus on ridden horses, the behaviours of interest in the current study ranged from biting and bite threats and kicking and kick threats to tail swishing as an accompaniment to signs of escalating irritation when horses are approached, prepared for ridden work, ridden, and hosed down (e.g., after work). Analysis of the responses according to the context in which they arise included a dendrographic analysis that identified five clusters of agonistic behaviours among certain groups of horses and a principal component analysis that revealed six components, strongly related to the five clusters. Taken together, these results highlight the prospect that the motivation to show these responses differs with context. The clusters with common characteristics were those observed in the context of: locomotion under saddle; saddling; reactions in a familiar environment, inter-specific threats, and intra-specific threats. These findings highlight the potential roles of fear and pain in such unwelcome responses and challenge the simplistic view that the problems lie with the nature of the horses themselves rather than historic or current management practices. Improved understanding of agonistic responses in horses will reduce the inclination of owners to label horses that show such context-specific responses as being generally aggressive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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All animals and plants respond to changes in the environment during their life cycle. This flexibility is known as phenotypic plasticity and allows organisms to cope with variable environments. A common source of environmental variation is predation risk, which describes the likelihood of being attacked and killed by a predator. Some species can respond to the level of predation risk by producing morphological defences against predation. A classic example is the production of so‐called 'neckteeth' in the water flea, Daphnia pulex, which defend against predation from Chaoborus midge larvae. Previous studies of this defence have focussed on changes in pedestal size and the number of spikes along a gradient of predation risk. Although these studies have provided a model for continuous phenotypic plasticity, they do not capture the whole‐organism shape response to predation risk. In contrast, studies in fish and amphibians focus on shape as a complex, multi‐faceted trait made up of different variables. In this study, we analyse how multiple aspects of shape change in D. pulex along a gradient of predation risk from Chaoborus flavicans. These changes are dominated by the neckteeth defence, but there are also changes in the size and shape of the head and the body. We detected change in specific modules of the body plan and a level of integration among modules. These results are indicative of a complex, multi‐faceted response to predation and provide insight into how predation risk drives variation in shape and size at the level of the whole organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants can improve their resistance to feeding damage by insects if they have perceived insect egg deposition prior to larval feeding. Molecular analyses of these egg-mediated defence mechanisms have until now focused on angiosperm species. It is unknown how the transcriptome of a gymnosperm species responds to insect eggs and subsequent larval feeding. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is known to improve its defences against larvae of the herbivorous sawfly Diprion pini L. if it has previously received sawfly eggs. Here, we analysed the transcriptomic and phytohormonal responses of Scots pine needles to D. pini eggs (E-pine), larval feeding (F-pine) and to both eggs and larval feeding (EF-pine). Pine showed strong transcriptomic responses to sawfly eggs and—as expected—to larval feeding. Many egg-responsive genes were also differentially expressed in response to feeding damage, and these genes play an important role in biological processes related to cell wall modification, cell death and jasmonic acid signalling. EF-pine showed fewer transcriptomic changes than F-pine, whereas EF-treated angiosperm species studied so far showed more transcriptional changes to the initial phase of larval feeding than only feeding-damaged F-angiosperms. However, as with responses of EF-angiosperms, EF-pine showed higher salicylic acid concentrations than F-pine. Based on the considerable overlap of the transcriptomes of E- and F-pine, we suggest that the weaker transcriptomic response of EF-pine than F-pine to larval feeding damage is compensated by the strong, egg-induced response, which might result in maintained pine defences against larval feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the context of the resource allocation hypothesis regarding the trade-off between growth and defence, compared with native species, invasive species generally allocate more energy to growth and less energy to defence. However, it remains unclear how global change and nutrient enrichment will influence the competition between invasive species and co-occurring native species. Here, we tested whether nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition under elevated CO2 causes invasive species (Mikania micrantha and Chromolaena odorata) to produce greater biomass, higher growth-related compounds and lower defence-related compounds than native plants (Paederia scandens and Eupatorium chinense). We grew these native and invasive species with similar morphology with the addition of N and P under elevated CO2 in open-top chambers. The addition of N alone increased the relative growth rate (RGR) by 5.4% in invasive species, and its combination with P addition or elevated CO2 significantly increased the RGR of invasive species by 7.5 or 8.1%, respectively, and to a level higher than that of native species (by 14.4%, P  < 0.01). Combined N + P addition under elevated CO2 decreased the amount of defence-related compounds in the leaf, including lipids (by 17.7%) and total structural carbohydrates (by 29.0%), whereas it increased the growth-related compounds in the leaf, including proteins (by 75.7%), minerals (by 9.6%) and total non-structural carbohydrates (by 8.5%). The increased concentrations of growth-related compounds were possibly associated with the increase in ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase content and mineral nutrition (magnesium, iron and calcium), all of which were higher in the invasive species than in the native species. These results suggest that rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and N deposition combined with nutrient enrichment will increase the growth of invasive species more than that of native species. Our result also suggests that invasive species respond more readily to produce growth-related compounds under an increased soil nutrient availability and elevated CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidoptera can cause several health issues in humans and domestic animals due to their setae, which are defensive adaptations that protect them from predators. The diversity of venomous Lepidoptera has been explored in several reviews starting from the first comprehensive attempt in 1984 by Kawamoto and Kumada (KK) who compiled a list of 228 species based on previous reviews; however, KK did not cite the original publications for listed species. In this review we validated and updated the KK table. The updated list of venomous Lepidoptera includes 5 superfamilies, 14 families, 208 genera, and 576 species, representing a two-fold increase for genera and 2.9-fold for species with respect to KK. The total number of species in the genera including at least one venomous species, which we argue is likely closer to the true number of venomous species, is 7 times higher (3,620). GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) occurrences for venomous species are 1-4 orders of magnitude higher than those of confamilial non-venomous species. The presence of venomous structures is independent of the relatedness of the clades or geographic region; venom is produced by many species of Zygaenoidea, Lasiocampoidea and Bombycoidea but only by some specialized groups in Papilionoidea and Noctuoidea. There are likely to be multiple evolutionary origins of venom within Lepidoptera, but the exact number is difficult to estimate. The knowledge gap between medical and natural history fields needs to be addressed with novel approaches to study ecology and toxicology. This review offers health practitioners a tool to better understand the origin of the reactions observed and to improve the identification of the causal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the European Union, the rights of persons deprived of their liberty in prisons are regulated by a combination of European legislation and the national laws of each Member State. Although there are efforts to harmonise legislation between EU Member States, including in the field of justice and human rights, there is still no specific institution of the 'prison lawyer' operating on the basis of common principles in all Member States. In some European countries, there are national institutions or bodies responsible for supervising the compliance with the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, but their name and structure may vary from one country to another. As regards the prospect of developing in the future an institution of "prison advocate" at EU level, based on common principles agreed by all EU Member States, this could be a long-term objective for the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a digitized society, educational activities transcend conventional spaces. Generation Z, the cohort to which today's students belong, differs substantially from previous generations. Within this framework, characterized by the lens of technology and easy access to information, digital education is considered a cornerstone in educating the human resources of the future. Building upon these premises, the objective of this endeavor is to identify the main challenges encountered in the domain of military university education. Additionally, utilizing the method of content analysis, this article aims to delineate an accurate portrayal of the current state of challenges in the field of digital education and to present future perspectives in addressing these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article re‐examines the model for large‐scale defence acquisition, aiming to establish a more adaptable framework that can effectively navigate the uncertainties of a dynamic and evolving operational environment. Drawing upon principles derived from Beer's Viable System Model (VSM), coupled with software engineering concepts from DevOps and innovation frameworks, the article proposes the development of a preliminary acquisition framework. The primary objective of this endeavour is to refine the framework, facilitating the creation of naval platforms that possess enhanced future‐proofing capabilities. Simultaneously, the aim is to minimize the time gap between significant acquisition decisions and achieving initial operating capability, all while upholding the fundamental requisites of the prevailing acquisition frameworks. Considering the extended operational lifespan of valuable assets, which can exceed two decades, there is a discernible risk that naval resources might become obsolete due to technological advancements driven by evolving adversarial threats. To counteract this potential scenario, it becomes imperative to regard naval acquisition as a continuous process, necessitating ongoing evolution and timely updates that align with the swiftly changing environmental conditions. This article asserts the significance of embracing a future‐proofing mindset. Such an approach holds the potential to curtail expenses associated with the swift and cost‐effective implementation of new capabilities as we advance into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'historic' Biden-Modi Summit (2023) yielded significant concessions and advantages for New Delhi, but did it fundamentally change the relations between the world's two largest democracies? This article examines the causes of tensions between the two countries and contends that relations between Washington and New Delhi can only be deepened if the former meets the latter's primary security and economic concerns while also reducing public criticism of its state of governance. The article argues that there is a 'new' phase in the partnership because the onus of strengthening the pace and depth of cooperation lies with Washington. It also argues that while Washington has initiated measures to woo New Delhi to its corner, the latter is unlikely to change its approach towards Russia or align itself with the US and its foreign policies. India's insistence on 'strategic autonomy' and engagement in multilateral frameworks that conflict with the US's national interests demonstrate that considerable disagreements remain between the two states. Although India and the United States have strengthened their mutual engagement, the broader issue is that ties have grown more transactional in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]