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Background: Despite significant distribution of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) by the Government of Uganda to refugees, malaria is major cause of mortality and morbidity among children under five years in refugee settlements. This highlights the persistent challenges and complexities surrounding malaria control and prevention efforts in these settings. Studies that focus on the determinants of ITN utilization among children under five years in refugee settlements in Uganda are not available. Using the 2018–2019 Uganda's Malaria Indicator Survey (UMIS) data, analysis of the individual and household factors associated with utilization of ITN among children under five in refugee settlements of Uganda was conducted. Methods: This study focused on 589 children under five staying in refugee settlements located in Uganda. The extracted variables from the UMIS included social-economic factors associated with ITN utilization. Descriptive analysis was performed to generate summarized statistics, while inferential statistics by way of bivariate analysis were performed to assess the association between the outcome and the independent variables using the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression modelling to assess the magnitude of the associations after controlling for other covariates. All analyses considered the survey sampling design and sampling weights, and are conducted in Stata version 18. Results: The odds of children sleeping under ITN were higher if their mothers had secondary and higher education (8.1 times) as well as primary education (1.5 times). The odds of children sleeping under ITN reduced by 50% if their mothers were pregnant. Interestingly, the odds of children sleeping under ITN were 70% lower if their mothers knew that 'not sleeping in nets' caused malaria. Mothers who were exposed to malaria messages had lower odds of their children sleeping under ITNs. Conclusions: The results highlight areas of intervention that can increase ITN use in refugee settlements of Uganda. Improving access to education for mothers, providing targeted health education on the importance of ITN, dispelling misconceptions about malaria transmission, facilitating the proper installation of ITNs among others, can all contribute to increased ITN utilization among children under five. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the interplay between relative sea‐level changes, the development of human settlements and land‐cover changes in the Västervik–Gamlebyviken region on the southeast coast of Sweden, an important archaeological area from the Mesolithic until recent times. The reconstruction of shore displacement was based on diatom analysis of radiocarbon‐dated sediment cores from three lake basins combined with previously published lake isolation data. The resulting curve was used to construct palaeogeographical maps for selected time windows. Land‐cover changes were inferred from pollen data from three lakes using the Landscape Reconstruction Algorithm with its two models REVEALS and LOVE. Our data suggest that people took advantage of the land gained due to an overall fall in relative sea level from ~35 to ~3 metres above sea level (m a.s.l.) over the last 10 000 years, interrupted by periods of transgression and highstands. A sea‐level regression of ~16 m occurred between 10 000 and 8500 cal a bp followed by an ~3–4‐m sea‐level rise, reaching ~22 m a.s.l. at ~7500 cal a bp, which corresponds to the maximum Littorina Sea shoreline in the area. The available archaeological findings for the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic (8950–5450 cal a bp) agree well with the shore displacement curve showing that settlements and human activities were concentrated along or above the shorelines as defined from our study. During the transgression after 8500 cal a bp, however, seasonal settlements were submerged (as shown by findings of polished stone tools and hearths buried in sand) and used again during the subsequent regression after 4600 cal a bp. The Iron Age (2450–900 cal a bp) corresponds partly to a highstand at ~11 m a.s.l. between 3600 and 2000 cal a bp and partly to a rapid regression of ~8 m between 2000 and 1500 cal a bp, and both periods coincide with known human activities along the contemporaneous shoreline. The rapid regression after 2000 cal a bp corresponds to an increase of both regional and local landscape openness and the beginning of a continuous record of crop cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African towns and cities face substantial challenges, owing largely to the pace of economic growth to date and continued migration of people from rural areas. The widely accepted push–pull theory of migration assumes that migration is a functional and inevitable outcome of spatial inequality. Economic drivers are frequently used to explain population movements in South Africa, given that the country’s biggest socio-economic challenges include high unemployment, stark inequality and persistent poverty. This study empirically investigates the theoretical perspective of the push–pull model from an economic and settlement-based standpoint. It establishes a settlement-level perspective of the relationship between economic performance and working-age population change in South Africa between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses. Fine-resolution downscaled economic and population datasets are used, applying spatial GIS-based methods and techniques, together with statistical correlation analyses, to explore and quantify the relationship. Population change in the working-age population is found to have a positive statistically significant association with economic performance at settlement level. The relationship is multifaceted, given the complexity of South Africa’s economic and development landscape, with considerable variability between different economically profiled settlement types, and different demographic groups based on age, gender, employment status and skills level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, numerous studies have attempted to capture the heterogeneity of rural areas from different perspectives. Meanwhile, rural areas have undergone various changes, primarily due to urban pressure. Rejecting a dichotomous approach, the majority of studies focus exclusively on the analysis of either rural or urban areas, attempting to demonstrate their diversity and propose a method for their delimitation. This study maps rural and urban areas in Serbia. We present an approach for rural–urban area delimitation that integrates a comprehensive, multidimensional approach based on fuzzy logic. Conducted on a settlement level, this applied approach highly recognizes different settlement types ranging from rural to urban. Based on selected variables and employing a fuzzy inference system, we extract different distinctive settlement features varying from urban (0) to rural (1). The results demonstrate the nuanced classification of settlements varying from completely rural to urban. In addition, such an approach detects settlements that have functional significance in the settlement system. Therefore, it is possible to identify different forms of rural and urban areas (from the rural periphery to metropolitan areas). This method offers a framework that could be used in urban and spatial research and planning and defining rural/urban development strategies and policies. This study provides valuable insights into prioritized areas for planning strategies and support toward mitigating village loss and improving urban and rural sustainability. Our findings can contribute to future functional settlement zoning in Serbia, or the monitoring of planning decisions on different territorial levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mountain communities of late-first millennium bc Italy have been regarded as non-urban societies that reverted to city life mainly owing to Roman intervention. A growing body of archaeological evidence is uncovering the diversity of settlement forms and dynamics in the region's pre-Roman past, which included sites encompassing a range of functions and social agents. This article presents an in-depth, microscale analysis of one such site, Monte Vairano in Samnium, drawing on perspectives from comparative urbanism. Monte Vairano developed urban characteristics such as a complex socioeconomic profile and political cohesion, as well as potentially more unique features such as an apparently balanced distribution of wealth. These results can shed further light on the diversity of ancient urbanization and its sociopolitical implications in late-first millennium bc Italy and the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research in the later Bronze Age of the southern Carpathian Basin has revealed an extensive network of large, often-enclosed settlements. Within this network, a particularly dense group of sites has recently been characterized: the Tisza Site Group (TSG). Building on advances in inter-site relations in recent research, we explore social organization within settlements using five case studies from different parts of this network. Using a multi-proxy approach of satellite imagery, systematic surface survey, and geophysical prospection, we studied the distribution of archaeological features and surface traces of activity within the enclosed space. Results indicate that sites in the TSG shared a common ethos regarding the use of space and the role of the built environment that was specific to LBA occupation of this landscape. Activity areas with domestic assemblages distributed in low-density relative to the enclosed space indicates settlement and specialist subsistence activities took place in parallel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France, the Reactor Buildings (RB) of Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) are built on thick raft foundations, which are equipped with monitoring devices such as extensometers, levelling pots and topographic markers. These devices have been operational since the beginning of the construction and are still used today. In the literature, references to raft monitoring are quite rare. Most of the time, the authors focus on raft settlement or subgrade soil reactions. The mechanical response of the raft slab itself is rarely discussed. Monitoring of EDF NPP offers an opportunity to observe the raft behaviour throughout the building's lifespan, using curvature, deflections, and settlements. The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first aim is to compare the original design of the raft with observations from the monitoring of a selection of RBs on soft soils. The quality of the measurements allows for comparison with bending moments acting on the raft during normal operation and 10-year structural integrity tests. The second goal is to better understand the actual behaviour of such structures and to provide guidance for optimising the design of future NPPs that may be possibly on soft soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is dedicated to the study of trade relations in the late Volga Bolgaria and the Bolgar region of the Golden Horde in the XII–XIV centuries. The basis for this study was a collection of fragments of metal mirrors found on the settlements, located in the floodplain of the Kama River and its tributaries. These are the settlements on Semenovsky Island, settlements – Komintern III, Laishevo, Murzikha. All these finds are from the collapsed cultural layer, as these archaeological sites were destroyed by the Kuibyshev reservoir from the middle of the XX century and now they do not exist. A total of 17 pieces of fragments of metal mirrors of XII–XIV centuries from the Museum of Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences were investigated. The largest number of these artifacts are 6–7 cm in diameter and undecorated. This group of mirrors also includes items with geometric images. These mirrors are associated with nomads. Mirrors with complex compositions, for example, running wild animals, as well as copies of Chinese mirrors with dragons and wise men, are rare. Mirrors were brought from Bolgar, where some of them were made. But some of the items, especially those of nomadic traditions, were made locally – at settlements in the floodplain. Not only whole mirrors were brought, but also fragments – for jewelry craftsmen who used them to add to alloys. It should be noted that the composition of mirrors at each of the considered settlements was different.

This article analyses the ethno-geographical problems of the reformed system of administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. The authors consider the alignment of newly created administrative units (rayons, territorial communities) and areas of compact settlement of ethnic minorities as a favourable prerequisite for the organisation of local self-government and the establishment of balanced and mutually beneficial ethno-political relations in the state. The analysis of the ethno-geographical parameters of ethnic minorities and the configuration of the newly created administrative-territorial units revealed that the population of ethnic minorities in Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi and Odesa oblasts was given the opportunity to organise territorial communities in which they constitute the majority. At the same time, studies have shown that it was not easy to implement this approach in the newly created administrative districts, given the officially defined criteria, the politicisation of the issue and the relatively high degree of mosaic settlement of ethnic groups. Therefore, the ethno-geographical factor was only partially taken into account in the formation of new administrative districts and the selection of district centres.

Sites of peaceful nuclear explosions pose a potential radiation hazard to the territories of the Russian Federation, primarily due to the possible release of radioactivity from the explosion cavity into aquifers and onto the earth's surface. Therefore, it is essential to conduct regular monitoring of anthropogenic radionuclides in drinking water sources in settlements located near the sites of peaceful nuclear explosions. Tritium serves as an indicator of the potential release of other anthropogenic radionuclides. Monitoring its levels in water bodies in regions where peaceful nuclear explosions were perfomed, and comparing this data with that from Roshydromet across the Russian Federation, allows for an assessment of the reliability of the engineering barriers between the central explosion zone and the environment with respect to preventing radionuclide migration into aquifers. One method for evaluating the reliability of these barriers is the assessment of tritium specific activity in drinking water sources. This article presents results of the study involving 220 water samples collected from drinking water sources (wells, boreholes, springs, central water supply systems) and surface waters within 167 settlements across 17 subjects of the Russian Federation, where 50 peaceful nuclear explosions were conducted between 1965 and 1988. The samples were collected between May and September 2024 in the settlements within a 30 km radius of a peaceful nuclear explosion site. Measurements of tritium specific activity were performed using the Quantulus 1220-003 alpha-beta spectrometric radiometer. The research revealed that the specific activity of tritium in underground water sources is significantly lower (Student's test p

Land conversion is the change of the original land function into another function. The conversion of laham affects the socio-economic conditions of farmers, especially in Setia Mulya Village. Socioeconomic conditions are a person's position in a community group that is determined by the type of economic activity, education, and income. The conversion of agricultural land can have an impact on the social and economic conditions of farmers. What is observed in this study is social conditions, economic conditions and their impact on farmers. The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in the socio-economic conditions of farmers due to land conversion and their impact on farmers' lives. The method used was a qualitative method with data sources obtained from observations, interviews, and documentation with farmers as respondents totaling 15 farmers, with sampling techniques using snowball sampling techniques. The results of the study showed changes in the socio-economic conditions of farmers due to land conversion that occurred in Setia Mulya Village. Changes in socio-economic conditions related to the age of farmers, changes in social status, changes in farmers' income, and farmers' household consumption. Farmers in Setia Mulya Village are cultivators so they have to pay rent to the landowner so that farming activities can continue. Although the area of agricultural land in Setia Mulya Village is very large, the high rental prices and the difficulty of irrigation flows make farmers have to look for decent agricultural land that can be used properly.

The article analyzes the main changes in the Russian currency market in the context of modern realities — unprecedented geopolitical pressure, changes in the financial, currency and payment landscape under the influence of sanctions. The purpose of the article is to study the directions of ruble settlements, financial integration and trade in currencies of friendly countries in response to structural changes in the Russian currency market. A significant decrease in the share of the dollar in international payments, reserves and transactions in the foreign exchange market is noted. Much attention is paid to the current trends of dedollarization and diversification of financial markets, which the exchange infrastructure has developed under the influence of difficult external conditions. The authors conducted a study to answer the debatable question of whether the rise in popularity of national currencies was natural or accidental. They support their conclusions with historical statistical data on transactions in the foreign exchange market.

This article makes three contributions to the study of the root causes of the First Lebanon war: 1) It argues that Israeli policies and actions during Begin's governments (1977–1983) in the Occupied Territories and Lebanon should be analyzed together and interwoven into a single dialectical narrative; 2) It contends that the decision to lead Israel into a full-scale war in Lebanon was linked to Israel's ambitions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, including Jewish settler agendas and their advocacy of a large-scale war in Lebanon; 3) It maintains that the deception narrative which has dominated Israeli scholarship regarding this war should be adjusted and analyzed in light of the fact that the war plans and preparations had been reported accurately and in detail by both the international and Israeli press since August 1981.* [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents two case studies dealing with undesirable impacts of overburden drilling of casings for end-bearing piles to bedrock. Monitored pore-water pressures and ground settlements are used to document and assess the influence from rotary percussive drilling with "down-the-hole" (DTH) hammers. The studies show that drilling with high-pressure air-driven DTH hammers may cause considerable erosion and soil volume loss adjacent to the drill bit and along the casing, resulting in settlements of the surrounding ground. The risk of soil volume loss increases when the drilling is carried out in erodible soils such as silt and fine sands. The volume loss is found to be caused by a combined air-lift pump effect and a Venturi suction effect. Monitoring pore pressures in the vicinity of the drilling may be used to reduce soil volume loss and prevent damaging settlements. Results from drilling with water-driven DTH hammer showed significantly less ground settlements and influence on pore pressures compared to using an air-driven hammer. The study suggests that the drilling parameters flow rate and penetration rate, and the cross-sectional area of the pile casing can be combined in a non-dimensional methodology to assess the mass balance of drill cuttings when drilling with water flushing. A design framework is suggested to guide overburden drilling in urban settings to reduce potential impact on the surroundings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the ethno-geographical problems of the reformed system of administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. The authors consider the alignment of newly created administrative units (rayons, territorial communities) and areas of compact settlement of ethnic minorities as a favourable prerequisite for the organisation of local self-government and the establishment of balanced and mutually beneficial ethno-political relations in the state. The analysis of the ethno-geographical parameters of ethnic minorities and the configuration of the newly created administrative-territorial units revealed that the population of ethnic minorities in Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi and Odesa oblasts was given the opportunity to organise territorial communities in which they constitute the majority. At the same time, studies have shown that it was not easy to implement this approach in the newly created administrative districts, given the officially defined criteria, the politicisation of the issue and the relatively high degree of mosaic settlement of ethnic groups. Therefore, the ethno-geographical factor was only partially taken into account in the formation of new administrative districts and the selection of district centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an analysis of the results and causes of increased settlements of cement plant structures and the negative impact of leveling embankments, atmospheric precipitation and surface water on settlements of structures. Many design firms for the design of civil, industrial and infrastructure construction projects, often ignoring the requirements of the relevant building codes and regulations, design buildings and structures only based on the bearing capacity of soils and the deformation characteristics of the soils of the foundation of buildings and structures are not taken into account. In some cases, when designing buildings and structures, even for two limit states, the weight of the embankment is not taken into account, which will lead to additional compression of the underlying soils. In addition, when designing foundations and bases of a structure, the physical and mechanical properties are not taken into account, including the composition of the soils of the planning embankment, which often create additional negative impacts on the reliability of the structure during the operation of construction projects. One example of the noted processes is the experience of designing and constructing a cement plant in the administrative territory of the Gazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many research methodologies aim to calculate forest resource and firewood consumption on the village, community, municipality, regional, and national levels. This parameter is vital for decision-makers in a number of areas, such as environmental protection, forest governance, energy, the economy, and disaster risk management and prevention. As a number of studies show, there is no alternative to heating with firewood in Georgian villages. This model uses a dataset for Georgia to facilitate the calculation of the aforementioned parameter for populated areas via PostGIS spatial analysis and statistical analysis of existing data. Elevations, degree-days, and firewood consumption rates were measured per capita and household for populated areas. The model determines the volume of firewood required for heating in rural settlements. The demand for firewood in each village can be calculated by the number of inhabitants. Settlements represent minor administrative units according to which firewood consumption on any administrative level, whether it be on regional or municipal levels, is defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The São Paulo Metro is expanding its network in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area inhabited by 21 million people. Metro Line 6 connects the north of the city to the existing metro network further South. The construction of Line 6 currently represents the largest infrastructure project in Latin America, combining the excavation of tunnel boring machine (TBM) and conventional tunnels, cut‐and‐cover stations and a number of deep emergency exit shafts. This paper presents the main features of the TBM tunnel excavated in the South stretch through the Tertiary soils of the São Paulo Basin and through the challenging Embu Complex, which consists of a mixture of fractured rock, saprolite and residual soils. The alignment runs under the dense urban grid of São Paulo under high‐rise buildings and other infrastructure, such as existing Metro lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, both process data management and numerical analysis are necessary for decision‐making in a tunnel project from its early design stage to the construction phase. Traditional generation of simulation models largely depends on tunnel design and reports, which are error prone due to the involvement of manual intervention. This article presents the application of a digital workflow to efficiently transfer automatically acquired data from tunnel projects to computational simulations. The application workflow is developed and executed through a web‐based environment. Project data from the Victory Boogie Woogie tunnel is retrieved from the process controlling software PROCON via web services to generate numerical simulations for settlement predictions at different tunnel sections. The simulated results are validated using real measured settlements in the project to prove the quality of the simulation model. Different scenarios of applying operational steering parameters are then investigated, utilising the simulation model, which can be used to support the on‐site engineers as an assistance system to drive the tunnel boring machines. The work has been carried out within the framework of the transfer project T2 of the Collaborative Research Center "Interaction Modeling in Mechanized Tunneling" (SFB 837), which aims to implement and test a digital twin for process control under practical conditions in the tunnelling industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The development of Zambia has brought increased large-scale infrastructure construction that has necessitated the need for improved foundation techniques that are both economical and adequate in capacity. Clay and soft soils with low bearing capacities and high compressibility could render structural foundations to perform poorly and shorten the design life of the bridges and structures. This study used a bridge case study in Northern Province, Zambia to investigate the use of geosynthetic encased columns (GECs) to support the bridge embankments to reduce differential settlements. End bearing fully encased columns were compared to floating columns of varying lengths by numerical modelling in PLAXIS 3D. The Hardening Soil and Mohr–Coulomb soil models were used for the column surrounding soil and the GECs in the finite element analysis. The results showed that the end bearing columns had the least differential settlements at the soil surface, whilst the reduction in floating column length increased the punching settlements. Moreover, the shear stress along the interface of the GECs and surrounding soil varied from 20 kN/m2 to 142 kN/m2, where the end bearing GEC had the least shear stress.

Abstract Climate change (CC) will likely significantly impact the world’s infrastructure significantly. Rising temperatures, increased precipitation, and rising sea levels are all likely to stress critical infrastructures (CI). Rising temperatures can lead to infrastructure damage from extreme heat events. This can cause roads and bridges to buckle or crack, leading to costly repairs and potential traffic disruptions. In addition, heat waves can damage vital electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages. In light of this context, this article reports on a study which examined the connections and impacts of CC on infrastructure. The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining bibliometric analysis for the period 1997–2022 with a series of relevant case studies from the five continents to offer insight into the impact of CC on infrastructure. The article fills a research gap in respect of assessments of the extent to which climate change (CC) negative influences the infrastructure, with a special focus on developing countries. It also showcases CI projects and adaptation measures being currently deployed, to address CC. The results show that the current infrastructure is vulnerable to CC. The selected case studies on CI adaptation show that in developing and industrialised countries, there is a perceived need to understand better the connections and potential impacts of CC on critical areas such as transport, settlements, and coastal infrastructure. In order to protect infrastructure from CC impacts, governments need to invest in measures such as flood control, early warning systems, and improved building codes. Additionally, they need to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more actively, which are the primary cause of CC.

AbstractThe establishment of the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) was authorized in the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, and it mandated a federal database to collect information related to adverse actions initially against just physicians and dentists throughout the United States, including payments from malpractice lawsuits, restrictions on clinical privileges by hospitals, and medical licensure limitations and revocations by state licensing boards. The aggregate data reports made by this federal data bank began in 1991. The reporting level for the first ten years remained relatively stable in the nationwide range of 16,000 to 18,000 reports per year, but then a steady decline occurred over the second and third decades to under 8,000 reports per year by the year 2021. The researchers in this study explored a theory that might explain at least part of the drop in the states’ reporting levels. That is, states that could be called “Plaintiff-Favorable” (Arizona, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington) would demonstrate a lesser rate of decline or even an increase in the reporting levels, and states that could be characterized as “Defendant-Favorable” (California, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Texas) would demonstrate a comparatively greater rate of decline in the reporting levels. The decline in reporting to the NPDB proved fairly consistent for both Plaintiff-Favorable and Defendant-Favorable states. The larger question as to why there occurred an overall negative trend in reporting to the NPDB across the United States during the second and third decades remains an intriguing area for future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the sociodemographic profile and assess the levels of anxiety and fear, work engagement, and psychological distress on a sample of migrants living in settlements in the province of Huelva (Spain) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 623 migrants during the months of April to June 2021, based on the Anxiety and Fear of COVID-19 (AMICO) assessment scale, the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale to assess work engagement, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to analyse psychological distress. Results: A low level of education, dwelling of less than 3m2 and the desire to return to the country of origin may be related to the presence of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 and lower levels of work engagement. Conclusion: There is a need to improve the study of the concept of health of the migrant population residing in the settlements of Huelva (Spain) and the assessment of their physical and mental health, in an official way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the distribution and size structure of settlements along the primary river courses of Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering both hypsometry and socioeconomic dimensions of space, which contribute to demographic transformations. Using GIS tools, an analysis was conducted on the number of settlements according to hypsometric levels in the river basins of the Black and Adriatic Seas, alongside demographic changes during the latest intercensal period. Spatial analysis methods in GIS enabled the identification of population changes, settlement sizes, and spatial distribution patterns. Analysis of buffer zones within 5 km of river streams reveals a predominant spatial clustering of settlements along these waterways, while a fragmentation of settlement networks is observed farther away from the main streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Play is a timeless activity. Toys are an indispensable source for the study of childhood in the past, but only those made of more durable materials have survived. Reconstructing play in the Late ronze Age is a complex process – from studying objects in child graves to documenting traces of play in numerous excavated settlements. The paper tries to present traces of children’s play during the Late Bronze Age in the southern Carpathian Basin on the basis of collected material evidence and interpretations of closed contexts and chance finds. The studied contexts and finds date from the 14th to the end of the 9th century C and come from excavated cemeteries and settlements in continental Croatia, eastern Slovenia, and northwestern Serbia. The task seemed easy, given the amount of excavated and collected material, but it was quite challenging due to the ambiguous interpretations of objects that have been presented as toys in the literature. Material traces have been interpreted through the prism of childhood and child’s play during the Late Bronze Age in the southern Carpathian Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study discusses the assults of the Hilltop Youth gangs on Palestinians in the hills and mountains of the West Bank, using Khirbet Hassan in Biddya as a case study. The study will introduce the area, the Hilltop Youth gangs, their origins, goals, supporters, and their clashes with landowners. The study highlights the methods used by these gangs to uproot landowners from their lands in Khirbet Hassan. It also discusses the personal tactics and strategies used by farmers and landowners to defend against and monitor attacks by these armed gangs on them and their lands. Objectives: The study aims to highlight the role of the Zionist Hilltop Youth gangs in establishing settlement outposts in the hills and mountain tops of the West Bank, and their attacks on Palestinian lands, taking the lands of Khirbet Hassan in Biddya as a model. Methodology: The study utilized a combination of historical oral documentation, analytical methods, and qualitative approaches to demonstrate the daily suffering experienced by the agricultural landowners in Khirbet Hassan. Results: The study showed the brutality of these gangs, supported by the Israeli occupation, in bulldozing Palestinian farmers' lands, uprooting their planted trees, vandalizing retaining walls, and preventing them from accessing their lands. Conclusion: The study concluded that it is necessary for the farmers in Khirbet Hassan to cooperate and be present on their lands in groups to be able to defend the attacks of these gangs. It also concluded that it is essential for the Palestinian authority to support these landowners legally and financially and to raise their awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to disclose the content of agrarian receipts and the mechanism for their application in the settlement system of Ukrainian agricultural producers as an alternative way to attract resources for doing business under martial law in Ukraine, as well as to make proposals for their accounting in order to avoid business risks. The state of lending to agricultural producers during martial law is analyzed and the importance of lending against agrarian receipts is substantiated. The experience of Brazil in the process of lending for the future harvest was assessed. The history of the introduction of agrarian receipts in Ukraine is characterized on the basis of borrowing the idea of Brazil. The essence of agrarian receipts is revealed and the legal framework for their circulation in Ukraine is investigated. The difference between agrarian receipts and other financial instruments (bill, forward contract, pledge) is determined. The problematic aspects of the introduction of agrarian receipts into circulation, which hinder the effectiveness of the use of this tool by agricultural enterprises in the process of attracting financial resources, are systematized. The business models of relationships between counterparties in the process of circulation of agrarian receipts are characterized. Theoretical and practical aspects of accounting for agrarian receipts have been studied and problematic aspects in the methodology for reflecting settlements by agrarian receipts in the system of accounting accounts have been identified. Organizational, methodological and practical recommendations are proposed aimed at improving the procedure for recording transactions with commodity agrarian receipts in the accounting system as an innovative way of financing agricultural producers at the domestic and international levels. This will make it possible to quickly collect data on the circulation of agrarian receipts and improve information support in making managerial decisions by various groups of Ukrainian and foreign stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Archéologique de Picardie is the property of Revue Archeologique de Picardie 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.)

Copyright of Revue Archéologique de Picardie is the property of Revue Archeologique de Picardie 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.)

Copyright of Omran for Social Sciences is the property of Arab Center for Research & Policy 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.)

The land cover change will be impacted by population growth and its activities. This research aims to predict land cover change in the Batangan sub-district from 2013 to 2033. The method used is quantitative, based on satellite image data, followed by cellular automata modeling using the MOLUSCE plugin on QGIS software. The land cover themes used are open areas, built-up areas, forests, water bodies, agriculture and livestock, and transportation. Spatial variables that are considered to influence the prediction results are road networks, built-up areas, agricultural land, and water bodies. The predicted land area that can be used for settlements in 2033 is 272.81 hectares, while the land required for settlements based on population projections with additional labor due to the existence of industrial allotment areas is 840.74 hectares. This results in a shortage of land for the development of residential areas of 567.93 hectares, which should be a concern for the local government in making policies for residential areas in the Batangan subdistrict. The implications of this land cover change also need to be considered in the environmental and social contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change (CC) will likely significantly impact the world's infrastructure significantly. Rising temperatures, increased precipitation, and rising sea levels are all likely to stress critical infrastructures (CI). Rising temperatures can lead to infrastructure damage from extreme heat events. This can cause roads and bridges to buckle or crack, leading to costly repairs and potential traffic disruptions. In addition, heat waves can damage vital electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages. In light of this context, this article reports on a study which examined the connections and impacts of CC on infrastructure. The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining bibliometric analysis for the period 1997–2022 with a series of relevant case studies from the five continents to offer insight into the impact of CC on infrastructure. The article fills a research gap in respect of assessments of the extent to which climate change (CC) negative influences the infrastructure, with a special focus on developing countries. It also showcases CI projects and adaptation measures being currently deployed, to address CC. The results show that the current infrastructure is vulnerable to CC. The selected case studies on CI adaptation show that in developing and industrialised countries, there is a perceived need to understand better the connections and potential impacts of CC on critical areas such as transport, settlements, and coastal infrastructure. In order to protect infrastructure from CC impacts, governments need to invest in measures such as flood control, early warning systems, and improved building codes. Additionally, they need to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more actively, which are the primary cause of CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Custodians and asset servicers continue to face headwinds from a tough macro environment and changing regulatory landscape, while being at the cusp of seismic technology changes. This includes artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLM) and digital ledger technology (DLT) that are delivering ground-breaking insights from vast data sources and enabling digitisation of assets that can redefine value chains. The securities services industry is constantly challenged to get the right balance between providing robust and efficient core services and innovative solutions for the future. So, amid the deluge, where should these institutions focus attention to service evolving client needs and sharpen their competitive differentiation? Should companies prioritise new value creation in core services by continuing to focus on data quality, efficiency, risk reduction and resilience initiatives using latest technologies such as AI and machine learning (ML)? Or should they focus more on augmenting the client experience with newer datadriven services and insights? Is a data-sharing and collaboration-driven platform and ecosystembased approach going to drive the future? This paper touches on some of the considerations and strategies that custodians are focusing on today to achieve client-oriented differentiation in custody and asset servicing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient trade routes significantly influenced political structures, cultural exchanges, economic development, and landscape transformations across diverse regions. The Ancient Tea Horse Road, a prominent historical commercial pathway in China, is crucial for ecosystem and cultural heritage conservations. This study uses content and comparative analysis, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and spatial analysis to examine the spatiotemporal relationships between 13,026 settlement points identified via Google Earth and 445 recorded settlement names within the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The findings indicate that the Ancient Tea Horse Road evolved from a simple linear form to a complex radial network, reflecting its growth from local to broad regional connectivity. Settlements related to administrative, postal, and commercial functions emerged in its vicinity, underscoring the route's impact on social structures and economic activities. The development of settlements, mainly within a 10 km radius of the route, was closely linked to its expansion, alteration, and decline, offering insights into contemporary settlement distribution patterns. This research not only enhances the understanding of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and its surrounding settlements but also supports the protection of ancient trade routes and their cultural heritage. It contributes to sustainable development by integrating ecological preservation with the safeguarding of ancient trade routes and their cultural legacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to elucidate the demographic consequences of the military campaigns led by the Wallachian voivode Mihai Viteazul south of the Danube River, as well as the possible events that took place during the First Tarnovo Uprising of 1598. The main sources used for comparison are the timar register of the Nikopol sanjak from 1579 and the two cizye registers from 1599-1602, which detail the non-Muslim taxpayers in the Nikopol and Tarnovo vilayets. The research method involves comparing data from different years across two or more registers, a preferred approach in previous ethno-demographic studies. This comparison allows for the calculation of population numbers and changes over time. The records clearly indicate significant demographic shocks in the regions of Oryahovo, Nikopol, and Pleven, with many villages and towns that flourished in 1579 becoming severely depopulated. The author attributes these changes to the devastation and population displacement caused by Mihai Viteazul's 1598 campaign. According to the cizye register of the Tarnovo vilayet, drawn up shortly after the events of 1598, the total number of non-Muslim households in the Tarnovo region slightly increased in 1599-1600 compared to the 1579 timar register. This finding supports the notion that the First Tarnovo Uprising was not widespread and did not cause significant demographic upheavals, which would be expected in the case of a major uprising and subsequent Ottoman reprisals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rescue archaeology in urban contexts often opens small windows on ancient settlements that need to be combined to better perceive the history of these settlements. This article suggests that the same combinatory approach should be employed with survey data. Indeed, archaeological surveys can split single ancient settlements into multiple archaeological sites due to visibility changes. It implies that the perception we have of legacy datasets must change: errors in location data might occur in older, and especially pre-GPS, survey datasets, but the fact that more recent projects have not been able to find sites on the exact same spots might also be related to changes in visibility windows. Using a case study from central Crete, Greece, where two survey projects were conducted in the same area, this article suggests that the variability in location data of sites recorded during survey projects can provide new insights into settlement patterns and dynamics. Notably, evidence of grouped settlements is found, including for periods such as Late Minoan II and Late Minoan III C, previously known for a strong decrease in large settlements’ occupation.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of informal settlements in Tunja, Colombia, from 2010 to 2022. It examines the historical, social, and economic factors that contribute to these settlements, using various data sources, including development and territorial planning plans, the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute, and local government records. The study highlights significant inequalities in access to public services between urban and rural areas, exacerbated by environmental hazards from nearby mines, landfills, and sewage treatment plants. The research employs a descriptive and explanatory approach, detailing the historical context and theoretical frameworks related to agglomeration economics, territorial inequality, and urbanization processes. A historical-deductive method ensures logical consistency in the analysis of data from 2010 to 2022. The study also utilizes georeferencing techniques to present spatial data on service coverage and demographic characteristics, differentiating urban and rural disparities. Findings show that informal settlements in Tunja are predominantly located on the periphery of the city, with significant disparities in service coverage. While urban areas have over 90% coverage of basic services, rural areas lack adequate infrastructure, particularly sewage, gas, and internet services. The study identifies specific settlements, such as Runta and Pirgua, details their access to services and highlights environmental and structural issues.

The purpose of the study was to disclose the content of agrarian receipts and the mechanism for their application in the settlement system of Ukrainian agricultural producers as an alternative way to attract resources for doing business under martial law in Ukraine, as well as to make proposals for their accounting in order to avoid business risks. The state of lending to agricultural producers during martial law is analyzed and the importance of lending against agrarian receipts is substantiated. The experience of Brazil in the process of lending for the future harvest was assessed. The history of the introduction of agrarian receipts in Ukraine is characterized on the basis of borrowing the idea of Brazil. The essence of agrarian receipts is revealed and the legal framework for their circulation in Ukraine is investigated. The difference between agrarian receipts and other financial instruments (bill, forward contract, pledge) is determined. The problematic aspects of the introduction of agrarian receipts into circulation, which hinder the effectiveness of the use of this tool by agricultural enterprises in the process of attracting financial resources, are systematized. The business models of relationships between counterparties in the process of circulation of agrarian receipts are characterized. Theoretical and practical aspects of accounting for agrarian receipts have been studied and problematic aspects in the methodology for reflecting settlements by agrarian receipts in the system of accounting accounts have been identified. Organizational, methodological and practical recommendations are proposed aimed at improving the procedure for recording transactions with commodity agrarian receipts in the accounting system as an innovative way of financing agricultural producers at the domestic and international levels. This will make it possible to quickly collect data on the circulation of agrarian receipts and improve information support in making managerial decisions by various groups of Ukrainian and foreign stakeholders.

This report is dedicated to the regional development in Silistra district. The exhibition focuses on the condition of the population and settlements in the area. A group of problems in the area of development of the region is presented, with an emphasis on regional economic development. The adopted approach gives us a reason to present the regional potential of the Silistra region as a regional space with its strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of the exhibition is to present the trends related to the regional development of the region by its demographic potential. Also implementation of targeted programs and projects to improve the socio-economic development of the district. The regional development of the Silistren region is important for the formation of common policies and the imposition of principles and positive policies to help mitigate differences.