Face Of Threats Research Articles

The Union State in the Conditions of Digital Transformation

In the context of the regionalisation, deglobalisation and exacerbation of systemic contradictions in the world economic system, the revision of existing economic ties between states, the protection of national interests in the context of geoeconomics and geopolitical confrontation are becoming especially relevant. Recent events related to the sanctions policy aimed at Belarus and Russia have shown the need to deepen integration processes within existing associations. The purpose of this study is to identify promising areas for the development of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in the face of challenges and threats generated by the digital transformation of the economy. The study significantly contributes to the world-system analysis as enabling tools to determine trends and prospects for cooperation between Belarus and Russia within the framework of the Union State in the digital economy. The set of general philosophical and general scientific methods are supplemented by comparative, formal and legal modeling methods. The author formulated the list of challenges and threats formed by the digital transformation of the economy. The recommendations aimed at minimizing them are developed, namely, measures for ensuring state control over the information and communication infrastructure. Moreover, the proposal on the need to develop and adopt a model law of the Union State “On the basics of regulating the digital economy” is scientifically substantiated.

Integrating revised DPSIR and ecological security patterns to assess the health of alpine grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Alpine grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) provide critical services but face threats from human activity and climate change. Ensuring ecosystem health is vital for sustainability and preserving ecosystem services and processes, especially in delicate ecosystems such as the Gannan alpine grasslands. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive model that integrates ecosystem structure, function, processes, and socioeconomic factors. This study proposes a comprehensive ecosystem health assessment approach that combines the revised driver–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) framework with ecological security patterns (ESPs), overcoming the limitations of previous models that focused primarily on ecosystem structure without sufficiently addressing dynamic ecosystem processes. This method aims to diagnose the health of the Gannan alpine grasslands on the QTP from 2000 to 2020. We found that in the context of global climate change, the ecological health was maintained at a relatively high level (covering 75.41 % of the area) in most areas of Gannan, whereas lower levels (12.09 %), were found in the northern areas of Gannan and southwestern areas of Maqu likely resulting from higher livestock density, increased population density, and weaker landscape connectivity. The results of the driver analysis showed that livestock inventory (with an influence Q-value of 0.70) significantly affected the health of the Gannan alpine grassland ecosystem, suggesting that sustainable livestock management is essential for maintaining ecological corridor connectivity, protecting core zones and promoting regional sustainability.

Policy Formulation of Integrated Defense Area Concept to Face Threats as Knowledge

This study discusses the formulation of the concept of an integrated defense area to deal with threats through the establishment of regional offices of the Ministry of Defense in the regions. The research methods used include a descriptive approach, qualitative analysis, and a normative approach to identify problems, analyze obstacles, and formulate policy recommendations. The results of the study indicate that the existence of regional offices of the Ministry of Defense in the regions is not optimal and there are still many obstacles faced, such as coordination between the central and regional governments that needs to be strengthened. The conclusion of this study underlines the need to improve coordination and capacity of regional offices of the Ministry of Defense in the regions to support a more effective national defense policy.

A High-Concurrency Tasks Emergency Offloading Framework for Industrial Edge Networks

In the envisioned scenario of smart factories, large-scale distributed intelligent industrial devices generate a substantial number of concurrent heterogeneous industrial tasks. A single device is inadequate to meet the demanding requirements of complex tasks, which necessitate high computational capabilities and low latency in the system. Typically, multi-access edge computing (MEC) is employed to address this challenge. However, industrial edge networks face threats such as network attacks, natural disasters, and hardware failures, posing security risks to the industrial edge network. Therefore, we have designed an emergency offloading framework to enhance its resilience. Based on a task path analysis method with multiple priority levels, we developed an emergency task scheduling pre-classification (ETSPC) algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the delay of emergency offloading for high-concurrency tasks, with a maximum reduction of up to 19.2%. In extreme scenarios, the task completion rate of the ETSPC algorithm increases by 45.3% compared to the control algorithm.

A fuzzy-based frame transformation to mitigate the impact of adversarial attacks in deep learning-based real-time video surveillance systems

Deep learning (DL) techniques have become integral to smart city projects, including video surveillance systems (VSS). These advanced technologies offer significant benefits, such as enhanced accuracy and efficiency in monitoring and managing urban environments. However, despite their advantages, these systems are not without vulnerabilities. One of the most pressing challenges is their susceptibility to adversarial attacks, which can lead to critical misclassifications during inference. To address these challenges, our research focuses on developing a more robust smart city VSS. Our research unfolds across two pivotal initiatives. In our initial exploration, we introduce a pioneering framework that extends the reach of adversarial attacks to real-time VSS. A practical manifestation involved implementing a real-time face mask surveillance system based on Multi-Task Cascaded Convolutional Networks (MTCNN) for face detection and MobileNet-v2 for face mask classification, subjecting it to the Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM) adversarial attack in real-time. In our subsequent endeavor, we propose a sophisticated defense mechanism deploying Fuzzy Image Transformation as a pre-processing unit (FITP). This strategic defense fortification significantly reinforces our real-time VSS against adversarial intrusions. Experimental findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed adversarial attack framework in real-time, resulting in a marked reduction in the model's performance from a precision (P) of 93 %, recall (R) of 93 %, F1 score (F) of 93 %, and accuracy (A) of 93–22 %, 21 %, 22 %, and 22 %, respectively. However, the post-implementation efficacy of our defense mechanism is striking, enhancing the model's average performance to a noteworthy improvement, with P, R, F, and A ascending to 91 %, 90 %, 91 %, and 91 %. This research illuminates the vulnerabilities intrinsic to VSS in the face of adversarial threats, underscoring the critical need for heightened awareness and the development of robust defense mechanisms before real-world deployment.

Monitoring mangroves with multi-sensor Earth Observation data sets: from one-shot historical cartography to online and near-real-time monitoring tools

Abstract. This study outlines advancements in mangrove monitoring using Earth Observation (EO) technologies, highlighting a transition from historical cartography to modern, near-real-time monitoring systems. Mangroves, critical for biodiversity, climate regulation, and coastal protection, face threats from climate change and human activities. The need for accurate and recurrent mapping tools is emphasized, addressing the limitations of current global datasets like the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) by incorporating high-resolution data and field measurements. The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) has pioneered mangrove monitoring since the 1990s, with key methodologies including the use of Sentinel-2 and Pleiades satellite imagery for high-resolution mapping, texture-based analysis, and the incorporation of LiDAR data for accurate biomass estimation. Historical cartography is contrasted with contemporary monitoring efforts, focusing on the integration of multi-source data and the importance of localized ground-truthing. This approach enhances the capabilities of earth observation for carbon stock assessments and supports informed decision-making in conservation and climate policy. The work also highlights the need for further integration of local knowledge and advanced EO sensor data to refine carbon sequestration models and improve mangrove management strategies.

Signaling the Capability of New Counterterrorism Technologies in the Face of a Strategic Threat

ABSTRACTWhen implementing new security technologies (e.g., cargo scanners at ports), security and defense agencies face important decisions regarding the disclosure of related information to the public. Public disclosure of these technologies can grant adversarial organizations access to critical security‐related information, enabling them to potentially develop or adjust their attack strategies to circumvent defense systems. Alternatively, withholding information about newly deployed technologies can create uncertainties for adversaries regarding the effectiveness of defense systems. In this work, we study defensive information disclosure related to the deployment of new security technology, focusing on the level of technical information released by the defender and how this affects the adversary's (i) belief about the technology's capability (in detecting or otherwise thwarting an attack) and (ii) attack plan. Specifically, we introduce a novel signaling model in which the defender has private information about the (level of) capability of her technology, and decides on the level of related technical detail to be disclosed. The attacker, upon receiving the defender's signal, updates his belief about the capability of the technology and subsequently decides whether to launch an attack. We obtain and prove closed‐form equilibrium solutions to the model and conduct numerical sensitivity analyses to understand how the equilibrium strategies change as the model's data varies. Based on the equilibrium conditions, we also characterize and analyze four unique scenarios that partition the solution space based on relations between the defender's signaling costs.

The Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Above- and Belowground Phytochemical Diversity of the Wetland Grass, Phragmites australis.

Coastal wetlands face threats from climate change-induced flooding and biological invasions. Plants respond to these stressors through changes in their phytochemical metabolome, but it is unclear whether stressors affecting one tissue compartment (e.g., leaves) create vulnerabilities in others (e.g., roots) or elicit similar responses across tissues. Additionally, responses to multiple simultaneous stressors remain poorly understood due to the focus on individual metabolites in past studies. This study aims to elucidate how the phytochemical metabolome of three Phragmites australis (Cav.) lineages, common in the Mississippi River Delta, responds to flooding and infestation by the non-native scale insect Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Kuwana). Among these lineages, one is non-native and poses a threat to North American wetlands. Results indicate that metabolomic responses are highly specific, varying with lineage, tissue type, stressor type, and the presence of multiple stressors. Notably, the non-native lineage displayed high chemical evenness, while the other two showed stressor-dependent responses. The 10 most informative features identified by a machine learning model showed less than 1% overlap with known metabolites linked to water and herbivory stress, underscoring gaps in our understanding of plant responses to environmental stressors. Our metabolomic approach offers a valuable tool for identifying candidate plant genotypes for wetland restoration.

Daily Life Experiences of Working Women in Existential Threat

The pandemic has profoundly impacted daily life, resources, and gender roles, resulting in significant changes. This study examines how the gender roles of working women transform in the face of existential threats. We investigate their experiences, reactions, and defense mechanisms during the pandemic. The sample consists of 17 women, revealing increased inequalities and responsibilities faced in both domestic and professional settings. Participants expressed uncertainty, anxiety, and fear for their loved ones, sharing experiences with the disease, preventive measures, and psychological and social consequences. Understanding the defense mechanisms used by women will bring short-term individual benefits. This research sheds light on women's experiences during the pandemic, highlighting the urgency of addressing gender disparities in COVID-19.

Lost in Translation; The Evolution of Spanish Translations and the Black Legend in England from 1578 to 1740

This paper traces the evolution of the Black Legend using Spanish accounts of the colonization of the Americas published in English from 1578 to 1740. The Black Legend, largely spread by English, Dutch, and German Protestants, was an anti-Catholic and anti-Spanish narrative demonizing the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Relying in particular on the English appropriation of Spanish Friar Bartolomé de las Casas’s Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, originally published in Spanish in 1552, the thesis argues that English editions of the text reflect England's political and religious turmoil in the 16th and 18th centuries. Previous work on the Black Legend centered on how the authors of New World accounts intended to have their work received in Europe. By studying printed paratexts, including dedicatory letters to patrons, letters to the readers, and the translations themselves, I show how English publishers and translators, and the statesmen who sponsored these publications sought to use Bartolomé de Las Casas's accounts as political. The conquest of the New World brought enormous wealth and power to Spain. At the same time, throughout this period, England suffered religious and political conflicts that boiled over into civil war in the mid-17th century. Many in England feared being overrun by a Catholic Empire or overthrown by Catholics from within. Facing various religious and political crises at home English leaders and booksellers used translations of Las Casas's work to advance their own hopes of British imperial expansion in the New World and to encourage the English to unite in the face of the Spanish threats, such as the Netherlands Civil War and Spanish Armada.

SYNERGY IN SECURITY: EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA IN COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

In the face of evolving security threats, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) stand at a critical juncture, where the echoes of gunfire meet the whispers of diplomacy. This study delves into the heart of Nigeria's counter-extremism efforts, examining the AFN's journey from traditional military approaches to a symphony of collaborative strategies. Through an extensive literature review, the study unravels the tapestry of stakeholder engagement woven by the AFN in their quest to combat violent extremism. This research navigates the complex terrain of Nigeria's security landscape, exploring how the AFN has transformed from a lone sentinel to a conductor of a diverse orchestra of stakeholders. It analyses key initiatives such as the National Security Strategy and the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, viewing them as scores that guide this intricate performance of national security. The study reveals a narrative of progress punctuated by persistent challenges. It found that while the AFN has successfully harmonized efforts with civil society, religious leaders, and international partners, discordant notes of mistrust and resource constraints continue to resonate. The analysis uncovers the delicate balance the AFN must maintain – striking a chord between military might and community engagement, between national sovereignty and international collaboration. Emerging from our review is a portrait of an armed force in transition, learning to wield soft power alongside hard power. The study identifies innovative practices where the AFN has successfully bridged divides, creating unexpected alliances in the fight against extremism. However, we also highlight the unfinished symphony – areas where the collaboration falls short of its potential. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on military transformation in the face of asymmetric threats. By examining the AFN's collaborative strategies, it provides insights applicable not only to Nigeria but to armed forces globally grappling with similar security challenges. As the AFN continues to compose its response to violent extremism, this research offers both a reflection on its current performance and a prelude to future harmonies in national security efforts.

A duty to enhance? Genetic engineering for the human Mars settlement.

Humans living off-world will face numerous physical, psychological and social challenges and are likely to suffer negative health effects due to their lack of evolutionary adaptation to space environments. While some of the necessary adaptations may develop naturally over many generations, genetic technologies could be used to speed this process along, potentially improving the wellbeing of early space settlers and their offspring. With broad support, such a program could lead to significant genetic modification of off-world communities, for example, to limit radiation damage on body systems or prevent bone and muscle loss in reduced gravity conditions. Given the extreme stressors of living off-world, and the need to have a healthy workforce to support a fledgling human settlement, those in favour of using genetic technologies to enhance settlers might even claim there is a moral imperative to protect their health in the face of the unique threats of space travel, especially for children born in settlements who did not take on these risks voluntarily. For some, this might simply be an extension of procreative beneficence. However, ethical concerns arise regarding the risks of embracing a eugenicist agenda and the potential impacts on the rights of future settlers to refuse such genetic enhancements for themselves or their children.

Temporal Study of Environmental DNA and Acoustic Data Reveals Coexistence of Sympatric Bat Species in a North American Ecosystem

ABSTRACTBats are a species‐rich mammalian order that provide a host of ecosystem services, but presently face threats from habitat loss, disease, climate change, and insect declines. Bat species often co‐occur with other ecologically similar bats, making them a suitable group in which to study niche overlap and partitioning. This study aimed to compare different non‐invasive sources of data on wildlife populations, while examining dietary, temporal, and spatial partitioning patterns among sympatric bat species. We used two different methods to assess niche partitioning among insectivorous bats at a site in the San Francisco Bay Area, California: (1) eDNA sequencing of bat feces that were collected weekly from a bat roost, and (2) nightly acoustic recordings of ultrasonic bat calls from recorders at multiple sites. Both the eDNA and acoustic data were collected over the course of an entire roosting season in 2020. We hypothesized that the insectivorous bats at this site would rely on one or more niche partitioning mechanisms to promote interspecific coexistence and limit competition. We found evidence of fine‐scale spatial partitioning of the broad community of bat species in our study area based on acoustic data, as well as temporal differences in activity of different species. The two species using the roosting site, Tadarida brasiliensis and Eptesicus fuscus, displayed some differences in the identities and relative abundances of prey species consumed, but both ultimately exhibited a strong reliance on dipterans and aquatic‐dependent insects. We demonstrate differences between the acoustic data and eDNA data, which has implications for how such datasets may be interpreted in future research. The study finds evidence of some types of niche partitioning in this community and characterizes baseline interactions between species, providing a foundation for future efforts to non‐invasively monitor for unexpected biological change in local ecosystems.

Bee cups 2.0: P-cups as single-use cages for honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) experiments.

Honey bees and other pollinators face threats from pesticides, imperfect nutrition, and a diverse set of parasites and pathogens. Honey bees are also a research model for development, social behavior, microbiology, and aging. Tackling these questions requires a mix of in-hive and controlled laboratory experiments. We have perfected small-scale, inexpensive, disposable, and rearing arenas for honey bees that have proved useful for hundreds of bioassays with thousands of bees. We describe those arenas here, show their advantages over current hoarding cages, and provide videos demonstrating their many uses.

A study on risk perception and adaptive behavior of the Chinese public toward urban heat based on the MPPACC model

In the context of global warming, the interaction between heat waves and urban heat islands has led to an increasing trend in the intensity, frequency and duration of extreme heat events in urban areas, which seriously threatens the health of urban populations. Adaptation will be the main strategy for human beings to cope with climate change under the current situation. This study uses the model of private proactive adaptation to climate change (MPPACC) as the basic research framework and conducts a questionnaire survey on 516 members of the public in Guangzhou (a tropical megacity in China). The data were analyzed using a structural equation model to explore the effects of cognitive factors and maladaptation on heat adaptation behavior. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that adaptation incentives (β = 0.185, β = 0.485, β = 0.1) and risk experience (β = 0.262, β = 0.102, β = 0.541) affect the three parts of adaptation appraisal (including perceived response efficacy, perceived self-efficacy and perceived adaptation costs). Perception severity (β = 0.122), perception possibility (β = 0.268), perception adaptation efficacy (β = 0.109), and maladaptation (β = −0.248) affect adaptive behavior. This study made the following contributions: i) Added a limited number of studies using the MPPACC. ii) Findings confirmed that the MPPACC is an effective model for understanding the actions of people facing threats, demonstrating the model's applicability in the context of urban heat. iii) The MPPACC model was refined to further explore the impact of adaptation incentives on risk perception and perceived adaptive capacity, and whether risk experience has an impact on perceived adaptive capacity. IV) To provide a scientific basis for urban areas to cope with extreme heat events.

Remote sensing to quantify potential aquifer recharge as a complementary tool for groundwater monitoring

ABSTRACT Groundwater resources are vital for water security but face threats from overexploitation, contamination, and climate change. This study focuses on the Guarani (GAS) and Bauru (BAS) aquifer systems’ recharge in western São Paulo, Brazil. We enhanced the scalability of the potential recharge (PR) method and assessed recharge using groundwater storage (GWS) data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). Our findings indicate that while the remote sensing-based PR method aligns with the existing literature, it tends to overestimate recharge. Conversely, the GWS method provides more conservative and reliable estimates. Integrating remote sensing-based methods is a crucial tool for improving recharge estimation and supporting groundwater resource management.

The Growing Cybersecurity Crisis in Healthcare: A Call to Action

Electronic healthcare technology is pervasive throughout the globe, and it affords vast opportunities to enhance clinical outcomes, as well as for the transformation of models of care. Concerns are, however, growing, related to healthcare data and device security. Increased connectivity to legacy computer networks brought cybersecurity vulnerabilities for medical devices. Healthcare represents an attractive target for cybercrime because healthcare data is precious. This sector in present times is full of unique cybersecurity challenges, especially for susceptible kinds of patient information at stake. Second, many legacy systems will be prevalent—not adding more to that—with the changing face of cyber threats. Cybersecurity breaches have comprised stealing health information and focused ransomware attacks on hospitals; this could mean as vivid an attack as on implanted medical devices. This only points to the fact that ransomware attacks and other kinds of cyber-attacks against hospitals and other medical facilities are gaining ground; there is every reason to get alarmed and put in place stricter cybersecurity measures. An excellent healthcare cybersecurity strategy, therefore, has to consider access control, intrusion detection systems, encryption techniques, and periodic security testing. Data breaches and cyber-attacks are forcing any healthcare provider to invest in new state-of-the-art technologies related to keeping pace with trends regarding cybersecurity. The dangers that can be caused by cyber-attack include a considerable diminution in patient trust, potential health system collapse, human life threats, etc. On the whole, cybersecurity is strenuously linked with the question of patient safety.

FINANCIAL PROVISION OF MARKETING ACTIVITIES OF MACHINE-BUILDING ENTERPRISES FOR STRENGTHENING COMPETITIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF A NEW REALITY

The purpose of this article is to develop a methodological approach to evaluating all possible options for the financial provision of the marketing activities of modern machine-building enterprises under conditions of full-scale war. Thus, the new conditions of reality are characteristic specifically of Ukrainian machine-building enterprises, which become the key object of the study. As a result, within this article, the optimal forms of financial provision, both external and internal, were chosen based on evaluation results, which will allow not only to "survive" in the current conditions for Ukrainian machine-building enterprises but also to strengthen their competitiveness in the face of new challenges and threats. The identification of the most optimal forms of financial provision and the conduct of evaluations were made possible through the implementation of expert analysis, using the Delphi method. The central place in the methodology of the article is occupied by the method of hierarchical multicriteria evaluation. Its thorough substantiation has better reflected the main results of the research. The developed methodological approach is distinguished by its convenience and practical value in the conditions of the new reality, that is wartime. Another feature is the consideration of not only internal resources but also external ones. Ultimately, the proper and secure application of the defined forms of internal and external financial provision of marketing activities to change their own competitiveness was also substantiated. This, in turn, allowed forming the correct trajectory for how to evaluate one’s own financial provision options for marketing activities and how to apply them to enhance one’s competitiveness. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in substantiating recommendations for establishing the optimal form of financial provision of marketing activities for machine-building enterprises.

The Case against compulsory vaccination: the failed arguments from risk imposition, tax evasion, ‘social liberty’, and the priority of life

Arguments for mandatory or compulsory vaccination must justify the coercive infringement of bodily integrity via the injection of chemicals that permanently affect a body’s inner constitution. Four arguments are considered. The allegedly libertarian argument declares unvaccinated persons a threat; accordingly, vaccination could take the form of justifiable defence of self and others. This argument conflates material and statistical threats. The harsh coercive measures permissible in defence against the former are not permissible in prevention of the latter. The argument from tax evasion claims that people can be permissibly coerced into bearing their fair financial burdens of community life and likens this to sharing burdens in the face of a viral threat. The argument fails to demonstrate that vaccination would be fair, permissible in spite of potential lethal side-effects, and sufficiently similar to taxation despite the categorical difference between temporary deprivation of money and permanent deprivation of one’s original inner bodily constitution. The argument from ‘social liberty’ claims that the loss of freedom due to mandatory vaccination is only apparent, namely outweighed by corresponding gains in freedom. This argument conflates freedom as the absence of coercion with freedom as the presence of options for action. It fails to give the former its due weight and to demonstrate that persons may be coerced into increasing the options of others. The argument from the priority of life elevates the protection of life to an absolute value. This is unwarranted and leads to counterintuitive implications. Without better arguments, mandatory vaccination must be rejected.

Urban Planning of the Past in the Face of Potential Airborne Threats During World War II

This paper presents a theoretical review of scientific articles on urban planning under airborne attacks between World War I and World War II. Publications on this topic are few and belong to foreign researchers. Only a small part of works was translated and published in architectural journals of the USSR early in the 20th century.Purpose: The literature review of urban planning in the face of airborne threats.Methodology: The analysis of Russian and foreign publications and systematic analysis of the works of architects.Research findings: Since the 1930s, the problem of effective urban planning in conditions of airborne defense has been posed in the architectural environment. Despite widespread publicity and safe city pilot projects, none was fully realized.Value: The analysis of Russian and foreign publications shows that airborne threats cease to be a hot topic, despite continuing military conflicts.