Open Source Materials Research Articles

Motivated to Fight: Diverse Motivations of Foreign Fighters in the Russia–Ukraine War

Why fight for someone else’s war? This study explores the motivations of foreign fighters joining the Ukrainian Foreign Legion during the 2022 to 2023 phase of the Russia–Ukraine War. Unlike previous research centered on foreign nationals’ involvement in terrorist organizations and jihadist groups, particularly in the Middle East, this case captures a different trend characterized by institutionalized recruitment processes and tacit international support. Using an original data set of 296 pro-Ukraine fighters compiled from open-source materials, we analyze their stated motivations and demographic characteristics. We found motivations vary based on specific factors. Fighters’ origin includes Westerners fighters for empathy, altruism, and moral duty, while former Soviet fighters are driven by ideology and geopolitics. The complex and context-dependent nature of foreign fighter motivations is highlighted in this study, emphasizing how motivations can shift across time and context. This finding urges future research to consider both general and conflict-specific factors.

Cyber-biological convergence: a systematic review and future outlook.

The introduction of the capability to "program" a biological system is referred to as Engineered biology and can be compared to the introduction of the internet and the capability of programming a computer. Engineered biology is supported by a digital infrastructure that includes data, data storage, computer-dependent laboratory equipment, internet-connected communication networks, and supply chains. This connectivity is important. It can improve workflows and enhance productivity. At the same time and unlike computer programs, biological systems introduce unique threats as they can self-assemble, self-repair, and self-replicate. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the cyber implications of engineered biology. This includes cyber-bio opportunities and threats as engineered biology continues to integrate into cyberspace. We used a systematic search methodology to review the academic literature, and supplemented this with a review of opensource materials and "grey" literature that is not disseminated by academic publishers. A comprehensive search of articles published in or after 2017 until the 21st of October 2022 found 52 studies that focus on implications of engineered biology to cyberspace. The search was conducted using search engines that index over 60 databases-databases that specifically cover the information security, and biology literatures, as well as the wider set of academic disciplines. Across these 52 articles, we identified a total of 7 cyber opportunities including automated bio-foundries and 4 cyber threats such as Artificial Intelligence misuse and biological dataset targeting. We highlight the 4 main types of cyberbiosecurity solutions identified in the literature and we suggest a total of 9 policy recommendations that can be utilized by various entities, including governments, to ensure that cyberbiosecurity remains frontline in a growing bioeconomy.

Assessing biological self-organization patterns using statistical complexity characteristics: a tool for diffusion tensor imaging analysis.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are well-known and powerful imaging techniques for MRI. Although DTI evaluation has evolved continually in recent years, there are still struggles regarding quantitative measurements that can benefit brain areas that are consistently difficult to measure via diffusion-based methods, e.g., gray matter (GM). The present study proposes a new image processing technique based on diffusion distribution evaluation of López-Ruiz, Mancini and Calbet (LMC) complexity called diffusion complexity (DC). The OASIS-3 and TractoInferno open-science databases for healthy individuals were used, and all the codes are provided as open-source materials. The DC map showed relevant signal characterization in brain tissues and structures, achieving contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) gains of approximately 39% and 93%, respectively, compared to those of the FA and ADC maps. In the special case of GM tissue, the DC map obtains its maximum signal level, showing the possibility of studying cortical and subcortical structures challenging for classical DTI quantitative formalism. The ability to apply the DC technique, which requires the same imaging acquisition for DTI and its potential to provide complementary information to study the brain's GM structures, can be a rich source of information for further neuroscience research and clinical practice.

The Evolution of Pedagogical Lexicography From the 1990s to the DigitalEnvironment: An Analysis of Open Source Materials

The dictionary is a tool with a clear didactic function: explaining the intrinsic characteristics of the terms in a specific context, with the objective that the user can both understand and use words appropriately. However, since the introduction of new technologies and the internet, the way of dealing with lexicographical work has changed, as have the ways of consultation. While dictionaries used to be conceptualized as large paper books, they are now enriched and interconnected online platforms. The proposed topic in the present text may be of interest to explain the current pedagogical lexicography landscape and to know what open lexicographic resources can be used by students and teachers of Spanish as a mother language (L1) and as a second language (L2) or as a foreign language (ELE); since, thanks to these databases, a representative sample of the language in use is provided.

176 Translational Challenges and Facilitators of Health Equity Research Integrating Social Determinants of Health with Patient- and Community-Centered Technology

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: - Illustrate findings of a translational science case study of multi-pronged research aimed at understanding of social determinants in health disparities and integrating patient-centered technology; - Illuminate translational mechanisms by analyzing and sharing research challenges, facilitators, and benefits. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Utilized novel TS evaluation methods and tools: - Translational Science Case Study protocol to examine translational path from innovation to practice, barriers and facilitators for that translational movement. - Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) Checklist for translational/research impact analysis. Triangulated diverse data sources: - Primary data: semi-structured interviews with research partners. - Secondary data: researchers’ grant applications, reports, and publications; public stories/news related to their research; scientific publications; organizational/policy documents; and interviews with research stakeholders featured in published sources. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Translational challenges include: culturally tailored education and outreach; data analysis and intervention planning; engaging community stakeholders in the development and implementation; addressing economic and resource-related challenges. Translational facilitators are: UMN CTSA funding and other support; access to data and resources; use of open-source materials; evidence-based/best practice approaches; diversity and collaboration between researchers, community organizations, healthcare providers; researchers’ drive to translate. The research contributes to community and public health, clinical/medical, and economic benefits, health equity advocacy, catalyzing further research, and public awareness. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The evaluation case study contributes to translational science by providing evidence and lessons learned related to translational benefits, challenges, and facilitators of community-based, patient-centered research bringing people, knowledge, and technology together and contributing to health equity.

China–North Korea Arms Trade from the Perspective of Chinese Scholars

executive summary: This article examines the historical context and evolving dynamics of China–North Korea arms trade and its future scenarios, shedding light on the motivations, methods, and implications of this strategic partnership. main argument An assessment of open-source materials authored by Chinese scholars and experts indicates that, despite international sanctions on weapon sales to North Korea, arms exports play a significant role in enhancing China's geopolitical influence, countering the U.S., and securing a Chinese presence on the Korean Peninsula. Arms exports from China to North Korea are likely to shift from individual products to integrated systems, influenced by the adoption of systems thinking in both the Chinese and the North Korean defense sectors. Additionally, arms trade may evolve toward taking place within China's expanding multilateral frameworks, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Belt and Road Initiative. China may also see a role for North Korea as an intermediary for arms sales to other sanctioned states, mirroring its historical role as an intermediary for North Korea. policy implications • If arms sales from China to North Korea transform into system-based packages, then policymakers should anticipate changes in the nature and coordination of North Korean weaponry, necessitating a reassessment of defense strategies. • If China integrates arms trade into multilateral frameworks, then it is recommended that the U.S. monitor and assess the impact of these organizations on regional security dynamics and consider diplomatic measures to mitigate their securitization. • If North Korea acts as an intermediary for Chinese arms sales to sanctioned states, then robust intelligence efforts and international collaboration should be prioritized to enforce arms control regimes and curb illicit activities. • If Chinese assistance enhances North Korea's military capabilities, then counterstrategies for North Korean systems warfare and advanced technologies will be important for the U.S. so that it can continue to operate effectively in networked environments on the Korean Peninsula.

A Survey on Evaluation of Large Language Models

Large language models (LLMs) are gaining increasing popularity in both academia and industry, owing to their unprecedented performance in various applications. As LLMs continue to play a vital role in both research and daily use, their evaluation becomes increasingly critical, not only at the task level, but also at the society level for better understanding of their potential risks. Over the past years, significant efforts have been made to examine LLMs from various perspectives. This paper presents a comprehensive review of these evaluation methods for LLMs, focusing on three key dimensions: what to evaluate , where to evaluate , and how to evaluate . Firstly, we provide an overview from the perspective of evaluation tasks, encompassing general natural language processing tasks, reasoning, medical usage, ethics, education, natural and social sciences, agent applications, and other areas. Secondly, we answer the ‘where’ and ‘how’ questions by diving into the evaluation methods and benchmarks, which serve as crucial components in assessing the performance of LLMs. Then, we summarize the success and failure cases of LLMs in different tasks. Finally, we shed light on several future challenges that lie ahead in LLMs evaluation. Our aim is to offer invaluable insights to researchers in the realm of LLMs evaluation, thereby aiding the development of more proficient LLMs. Our key point is that evaluation should be treated as an essential discipline to better assist the development of LLMs. We consistently maintain the related open-source materials at: https://github.com/MLGroupJLU/LLM-eval-survey

The ethics of knowledge sharing: a feminist examination of intellectual property rights and open-source materials in gender transformative methodologies.

Debates on intellectual property rights and open source frequently stem from the business sector and higher education, where goals are typically oriented toward profit, academic status, credit, and/or reputation. What happens if we reconsider the ethics of intellectual property rights and open source when our driving motivation is advancing women's health and rights? How does this prioritization complicate our assumptions of copyright and open access? How can we embark on a journey that validates the complex realities of multiple stakeholders who have good intent, but do not always consider the unintended impacts and the broader power dynamics at play? This paper explores the tensions and nuances of sharing methodologies that aim to transform harmful gender norms in an ecosystem that does not always consider the complex challenges behind intellectual property and open-source material. As a thought-collective dedicated to using a feminist approach to unpack and promote the principles of ethical, effective, and sustainable scale, we hope to underscore how the current research and debates on intellectual property rights and open-source material have good aims but may also fall short in encompassing the realities of gendered social norms change in and with communities around the world. We conclude with key recommendations for donors, researchers, International Development Corporations, International Non-Governmental Organizations, and those interested in using or adapting dynamic, gender transformative materials created by others.

Characteristics and Obtainment Methods of Firearms Used in Adolescent School Shootings

Within gun violence research, the types of firearms involved in US school shootings and the origins of these weapons have not been well explored. To examine the type, make, and power of firearms involved in school-related gun violence as well as the sources and methods through which adolescents obtained these weapons. This cross-sectional study used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyze 253 school shootings executed by 262 adolescents (aged ≤19 years) in the US from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2016, and to calculate adjusted estimates for missing cases. The data were sourced from The American School Shooting Study (TASSS), which compiles information about these shooting events from open-source materials. Data analysis was performed from June 23, 2023, to July 20, 2023. Firearm type, make, and power. The firearm type refers to whether a weapon was a handgun, rifle, or shotgun. The firearm's make differentiates semiautomatic or fully automatic guns from other action mechanisms. The firearm's power refers to the caliber and velocity, distinguished as small, moderate, or higher power. The acquisition source captures from whom the firearm was received. The obtainment method refers to how the shooter obtained the firearm. Estimates were adjusted by total number of documents and TASSS reliability score as well as neighborhood demographic, socioeconomic, and land use variables measured at the census tract level, and were weighted to account for item nonresponse. A total of 262 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 16.2 [1.9] years; 256 [97.8%] male) were studied. In the adjusted analyses, handguns were the most used weapon in school shootings (85.5%; 95% CI, 80.6%-89.4%). Firearms were predominantly lower (37.0%; 95% CI, 29.9%-44.7%) or moderate (39.7%; 95% CI, 32.0%-47.8%) in power. Adolescents mainly obtained their guns from relatives (41.8%; 95% CI, 31.7%-52.6%), friends or acquaintances (22.0%; 95% CI, 13.2%-34.5%), the illegal market (29.6%; 95% CI, 19.3%-42.5%), strangers or persons who were shot (4.7%; 95% CI, 1.8%-11.6%), or licensed dealers (1.9%; 95% CI, 0.7%-5.2%). Most firearms were procured via theft from relatives (82.1%; 95% CI, 69.4%-90.3%). Despite the more frequent use of lower to moderately powered firearms in school shootings, this study's results indicated stability in the use of high-powered weapons in adolescent school shootings throughout the research timeframe. A majority of the firearms were procured from the perpetrator's family or relatives or from friends or acquaintances. These findings may significantly influence discussions around gun control policy, particularly in advocating for secure firearm storage to reduce adolescents' access to weapons.

Is a use of force appropriate? Clashing memories of the Budennovsk hostage crisis (1995)

ABSTRACT The hostage-taking by Chechen combatants in the Russian town of Budennovsk (1995) marked a turning point in the first Chechnya War (1994–96) and has left deep marks on the consciousness of Russians and Chechens representatives and civil society. It is referred to in Russian accounts as the first large-scale terrorist attack by Chechen groups in Russia. Based on today’s memories of “Budennovsk”, collected from open source materials, this article deconstructs and contextualises the conflicting narratives of the key actors involved. The analysis of the memories reveals the clashing attitudes regarding the legitimacy or condemnation of the use of force, and evaluates their significance in the political context of contemporary Russia. In a next step, this should allow to draw conclusions about the conceptual connection between memory, narrative and conflict.

Teaching Sustainability Using 3D Printing in Engineering Education: An Observational Study

One of the many features of three-dimensional printing (3DP) that contribute to its status as a cutting-edge technology is its positive impact on sustainability. Students in higher education can also use 3DP technologies to understand environmental, social, and economic issues. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how sustainability is integrated through 3DP in higher education, especially in developing countries. Thus, this research explored the teaching of sustainability through 3DP in five public engineering universities in Vietnam using field observations (75 students and five educators), followed by semi-structured interviews with ten students and five educators. The findings revealed that sustainability through 3DP was not taught as a separate unit in the participating institutions as they were not equipped with the necessary tools and software to educate students about sustainability through 3DP, the time spent teaching students about 3DP was limited, and most of the educators were not trained in implementing sustainability through 3DP in higher education. Despite these barriers, students were instructed on how to use 3DP materials economically and were taught which materials were beneficial for the environment. In cases of limited resources and funding, assisting students in assembling low-cost do-it-yourself 3D printers by utilizing open-source materials will maximize their learning outcomes. These findings may help higher education institutions teach sustainability through 3DP and motivate students to explore multidisciplinary knowledge in developing countries. This study also guides both higher education sectors and policymakers on taking the steps necessary for utilizing the benefits of 3DP in engineering education.

Business Process Modeling for Semiconductor Production Risk Analysis Using IDEF0

Program managers must manage heterogeneous sources of risk across the semiconductor lifecycle, identifying vulnerabilities that, if exploited, have adverse consequences to mission and/or business objectives. Identification of sources of risk involves understanding the business processes involved in the production, use, and maintenance of components. Business process modeling is widely used to address technology research and development. A typical methodology for business process modeling is the ICAM (integrated computer-aided manufacturing) DEFinition (IDEF) family of modeling languages. The basic IDEF0 block represents a function, with associated inputs, outputs, controls, and mechanisms. This article demonstrates risk identification and risk management through the use of an extended IDEF0 framework incorporating risk sources. The effort models the semiconductor lifecycle based on open-source materials at multiple hierarchical levels, for example, drilling down into fabrication and wafer manufacturing processes. Product lifecycle stages are associated with particular sources of risk. Several sources of risk are pervasive across stages while others are particular to a stage. The results of this effort help program and product managers to know what risks should be managed, how risk countermeasures and resources should be coordinated, and how the performance of risk management activities should be monitored and evaluated.

Improving U.S. Biosafety and Biosecurity: Revisiting Recommendations from the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel and the Fast Track Action Committee on Select Agent Regulations.

In response to a series of biosafety incidents in 2014, the White House directed two high-level expert committees to analyze biosafety and biosecurity in U.S. laboratories and make recommendations for work with select agents and toxins. Overall, they recommended 33 actions to address areas related to national biosafety, including promoting a culture of responsibility, oversight, outreach and education, applied biosafety research, incident reporting, material accountability, inspection processes, regulations and guidelines, and determining the necessary number of high-containment laboratories in the United States. The recommendations were collected and grouped into categories previously defined by the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel and the Fast Track Action Committee. Open-source materials were examined to determine what actions had been taken to address the recommendations. The actions taken were compared against the reasoning provided in the committee reports to determine if the concerns were sufficiently addressed. In this study, we found that 6 recommendations were not addressed and 11 were insufficiently addressed out of 33 total recommended actions. Further work is needed to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity in U.S. laboratories handling regulated pathogens (biological select agents and toxins [BSAT]). These carefully considered recommendations should now be enacted, including determining if there is sufficient high-containment laboratory space for response to a future pandemic, developing a sustained applied biosafety research program to improve our understanding of how high-containment research should be performed, bioethics training to educate the regulated community on the consequences of unsafe practices in BSAT research, and the creation of a no-fault incident reporting system for biological incidents, which may inform and improve biosafety training. The work presented in this study is significant because previous incidents that occurred in Federal laboratories highlighted shortcomings in the Federal Select Agent Program and the Select Agent Regulations. Progress was made on implementing recommendations to address the shortcomings, but efforts were lost or forgotten over time. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a brief window of interest in biosafety and biosecurity, and an opportunity to address these shortcomings to increase readiness for future disease emergencies.

Reinventing the Sheikhdom: Clan, Power and Patronage in Mohammed bin Zayed’s UAE

Reinventing the Sheikhdom: Clan, Power and Patronage in Mohammed bin Zayed’s UAE

Divided Memories About Building Peace in Chechnya (1995-2004)

The conflicts in and around Chechnya are intractable, with a perceived impossibility to find a negotiated solution. This paper focuses on the hostage crises of Budennovsk (1995) and Beslan (2004) which are episodes from the two Chechnya Wars and had an important impact on their further course. Based on the memories of key actors representing specific sides of the conflict, the paper identifies and contextualizes diverging approaches to negotiations and conflict settlement. Conceptual support for this analysis of open-source materials is provided by the theoretical literature on “ripeness” and “readiness” as conditions for the initiation and successful conduction of negotiations. The paper finds that it is not only the divisions between the different sides of the conflict that affected the chances of negotiated peace, but those within the Russian and Chechen constitutions themselves.

Securitising Irregular Migration, Refugees, and Potential Security Threats in Malaysia

This paper deals with the question of how the influx of irregular immigrants, particularly refugees, and their protracted stay in Malaysia has developed into a matter of security in the country. The fundamental objective of this paper is to analyse the potential threats often associated with the issue and the response from the Government of Malaysia. Qualitative data for this paper was obtained through open-source materials and semi-structured interviews with public officials from government enforcement agencies like the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the Immigration Department of Malaysia, and officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides, various reports from non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and news media helped to collate and provide a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. This paper employed securitisation theory to explain how the issues related to the influx of refugees and their protracted stay in the country, especially during the Covid-19 situation, were transformed into security agenda by the securitising agents and the subsequent measures taken to combat the threat.

Three-Dimensional Modeling for Augmented and Virtual Reality-Based Posterior Fossa Approach Selection Training: Technical Overview of Novel Open-Source Materials.

Selection of skull base approaches is a critical skill for complex cranial surgery, which demands nuanced understanding of neuroanatomy and pathology. To develop novel pedagogical resources for approach selection education and assessment. A prospectively maintained skull base registry was screened for posterior fossa tumors amenable to 3-dimensional (3D) modeling of multiple operative approaches. Inclusion criteria were high-resolution preoperative and postoperative computed tomography and MRI studies (≤1 mm) and consensus that at least 3 posterior fossa craniotomies would provide feasible access. Cases were segmented using Mimics and modeled using 3-Matic. Clinical Vignettes, Approach Selection Questionnaire, and Clinical Application Questionnaire were compiled for implementation as a teaching/testing tool. Seven cases were selected, each representing a major posterior fossa approach group. 3D models were rendered using clinical imaging for the primary operative approach, as well as a combination of laboratory neuroanatomic data and extrapolation from comparable craniotomies to generate 2 alternative approaches in each patient. Modeling data for 3D figures were uploaded to an open-sourced database in a platform-neutral fashion (.x3d) for virtual/augmented reality and 3D printing applications. A semitransparent model of each approach without pathology and with key deep structures visualized was also modeled and included for comprehensive understanding. We report a novel series of open-source 3D models for skull base approach selection training, with supplemental resources. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such series designed for pedagogical purposes in skull base surgery or centered on open-source principles.

Commentary: Three-Dimensional Modeling for Augmented and Virtual Reality-Based Posterior Fossa Approach Selection Training: Technical Overview of Novel Open-Source Materials.

Commentary: Three-Dimensional Modeling for Augmented and Virtual Reality-Based Posterior Fossa Approach Selection Training: Technical Overview of Novel Open-Source Materials.

Rural Tourism Opportunity Spectrum: Linking People and Landscape for Spatial Planning

Abstract The aim of the study was to develop a low-cost method for tourism opportunity spectrum evaluation in rural landscapes. The method uses the geographic information system (GIS) for spatial analysis of the problem. Open source materials are used in the evaluation. Three principal indices derived from spatial data are evaluated: attraction index, view index, and access index. These form the basis for tourism suitability and opportunity spectrum evaluation. The analysis is realized for two types of tourists: those using cars, and hikers. The method permits the current state of tourism to be identified, and points out possible ways for further development as well as identifying valuable but overexploited zones which should be conserved. The obtained results can improve the sustainable management of landscapes and enhance the profits of rural areas.

Driven to Death: a Chinese Case Study on the Counterfeiting of Automotive Components

Unlike other counterfeit products, automotive components are hidden from view and, at least by the lay person, little understood. While the potential scale, scope and impact of the problem is vast, knowledge of this illicit trade is limited. In seeking to contribute to the existing literature on the counterfeiting of auto components, this article focuses on China, a major and growing economy with an expanding vehicle market, a ready internal market for counterfeits and a frequently identified source country of counterfeit goods. Rested upon empirical data from published court judgments in China and open source materials, this article critically explores the counterfeiting of motor vehicle parts inside the country, from manufacture to sale, including identifying the parties involved in the illegitimate business, the counterfeiting process and what motivates the players to engage in it, to gain insights into the social organisation of the illicit trade. Our findings suggest that the trade in counterfeit automotive components does not appear robust from an organisational viewpoint, which tends to be carried out by individuals on the basis of necessity and opportunity rather than authority and formal rationality. The article’s findings forge a link between counterfeiting and social inequality and help argue that given the current socio-economic settings and a booming market of used vehicles, the dirty economy is likely to persist. Furthermore, as the empirical data shows, currently, the nature of the trade in dangerous counterfeit goods is not duly recognised in law enforcement and legal practices.