Public Property Research Articles

Vision-Based Drone Detection in Complex Environments: A Survey

The frequent illegal use of drones poses a serious threat to public security and property. Counter-drones are crucial tools. The prerequisite for an effective counter-drone is to detect drones accurately. With the rapid advancements in computer vision, vision-based drone detection methods have emerged as a hot topic of research. However, current reviews of vision-based drone detection are less focused on algorithmic summarization and analysis. For this reason, this survey aims to comprehensively review the latest methods for vision-based drone detection in complex environments, with the goal of providing a more thorough reference and guidance for related research. We first explore the imaging and drone characteristics in complex environments and summarize the main challenges of visual UAV detection. Then, we summarize the existing solutions for the main challenges. Finally, we systematically organize and introduce the commonly used datasets and evaluation metrics and conduct experiment comparisons based on the representative methods. We not only reveal the current development status of visual UAV detection but also analyze the deficiencies in current research. On this basis, we further look forward to future research directions and possible breakthroughs, with a view to providing useful insights for further research and development in related fields.

Employing deep learning in crisis management and decision making through prediction using time series data in Mosul Dam Northern Iraq

Specifically, Iraq is threatened in its second-largest northern city, Mosul, by the collapse of the Mosul Dam due to problems at the root of the dam, causing a wave of floods that will cause massive loss of life, resources, and public property. The objective of this study is to effectively monitor the level of dam water by predicting the level of water held by the dam In anticipation of achieving flood stage and breaking the dam, and supporting its behavior through formation 14-day time series data to predict seven days later. Used six deep learning models (deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), convolutional neural network long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM), CNN-LSTM-Skip and CNN-LSTM Skip Attention) that models were trained to predict the water level in the dam; these levels of being under surveillance and prepared In case of danger, alert people to potential flood threats depending on the dam’s water level. These time series were created from the actual data sets of the dam; it’s a fundamental historical reading for 13 years (1993–2006) of the water level stored in the Mosul dam and was adopted in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources and the Centre for Research on Dams and Water Resources at Mosul University. The methodology applied in this study shows the model’s performance efficiency and the prediction results’ low error rate. It also compares those practical results to determine and adopt the performance-efficient model and a lower error rate. The comparison of these results proved the accuracy of its results, and superior to the CNN-LSTM model, it has the highest ability to perform through high accuracy with MAE = 0.087153 and time steps = 0 s 196 ms/step and loss = 0.00067. The current study demonstrated the ability to predict the water level in Mosul Dam, which suffers from foundation problems and may collapse in the future. Therefore, the water level in the dam must be monitored accurately. It also aims to test the effectiveness of the six models proposed in this study after evaluating their performance and applying the prediction process within a scenario to obtain predictive values after 14 days. The results showed the practical effectiveness of the hybrid CNN-LSTM model in correctly and accurately obtaining predictive values within the integrated framework of the required scenario. The study concluded that it is possible to enhance the ability to monitor and identify the potential risk of Mosul Dam at an early stage, and it also allows for proactive crisis management and sound decision-making, thus mitigating the adverse effects of crises on public safety and infrastructure and reducing human losses in areas along the Tigris River.

Regenerative and innovative processes in the urban and peri-urban area of the city of Rome

Rome stands out for a fragility that stems from the disordered interpenetration of its rural soul with its urban agglomeration. The relationship between city and suburbs still appears complicated today and reverberates on the degree of social cohesion of its inhabitants. Bottom-up experimentation projects are being grafted into the extended area of the capital, reviving disused public property, abandoned land, to eliminate degradation especially in fragile contexts, developing regenerative processes of active citizenship. The purpose of the paper is to underline innovative experiences, in the urban and peri-urban area of Rome, pointing out their actions aimed at sharing common values, developing territorial welfare and protecting the environment.

The legal regime for cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan and impossible control of their circulation

Development of a legal framework for cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan is described in this article: from very first steps in 2018 when financial intermediaries were just warned from use of Bitcoins and alike in their transactions to prohibition of their circulation established into 2020, with cancellation of the prohibition and strengthening regulation of crypto mining in 2023. Authors show that neither existence nor absence of a legislative restriction of cryptocurrencies’ circulation can help the State to control respective turnover. Respectively, no efficient solution can be said existing to both support a public order and protect individual property rights to cryptocurrencies. Keywords: Republic of Kazakhstan, cryptocurrency, Law on Informatisation, digital assets, AIFC, digital mining, regulation, legal framework.

Public Sector Audit Reforms and Financial Management

Developing economies across the world face high public corruption and weak financial management, and the role of sound audit practices in shaping the narratives is still at the exploring stage in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This research explores the nexus between public audit reforms and public sector financial management using survey research design and Nigeria as a case study. Participants in the study were drawn from The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) Headquarter in Abuja. Agency theory anchored this study and simple descriptive analytics was used in testing the seven hypotheses. The research established that: the recent audit reforms carried out in Nigeria are considered necessary for better public sector financial management; Nigeria’s audit system has a strong connection with public sector financial management; there is a need for the establishment of Federal Audit Service Commission (FASC) in Nigeria; the recent audit reforms will block treasury loot and leakages in Nigerian public funds management; Nigeria needs effective audit laws to wholesomely fight corruption through recent audit reforms; and the recent Nigerian audit reforms embrace integrity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. The study makes the following recommendations: there is a need for audit staff orientation and professional development in order to promote their overall productivity and efficiency; there is a need for the establishment of Federal Audit Service Commission (FASC) in order to promote the independence of Nigerian Audit system from executive interferences; Nigeria audit laws should be strengthened to curtail fund leakages, wastages of public property, and promotion of value-for-money expenditures; and the recent audit reforms carried out by the government of Nigeria should be sustained and given all necessary supports in order to achieve the desired results.

Experimental Study on the Protective Effect of High Alcoholysis Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Solution Spraying on Loess Fill Slopes

Loess has high water sensitivity and exhibits poor characteristics such as weak cementation and high porosity. Under heavy rainfall, loess fill slopes are prone to erosion and landslides, posing serious threats to public safety and property. In light of these serious threats, this study employed the method of spraying polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to improve loess fill slopes and systematically examine its protective effects. Through field investigations and combined laboratory and outdoor tests, this study comprehensively evaluated the mechanical properties, anti-aging and anti-erosion performance of loess after PVA solution spraying. Scanning electron microscopy was used to reveal the mechanism of PVA action at the microscopic level. The results showed that after treatment with PVA solutions of varying concentrations, the mechanical properties of loess samples were significantly enhanced, while also exhibiting excellent anti-aging and water resistance performance. Additionally, PVA-treated loess fill slopes exhibited excellent rain erosion resistance. A microscopic structural analysis showed that PVA fills the internal pores of loess, strengthens inter-particle bonding, and uses its hydrophobic groups’ water-repellent action to effectively enhance slope stability and erosion resistance. In conclusion, PVA treatment not only significantly enhances the protective effects of loess fill slopes but also holds important value in improving soil sustainability and environmental protection.

Restitution of African Cultural Heritage: Revisiting Natural Law Concepts of Statehood and Property in the Context of Colonial Spoliation

Abstract In the late nineteenth century, Western Powers launched military campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa resulting in the colonization of vast territories and the spoliation of cultural property. To justify the conquest, they asserted the supremacy of Western culture and disregarded principles of international law in their dealings with African states, communities, and individuals. This article examines colonialist legal justifications such as the denial of statehood of pre-colonial sub-Saharan African societies, the notion that conquest and spoliation were justifiable, and the belief that African legal systems lacked concepts of property. The article details why these arguments contradict well-established nineteenth-century legal principles, particularly state sovereignty and private property, which together form the conceptual basis for the prohibition of spoliation. The universal nature of those principles allows for the nondiscriminatory application and interpretation of historical law and consequently the protection of African pre-colonial states and private as well as public cultural property.

Vernacular Design: Alive and Alert

This article debates that vernacular design is not a social reflection, but a social operation that stems from revisiting indigenous intelligence and employing it to generate social power, which could establish a nature-culture balance. Such a balance is intended to respond to the local way of life and address different daily-life problems encountered by each individual. This direction differs from that of industrial design, which, by promoting uniformity, requires customers or users to adjust themselves and their lifestyles. Whereas industrial design focuses on mass production and creation of a unified mega-culture known as globalization, vernacular design aims to address individuals’ problems, drive their chosen way of life forward, and strive for sustainability. In other words, vernacular design responds to an individual’s needs in his or her own way of life and promotes knowledge sharing with every community member. In this system, community members are skilled designers who possess their own aesthetic vernacular and utilize public property as an asset for their designs. Aiming for sustainability, vernacular design progresses in four levels: 1) hybridizing, by modifying the function of a modern, mass-produced commodity; 2) maintaining indigenous identities to propel the native way of life; 3) common-pooling to benefit all community members collectively; and 4) devising a strategy to address social issues or to change public policies.

Alkali activated materials from Tajogaite volcanic ash (La Palma, Spain): a green recovery after the 2021 eruption

The 2021 Tajogaite eruption was marked by intense pyroclastic fallout that covered a substantial portion of La Palma island, with maximum thicknesses in the central-western part. This, combined with lava flows, resulted in widespread damage to public and private properties. In this study, we investigated if volcanic ash from this eruption could serve as a raw material in the synthesis of alkali activated materials (AAMs) and contribute to the construction of eco-friendly buildings and the restoration of those damaged by the eruption. Volcanic ash-based AAMs were synthesized using NaOH and Na2SiO3 as alkaline solutions and by adding metakaolin to enhance ash reactivity and enable processing at ambient temperatures. Lightweight porous AAMs were also produced using H2O2 and metallic aluminum as foaming agents. Chemical, textural, physical, and mechanical analyses on the final products assessed their suitability as environmentally friendly materials to be used in the reconstruction of the island infrastructure, opening new perspectives on recovery actions that can be undertaken after disastrous eruptions. Of all the islands in the Canary Archipelago, La Palma has experienced the highest number of eruptions (8) in historical times, all of which showing considerable similarity in terms of eruptive mechanisms and composition to the most recent Tajogaite event. Although this study investigated fresh Tajogaite ash, similar perspectives can be envisaged for both other recent eruptions at La Palma and other similar volcanic scenarios worldwide.

Evaluating Methods for Violence Classification and Firearm Detection in Indoor CCTV Environment

The adoption of security systems based on computer vision for violence detection has the potential to significantly improve safety in various public and private properties. However, developing these systems can be extremely challenging.We can choose to use classification models to identify violence in images or also use object detection models to identify firearms, which may indicate robbery. Additionally, when developing such systems focused on private environments, we encounter specific challenges, such as obtaining appropriate datasets to train the algorithms. Many publicly available datasets for violence detection consist of outdoor images, with elements such as streets and cars, which do not adequately reflect the nuances and unique characteristics of private properties. In this work, we evaluate both learned and handcrafted features to classify videos as 'violence' or 'non-violence' across a variety of datasets, including a new dataset composed exclusively of closed-circuit television (CCTV) images. Additionally, we propose a new dataset for firearm detection in CCTV images and conduct some experiments using YoloV8. In this way, we hope to provide a clearer insight into the possible decisions when developing a security system for indoor environments.

Blossom everywhere: the territoriality of Hong Kong’s neighbourhood Lennon walls

ABSTRACT This empirical study investigates the neighborhood Lennon Walls of Hong Kong during the Anti-Extradition Bill Movement in 2019, which served as a platform for the public to express their opinions using sticky notes. Drawing on the discourse of territoriality, we argue that the Lennon Walls campaign de-territorialized public and private properties in local neighborhoods, thereby making them a social space for communication and broadening support and participation. The Lennon Wall sub-campaign strengthened the entire social movement. The findings enrich the debate of territoriality discourse in a social movement from protesters’ perspective and detail the understanding of the de-territoriality process.

Study of Natural Disaster in Manali Valley (Himachal Pradesh), India on 09 July 2023

Continuous heavy rainfall in July 2023, particularly from the 7th to the 10th, led to devastating flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, properties, and loss of lives. The most severely affected districts were Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Shimla, Solan, and nearby areas. Manali sub-division, located in Himachal Pradesh, spans an altitude range of 1074 to 4017 meters above sea level. The region's climate is shaped by its mountainous terrain, with the Beas Valley's weather influenced by factors like relief, aspect, and altitude. The Pir Panjal Range's windward slopes create a barrier to monsoon winds, resulting in heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in the area. The report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, on July 12, 2023, highlighted the active monsoon conditions in the state from July 7th to 10th, exacerbated by a Western Disturbance (WD). This combination led to intense and unprecedented rainfall, causing extensive damage to public and private properties, particularly in hilly regions. The report mentioned that similar disasters have occurred in the past due to heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides, possibly exacerbated by factors like unscientific construction, climate change, and increased human activities, including tourism. The report emphasized the need for accurate predictions and proactive planning to mitigate such disasters in the future.

Public Property Management is a Function of Public Authorities

Public Property Management is a Function of Public Authorities

Оценка эффективности организации общественной собственности: проблемы реализации и направления совершенствования

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the organization of public property and approaches to assessing its effectiveness. The analysis of various interpretations of the economic category "property" is carried out to understand the specifics of the functioning of public property and the aspects of the organization and management of private property are studied, as a result of which the peculiarities of the manifestation of traditional property rights in the mechanism of state ownership are highlighted. Based on the identified specifics, the current and long-term effects of the sale of public property are characterized, and a criterion for the effectiveness of its management is proposed, based on a change in the structure and level of satisfaction of the needs of various groups of the population and business. It is proved that the main effective organization of public property is to preserve the functions of strategic management from the real owner - the population, which should be ensured through the implementation of privatization and the mechanism of public responsibility of authorities and business structures.

Unveiling the Underlying Factors and Ripple Effects of Electoral Violence in the Tamale Metropolis

This study reveals the underlying factors promoting electoral-related violence and its effects in the Tamale metropolis. The case study design guided the research, with a mixed-methods approach used for the data collection. Two hundred and fifty closed and open-ended questionnaires were administered to respondents, while five key informant in-depth interviews were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and a thematic approach was used to analyse the qualitative data obtained from the study. It was revealed that electoral violence is engendered by multifaceted root causes, encompassing political, social, and economic dimensions. However, poverty was noted as the leading cause of electoral violence in the Tamale metropolis, representing 34.8%. The research found that election-related violence has significant effects on the socio-economic development of Tamale metropolis. These include the maiming of people, deaths, and destruction of public and private properties. These findings confirm the conceptual framework on which this study is anchored. Drawn from identity and interest-group theories, the conceptual framework posited that election-related violence leads to loss of lives, loss of property, harassment of citizens, displacement of citizens, disruption of public order, and maiming of citizens. It was further established that addressing the problem of electoral violence in the Tamale metropolis requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, political parties, and the local community. Therefore, it is recommended that the government work in collaboration with non-governmental and civil society organisations and community stakeholders to address poverty among youth by creating employment opportunities. This has the potential and significant tendency to reduce the influence of politicians in inciting the youth to indulge in electoral violence-related activities.

Forgiveness, Moral Disengagement, and Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Young Social Activists in Hong Kong

Social movements may bring positive social changes. However, escalated levels of violence and delinquency in some campaigns caused public concerns about infringing personal rights and destroying public property. In modern societies, we encourage mutual respect, peace, and appropriate conflict resolutions and avoid the use of aggression across situations. This cross-sectional study examined forgiveness, moral disengagement, and reactive and proactive aggression among different types of young social activists in Hong Kong. Findings would provide insights into intervention strategies for reducing aggressive behaviors in young people and helping them restore their quality of life. Our participants were 1046 local secondary school and tertiary students (583 males and 463 females) aged 12 to 25 years (M = 16.95, SD = 3.29). They completed a questionnaire about their participation in local campaigns, with psychological measures of forgiveness, moral disengagement, and aggression. The respondents were then divided into three categories: non-activists (NA), moderate activists (MA), and activists with delinquent/violent action (ADA). ANOVAs were used to examine the differences between these three types of social activists. Results indicated that ADA reported using more reactive and proactive aggression than NA, and MA reported using more reactive but not proactive aggression than NA. ADA had significantly higher levels of moral disengagement overall than NA and MA. Regarding forgiveness, both ADA and MA had significantly lower levels of absence of negative than NA. Implications for psychotherapy, education, and social policies will be discussed.

Blind assistance system for appliance control and public transport safety using CNN, MobileNet V2 and Yolo V8

The purpose of this research is to address the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, particularly in handling household appliances independently. With approximately 285 million visually impaired individuals worldwide, technological solutions are crucial to enhancing their accessibility and independence. This paper introduces a Smart Assistance System designed to empower visually impaired individuals to interact with household appliances in real-time without assistance. In this study, three Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithms are compared to develop the system. The evaluation metrics include accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and hamming loss on validation images. The performance comparison reveals that the custom architecture CNN, MobileNetv2, and YOLO models achieve F1 scores of 0.43, 0.63, and 0.24, respectively. To enhance object detection and classification, the paper suggests implementing bounding box buttons categorization using YOLOv8, which demonstrates superior performance with a 95% classification accuracy on testing images of home appliance buttons. They face similar difficult while in public and accessing public property. Expanding upon the proposed system’s capabilities, the paper introduces the concept of panic button detection and activation in a bus environment tailored for blind individuals. This system relies on various factors such as the number of people onboard, heart rate monitoring, and the detection of distress signals or SOS sounds emitted by the user. By integrating advanced sensing technologies and intelligent algorithms, this panic button detection system aims to provide prompt assistance and ensure the safety of visually impaired passengers in public transportation settings.

The Fiscal Capitalization of Public Spending: Does Municipal Operating and Capital Spending Increase Property Values?

This study investigates the impact of local public spending on property values. The theory of fiscal capitalization, first proposed by Charles Tiebout and Wallace Oates, holds that a positive relationship exists between local public spending and property values. The theory posits that individuals and businesses make locational decisions based on their preferences for a community’s mix of taxes and spending on services. Although an extensive literature exists supporting fiscal capitalization, studies rarely investigate the separate effects of operating versus capital expenditures. Furthermore, few studies have investigated whether a distinct capitalization effect exists between the signal created by ongoing capital expenditures and a longer term amenity effect realized once projects are completed. This article extends the fiscal capitalization theory by assessing these distinctive effects on property values. The study uses a border discontinuity research design, limiting the sample to residential properties near municipal boundaries. The results show capital and operating expenditures have different effects on property values. In addition, the spending on capital improvements has short-term and long-term effects in the property market. The findings provide local policymakers with guidance on the relative benefits of operating versus capital spending when balancing the two choices.

Appointment of Tenders Used in the Disposal of Public Property

Appointment of Tenders Used in the Disposal of Public Property

AUTOMATIC RIVER LEVEL INDICATOR FOR BRIDGES

In many nations, floods cause a significant loss of life and property. However, in underdeveloped nations, inadequate technology increases the number of fatalities and property damage caused by flooding. In the contemporary world, bridges are vital. Roads are more beautiful with bridges. One of the biggest issues with infrastructure worldwide is bridge breakdowns. It frequently has disastrous results, including fatalities and impeded trade. Every disaster results in the loss of life and destruction of public property. This project’s goal is to monitor the water condition and raise the bridge when there is a threat, indicated by a buzzer sound. A smart bridge is one that recognises a noteworthy behaviour or environmental state, then automatically reacts to that condition.