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2008

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Articles 781 - 810 of 1382

Full-Text Articles in Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Intelligent Robotic Behaviors For Landmine Detection And Marking, David Bremmer, David Few, Curtis Nielsen, Miles Walton Apr 2008

Intelligent Robotic Behaviors For Landmine Detection And Marking, David Bremmer, David Few, Curtis Nielsen, Miles Walton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses experimental results achieved with a robotic countermine system that utilizes autonomous behaviors and a mixed-initiative control scheme to address the challenges of detecting and marking buried landmines. By correlating aerial imagery and ground-based robot mapping, the interface provides context for the operator to task the robot. Once tasked, the robot can perform the search and detection task without the use of accurate global positioning system information or continuous communication with the operator. Results show that the system was able to find and mark landmines with a very low level of human involvement. In addition, the data indicates …

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Lessons Learned From Field Tests In Croatia And Cambodia, Paulo Debenest, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Toshiaki Matsuzawa, Shigeo Hirose Apr 2008

Lessons Learned From Field Tests In Croatia And Cambodia, Paulo Debenest, Marc Freese, Edwardo Fukushima, Toshiaki Matsuzawa, Shigeo Hirose

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes the development and the experiments performed with Gryphon, a new platform for tele-operated landmine detection. With Gryphon, the authors aim at reducing the gap between research and application by introducing partial autonomy in mine-detection operations with a robust platform. Tests have been performed in Croatia and Cambodia.

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The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow Apr 2008

The Parable Of The Two Sons, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

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Jordan: Safeguarding Life And Promoting Development, Esma Al-Samarai, Stephen Bryant Apr 2008

Jordan: Safeguarding Life And Promoting Development, Esma Al-Samarai, Stephen Bryant

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Jordan signed the Ottawa Convention in 1999 and is working to comply with the regulations by the May 2009 deadline. Jordan has enlisted Norwegian People's Aid to help the Royal Engineering Corps meet its deadline. Surveys have been completed and suspected hazardous areas have been significantly reduced. NPA is continuing to demine areas with the help of mine-detecting dogs and a MineWolf machine. The overall goal is to clear the land to allow agriculture and industry to return to areas currently inaccessible due to the threat of landmines.

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Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills Apr 2008

Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency was one of the first organizations to enter Lebanon after the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. The enormous amount of unexploded ordnance littering southern Lebanon led to a need for a more sustainable program than the initial small operation provided. The more expansive program sought deminers and, to the surprise of the SRSA, many women showed interest. Several were hired and trained, and proved themselves to be able workers in the field. The success of the program in Lebanon has had some wondering why it has taken so long for women in the Middle East …

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Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour Apr 2008

Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article looks at the relationship between the existing landmine and explosive remnants of war problem in the Middle East and North Africa, and terrorist activities in the area by explaining the scope of the mine/ERW problem in the region; the huge availability of explosives for use in illegal activities, particularly terrorism; and the case of Algeria and Egypt being affected by recent terrorist acts.

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Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson Apr 2008

Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The environmental impact of any human action cannot be underestimated—even humanitarian demining—given the global repercussions in this era of explosive growth. The authors discuss the consequences of thoughtless action and provide valuable context concerning the vast extent to which human beings impact the environment.

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Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian Apr 2008

Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While global warming is a hot environmental topic these days and scientists agree that unless we act soon to significantly reduce global pollution, average temperatures will continue to rise, causing heat waves, rising sea levels, droughts and wildfires. It is also important to look at mine-action procedures and activities to ensure our industry is in compliance with the world's requirements on environment protection. There is perhaps a need, more than ever before, to remind national mine-action authorities and demining organisations of their responsibility to ensure that demining operations not only be carried out in a safe, effective and efficient manner, …

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Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG, also known as the Mines Advisory Group, whose motto is "saves lives, builds futures," takes a proactive role in meeting the needs of individuals in mine-affected countries through peacebuilding, community liaison and mine-risk education. With operations located in Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam, MAG has learned to incorporate old and new techniques, resulting in prosperous futures for many.

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A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn Apr 2008

A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Roots of Peace focuses on mined farming areas and specializes in rebuilding these areas for farmers. To aid this process, the organization promotes the growing of sustainable and high-value crops. This article describes some of the organization's successful efforts in Afghanistan and argues the effectiveness of its approach for future mine-action efforts.

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Islamic Republic Of Iran, Country Profile Apr 2008

Islamic Republic Of Iran, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The area of the world once home to the Persian Empire has seen its fair share of social and political turbulence. In 1979, the western-supported ruler Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown during the Iranian Revolution, and a conservative Islamic cleric named Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini came to power and formed an Islamic republic. This system of government still remains even after Khomeini's passing in 1989, with Ali Khamenei succeeding him as supreme leader of the country.

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Iraq, Country Profile Apr 2008

Iraq, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2003, the government of Iraq has taken action against mines and unexploded ordnance. On 15 August 2007, Iraq acceded to the Ottawa Convention becoming the 155th State Party. The rising levels of violence in the region, however, have made focusing on mine action difficult for the Iraqi government—or anyone, for that matter. The decrease in security has taken focus, time and energy from ridding the country of its extensive problems with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.

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Morocco And Western Sahara, Country Profile Apr 2008

Morocco And Western Sahara, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

By the time Spain abandoned its Western Saharan claims in 1976, three warring factions had emerged, taking up arms over custody of the territory: Morocco seeking southern annexation, Mauritania seeking northern annexation, and Saharan natives seeking to establish their own nation, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

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The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic Apr 2008

The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Because of the conflict there in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been plagued by landmines, unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and all of the problems associated with them. With so many victims, the need for an organized system to help these people was imperative. In this article, the author describes how the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center and other organisations helped establish an information system in BiH to help inform landmine victims about what they can do to help themselves and their families.

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Tajikistan, Country Profile Apr 2008

Tajikistan, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Nearly a decade after a civil war ravaged the Republic of Tajikistan, the country is still suffering the effects of contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war. Although the country has never produced or exported anti-personnel mines, Soviet and Uzbek forces emplaced them along most of its borders. Tajikistan is also the only State Party to the Ottawa Convention to declare APMs stockpiled in its territory by a non-State Party; Russian Ministry of Defense units deployed in Tajikistan control approximately 18,200 mines. All of these issues contribute to a crippling mine problem for one of the poorest countries in …

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As Mines Grow Old, Colin King Apr 2008

As Mines Grow Old, Colin King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In most cases, the mines being cleared around the world were emplaced decades ago; yet the techniques and equipment being used during clearance treat them as though they were new. The author looks briefly at the effects of ageing on mines and considers possible implications.

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Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack Apr 2008

Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cornell MineSweeper is a nonprofit student organization founded in 2006 by Cornell University engineering student Vikas Reddy that integrates robotics technology and humanitarian initiatives. The team, comprised of over 40 highly dedicated Cornell students, is designing practical robotic vehicles—still in the concept stage—to assist with demining efforts worldwide.

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Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli Apr 2008

Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the intricate global and internal conflicts that plague the Kurdish region with emphasis on the profound impact these conflicts have on mine action in this area of the Middle East.

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Survey And Ordnance Disposal In The Polisario-Controlled Areas Of The Western Sahara, Zlatko Gegic, Artyom Harutyunyan Apr 2008

Survey And Ordnance Disposal In The Polisario-Controlled Areas Of The Western Sahara, Zlatko Gegic, Artyom Harutyunyan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to a 15-year war, Western Sahara has a number of unmarked territories full of explosive remnants of war. Landmine Action, a nongovernmental organisation from the United Kingdom, has taken several measures to improve the situation in Western Sahara. In addition to surveying, marking and reporting, one of LMA's chief intentions is to train members of the local population in an explosive-ordnance-disposal programme.

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One-Handed In A Two-Handed World, Book Review Apr 2008

One-Handed In A Two-Handed World, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Applying her own life experience to One-Handed in a Two-Handed World, author Tommye-K. Mayer provides readers with a plethora of advice on how handle everyday life, single-handedly.

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Minada America, Documentary Review Apr 2008

Minada America, Documentary Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Minada America, produced by photojournalists Vinicius Souza and Maria Eugênia Sá, is a book and film package documenting the lives of Latin Americans devastated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Dismayed by the lack of media attention to the problem of landmines and ERW, the producers' main goal is to expose the problem to a world that is largely oblivious to the tragedies they cause

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Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since getting involved in mine action six years ago, Jim Yoder has contributed his dedication and long hours in the field to help reap humanitarian benefits for many people in Thailand, Cambodia and now the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Yoder is an inspiration to his peers and the many others he has reached through his work.

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Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi Apr 2008

Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Effective mine action requires numerous actors to peacefully collaborate: governmental and nongovernmental, international and local. Armed non-state actors (ANSA) that operate beyond central control, such as rebel opposition groups and paramilitary organizations, and private defense companies can often provide necessary contributions to mine action. Understanding ANSAs allows humanitarian organizations to communicate, cooperate and avoid conflict.

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Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron Apr 2008

Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For many communities, the land is their livelihood; however, the threat of landmines has affected agricultural communities all over the world. In this article, the author describes how, in Yemen, the United Nations Development Programme and other organizations are using techniques that fully preserve the environment and still allow for safe, successful demining.

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Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Schonstedt Instrument Company takes an active role in promoting social responsibility by donating one magnetic locator to the United Nations Mine Action Team for every Tracemaster II or XTpc commercial cable/utilities locator Schonstedt sells. In creating and implementing this initiative, the company helps countries lacking extensive resources increase their demining capabilities.

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Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs Apr 2008

Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The current training programmes for National Mine Action Managers are examined to determine the advantages of the courses as well as areas in which the programmes can be improved.

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Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar Apr 2008

Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Desert Storm brought Iraqi Forces to Kuwait and, with them, mines. Aerial diagrams illustrate the areas of Kuwait still littered with landmines. Landmines are causing significant short- and long-term damage to the environment, resulting in soil erosion, destruction of vegetation and topsoil, and negatively impacting wildlife.

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Demichain: A New Concept Of Mechanical Demining, Rene Joeckle Apr 2008

Demichain: A New Concept Of Mechanical Demining, Rene Joeckle

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

DEMICHAIN is a new concept for mechanical demining, in which a horizontal web of heavy chains hung several metres above a surface to be cleared is dropped in a free fall and delivers a mechanical impulse over the whole surface hit by the chains. A pressure wave expands in the soil and is expected to trigger the active landmines. A description of the device is given, as well as comparisons to other demining devices. The author offers that DEMICHAIN provides numerous advantages to current mechanical-demining techniques, though it requires further testing before it can be used in real-life situations.

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Endnotes Issue 11.2, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Endnotes Issue 11.2, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Endnotes Issue 11.2

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The State Of Education In Arkansas 2008: How Much Are Arkansas Schools Spending?, Joshua H. Barnett, Gary W. Ritter, Brent E. Riffel Apr 2008

The State Of Education In Arkansas 2008: How Much Are Arkansas Schools Spending?, Joshua H. Barnett, Gary W. Ritter, Brent E. Riffel

Arkansas Education Reports

Over the last half century, more than forty states across the nation have experienced school finance lawsuits as a consequence of funding gaps between rich and poor districts. Arkansas is one such state, with a long history of school funding battles in the courts. The legal challenges began in 1983, when the Arkansas Supreme Court initially found the state's school funding system unconstitutional under the equal protection clause of the state constitution1 . The court found “no legitimate state purpose” and “no rational relationship to educational needs” in the state's method of financing public schools. This initial finding set the …

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