The application of optical satellite imagery and census data for urban population estimation: A case study for Ahmedabad, India

The rapid growth of India\u27s urban population leads to the need to employ new technologies for population modelling. In this study, optical satellite images and census data are used to model the population distribution for the city of Ahmedabad (northwest India. The selected spatial scales for which the population data are generated correspond to those often used for earthquake risk modelling and loss estimation

Desastres naturales y mortalidad: análisis probabilístico de Argentina, 1970-2015

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are expected to increase due to climate change. In this context, this work advances in the estimation of an absolute measure of mortality risk generated by natural disasters, in regions of Argentina. In particular, exceedance probabilities of mortality are estimated using the information diffusion method. The historical data of natural disasters provided by the records of DesInventar are used. These records cover the 1970-2015 period and are published by the Social Studies Network in Disaster Prevention in Latin America (LA RED). The results suggest that the Centro region is the one with the highest risk of absolute mortality, while the Noreste region has the lowest risk levels. In a given year there is a 0.93 probability that, at least, one death will occur due to natural disasters in the Centro region. In the Noreste region, this probability is 0.77. The results are robust and significant.Se espera que la frecuencia e intensidad de los desastres naturales aumenten, a futuro, debido al cambio climático. En este contexto, este trabajo avanza en la estimación de una medida absoluta del riesgo de mortalidad generado por desastres naturales, en regiones de Argentina. En particular, se estiman probabilidades de excedencia de mortalidad utilizando el método de difusión de información. Se utilizan los datos históricos de desastres naturales proporcionados por los registros de DesInventar. Estos registros cubren el período 1970-2015 y son publicados por la Red de Estudios Sociales en Prevención de Desastres en América Latina (LA RED). Los resultados sugieren que la región Centro es la que tiene el mayor riesgo de mortalidad absoluta, mientras que la región Noreste tiene los niveles de riesgo más bajos. En un año dado hay una probabilidad de 0.93 de que, al menos, una muerte tenga lugar debido a desastres naturales en la región Centro. En la región de Noreste, esta probabilidad es 0.77. Los resultados son robustos y significativos

Natural and Technological Hazards in Urban Areas

Natural hazard events and technological accidents are separate causes of environmental impacts. Natural hazards are physical phenomena active in geological times, whereas technological hazards result from actions or facilities created by humans. In our time, combined natural and man-made hazards have been induced. Overpopulation and urban development in areas prone to natural hazards increase the impact of natural disasters worldwide. Additionally, urban areas are frequently characterized by intense industrial activity and rapid, poorly planned growth that threatens the environment and degrades the quality of life. Therefore, proper urban planning is crucial to minimize fatalities and reduce the environmental and economic impacts that accompany both natural and technological hazardous events

A review of the changing culture and social context relating to forensic facial depiction of the dead

The recognition of a decedent by a family member is commonplace in forensic investigation and is often employed as identity confirmation. However, it is recognised that misidentification from facial recognition is also common and faces of the dead may be extremely difficult to recognise due to decomposition or external damage, and even immediate post-mortem changes may be significant enough to confuse an observer. The depiction of faces of the dead can be a useful tool for promoting recognition leading to identification and post-mortem facial depiction is described as the interpretation of human remains in order to suggest the living appearance of an individual. This paper provides an historical context relating to the changing view of society to the presentation and publication of post-mortem facial depictions and discusses the current ethical, practical and academic challenges associated with these images