218 research outputs found

    Cycling Through the Pandemic : Tactical Urbanism and the Implementation of Pop-Up Bike Lanes in the Time of COVID-19

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    Provides an international overview on how tactical urbanism was implemented to give more space to cycling Demonstrates the conceptual framework surrounding tactical urbanism and how it plays out theoretically Proposes new methodological insights to understand the effects of tactical urbanism intervention

    Coping with low data availability for social media crisis message categorisation

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    During crisis situations, social media allows people to quickly share information, including messages requesting help. This can be valuable to emergency responders, who need to categorise and prioritise these messages based on the type of assistance being requested. However, the high volume of messages makes it difficult to filter and prioritise them without the use of computational techniques. Fully supervised filtering techniques for crisis message categorisation typically require a large amount of annotated training data, but this can be difficult to obtain during an ongoing crisis and is expensive in terms of time and labour to create. This thesis focuses on addressing the challenge of low data availability when categorising crisis messages for emergency response. It first presents domain adaptation as a solution for this problem, which involves learning a categorisation model from annotated data from past crisis events (source domain) and adapting it to categorise messages from an ongoing crisis event (target domain). In many-to-many adaptation, where the model is trained on multiple past events and adapted to multiple ongoing events, a multi-task learning approach is proposed using pre-trained language models. This approach outperforms baselines and an ensemble approach further improves performance..

    Geopolitical Risk and the U.S. Stock Returns

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    The conspicuousness of the geopolitical risk has grown considerably in recent years among experts from various fields. Especially late in the 21st century, the topic has been approached in the academic literature, for example, through oil, tourism, national defense, and financial markets. However, studies that specifically has been dealt with the connection of different sectors of the United States stock market to the geopolitical risk are rare when writing this thesis. This study examines the impact of the Ukraine War 2022, the Iraq War 2003, and September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks between stock returns from Information Technology, Consumer Staples, and Energy sectors of the U.S. S&P 500 index, as well as the effect of the geopolitical risk on the stock returns of various industries in the United States. The theoretical framework of the research has been built from the development of geopolitics, geopolitical risk, and its relationship to various industries in the United States and other risk indicators such as the VIX and the EPU indices, as well as the efficient market hypothesis with focusing on event study. The data for the study consists of returns from the U.S. S&P 500 index, returns of various industries in the years 1985–2023, and geopolitical information from the same period. In the empirical part of the research, the event study methodology is implemented in the review period of the 21st century and the ordinary least squares estimation method in the timespan from 1985 to 2023. The research results of this thesis show that geopolitical risk affects stock market returns in the United States with both empirical methods. The results obtained through the OLS estimation method indicate that the U.S. value-weighted stock returns of different industries react more significantly than the equally weighted returns. The companies in the Consumer Staples and Information Technology sector lose relative to the market in the event of a geopolitical incident. In addition, the results show that the GPA index is statistically the most significant in terms of stock returns. The results obtained through the event study, in turn, indicate that companies in the Energy sector gain from the geopolitical risk in longer event windows at the start of the war in Ukraine. Moreover, the results show that stock returns in the Consumer Staples sector are increasing in connection with the Iraq War and the Information Technology sector in shorter event windows around September 11, 2001. In other event windows and events, all three sectors perform negatively during geopolitical tension as measured by the stock returns. As a side note, in the empirics of the study, it is found that investors can utilize a hedging strategy with the put options of the Information Technology sector firms during a geopolitical threat. The variation of the research results between different geopolitical incidents and event windows of the event study indicates the possibility of further future research on the subject area. Geopoliittisen riskin tunnettuus on kasvanut huomattavasti viime vuosien aikana eri alojen asiantuntijoiden keskuudessa. Varsinkin lĂ€himenneisyydessĂ€ 2000-luvulla akateemisessa kirjallisuudessa aihealuetta on lĂ€hestytty esimerkiksi öljyn, matkailualan, maanpuolustuksen, sekĂ€ rahoitusmarkkinoiden kautta. Kuitenkin tutkimukset, joissa on kĂ€sitelty erityisesti Yhdysvaltojen osakemarkkinan eri sektoreiden yhteyttĂ€ geopoliittiseen riskiin ovat harvinaisia tĂ€mĂ€n opinnĂ€ytteen tekohetkellĂ€. TĂ€ssĂ€ tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan Ukrainan sodan 2022, Irakin sodan 2003, sekĂ€ vuoden 2001 syyskuun 11. pĂ€ivĂ€n terroristi-iskujen vaikutusta Yhdysvaltojen S&P 500 indeksin informaatioteknologia-, pĂ€ivittĂ€istavara-, ja energiasektoreiden osaketuottoihin, sekĂ€ myös geopoliittisen riskin vaikutusta eri teollisuudenalojen osaketuottoihin Yhdysvalloissa. Tutkimuksen teoreettinen viitekehys on rakennettu geopolitiikan kehityksestĂ€, geopoliittisesta riskistĂ€ ja sen indekseistĂ€, geopoliittisen riskin suhteesta Yhdysvaltojen eri teollisuudenaloihin ja muihin riski-indikaattoreihin kuten VIX- ja EPU-indekseihin, sekĂ€ tehokkaiden markkinoiden hypoteesista keskittyen tapahtumatutkimukseen. Tutkimuksen aineisto koostuu Yhdysvaltojen S&P 500 indeksin yritysten ja kokonaisindeksin, sekĂ€ eri teollisuudenalojen tuotoista vuosina 1985–2023 sekĂ€ myös geopoliittisesta informaatiosta samalta aikajaksolta. Tutkimuksen empiirisessĂ€ osassa toteutetaan tapahtumatutkimuksen metodologiaa 2000-luvun tarkastelujaksolla sekĂ€ pienimmĂ€n neliösumman estimointimenetelmÀÀ aikavĂ€lillĂ€ 1985–2023. TĂ€mĂ€n opinnĂ€ytetyön tutkimustulokset esittĂ€vĂ€t, ettĂ€ geopoliittinen riski vaikuttaa osakemarkkinoiden tuottoon Yhdysvalloissa kummallakin empiirisellĂ€ menetelmĂ€llĂ€. PienimmĂ€n neliösumman estimointimenetelmĂ€n kautta saadut tulokset osoittavat, ettĂ€ Yhdysvaltojen eri teollisuudenalojen arvopainotetut osaketuotot reagoivat merkittĂ€vĂ€mmin kuin tasapainotetut tuotot, ja ettĂ€ yritykset pĂ€ivittĂ€istavara- ja informaatioteknologiasektorissa hĂ€viĂ€vĂ€t suhteessa markkinoihin geopoliittisen tapauksen sattuessa. LisĂ€ksi tulosten kautta havaitaan, ettĂ€ GPA-indeksi on tilastollisesti merkittĂ€vin osaketuottojen kannalta. Tapahtumatutkimuksen kautta saadut tulokset puolestaan osoittavat, ettĂ€ yritykset energiasektorissa reagoivat positiivisesti geopoliittiseen riskiin pidemmissĂ€ aikaikkunoissa Ukrainan sodan alkaessa, pĂ€ivittĂ€istavarasektorissa Irakin sodan yhteydessĂ€, sekĂ€ informaatioteknologiasektorissa lyhemmissĂ€ aikaikkunoissa syyskuun 11. pĂ€ivĂ€n ympĂ€rillĂ€ vuonna 2001. Muissa aikaikkunoissa ja tapahtumissa kaikki kolme sektoria suoriutuvat negatiivisesti geopoliittisen jĂ€nnitteen aikana osaketuotoilla mitattuna. Sivuhuomiona tutkimuksen empiriassa löydetÀÀn, ettĂ€ sijoittajat voivat hyödyntÀÀ suojausstrategiaa informaatioteknologiasektorin yritysten myyntioptioilla geopoliittisen uhan aikana. Tutkimuksen tulosten vaihtelu eri geopoliittisten tapahtumien sekĂ€ tapahtumatutkimuksen eri aikaikkunoiden vĂ€lillĂ€ kertoo aihepiirin lisĂ€tutkimuksen mahdollisuudesta tulevaisuudessa

    Past, present, and future of the Living Planet Index

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    As we enter the next phase of international policy commitments to halt biodiversity loss (e.g., Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework), biodiversity indicators will play an important role in forming the robust basis upon which targeted, and time sensitive conservation actions are developed. Population trend indicators are one of the most powerful tools in biodiversity monitoring due to their responsiveness to changes over short timescales and their ability to aggregate species trends from global down to sub-national or even local scale. We consider how the project behind one of the foremost population level indicators - the Living Planet Index - has evolved over the last 25 years, its value to the field of biodiversity monitoring, and how its components have portrayed a compelling account of the changing status of global biodiversity through its application at policy, research and practice levels. We explore ways the project can develop to enhance our understanding of the state of biodiversity and share lessons learned to inform indicator development and mobilise action

    Exploring Sentiment Analysis on Twitter: Investigating Public Opinion on Migration in Brazil from 2015 to 2020

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    openTechnology has reshaped societal interaction and the expression of opinions. Migration is a prominent trend, and analysing social media discussions provides insights into societal perspectives. This thesis explores how events between 2015 and 2020 impacted Brazilian sentiment on Twitter about migrants and refugees. Its aim was to uncover the influence of key sociopolitical events on public sentiment, clarifying how these echoed in the digital realm. Four key objectives guided this research: (a) understanding public opinions on migrants and refugees, (b) investigating how events influenced Twitter sentiment, (c) identifying terms used in migration-related tweets, and (d) tracking sentiment shifts, especially concerning changes in government. Sentiment analysis using VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner) was employed to analyse tweet data. The use of computational methods in social sciences is gaining traction, yet no analysis has been conducted before to understand the sentiments of the Brazilian population regarding migration. The analysis underscored Twitter's role in reflecting and shaping public discourse, offering insights into how major events influenced discussions on migration. In conclusion, this study illuminated the landscape of Brazilian sentiment on migration, emphasizing the significance of innovative social media analysis methodologies for policymaking and societal inclusivity in the digital age

    FAILURE OF U.S. DRUG POLICY: WOMEN AND THE OPIOID CRISIS

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    Over a century of drug policy and law has failed to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. Drug policy and law have focused on reducing the supply of illicit drugs but have failed to consider factors that influence the demand for those drugs. The U.S. now faces an unprecedented crisis of opioid use, abuse, overdose, and death largely due to these failures.A gap analysis was conducted to identify shortcomings in existing policy. Gap analysis is used to determine whether a policy as written reaches desired goals and outcomes through its implementation. Biopsychosocial theory (BPS) was used to frame the recommendations for policy change. The BPS framework of human behavior and well-being encompasses all known influences on a person when attempting to diagnose or treat an illness, permitting a thorough examination of a policy’s ability to meet the needs of a population. The gap analysis shows the current policy does not produce desired outcomes in terms of drug abuse prevention, and women are affected more negatively than men. Women are at greater risk of losing their children, losing their jobs, being unable to find educational resources, and becoming homeless if they become addicted to opioids. The BPS suggests a shift in policy and law from supply reduction to demand reduction, which is critical to the future of women most at risk for drug abuse, overdose, and death.Civilian, Department of Social Services, State of CaliforniaApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

    Beyond Legal Deserts: Access to Counsel for Immigrants Facing Removal

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    Study on preventing and combating hate speech in times of crisis

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    Crises are testing grounds for societies and for their democratic institutions. They can either threaten or reinforce societal cohesion; weaken or consolidate the capacity of governments and elected bodies to respond to voters’ concerns; and suppress or stimulate the reaction of civil society organizations toward new needs and forms of marginalization. Regarding discrimination, crises can intensify hatred and hate speech targeting specific individuals or groups deemed responsible for the crisis, but they can also be aggravated by hate speech when a certain group has been singled out as a threat or an enemy. Hate speech in times of crisis may build on existing discriminatory or hate narratives, but also trigger, and evolve from, new narratives disseminated to respond to such crises. European countries have experienced several crises in the last few years, which have impacted the production, dissemination, and reception of hate speech. The COVID-19 pandemic (“a pandemic of hate” to quote the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres) has globally boosted dynamics of social conflict, polarisation, and radicalization; saw a huge increase in hate speech against individuals and groups (such as Chinese and people of Asian descent, migrants and refugees, and national minorities); revamped antisemitism (via conspiracy theories); intertwined hateful narratives; and intersected grounds of discrimination. Roma and Travellers have also been particularly affected by hate speech in several European countries for both enduring systemic discrimination and for more contextual causes, such as forced marginalization and isolation during lockdowns, and for being singled out as potential plague-spreaders. The full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine in February 2022 has fostered violent, dehumanizing rhetoric and hate speech both in the countries and – more generally – across Europe, opposing the Russian Federation and “The West” and disseminating hatred against Ukraine, Ukrainian nationals, and refugees from Ukraine through disinformation campaigns. Nationalistic hate speech has triggered and is fuelling the conflict and its circulation also represents a challenge to the media sector and to internet intermediaries, which are asked to disentangle hateful narratives and provide the public with objective information about the Russian Federation’s aggression. At the same time, the war of aggression against Ukraine has also had a negative impact on communities using Russian as their main language, including outside of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The arrivals of migrants and refugees have been labeled in political discourse and by the media as "crises” in the last few years to create a consistent narrative that sees the rise of mixed migration movements to European countries as a cause of uncertainty, threat, and ongoing emergency to states and societies. This coupled with increasing anti-migrant hate speech since the arrival of a large number of refugees from Syria in 2015, together with the fear of contagion and border control during the pandemic has further consolidated a xenophobic discourse, and migrants and refugees remain one of the major targets of hate speech across the continent. Finally, terrorist attacks have fuelled xenophobic feelings, and terror attacks themselves are equally fuelled by intolerance: for example, the attack fomented by homophobia that occurred in the Slovak Republic in 2022. Hatred against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons – and in particular against transgender people – is on the rise all over Europe, which calls for effective institutional interventions to prevent and combat LGBTI-phobia at all levels. Due to such crises, new challenges have emerged for the different actors involved in monitoring, analyzing, preventing, and combating hate speech. From the very definition of hate speech which has confronted new complexities, the urgency of increasing public awareness of disinformation, which is particularly misleading and disruptive in times of crisis, to the need to better work with social media platforms (to get access to data, and foster collaboration with law enforcement) and to create inter-institutional cooperation involving those targeted by hate speech, stakeholders are expressing their concerns and setting their priorities, with the aim of making their approaches more comprehensive. Much has already been done – by various actors and at various levels – to address hate speech in times of crisis, and promising practices across the continent have been tested, such as the implementation of legal measures to combat hate speech, coordinated campaigns online and offline by law enforcement and networks of stakeholders, education and counter-speech initiatives and some actions in support of those targeted by hate speech. However, much still needs to be done, as this report shows, and comprehensive strategies still need to be designed, implemented, and assessed to better tackle hate speech in times of crisis. The recommendations to enhance the fight against hate speech in times of crisis include assessing and amending legal frameworks, as well as reinforcing law enforcement measures. Collaboration among stakeholders needs to be strengthened, including a focus on the role and competencies of specific actors such as media, national human rights institutions, and equality bodies. Making public awareness and information campaigns a priority and providing support to those targeted by hate speech also appear as crucial measures to prevent and combat hate speech in times of crisis. Importantly, it should be recognized that it can be difficult to amend legal frameworks or make substantial policy or practical changes quickly in times of crisis. Therefore, it is essential to take steps to prepare good conditions of social cohesion in ordinary times to ensure a greater level of resilience to discriminatory and hateful speech in times of crisis. In this respect, it is suggested that member states and stakeholders closely follow the recommendations presented in the Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on combating hate speech
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