Scoping Study of the Effects of Aging on Landmines

The Mine Action Information Center at James Madison University has partnered with a British EOD consultancy company, C King Associates Ltd, to conduct a preliminary study into the effects of aging on landmines. This project entailed examination and disassembly of several types of anti-personnel mines, a literature review of relevant material and analysis of the initial findings. The study confirms a fairly obvious assumption: The characteristics of mines change significantly as they grow older. However, while this situation is constantly observed in the field through the recovery of rotted, rusted and damaged mines, it has never been adequately investigated. The literary review found little evidence of any systematic attempt to document the effects of aging, let alone to analyze their implications for mine action. The traditional assumption is that aging ammunition tends to become “unpredictable,” which is often interpreted as “unstable.” Initial findings from this study indicate that, on the contrary, many aging effects are not only inevitable, but frequently lead to mines becoming inoperative. These findings have far-reaching implications for both the mineaction “industry” and for military operations. Applications from the findings range from assisting high-level decisions on funding allocation to modifying clearance techniques in the field. Not surprisingly, there are implications for detection and equipment development. Additionally, many of the models and images currently used for recognition training look completely unlike the mines as they appear now, so there are significant implications for improving mine risk education. It was necessary to severely limit the extent of this initial phase, both technically and geographically; in fact, this important work was delayed for many years because the subject seemed too broad to approach. This effort has highlighted important trends that clearly warrant further investigation; in particular, there is a need to quantify the effects observed and to validate the deductions. It is recommended that this study serve as a foundation for more analytical work, which expands on the types of mine examined and the regions, or generic conditions, in which they are found. The outcomes from further research on the effects of aging on landmines offer the prospect of allowing substantial savings to program managers through enhanced decision-making and economy of effort; and more importantly, these findings have the real potential to save lives

A Primer on Explosive Remnants of War

This primer reviews the legal and functional understandings regarding explosive remnants of war, particularly after the adoption of Protocol V in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. It examines the tensions between the legal definition of ERW and the reality on the ground, and recommends clarifying the terms that bind post-conflict clearance efforts to ensure the greatest effectiveness of those campaign

Perspectives on Capacity Development

On 30 March 2007, Daniele Ressler interviewed Sara Sekkenes, Senior Programme Advisor and Team Leader for Mine Action and Small Arms in the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. The interview was conducted to learn more about Sekkenes’ and the UNDP’s views on the role of capacity development in mine action. Lessons learned from past UNDP capacity-building activities are highlighted, as well as plans for future activities and the process of mainstreaming mine action

Cluster Munitions and ERW in Lebanon

The recent 34-day conflict between the Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah and Israel from July 12 to August 14, 2006, saw extensive use of surface-launched munitions and air-dropped munitions (to a lesser degree), resulting in wartime casualties for military and civilian actors in both Lebanon and Israel. Since the ceasefire agreement, international post-conflict attention has become focused on Lebanon due to the large number of explosive remnants of war left behind after the conflict. In particular, cluster munitions are proving problematic for post-conflict reconstruction activities in Lebanon due to their apparent high failure rate and the potential threat they pose to returning civilians, aid workers and military personnel. This article examines cluster munitions and the impact of their presence in Lebanon

Mine-action Capacity Development at a Crossroads

Capacity development is a central part of sustainable mine action. As a concept, capacity development has evolved over time but even now there is not an agreed-upon definition. While the mine action sector has made progress in encouraging the development of national capacity in many countries, there is still much that can be done to promote strong, capable institutions—both within the mineaction field and beyond

First Workshop on Regional Approaches to Stockpile Reduction in Southeast Europe

Faced with the significant security and humanitarian impacts of stockpiled weapons and munitions, countries and organizations in Southeast Europe met in May to discuss strategies for stockpile reduction. The workshop, held in Croatia, focused on regional approaches to this problem, emphasizing information-sharing and coordination across borders

DNA methylation signatures of chronic low-grade inflammation are associated with complex diseases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low-grade inflammation reflects a subclinical immune response implicated in the pathogenesis of complex diseases. Identifying genetic loci where DNA methylation is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation may reveal novel pathways or therapeutic targets for inflammation. RESULTS: We performed a meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a sensitive marker of low-grade inflammation, in a large European population (n = 8863) and trans-ethnic replication in African Americans (n = 4111). We found differential methylation at 218 CpG sites to be associated with CRP (P < 1.15 × 10-7) in the discovery panel of European ancestry and replicated (P < 2.29 × 10-4) 58 CpG sites (45 unique loci) among African Americans. To further characterize the molecular and clinical relevance of the findings, we examined the association with gene expression, genetic sequence variants, and clinical outcomes. DNA methylation at nine (16%) CpG sites was associated with whole blood gene expression in cis (P < 8.47 × 10-5), ten (17%) CpG sites were associated with a nearby genetic variant (P < 2.50 × 10-3), and 51 (88%) were also associated with at least one related cardiometabolic entity (P < 9.58 × 10-5). An additive weighted score of replicated CpG sites accounted for up to 6% inter-individual variation (R2) of age-adjusted and sex-adjusted CRP, independent of known CRP-related genetic variants. CONCLUSION: We have completed an EWAS of chronic low-grade inflammation and identified many novel genetic loci underlying inflammation that may serve as targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for inflammation

IMSMA® Version 4: A Collaborative Approach

From July 24 to 27, 2006, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining hosted a workshop in Murten, Switzerland, to introduce and discuss the release of the Information Management System for Mine Action version 4. Participants included management, operations and technology professionals involved in mine-action information management. During this workshop, results from IMSMA v4 pilot field tests were presented, v4 changes and innovations were explained, and a demonstration of IMSMA v4 with new handheld and Geographic Information System components was offered. IMSMA v4 reflects a collaborative effort to improve the accuracy and ease of mine-action information management in the field

Determinants of modern contraceptive prevalence and unplanned pregnancies in Migori County, Kenya: Results of a cross-sectional household survey

Family planning and contraceptive utilization can have significant effects in reducing unplanned pregnancies and improving maternal and child health indicators. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing survey response data within six sub-locations of Migori County, Kenya in 2018 and 2019. We utilize this survey data to estimate both the prevalence of contraceptive uptake and unwanted pregnancies in the study populations, and to examine the potential role that different factors play in meeting related family planning targets. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was used to model determinants of contraceptive use and reported unplanned pregnancy. A total of 3,642 female heads of household were included. 63% of respondents reported that they currently use some form of contraception, and the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 36.7%. Our findings reflect the need for family planning programs to focus interventions on those at highest risk. There is a need for additional research and investigation into community and individual beliefs surrounding family planning in order to ensure that interventions are culturally sensitive and locally responsive. La planification familiale et l'utilisation de la contraception peuvent avoir des effets significatifs sur la réduction des grossesses non planifiées et l'amélioration des indicateurs de santé maternelle et infantile. Nous avons mené une étude transversale rétrospective analysant les données de réponse à l'enquête dans six sous-sites du comté de Migori, au Kenya en 2018 et 2019. Nous utilisons ces données d'enquête pour estimer à la fois la prévalence de l'utilisation de la contraception et des grossesses non désirées dans les populations de l'étude, et pour examiner le rôle potentiel que jouent différents facteurs dans la réalisation des objectifs de planification familiale connexes. Des statistiques descriptives ont été calculées et une régression logistique multivariée a été utilisée pour modéliser les déterminants de l'utilisation de la contraception et les grossesses non planifiées signalées. Au total, 3 642 femmes chefs de ménage ont été incluses. 63% des répondants ont déclaré utiliser actuellement une forme de contraception et la prévalence des grossesses non planifiées était de 36,7%. Nos résultats reflètent la nécessité pour les programmes de planification familiale de concentrer les interventions sur les personnes les plus à risque. Il est nécessaire de mener des recherches et des enquêtes supplémentaires sur les croyances communautaires et individuelles entourant la planification familiale afin de garantir que les interventions sont culturellement sensibles et adaptées localement