Using Interviews and Psychological Tests in Studies of Independent Actors and Suicide Bombers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Merari
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Psychological Tests ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Suicide Bombers ◽  
Suicide Attacks

This chapter describes two studies in which Palestinian assailants underwent interviews and psychological tests intended to learn about factors that influenced their decision to carry out a terrorist attack and their behaviour before, during, and after the attack. The first study examined would-be suicide bombers, a control group of non-suicide terrorists and organizers of suicide attacks, and the second study examined lone-actor assailants. Differences in personality characteristics, psychopathology and motivations for carrying out terrorist attacks were found between the various types of assailants in the two studies. Conclusions pertinent to the issue of terrorists’ risk assessment are discussed.

Personality Characteristics of “Self Martyrs”/“Suicide Bombers” and Organizers of Suicide Attacks

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Merari ◽  
Ilan Diamant ◽  
Arie Bibi ◽  
Yoav Broshi ◽  
Giora Zakin
Keyword(s):  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Suicide Bombers ◽  
Suicide Attacks

Burying Jihadis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riva Kastoryano
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Practical Issue ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Territorial Identity ◽  
Suicide Bombers ◽  
Suicide Attacks ◽  
American Spanish ◽  
Enemy Combatants ◽  
Local Leaders

What should states do with the bodies of suicide bombers and other jihadists who die while perpetrating terrorist attacks? This original and unsettling book explores the host of ethical and political questions raised by this dilemma, from (non-)legitimization of the "enemy" and their cause to the non-territorial identity of individuals who identified in life with a global community of believers. Because states do not recognize suicide bombers as enemy combatants, governments must decide individually what to do with their remains. Riva Kastoryano offers a window onto this challenging predicament through the responses of the American, Spanish, British and French governments after the Al-Qaeda suicide attacks in New York, Madrid and London, and Islamic State's attacks on Paris in 2015. Interviewing officials, religious and local leaders and jihadists' families, both in their countries of origin and in the target nations, she has traced the terrorists' travel history, discovering unexpected connections between their itineraries and the handling of their burials. This fascinating book reveals how states' approaches to a seemingly practical issue are closely shaped by territory, culture, globalization and identity.

Adolescent Voice Quality Aberrations: Personality and Social Status

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Muma ◽  
Ronald L. Laeder ◽  
Clarence E. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Peer Evaluations ◽  
Adolescent Voice

Seventy-eight subjects, identified as possessing voice quality aberrations for six months, constituted four experimental groups: breathiness, harshness, hoarseness, and nasality. A control group included 38 subjects. The four experimental groups were compared with the control group according to personality characteristics and peer evaluations. The results of these comparisons indicated that there was no relationship between voice quality aberration and either personality characteristics or peer evaluations.

The Impact of Terrorism on Construction Industry in Iraq

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Wadhah Amer Hatem ◽  
Samiaah M. Hassen Al-Tmeemy
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Statistical Procedures ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Suicide Attacks ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact

     Suicide attacks, bombings, explosions became the part of daily life in Iraq. Consequently, the threat of terrorism put the Iraqi construction sector in the face of unique and unusual challenges that not seen on other countries. These challenges can have extensive impact on construction projects. This paper seeks to examine the impact of the terrorist attacks on construction industry and determine the extent to which the impact of terrorism on construction projects in terms of cost, schedule, and quality. This study adapted quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data using questionnaire survey and interviews, as well as historical data. The study focused on projects that have been the target of terrorist strikes in Diyala governorate. A variety of statistical procedures were employed in data analysis. The results revealed the extent to which terrorist attacks impact construction projects in terms of cost, time, and quality. The results of this study will enhance the awareness of all construction parties to the impact of the terrorist attacks against construction projects. Eventually, this can develop a risk management assessment and assist contractors to properly protect projects and buildings to minimize injuries and fatalities in the event of terrorism.

An Empirical Examination on the Severity of Lone-Actor Terrorist Attacks

2021 ◽  
pp. 001112872110226
Author(s):  
Noah D. Turner ◽  
Steven M. Chermak ◽  
Joshua D. Freilich
Keyword(s):  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Severe Attack ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Counterterrorism Policy

Lone-actor terrorists have increasingly attracted the attention of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike. Despite this enhanced interest, few studies have compared the outcomes of lone-actor terrorist attacks with other terrorists, and those that have do not consider the terrorists’ intention to kill in an attack. This study utilizes a sample of 230 terrorist homicide incidents from the Extremist Crime Database to examine the extent to which lone-actors perpetrate more severe attacks than other terrorists. We find that lone-actors are significantly associated with more severe attack outcomes when controlling for the intention to kill. We conclude by commenting on the utility of these findings in U.S. counterterrorism policy and the importance for future research to account for actors’ intentions when assessing terrorist attack severity

An automatic decision algorithm and simulation performance analysis for public safety

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xiangwei Qi ◽  
Weimin Pan ◽  
Bingcai Chen ◽  
Gulila Altenbek
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Scheduling Algorithm ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Mathematical Form ◽  
Decision Algorithm ◽  
Simulation Performance ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Real Scene ◽  
Crowd Evacuation

As the current society is increasingly facing major challenges from extremism and terrorism, protecting key urban public facilities and important targets from destruction is an important challenge facing the security departments of all countries. Based on real scene, this paper conducts researches on anti-terrorism security game algorithms and emergency response models in response to the three key links of before, during and after terrorist attacks. First of all, this paper constructs a multi-round joint attack game and emergency response model based on cooperation, establishes the optimization problem of solving the defender’s optimal strategy in mathematical form, and then obtains the optimal defense strategy. Secondly, in response to the fact that terrorists are not completely rational, a new hybrid model is constructed to propose an efficient allocation and scheduling algorithm for safe resources in response to terrorist attacks. Thirdly, a model of crowd evacuation strategy after a terrorist attack is built based on the problem of crowd evacuation in multiple rounds of premeditated cooperative attacks. Finally, taking the area of the first ring of a certain city as a real scene, a complete game system of the whole process is constructed, and the game effectiveness evaluation of the existing security resource allocation scheme in the first ring area is carried out. Through the research of this thesis, the author puts forward some new technical ideas for the current society’s anti-terrorism governance, and hopes to provide some technical references for the decision-making of security agencies.

scholarly journals Effects of terrorist attacks on access to maternal healthcare services: a national longitudinal study in Burkina Faso

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. e002879
Author(s):  
Thomas Druetz ◽  
Lalique Browne ◽  
Frank Bicaba ◽  
Matthew Ian Mitchell ◽  
Abel Bicaba
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Cesarean Sections ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionMost of the literature on terrorist attacks’ health impacts has focused on direct victims rather than on distal consequences in the overall population. There is limited knowledge on how terrorist attacks can be detrimental to access to healthcare services. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of terrorist attacks on the utilisation of maternal healthcare services by examining the case of Burkina Faso.MethodsThis longitudinal quasi-experimental study uses multiple interrupted time series analysis. Utilisation of healthcare services data was extracted from the National Health Information System in Burkina Faso. Data span the period of January 2013–December 2018 and include all public primary healthcare centres and district hospitals. Terrorist attack data were extracted from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project. Negative binomial regression models were fitted with fixed effects to isolate the immediate and long-term effects of terrorist attacks on three outcomes (antenatal care visits, of facility deliveries and of cesarean sections).ResultsDuring the next month of an attack, the incidence of assisted deliveries in healthcare facilities is significantly reduced by 3.8% (95% CI 1.3 to 6.3). Multiple attacks have immediate effects more pronounced than single attacks. Longitudinal analysis show that the incremental number of terrorist attacks is associated with a decrease of the three outcomes. For every additional attack in a commune, the incidence of cesarean sections is reduced by 7.7% (95% CI 4.7 to 10.7) while, for assisted deliveries, it is reduced by 2.5% (95% CI 1.9 to 3.1) and, for antenatal care visits, by 1.8% (95% CI 1.2 to 2.5).ConclusionTerrorist attacks constitute a new barrier to access of maternal healthcare in Burkina Faso. The exponential increase in terrorist activities in West Africa is expected to have negative effects on maternal health in the entire region.

OP or Not OP: The Medical Challenge at the Chemical Terrorism Scene

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Krivoy ◽  
Ido Layish ◽  
Eran Rotman ◽  
Avi Goldberg ◽  
Yoav Yehezkelli
Keyword(s):  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Weapons Of Mass Destruction ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Mass Destruction ◽  
Toxic Agent ◽  
Chemical Terrorism ◽  
Cognitive Framework ◽  
Medical Teams

AbstractSince the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction or other industrial chemicals present worldwide security and health concerns. On-scene medical triage and treatment in such events is crucial to save as many lives as possible and minimize the deleterious effects of the toxic agent involved. Since there are many chemicals that can be used as potential terrorist weapons, the medical challenge for the emergency medical services (EMS) is a combination of: (1) recognizing that a chemical terrorist attack (non-conventional) has occurred; and (2) identifying the toxic agent followed by proper antidotal treatment. The latter must be done as quickly as possible, preferably on-scene. The most valuable decision at this stage should be whether the agent is organophosphate (OP) or not OP, based on clinical findings observed by pre-trained, first responders. This decision is crucial, since only OP intoxication has readily available, rapidly acting, onscene, specific agents such as atropine and one of the oximes, preferably administered using autoinjectors. Due to the lack of a specific antidote, exposure to other agents (such as industrial chemicals, e.g., chlorine, bromide, or ammonia) should be treated on-scene symptomatically with non-specific measures, such as decontamination and supportive treatment. This paper proposes an algorithm as a cognitive framework for the medical teams on-scene. This algorithm should be part of the medical team's training for preparedness for chemical terrorist attacks, and the team should be trained to use it in drills. Implementing this path of thinking should improve the medical outcome of such an event.

scholarly journals POS0131 10-YEAR PROBABILITY OF A MAJOR OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURES IN WOMEN WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE JOINT

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 277.2-277
Author(s):  
E. Usova ◽  
O. Malyshenko ◽  
M. Letaeva ◽  
J. Averkieva ◽  
M. Koroleva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Proximal Femur ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
Fracture Risk Assessment Tool ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background:The relationship between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (OA) is complex and contradictory. Some studies suggest a protective effect of OA in osteoporosis [1-2]. However, other studies show that increased bone mineral density (BMD) in OA not only does not reduce the risk of fractures, but can also increase it [3-4].Objectives:To assess the 10-year probability of osteoporotic fractures using the FRAX calculator in women with OA of the knee joint.Methods:The study included 22 women (average age 63.7±1.01 years) diagnosed with ACP of the knee joint according to the ACR criteria (1991). The Control Group included 24 conditionally healthy women without OA knee joint, with an average age of 63.6±1.37 years.The BMD (g/cm2) and the T-criterion (standard deviation, SD) of the neck of the femur and lumbar spine (LI-LIV) were evaluated by the method of two-power X-ray absorption (DXA) (apparatus «Lunar Prodigy Primo», USA). 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (clinically significant fracture of the spine, distal fracture of the forearm, fracture of the proximal femur, or fracture of the shoulder) and fracture of the proximal thigh with the FRAX calculator (version 3.5 for Russian population).Results:An osteopenic syndrome in the cohort under investigation was found in 42 (91.3%) patients, of whom osteopenia in 24 (52.2%) women and osteoporosis in 18 (39.1%). A normal BMD is registered in 4 (8.7%) patients.In the group of patients with knee joint OA, only 2 (9.1%) of women had a normal BMD, 11 (50.0%) of osteoporosis, and 9 (40.9%). Osteopenic syndrome is generally found in 20 (90,9%) patients.In the control group, osteopenic syndrome has been diagnosed in 22 (91,7%) of whom: osteopenia in 13 (54.2%), osteoporosis in 9 (37.5%) patients. Two (8.3%) women had a normal BMD. There were no statistically significant differences in the structure of the osteopenic syndrome among the studied groups (p=0.961).An analysis of the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures found that women with OA knee joint had the above probability of 12.3±0.91, and in the control group 14.2±1.06 (p=0.085).The 10-year probability of fracture of the proximal femur in women with OA was statistically less significant than in the control group: 1.55 (0.70;1.98) and 2.10 (1.20;2.95), (p=0.031), respectively.Conclusion:The total incidence of the osteopenic syndrome in the cohort under investigation was 91.3% (90.9% in women with OA, 91.7% in the control group). The frequency of registration of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with OA did not differ statistically significantly from the control group. The probability of major osteoporotic fractures within 10 years was comparable in these groups. The probability of a proximal femur fracture in women with OA was statistically significant, but not clinically significant, compared to the control group.References:[1]Yamamoto Y, Turkiewicz A, Wingstrand H, et al. Fragility Fractures in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Compared with the General Population. J Rheumatol. 2015 Nov;42(11):2055-8.[2]Vala CH, Kärrholm J, Kanis JA, et al. Risk for hip fracture before and after total knee replacement in Sweden. Osteoporos Int. 2020 May;31(5):887-895.[3]Kim BY, Kim HA, Jung JY, et al. Clinical Impact of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool on the Treatment Decision for Osteoporosis in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter Comparative Study of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool and World Health Organization Criteria. J Clin Med. 2019 Jun 26;8(7):918.[4]Soh SE, Barker AL, Morello RT, et al. Applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to determine the predictors of falls and fractures in people with osteoarthritis or at high risk of developing osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020 Feb 29;21(1):138.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

A randomized trial of computer-based reminders and audit and feedback to improve HIV screening in a primary care setting

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Sundaram ◽  
L C Lazzeroni ◽  
L R Douglass ◽  
G D Sanders ◽  
P Tempio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Screening ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Primary Care Clinics ◽  
Computer Based

Despite recommendations for voluntary HIV screening, few medical centres have implemented screening programmes. The objective of the study was to determine whether an intervention with computer-based reminders and feedback would increase screening for HIV in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care system. The design of the study was a randomized controlled trial at five primary care clinics at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. All primary care providers were eligible to participate in the study. The study intervention was computer-based reminders to either assess HIV risk behaviours or to offer HIV testing; feedback on adherence to reminders was provided. The main outcome measure was the difference in HIV testing rates between intervention and control group providers. The control group providers tested 1.0% ( n = 67) and 1.4% ( n = 106) of patients in the preintervention and intervention period, respectively; intervention providers tested 1.8% ( n = 98) and 1.9% ( n = 114), respectively ( P = 0.75). In our random sample of 753 untested patients, 204 (27%) had documented risk behaviours. Providers were more likely to adhere to reminders to test rather than with reminders to perform risk assessment (11% versus 5%, P < 0.01). Sixty-one percent of providers felt that lack of time prevented risk assessment. In conclusion, in primary care clinics in our setting, HIV testing rates were low. Providers were unaware of the high rates of risky behaviour in their patient population and perceived important barriers to testing. Low-intensity clinical reminders and feedback did not increase rates of screening.

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