The expanding adoption of artificial intelligence systems across high-impact sectors has catalyzed concerns regarding inherent biases and discrimination, leading to calls for greater transparency and accountability. Algorithm auditing has emerged as a pivotal method to assess fairness and mitigate risks in applied machine learning models. This systematic literature review comprehensively analyzes contemporary techniques for auditing the biases of black-box AI systems beyond traditional software testing approaches. An extensive search across technology, law, and social sciences publications identified 22 recent studies exemplifying innovations in quantitative benchmarking, model inspections, adversarial evaluations, and participatory engagements situated in applied contexts like clinical predictions, lending decisions, and employment screenings. A rigorous analytical lens spotlighted considerable limitations in current approaches, including predominant technical orientations divorced from lived realities, lack of transparent value deliberations, overwhelming reliance on one-shot assessments, scarce participation of affected communities, and limited corrective actions instituted in response to audits. At the same time, directions like subsidiarity analyses, human-cent
This study introduces a novel Groundwater Flooding Risk Assessment (GFRA) model to evaluate risks associated with groundwater flooding (GF), a globally significant hazard often overshadowed by surface water flooding. GFRA utilizes a conditional probability function considering critical factors, including topography, ground slope, and land use-recharge to generate a risk assessment map. Additionally, the study evaluates the return period of GF events (GFRP) by fitting annual maxima of groundwater levels to probability distribution functions (PDFs). Approximately 57% of the pilot area falls within high and critical GF risk categories, encompassing residential and recreational areas. Urban sectors in the north and east, containing private buildings, public centers, and industrial structures, exhibit high risk, while developing areas and agricultural lands show low to moderate risk. This serves as an early warning for urban development policies. The Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution effectively captures groundwater level fluctuations. According to the GFRP model, about 21% of the area, predominantly in the city’s northeast, has over 50% probability of GF exceedance (1 to 2-year return period). Urban outskirts show higher return values (> 10 years). The model’s predictions align with recorded flood events (90% correspondence). This approach offers valuable insights into GF threats for vulnerable locations and aids proactive planning and management to enhance urban resilience and sustainability.
A systemic and synthetic review of the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint in magnetic resonance imaging was developed for its evaluation. The temporomandibular joint is an anatomical structure composed of bones, muscles, ligaments and an articular disc that allows important physiological movements, such as mandibular opening, closing, protrusion, retrusion and lateralization. Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging technique that does not use ionizing radiation and is more specific for the evaluation and interpretation of soft tissues, due to its high resolution, so it has an important role in the diagnosis of various maxillofacial pathologies, which is why the dentist should have knowledge of the structures and functions of the temporomandibular joint through magnetic resonance imaging. The review demonstrates the importance of magnetic resonance imaging in the study of the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint, in addition to mentioning the advantages provided by this imaging technique such as its good detail of the soft tissues in its different sequences and the non-use of ionizing radiation to obtain its images.
The global adoption of sustainable development practices is gaining momentum, with an increasing emphasis on balancing the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability. This study aims to assess the current state of these pillars within the uMlalazi Local Municipality, South Africa, and evaluate the initiatives in place to address related challenges. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of how effectively these three pillars are being addressed in the context of local governance. Using qualitative research methods, the study gathered data from a sample of five key informants, including three local government officials, one councillor, and one chief information officer from the local police. Data was collected through open-ended interview questions, with responses recorded, transcribed, and analysed for thematic content. The findings reveal significant gaps in the municipality’s approach to sustainability, including the absence of formalized trading areas, limited community input in planning and decision-making, high crime rates, and persistent unemployment. These issues were found to be interlinked with other challenges, such as inefficiencies in solid waste management. Additionally, the study confirms that the three pillars of sustainability are not treated equally, with economic and social aspects often receiving less attention compared to environmental concerns. This highlights the need for the municipality to focus on formalizing trading areas, encouraging local economic growth, and enhancing public participation in governance. By implementing incentives for greater community involvement and addressing the imbalances between the sustainability pillars, uMlalazi can make significant progress toward achieving more sustainable development.
Embassies are important buildings, involving the diplomatic image of a country’s government in another foreign country. Given the rising tensions between countries, either political, economic, religion or war, attacks on embassies have been increasing in recent years. Thus, it is evident that appropriate measures are to be taken to reduce the potential impact of an attack. The paper discusses the measures in enhancing building security of embassies. The principles for Security Planning and Design are discussed, followed by an introduction to a systematic security risk assessment framework. The framework is evaluated regarding the potential security risk posed by an attack against elements of the mega infrastructure using explosives. Further options to increase the security of embassies are also explored to reduce the risk of a potential attack. A security-enhanced building, planned and constructed well to specifications, can provide benefits to the client, including greater cost advantage and increase of value for the structure.
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