Annual Loss Research Articles

Auto-WoodSDA: A scalable end-to-end automation framework to perform probabilistic seismic risk and recovery assessment of new residential woodframe buildings

The seismic performance of residential woodframe buildings has a widespread and lasting impact on the socioeconomic vitality of a community. To enable efficient seismic risk and resilience assessment, a comprehensive framework that is rooted in performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) methodology is proposed. The framework is formulated as a computational workflow which is operationalized as an automation program dubbed “Auto-WoodSDA”. The end-to-end platform is developed to perform four major tasks: (1) generate code-compliant seismic design, (2) create numerical models, (3) perform nonlinear analyses, and (4) assess earthquake-induced financial losses and functional recovery time. Given the user inputs, Auto-WoodSDA sequentially executes the four tasks without intermediate human intervention to produce seismic performance metrics such as the expected annual loss. It is presented as a ready-to-implement platform that is computationally efficient and scalable in performing large-scale seismic risk and resilience assessment. An example building from the existing literature is used to demonstrate the key features of the automation framework and verify the results. The results underscore the ability of the AutoWoodSDA computational workflow to automate the generation of reliable new code-compliant woodframe building designs, perform nonlinear analysis, and assess the earthquake-induced impacts using PBEE principles.

Estimating energy left in discarded alkaline batteries: Evaluating consumption and recovery opportunities

Each year, a significant number of single-use alkaline batteries with untapped energy are discarded. This study aims to analyze the usage patterns of alkaline batteries based on a dataset of 1021 used batteries, ranging from Size AA to 9V, collected from households in the State of New York. We measure the energy loss resulting from underutilized batteries and examine the corresponding environmental and economic impacts on a national scale. Discarded AA alkaline batteries maintain about 13 % of their initial energy, that results in an estimated annual energy loss of 660 MWh for all AA alkaline batteries in the U.S., and about 40 MWh in New York State. Annually in the U.S., consumers discard AA alkaline batteries with approximately $80 million worth of unused energy, including $4.8 million in New York State alone. We also show that the lifecycle impact of batteries should be multiplied by 1.25 to account for their underutilization. To address these issues, we propose actionable recommendations for improving battery consumption practices and facilitating End-of-Life/Use (EoL/U) recovery processes. The findings show the need for policy interventions to better manage battery usage and disposal toward reducing energy waste and mitigating environmental impacts.

Land use transformation by urban informal settlements and ecosystem impact

The rapid expansion of informal settlements poses significant challenges to urban ecosystems and their services, a pressing issue that this study addresses by examining its impacts in Addis Ababa. This study delves into the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, comparing them with formal settlements. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, it employed Landsat imagery, aerial photography, and base maps to track spatiotemporal changes and analyze trends. Through a GIS overlay approach, informal settlements and associated land use changes were identified, while the benefit transfer method assessed ecosystem service values. The findings revealed a significant increase in informal settlements on the city’s outskirts, expanding from 77 ha in 2009 (2% of the total area) to 765.6 ha in 2023 (21% of the total area). Nearly half (48.5%) of these informal settlements were established on previously natural land covers through encroachment. The research highlighted the ongoing conversion of agricultural land, forests, and urban green spaces into informal settlements, particularly on the city’s outskirts, leading to significant encroachment on these areas. This transformation caused an annual loss of $1,665,033.7 in ecosystem services from 2009 to 2023. Significant impacts were identified on food production, climate regulation, and habitat ecosystem services. Overall, the annual loss in ecosystem services due to land use changes amounted to $1,933,320.08. Informal settlements accounted for 86.1% of this total loss, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate their disproportionate effects on ecosystem services. The study underscores the urgency of addressing the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services through effective urban planning, sustainable land management practices, prevention of encroachment on natural land covers, and promotion of sustainable ecosystem management and utilization.

Disaster loss index development and comprehensive assessment: A case study of Shanghai

Accurate measurement of socio-economic loss and the impact of disasters is crucial for effective risk assessment and management. This study introduces a Disaster Severity Index (DSI) and a Disaster Impact Index (DII), along with a composite severity matrix, to evaluate comprehensive disaster losses. By utilizing seven loss indicators across six types of natural disasters and socioeconomic indicators, we thoroughly assessed Shanghai’s historical disaster losses from 1978 to 2020. Our analysis reveals that Shanghai’s most severe annual disaster losses occurred in 1991 and 2005; however, the overall impact on the local socio-economy has been declining. According to the DSI, Chongming (0.88), Songjiang (0.64), and Qingpu (0.51) Districts exhibit the highest severity. In terms of the DII, Songjiang (0.87), Chongming (0.71), and Qingpu (0.64) Districts are most affected. The comprehensive disaster severity grading indicates that Chongming and Songjiang Districts experience the most severe impacts, while Huangpu and Xuhui Districts are less affected. The spatial distribution of disaster losses is concentrated in suburban areas, with less impact in the central city. Our methodology provides a framework for analyzing and comparing historical disaster losses in terms of time (inter-annual), space (administrative divisions), and types of disasters. It can also be used for statistical analysis and regular monitoring of disaster losses. This study not only elucidates the spatiotemporal distribution of historical disaster losses in Shanghai but also validates the efficacy of our comprehensive index models.

Household Economic Losses and Community Knowledge Determine Control Strategies: A Case of Cerebral Coenurosis in Small Ruminants in Northern Tanzania

Cerebral coenurosis affects sheep and goats worldwide and has zoonotic implications. Information on the financial burden and understanding of the disease and control practices may inform control strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Babati and Ngorongoro Districts, Tanzania, to determine economic losses, farmers’ knowledge, and attitudes and practices on the control of coenurosis in small ruminants. A structured questionnaire was administered to 558 households for data collection. The total annual loss was TZS 122.8 M (USD 52.9 K) for Babati and TZS 656.5 M (USD 282.9 K) for Ngorongoro District. The average annual household financial loss was TZS 356.8 K (USD 153.83) for Babati and TZS 3.1 M (USD 1.3 K) for Ngorongoro District. Almost 90% of respondents were aware of coenurosis while less than 1% of the respondents had no knowledge of it at all. The average knowledge score was 5.85 out of 16 (36.6%), which implies a low level of knowledge on coenurosis. About 94% of respondents showed a willingness to participate and pay the control costs. Given the economic loss and favorable attitudes toward control participation, delivery of an educational package on epidemiology and control of coenurosis to livestock keepers may trigger collaborative and sustainable intervention.

Subterranean termite nests in residential and open crop fields in central Ethiopia: Knowledge and perception of farmers on causes and effects

This study aimed to assess subterranean termite nests in residential and open crop fields in Central Ethiopia: knowledge and perception of farmers on causes and effects. A descriptive research design was used for primary data collection from the selected district of central Ethiopia. Termite nests were counted from each kebele after clustered into local division called Gox. A total of 72 sampling frames with a 1 km2 were used for termite nests count. In addition, 190 household heads were selected at random from each kebele for questionnaires survey. Termite nests were abundant in Warabo (7.251.71 per 1000 m2), but scarce in Warke Walensu Kebele (2.250.50 per 1000 m2). Teff (49.5%) and wheat (32.6%) were the crops most severely affected by termites. The mean annual hectares of land and quintals of teff and wheat damaged per household were higher in Warabo Kebele (p = 0.000) and lowest in Warke Walensu Kebele. The annual economic loss from crops loss due to termite's effect was greater in Warabo Kebele (4722.23 ± 869.67 ETB and 4396.43 ± 852.65 ETB from teff and wheat per household, respectively). Agroecology, deforestation, grazing, and crop type were the factors that determine termite abundance and its impact on farmers' livelihoods. Mound opening and smoking were the traditional management methods used, but there was no government support. Therefore, integrated and effective termite pest management is critical for long-term food security in the study area.

Fabric Defect Detection in Real World Manufacturing Using Deep Learning

Defect detection is very important for guaranteeing the quality and pricing of fabric. A considerable amount of fabric is discarded as waste because of defects, leading to substantial annual losses. While manual inspection has traditionally been the norm for detection, adopting an automatic defect detection scheme based on a deep learning model offers a timely and efficient solution for assessing fabric quality. In real-time manufacturing scenarios, datasets lack high-quality, precisely positioned images. Moreover, both plain and printed fabrics are being manufactured in industries simultaneously; therefore, a single model should be capable of detecting defects in all kinds of fabric. So training a robust deep learning model that detects defects in fabric datasets generated during production with high accuracy and lower computational costs is required. This study uses an indigenous dataset directly sourced from Chenab Textiles, providing authentic and diverse images representative of actual manufacturing conditions. The dataset is used to train a computationally faster but lighter state-of-the-art network, i.e., YOLOv8. For comparison, YOLOv5 and MobileNetV2-SSD FPN-Lite models are also trained on the same dataset. YOLOv8n achieved the highest performance, with a mAP of 84.8%, precision of 0.818, and recall of 0.839 across seven different defect classes.

Spatial analysis and assessment of soil erosion in the southern Western Ghats region in India.

Soil erosion is expected to worsen in the future as a result of climate change, growing population demands, improper land use, and excessive exploitation of natural resources in India. Due to the growing population and changes in land use, it has become increasingly crucial to map and quantitatively assess soil for the purpose of sustainable agricultural usage and planning conservation efforts. The problem of soil erosion is mainly on steeper slopes with intense rainfall in parts of Western Ghats. The 20.17% of geographical area have been converted into wasteland due to soil erosion. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is a highly prevalent and effective technique utilized for estimating soil loss in order to facilitate the planning of erosion control measures. Despite the fact that RUSLE is accurately estimate sediment yields from gully erosion, it is an effective tool in estimating sheet and rill erosions losses from diverse land uses like agricultural to construction sites. The current study is mainly about combining the RUSLE model with GIS (Geographic Information System) to find out how much soil is being lost, particularly in Noyyal and Sanganur watersheds which is located in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. This analysis is based on the soil order, with a significant proportion of alfisols and inceptisols being considered. The obtained outcome is contrasted with the established soil loss tolerance threshold, leading to the identification of the areas with the highest susceptibility to erosion. Within the narrower and more inclined section of the watershed, yearly soil loss scales from 0 to 5455 tonnes/ha/year, with an average annual loss of soil of 2.44 tonnes/ha. The severe soil erosion of 100 to 5455 tonnes/ha/year is found along the steep and greater slope length. The generated soil map was classified into six categories: very slight, slight, moderate, high, severe, and very severe. These classifications, respectively, occupied 6.23%, 14.88%, 10.56%, 15.70%, 7.73%, and 6.63% of the basin area. Based on the results of cross-validation, the estimated result of the present study was found to be very high compared to past studies conducted 0 to 368.12 tonnes/ha/year especially in very severe erosion zones. But very slight to severe erosion zones nearly matched with same level of soil loss. To protect the soil in the study area from erosion, more specific actions should be taken. These include micro-catchment, broad bed furrows, up-and-down farming, soil amendment with coconut coir pith composition, streambank stabilization with vegetation, and micro-water harvesting with abandoned well recharge. These actions should be carried out over time to make sure to work.

Suitable engineering demand parameters for acceleration‐sensitive nonstructural components

AbstractEarly earthquake design codes used peak ground accelerations (PGAs) as intensity measures (IMs) to characterize the demands of ground motions on structures, but have since shifted towards using spectral accelerations because they provide a better indication of demand. The design of acceleration‐sensitive nonstructural components has followed a similar approach, with modern codes being based on an estimate of the spectral acceleration at the period of the nonstructural component. However, most fragility curves for loss assessment of acceleration‐sensitive nonstructural components, including the existing FEMA P58 library, continue to be based on peak floor accelerations (PFAs). Similar to PGAs as an IM for buildings, a limitation of PFA as an engineering demand parameter (EDP) for nonstructural components is its lack of dependence on the period of those components. In this study, fifteen alternative EDPs suggested in the literature are evaluated as potential candidates for developing seismic damage fragility curves. Acceleration‐sensitive nonstructural components are simulated by single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) components with elastic perfectly plastic behavior, with a period range of 0.01 to 1 s, and varying strength levels. Nonlinear response history analyses are conducted for the SDOFs, using floor motions obtained from both the first floor and the roof of buildings designed with four distinct seismic force‐resisting systems. Ductility demands for each SDOF are taken as an indicator of damage and are predicted using a linear regression model developed for each specific EDP. The suitability of candidate EDPs is evaluated based on their efficiency and relative sufficiency. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the expected annual loss calculated using fragility curves derived from the selected EDPs to quantify how the EDP used for a fragility curve can affect the seismic loss assessment. The results reveal that the PFA is a suitable EDP only for nonstructural components with very short periods (i.e., less than 0.1 s). Moreover, although the spectral acceleration at the period of the SDOF nonstructural component is a suitable EDP for components that are nearly elastic and are located on the roof of buildings, the peaks that develop in the floor spectra can grossly overstate the demands on nonstructural components that experience significant nonlinearity in their response. In such situations, an average of the spectral accelerations in a range of periods near the period of the SDOF nonstructural component is more appropriate. Moreover, although the spectral acceleration at the period of the SDOF nonstructural component is a suitable EDP for components that are nearly elastic and are located on the roof of the buildings, an average of the spectral accelerations near the period of the SDOF nonstructural component is more appropriate when the component encounters higher levels of nonlinear behavior or is installed on a lower floor.

KCNE4 is a crucial host factor for Orf virus infection by mediating viral entry

The orf virus (ORFV) poses a serious threat to the health of domestic small ruminants (i.e., sheep and goats) and humans on a global scale, causing around $150 million in annual losses to livestock industry. However, the host factors involved in ORFV infection and replication are still elusive. In this study, we compared the RNA-seq profiles of ORFV-infected or non-infected sheep testicular interstitial cells (STICs) and identified a novel host gene, potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily E member 4 (KCNE4), as a key host factor involved in the ORFV infection. Both RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR assay revealed a significant increase in the expression of KCNE4 in the infected STICs from 9 to 48 h post infection (hpi). On the other hand, the RT-qPCR assay detected a decrease in ORFV copy number in both the STICs transfected by KCNE4 siRNA and the KCNE4 knockout (KO) HeLa cells after the ORFV infection, together with a reduced fluorescence ratio of ORFV-GFP in the KO HeLa cells at 24 hpi, indicating KCNE4 to be critical for the ORFV infection. Furthermore, the attachment and internalization assays showed decreased ORFV attachment, internalization, replication, and release by the KO HeLa cells, demonstrating a potential inhibition of ORFV entry into the cells by KCNE4. Pretreatment with the KCNE4 inhibitors such as quinidine and fluoxetine significantly repressed the ORFV infection. All our findings reveal KCNE4 as a novel host regulator of the ORFV entry and replication, shedding new insight into the interactive mechanism of ORFV infection. The study also highlights the K+ channels as possible druggable targets to impede viral infection and disease.

Traditional taboos: informal and invisible protection of remaining patches of forest in Vhembe District in Limpopo, South Africa

IntroductionSince 1990, there has been a global decline in forest areas. Between 2010 and 2020, the greatest annual net loss of forests was on the African continent. Despite South African indigenous forests and trees being protected under the National Forests Act of 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998), the country has also shown an increased annual net loss of forests. Although the Vhembe District Municipality in South Africa has lost forest owing to human-induced deforestation and other land use activities, sacred forests have not been affected. According to traditional beliefs, exploitation of such indigenous patches of sacred forests is taboo. This study aims to explore the role of taboos in the protection of the remaining patches of sacred forest.MethodsThe study relies on data collected between December 2022 and December 2023. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 61) and local communities in Tshidzivhe and Duthuni villages (n = 60). Observations were used as a further data collection tool. The interview questions were prepared to assess the role of taboos in the protection and management of sacred forests. Data collected through interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis, while field observations helped to corroborate the results from the interviews. Results and discussionThe study identified two main taboos – one that restricts entry into the sacred forests (i.e. preventing entry into the sacred forests, and harvesting, hunting and hiking in these areas), and another that prohibits noise or activities that disrespect sacred forests. The study found that believers and non-believers alike, for fear of retribution by the spirits, still obey these taboos and their related myths. This has allowed these areas to develop dense stands of closed-canopy evergreen forest that support more diverse flora and fauna than found in surrounding areas. Although sacred forests are not meant for biodiversity conservation, they offer opportunities to be integrated into global conservation targets of “30x30” and “Half-Earth” by 2030. They also offer the opportunity of serving as carbon sinks which is key to climate change mitigation. Recommendations for protecting sacred forests and associated taboos are drawn up based on these results.

Genome sequencing and CAZymes repertoire analysis of Diaporthe eres P3-1W causing postharvest fruit rot of 'Hongyang' kiwifruit in China.

Postharvest rot caused by various fungal pathogens is a damaging disease affecting kiwifruit production and quality, resulting in significant annual economic losses. This study focused on isolating the strain P3-1W, identified as Diaporthe eres, as the causal agent of 'Hongyang' postharvest rot disease in China. The investigation highlighted cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) as crucial pathogenic factors. Specially, the enzymatic activities of cellulase, β-galactosidase, polygalacturonase, and pectin methylesterases peaked significantly on the second day after infection of D. eres P3-1W. To gain a comprehensive understanding of these CWDEs, the genome of this strain was sequenced using PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies. The analysis revealed that the genome of D. eres P3-1W spans 58,489,835 bp, with an N50 of 5,939,879 bp and a GC content of 50.7%. A total of 15,407 total protein-coding genes (PCGs) were predicted and functionally annotated. Notably, 857 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were identified in D. eres P3-1W, with 521 CWDEs consisting of 374 glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 108 carbohydrate esterase (CEs) and 91 polysaccharide lyases (PLs). Additionally, 221 auxiliary activities (AAs), 91 glycosyltransferases (GTs), and 108 carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) were detected. These findings offer valuable insights into the CAZymes of D. eres P3-1W.

The Impact Armed Conflict on Economic Growth and Sustainability in South Sudan

Purpose: The study aimed to explore the multifaceted impact of armed conflict on economic growth and sustainability in South Sudan. It sought to understand how the conflict has hindered the country's development and prosperity by examining the complex relationship between armed conflict and economic decline. Methodology: A qualitative approach was utilized, employing thematic analysis to gather and analyze data from various sources, including reports by international organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, and UN, as well as government publications and peer-reviewed journals. This method identified key themes and trends related to the economic impact of the conflict. Findings: The study revealed that the prolonged armed conflict in South Sudan has severely compromised economic stability. Key findings include the destruction of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals, which impeded economic activities, disrupted supply chains, and increased transportation costs, with rebuilding costs exceeding USD 1 billion. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, injuries, and displacement, reducing the available workforce and diminishing productivity, leading to an estimated annual economic loss of USD 4 billion. The displacement of over 3.8 million people disrupted local economies, agricultural production, and social structures, causing economic losses of USD 2.5 billion annually due to reduced agricultural output. The conflict also led to a decline in GDP, high unemployment rates, and unsustainable economic practices, with the economy's dependence on oil exports increasing vulnerability to price fluctuations and disruptions. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends prioritizing the restoration and rebuilding of critical infrastructure to revive economic activities and supply chains. It also suggests the implementation of policies to support displaced populations, enhance agricultural productivity, and diversify the economy away from oil dependency to reduce vulnerability. The study contributes to theory by providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between conflict and economic decline, and it offers practical insights for policymakers and international organizations on the necessary interventions to foster economic recovery and sustainable development in post-conflict settings. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of comprehensive peacebuilding strategies that address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term economic stabilization and growth.

Thermal storage and loss characteristics of underground water pits of solar district heating systems in Xizang Plateau, China

Large-scale thermal storage systems are crucial for solar district heating systems. Currently, there is less engineering guidance on the heat loss patterns of underground water pits, especially in the special climatic conditions of the Xizang Plateau. Therefore, this study analyzes the heat transfer characteristics of underground water pits in the plateau climate. A cylindrical underground water pit model is constructed, and the heat loss law of underground water pits of the heating season and seasonal heat storage is investigated under multiyear operation. The results show that the heat loss rate of the underground water pit with seasonal heat storage is 0.8 % higher than that of the heating season heat storage for the same volume. The difference in heat loss between the two heat storage modes is small. The heat loss from the top, sides and bottom of an underground water pit accounted for 34.2 %, 36 % and 29.8 % of the heat loss in the first year, respectively. The percentages of heat loss from each surface after ten years of operation were 46.7 %, 36.6 %, and 16.7 %. In addition, the functions of storage volume and heat loss per unit volume of the first year in Xizang were fitted. The relationship equation between heat loss per unit volume of the first year and the annual heat loss per unit volume in the nth year was obtained. This study provides support for the heat loss of underground water pits that operate continuously for many years.

Optimal placement of wind turbine in distribution grid to minimize energy loss considering power generation probability

This research proposes an algorithm to determine the optimal position of wind turbines in a distribution grid for minimizing its annual energy loss. In this paper, the probability distribution of power generation at each wind turbine node is considered and the nonsimultaneous occurrence of the power generation at wind turbine nodes is also interested. Moreover, we also consider the wind energy exploitability at each node in the grid. This algorithm is coded in MATLAB environment and it is verified via a sample IEEE 33 bus distribution grid with a sample data of power generation probability. The verifying results indicated that the optimal number of wind turbines at each node to obtain a minimal annual energy loss. Results also indicated that the node voltage is varied because of the change of power generation; however, the voltage at all nodes is in normal operation range and its median value is between about 1.01 pu to 1.05 pu. The power factor of wind turbines has an impact on the optimal number of wind turbines at nodes and the efficiency of wind turbine installation.

Carbonate rocks and karst water resources in the Mediterranean region

Carbonate rocks in the Mediterranean region form karst landscapes with a variety of morphological and hydrological features, and are of particular interest from a water management perspective as they represent major karst aquifers. The Mediterranean Karst Aquifer Map and Database (MEDKAM) provides a 1:5,000,000 scale map showing the distribution of carbonate and evaporite rocks that can host karst groundwater resources, with additional information on other hydrogeological settings, selected terrestrial and submarine karst springs, caves and karst groundwater-dependent ecosystems. A statistical evaluation shows that carbonate rocks cover ~39.5% of the Mediterranean region within a 250-km focus area from the coastline. North Africa has the largest continuous area of carbonate rocks, while smaller countries in the Middle East and the Dinarides have the largest proportion of carbonate rocks in relation to their total area. Carbonate rocks are also widespread in coastal areas, occurring along ~33.6% (14,000 km) of the total Mediterranean coastline, including large islands such as Crete and Mallorca, and ~25.9% (6,400 km) of the continental coastline. Two additional maps display (1) groundwater recharge, showing a climatic gradient from north to south, and (2) groundwater storage trends, indicating a mean annual karst groundwater loss from 2003 to 2020 of 436 million m3 in the 250-km area. This study quantifies the carbonate rocks in the Mediterranean region and shows their importance for groundwater resources. MEDKAM will serve as a basis for further research and improved international cooperation in karst groundwater management.

Predicting soil erosion risk using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model and geo‐spatial methods

AbstractAnthropogenic activities like overgrazing, deforestation and mismanaged land use accelerate soil erosion (SE), causing nutritional and organic matter loss. In this study, we predicted the annual rate of soil loss in the Salt Range, extending south from the Pothohar plateau, Pakistan, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE model parameters and erosion probability zones were estimated using remote sensing and Geo‐Spatial methods. The annual average soil loss rates were calculated by considering five geo‐environmental factors, that is, slope length and steepness (LS), rainfall erosivity (R), cover management (C), soil erodibility (K), and conservation practice (P) range from 0–559 527, 1404–4431, 0–1, −0.14 to 1.64, and 0.2–122 respectively. This research determined that the yearly average rate of SE in the Salt Range varies from over 50 to above 350 . The distribution of land area across different SE probability zones reveals that a small portion (2.11%) is classified as High, a moderate portion (7.13%) falls under the category of Moderate, while the majority (90.7%) is classified as Low in terms of proneness towards erosion. The land devoid of vegetation and characterized by steep slopes is especially prone to SE. The Salt Range is highly vulnerable to SE risk due to climatic variations and improper land use practices. The result provides a spatial distribution of SE across the salt range, utilized for management planning processes and conservation at the policy level among decision‐makers and land‐use planners.

A Lost Opportunity in Tobacco Cessation Care: Impact of Underbilling in a Large Health System

IntroductionTobacco cessation remains a critical challenge in healthcare, with evidence-based interventions often under-utilized due to misaligned economic incentives and inadequate training. This study aims to quantify the economic impact of missed billing opportunities for tobacco cessation in a healthcare system, thereby assessing potential revenue loss and evaluating the effectiveness of systems-based approaches to enhancing tobacco cessation efforts. MethodsA retrospective cohort study utilized aggregated de-identified patient health data from an 8-hospital regional health system across Pennsylvania and Maryland, from 1/1/21 to 12/31/23. The analysis focused on primary care encounters eligible for tobacco cessation counseling (CPT codes 99406 or 99407), with potential revenue calculated based on the Medicare reimbursement rate. ResultsOver three years, and 507,656 office visits, only 1,557 (0.3%) of encounters with persons using tobacco were billed for cessation services. The estimated total potential revenue gained if each person who was identified as using tobacco was billed consistently for tobacco cessation counseling was $5,947,018.13, and $1,982,339.38 annually. ConclusionsThe study reveals a significant gap between the potential and actual billing for tobacco cessation services, highlighting not only the financial implications of missed opportunities but also a validation of a health system's public health impact. Underbilling contributes to considerable annual revenue loss and undermines primary prevention efforts against tobacco-related diseases. The findings illuminate the need for enhanced billing practices and systemic changes, including policy improvements that influence proper billing to promote public health benefits through improved tobacco cessation interventions.

Advancing the understanding of earthquake risk in Portugal

The assessment of earthquake risk at the national scale is crucial for the design and implementation of risk reduction measures. Due to its location in the southwest of the Eurasian plate, Portugal is exposed to moderate to strong seismic events, such as the well-known 1755 Lisbon earthquake. We reviewed existing studies covering exposure, seismic hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment for Portugal, and performed probabilistic seismic hazard and risk analyses for the country using new model components. These include a new exposure model developed for the residential building stock using the 2021 national Building Census Survey, a recent exposure model for commercial and industrial buildings, updated vulnerability functions for 116 building classes, and the recently released European Probabilistic Seismic Hazard model. The seismic risk results include average annual economic losses, fatalities, buildings with complete damage, and population left homeless. These results allowed the identification of the regions in Portugal with the highest earthquake risk, as well as which building classes contribute the most to the overall impact.

Landslide life-loss risk quantification based on historical fatalities

Life-loss risk estimates inform decisions that have dramatic impacts on individuals and communities in landslide hazard zones. Literature provides methods for making these estimates through multiplication of site-specific parameters. However, there is no method in the literature for calibrating those estimates, and regional context is needed to make efficient, fair, and affordable decisions. Therefore, we developed methods to quantify risk to individuals and groups based on regional historical fatality and hazard zone population data. The methods can be used to evaluate the accuracy of large sets of site-specific risk estimates, to assign quantitative risk values to buildings and hazard zones at a regional scale, to develop a long-term regional budget for landslide risk management, or to inform selection of a risk tolerance threshold that can inform where limited resources are invested in landslide mitigation. An example of the methods is provided for a case study of residential landslide risk in British Columbia, Canada. It estimates that there are between a few hundred and a few thousand people living with individual risk exceeding 100 micromorts (1 in 10,000) per year, and between 70 and 370 landslide hazard zones with annual probable life loss greater than 1E-3 (1 death in 1,000 years), based on a historical fatality rate of 0.4 to 1.4 deaths per year across the entire province.