Comparative Risk Analysis Research Articles

Similarities and Differences Between Bullying and Sexual Harassment in Schools: A Social-Ecological Review of Risk and Protective Factors

In this conceptual article, the authors provide a narrative review of literature on bullying and sexual harassment in K-12 schools framed through a comparative analysis of risk and protective factors for both forms of violence across the social-ecological spectrum. We find that a greater number of studies of both forms of violence focus on student and microsystem-level factors rather than on higher levels of the ecosystem including school boards, neighborhoods, and broader cultural norms. In addition, the research overwhelmingly identifies more risk factors than protective factors. Finally, we find more similarities than differences in risk and protective factors between the two forms of school-based violence. We identify implications of the findings for theory, research, and policy and suggest that preventing any form of harassment at school will benefit not only students but the entire school community. We argue that the causes of school-based harassment are complex and require comprehensive prevention, intervention, and response approaches that address shared risk and protective factors, particularly those at the community and mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels. Ultimately, we argue that all community stakeholders must be committed to and engaged in these endeavors for them to be successful.

Comparative Analysis of Systemic Immune Responses and Metastatic Risks in Tumor Ablation: An Animal Study of Radiofrequency Ablation and Irreversible Electroporation with Immune Modulation.

This study aimed to compare systemic immune responses and metastatic effects induced by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) in murine tumor models. We assessed cytokine production, growth of treated and untreated metastatic tumors, and synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Hep55.1c murine hepatoma cells were implanted in C57BL/6N mice to establish primary tumors. In Experiment 1 (n = 50), RFA or IRE was applied to primary tumors, followed by CD8+ T cell depletion in some groups to assess anti-tumor immune responses. Experiment 2 (n = 45) tested RFA and IRE combined with anti-PD-1 therapy for enhanced abscopal effects. In Experiment 3 (n = 28), anti-IL-6 antibody was administered in IRE-treated mice to examine IL-6's role in secondary tumor growth. Tumor volumes and cytokine/chemokine levels were monitored. Both techniques induced significant CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, with abscopal effects observed in untreated secondary tumors. CD8+ T cell depletion abolished these effects, confirming their role in systemic tumor control. Anti-PD-1 therapy combination further suppressed secondary tumor growth. However, IRE uniquely elevated IL-6 and other inflammatory cytokines, unexpectedly accelerating secondary tumor growth. Administration of an anti-IL-6 antibody mitigated this effect, reducing secondary tumor progression. The results of this animal study indicate that both techniques promote systemic anti-tumor immunity, though IRE uniquely induces an inflammatory response that risks exacerbating micro-metastases through IL-6. Combining IRE with IL-6 blockade may offer a promising strategy for nonthermal tumor ablation therapies. Further studies are warranted to refine ablation-immune therapy combinations for optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Exploring safety effects on urban expressway diverging areas: crash risk estimation considering extreme conflict types

Previous research solely employed a single type of conflict extremes for crash estimation, without considering the joint impact of multiple types of conflict extremes on crash risk. Therefore, two analysis frameworks based on conflict extremes were proposed: separate modeling and cooperative modeling. Based on the trajectories from five diverging areas, longitudinal and lateral conflicts were extracted. Then, a Bayesian hierarchical model for joint multi-location conflict extremes was constructed. Next, the threshold for conflict extremes was determined using automatic mean residual life plots, and a link function was established between the logarithmic scale parameter and dynamic and static variables. Finally, model parameters were estimated using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation method, and a comparative analysis of crash probabilities and overall risks for diverging areas in the two frameworks was conducted by the fitted distributions. The results show that density differences, speed differences, and the ratio of large vehicles are important covariates explaining the non-stationarity of conflict extremes. In terms of crash probability, significant covariates exhibit stronger explanatory power for longitudinal conflicts compared to lateral conflicts. At the overall risk level, the accuracy of the separate modeling is higher compared to the cooperative modeling.

Risk Analysis of Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: Systematic Review and Comparative Study of 10-Year Outcomes

Abstract Background Determine the benefit of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) compared to no treatment for sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) by calculating epidemiologic risk using 10-year data; apply the analysis to VS that have demonstrated linear growth. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library are systematically reviewed for VS tumor control 10 years after SRS and compared to an historical cohort of untreated VS (primary risk analysis). Subgroups of VS limited by size and observed growth are compared to the untreated cohort (secondary analysis). Results Twenty-four studies of 4,079 SRS-treated VS exhibited tumor control in 90.93% (87.0%-100%; SD 4.1%), while 1959 untreated VS exhibited control in 65.24%. SRS reduces the absolute risk (ARR) of tumor progression by 25.7% compared to no treatment. The number needed to treat (NNT) is 4 (3.892, 95% CI: 3.619 to 4.210). Subgroup analyses of (1) VS with definite linear growth before SRS result in similar ARR 29.4% and NNT 4 (3.395, 95% CI: 2.966-3.968), and (2) Koos 1 VS result in lower ARR 18.31% and higher NNT 6 (5.209; 95% CI: 4.018 - 7.401). Conclusions This “best-available” case-control study of 10-year data reveals that ARR and NNT are similar for VS with and without definite pre-treatment linear growth. These comparisons may be applied to CPA diameters less than 2 cm. Results for Koos 1 tumors are different. This analysis quantifies the therapeutic benefit of SRS by comparative risk analysis. The level of evidence on this topic is low.

Morphometric Characterization and Dual Analysis for Flash Flood Hazard Assessment of Wadi Al-Lith Watershed, Saudi Arabia

Flash floods are one of the most hazardous natural events globally, characterized by their rapid onset and unpredictability, often overwhelming emergency preparedness and response systems. In the arid environment of Saudi Arabia, Wadi Al-Lith watershed is particularly prone to flash floods, exacerbated by sudden storms and the region’s distinct topographical features. This study focuses on the morphometric characterization and comparative analysis of flash flood risk within the Wadi Al-Lith basin. To assess flood susceptibility, two widely adopted methodologies were employed: the morphometric ranking approach and El-Shamy’s method. A 12.5-m resolution ALOS PALSAR digital elevation model (DEM) was used to delineate the watershed and generate a detailed drainage network via Arc-Hydro tools in the ArcGIS 10.4 software. Fifteen morphometric parameters were analyzed to determine their influence on flood potential and hazard prioritization. The findings of this study provide crucial insights for regional flood risk management, offering an improved understanding of flash flood dynamics and assisting in developing effective mitigation strategies for Wadi Al-Lith and similar environments. The findings reveal that Wadi Al-Lith comprises multiple sub-catchments with varying degrees of vulnerability to flash flooding. According to the morphometric hazard analysis (MHA), certain sub-catchments, including sc-2, sc-4, sc-5, sc-6, sc-10, sc-12, sc-13, and sc-15, emerge as highly susceptible to flood hazards, while others (sc-1 and sc-9) fall into moderate risk categories. In contrast, the application of El-Shamy’s method provides a different ranking of flood risks across the watershed’s sub-catchments, offering a comparative view of flood susceptibility. The insights gained from this dual-analysis approach are expected to support the development of targeted flood prevention and mitigation strategies, which are essential for minimizing the future impacts of flash flooding in the Wadi Al-Lith watershed and ensuring better preparedness for local communities.

Exploring Dense Breast Density in Mammography: A Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Risk.

Breast density is a strong predictor of breast cancer. However, the difference in risk between breast density categories C and D remains inadequately explored. Given the low occurrence of extremely dense breasts, this investigation is crucial because it may lead to modifications in screening techniques for those with these conditions. The objective of the study is to evaluate the difference in breast cancer risk among women undergoing mammography and biopsy at a tertiary referral hospital in Colombia, based on American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) results in categories of breast density C (heterogeneously dense) and D (extremely dense). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study recorded variables from the mammographic BI-RADS scale, as well as histological and clinical variables from digital medical records. A stratified analysis of lesion malignancy/benignity was conducted according to density category by mammography and histological findings. The association between mammographic breast density subclassification of dense breasts and the occurrence or not of pathology-defined malignancy was sought. Results: A total of 107 patients with breast density in categories C and D were included, with 88.7% having heterogeneously dense breasts. The frequency of breast cancer was 32%. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most frequently diagnosed malignancy (N = 14). Ahigher BI-RADS category was correlated withbreast density grade D and malignancy. A statistically significant association (p <0.045, RR 1.95, CI: 1.12-3.50) was found when comparing breast density (categories C and D) with the risk of malignancy. The positive predictive value (PPV) varied across different BI-RADS categories (BI-RADS 4A 25% vs. 0%; p-value 0.005; BI-RADS 4B 50% vs 10.5%; p-value 0.032). Efforts and resources should be focused on patients with extremely dense breasts, emphasizing the importance of additional (individualized) screening. Breast density could change the PPV within each BI-RADS category. However, further studies are needed to define the risk associated with each breast density subcategory and within BI-RADS categories, as well as to assess the efficacy of additional screening in patients with extremely dense breasts.

Comparative Outcomes and Risk Analysis of Stroke Incidence in Adult Patients on Dialysis

Comparative Outcomes and Risk Analysis of Stroke Incidence in Adult Patients on Dialysis

Comparative Outcomes and Risk Analysis of Kidney Replacement Therapy in Adult Patients with AKI

Comparative Outcomes and Risk Analysis of Kidney Replacement Therapy in Adult Patients with AKI

Comparative Analysis of Kinetic Responses and Injury Risk During Landing from 45 cm Height: A Study of Barefoot vs. Sports Shoes Conditions

Jumping and landing biomechanics are closely related to the risk of acute injury due to prolonged exposure to high-ground reaction forces in basketball-like sports, which can lead to lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries in the hip, knee, and ankle. Footwear greatly impacts jumping mechanics, but going barefoot provides a unique perspective on how the human body interacts with the ground. This study aims to find out the kinetic responses during drop landing from 45 cm height with and without sports shoe conditions. Twenty-five healthy young adults were volunteers for this study. Kinetic parameters were recorded and processed by using Quattro Jump force plat and Mars Quarter performance analysis software. Data were presented as mean ± SD values and statistical analysis was performed using statistical software package SPSS-26. The drop landing data of with and without shoe shows scattered parameters with maximum forces of 4706.12N and 5393.04N at 45 cm height, indicating a 66% and 75% risk of metatarsal injury. The stabilization force was 632.64N and 623.64N at 45 cm, reached at 0.58s and 0.66s respectively. Time from Max Force to MFBS Regression analysis indicated a low R-squared value and a random fit plot. In barefoot (without shoe) conditions, the initial contact force, and maximum force were 85.71% and 13.60% higher (250N and 5393.04N respectively) compared to landing with shoes (100N and 4706.12N). However, the stabilization force was higher (632.64N) when landing with shoes compared to landing barefoot (623.64N). As a result, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and joint stress was higher when landing barefoot due to the higher initial contact force and maximum force. On the other hand, landing with shoes enhances balance and stability due to the higher stabilization force.

Daylight Saving Time Transitions and Risk of Heart Attack—a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The health risks of daylight saving time transitions are intensely debated. Disturbed circadian rhythms and lack of sleep after transitions might increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The only meta-analysis on the risk of AMI has now been considerably expanded. In this systematic review and meta-analysis (including meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses), we examine the frequency of AMI in the first few weeks after daylight saving time transitions (OSF registration www.doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7CFKS). Eight databases were searched for pertinent literature up to September 2023. Authors were contacted for additional information. Study quality was rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twelve studies from ten countries were included in the meta-analysis. Nine were of adequate quality, and three were of good quality. The pooled relative risk (RR) of AMI after daylight saving time onset (spring) was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [1.02; 1.07], I2: 57.3%), and 1.02 ([0.99; 1.05], I2: 51.6%) after daylight saving time offset (autumn). Recalculation after the exclusion of one study with inconsistencies yielded pooled RR values of 1.04 [1.01; 1.06] and 1.00 [0.99; 1.02], with the spring results being heterogeneous (I2: 56.9%) and the autumn results homogeneous (I2: 17.1%). Current evidence suggests that there may be an increased risk of AMI after the spring transition, although there is moderate to marked heterogeneity among the studies that support this conclusion. More easily interpretable studies, such as those already conducted in the field of economics, should clarify associations with the aid of discontinuity regression and placebo tests. To this end, comparative risk analyses using years or places wherein daylight saving time was not practiced would be suitable.

Daylight Saving Time Transitions and Risk of Heart Attack.

The health risks of daylight saving time transitions are intensely debated. Disturbed circadian rhythms and lack of sleep after transitions might increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The only meta-analysis on the risk of AMI has now been considerably expanded. In this systematic review and meta-analysis (including meta-regressions and sensitivity analyses), we examine the frequency of AMI in the first few weeks after daylight saving time transitions (OSF registration www.doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7CFKS). Eight databases were searched for pertinent literature up to September 2023. Authors were contacted for additional information. Study quality was rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twelve studies from ten countries were included in the meta-analysis. Nine were of adequate quality, and three were of good quality. The pooled relative risk (RR) of AMI after daylight saving time onset (spring) was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [1.02; 1.07], I2: 57.3%), and 1.02 ([0.99; 1.05], I2: 51.6%) after daylight saving time offset (autumn). Recalculation after the exclusion of one study with inconsistencies yielded pooled RR values of 1.04 [1.01; 1.06] and 1.00 [0.99; 1.02], with the spring results being heterogeneous (I2: 56.9%) and the autumn results homogeneous (I2: 17.1%). Current evidence suggests that there may be an increased risk of AMI after the spring transition, although there is moderate to marked heterogeneity among the studies that support this conclusion. More easily interpretable studies, such as those already conducted in the field of economics, should clarify associations with the aid of discontinuity regression and placebo tests. To this end, comparative risk analyses using years or places wherein daylight saving time was not practiced would be suitable.

Using comparative extinction risk analysis to prioritize the IUCN Red List reassessments of amphibians.

Assessing the extinction risk of species based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (RL) is key to guiding conservation policies and reducing biodiversity loss. This process is resource demanding, however, and requires continuous updating, which becomes increasingly difficult as new species are added to the RL. Automatic methods, such as comparative analyses used to predict species RL category, can be an efficient alternative to keep assessments up to date. Using amphibians as a study group, we predicted which species are more likely to change their RL category and thus should be prioritized for reassessment. We used species biological traits, environmental variables, and proxies of climate and land-use change as predictors of RL category. We produced an ensemble prediction of IUCN RL category for each species by combining 4 different model algorithms: cumulative link models, phylogenetic generalized least squares, random forests, and neural networks. By comparing RL categories with the ensemble prediction and accounting for uncertainty among model algorithms, we identified species that should be prioritized for future reassessment based on the mismatch between predicted and observed values. The most important predicting variables across models were species' range size and spatial configuration of the range, biological traits, climate change, and land-use change. We compared our proposed prioritization index and the predicted RL changes with independent IUCN RL reassessments and found high performance of both the prioritization and the predicted directionality of changes in RL categories. Ensemble modeling of RL category is a promising tool for prioritizing species for reassessment while accounting for models' uncertainty. This approach is broadly applicable to all taxa on the IUCN RL and to regional and national assessments and may improve allocation of the limited human and economic resources available to maintain an up-to-date IUCN RL.

Civil Society’s Dual Role in Foreign Policy: A Comparative Analysis of Benefits and Risks

This paper examines the role of civil society as an instrument of foreign policy, exploring its potential benefits and risks. Traditionally, foreign policy analysis focused on decision-making processes and the primacy of the state. However, the end of the Cold War, the rise of post-positivist approaches, and the increasing interconnectedness of global issues have led to a broader consideration of policy instruments, including the involvement of non-state actors like civil society. The study employs a comparative approach to analyze the benefits of civil society in promoting democracy and addressing global challenges against the risks of biased utilization and dependency on state support. It examines case studies, including the role of USAID in Myanmar and the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as the Indonesian context, where the government engages civil society in development and foreign policy. The findings highlight the need for a balanced approach that leverages civil society’s strengths while mitigating its risks as an instrument of foreign policy.

A proposed framework for defining the relationship between complexity, project categorization, and project risk management: Case study of a medical company in Morocco

Recent financial crises have highlighted the utmost importance of implementing risk management practices, as exemplified by the profound repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we witnessed the rise of various initiatives within the medical sector, specifically in the fields of biomedicine, hospitals, and pharmaceuticals, across Africa, with a notable emphasis on Morocco. The government in Morocco has implemented measures to foster investment and encourage participation from companies and stakeholders. Taking into account an indeterminate and volatile future, it becomes imperative for organizations to establish robust risk management strategies to navigate successfully through these uncertainties. This research paper concentrates on the convergence of complexity, project categorization, and risks. We propose a novel approach to the implementation of the Risk Management Process, utilizing the Enterprise Risk Management framework. By establishing Risk Management rules within the context of a “complex” project, we observed enhanced performance and improved risk management through the holistic consideration of interdependencies rather than treating them as separate entities. Additionally, to substantiate this interdependency, we conducted a comparative analysis of the project's risk and complexity between 2020 and 2022.

Comparative Analysis of Risks and Their Impacts on the Banking Stability of Islamic and Conventional Banks in the MENA Region

This study aims to analyze and compare the impact of risks on banking stability associated with Islamic banks in comparison to their conventional counterparts in the MENA region. In this process, we first examine the correlation between liquidity risk and credit risk. Secondly, we assess whether these two types of risks are related to banking stability within both categories of banks. Using the PVAR (Panel Vector Auto Regression) econometric model on a sample of 110 conventional and Islamic banks in the MENA region, our results indicate that liquidity risk and credit risk exhibit a negative relationship in both types of banks. Furthermore, our findings suggest that there is no correlation between these risks and banking stability in both types of banks. Our conclusions have significant implications for banking institutions regarding the strategies and approaches required to manage these risks and ensure the stability of their banking operations.

Safety of elective enteral access in elderly patients: a comparative analysis of perioperative risk

BackgroundElderly patients can encounter torpid hospitalizations that are often characterized by malnutrition. In this setting, enteral feeding may facilitate improvement in nutritional status. The aim of this study is to compare perioperative outcomes of elderly (≥65 years-old) and non-elderly (<65 years-old) patients undergoing elective enteral access placement. MethodsAdult patients who underwent enteral access procedures between 2018-2020 at a tertiary care facility were reviewed retrospectively. Differences in baseline characteristics between non-elderly and elderly patients were adjusted using entropy-balanced weights. Subsequently, multivariable logistic and linear regressions were developed to evaluate the association between elderly status and outcomes of interest. Results914 patients with enteral access met inclusion criteria, of whom 471 (51.5%) were elderly. Compared to non-elderly patients, elderly individuals more commonly received percutaneous gastrostomy and had a higher burden of comorbidities as measured by the Charlson Index. Multivariable risk adjustment generated a strongly balanced distribution of baseline covariates between patient groups. After adjustment, despite no significant association with in-hospital mortality, reoperation, or time to goal feeds, elderly status was linked to an approximately 8-day reduction in length of stay (95%CI -14.28 to -2.30, p=0.007), as well as significantly lower odds of total parenteral nutrition (AOR 0.59, 95%CI 0.37-0.94, p=0.026) and non-elective readmission (AOR 0.65, 95%CI 0.49-0.86, p=0.003). Elderly status was also associated with significantly greater odds of non-home discharge (AOR 1.58, 95%CI 1.17-2.13, p=0.003). ConclusionDespite having more comorbidities than their non-elderly counterparts, elderly patients experienced favorable nutritional and perioperative outcomes after enteral access placement.

Comparative Analysis of Financial Market Volatility and Correlation Risk During the Great Recession and the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper offers a starting point for reflection on the similarities and differences of the impact on financial markets of the Great Recession of 2008 and of the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 in terms of volatility and correlation risk among the most significant financial indexes in Europe. More precisely, the dataset employed includes the daily returns of Ftse100, CaC40, Dax30 and FtseMib40, with reference to the two time periods in which the two major crises manifested their effects on the markets. We use two different methodological approaches: the analysis of the daily conditional variance using various families of GARCH models and the study of the weekly realized volatility using HAR models. Furthermore, the estimation of the dependence structure of the GARCH residuals using copula functions is performed.© 2024 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Gender-based comparative analysis of knee injury risk during cutting maneuvers in non-professional athletes: a kinetic and kinematic perspective.

Gender-based comparative analysis of knee injury risk during cutting maneuvers in non-professional athletes: a kinetic and kinematic perspective.

A Classification of Cloud Services and Their Security Assessment in the Healthcare Industry

The role of cloud-based services in healthcare settings is crucial in the 21st century. This paper discusses their advantages and tools in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers, categorizing existing applications and services into data storage, computing power, networking, PaaS, SaaS, data analytics, business intelligence, and project management. It also provides an in-depth analysis of security and risk assessment issues in cloud-based services, supported by case studies. Additionally, it includes a comparative risk analysis diagram of secured versus non-secured cloud systems in healthcare. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for future work. Key Words: Healthcare facilities, diagnostic centers, cloud services, information technology systems, security, risk analysis.

What was first and what is next in selecting device-aided therapy in Parkinson's disease? Balancing evidence and experience.

Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses with motor fluctuations emerging several years after treatment initiation. Initially managed with oral medications, these fluctuations may later necessitate device-aided therapy (DATs). Globally, various DATs options are available, including continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion, deep brain stimulation, levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel, levodopa-entacapone-carbidopa intestinal gel, and subcutaneous foslevodopa/foscarbidopa infusion, each with its complexities. Hence, matching complex patients with suitable therapy is critical. This review offers practical insights for physicians managing complex PD cases. Balancing evidence and experience is vital to select the most suitable DATs, considering factors like disease stage and patient preferences. Comparative analysis of DATs benefits and risks provides essential insights for clinicians and patients. Treatment sequences vary based on availability, patient needs, and disease progression. Less invasive options like apomorphine are often preferred initially, followed by other DATs if needed. Patient selection requires comprehensive evaluations, including motor function and cognitive status. Follow-up care involves symptom monitoring and adjusting medications. Customized treatment plans are essential for optimizing PD management with DATs.