Effective Mitigation Measures Research Articles

A Framework for the Unsupervised Modeling and Extraction of Polarization Knowledge from News Media

Polarization poses global concerns for social cohesion and stability, making its understanding crucial for effective mitigation measures. In this paper, we introduce an unsupervised, domain-agnostic framework for computationally modeling, extracting, and measuring polarization in digital media. By leveraging Natural Language Processing and Graph Analysis techniques, the proposed framework creates a Polarization Data Model (PDM) that encompasses key elements of Polarization Knowledge (PK), such as entities, fellowships, dipoles, and discussion topics. To evaluate the effectiveness of the framework, we propose a multi-level PK evaluation methodology that assesses its ability to: i) capture entities’ attitudes toward various topics, ii) align politically cohesive fellowships with their respective party manifestos, and iii) identify domain-specific topics along with their degree of polarization. We applied this evaluation methodology to the use cases of Abortion, Immigration, and Gun Control. The results demonstrate our framework’s robust performance across these case studies, yielding promising outcomes compared to state-of-the-art and baseline methods.

Exploration of circumstances surrounding bites from potentially rabid dogs on rampage, and the coping strategies of victims and communities in Central Uganda

Free-roaming dogs (FRDs) cause 86% of the 14,865 dog bites recorded annually and 20 rabies-related deaths in Uganda. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data on the circumstances surrounding the bites, which undermines the development of effective mitigation measures. To address this gap, we actively tracked reports involving aggressive dogs in the Kampala metropolitan area in Central Uganda. Our approach included tracing the responsible dogs to rule out rabies and conducting interviews with victims and community members. We investigated seven incidents, including two rampages, two instances of aggressive behaviour in dogs, two cases of livestock predation, and one incident where a dog strayed into a residence. In three of the seven incidents, the dogs managed to escape due to factors such as nighttime cover, easy access to hideouts in slums, and limited community support. Of the four dogs that were traced, three were confirmed positive for rabies using the fluorescent antibody test. In total, 53 bite cases were recorded, affecting 29 humans—predominantly children (72.4%)—and 24 animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, pet dogs, and poultry. Notably, the two rampages accounted for 47 bite cases (88.7%), with the highest dog-to-bite incident ratio of 1:37 occurring in Matugga, Wakiso District. Despite 96.6% of the human victims being eligible for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) due to sustaining deep wounds, 58.6% sought treatment from traditional healers, 13.8% self-medicated with local herbs, and 3.4% did not take any intervention. The community’s response to the rampages was to kill the responsible dogs. However, in one instance where the dog could not be traced, the community resorted to indiscriminately killing roaming dogs in the area, using sticks and stones in a mob. Our study underscores the significant threat that FRDs pose in the transmission of rabies. To achieve the global target of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030, it is essential to enhance rabies vaccination coverage for dogs to meet the WHO-recommended threshold of 70%. Additionally, mass education efforts should be prioritized at both the community level and in schools, particularly in areas where rabies is endemic and dogs roam freely.

Concurrent heat stress and air pollution episodes by considering future projection of climate change

The simultaneous effect of heat stress and air pollutants such as ozone can cause many health issues in cities. The situation exacerbates in the context of climate change and temperature rise. Furthermore, ground-level ozone, worsened by climate change, needs investigation for effective management. Therefore, this study projects heat stress and ozone levels in two Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) climate scenarios, SSP245 and SSP585. Results indicate heightened heat stress with increased ozone levels, especially in severe climate scenarios like SSP585. Besides, the study shows that in the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, the seasonal shift of high Heat Index (HI) values as well as high ozone concentrations is happening toward the previous months of June-July-August (JJA). High values in the HI classification and the Maximum Daily 8-hour average (MDA8) ozone happen sooner in the March-April-May (MAM) months than the expected JJA months. Furthermore, in the SSP585 scenario, the HI classification above 105 (very hot equal to danger category) is 10% high in all months in comparison to the SSP245 scenario. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the interactions between heat stress and ozone pollution for implementing effective adaptation and mitigation measures.

Recovery of tigers (Panthera tigris): Assessing ecological carrying capacity in Bardia-Banke Complex, Nepal

Tigers (Panthera tigris) are endangered wild felids, despite ongoing efforts to recover populations globally. The majority of the global population is concentrated within ∼ 40 “source sites”. Protection and effective management of these populations constitute the cornerstone of global tiger conservation strategies. Reliable population estimates and site specific carrying capacities are important for informed management actions. Here, we estimated the ecological carrying capacity of tigers based on prey densities in the Bardia– Banke Complex in western Nepal embedded within the Terai Arc Landscape, a globally significant tiger conservation landscape. A total of 303.8 km line transects (n=195) were surveyed in the Bardia–Banke Complex. We estimated an overall density of 69.09 (95 % CI=52.32 – 91.23) ungulates/km2 and biomass of 2736.92 (1807.83 – 4830.12) kg/km2 in Bardia National Park (NP), and 25.67 (18.22 – 36.18) ungulates/km2 and biomass of 1356.65 (646.85 – 2994.86) kg/km2 in Banke NP. The available prey base can support 133 (101 – 177) adult tigers in Bardia NP and 28 (20 – 40) in Banke NP. We also carried out systematic camera trap survey across the Complex with a sampling effort of 13,365 trap days (719 camera sites). In core habitats of Bardia and Banke NP, we estimated tiger abundance of 77 (72 – 83) and 12 (9 – 15) at a density of 7.96 and 2.18 tigers per 100 km2 respectively. Our study shows the tiger populations in the national parks are below carrying capacity. We emphasize the need for robust estimates of prey abundance and carrying capacity of tigers in a given landscape for effective conservation planning. We highlight the importance of high prey density and biomass with effective human-tiger conflict mitigation measures to sustain a large tiger source population.

Erosion processes and gravitational mass movements on Trindade Island, Brazil (South Atlantic Ocean)

This study provides the first assessment of non-volcanic geohazards on Trindade Island, a remote South Atlantic territory 1140 km southeast of Brazil. The island's location, climate, relief, lithology, and natural processes like weathering, erosion, and deposition pose significant dangers to habitation and geoheritage. Our focus was on geological-geotechnical mapping to identify gravitational mass movements and erosive processes. Within the six units mapped, two primary contexts were identified. We observed active hydraulic erosion, such as gullies and alluvial fans, on slopes shaped by nephelinite lava flows interlayered with fragmented pyroclastic material. In contrast, phonolitic peak areas and pyroclastic breccia bedrock displayed gravitational mass movement deposits, such as avalanche rocks. Gravitational mass movements triggered by hydrological erosion processes are the main threat. The island's landscape evolution is primarily driven by natural processes, with human influence contributing since colonization. Thus, Trindade Island's landscape is shaped by both natural and anthropogenic factors. This study underscores the need for effective mitigation and protection measures to ensure the safety of Trindade Island's inhabitable areas. Integrating an analytical model and considering temporal variations in rainfall could enhance our understanding of non-volcanic hazards on oceanic islands.

Debris flow simulations for hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment in the Karakorum mountain ranges, northern Pakistan

The Karakorum mountainous ranges in northern Pakistan have frequently witnessed devastating debris flows with damaging impacts on surrounding communities and infrastructure. Debris flow runout modeling and hazard assessment are crucial to develop and implement effective mitigation and adaptation measures. In this study, debris flow runout modeling using multiple scenarios of slope failures is carried out for hazard and risk assessments in the Karimabad watershed of the Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan. A 3D numerical simulation tool RAMMS was used to estimate the hazard intensity parameters (runout distance, flow velocity and height) along the debris flow track, based on the Voellmy model. To calibrate the model inputs, a back analysis of the Haiderabad stream debris flow event of July 26, 2022 has been conducted based on the estimated initial volume and the known runout distance. The calibrated values of the dry friction coefficient μ = 0.07 and turbulent coefficient ξ = 550 m/s2 were utilized for the three potential release areas. Different initial volumes were considered, and the results were combined to determine the debris flow runout distance and other intensity parameters for each scenario. The failure of three selected release areas could potentially block or divert the river Hunza. The integration of RAMMS parameters mainly flow velocity and height into hazard mapping assists in the demarcation of the area and elements at risk which are exposed to the potential impacts of debris flows. The derived debris flow hazard maps show that the road network including the KKH is exposed to debris flows. The impact of the debris flows on the surrounding communities and infrastructure is carried out through the vulnerability assessment and combined with the hazard assessment to derive the risk. Due to the intensive incision in the channels as the path for debris flow, the settlements and populations are less vulnerable to debris flow, however, poses a risk to the communication network and KKH. The study should assist the concerned agencies in developing and implementing debris flow risk mitigation strategies.

Dampak Perubahan Iklim terhadap Keanekaragaman Hayati: Literature Review

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges faced by ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide. This research examines climate change's impact on biodiversity through a comprehensive literature review. By collecting and analyzing various previous studies, this research identifies patterns of change in flora and fauna species in response to changing climate variables, such as temperature, rainfall, and the frequency of extreme weather events. Literature results show that many species experience changes in distribution, behavior and reproductive timing, which have the potential to disrupt ecosystem interactions and damage ecological balance. This research also discusses the impact of climate change on natural habitats and the conservation efforts needed to protect biodiversity. These findings highlight the urgency of taking effective mitigation and adaptation measures to maintain biodiversity amidst the increasing challenges of climate change.

Physics-based modeling of debris flows and assessing the performance of effective mitigation measures

BackgroundClimate change-induced geohazards are increasingly posing a critical threat to the sustained functionality and resilience of constructed infrastructures. Among these hazards, debris flows represent significant natural disasters, particularly in mountainous terrains, causing widespread property damage and loss of life globally. These phenomena involve complex interactions between solid and fluid forces, resulting in long run-out distances and high-speed flows. Predicting and monitoring debris flows is challenging due to the intricate interplay of these forces.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the structural damage caused by debris flows and assess the efficacy of rigid barrier structures with passages/apertures.MethodEmploying Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics, a Lagrange-based mesh-free computational technique, the researchers simulated the impact of debris on a stiff structure. The focus was on the Rishiganga river valley in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, a region recently devastated by a debris flow that severely compromised essential infrastructure, including a hydroelectric power station. The research entailed modeling the debris flow in this specific locale and analyzing its effects on an assumed downstream rigid structure. Additionally, the study explored the outcomes of introducing a rigid barrier upstream.Results and ConclusionResults indicated a substantial reduction in the impact on the downstream structure with the presence of an upstream rigid structure. Moreover, as the number of apertures in the upstream barrier was increased, the impact of flow on the downstream structure further diminished, because of a more streamlined flow pattern.

The impact of changing exposure to PM2.5 on mortality for US diplomats with multiple international relocations: a modelling study.

Current evidence linking long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and mortality is primarily based on persons that live in the same residence, city and/or country throughout the study, with few residential moves or relocations. We propose a novel method to quantify the health impacts of PM2.5 for United States (US) diplomats who regularly relocate to international cities with different PM2.5 levels. Life table methods were applied at an individual-level to US mortality statistics using the World Health Organization's database of city-specific PM2.5 annual mean concentrations. Global Burden of Disease concentration-response (C-R) functions were used to estimate cause-specific mortality and days of life lost (DLL) for a range of illustrative 20-year diplomatic assignments for three age groups. Time lags between exposure and exposure-related mortality risks were applied. Sensitivity analysis of baseline mortality, exposure level, C-R functions and lags was conducted. The effect of mitigation measures, including the addition of air purifiers, was examined. DLL due to PM2.5 exposure for a standard 20-year assignment ranged from 0.3 days for diplomats' children to 84.1 days for older diplomats. DLL decreased when assignments in high PM2.5 cities were followed by assignments in low PM2.5 cities: 162.5 DLL when spending 20 years in high PM2.5 cities compared to 62.6 DLL when spending one of every four years (5 years total) in a high PM2.5 city for older male diplomats. Use of air purifiers and improved home tightness in polluted cities may halve DLL due to PM2.5 exposure. The results were highly sensitive to lag assumptions: DLL increased by 68% without inception lags and decreased by 59% without cessation lags for older male diplomats. We developed a model to quantify health impacts of changing PM2.5 exposure for a population with frequent relocations. Our model suggests that alternating assignments in high and low PM2.5 cities may help reduce PM2.5-related mortality burdens. Adding exposure mitigation at home may help reduce PM2.5 related mortality. Further research on outcome-specific lag structures is needed to improve the model.

In Search of Suitable Methods for Cost-Benefit Analysis of Cyber Risk Mitigation in Offshore Wind: A Survey

In recent years, notable incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of wind energy infrastructure, making cybersecurity crucial for the offshore wind industry. However, justifying the costs of cybersecurity measures is essential. A cost benefit analysis (CBA) is commonly utilised to support decision-making for risk mitigation. With a cost benefit analysis, risk mitigation strategies that strike an optimal balance between the costs of mitigation measures and the resulting risk reduction can be identified. This survey of literature was carried out to identify the existing proposed solutions for cost benefit analysis on cyber risk mitigation measures for offshore wind cyber physical systems. After narrowing the area scope, a systematic search across Scopus and Web of Science, yielded 18 articles, of which six met the selection criteria. It was found that the there was a lack of cost benefit analysis of cybersecurity solutions for, or set in, the area of offshore wind directly. From the analysis of the surveyed works, suggestions on future directions were given. The existing literature found lacks detailed cost modelling for offshore wind, beyond general breakdowns encompassing capital, maintenance, and labour/installation expenses, risk and scenario loss. Some of the literature used contextual factors such as compatibility and effectiveness of mitigation measures, effects on OT performance, geographical location, geopolitical context, and installed rated power which could be adapted to suit offshore wind. Since offshore operations contribute significantly to costs, cost modelling and consideration of other relevant factors pertaining to this area would be beneficial if explored. As an emerging area, in the future we expect this research to be a basis and a methodology that can be expanded with a larger data set from other publications in the field. Thus, it represents an opportunity to advance knowledge in offshore wind cyber-physical systems.

Tracing the Evolution of Information Transparency for OpenAI’s GPT Models through a Biographical Approach

Information transparency, the open disclosure of information about models, is crucial for proactively evaluating the potential societal harm of large language models (LLMs) and developing effective risk mitigation measures. Adapting the biographies of artifacts and practices (BOAP) method from science and technology studies, this study analyzes the evolution of information transparency within OpenAI’s Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) model reports and usage policies from its inception in 2018 to GPT-4, one of today’s most capable LLMs. To assess the breadth and depth of transparency practices, we develop a 9-dimensional, 3-level analytical framework to evaluate the comprehensiveness and accessibility of information disclosed to various stakeholders. Findings suggest that while model limitations and downstream usages are increasingly clarified, model development processes have become more opaque. Transparency remains minimal in certain aspects, such as model explainability and real-world evidence of LLM impacts, and the discussions on safety measures such as technical interventions and regulation pipelines lack in-depth details. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced transparency to foster accountability and ensure responsible technological innovations.

Land cover and drought risk assessment in Türkiye's mountain regions using neutrosophic decision support system.

Earth observation (EO) provides dynamic scientific methods for tracking and defining ecological parameters in mountainous regions. Open-source platforms are frequently utilized in this context to efficiently collect and evaluate spatial data. In this study, we used Collect Earth (CE), an open-source land monitoring platform, to reveal and assess land cover, land cover change, and relevant ecological parameters such as drought risk. Mountain ecosystems were subject to an evaluation for the first time by combining remote sensing with a hybridization of Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for neutrosophic sets in risk assessment problems of several connected criteria. The high and dispersed high alpine environment of Türkiye accommodates land with relatively less human influence, making it suitable to observe climate change impacts. In the framework of the study, we evaluated more than two decades (2000-2022) of land use and land cover (LULC) changes in the mountain regions of the country. Using nine identified ecological parameters, we also evaluated drought risk. The parameters included were the LULC classes and their change, elevation, slope, aspect, precipitation, temperature, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), water deficit, and evapotranspiration (ET). The risk map we produced revealed a high to very high drought risk for almost throughout the Türkiye's mountainous areas. We concluded that integrating geospatial techniques with hybridization is promising for mapping drought risk, helping policymakers prepare effective drought mitigation measures to reasonably adapt to climate change impacts.

Fingerprinting to trace sources of suspended solids in the transport of heavy metals in urban stormwater runoff

Suspended solids are an important pollutant in urban stormwater runoff. Past studies have mainly focused on a single transport stage of pollutants, constraining source identification of suspended solids at the catchment scale. Therefore, identifying the sources of suspended solids in stormwater runoff for the formulation of effective pollution mitigation measures is an effective way to manage suspended solids pollution in receiving waters. Sediment source fingerprinting is a widely used technique to trace the sources of river sediments, which can accurately identify the source of sediment through widely used tracers. This study used six heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb as tracers to quantify the sources of suspended solids in stormwater runoff from urban catchments. The spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of suspended solids during stormwater transport were investigated. The study results showed that the concentration of suspended solids was the highest in road runoff and sewer flow, especially particles <44 μm. In addition, relatively large rainfall depth, high rainfall intensity and long antecedent dry periods can lead to higher concentrations of suspended solids in roof and road runoff whereas longer rainfall duration can result in more suspended solids in sewer runoff. Sediment source fingerprinting and principal component analysis confirmed that coarse (>105 μm) particles primarily originate from road deposited sediments (63.80%), while fine (<105 μm) particles primarily originate from stormwater grate sediments and soil. The outcomes derived can help to comprehensively understand the sources of suspended solids and provide guidance for the management of urban stormwater particulate pollution, as well as being a technical reference for pollutant source traceability in urban stormwater runoff.

Factors shaping home ranges of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Western Carpathians

Understanding how large carnivores utilize space is crucial for management planning in human-dominated landscape and enhances the accuracy of population size estimates. However, Eurasian lynx display a large inter-population variation in the size of home ranges across their European range which makes extrapolation to broader areas of a species distribution problematic. This study evaluates variations in home range size for 35 Eurasian lynx in the Western Carpathians during 2011–2022 based on GPS telemetry and explains how intrinsic and environmental factors shape lynx spatial behaviour when facing anthropogenic pressure. The average annual home range size of lynx ranged from 283 (± 42 SE) to 360 (± 60 SE) km2 for males and from 148 (± 50 SE) to 190 (± 70 SE) km2 for females, depending on home range estimator (95% MCP, KDE and AKDE). Females with kittens had smaller annual and summer home ranges compared to non-reproducing females and subadults had smaller home ranges compared to adults. Lynx home range size was explained by availability of roe deer, except for summer, when alternative prey was likely available. We also found clear evidence of human-induced changes in lynx home range size, in particular, forest cover significantly decreased the home range size of male lynx during summer while road density led to an expansion of both annual and summer lynx home ranges. Lynx exhibited consistent fidelity to their home ranges throughout consecutive seasons, showing no seasonal variations. Strong territoriality was observed among competing males maintaining relatively low home range overlaps and considerable distances between centres of activity. The most pronounced tendency for association was observed between males and females, maintaining relatively close proximity year-round. The insights into lynx spatial requirements provided by our study will greatly enhance the accuracy of population size estimates and effectiveness of mitigation measures across the Western Carpathians.

Agriculture 4.0 adoption challenges in the emerging economies: Implications for smart farming and sustainability

To ensure food security in this age of production and supply disruption, the agricultural sectors of emerging economies are gradually adopting more smart technologies to achieve sustainability. However, literature on the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart farming technologies is still very limited. This research, therefore, explores the contextual interrelation among the challenges to adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart technologies in the agricultural production system from a developing country's perspective and prioritizes the identified challenges. A case study was conducted in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, where data was collected through interviews and focus group discussion sessions. A total of 21 challenges were finalized as relevant to the country's context. The Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique was deployed to develop a hierarchical structure depicting the challenges' interrelations. The challenges were later ranked based on their relevant weight using the Best-Worst Method (BWM). This study finds technological complexity, lack of collaboration among different stakeholders, inadequate support from the government, and lack of action plans to have very high driving power. Challenges such as high initial investment and operational costs, lack of skilled workforce, and farmers' resistance were found to be dependent challenges. This study is expected to contribute by providing a deeper insight into the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0 in emerging economies so that practitioners can take effective mitigating measures to streamline the plant-based agricultural production systems to promote food security and sustainability.

Microplastics and nanoplastics in soil: Sources, impacts, and solutions for soil health and environmental sustainability.

The present review discusses the growing concern of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soil, together with their sources, concentration, distribution, and impact on soil microorganisms, human health, and ecosystems. MPs and NPs can enter the soil through various pathways, such as agricultural activities, sewage sludge application, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the soil, they can accumulate in the upper layers and affect soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. The presence of MPs and NPs in soil can also have ecological consequences, acting as carriers for pollutants and contaminants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Additionally, the leaching of chemicals and additives from MPs and NPs can pose public health risks through the food web and groundwater contamination. The detection and analyses of MPs and NPs in soil can be challenging, and methods involve spectroscopic and microscopy techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To mitigate the presence and effects of MPs and NPs in soil, it is essential to reduce plastic waste production, improve waste management practices, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Effective mitigation measures include implementing stricter regulations on plastic use, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and enhancing recycling infrastructure. Additionally, soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can help immobilize MPs and NPs, reducing their mobility and bioavailability. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these emerging environmental issues and identify potential solutions to alleviate their impact on soil health, ecosystem functioning, and community health.

Bycatch mitigation for commonly caught shark species in the Gulf of Mexico reef bottom longline fishery

AbstractObjectiveThe Gulf of Mexico (GOM) reef bottom longline fishery typically not only targets groupers and snappers but also interacts with 27 species of sharks, which are primarily discarded as bycatch. Slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity in a landscape of increasing fishing pressure make sharks comparatively more susceptible to overfishing and endangered status than other fishes. The purpose of this study was to determine which gear and/or environmental variables best predict the shark catch per set for commonly caught shark species in the GOM reef bottom longline fishery.MethodsWe considered 12 commonly caught shark species that vary from the abundant Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Rhizoprionodon terraenovae to the critically endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Sphyrna lewini. Catch per set, effort, gear, and environmental data were taken from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service observer dataset for the GOM reef bottom longline fishery (2009–2017) and were used to fit generalized additive models. The Bayesian information criterion and 10‐fold cross‐validation were used to select the best set of variables that predicted catch per set to determine gear configurations, fisher activities, and environmental conditions contributing to higher shark catch per unit effort. We modeled each species individually, all species combined, and species grouped by similar ecology.ResultGear and fishing method variables were consistently included in the best predictive models across species and were the only potential basis for a single strategy that could decrease bycatch across all 12 species. Patterns of environmental variables were only consistent across species with similar ecology and habitat.ConclusionSharks as a group should not be lumped together, as the effects of mitigation measures become confounded and directly managing trade‐offs between species when minimizing bycatch becomes impossible. Focusing on gear rather than environmental variables is the best apparent option to potentially reduce shark catch per set across commonly caught species while minimizing trade‐offs.

Flood Modelling of Madi River Using HEC-RAS by Rain on Grid Approach

Indispensable for prognosticating flood impact in areas with limited data availability, reliable flood models are crucial for the analysis and mitigation of flood hazard. This study provides insight to accurately analyse flood scenarios by preparing a well calibrated 2D hydraulic model in HEC-RAS along with the Rain on Grid approach, which is subsequently used for hazard map preparation of Madi River. Hazard classification of flood depth indicated that for a 20-year return period, Moderate hazard levels covered 16.499%, High hazard levels covered 14.831%, and Very High hazard levels covered 68.670% of the total inundated area with reference to the depth hazard categories. Since, significant portion of the inundated area is classified as Very High Hazard; the finding of this research emphasizes the need of effective mitigation measure and provides essential insights crucial for flood risk assessment.

Potential use of Environmental Management Plan for the Sustainability of Coastal Area and Resources

The potential use of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for the sustainability of coastal areas has demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. However, challenges such as data collection, monitoring, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures must be addressed to fully realize the potential of EMPs. By investing in baseline data, implementing robust monitoring and adaptive management practices, enhancing stakeholder engagement, integrating EMPs with broader management frameworks, and allocating adequate resources, the effectiveness and sustainability of EMPs can be significantly improved.

Vulnerabilities and Threats to AIS Security Systems

This research explores vulnerabilities and threats to Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and evaluates effective mitigation measures to address these issues. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, this research involved literature studies, surveys, expert interviews, and case analysis to identify and analyze the different types of vulnerabilities and threats faced by AIS. The results showed that human error, software flaws, and system integration complexity are the main sources of vulnerabilities in AIS. The most common threats are cyberattacks, insider threats, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The impact of these threats includes financial loss, reputational damage, and significant legal implications.Mitigation strategies identified include the development of robust security policies, the use of cutting-edge security technologies, and the conduct of regular audits and monitoring. The findings emphasize the importance of a layered approach to improving AIS security and reliability. This research provides an in-depth insight into how organizations can identify, evaluate and manage vulnerabilities and threats to their AIS, which is essential for maintaining the integrity, confidentiality and availability of accounting data in an increasingly complex digital age.