Face Of Risk Research Articles

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in sediment cores from reservoirs in the Upper Tiete River Basin, Brazil.

This study evaluated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs)-As, Sb, Co, Cr, Zn, U, and Th-in sediment cores from the Jundiai and Taiaçupeba reservoirs in the Upper Tiete Water Basin, Sao Paulo, Brazil. These reservoirs are vital for supplying water to the São Paulo metropolitan area but face risks from agricultural and industrial activities. The research aimed to determine whether PTE enrichment in sediments is due to natural or anthropogenic factors, assess the influence of sediment geochemistry and grain size, and evaluate risks to public health and biota. Granulometric analysis and enrichment factors were used to interpret the results, with As, Cr, and Zn compared to sediment quality guidelines. Significant Zn contamination was found in the Taiaçupeba reservoir, exceeding the Probable Effects Level (PEL), suggesting mining-related contamination. This highlights the need for further research on Zn's spatial distribution, ecological risks, and bioavailability in the Taiaçupeba reservoir. Conversely, Sb, Co, Cr, U, and Th were linked to natural processes. Arsenic showed a local geologic anomaly in both reservoirs. This research emphasizes the importance of geochemistry as a critical tool for interpreting PTEs in trace element environmental monitoring. Geochemical parameters, including Hf, Ta, Sc, and K, and rare earth elements, were essential for understanding sedimentary dynamics and anthropogenic impacts. This approach enhances the effectiveness of PTE impact assessments and can be applied to other dam reservoirs worldwide.

Membangun Minat dan Jiwa Kewirausahaan Pada Siswa SMK Kartini Surabaya

Building interest and entrepreneurial spirit in the younger generation is not easy, the perception that entrepreneurship is not an attractive or profitable career choice is one of the obstacles in building interest and developing an entrepreneurial spirit among young people, this perception causes young people's interest in entrepreneurship to still be very low. This service aims to provide entrepreneurship training in order to build economic independence for students at Vocational High School SMK Kartini 7 Surabaya. Generation Z is a generation that is expected to be able to contribute to participating in encouraging economic development and improving welfare, improving welfare starts for themselves, family, friends and the surrounding community. Inability to see business opportunities, lack of ideas or concepts, lack of knowledge and skills, fear of failure, inability to manage and face risks, lack of self-confidence, lack of support from people around them, all of these are factors that hinder the growth of interest and entrepreneurial spirit among the younger generation. For this reason, efforts are needed to overcome these obstacles, through entrepreneurship training. Entrepreneurship training aims to foster interest and build an entrepreneurial spirit among vocational school students and build awareness that entrepreneurship is very important to increase potential and self-development, build an independent, creative and innovative spirit, a tough generation that does not give up easily.

Free trade agreements and their effect on the Nigerian agricultural sector: An empirical review

The Nigerian agricultural sector, pivotal to the nation’s economy, faces challenges such as low productivity, limited market access, and structural inefficiencies that hinder its full potential. This empirical review examines the role of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in shaping the sector’s growth and competitiveness. FTAs, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offer expanded market access, increased agricultural exports, technology transfer, and economic integration opportunities. However, these agreements also present challenges, including competition from cheaper imports, dependency on external supply chains, and loss of government revenue. Empirical evidence highlights mixed outcomes of FTAs on Nigeria’s agriculture. While trade liberalisation has driven increased exports and productivity, domestic farmers face risks of market displacement and unequal benefits due to poor infrastructure, limited access to finance, and inadequate support policies. Insights from other nations reveal that the impacts of FTAs depend on country-specific economic conditions and policy frameworks. To maximise the benefits of FTAs, policy recommendations include implementing protection mechanisms for vulnerable sectors, promoting fair trade standards, enhancing infrastructure, facilitating access to finance, and fostering agricultural industrialisation. Effective FTA implementation and targeted interventions can unlock the sector’s potential, driving sustainable growth and inclusive development.

Optimal channel and feature selection for automatic prediction of functional brain age of preterm infant based on EEG

IntroductionApproximately 15 million premature infants are born each year, many of whom face risks of neurological impairments. Accurate assessment of brain maturity is crucial for timely intervention and treatment planning. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a noninvasive method commonly used for this purpose. However, using all channels and features for brain maturity assessment can lead to high computational burden and overfitting, which can decrease the performance of the prediction system.MethodsIn this study, we propose an automatic prediction framework based on EEG to predict functional brain age (FBA) for assessing brain maturity in preterm infants. To optimize channel selection, we combine Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) with Forward Addition (FA) and Backward Elimination (BE) methods. For feature selection, we combine the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC), Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) model.ResultsThe proposed framework achieved a prediction accuracy of 76.71% within ±1 week and 94.52% within ±2 weeks. Effective channel and feature selection significantly improved model performance while reducing computational costs.DiscussionThese results demonstrate that optimizing channel and feature selection can enhance the performance of FBA prediction in preterm infants, offering a more efficient and accurate tool for brain maturity assessment.

Integration GSTARIMA with deep neural network to enhance prediction accuracy on rainfall data

This study aimed to improve rainfall prediction accuracy by integrating spatio-temporal Generalized Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (GSTARIMA) with Deep Neural Network (DNN) techniques. Accurate rainfall forecasting is vital for regions like West Java, which face risks of flooding and landslides during heavy rains in December, January and February. The research focused on enhancing monthly rainfall prediction using GSTARIMA model residuals, transformed from daily data, with a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.625°. The GSTARIMA-DNN model was developed to reduce prediction errors and closely align with actual rainfall values. The DNN architecture utilized a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) with eight input nodes for spatio-temporal residuals, two hidden layers with Leaky ReLU (LReLU) activation functions and a linear output layer for regression. The integration of GSTARIMA and DNN significantly improved prediction accuracy compared to traditional methods. Specifically, the GSTARIMA(0,1,1)-DNN model achieved a 7.28% Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) at four key locations (Tasikmalaya, Cirebon, Majalengka and Garut) among ten locations with the same lag order. This hybrid model effectively managed complex temporal and spatial data, underscoring the benefits of combining spatio-temporal models with DNN for enhanced rainfall forecasting. This approach offers valuable insights for advancing precise spatio-temporal models in various research fields.

Conceptual framework for advancing regulatory compliance and risk management in emerging markets through digital innovation

Emerging markets face significant regulatory compliance and risk management challenges, including economic instability, inadequate infrastructure, and rapid globalization. Digital innovation offers transformative potential to address these issues through advanced tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and data analytics. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for integrating digital tools into compliance systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and scalability. The framework highlights three core components: technology adoption, regulatory collaboration, and data integration. These elements collectively streamline compliance processes, enable proactive risk management, and foster stronger relationships between businesses and regulators. While the framework offers substantial benefits, including improved accuracy and scalability, its implementation is hindered by high costs, limited infrastructure, and resistance to change. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and businesses to overcome these barriers, including investments in digital infrastructure, regulatory sandboxes, and capacity-building initiatives. By adopting this framework, emerging markets can achieve more effective compliance and risk management systems, contributing to sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness.

Investor Protection and Corporate Responsibility in Multinational Holding Bankruptcy: The Virtue Dragon Indonesia and China Case

This research examines the implications of holding company bankruptcy on subsidiaries in Indonesia, focusing on capital market law and investor protection. The bankruptcy of a holding company can lead to operational disruptions for its subsidiaries, affecting market confidence and devaluing investments. Investors in these subsidiaries may face risks of unfair treatment during the bankruptcy process. The study explores Indonesia's legal framework, including the bankruptcy law and regulations enforced by the Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), which are aimed at protecting investors' rights and ensuring transparency. The case of Virtue Dragon Indonesia, a subsidiary of a Chinese holding company, highlights the complexities of cross-border bankruptcy and the challenges of safeguarding minority investors. The research underscores the need for stronger legal protections for investors and suggests improvements in Indonesia’s capital market laws to enhance investor confidence and market integrity.

Peran Strategi Manajemen K3 Dalam Mempersiapkan Mahasiswa Tata Boga Menjadi Tenaga Kerja Kompeten Di Industri Kuliner

This study aims to explore the role of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management strategies in preparing culinary students at the Akademi Komunitas MAPINDO to become competent professionals in the culinary industry. The research focuses on how OHS management strategies are implemented in the culinary education curriculum and their impact on students’ job readiness in the culinary sector. This study employs a mixed-methods approach by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with instructors and culinary industry practitioners to understand the application of OHS strategies in teaching. Quantitative data were obtained through surveys involving culinary students to assess their perceptions of OHS training and its influence on their job readiness. The findings show that the OHS management strategies applied at the Akademi Komunitas MAPINDO significantly contribute to preparing culinary students with the necessary skills to face risks in industrial kitchen environments. Students reported an improved understanding of safety procedures and practical risk-handling skills. Additionally, collaboration between educational institutions and the culinary industry was found to enhance the relevance of the OHS curriculum. This research highlights the importance of OHS management strategies in culinary education, demonstrating that effective integration of OHS into the curriculum can improve students' job readiness and minimize risks in professional kitchen settings. These findings offer valuable insights for curriculum development in culinary education institutions and for safety management practices in the culinary industry.

The effect of entrepreneurial resilience on entrepreneurial success of SME: A study on SME in Zakho independent administration in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

This study explores the impact of entrepreneurial resilience and entrepreneurial success. A researcher conducted a survey of entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized companies in Zakho city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to understand the extent to which flexibility affects company growth and success. They used the descriptive analytical approach to analyse the survey data. The questionnaire was the primary approach to data gathering. Data analysis was performed using both SPSS v26 and Smart PLS v 4.0.9. (82) questionnaires were collected from a total of 95 survey cases. The findings of this study show a substantial and statistically significant effect of entrepreneurial resilience on entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurial resilience is critical to increasing a company's effectiveness and profitability by addressing immediate and continuous difficulties that force it to seek out possibilities, innovate, and face risks. While these results are convincing in the context of the study, it is necessary to be careful when generalizing them to other corporate settings. Further research is recommended to delve deeper into the nuances of entrepreneurial resilience across diverse contexts. This study contributes valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to improve performance through entrepreneurial resilience. Through understanding and leveraging forecasting and forcing conditions, organizations can promote better outcomes and achieve success.

Research on the Impact of Corporate Financialization on Debt Risk under the Perspective of Investment Income

With the high degree of development of the virtual economy, a variety of financial products, financial instruments are emerging, high profits, high returns, high efficiency of the financial industry so that enterprises in the virtual economy and the financial industry to chase profits, the entity enterprises gradually "off the real to the virtual". Enterprises in the financial industry, speculation and arbitrage, shift the center of gravity of production and operation, to a certain extent, jeopardize the development of the main business, invisible financial structure and capital structure change. Deviation from the main business development will weaken the enterprise foundation, enterprises face greater challenges and risks. Therefore, the study of debt risk of financialization under the perspective of investment income of real enterprises is of great significance for enterprises to prevent risks. In this paper, by selecting Yunnan Baiyao, one of the typical representatives of financialization of real enterprises, the financial statement data of the enterprise from 2017 to 2022 are selected. The impact of financialization on debt risk under the perspective of Yunnan Baiyao's investment income is comprehensively analyzed through both qualitative and quantitative aspects. First of all, the proportion of investment income to net profit will be used as a financialization indicator to analyze the degree of financialization of the enterprise, and the changes of financialization indicators will be analyzed through the major events of the enterprise such as "mixing and reforming" and financialization of the business to provide a factual basis. In measuring Yunnan Baiyao's debt risk, changes in asset structure, short-term and long-term solvency indicators, changes in net cash flow and the ratio of net non-financing cash flow to total liabilities are used to analyze the changes in Yunnan Baiyao's debt risk in the process of financialization. Finally, it reveals the impact of different degrees of financialization on Yunnan Baiyao's debt risk. The research in this paper is not only of great significance for Yunnan Baiyao's debt risk prevention of financialization under the perspective of investment income, but also has certain reference significance and warning effect for other real enterprises, and has certain reference value for alleviating the economic "deconstruction to emptiness" and stabilizing the real economy.

The legal concept of the rights of consumers of virtual services protection

The article explores the legal aspects of consumer protection in the context of virtual assets (VAs) in Ukraine. The rapid growth of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies highlights the need for legislation aligned with the positive experiences of the EU and the UK. Ukrainian legislation, particularly the «Law on Virtual Assets,» is still under development, making it essential to integrate international best practices, such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, which ensures high consumer protection standards. Safeguarding consumer rights should be a cornerstone of the new legislation, as virtual asset users face risks such as fraud, financial pyramids, and gambling addiction. A key regulatory challenge is the need to clearly differentiate between crypto-assets functioning as financial instruments and those with characteristics akin to gambling. The study of international experience in the field of regulation of virtual assets, currently, almost ignores institutions for the protection of consumer rights, at the same time, when the market of virtual assets suffers the most from fraud, theft of assets, activities of illegal casinos, financial pyramids that harm market subjects and lead to multibillion dollar losses. The importance of highlighting the concept of protecting the rights of consumers of virtual assets in Ukraine is also connected with the negative experience in the regulation of three major banking crises that affected the entire population of Ukraine. Leveraging international experience will help protect consumers’ interests and foster the development of a stable and transparent cryptocurrency market in Ukraine. Particular attention in the article is devoted to distinguishing the mechanisms of state regulation of gambling and the study of this issue in the context of the regulation of investment offers to individuals from crypto market subjects. The existing draft laws and the general trend of development of the regulation of virtual assets in Ukraine, without proper strict regulation of consumer rights protection, may lead to financial crises and abuses in the markets, which will lead to negative consequences in the economy.

A pilot study to assess the knowledge, attitude and utilization of Kishori Balika Yojana among adolescent girls (14-18yrs) at rural mahasamund, Chhattisgarh

Adolescent girls face risks including injuries, reproductive and sexual health issues, mental and emotional problems, and abuse. In response, the Government of India launched the Adolescent Girls’ Scheme in 2000 under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, aiming to enhance nutrition, health, and empowerment among adolescent girls.A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in rural Mahasamund to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, utilization of the Kishori Balika Yojana (KBY), and nutritional status of adolescent girls. A convenient sampling technique selected a sample of 35 adolescent girls. Data collection involved a structured knowledge questionnaire (20 items), a Likert scale (18 items), a checklist (7 items), and a nutritional assessment checklist.Among the 35 adolescent girls, 5 (14.2%) were school dropouts, and 16 (45.7%) were undernourished. Most participants (27 or 77.2%) had moderately adequate knowledge, while 7 (20%) had inadequate knowledge. Perception towards KBY services was neutral for 33 (94.2%) and unfavorable for 2 (5.8%). All 35 girls visited the Anganwadi center; 32 (91.4%) utilized supplementary nutrition services, 33 (94.2%) received iron and folic acid tablets, 22 (62.8%) participated in health checkups, and 17 (48.6%) attended health education sessions. Only 2 (5.7%) were aware of life skills education, and none participated in vocational training services. The study found moderately adequate knowledge, neutral perceptions, and good utilization of supplementary nutrition and iron-folic acid supplementation among the girls. However, participation in health checkups, nutrition and health education, life skills education, and vocational training was limited. Educational interventions and modules on KBY services could enhance knowledge, foster favorable perceptions, and improve utilization of KBY services.

Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents and Occurrence/Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Does It Still Matter?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditionally, the primary prevention strategy for HCV-associated HCC has focused on removing infection through antiviral regimes. Currently, highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer extraordinary success across all patient categories, including cirrhotics. Despite these advancements, recent studies have reported that even after sustained virologic response (SVR), individuals with advanced liver disease/cirrhosis at the time of DAA treatment may still face risks of HCC occurrence or recurrence. Based on this premise, this review tries to shed light on the multiple mechanisms that establish a tumorigenic environment, first, during chronic HCV infection and then, after eventual viral eradication by DAAs. Furthermore, it reviews evidence reported by recent observational studies stating that the use of DAAs is not associated with an increased risk of HCC development but rather, with a significantly lower chance of liver cancer compared with DAA-untreated patients. In addition, it seeks to provide some practical guidance for clinicians, helping them to manage HCC surveillance of patients who have achieved SVR with DAAs.

Exploring Occupational Health Challenges in Pathology: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Indian Pathologists.

Introduction Occupational health hazards are a significant concern for pathologists due to their unique work environment. These professionals face risks from prolonged microscope use, exposure to chemicals such as formalin, and handling sharp instruments, leading to issues such as musculoskeletal disorders and needlestick injuries. Addressing these hazards is crucial for their well-being and the overall efficiency of medical diagnostics. Implementing effective safety measures and increasing awareness can create a safer and healthier workplace for pathologists. Objective This study primarily aimed to assess the prevalence of occupational health hazards among Indian pathologists. It further assessed the knowledge and attitudes of pathologists towardsafety practices in pathology. Specifically, it explored the research questions: What are the levels of awareness and adherence to safe practices among pathologists? What common factors contribute to reluctance in following these practices, particularly concerning occupational hazards such as musculoskeletal disorders, cut injuries, and chemical exposure? Materials and methods Online and offline versions of a survey questionnairewere prepared to cover the spectrum of occupational hazards regarding musculoskeletal diseases, cut injuries, and level of awareness. The questionnaire was shared through email and social networking platforms with over 1000 pathologists across India. The responses, inputs, and open-ended comments from the respondents were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 146 pathologists responded and completed the survey, starting from residents to professors. Almost all of them had experienced musculoskeletal problems, among which neck pain was the predominant problem, accounting for 82 (56.2%), followed by low back aches, accounting for 69 (47.3%). Needlestick injury was reported by 33 (22.6%) as "at least once in the past year."Cut-related injury while performing grossing/autopsy was reported by 57 (39%), and 29 (19.8%) pathologists sustained this cut-related injury once within the last one year. A total of 26 (17.8%) pathologists had been injured two to five times, and twopathologists (1.3%) had this injury more than five times within last one year. Over half of the respondents, i.e., 90 (61.6%) pathologists, reported eye fatigue symptoms. Additionally, 94 (64.3%) pathologists reported an increase in refractive error after joining the practice, with myopia being the most common, affecting 69 (47.2%) pathologists.Adverse reactions to formalin were reported by 96 (66%) of the 146 respondents.These findings highlight the need for ergonomic interventions and stricter safety protocols in pathology laboratories. Conclusion The study highlights substantial occupational health challenges among Indian pathologists, particularly musculoskeletal issues, needlestick and cut injuries, eye strain, and adverse effects of formalin exposure. These findings emphasize the urgent need for enhanced safety training and compliance with best practices to mitigate health risks, improve occupational well-being, and support the sustainability of pathology practice in India.

Acquisition Analysis: Evidence from Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

As a matter of fact, the Internet era is evolving quickly these days, and the video game business in particular has a lot of room to grow in recent years. To be specific, a number of technology companies are continually purchasing and merging to increase their market share. At this point, Microsoft revealed the shocking announcement that Activision Blizzard would be acquired by the company for a whopping $68.7 billion. In the end, this acquisition helped Microsoft establish a strong foothold in the gaming industry, making it one of the top three gaming companies and facilitating its faster entry into the meta-universe, despite the company facing numerous challenges and risks during the process. On this basis, this study will select the target to carry out a detailed case study. The analysis of this purchase case in terms of background introduction, acquisition process, motivation for acquisition, financial analysis will serve as the basis for this article, and the findings will offer guidance on the mergers and acquisitions of technological companies.

Perception and attitude of the general population toward Alzheimer's disease in eastern region, Saudi Arabia.

To measure the awareness of AD among the general population of Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia from October to November 2023. The data was collected using an online questionnaire. A total of 614 eligible participants completed the study questionnaire. Among those surveyed, 99.3% had heard about Alzheimer's disease (AD), while 96.1% associated it with memory loss. Additionally, 91.5% recognized that individuals with AD face risks when driving, 91.5% believed they could not independently handle their financial matters, 85.7% thought they could not make health-related decisions on their own, and 85.5% believed they could still participate in sports. The research results challenge our initial hypothesis by revealing significant AD awareness in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, largely attributed to internet-based health information. Despite this, there is a need to improve public attitudes toward Alzheimer's patients, highlighting the importance of enhanced education and better communication between healthcare professionals and the public.

ANALISIS MANAJEMEN RISIKO OPERASIONAL BERDASARKAN PENDEKATAN ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT (ERM) PADA LKP TATIK MODES KABUPATEN TRENGGALEK

Operations are one of the important things in the company, if the operation in good then the company will be good and vice versa. Company operations will also face risks, therefore the company must have risk management, one of which is ERM. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods with data collection techniques in the from of journals, publications, and interview with LKP Tatik Modes in Trenggalek Regency. The approach used in this research is Enterprise risk management (ERM), which can be applied with the steps of indentifying risk conducting assessments, and controlling risk. Through the application of ERM, companies can identify risks and classify them as low, medium, or high. The pupose of this study is to identify risks that may occur in the company and create a risk matrix to determine the most critical risks that should be prioritized for control. The results showed that operational risks at LKP Tatik Modes include occupational safety risks such as sewing machines that are difficult to control by novice participants, scrorched or perforated clothes when ironed by novice participants, and potential fires. Financial risks include fluctuating income as it depends on the number of participants who register. Environmental risks include potential flooding and power outages. Technological risks include social media being hacked. Human resource risks include theft of important data and damage to equipment.

Improving Quality of Life of the Elderly Hypertension with a Family Empowerment Approach: A Quasi-Experimental Method Study

Introduction: Elderly with hypertension not only face risks to their physical health but also often experience far-reaching impacts on psychological and social aspects that can lower their overall quality of life. Active family involvement is needed in the care of the elderly, so that the health of the elderly can be more optimalObjectives: This study explored the influence of family empowerment on the quality of life of the elderly with hypertension.Methods: A quantitative approach aimed at exploring the influence of family empowerment on the quality of life of the elderly with hypertension. The design used in this study is quasi-experiment with one group pre-test-post test. The study Population focuses on elderly with hypertension in Indonesia within the age range of 60-90 years. The number of samples of 56 respondents was selected by purposive sampling. Data collection took place before and after one month of families caring for the elderly with hypertension were given family empowerment. The instruments used are Quality of Life, which is measured by the Older People Quality Of Life (OPQOL-Brief). Data analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon test in S.P.S.S. software version 27Results: The statistical results show that Z is calculated as -4,889 and sig is 0.000, so it can be concluded that there is a difference in quality of life before and after family empowerment.Conclusions: The study confirms a difference in the quality of life for older adults with hypertension before and after being given family empowerment

Molecular structures of residual solvent in polyacrylonitrile based electrolytes: Implications for conductivity and stability.

Lithium-ion batteries increasingly play significant roles in modern technologies; however, increased energy density also raises concerns about electrolyte safety. Traditional electrolytes that use volatile organic solvents face risks of thermal runaways and fires from electrode shorting. In response, polymer-based solid electrolytes have been developed for replacement. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a promising fire-resistant component for electrolyte fabrication, but its limited solubility necessitates using low-volatility solvents, which are notoriously difficult to remove in subsequent drying processes. Here, we use femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to provide an in-depth understanding of how residual solvent from processing affects the molecular structures and dynamics within a polymer electrolyte. To this end, linear and nonlinear infrared spectroscopies are employed to interrogate the molecular interactions in PAN-based electrolytes containing various contents of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). We show that the amount of DMF within the PAN electrolyte affects the Li+ structure. The coordination can proceed through the carbonyl group and/or the amide nitrogen to form antiparallel structures with the nitrile groups of PAN through dipole-dipole interactions. The free motion of DMF is drastically inhibited upon interaction with Li+ and PAN, which decreases the ionic conductivity and potentially affects the stability (resistance toward removal and chemical decomposition). These findings have implications for the design and processing of solid polymer electrolytes.

Integrating Chronic Disease Management and Harm Reduction for Youth with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Amid Canada's Overdose Crisis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune condition in children that often requires long-term pain management, which can include opioid use. In the context of Canada's ongoing overdose crisis, youth with JIA face risks due to potential opioid dependency and exposure to toxic drug supplies. This commentary proposes an integrated approach combining chronic disease management with harm reduction strategies specifically tailored for JIA patients. By incorporating multidisciplinary care, opioid stewardship, and harm reduction measures, this approach aims to address the dual challenges of managing chronic pain and mitigating substance use risks. Key recommendations include the development of integrated care models, enhanced access to multidisciplinary services, allocation of resources for specialized pain management, research, and mental health support, and investment in harm reduction initiatives. Additionally, comprehensive training for healthcare providers on the intersection of chronic pain, substance use, and mental health is essential. This integrated strategy not only supports the medical and psychosocial needs of youth with JIA but also offers a model for addressing the broader challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the overdose crisis. Adopting these measures will help protect this at-risk group, improve their quality of life, and contribute to the overall public health response to the overdose epidemic.