High Level Of Risk Research Articles

Age at onset as an index of genetic heterogeneity in major psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Robust clinical indices of etiologic heterogeneity for psychiatric disorders are rare. We investigate whether age at onset (AAO) reflects genetic heterogeneity, utilizing Genetic Risk Ratios (GRR) derived from Family Genetic Risk Scores (FGRS). We examined, in individuals born in Sweden 1940-2003, whether AAO for five primary disorders -- drug use disorder (DUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), major depression (MD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SZ)-- was associated with varying levels of GRRs with a range of informative secondary disorders and traits. Our disorders displayed a varying pattern of change of GRRs with increasing AAO. At one end was SZ, where all GRRs rose with increasing AAO meaning that SZ became increasing genetically heterogeneous with later AAO. The most balanced disorder was AUD where, with increasing AAO, GRRs rose for AD, BD, and MD and declined for DUD, CB, and ADHD. That is, at young AAO, AUD had high levels of genetic risk for other externalizing disorders while at older AAO, high genetic risk for internalizing disorders were more prominent. MD was at the continuum's other end where all GRRs, except for AD, decreased with higher AAO, meaning that MD became increasingly genetically homogeneous with later AAO. Genetic heterogeneity was robustly associated with AAO across our five primary disorders with substantial inter-disorder differences in the observed patterns. In particular, young AAO was associated with maximal genetic homogeneity for SZ and DUD while older AAO had greater genetic homogeneity for MD with AUD falling in between.

The disparities in health risks of multiple pollutants through soil and dietary exposure in a rural-urban area based on accessibility method.

Rapid urbanization has resulted in disparities in environmental conditions for different communities in suburban area. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the occurrence of pollutants in the soil and dietary food, and associated health risks in an urban-rural transitional area. The levels of potential toxic pollutants, notably metals, organophosphate esters (OPEs), and agrochemicals in surface soil and dietary food were evaluated. Higher levels of metals and OPEs were found in soils of industrial area, and agricultural soils had an elevated level of agrochemicals. The highest health risk was found for Chromium (Cr) which exceeded 1, indicating a high probability of adverse non-cancer effect to local residents. The levels of contaminants in food showed higher variability in community market and farmers' market than in supermarket, while higher levels of OPEs were found in food from supermarkets. The accessibility to fresh food mainly determined the differences in health risks of different communities. For dietary exposure, residents of industrial areas have higher levels of risk than other neighborhoods, mainly due to the possibility of exposure of foodstuffs with higher metal contents. In terms of market type, community markets mainly contributed to the comprehensive health risk through dietary exposure, especially for industrial and agricultural communities. The findings of this study provided further understanding of the spatial distribution of various contaminants as well as their health risks for different communities, which could guide the monitoring and management of potential toxic pollutants to safeguard public health in rural-urban transitional regions.

Prévention du risque thromboembolique de la fibrillation atriale dans le service de cardiologie d'Abidjan

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder whose incidence with age and which is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. ObjectiveEvaluate the thromboembolic risk of patients with atrial fibrillation and analyze the quality of the oral anticoagulation therapy at the Abidjan cardiology institute. MethodsThis was a multicenter, retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study, with descriptive and analytical aims in 332 patients followed for atrial fibrillation diagnosed on the electrocardiogram. ResultsAverage age of 61 years (standard deviation = 16), with a female predominance with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.93. The circumstances of discovery of atrial fibrillation were mainly palpitations (58.1%). Hypertension (57.8%). was the most frequently encountered comorbidity Underlying heart diseases were dominated by dilated cardiomyopathy (26.8%) and hypertensive heart disease (18.1%). The average CHA2DS2-VASc score was = 3.1 (standard deviation = 1.5) revealing a high level of thromboembolic risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2) in 76% of cases. The mean HAS-BLED score was =1.9 (SD =1.2).VKA were the main antithrombotic therapy prescribed in our patients and appeared of poor quality with a TTR <65% in the great majority of patients (93,75%) ConclusionAtrial fibrillation is a condition responsible for the occurrence of thromboembolic complications when antithrombotic management is not correct. In this instance good oral anticoagulation is the best treatment to instaure. VKA are the most prescribed OAC in our context.The evaluation of the quality of anticoagulation by vitamin K antagonist is essential by one of its most used indices is the time spent in the therapeutic zone (TTR).

Assessing and mapping the vulnerability index of Bangladesh to natural and climate-induced disasters: A spatial analysis at the subdistrict level

This study assesses and maps the vulnerability index of Bangladesh at the subdistrict level to a range of natural and climate-induced disasters. Four vulnerability index maps are created using principal component analysis and categorized into five risk levels: (1) no/very low risk, (2) low risk, (3) moderate risk, (4) high risk and (5) very high risk for each sub-district. The results reveal that the south east region is highly vulnerable to cyclones, Haor region stands out as the most vulnerable area for flash floods, with numerous subdistricts facing very high to high risk levels; northern and north-eastern regions are prone to cold waves, while the western part of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to heat waves. This comprehensive spatial analysis provides critical information for disaster risk reduction and adaptation strategies, assisting decision-makers in identifying the most vulnerable areas and prioritizing interventions. The findings of this study might be useful for policymakers as well as planners.

Association between Genetic Risk and the Renal Function for Developing Venous Thromboembolism.

The impact of a reduced renal function on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. The association between VTE and the renal function, as well as genetic susceptibility, requires further clarification in a large population. This study included 358,723 participants with non-renal failure from the UK Biobank. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of VTE incidence associated with the renal function at baseline were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. In addition, the relationship between the renal function and cumulative risk of VTE was visualized using Kaplan-Meier curves and restricted cubic spline (RCS). Furthermore, this study investigated the combined effects and interactions between the renal function and genetic susceptibility on the risk of VTE onset. Renal function biomarkers in the highest quartile levels for urine creatinine, serum creatinine, urea, urate, cystatin C, and urine microalbumin and lowest quartile levels for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were associated with an elevated risk of VTE onset. For the joint analysis with genetic susceptibility, participants with both high levels of renal function biomarkers (a low eGFR) and high genetic risk had the highest risk of developing VTE, with an HR (95% CI) of 2.83 (2.46-3.26) for urine creatinine, 2.72 (2.37-3.13) for serum creatinine, 2.49 (2.18-2.84) for urea, and 2.63 (2.26-3.05) for urate, 3.52 (3.01-4.13) for cystatin C, 2.90 (2.33-3.60) for urine microalbumin, and 3.37 (2.86-3.98) for the eGFR. A decreased renal function increases the risk of VTE and genetic susceptibility has a positive additive effect on VTE risk. This suggests that biomarkers of the renal function may be used as predictors of VTE, especially in populations with genetic susceptibility to VTE.

Assessing the vulnerability of empirical infrastructure networks to natural catastrophes

Human-made infrastructures are complex systems continually exposed to events that threat their function, such as cascading failures, occurring when the flow of physical quantities is redistributed within the network as a consequence of localized disruptions. Nevertheless, the role played by exogenous catastrophic events and internal failures on the robustness of critical infrastructures is usually addressed independently, under simplifying assumptions and lacking a unified picture for realistic risk assessments. Here, we fill this gap by introducing the Operational-Affected-Dismantled (OAD) model that captures both local and nonlocal failure propagation mechanisms. The model combines reaction–diffusion processes for local spreading with a global field effect for long-range interactions, allowing us to quantitatively characterize the cascade dynamics in infrastructure networks. Moreover, we include information on external stressors to assess the robustness of empirical network infrastructures and build spatial risk maps. By using data from severe storms (2009–2016) and from earthquakes (2000–2023) as stressors of the North American power grid and the worldwide airline transportation system, respectively, we offer a quantitative way to rank events by their potential to trigger systemic effects. By analyzing the response of the European power grid to simulated severe storms, we find that it can show high levels of systemic risk. Uncertainty in global climate and the accelerating frequency of extreme events all over the globe call for novel strategies to quantify, adapt to and mitigate systemic risk. Our framework provides a suitable starting point to assess the robustness of empirical systems in realistic and what-if scenarios.

Impact of risk factors for oral candidiasis in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Background: Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the exocrine glands. The characteristics of this syndrome involve dysfunction and destruction of the exocrine glands, leading to oral manifestations. Patients with Sjogren's Syndrome are at a significantly higher risk of developing oral cavity diseases. Common oral manifestations found in Sjogren's Syndrome include sialadenitis, lichen planus, and salivary swelling. Material and Methods: The literature review was carried out in Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Researchgate as well as various relevant sources with the keywords: “Oral Candidiasis", “Sjogren’s Syndrome", "Oral Cavity Lesions”, "Flow Saliva", and "Oral Health." Conclusion: In patients with Sjogren's Syndrome, the saliva flow tends to decrease, which can increase the risk of higher levels of Candida albicans bacteria, thereby raising the likelihood of developing Oral Candidiasis.

Psychosocial risks faced by olive workers in Spain: evaluated using the ‘Mini Psychosocial Factors’ questionnaire

BackgroundSpain has the largest olive-growing area in Europe. The goal of the present research is to evaluate the psychosocial risks faced by workers in the olive groves of Jaén (the...

Influence of Risk Acceptance on Implementation of KeRRA Road Construction Projects in Migori County, Kenya

Implementation of Government of Kenya (KeRRA) road construction projects face high levels of risks, but often these risks are not dealt with adequately, which is reflected in low quality of work as well as cost and time overruns. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of risk acceptance on implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County. Implementation was measured as a function of project completion within the set time frame and being within budget. This study was anchored on Risk Management theory which offer a foundation for interrogating the influence of the variables under study. The research philosophy was based on pragmatism. Concurrent triangulation research design was used as it factors in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of research study. The target population for the study consisted of 92 contractors, 459 constituency roads committee members (CRCs) and 2 Consultant Engineers. Through a sampling size formula, a total of 39 contractors and 193 CRC members were selected using simple random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained through self-administered questionnaires to contractors and CRC members. Validity of research instruments was obtained through piloting and expert evaluation while reliability was tested using test retest method. Inferential statistics of Multiple Linear Regression was applied to determine the influence of risk management strategies on implementation of KeRRA road construction projects by testing the hypotheses for the study. Statistical significance was assessed at p&lt;0.05. Qualitative data obtained from the interview schedules was analysed using content analysis. The study found out that risk acceptance accounted for 70.0% of change in implementation of KeRRA road construction projects. The study concluded that risk acceptance influenced implementation of KeRRA road construction projects significantly (p&lt;0.05). The study recommends that there is need for effective system for risk based identification, analysis and management needs to be activated and KeRRA should ensure that all manpower and machinery used in road constructions are insured and properly certified in accordance with occupational health and safety standards policies.

Climate Change and its Economic Impacts in Mexico

Introduction: Climate change is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, due to its global causes and consequences and its heterogeneous and asymmetric regional impacts, with those who contribute the least to the phenomenon receiving the greatest negative impacts. Mexico has a minor contribution to climate change in terms of greenhouse gas emissions; however, it is highly vulnerable to its negative effects. Climate change is a long-term global phenomenon, with a high level of uncertainty. The economic analysis of climate change has a high level of risk, which makes it a process where risk must be managed. Despite these characteristics and limitations, it is a fundamental instrument for public policy and society since it identifies options and alternatives to build sustainable development strategies and protect natural resources and ecosystems for future generations beyond their economic value. However, it must be understood that projections are not one-off forecasts but only prospective scenarios. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic impacts of Climate Change for Mexico during this century, according to the different scenarios of the IPCC AR6. Methodology: The methodology consists of presenting a set of regional projections of climate variables under the IPCC's AR6 climate change scenarios, and estimating the possible impacts of climate change on Mexico's economic sector. Results: Regional models show temperature increases between 0.5 and 5 °C, while changes in precipitation will range between -20.3% and 13.5%. Low soil moisture, negative changes in vegetation (NDVI) and drought (SPEI12) will lead to soil moisture deficits, water stress, sparse vegetation and semi-permanent drought. The entire country is expected to be subjected to moderate (Central and Southern) to extremely severe (Northern) droughts that will worsen by the end of the century. Climate change will have effects on crop yields, livestock reproduction, production of meat and its derivatives throughout the country in a differentiated way, with increases in food prices. It will also cause a deficit of land suitable for agricultural activities; and water availability. Diseases associated with climate change will become more acute by the end of the century, with increases in health spending. It is estimated that the investment of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the health sector would go from 6.25% to more than 18%, which could be unfeasible for the national economy. Based on the likely temperatures by the end of the century, it is estimated that the risk of extinction of species will range between 3 and 48% in terrestrial, oceanic and coastal ecosystems, the risk of biodiversity loss will go from moderate to very high. The total costs of climate change reach 2050, with a discount rate of 4%, values that range between 9 and 13% of GDP in the most likely scenarios for the end of the century and reach between 28 and 36% of GDP at a discount rate of 0.5%, while by 2100 with a discount rate of 4%. around 16.5% of GDP and reach maximums between 69 and 76% of GDP at a discount rate of 0.5%. Conclusion: The results allow us to conclude that climate change has significant impacts on the Mexican economy and that the costs of inaction are higher. Thus, it is more efficient to act now than to leave the problem to future generations, beyond the ethical considerations that it implies.

Corporate Risk Disclosure Practice and Financial Performance of Listed Industrial Goods Firms in Nigeria

In recent years, corporate risk disclosure has gained increasing attention in corporate governance discourse due to its potential impact on financial performance. The need for transparency in reporting risks has become more critical, particularly in the industrial goods sector, which is often characterized by high operational and financial risks. This study examined the influence of corporate risk disclosure on the financial performance of listed industrial goods firms in Nigeria, a sector known for high levels of operational and financial risk. It specifically assessed how financial and operational risk disclosures affect financial performance. This study employed expo-facto research design. The study population consisted of 13 industrial goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) as of 31st December 2023. Census sampling was applied to include the entire population. Data were collected from annual reports and corporate governance disclosures were analysed with descriptive statistics and feasible generalised least squares regression analysis. The findings found that while financial risk disclosure positively and significantly influences financial performance, operational risk disclosure has a negative but significant effect. These outcomes suggest that financial transparency boosts investor trust and confidence, enhancing financial performance, whereas disclosing operational risks may reduce investor confidence due to concerns about operational stability and profitability. This study concluded that corporate risk disclosure demonstrated a significant role in influencing financial outcomes, yet its effect varies based on the type of risk disclosed. In line with empirical findings of this study, it was recommended that firms should balance transparency with discretion by selectively disclosing operational risks that have been mitigated or managed, reducing the potential for investor concerns over operational vulnerabilities.

Microplastic pollution – a rising threat along an urban lake in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, India: abundance and risk exposure

ABSTRACT Lake ecosystems provide vital services, but face escalating threats from synthetic microplastic (MP) pollution driven by human activities, necessitating urgent action. This study investigates MP contamination in Dharapadavedu Lake, Tamil Nadu, India, characterizing its presence and distribution. MPs in water and sediment were assessed using NOAA's standardized protocol. The results indicate that mean concentration of MPs in lakeshore sediment and water was 2.46 ± 1.06 particles/kg and 1.26 ± 0.88 particles/L, respectively. Significantly, medium-sized MPs (500–1,000 μm) were most abundant, comprising predominantly white, red, and green colors with fragments and fiber morphotypes. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed valuable insights into the polymer composition of MPs in the lake, identifying four primary types: nylon (polyamide), high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene. Pollution load index data reveals that MP pollution levels of 2.26 in sediment and 1.46 in water indicate a moderate to high level of risk. These findings reveal that the repercussions of recreational activities, anthropogenic activities, and fishing practices around the lake contributed to the accumulation of MPs in the lake. This study fills a research gap by investigating MP pollution in Dharapadavedu Lake for the first time, establishing a baseline contamination estimate.

The effect of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) on spatial aggregation of COVID-19 wastewater surveillance data

Large wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) projects often have wide coverage and multiple sampling sites, necessitating spatial aggregation for data reporting and interpretation. However, the outcome may be impacted by a type of statistical bias called the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). In this study, we examined the presence and extent of the MAUP scaling effect on a New York State COVID-19 wastewater surveillance project. Specifically, we investigated three metrics: 1) the difference in wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations between sampling at city-level site (i.e., city's primary wastewater treatment plant influent stream) and at upstream sampling sites; 2) the correlation between WBE data and clinical indicators at the WWTP-level and the more aggregated county-level; and 3) the proportion of population affected by misalignment of COVID-19 community risk levels at different spatial scales. The results showed that the MAUP can have a negative impact on risk perception by masking regions with high wastewater viral load or COVID-19 community risk level. On the other hand, the MAUP improved the correlation between wastewater surveillance and clinical measures by an average of 26.02 %. This is the first study to investigate the MAUP in the context of WBE and may encourage future WBE projects to consider the implications of the MAUP when interpreting and reporting spatial data, ultimately leading to better data representativeness and accuracy.

End-to-End CNN conceptual model for a biometric authentication mechanism for ATM machines

People commonly use automated teller machines, also known as ATMs, in contemporary culture. The use of ATMs for currency withdrawal is becoming increasingly widespread in the modern world. Furthermore, attacks and break-ins have increased, highlighting the need for an ATM that is more secure and equipped with extra safety measures. The existing method of confirming these transactions through credit cards and ATMs carries a high level of risk. Card trapping, cash larceny, shoulder surfing, and ATM skimming are among the examples. The proposed system, which is based on biometrics and deep convolutional neural networks, can effectively resolve the problems associated with conventional ATM cards and PINs. The proposed method relies on face biometrics, which offers a novel technique to address the current challenge. This article presents a novel end-to-end multiscale attention-based light-weighted deep convolutional neural network (MA-LW-DCNN) framework for enhancing the accuracy of recognizing faces. The multiscale attention mechanism in face recognition enhances feature extraction by applying convolution filters at various scales, allowing the network to capture detailed and global facial features. It generates an attention map by normalizing characteristic maps and refining them using activation functions, improving recognition accuracy by focusing on essential face regions. The suggested system is assessed using a synthetic dataset against conventional machine and deep learning-based face recognition techniques. The experiment results for different individuals demonstrate an accuracy rate of around 99.84% in authenticating test samples. The proposed approach produced significantly improved evaluation measures precision, recall, and loss by 0.99, 0.99, and 0.16, respectively.

Occurrence, migration, and assessment of human health and ecological risks of PFASs and EDCs in groundwater of Northeast China

Northeast China as an important base of grain production in China, has been suffering from potential groundwater pollution due to the excessive and prolonged application of fertilizers and pesticides. However, exploration of emerging contaminants pollution in groundwater and assessment of human health and ecological risks caused by large-scale agricultural activities have been relatively scarce. This study collected groundwater samples from typical agricultural areas in Northeast China to investigate the extent of contamination by nitrate, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), and then compared the levels of these pollutants with those in other regions of China. Groundwater nitrate pollution caused by strong agricultural activity is widespread in Northeast China, with nitrate-nitrogen (NO3N) concentrations exceeding 10 mg/L in as many as 40.3 % of 429 samples. 8 types of PFASs (3.7–7.1 ng/L) and 11 types of EDCs (18,114.0–62,029.8 ng/L) were detected in the collected groundwater samples. Using the Risk Quotient (RQ) method, this study assessed ecological risk and found that the risk level of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was higher than that of other PFASs. The groundwater EDCs risks in Northeast China was higher compared to other regions in China, with dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA) having high ecological risk levels. Nitrate, PFASs and EDCs have been detected in deep groundwater (70–100 m depth), indicating that the deeper aquifers could be significantly threatened by pollutants due to human activities. Fertilizers, pesticides, domestic wastewater, and industrial discharges are major sources of groundwater pollutants in the agricultural regions. Industrial-sourced EDCs were widely detected in groundwater of agricultural area, suggesting that the transport of these pollutants is very active in groundwater system. Groundwater monitoring and pollution prevention are extremely urgent, especially for emerging contaminants. This study can provide important warnings and water resource management references for other agricultural areas affected by intensively agricultural activities in the world.

Factors associated with a high level of suicide risk among patients with late-life depression: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Guangzhou China

BackgroundAs global aging accelerates, depression among the elderly becomes more common. Research had revealed that patients with late-life depression (LLD) face a higher risk of suicide compared to their counterparts in other age groups, with the pathways to suicide being multifaceted. Thus, investigating the various factors linked to the elevated risk of suicide in patients with LLD is critical.ObjectiveTo investigate the factors associated with a high level of suicide risk among patients with LLD.MethodsA total of 108 patients with LLD were recruited for this study. From October 2022 to November 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with LLD from the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Suicide risk was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Nurses’ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk Scale (NGASR). Potential influencing factors were included and analyzed through multivariate linear regression to identify the factors associated with a high level of suicide risk among patients with LLD.ResultsThe mean NGASR score among patients with LLD was 7.30 ± 4.34 (range: 0 ~ 19). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that depression-anxiety of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (β = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.45, p<0.001), activation of the BPRS (β=-0.29, 95% CI=-1.22, -0.35, p<0.001), normal cognitive function of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (β = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.50, 3.48, p<0.05), involuntary admission (β = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.44, 3.43, p<0.05), and objective support of the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) (β = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.66, p<0.05) were statistically associated with a high level of suicide risk in patients with LLD.ConclusionThis study found that LLD patients with severe depression-anxiety, low activation, normal cognitive function, involuntary admission, and strong objective support exhibited a high level of suicide risk. These patients should receive intensified monitoring and comprehensive measures should be implemented to prevent the occurrence of suicidal behaviors during hospitalization.

Abstract 4138019: eQTL Analysis of the PAH Biomarker CCN2 Identifies a Novel SNP that Associates with Survival

Background: We recently determined that cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) (also known as IGFBP8) levels associate with metrics of severity, and survival, in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While genetic variants that modify CCN2 gene expression have been described, the variants across the genome that associate with CCN2 protein levels in human circulation remain unknown. Research Question: We sought to identify genetic variants associated with circulating levels of CCN2 and to determine those variants’ relationship with clinical severity and survival. Methods: Serum CCN2 was measured by ELISA in subjects from a national sample repository, the PAH Biobank. A genome wide association study (GWAS) for CCN2 (natural log transformed) was performed in White idiopathic PAH (IPAH) PAH Biobank participants (n = 768) using Illumina OMNI5 genotypes in plink after standard quality control. Subsequent exploration of the SNP of interest was conducted in a separate dataset of 687 White PAH participants (n=360 IPAH, n=313 APAH) linked to genetic and clinical data, including REVEAL 2.0 risk score assessment (divided into low, medium, and high-risk levels) and outcomes (the STRIDE (Sitaxsentan To Relieve Impaired Exercise) trials cohort). Results: In the PAH Biobank, using GWAS, we found CCN2 levels were significantly associated with rs9493157 (p = 2.8 x10 -12 ) ( Figure A ). rs9493157 is reported in the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) portal to be an eQTL for CCN2 expression in the left ventricle. In the STRIDE cohort, the hazard ratio (HR) for death was 1.33 (99% CI 1.03 to 1.72) for participants with one or more T alleles (p=0.027; ( Figure B )). On multivariate analysis, the HR for death was 1.28 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.66; p=0.060). Among subjects with the highest REVEAL2.0 risk, those with a T allele had worse survival than those no T allele, with best survival among those with low a REVEAL2.0 score and no T allele. Conclusions: In White PAH subjects, rs9493157 associates with human levels of serum CCN2, a known biomarker for PAH. While additional studies are warranted, the T allele associates with worse survival and may enhance the prognostic value of the REVEAL2.0 risk score.

Application of Capillary Barrier Systems for Slope Stabilization Under Extreme Rainfall: A Case Study of National Highway 10, India

Global warming has led to an increase in extreme rainfall events, which often result in landslides, posing significant threats to infrastructure and human life. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Capillary Barrier System (CBS) in enhancing slope stability along a vulnerable section of India’s National Highway 10 (NH10) during maximum daily rainfall. The GEOtop model was employed to conduct water balance simulations and obtain the pore–water pressure (PWP), which was then used to calculate the Factor of Safety (FoS). Results showed that CBS effectively delayed the rise in PWP, leading to lower peak values and smaller areas of very high and high risk levels. Spatial distribution mapping further confirmed that CBS minimized very high risk zones. At three historical landslide points, CBS slopes generally maintained FoS values above 1, demonstrating enhanced stability and improved resilience to extreme rainfall. These findings highlight the potential of CBS as a viable strategy for slope reinforcement in regions susceptible to heavy rainfall.

Role and Impact of Safety Leadership Culture in Promoting Safety Practices in Construction Sector of Pakistan

The construction industry offers employment to about one hundred eighty million people worldwide. The construction sector has grown and evolved to meet the demands of urbanization and industrialization, which are the foundation of the modern economy. Construction is still seen as a risky and difficult industry, with the most hazardous and vulnerable work environment, even with the industry's notable improvements. Pakistan's construction industry is known for its high level of risk, which makes strict safety procedures necessary to protect the health and safety of its workforce. This research seeks to understand the impact of safety leadership on safety practices and identify key factors influencing safety culture. In order to provide comprehensive insights, the research uses a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The validity and reliability of the results are ensured by thorough experimentations of the statistical methods such as reliability test, relative importance index (RII), and descriptive analysis tests. In order to effectively promote safety practices, management commitment, employee involvement, safety training, and good communication are essential. An in-depth examination of the relationship between management commitment and safety performance reveals how effective leadership and proactive participation improve safety results. The results shows that safety leadership is crucial to encourage safety procedures in Pakistan's construction sector by 68.81%, success factor for safety management by 65.42%, safety management practices by 64.32%, safety performance by 63.35%, barriers to effective safety management 62.47% and safety culture by 61.46%. Strengthening frameworks for regulations, promoting a safety-first culture, investing more in safety equipment, improving worker safety training, improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, fostering communication and collaboration, and addressing cultural barriers are just a few of the recommendations.

Use of self-organizing maps for the classification of cardiometabolic risk and physical fitness in adolescents

This study aimed to automatically classify physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk in a Chilean adolescent using self-organizing maps. This cross-sectional study analysed a nationally representative database from the Physical Education Quality Measurement System (n = 7197). Physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk variables were derived from anthropometric indicators. Self-Organizing maps (SOM) were employed to identify participant profiles based on an unsupervised predictive model. After implementing and training the SOM, a detailed analysis of the generated maps was conducted to interpret the revealed relationships and clusters. The analysis resulted in three classification groups, categorizing the sample into low, moderate, and high-risk levels. Students with better physical fitness exhibited lower cardiometabolic risk levels and a lower body mass index. SOM, through an unsupervised model, is a reliable tool for classifying cardiometabolic risk and physical fitness in adolescents.