Low Vulnerability Research Articles

Patterns of physical and mental co-occurring developmental health among Chinese elderly: A multidimensional growth mixture model analysis

BackgroundThis study focuses on the heterogeneity, interaction, and imbalance in the concurrent development of physical and mental health trajectories among Chinese elderly. MethodsThe data used in this study are from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHRLS) conducted between 2011 and 2018. A multidimensional growth mixture model (MGMM) was employed to analyze the patterns and characteristics of co-occurring physical and mental health development. Additionally, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to systematically investigate the factors that predict the conjoint trajectories of physical and mental health. ResultsThe study findings reveal the presence of four distinct latent classes of conjoint trajectories for physical and mental health. These classes are categorized as follows: ‘physical and mental health deteriorating’, ‘physical disease increasing & low mental vulnerability maintaining’, ‘low physical & mental vulnerability maintaining’, and ‘high physical disease increased & mental health moderate-stable’. Furthermore, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, family-society relations, health behaviors, and institutional factors were found to significantly predict these latent classes. ConclusionThe study emphasizes the diversity and complexity of physical and mental co-occurring developmental health issues in the elderly population in China. These findings have significant implications for the development of targeted intervention strategies that take into account the unique health changes experienced by older adults. Additionally, they can serve as evidence for the establishment of a comprehensive long-term care system.

Compatibility of climate adaptation strategies with livelihood vulnerability patterns: the case of Fars province, Iran

ABSTRACT Pastoralists’ livelihood on natural rangelands is increasingly influenced by the destructive impacts of climate change. While the phenomenon of climate change continues globally, it is expected to put more pressure on unfavourable rangelands and pastoral households whose livelihood source is only based on pastoralism activities. Thus, it is vital to reduce the livelihood vulnerability of pastoralists to climate change impacts through appropriate adaptation strategies. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to assess the compatibility of adaptation strategies with the vulnerabilities posed by climate change to pastoralists’ livelihoods. The evaluation was based on a spatial survey that was conducted with a random sample of 393 Iranian pastoralists distributed in the counties of Eghlid, Sepidan, and Shiraz in the northern Fars province. The results showed that pastoralists were commonly vulnerable in terms of high-risk exposure and low adaptive capacity. About 27 livelihood vulnerability patterns were detected using data mining based on the relationships among the sub-components of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation in three counties. The scores of the livelihood vulnerability were high in most of the livelihood vulnerability patterns. Only four patterns obtained relatively low vulnerability scores through accurate decisions on adopting the appropriate set of adaptation strategies. According to the low compatibility of pastoralists’ livelihood with climate change, the results of this study can assist policymakers to introduce appropriate adaptation strategies for pastoralists. In this regard, appropriate adaptation strategies in each vulnerability pattern are able to reduce livelihood vulnerability to climate change.

How just is the low-carbon transition in coastal areas? Development of a composite vulnerability index for coastal low-carbon transition

The transition toward a carbon–neutral society requires social and economic sacrifices in certain regions, and the vulnerability of specific areas to low-carbon transitions may be particularly pronounced in coastal regions. This study focuses on the development and application of a composite vulnerability index that can assess climate justice in coastal areas from a low-carbon transition perspective. Facilitated by the developed indices, this study, focuses on investigating regional disparities stemming from the transition and exploring various policy options for alleviating the resulting burdens or damages associated with these inequalities.The initial step in developing indicators involved creating a scoping diagram to define the scope of vulnerability and to identify specific indicators for coastal low-carbon transition vulnerability. Subsequently, based on the parameters, dimensions, and measurement factors presented in the diagram, composite vulnerability indices were formulated. In the process of calculating the vulnerability index, weights were assigned to the indicators at both quantitative and qualitative levels, reflecting vulnerability factors and dimensions. Finally, the Coastal Low-Carbon Transition Vulnerability Index (CLCTVI) was established for three sectors: marine fisheries, carbon sink, and energy development. The CLCTVI was then applied to coastal regions in South Korea, and its regional and sectoral patterns were analyzed using basic statistics, scatter plots, parallel coordinate plots, and the geodetector method.The findings of this study highlight the following key points: the degree of vulnerability in coastal areas to low-carbon transitions varies across regions; the main factors contributing to high or low vulnerability in low-carbon transitions differ for each sector; only a few regions are simultaneously vulnerable across all sectors. In particular, various interactive effects among factors were identified in each sector, underscoring the need for considering the interactions among factors alongside dominant factors for sector-specific vulnerabilities in policy support for regions exhibiting low-carbon transition vulnerabilities. This study showcases how CLCTVI can effectively capture interregional disparities resulting from low-carbon transitions in coastal areas, thus providing insight to decision-makers regarding previously unaddressed regional disparities associated with low-carbon transitions.

Temporal Assessment of the Effect of Flooding Vulnerability on Agricultural Land Use in the Gambia

Flooding is a significant environmental problem, projected to intensify from 2010 to 2030. This natural disaster has affected several regions globally, leading to loss of life and property, community disruption, economic loss, injuries, and deaths. Factors contributing to flooding include heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, lowlands, waterways, climatic variations, wetlands, soil types, and unplanned urban settlements. The most severe case in the history of the Gambia struck in 2022. Therefore, this study aimed to identify areas vulnerable to flooding and the effect on agricultural land in the Gambia, as well as suggest preventive measures. The method adopted included the collection of secondary data from Landsat ETM imagery, Digital Elevation Model, rainfall data, Copernicus Global Land Services (CGLS), and Food Agricultural Organisation soil maps. The satellite imageries were processed and classified using ArcGIS 10.7.1, generating land use and land cover, slope, drainage density, rainfall, and soil maps. ArcGIS, combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), was used to integrate these maps to produce a vulnerability map for the study. The results showed areas with very high, high, moderate, low, and very low vulnerability. Based on the classification, coastal and lowland regions were in the high category. Therefore, this study recommended the construction of water barricades in vulnerable coastal areas to mitigate the disaster.

Sociocultural aspects that influence the perception of occupational health and safety of the artisanal mining population in the atacama Region, Chile

Introduction: artisanal miners have developed a traditional trade with characteristic socio-cultural aspects, associated with a low socioeconomic situation, labor risk and social vulnerability. Since access to health is a fundamental human right, we seek to demonstrate the importance of considering cultural and social aspects in this population as a determinant of their health and access to health care.Objective: the aim of this study was to understand the influence of sociocultural elements on the perception of health and safety at work of people working in artisanal mining in the Atacama region, Chile. Method: a focused ethnographic qualitative study was carried out, where the social and cultural context of the subjects was explored by accessing their experiences, cultural environments and other elements that influence their behavior regarding occupational health and safety.Results: labor practices permeated by customs and traditions linked to intergenerational transfer were identified as the main influential socio-cultural elements. Precariousness in employment linked to poor working conditions constitute predominant social elements in the subjects.Conclusion: this study contributes to the knowledge of the reality of the artisanal mining population, which presents social and cultural elements that determine their health and should be considered

Murky waters: Assessing the vulnerabilities of Indo‐West Pacific non‐marine elasmobranchs to inform future conservation planning priorities

Abstract Globally, freshwater environments are imperilled, with freshwater vertebrate species declining at twice the rate of marine and terrestrial populations. Non‐marine elasmobranchs (freshwater obligates and euryhaline generalists) remain understudied and overlooked by conservation efforts. This study aimed to adapt and apply a vulnerability assessment framework to understand the conservation priorities of Indo‐West Pacific non‐marine elasmobranch species. An exposure sensitivity adaptability (ESA) framework was used to assess vulnerability to environmental threats, and an exposure susceptibility productivity (ESP) framework was used to assess vulnerability to fisheries. Resulting species vulnerabilities were categorized into three conservation priority tiers. The general patterns of conservation priority tiering were as follows: (i) large‐bodied euryhaline species occurring in densely populated nations had the highest ESA and ESP vulnerabilities; (ii) freshwater obligates also had high ESA vulnerability rankings, although ESP vulnerability rankings were lower as their smaller body sizes suggest increased population productivity and higher potential for resilience; and (iii) euryhaline species with large range proportions in northern Australia had moderate to low vulnerability rankings across ESA and ESP assessments, as these species benefit from reduced fisheries mortality compared with species occurring in other regions. The outcomes from the vulnerability assessment framework for the conservation priority rankings of species corresponded with their respective International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status, whereby priority 1 and 2 species also have elevated extinction risks. Environmental threats were at high or moderate levels in all nations assessed, while Cambodia, China, Malaysia, and Myanmar face the highest pressure from inland fisheries. The major knowledge gaps identified included species‐specific productivity estimates, population dynamics (population movements and habitat requirements), and information on mortality from the threats considered. The present ESA–ESP framework was effective for the broad and data‐poor context of Indo‐West Pacific non‐marine elasmobranchs, and the results will be useful for guiding future conservation planning for high‐priority species and nations.

Spatial Modeling of Flood Prone Areas in Huamual Sub-district Seram Bagian Barat Regency Indonesia

Modeling of flood-prone areas is needed to provide information as an initial step in future flood disaster mitigation efforts. This research aims to spatially analyze the level of flood vulnerability and affected settlements in the Hunimual Sub-district. The method used is Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) by weighting the value of each variable. The variables that influence flooding in this study consist of land elevation, slope, land cover, distance from the river, geology, and rainfall. The determination of weights and scores in this study is an expert judgment. The weighting results are then overlaid to obtain a flood vulnerability map. The results show that the level of flood vulnerability is dominated by the very low vulnerability level of 69.09%, low vulnerability of 22.50%, and high vulnerability of 8.41% of the total area of the research location. The area of settlements affected by flooding is 556.47 ha. The results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for future flood disaster mitigation efforts to minimize losses, both casualties and physical damage in Hunimual District

Psychological Vulnerability Associated With Stress Coping Strategies in Japanese University Athletes

This study examined the stress coping strategies of athletes with high psychological vulnerability. The participants were 487 university athletes (mean age = 19.8 years, SD = 0.88, 153 women). Data were collected using the Vulnerability Scale for University Athletes and General Coping Questionnaire and analyzed by conducting a multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed significant relationships between vulnerability and coping strategies (r = .11−.39). Vulnerability was most strongly related to the emotional support seeking aspect of emotion-oriented coping (r = .39). There was no significant difference in cognitive reinterpretation (r = .07). Vulnerability had a stronger relationship with emotion-oriented than problem-oriented coping, and high (vs. low) vulnerability athletes had significantly higher emotion-oriented-coping scores. These results suggest that vulnerable athletes need to be provided with appropriate emotional support to cope with stressful situations, as they rely heavily on a stress management strategy focusing on emotion regulation.

Assessment of multi-components and sectoral vulnerability to urban floods in Peshawar – Pakistan

Over the last two decades, urban floods and their impacts have been on the rise worldwide, owing to both climatic changes and human activities. The present study examines different at-risk elements, such as residential, commercial, and critical facilities, to evaluate their multi-components of vulnerability to urban floods in Peshawar, Pakistan. Based on the impacts of urban floods, the weightage of each component of the vulnerability for the selected elements at risk is defined. This study presents and uses the modified Fisher's ideal quantity index to combine the different vulnerability components into a single value. Additionally, the Patnaik and Narayan vulnerability index is employed to generalize sector-wise vulnerabilities across the study area. The results show that the old physical infrastructure of commercial and manufacturing units in the Kohati Gate area is highly vulnerable to urban floods, while the residential units are the least susceptible due to their distanced location from the drainage system. In Hayatabad, encroachments along the torrent's sides, affecting housing and educational institutions, contributed to increased vulnerability to urban floods, despite their relatively lower physical vulnerability. The study provides a new platform for understanding the multi-components of vulnerability to urban floods and tackling the challenges posed by urban floods effectively.

Evaluating flash flood vulnerability using combined deterministic and parametric model: A case in the upper Ciliwung watershed, Indonesia

On January 19, 2021, a flash flood hit the Upper Ciliwung watershed, a mountainous area in Indonesia, causing damage to seven buildings and displacing 1,800 residents. To minimize the impact of such disasters, there is a need for disaster risk awareness and management specifically focused on flash floods in mountainous regions. Therefore, this study aims to assess the flash flood potential index value in the Upper Ciliwung watershed. The research utilized deterministic (Soil and Water Assessment Tool-SWAT) and parametric (Flash Flood Potential Index-FFPI) modeling to analyze various factors, including slope, geology, ground movement, Antecedent Precipitation Index (API), and Runoff Coefficient (Curve Number-CN). The models showed satisfactory goodness-of-fit statistics with R2 and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies (NSE) values of 0.58 and 0.57, respectively. The findings indicated that 39.95% of the watershed had a moderate vulnerability index value of 3, while downstream areas (31.7%) had a low vulnerability index value of 2, and the middle and upstream regions had high vulnerability index values of 4 and 5, covering 23.65% and 2.49% of the total area. These results provide valuable insights to local authorities for implementing measures to reduce the Upper Ciliwung watershed’s vulnerability to flash floods.

A GIS based multi criteria analysis for determining COVID-19 vulnerability in Lagos state Nigeria

The COVID-19 pandemic possesses intricate spatial dimensions that, when comprehensively examined, offer profound insights into various aspects of the crisis. Spatial analysis can unravel the multifaceted characteristics of the pandemic, shedding light on its distribution, dynamics, and impact. This research is driven by the imperative need to merge diverse variables, thereby gaining a nuanced understanding of the COVID-19 phenomenon, conducting spatial and spatiotemporal analyses, deciphering its geographical implications for decision-making and daily life, and crafting predictive models to anticipate its evolution. Consequently, this study has a primary objective: determining the COVID-19 vulnerability in Lagos State, Nigeria. The research aims to elucidate the pandemic's spread and distribution patterns, identify its hotspots within Lagos State, and assess COVID-19 vulnerability using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The methodology employed in this research encompasses several key steps. Initially, a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases between 2020 and 2022 was conducted, allowing for an examination of how the pandemic evolved over this period. Subsequently, a COVID-19 prevalence analysis was performed to delineate the areas most affected by the virus, offering a detailed view of the pandemic's reach. Lastly, a vulnerability index analysis was executed to identify zones with varying levels of vulnerability to COVID-19 within Lagos State. The vulnerability index analysis unveiled diverse vulnerability levels across local government areas (LGAs) within Lagos State. Notably, LGAs such as Ikorodu, Badagary, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, and Epe exhibited relatively larger areas characterized by high vulnerability, signifying the elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission and impact in these regions. In contrast, LGAs like Agege, Ajeromi, Ifako, Ikeja, Mainland, Mushin, Oshodi, Shomolu, and Surulere displayed smaller areas characterized by low vulnerability, indicating a lower risk within these locales. These findings bear significant implications for public health management and decision-making. LGAs with the highest number of confirmed cases, particularly Alimosho and Eti-Osa, demand targeted interventions to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that resources are channeled where they are most urgently needed. This research underlines the utility of geospatial analysis in pandemic response, offering a valuable tool for governments, healthcare authorities, and policymakers to address the dynamic challenges posed by COVID-19 and protect public health effectively.

Assessment of groundwater vulnerable zones using conventional and Fuzzy-AHP DRASTIC for Visakhapatnam district, India

Given the increasing impact of extreme climate change and the unpredictability of monsoons, the importance of preserving groundwater resources has never been more critical. Conducting a thorough groundwater vulnerability assessment enables one to pinpoint the zones most susceptible to contamination and take proactive measures to safeguard them. This paper is an attempt to enhance the conventional DRASTIC method by integrating Fuzzy Logic and Analytical Hierarchy Processes (FAHP) and applying this approach to the Visakhapatnam district. Spatial data for the seven parameters used in this study were created and analyzed using ArcGIS. The study determines and compares the groundwater vulnerability index using both the conventional DRASTIC method and the FAHP-DRASTIC method. Based on the index values, the groundwater zones in the study area have been classified into five categories: Very Low, Low, Medium, High, and Very High Vulnerability. Model validations were conducted using the ROC-AUC technique against Nitrate concentration. The results reveal that the FAHP-DRASTIC model, with an AUC of 0.92, is the most suitable model for the present study.

Application of Analytical Hierarchy Process and Frequency Ratio Model for Predictive Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using GIS for the Khazir River Basin, Northern Iraq

Flood damage assessment is considered the essential tool for evaluating risk to civil and agricultural systems in land use planning. The validity of the studies’ outcome depends on the availability of data and their spatial distribution. The present study came to compute flood susceptibility maps utilizing two application models: (i) the frequency ratio, and (ii) the analytical hierarchy process. These models were then tested in the Khazir River basin using GIS with a selection of twelve flood conditioning factors. The flood inventory variables layer and flood-causing factors were created using remote sensing data, a digital elevation model, and secondary data from various sources. Then, the flood inventory map was highlight divided into training and test data, with 105 flood sites (70%) used for training and 45 sites (30%) used for testing. After applying the areas under the curve for the frequency ratio and analytical hierarchy process models, which were 90.6% and 88.9%, respectively, the final flood sensitivity maps showed similar results for the two models, which confirm the effectiveness of the adopted methodology. The study found a considerable spatial variance in flood sensitivity maps, as (21.06%) of the flooded areas are classified as having very low sensitivity to flooding, (24.09%) are classified as having low vulnerability to floods, and (23.79%) are classified as having moderate vulnerability, (24.10%) classified as highly vulnerable to flooding, and (6.96%) classified as highly vulnerable to flooding. Flood danger ranged from very low in mountain locations to very high in plain areas close to the riverbanks. Obtained results could be improved if a land-use planning policy will be applied, in order to establish a master plan for water resources development to avoid flood damage.

Relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and structural inequalities within the pediatric trauma population

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social, political, and economic life across the world, shining a light on the vulnerability of many communities. The objective of this study was to assess injury patterns before and after implementation of stay-at-home orders (SHOs) between White children and children of color and across varying levels of vulnerability based upon children’s home residence.MethodsA multi-institutional retrospective study was conducted evaluating patients < 18 years with traumatic injuries. A “Control” cohort from an averaged March-September 2016–2019 time period was compared to patients injured after SHO initiation-September 2020 (“COVID” cohort). Interactions between race/ethnicity or social vulnerability index (SVI), a marker of neighborhood vulnerability and socioeconomic status, and the COVID-19 timeframe with regard to the outcomes of interest were assessed using likelihood ratio Chi-square tests. Differences in injury intent, type, and mechanism were then stratified and explored by race/ethnicity and SVI separately.ResultsA total of 47,385 patients met study inclusion. Significant interactions existed between race/ethnicity and the COVID-19 SHO period for intent (p < 0.001) and mechanism of injury (p < 0.001). There was also significant interaction between SVI and the COVID-19 SHO period for mechanism of injury (p = 0.01). Children of color experienced a significant increase in intentional (COVID 16.4% vs. Control 13.7%, p = 0.03) and firearm (COVID 9.0% vs. Control 5.2%, p < 0.001) injuries, but no change was seen among White children. Children from the most vulnerable neighborhoods suffered an increase in firearm injuries (COVID 11.1% vs. Control 6.1%, p = 0.001) with children from the least vulnerable neighborhoods having no change. All-terrain vehicle (ATV) and bicycle crashes increased for children of color (COVID 2.0% vs. Control 1.1%, p = 0.04 for ATV; COVID 6.7% vs. Control 4.8%, p = 0.02 for bicycle) and White children (COVID 9.6% vs. Control 6.2%, p < 0.001 for ATV; COVID 8.8% vs. Control 5.8%, p < 0.001 for bicycle).ConclusionsIn contrast to White children and children from neighborhoods of lower vulnerability, children of color and children living in higher vulnerability neighborhoods experienced an increase in intentional and firearm-related injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding inequities in trauma burden during times of stress is critical to directing resources and targeting intervention strategies.

Association of social vulnerability with receipt of hernia repair in Texas

BackgroundThe effect of social health determinants on hernia surgery receipt is unclear. We aimed to assess the association of the social vulnerability index with the likelihood of undergoing elective and emergency hernia repair in Texas. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort analysis of the Texas Hospital Inpatient Discharge Public Use Data File and Texas Outpatient Surgical and Radiological Procedure Public Use Data File from 2016 to 2019. Patients ≥18 years old with inguinal or umbilical hernia were included. Social vulnerability index and urban/rural status were merged with the database at the county level. Patients were stratified based on social vulnerability index quartiles, with the lowest quartile (Q1) designated as low vulnerability, Q2 and Q3 as average, and Q4 as high vulnerability. Wilcoxon rank sum, t test, and χ2 analysis were used, as appropriate. The relative risk of undergoing surgery was calculated with subgroup sensitivity analysis. ResultsOf 234,843 patients assessed, 148,139 (63.1%) underwent surgery. Compared to patients with an average social vulnerability index, the low social vulnerability index group was 36% more likely to receive surgery (relative risk: 1.36, 95% CI 1.34–1.37), whereas the high social vulnerability index group was 14% less likely to receive surgery (relative risk: 0.86, 95% CI 0.85–0.86). This remained significant after stratifying for age, sex, insurance status, ethnicity, and urban/rural status (P < .05). For emergency admissions, there was no difference in receipt of surgery by social vulnerability index. ConclusionVulnerable patients are less likely to undergo elective surgical hernia repair, even after adjusting for demographics, insurance, and urbanicity. The social vulnerability index may be a useful indicator of social determinants of health barriers to hernia repair.

Temperature variation in caves and its significance for subterranean ecosystems

Climate change affects all ecosystems, but subterranean ecosystems are repeatedly neglected from political and public agendas. Cave habitats are home to unknown and endangered species, with low trait variability and intrinsic vulnerability to recover from human-induced disturbances. We studied the annual variability and cyclicity of temperatures in caves vis-à-vis surface in different climatic areas. We hypothesize that cave temperatures follow the average temperature pattern at the surface for each location with a slight delay in the signal, but we found three different thermal patterns occurring in caves: (1) high positive correlation and a similar thermal pattern to the surface, (2) low correlation and a slight thermal delay of the signal from the surface, and (3) high negative correlation with an extreme delay from the surface. We found daily thermal cycles in some caves, which may potentially control the circadian rhythms of cave organisms. Our results show that caves had lower thermal amplitude than the surface, and that thermal averages within caves approximately correspond to the to the annual average of surface temperature. Caves buffer external temperature and act as refugia for biota in extreme climatic events. Likewise, temperature increases at surface will lead to increment in caves, threatening subterranean biota and ecosystem services.

Management of Electro-Electronic Equipment Waste and its Relationship With Social Vulnerability in the City of Recife-Pe: A Study from the Perspective of Spatial Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the influence of social vulnerability on the management of waste from electrical and electronic equipment considering the distribution of collection points in the city of Recife-PE. Theoretical framework: Not all citizens have access to the WEEE collection service or understand the need for proper disposal. Furthermore, the lack of infrastructure, environmental education and public policies aimed at managing WEEE can make it difficult to implement an efficient and sustainable system for collecting these materials. Method: A spatial analysis was carried out based on the socioeconomic and environmental indicators of the census sectors in the area under study, as well as the location of existing collection points. Results and conclusions: The spatial analysis showed that WEEE collection points are poorly distributed in the city, with the majority in areas of lower social vulnerability. This may affect the effectiveness of WEEE management. Therefore, it is necessary to expand and decentralize collection points, in addition to promoting environmental education and social inclusion to encourage citizen participation in WEEE management in Recife-PE. Research implications: The study is of great relevance, as it indicates how social vulnerability interferes with the management of WEEE. Originality/value: Research reveals that it is possible to use spatial analysis to identify trends in WEEE management. This tool can guide actions by public managers, companies, civil organizations and consumers, encouraging the correct disposal of WEEE in specific collection locations in the city of Recife-PE.

Quaternary Deposit Response to Earthquakes in Pemalang City Based on Peak Ground Acceleration, Earthquake Intensity, and Microtremor Method

The northern part of Pemalang City consists of Quaternary deposits, having the potential for earthquake amplification effect. This amplification effect amplifies the ground shaking because of an earthquake (the local site effect) that has the potential to cause damage. This study investigated the amplification factor from the HVSR curve of microtremor measurements due to soil response based on ground shear strain, the risk level of the earthquake based on peak ground acceleration (PGA), and earthquake intensity. The microtremor data from five locations in Pemalang were used to calculate the amplification factor and predominant frequency. The damaging earthquake parameters around Java during 2010-2020 were used to calculate the PGA. The microtremor data were processed using the HVSR method, and PGA was calculated using the Kanai equation. The HVSR result shows that Pemalang has an amplification factor ranging from 6.23 to 19.59 and ground shear strain varying between 0.86 x 10-4 and 6.67 x 10-4, which shows that Pemalang only experiences the vibration when an earthquake occurs. The PGA results using the Kanai equation (19.71-54.56 gal) were included in the low vulnerability category, and MMI earthquake intensity (3.08-4.70) was included in the felt earthquake category (II SIG BMKG scale). Therefore, the amplification factor from the HVSR curve of microtremor measurement, ranging from 6.23 to 19.59, showed low soil response and low-risk vulnerability based on the damaging earthquake parameter around Java during 2010-2020. Keywords: peak ground acceleration, amplification, microtremor, PGA

Are people living with HIV have a low vulnerability to omicron variant infection: results from a cross-sectional study in China

BackgroundA surge of more than 80 million Omicron variant infected cases was reported in China less than a month after the "zero COVID" strategy ended on December 7, 2022. In this circumstance, whether people living with HIV (PLWH) in China experience a similar risk is not clear.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the Wuchang District of Wuhan between December 20, 2022, and January 18, 2023 through a self-administered online survey. PLWH and HIV-negative people aged ≥ 18 years old who volunteered for this survey were eligible. The prevalence of Omicron variant infection between PLWH and HIV-negative people was compared, and the factors associated with the Omicron variant infection among PLWH and HIV-negative people were further evaluated, respectively.ResultsIn total, 890 PLWH and 1,364 HIV-negative adults from Wuchang District were enrolled. Among these participants, 690 PLWH (77.5%) and 1163 HIV-negative people (85.3%) reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. Gender, chronic disease conditions, and COVID-19 vaccination status significantly differed between the two groups. After adjusting gender, age, comorbidities, and COVID-19 vaccination status, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLWH was significantly lower than among HIV-negative people (aOR 0.56, 95%CI 0.42–0.76). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that PLWH with older age and detectable HIV-viral load (HIV-VL) had decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (aOR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96–0.99; aOR 0.59, 95%CI 0.36–0.97). Compared with PLWH receiving one/two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, no significant differences in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection were observed among PLWH receiving three doses of inactivated vaccines and four doses of vaccines (three doses of inactivated vaccines plus one dose of inhaled recombinant adenovirus type 5 (AD5)-vectored vaccine). Among HIV-negative people, those receiving four doses of COVID-19 vaccines had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than those receiving one/two doses (aOR 0.14, 95%CI 0.08–0.25).ConclusionsOur study proves that PLWH have a lower risk of Omicron variant infection than HIV-negative people. However, even PLWH with younger age and virological suppression should strengthen the prevention against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Three doses of inactivated vaccines plus one dose of inhaled recombinant AD5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine may provide better protection for HIV-negative people.

A study on the spatial-temporal patterns and influencing factors of atmospheric vulnerability in the Pearl River Delta

Atmospheric environmental assessment has emerged as a prominent area of research due to global climate change and regional atmospheric pollution issues. Accurate evaluation of atmospheric environmental vulnerability characteristics and understanding driving mechanisms are crucial for effective air pollution monitoring and prevention. This study focuses on the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region and employs the Vulnerability-Scoping-Diagram (VSD) model framework to establish an index system for assessing atmospheric environmental vulnerability based on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptability, combining the entropy value method and adopts Geographic Information System (GIS) for the time change and spatial evolution analysis, and finally utilizing the factor detection and interaction in Geodetector to explore the contribution degree of each driving factor of atmospheric environmental vulnerability and the exchange of influencing factors. The findings of this research are as follows: Firstly, the sensitivity index and resilience index of the atmospheric environment of the PRD exhibit an overall upward trend with fluctuations, while the exposure index demonstrates a pattern of initial increase, followed by a decrease, and subsequent increase with significant interannual variability. Secondly, the atmospheric environment vulnerability level of the PRD is primarily categorized as low and mild, with a negligible proportion of moderate vulnerability and no instances of severe or extreme vulnerability. The vulnerability index shows an initial increase followed by a subsequent decline from 2016 to 2020, indicating an overall improvement in the region’s atmospheric environment. Thirdly, notable variations exist in the atmospheric environment vulnerability indices among the nine cities in the PRD, in which moderate vulnerability and low vulnerability are mainly concentrated in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Dongguan in the central part of the PRD. lower vulnerability is primarily observed in the eastern and western regions of the PRD characterized by favorable natural environments and limited human interference, such as Huizhou, Zhaoqing, and Zhuhai. Finally, the atmospheric environment vulnerability of the PRD is the result of the combined effect of various driving factors, among which the urban built-up area, PM2.5 concentration, SO2 concentration, population density and the share of tertiary industry in GDP are the key drivers.