Potential Crisis Research Articles

Are public disease outbreaks still relevant to tourists’ decisions about using shared mobility?

ABSTRACT This research note investigates how potential public health crises affect shared mobility use by tourists. Using mixed methods, it extends the Protection Motivation Theory and Usage Situation Theory by exploring how trust and risk management influence usage intentions among current users and non-users of shared mobility services. Its qualitative analysis reveals the importance of tailored communication and transparency from service providers to foster trust and encourage adoption. Its quantitative ones indicate that experienced users emphasise coping mechanisms, whilst non-users are more swayed by perceived threats. Although COVID-19 restrictions have eased, work of this kind will remain relevant as the tourism sector adapts to enduring changes and prepares for potential future crises. By offering strategies to enhance shared mobility resilience during health emergencies, this study provides valuable guidance for tourism, hospitality and mobility stakeholders navigating an uncertain time.

Latent class analysis of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality among COVID-19 patients in Iran

Identifying COVID-19 patients’ clinical phenotypes based on characteristics and comorbidities, as well as their differences, helps in terms of clinical care and potential crises. Our goal is to use Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify COVID-19 patient profiles based on demographics, symptoms, and comorbidities, and evaluate their correlation with ICU admission, hospitalization duration, and mortality in a cross-sectional study. We included hospitalized patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in two referral hospitals in the south of Iran between January 2020 and July 2021. Data from 7,968 patients were evaluated in two time-specific intervals, known as “stratum,” based on the point at which the COVID-19 fourth peak and vaccinations were nearly initiated. After applying LCA, three classes identified the most at-risk individuals, including elderly women with hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, and elderly men with heart and lung conditions, compared to two classes of healthier, younger individuals. Hospital stays were longer in the first stratum compared with the second (P-value = 0.043). ICU admission during the first stratum was significantly higher than in the second stratum (P < 0.001) and lower in classes one and two in the first stratum compared to class three (reference class). Mortality rates were not significantly different between strata (P = 0.054). Hospital stays and mortality rates significantly differed between the classes in each first and second stratum (P < 0.001). Using LCA to investigate COVID-19 patients has provided valuable insights into different patterns and outcomes of the disease. Patient variables, including age, gender, and comorbidities, were associated with greater mortality and ICU admission, which can assist in resource allocation and vaccination planning.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stroke Unit of a Portuguese Community Hospital.

It is essential to understand the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke care, contemplating the potential health and economic consequences of missed diagnoses or treatments. This study examined the pandemic's effects on stroke epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment in a hospital setting, comparing data from March 2020 to February 2021 with the homologous period the previous year. A secondary analysis focused on the state of emergency periods (March 19 to May 2 and November 6 to February 28). The sample included 730 stroke admissions, with 343 during the pandemic. There was a 24.75% reduction in the average daily occupancy rate (p<0.001) and a slight decrease in average daily admissions, especially in June from 132% to 74% (p=0.01). There was a moderate negative correlation between the number of COVID-19 cases and occupancy rates in January (r{s}=-0.422, p=0.01) and February (r{s}=-0.532, p=0.01). Admissions for ischemic stroke decreased by 7.2% (p=0.026), particularly mild events, with a 6.8% decrease in lacunar syndromes (p=0.048). Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) increased by 5.4% (p=0.046), while intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) decreased by 2.8% (p=0.048), especially in severe stroke cases (-21.4%, p=0.001). The pandemic period documented more MT procedures than IVT. Hemorrhagic stroke admissions increased by 6.7% (p=0.01). The analysis suggests a reduction in mild ischemic stroke admissions and fewer patients undergoing IVT for severe strokes during the pandemic. Broader-scale studies are necessary to confirm these findings. Considering the documented decline in diagnosis and treatment, minimizing the impact on stroke care during potential sanitary crises is paramount.

Review of Causes, Prediction, and Prevention of Systemic Risk

In financial market, people always ignore or underestimate the potential risk of systemic risk until black swan events emerged as an irretrievable crisis. In order to analyze and prevent from crisis that generated by systemic risk, this paper collates and presents detailed review of the causes, prediction, and mitigation of systemic risk by gathering and sifting current theoretical and empirical research. It explores the complexity and interdependence of financial systems and emphasizes how systemic risk is created via endogenous risk generation via the investment decisions of financial institutions and regulatory and market failures. Moreover, it underlines the strong demand of through legislative changes, the importance of enhanced market discipline, and well-crafted government interventions. Deliberative risk governance is presented as a practical and necessary strategy when it comes to addressing stakeholders in the risk management process to achieve legitimacy and consensus. The research ends by advocating for a comprehensive strategy for risk management to strengthen the resilience of the global financial system and reduce the probability of future potential crisis.

9370 Thinking Outside the Box: A Rare Case of Using Plasmapheresis Treatment of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis in Preparation For CABG

Abstract Disclosure: K. Shaik: None. A. Kartoumah: None. J. Alsheikh: None. A. Nayeem: None. M.H. Horani: None. Introduction: Amiodarone, a standard treatment for arrhythmias, poses a risk of disrupting thyroid function and causing amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). In critical cases where AIT is refractory to first-line treatment, plasmapheresis can be a vital option to rapidly lower thyroid hormone levels, which is essential for pre-surgical stabilization. This case report describes plasmapheresis in managing AIT in a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, highlighting its role in preventing potential thyrotoxic crises. Case Presentation: A 75-year-old male with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias treated with amiodarone, and a ninety-pack-year history of tobacco presented to the ED with complaints of chest pressure and dyspnea. Initial troponin levels were normal at 24 ng/mL but trended upward toward 66 ng/mL. In the ED, he was not tachycardic and denied recurrent pain, fever, or chills. A CT angiogram of his chest showed no pulmonary embolus. The patient was found to have low TSH (0.005), and his T3 and T4 were both elevated (3.89/1.96, respectively), confirming thyrotoxicosis; however, he was negative for Graves’ disease. While in the hospital, his amiodarone was discontinued, and he was started on prednisone 10 mg for 14 days and methimazole 5 mg for 14 days. He was ultimately discharged on the same prednisone and methimazole regimen and told to follow up with outpatient endocrinology. However, the patient reappeared a week later with dyspnea on exertion; blood work performed after admission revealed a higher free T4 at 2.87. The patient was admitted, and angiography showed three-vessel disease; however, a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure was delayed over the concern of a potential thyroid storm. Thus, CABG was planned for when free T4 was less than 2, and the patient underwent two rounds of plasmapheresis, which initially decreased free T4 to 1.7 and finally to 1.4. Ultimately, a CABG was performed and well tolerated. Discussion: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) poses a challenge in patient management, especially in patients requiring urgent surgeries. Plasmapheresis is shown to be a valuable option for rapidly lowering thyroid hormone levels and stabilizing the patient in the pre-operative stages. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of plasmapheresis in reducing free thyroxine levels, facilitating a safe and successful CABG. Due to its ability to quickly remove circulating thyroid hormones, plasmapheresis has excellent potential in managing refractory AIT. It is crucial to carefully time plasmapheresis relative to surgery and monitor for complications throughout. Further research is required to optimize proper plasmapheresis protocols in AIT. Conclusion: This case study highlights plasmapheresis as a promising adjunctive therapy in managing AIT and preventing potential thyrotoxic crises. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Research on Mental Health Assessment and Intervention Methods for College Students based on Big Data Analysis

This study introduces the novel Fuzzy-Enhanced Predictive Neural System for Student Mental Health (FEPS-MH) approach to mental health assessment and intervention for college students. FEPS-MH synergistically combines a Backpropagation (BP) Neural Network with a Deep Fuzzy-Based Neural Network (DFBNN), leveraging the strengths of both systems to handle the complexities of mental health data in the context of big data analytics. The BP Neural Network, known for its effective learning and generalization capabilities, is integrated with the DFBNN to process imprecise, uncertain, or subjective data, typical in mental health assessments. The core objective of FEPS-MH is to provide a more accurate, robust, and sensitive analysis of mental health states, incorporating the nuanced variations and uncertainties inherent in psychological data. This system is designed to analyze a vast array of data sources, including but not limited to, behavioral patterns, self-reported questionnaires, and social media interactions, to identify potential mental health issues among college students. FEPS-MH’s capabilities extend beyond mere assessment; it is also equipped to recommend personalized intervention strategies. Utilizing big data analysis, the system not only predicts potential mental health crises but also suggests tailored intervention approaches based on the unique psychological profile of each student. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of FEPS-MH through a series of tests and validations using real-world data. The results indicate a significant improvement in both the accuracy of mental health assessments and the efficacy of suggested interventions. FEPS-MH stands as a promising tool for educational institutions, offering a data-driven, sensitive, and comprehensive approach to student mental health care. Its implementation could revolutionize the field of mental health support in college environments, making it a vital asset for proactive psychological wellness in educational settings.

The Mpox Threat: Challenges and Implications of Clade Ib for Afghanistan's Healthcare Stability.

The global spread of the Mpox virus represents a significant public health challenge, particularly for regions with fragile healthcare systems. Afghanistan, already grappling with severe healthcare deficits, faces the added threat of Mpox, a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The recent emergence of Clade Ib, a new strain associated with rising outbreak cases, exacerbates concerns as Afghanistan's healthcare infrastructure continues to deteriorate due to reduced international aid, healthcare worker shortages, and an ongoing socio-political crisis. This commentary underscores the urgent need for international intervention to avert a potential public health crisis that could devastate Afghanistan's already weakened healthcare system. It calls for immediate support to enhance disease surveillance, improve healthcare infrastructure, and address the pressing challenges of malnutrition and access to medical services.

Simulation of migration paths using agent-based modeling: The case of Syrian refugees en route to Turkey

The decade-long Syrian civil war has triggered a significant migration wave in the Middle East, with Turkey hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees. Our study introduces an agent-based model (ABM) designed to simulate and predict migration paths in potential future refugee crises. The primary goal is to support aid organizations in planning the delivery of essential aid services during migration movements, offering insights that can be applied to various geographical areas and migration scenarios. While we use the Syrian refugee movement to Turkey as a case study, the model is intended as a flexible tool for analyzing migration patterns in future crises. The proposed ABM considers two characteristics of refugee groups: level of risk sensitivity and level of information. To enhance the model’s functionality, we have extended the A* algorithm with a cost metric to calculate the weighted average of distance and risk to a destination point. Our case study examines the crisis in southern Idlib through six scenarios, offering insights into refugee numbers, migration paths, camp occupancy rates, and heat maps of densely populated regions for each scenario. Validation is performed by comparing model outcomes with situation reports and official statements from the relevant period, demonstrating the proposed ABM’s potential for adaptation to other migration instances and further analysis under different parameters.

A COVID-19 E O IMPACTO NA ROTINA DAS ESCOLAS DO RIO DE JANEIRO: percepção dos professores

The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged researchers and public managers to adopt several strategies to contain the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, including the closure of schools, which kept children, adolescents and teachers away from the school environment for more than a year. This study, carried out in the State of Rio de Janeiro, aimed to evaluate the perception of primary and secondary school teachers about returning to school during the pandemic. Method:Cross-sectional study carried out from 11/09 to 12/23/2020, with teachers, from public and private schools, who taught children between 6-18 years old, in primary or secondary education, using an electronic form. The data were processed by the Iramuteq software. Results:Three main thematic areas were highlighted:the impact of the pandemic on education, teachers' concerns about the contagion and prevention of COVID-19, and the inadequate structure of public schools. Conclusion: The research emphasizes the need for government attention in both education and public health, addressing issues such as biosafety, preventive measures, health promotion and training of educators. It is imperative to reformulate improvement measures in the school structure, aiming to prepare in advance to face potential future pandemics and health crises, ensuring a safe and effective educational environment for students and teachers.

INTELLIGENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROACTIVE ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT

Industrial enterprises are essential to a country’s economy, providing diverse, high-quality goods, technologies, and services. To remain sustainable and efficient amidst rising production demands and stiff competition, these enterprises must adopt innovative management techniques. Each enterprise has a mission, resources, technologies, and strategies to achieve its varied goals, with dominant economic goals like income, profitability, and market share interlinked and affecting one another. A competitive enterprise’s overall goal should align its growth with market trends while proactively managing its operations. Proactive management involves either passively aligning with market trends or actively influencing them by introducing new products and services. The mismatch between an enterprise’s growth and market trends can flag potential problems or crises, underscoring proactive management’s role in preempting issues. This strategy, though simple, is vital for an enterprise’s survival, sustainable operation, and efficient growth in a fiercely competitive environment with escalating production of quality goods and services. Therefore, an urgent issue is developing an information platform based on appropriate mathematical models and methods that facilitate the implementation of proactive management of industrial enterprises and create the basis for predicting possible problems in production and taking measures to prevent them. Integrating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things enhances the proactive management system’s capability. These technologies enable real-time data collection and analysis, providing enterprises with critical insights and allowing them to anticipate market shifts and operational challenges. By leveraging these tools, enterprises can make more informed decisions, streamline their processes, and achieve higher operational resilience and flexibility. Industry 4.0 and 5.0 can significantly support Ukrainian manufacturing during the war. Thanks to automation and robotics, it is possible to maintain production even in the face of limited access to labour or hazardous working conditions. Artificial intelligence and advanced analytical systems can help optimise logistics, inventory management, and production processes despite disruptions caused by military actions. In conclusion, proactive management is not just a strategic choice but a need for industrial enterprises aiming to thrive in today’s fast-paced and highly competitive market. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies and adopting a forward-thinking approach, enterprises can ensure long-term sustainability, improved performance, and a better competitive edge. Keywords: proactive management, information modelling, industrial enterprise, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0 / 5.0.

Crisis Management Research (2014-2023) in the MICE Industry: A Review and Research Agenda

The 21st century is seen as a volatile business environment and requires a proper crisis management standard for most organizations including the MICE sector. Nowadays, managers seek to deal with a potential crisis effectively, with minimum losses or to avert the potential crisis in the best case. The goal is obvious: minimize the impact of the crisis or avoid a potential crisis. This study aims to investigate relevant research domains in the MICE/business events industry context. This paper found that there was very limited study on the topic. The topic of crisis management in the MICE/business events industry only started to gain much attention after COVID-19. To understand how crisis management practices have been adopted in the industry, the authors reviewed 32 articles including 29 papers on COVID-19, spanning 10 years, between 2014 and 2023. The findings showed that the research focuses on crisis management, crisis impact, response, resilience, communication, and recovery. Looking back, health-related crises (including COVID-19), political disturbances and terrorism themes are the biggest trends. This study addressed the need for more study on the topic for advancing knowledge, addressing emerging challenges, and applying findings to improve practice and decision-making as well as to develop a newly conceptual framework that places operational resilience on an equal footing with financial resilience, with indicators adapted to the risk profile of the operating model.

Giving a voice to “the silent killer”: a knowledge, attitude and practice study of diabetes among French Guiana’s Parikweneh people

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the French overseas department of French Guiana, South America, nearly doubles that in its European counterpart, Metropolitan France. This region is demographically diverse and includes several populations of Indigenous Peoples. Although such populations are at particular risk of developing T2D across the Americas, very little is known about their health status in French Guiana, and accurate numbers of diabetic patients do not exist.MethodsIn light of a potential public health crisis, an ethnomedicinal study of diabetes experienced by Indigenous Parikweneh was conducted to provide better insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to this quickly emerging disease in French Guiana. Altogether, 75 interviews were conducted with community members and Elders, as well as healthcare professionals and administrators providing services to the Parikweneh population of Macouria and Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock.ResultsInterviews suggest a high incidence of T2D in this population, with cases that have risen quickly since the mid-twentieth century. Parikweneh participants linked the development of the illness to dietary changes, notably through the introduction of new and sweet foods. Recognizing the complexity of diabetes and its symptoms, diabetic patients highlighted the importance of biomedical treatments and follow-ups, though they frequently alternated or used them concomitantly with Parikweneh medicines. With the help of biomedical tools (i.e. glucometer), local medicinal practices mirrored biomedical approaches through dietary adaptation and the use of medicinal animals and plants for glycaemic control and the treatment of complications from the disease.ConclusionParikweneh are appropriating T2D into their knowledge system and adapting their health system in response to this relatively new health concern. A greater understanding of local practices and perceptions relating to T2D among medical staff may therefore be beneficial for meeting patients’ needs, providing greater autonomy in their health path, and improving treatment outcomes.

Anti-crisis adaptation of the Ukrainian tourism industry

With the development of tourism, a tourism companies or destinations become as dependent as possible on a wide variety of political, social and economic events, and this actualizes a number of risks and increases vulnerability to a potential crisis. The set of crises that befell Ukraine throughout the 21st century, each time destabilized the progressive development of the tourism sector, pushed entrepreneurial initia­tives back into the past. Mitigating the impact of crisis phenomena on the development of tourism cannot be imagined without a detailed statistical analysis of these impacts and the level of adap­tability of tourism as a whole and its individual branches. The purpose of the article is to reveal the impact of several large-scale crises of the 21st century on Ukrainian tourism and study the degree of adaptability of its industries through a number of indicators, including the economic and financial results of the relevant business entities. The main hypothesis of the study was that different sectors of the economy, the enter­prises of which are part of the tourism sector, are characterized by different degrees of adaptabi­lity to large-scale crises. When writing the article, the results of several state statistical observations and expert assessments were used. The article examines in detail the ways in which crises and upheavals have shaped and changed the tourism landscape of Ukraine in recent years. The study highlights the tangible, measu­rable consequences of major shocks – from a sharp decrease in the number of tourists and their behavior patterns to sharp changes in the economic results of the sectorʼs enterprises. The work aims to provide a detailed understanding of the sustainability and adaptability of the two main sectors of tourism - the hospitality and tour operating sectors. This analysis highlights the factors that have enabled certain tourism sectors to withstand the crises of recent years, while others may have struggled to adapt and recover. By carefully cataloging these trends and pat­terns, research provides information that can help design mitigation strategies

Patient and care partner perspectives and preferences related to myasthenia gravis treatment: A qualitative study.

Due to the high symptom and treatment burden in myasthenia gravis (MG), understanding patient and care partner perspectives and preferences is crucial. This study used voice analysis and virtual focus groups to understand patient and care partner experiences with MG-related symptoms, treatments, and preferences. The voice analysis via social media listening used artificial intelligence-powered tools to gather and structure public digital conversations on MG. Focus groups included people living with MG and care partners who completed a questionnaire and participated in a 1-h virtual session facilitated using a semi-structured interview guide. Qualitative data were aggregated, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. The voice analysis examined 11,554 posts from 8321 individuals, discussing MG symptoms, treatments, and burden. Of 7563 symptom-related posts, 5902 (78%) conveyed negative, 1427 (19%) neutral, and 234 (3%) positive sentiment. The most frequently mentioned symptoms were categorized as dysarthria, muscle weakness, and dysphagia. MG treatment sentiment analysis identified 6667 posts (67%) as neutral, 2887 (29%) as negative, and 350 (4%) as positive. For the focus groups, 15 individuals (12 patients and 3 care partners) completed the questionnaire and 14 participated in the virtual focus group sessions. The 15 participants who completed the questionnaire prioritized treatment convenience, symptom control for improved quality of life, and preventing potential MG crises in their current treatment. New treatment expectations included increased effectiveness, less frequent dosing, faster onset, and fewer side effects. Participants were also receptive to wearable medication delivery systems placed on the body and valued direct involvement in treatment decisions. Patients and care partners are often negatively impacted by MG symptoms and value convenient and fast-acting treatments that control symptoms with minimal side effects. Considering patient preferences may help optimize treatment decisions and improve patients' overall well-being and satisfaction in their care.

Emotional and psychological safety in the context of digital transformation in healthcare: a mixed-method strategic foresight study

BackgroundPerceived safety has received attention in the digital transformation of healthcare. However, the impact of perceived safety on the future of digital transformation has not been fully elucidated.AimTo investigate perceived...

Analysis of the Influence of Online Public Opinion on Corporate Brand Value: An Efficient Way to Avoid Unexpected Shocks from the Internet

Nowadays, online public opinions (OPOs) significantly impact corporate brand value (CBV). To prevent corporate brand crises caused mainly by OPOs, it is essential to detect anomalies in OPOs related to corporate reputation in a timely manner. This study explores how dramatic changes in OPOs affect market capital value (MCV), the primary indicator of CBV, and aims to construct a CBV early warning evaluation model. First, a set of OPO indicators dedicated to CBV are selected based on correlation analysis between various popular OPO and CBV indicators collected through a literature review. The method of Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) is then employed to determine the indicator weights using data collected from popular social media platforms. Finally, the vector auto-regression (VAR) model is applied to validate the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation model. A case study involving several Chinese enterprises shows that abnormal changes in their MCVs consistently follow abnormal fluctuations observed in their OPOs, with a significant delay. This finding enables managers to promptly detect potential crises from the internet and take actions to avoid unexpected shocks.

Becoming crisis‐ready: A systematic literature review on corporate crisis readiness and the process to achieving it

AbstractAs global crises become increasingly complex and intertwined, crisis readiness has emerged as a pivotal factor for an organisation's survival. Despite a growing, interdisciplinary corpus of research underscoring the necessity for systematic crisis management and strategic communication, a comprehensive understanding of corporate crisis readiness and methodologies for its achievement remain elusive and inadequately addressed. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic literature review, meticulously analysing 7287 articles to identify 40 eligible studies from 1987 to 2022. Through inductive content analysis and narrative synthesis, we have delineated the concept of crisis readiness and devised a comprehensive 10‐step process framework that organisations are advised to implement in preparation for potential crises. This investigation enriches the academic dialogue on crisis readiness by integrating insights from strategic management, crisis handling, organisational development, and learning theories. This offers a more nuanced understanding of how organisations can equip themselves for crisis situations. Additionally, our study sheds light on promising directions for future research in this vital field.

How Does the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Affect the Management Strategies of Individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes? A Mixed-Method Study.

(1) Background: During and after the pandemic, individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes struggled to maintain a healthy lifestyle due to psychological distress and the struggle to accommodate contextual challenges and changes in their family and work obligations and expectations. This study aims to explore the long-term impacts of the pandemic on proactive self-management behaviors and outcomes that consider contextual and environmental factors, such as family and work dynamics. (2) Methods: In this mixed-method study, data were collected from 418 participants using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), followed by 16 individual interviews. (3) Results: The prevalence of depression was 37.1%, that of anxiety was 59.1%, and that of insomnia was 66.3%. Significant differences were observed in anxiety by age (p = 0.02), while individuals with other comorbidities were more likely to report insomnia (p = 0.3). Overall, various challenges during the pandemic have exacerbated emotional distress and complicated self-care routines and adherence to healthy lifestyles. (5) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes to adopt alternative health-management methods, such as self-care, proactive initiatives, and daily challenges. Enhancing proactiveness, awareness, and an understanding of individuals' needs is crucial for alleviating stress, controlling disease, and preparing for potential future health crises in the wake of the pandemic's long-term effects.

Penyesuaian Penyangga Modal dan Risiko Bank-Bank di Indonesia Sebagai Respon Terhadap Potensi Krisis Keuangan di Tengah Kondisi Ketidakpastian Global

This study aims to analyze the impact of capital buffer adjustment and risk adjustment on systemic risk, using a sample of 18 banks in Indonesia, from 2006 to 2020. The results of this study indicate that risk adjustment has a positive effect on systemic risk, and capital buffer adjustment has a negative effect on systemic risk. The results of this study also show that risk adjustments and capital buffer adjustments, in response to a potential financial crisis in the midst of global uncertainty, have different impacts on systemic risk depending on global conditions.

Synthesizing LiFePO4 by phosphate & iron recovered from sludge-incinerated ash and Li extracted from concentrated brines

Phosphorus (P) recovered from sludge-incinerated ash (SIA) could be applied to synthesize highly added-value products (FePO4 and LiFePO4) with in situ Fe in SIA. Indeed, LiFePO4 is a future of rechargeable batteries, which makes lithium (Li) highly needed. Alternatively, Li could also be extracted from concentrated brines to face a potential crisis of Li depletion on lands. Based on H3PO4 and Fe3+ co-extracted from the acidic leachate of SIA by tributyl phosphate (TBP), FePO4 (31.2 wt% Fe, 17.6 wt% P and the molar ratio of Fe/P = 0.98) was easily formed only adjusting pH of the stripping solution to 1.6. Interestingly, the organic phase from the first-stage co-extraction process of Fe3+ and H3PO4 could be utilized for Li-extraction from salt-lake brine, based on the TBP-FeCl3-kerosene system, and a good performance (78.7%) of Li-extraction and separation factors (β) (186.0–217.4) were obtained. Furthermore, the compounds with Li-extraction are complex, possibly LiFeCl4∙2TBP, in which Li+ could be stripped to form Li2CO3 by 4.0 M HCl (with a stripping rate up to 83%). Besides, Li2CO3 could also be obtained from desalinated brine by adsorption with manganese oxide ion sieve (HMO) and desorption with HCl. In the two cases, almost pure Li2CO3 products were obtained, up to 99.7 and 99.5 wt% Li2CO3 respectively, after further purification and concentration. Finally, recovered FePO4 and extracted Li2CO3 were synthesized for producing LiFePO4 that had a similar electrochemical property (69.5 and 77.8 mAh/g of the initial discharge capacity) to those synthesized from commercial raw materials.