Level Of Risk Research Articles

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.

Risk of major vascular events in patients without traditional risk factors after transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke: An international prospective cohort.

To investigate the clinical characteristics in patients without traditional risk factors (TRFs) after transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke, who were recruited in the TIAregistry.org. A total of 3847 patients were analyzed. TRFs included hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, current smoking, and atrial fibrillation. Background characteristics and outcomes at 1 and 5 years in patients without TRFs were compared to those in patients with TRFs. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular event (MACE), which was non-fatal stroke, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome, or vascular death. To evaluate the causes, we applied the ASCOD (atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes or dissection) grading system. One-year risk of MACE (5.3% vs 6.3%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-1.31) was comparable between patients without TRFs (n = 402) and those with TRFs (n = 3445). Five-year risk of MACE was significantly lower in patients without TRFs than in those with TRFs (7.9% vs 13.9%, HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39-0.82). In patients without TRFs, causal atherosclerosis was a potent risk factor (HR 5.67, 95% CI 2.68-12.02) and ipsilateral extra- or intra-cranial arterial stenosis was only significant predictor of MACE (interaction p = 0.0046) at 5 years. The 5-year risk of MACE was lower in patients without TRFs than those with TRFs, although a certain level of risk persisted in the absence of TRFs. The most significant predictor of MACE in patients without TRFs was arterial stenosis.

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.

Coping strategies and perceptions of mental health services among women in South India

Objectives Lack of engagement with mental health services is a challenge for Global Mental Health research and intervention in lower- and middle-income settings. In India particularly, there is a significant treatment gap for people experiencing common mental disorders. This exploratory mixed-method study investigated women’s attitudes toward mental healthcare in Mysuru, India, and investigated what distress copings strategies they used in their everyday lives. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews and administered a depression symptom screener with a community-based sample of 54 adult women. Interviews asked women to comment on their own distress experiences and stress management techniques, as well as their dispositions toward seeking mental healthcare for themselves or others. Results Nearly 65 percent of the study sample screened for any level of depression risk, but only 5 had ever received mental healthcare. Around 20 percent of women stated that they would hypothetically be open to receiving such care. Yet, there was strong agreement across the study sample that mental healthcare was not an appropriate resource for addressing their own distress. Most women who rejected mental healthcare mentioned concerns about stigma and lack of perceived need or treatment inadequacy as their main reasons. Women described a broad range of coping strategies they used for dealing with distress, and which they reported as being effective. Many of these approaches resemble behavioral and talk therapies used in psychology and psychiatry. Conclusions Women in this study generally did not view clinical mental healthcare as an appropriate treatment for their distress. Many already had effective strategies for managing their distress and analogous to existing psychological behavioral and talk therapies. A better understanding of why people reject mental healthcare is necessary for increasing the success of mental health interventions, and for developing new intervention approaches that support coping outside of clinical encounters.

Cerebral microvascular physiology associated with white matter lesion burden differs by level of vascular risk in typically aging older adults.

White matter lesions (WMLs) are prevalent with aging, and higher WML burden has been observed in older adults with vascular diseases. While the physiology underlying the formation of WMLs is not known, various risk factors are associated with high WML burden. Here, we investigated the relationship between vascular risk factors and microvascular physiology (i.e., oxygen supply and oxygen extraction fraction [OEF]) and their association with WML burden. Forty-one typically aging adults (60-80 years) were classified into high or low vascular risk based on common modifiable vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and overweight). These groups were subdivided into high or low WML burden. Differences in microvascular physiology (oxygen supply and OEF) were then compared between and within groups. Overall, OEF was significantly higher in the high vascular risk group compared to the low vascular risk group (p < 0.01). In the low vascular risk subgroup, OEF was uniquely lower in the individuals with high WML versus low WML burden (p = 0.02), despite no differences in oxygen supply between these subgroups (p = 0.87). The coupling of impaired OEF with the absence of compensatory physiology, such as elevated oxygen supply, may represent an important mechanism underlying WML burden in individuals with low vascular risk factors.

Political Economy of Environmental Poverty: The Role of Political Risk and Income Level

Political Economy of Environmental Poverty: The Role of Political Risk and Income Level

Risk Assessment Of Gonggang Dam In Magetan District, East Java Province

This study aims to assess the safety risk of the Gonggang Dam located in Magetan Regency, East Java, using traditional methods and the event tree method (Event Tree Analysis). The risk assessment is conducted by identifying potential hazards and failure modes, estimating the probability of failure, and evaluating the level of risk based on the analysis results. The results of the analysis show that the event tree method provides acceptable risk results, while the traditional method shows unacceptable risks. The priority of risk management at Gonggang Dam is focused on monitoring the dam body and inundation area to maintain safety and maximize the life of the dam. Recommendations were given to improve structural safety and regular monitoring.

Predictive Model of Pedestrian Crashes Using Markov Chains in the City of Badajoz

Driving a vehicle, whether motorized or not, is a risky activity that can lead to a traffic accident and directly or indirectly affect all road users. In particular, road crashes involving pedestrians have caused the highest number of deaths and serious injuries in recent years. In order to prevent and reduce the occurrence of these types of traffic accidents and to optimize the use of the available resources of the administrations in charge of road safety, an updatable predictive model using Markov chains is proposed in this work. Markov chains are used in fields as diverse as hospital management or electronic engineering, but their application in the field of road safety is considered innovative. They are prediction and decision techniques that allow the estimation of the state of a given system by simulating its stochastic risk level. To carry out this study, the available information on traffic accidents involving pedestrians in the database of the Local Police of Badajoz (a medium-sized city in the southwest of Spain) in the period 2016 to 2023 were analyzed. These data were used to train a predictive model that was subsequently used to estimate the probability of occurrence of a traffic crash involving pedestrians in different areas of this city, information that could be used by the authorities to focus their efforts in those areas with the highest probability of a road crash occurring. This model can improve the identification of high-risk locations, and urban planners can optimize decision making in designing appropriate preventive measures and increase efficiency to reduce pedestrian crashes.

Quantifying Peak Load-Carrying Capability: A Comprehensive Reliability Analysis of Grid-Connected Hybrid Systems

Energy leaders around the world are constantly looking into feasibility and opportunities in renewable energy to diversify their energy sources. This study examines the reliability of a grid-connected microgrid consisting of solar energy, wind energy, and storage batteries to supply the required load and share the surplus with the grid. As the reliability of each component separately has an impact on system reliability, in this study, the loss of load expectation (LOLE) technique was used to estimate the peak load-carrying capability (PLCC) of the systems and the duration of outages as a means of analyzing the reliability of these systems and selecting the optimal combination among the cases. Moreover, this study used the load data of the area under study as the primary load and considered the grid as a secondary load to share the surplus after fulfilling the demand requirements. Furthermore, ten cases of grid-connected system configurations were considered to conduct this research, incorporating various combinations of solar panels, wind turbines (WTs), and batteries. The results revealed that, while maintaining an acceptable risk level represented by an LOLE of 0.1 days per year, the WT (850 MW) case emerged as the leading power producer compared to the other cases. It was able to produce 840.245 MW and 818.345 MW as the total power produced and the amount of surplus power that will be delivered to the grid after meeting the primary load needs in the area under study, respectively. This analysis can be informative for administrators in charge of planning and policy-making, helping them to take appropriate action.

Assessing impact risk to tropical marine ecosystems from human activities with a Southeast Asian example

Abstract Society relies on intact marine ecosystems for ecosystem services such as nutrition, livelihoods, health and well‐being. Yet, to obtain these benefits, we carry out activities, introducing pressures to ecosystems, damaging and degrading habitats and reducing their capacity to optimally provide ecosystem services. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are consequently being lost globally but impact chains from these activities are poorly understood, especially in tropical marine ecosystems. We identified for the first time impact chains linking activities with pressures they introduce in five tropical coastal and marine habitats, specifically through application in four Southeast Asian case study sites. Using expert elicitation based on existing evidence, we weighted each impact chain according to pressure extent, frequency and persistence, and habitat resistance and resilience. Assigning each impact chain an impact risk score allowed identification of activities and pressures introducing most risk, and habitats most under threat. Of 26 activities we considered, we found fishing activities, specifically trawling, gill nets and seine nets introduce most risk, along with tourism and recreation. Litter and pollution were among the greatest pressures on habitats, with coral reefs being most vulnerable overall. Destructive fishing practices were associated with physical pressures like abrasion, smothering and siltation and total habitat loss, while tourism activities were associated with organic enrichment, litter and pollution. The risk levels depended on the habitat and on local case study context. Synthesis and applications: A contextualised risk‐based approach can help to prioritise sustainability issues for management in data‐poor regions by making use of a range of knowledge types from local experts to broader scientific knowledge. A multisectoral, and ecosystem‐based risk assessment can help decision makers to consider trade‐offs in marine resource management and highlight priorities transparently, where coordination of multiple administrative organisations, sectors and local actors is required to meet multiple sustainability objectives. Physical pressures from fishing activities combined with pollution from tourism indicate effective management requires a multi‐use zoning approach that not only considers impacts at the site of activities but also integrates regional coordination to tackle dispersive pressures from pollution or sediment disturbance that occur at a distance from the source.

Transforming Supplier Audits with AI: A Risk-Based Approach in Medical Devices

The medical device industry, highly regulated and sensitive to quality standards, relies on rigorous supplier audits to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. However, traditional supplier audits are often resource-intensive, inconsistent in quality, and lack a clear focus on the most critical risk factors. This paper explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize the supplier audit process by enabling a risk-based approach that enhances accuracy, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. AI technology, with its advanced data processing, predictive analytics, and machine learning capabilities, can analyze vast amounts of supplier data in real-time, generating risk scores that prioritize high-risk suppliers for more frequent and thorough audits. This shift allows medical device companies to better allocate resources, focusing on high-impact areas and enhancing overall supply chain security. By considering factors such as supplier compliance history, product criticality, regional compliance laws, and performance trends, AI provides a dynamic and data-driven assessment model that minimizes the reliance on subjective audit practices. The paper introduces an AI-powered risk-based audit framework specifically tailored for medical device companies. This framework utilizes a multi-faceted AI-driven risk scorecard, categorizing suppliers by risk levels (high, medium, low) and enabling targeted audit strategies. It also demonstrates how AI can process a wide array of audit-related data inputs—such as supplier compliance, regional geopolitical risks, supply volume, and product criticality—to generate a holistic and accurate risk assessment. Through case studies and industry examples, this research underscores the advantages of integrating AI into supplier audit processes, highlighting cost savings, improved compliance outcomes, and reduced risk of quality issues or product recalls. Furthermore, it examines future trends and ethical considerations of AI in supplier audits, advocating for industry-wide adoption of AI-powered tools to support more efficient and effective supplier management. This paper concludes that adopting a risk-based, AI-driven audit approach in the medical device sector not only supports regulatory compliance but also builds resilience within the supply chain, creating a safer and more efficient landscape for medical device production.

Oral Diazepam versus Midazolam in controlling children's negative behaviour during dental treatment: a critical review of clinical trials

The present study aims to Critically review and summarise about the literature on the effectiveness of Diazepam compared to Midazolam in controlling children's negative behaviour during dental care. This is a critical review of the literature. The PICO strategy was adopted for this review: Population (children with negative behaviour during dental care), Intervention (Diazepam), Comparator (Midazolam), Outcome (Effectiveness in controlling anxiety associated with negative behaviour). Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs) were included using the descriptors "Diazepam", "Midazolam" and "Dental Care" combined or not, in the Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and Embase databases. 270 articles were found, of which 6 were selected for full reading. Of these, 5 were excluded because they assessed populations that fell outside the eligibility criteria of this review. Therefore, only 1 RCT was assessed in terms of level of evidence and risk of bias. According to its study design, it was a triple-blind RCT, with a sample size of 40 children aged between 2 and 10 years, which assessed the effectiveness of oral Midazolam, oral Diazepam, intravenous Midazolam and an oral placebo. Of the four groups, intravenous Midazolam produced greater sedation and was more acceptable to patients. However, the study was classified as level III evidence, with a high risk of bias. Midazolam seems to produce greater control of children's negative behaviour during dental procedures when compared to diazepam.

Determining the risk level of covid-19 infection of medical workers

Introduction. The primary task in assessing the probable risk of infection is to identify potential threats to the health and well-being of the population, determine the risks associated with the occupational activities of workers in various fields, including medical workers of various specialties, as well as analyze the effectiveness of measures already implemented to prevent them. Materials and methods. An analysis of literature data in the Russian and English-language segments, own and dissertation research was carried out, significant factors in the spread of COVID-19 for medical workers of different specialties were identified. Results. Based on the results of own research, the most significant risk factor in the spread of COVID-19 for medical workers was identified – failure to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters (49.5%). An assessment was made of the level of probable risk of COVID-19 infection in the workplace for medical workers. The majority estimated the probable risk of infection at 1–2 points, which is moderate or low. Doctors – epidemiologists: about 48% of respondents spend more than 5 hours in the outbreak; 55.0% maintain a social distance of 1–1.5 meters; 65.0% of respondents visit 1–2 centers per day. General practitioners: 42.6% have contact with 5 or fewer patients; 29.5% maintain a social distance of 1–1.5 meters and 42.6% of respondents spend 5-10 minutes per patient. Limitations. To implement this study, the required number of respondents was calculated using the method proposed by Viechtbauer W. et al. (2015). In this case, a 95% confidence interval and an expected response rate of 0.05 were set. According to the results obtained, at least ninety two people should take part in the study, which is a sufficient reference sample. Conclusion. According to epidemiologists, the most significant factor in the spread of COVID-19 was failure to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters and the failure to use masks when working with patients sick with the new coronavirus infection. According to general practitioners, the key factors in the spread of COVID-19 were the number of contacts with patients, the number of epicenters of infection visited, the length of the doctor’s stay at the site of the disease, as well as the distance during contact with the patient.

Rating as a tool for increasing the level of compliance with mandatory requirements by objects of sanitary and epidemiological control (supervision)

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by postulates fixed in the Concept for Improvement of Control (Supervision) Activities for the period up to 2026. It stipulates the requirement to assign a rating to each object under supervision as a tool to encourage conscientious behaviour and a mechanism that ensures easy public access to any data regarding safety of each object under control. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology and criteria for assessing objects that are subject to sanitary-epidemiological control (supervision) to assign a proper rating to them. Materials and methods. The approaches were based on statistical analysis of the results obtained by control, supervision, and prevention activities and on identifying levels of risks of harm to protected values, primarily, people’s lives and health. Results. The study presents methodical instruments used for calculating relative coefficients and corresponding scores serving as criteria for identifying a rating and calculated considering actual and potential risks of health harm. Objects are rated depending on the value of this relative coefficient (from low to high ones) and estimated per a suggested scale that allows identifying the level of their relative conformity with the law. Objects in the first scale range (the lowest coefficients and highest ratings) are considered to be the most law-abiding. Objects in the fourth range (the highest coefficients and lowest ratings) are considered to have the highest risks of health harm. The latter are the first-order priority and should attract the greatest attention of regulatory authorities. Limitations. The study has limitations as regards considering specificity of detected violations and severity of their outcomes. Conclusion. The suggested approaches to assigning ratings to both juridical persons and production facilities of the same juridical person provide information and methodical support for the requirements fixed in the valid federal legislation and prospects for the development of the public administration. The presented tools allow more flexible planning and help to the regional offices of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing to create inspection schedules in accordance with available resources so that they can soundly concentrate their efforts on the most ‘difficult’ objects even within the same risk category. Assigning a rating to an object is a way to encourage businesses to conform to mandatory requirements (for objects with low rating) and to give them an opportunity to show their socially responsible image (for objects with high rating). Assigning a rating is an instrument keeping the civil society informed and helps to make a well-grounded choice when it comes down to objects that render various services to the population.

Genomic variants associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipinos.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus leads to debilitating complications that affect the quality of life of many Filipinos. Genetic variability contributes to 30% to 70% of T2DM risk. Determining genomic variants related to type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility can lead to early detection to prevent complications. However, interethnic variability in risk and genetic susceptibility exists. This study aimed to identify variants associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipinos using a case-control design frequency matched for age and sex. A comparison was made between 66 unrelated Filipino adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 121 without. Genotyping was done using a candidate gene approach on genetic variants of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications involving allelic association and genotypic association studies with correction for multiple testing. Nine (9) significant variants, mostly involved in glucose and energy metabolism, associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Filipinos were found. Notably, a CDKAL1 variant (rs7766070) confers the highest level of risk while rs7119 (HMG20A) and rs708272 (CETP) have high risk allele frequencies in this population at 0.77 and 0.66, respectively, making them potentially good markers for type 2 diabetes mellitus screening. The data generated can be valuable in developing genetic risk prediction models for type 2 diabetes mellitus to diagnose and prevent the condition among Filipinos.

Hidden semi-Markov models for rainfall-related insurance claims

We analyze the temporal structure of a novel insurance dataset about home insurance claims related to rainfall-induced damage in Norway and employ a hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM) to capture the non-Gaussian nature and temporal dynamics of these claims. By examining a broad range of candidate sojourn and emission distributions and assessing the goodness-of-fit and commonly used risk measures of the corresponding HSMM, we identify an appropriate model for effectively representing insurance losses caused by rainfall-related incidents. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the temporal aspects of weather-related insurance claims and demonstrate that the proposed HSMM adeptly captures this feature. Moreover, the model estimates reveal a concerning trend: the risks associated with heavy rain in the context of home insurance have exhibited an upward trajectory between 2004 and 2020, aligning with the evidence of a changing climate. This insight has significant implications for insurance companies, providing them with valuable information for accurate and robust modeling in the face of climate uncertainties. By shedding light on the evolving risks related to heavy rain and their impact on home insurance, our study offers essential insights for insurance companies to adapt their strategies and effectively manage these emerging challenges. It underscores the necessity of incorporating climate change considerations into insurance models and emphasizes the importance of continuously monitoring and reassessing risk levels associated with rainfall-induced damage. Ultimately, our research contributes to the broader understanding of climate risk in the insurance industry and supports the development of resilient and sustainable insurance practices.

India's flood risk assessment and mapping with multi-criteria decision analysis and GIS integration

ABSTRACT India's diverse geography poses significant flood risks, addressed in this study through the geographic information system and multi-criteria decision analysis. This comprehensive flood risk assessment considers seven parameters: mean annual precipitation, elevation, slope, drainage density (DD), land use and land cover, proximity to roads, and distance to rivers. The findings indicate that flood vulnerability is primarily influenced by rainfall, elevation, and slope, with DD, land use, and proximity to roads and rivers also playing crucial roles. Experts weighed these factors to create a thorough flood risk map using the normalized rank index and normalized weight index, categorizing areas into five risk levels: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The study reveals that 3.40% of the area is at very high risk, 32.65% at high risk, 39.72% at moderate risk, 20.97% at low risk, and 3.25% at very low risk. These results highlight how human and natural factors interact to influence flood risk, with vulnerable areas characterized by low elevations, steep slopes, high drainage densities, and proximity to rivers or roads. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, scientists, and local authorities to develop strategies to mitigate flood losses across India's varied landscapes.

Insurance and climate risks: Policy lessons from three bounding scenarios

Climate change poses complex risks without precedent that challenge established planning and risk management tools, including property insurance. The nature and timing of transitions in markets and institutions in response to growing climate risks will shape prospects for future socioeconomic well-being. As property insurance markets in the United States face higher levels of turmoil, policymakers are weighing various interventions to stabilize not only insurance but also housing and mortgage markets. We identify policy lessons based on the investigation of three bounding scenarios designed to address the question of how near-term (1 to 3 y) policy and regulatory choices surrounding insurance markets in Florida could influence medium-term (3 to 15 y) risk levels, disaster recovery, housing markets, and local economic outcomes. Since our policy choices today have a profound impact on future outcomes, careful consideration of the longer-term impacts of today’s policy choices is required to secure more effective and equitable adaptation decisions and pathways.

Towards risk-informed design and operation of ammonia-powered ships: Critical aspects and prospective solutions

Ammonia is a promising fuel for marine propulsion and generation, yet its acute toxicity and associated safety challenges necessitate careful consideration. Current regulations recognize the hazards of ammonia, introducing numerous technical safety measures in response. However, the effectiveness of these measures in ensuring acceptable risk levels for future vessels remains to be fully assessed. This study estimates the risk level onboard ammonia-powered ships, identifying the aspects with the largest and controllable influence on it. Three hypothetical concepts of ammonia fuel supply were developed in this study on an example tanker vessel and analyzed using the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methodology. The obtained risk profiles were evaluated against the risks by an equivalent liquefied natural gas-fueled system, serving as a benchmark. The results demonstrate that ammonia-fueled ships exhibit individual risk levels for engineering crew with periodic duties in fuel preparation rooms (FPR), or similar compartments, which are 1–1.5 orders of magnitude higher than those observed for a conventional gas-fueled alternative. An analogous increase has been noted for the public potentially present onboard or in proximity. The study underscores the importance of managing human-machine interactions, enhancing the reliability of supply systems, and managing the systems’ complexity to mitigate risks in FPRs. Regarding public safety, the analysis highlights new risk mechanisms introduced by ammonia and examines how storage conditions affect exposure levels. By offering a detailed QRA framework, this research contributes to the development of effective risk management strategies for ammonia-powered ships.

Legal regulation of combating nuclear terrorism: national and international aspects

The article deals with the issue of legal regulation of the fight against nuclear terrorism. The purpose of the article is to highlight the problems of legal regulation of the fight against nuclear terrorism. The authors of the article conducted a retrospective review and analyzed the state of development of Ukrainian legislation in the field of legal regulation of the fight against nuclear terrorism. As a result of such consideration, it was determined that the last decades of the 20th century, as well as the 21st century, showed that the greatest threat is terrorist organizations that have an international (transnational) character and are connected to organized criminal societies. Terrorist organizations have largely reoriented themselves from single murders or serious explosions of conventional explosives to active attempts to acquire or manufacture means of mass destruction with the subsequent threat of use. The level of risk of using nuclear weapons and radioactive materials can be pre-estimated by threats of committing acts of nuclear terrorism and theft of nuclear materials. The authors of the article provide separate data related to terrorist acts, as well as the most dangerous cases of their abduction. The article analyzes the basis of the provisions of the International Convention on Combating Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The authors concluded that the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism plays a key role in ensuring nuclear security. Before the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, Ukraine was considered to be an example of a consistent and balanced policy in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. The events that have been going on in Ukraine for almost three years have shown that nuclear legislation, both international and domestic, in the sphere related to the use of nuclear energy is imperfect and does not provide adequate answers to many questions. Externally, the political activity of states that possess nuclear weapons is decisive for the future of humanity, for the survival of human civilization. To prevent the unthinkable - the destruction of life on earth, to defend peace - there is no more important task for all peoples of our planet today. According to the authors, it is expedient to develop and adopt an international act on the norms of relations between nuclear states, which would be of great importance.