This study aims to comprehensively evaluate and map the risk of drought in Taiwan by employing a combination of two powerful models, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). This innovative approach utilizes an ensemble learning method, where ANP constructs a logical network and assigns weights to various indicators. Subsequently, ANN leverages these weights to train the model effectively. A total of twenty indicators were incorporated into the analysis to create a holistic drought risk map for Taiwan. These indicators are thoughtfully categorized into three essential components: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, providing a well-defined representation of drought risk. The trained ANN model showcases remarkable accuracy and performance, boasting values of 0.940 for accuracy, 0.946 for precision, 0.938 for recall, 0.942 for the F1 score, and 0.923 for the Kappa Index. These results unequivocally affirm the model\'s effectiveness in predicting drought risk. Furthermore, the final drought risk map underwent rigorous validation through fieldwork and statistical data. The validation process yielded high accuracies, ranging from 0.717 to 0.851, for assessing damage to crops, converted damaged areas, and estimated value product loss. This validation, conducted against multiple reference data sources, underscores the map\'s reliability and its alignment with various goodness-of-fit criteria. In summary, this study underscores the potency of the ANP-ANN ensemble approach, with the trained ANN model proving its robustness in swiftly predicting drought risk across diverse ecological and socioeconomic scenarios.

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are used to inform downstream users of any hazardous substances in chemical products and advise on how to manage the risks from using these products. It is therefore important that information on the SDS is accurate and consistent. This study investigates the accuracy and consistency of hazard information included in the SDSs of cleaning products used in the healthcare sector in England and Wales. Data on cleaning products used in the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales and their chemical composition and any hazard information (as H-statements) were collected from the products\' SDSs obtained from the NHS supply online catalogue. By each hazard, mainly respiratory hazards, the number of hazardous substances specified as hazardous in all SDSs was identified. Moreover, we investigated hazard characteristics of substances identified by only SDS (at least one SDS) or only through Harmonised Classifications and Labeling (CLH) or by SDS and through CLH simultaneously. In total, 229 unique chemical substances were found in 473 cleaning products\' SDSs. All 4 respiratory sensitisiers were identified in all SDSs and through CLH. However, only 14 of the 25 respiratory irritants (56.0 %) were consistently labelled across all SDSs. Although respiratory irritation characteristics of 3 substances were classified through CLH, it was not identified by any of the relevant SDSs. Substantially incorrect and inconsistent health hazard information for the same substances was identified across SDSs. Therefore, healthcare workers and their managers may not receive accurate information on the presence of and potential for exposure to hazardous substances in the cleaning products they are using.

This study investigates the potential of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) as an alternative to traditional animal testing in pesticide regulatory risk assessments. The TTC is a principle that establishes exposure threshold values for chemicals with certain structural features, below which there is no appreciable risk to human health. A case study was conducted with α-terpineol, an inert ingredient proposed to be used at low concentrations in pesticide products, to compare a conventional risk assessment using animal data with one using the TTC method. For the conventional risk assessment, animal data showed that there was no toxicity endpoint of concern, which resulted in a qualitative assessment and no risks of concern identified. For the risk assessment using the TTC method, a 5th percentile no-observed-effect level (NOEL) selected based on α-terpineol\'s Cramer classification was used as a point of departure (POD) for a quantitative risk assessment that resulted in no risks of concern identified. Therefore, the same conclusion was reached with both approaches and α-terpineol is considered safe for use in pesticide products at low concentrations. A comparative analysis was also performed to determine the applicability of the TTC method in calculating potential dietary risk from common pesticide use patterns for chemicals that fall within different Cramer classes. Results showed that use of the TTC method may be feasible for inert ingredient risk assessments when chemicals are used in a pesticide product at concentrations below 1%. This research underscores the TTC as a valuable and robust tool for assessing the potential hazards from inert ingredient use in pesticide formulations, considering factors such as chemical properties and the concentrations at which a chemical may be used in pesticide products. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to reduce animal testing in chemical safety assessments. The TTC method presents a viable alternative for risk evaluations of chemicals used at low concentrations, with anticipated low exposure, and with a predicted low toxicity potential.

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of working safely with biological agents. The World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Biosafety Manual Fourth Edition Monograph on Risk Assessment provides stepwise guidance for completing a risk assessment, from information gathering and identifying hazards to evaluating the risks, developing, and implementing controls and review.To support the development of a mature safety culture within laboratories, it is important that all staff who handle biological agents understand the fundamentals of risk assessment and receive training in identifying hazards created by their work activities (or tasks) and understand how to mitigate the risks arising from carrying out that work. Any \"competent\" person may be involved in assessing the risks posed by carrying out an activity. Those closest to the work, who understand the details of the task being undertaken, should be involved in creating the risk assessment. The guidance in this chapter is not just applicable to biosafety professionals, laboratory scientists, or facility managers but can be used by any competent worker familiar with the activity being assessed.This chapter uses the guidance from the WHO to apply the principles of risk assessment to working with Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), using an example activity-virus isolation from EHDV test samples in cell culture.

This research examines the validity and reliability of the construct variables and indicators of the disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DiDRR) model in the school environment. It also aims to determine the contribution of aspects and indicators in measuring variables and confirm the hypothesised model\'s suitability with empirical data. The explanatory research uses the purposive sampling method to collect questionnaire data from principals and teachers (n = 147) of primary schools in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. The results showed that the factors responsible for the formation of DiDRR in school include identifying and supporting children with special needs, accessibility, meaningful participation, non-discrimination, strategy and method, collaboration and networking. Although each factor has a significant causative relationship with the DiDRR variable, accessibility is the strongest forming factor. The modified model meets the goodness of fit criteria, thereby leading to a DiDRR model for elementary schools in inclusive settings. The research only considered principals and teachers in Yogyakarta province. Therefore, further research needs to be carried out in other provinces and widen its potential generalisation of findings.
UNASSIGNED: The research identified and examined the shaping factors of DiDRR in schools from the perspective of teachers and principals. Testing of the construct in the DiDRR model is intended to give more valid information about the concepts. It also acts as a guide when implementing it in schools to reduce risk and achieve broader targets for children with special needs and disabilities.

Delayed sputum conversion has been associated with a higher risk of treatment failure or relapse among drug susceptible smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Several contributing factors have been identified in many studies, but the results varied across regions and countries. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop a predictive model that explained the factors affecting time to sputum conversion within two months after initiating antituberculosis agents among Malaysian with drug-susceptible smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Retrospective data of pulmonary tuberculosis patients followed up at a tertiary hospital in the Northern region of Malaysia from 2013 until 2018 were collected and analysed. Nonlinear mixed-effect modelling software (NONMEM 7.3.0) was used to develop parametric survival models. The final model was further validated using Kaplan-Meier-visual predictive check (KM-VPC) approach, kernel-based hazard rate estimation method and sampling-importance resampling (SIR) method. A total of 224 patients were included in the study, with 34.4 % (77/224) of the patients remained positive at the end of 2 months of the intensive phase. Gompertz hazard function best described the data. The hazard of sputum conversion decreased by 39 % and 33 % for moderate and advanced lesions as compared to minimal baseline of chest X-ray severity, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 0.61; 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI), (0.44-0.84) and 0.67, 95 % CI (0.53-0.84)). Meanwhile, the hazard also decreased by 59 % (aHR, 0.41; 95 % CI, (0.23-0.73)) and 48 % (aHR, 0.52; 95 % CI, (0.35-0.79)) between active and former drug abusers as compared to non-drug abuser, respectively. The successful development of the internally and externally validated final model allows a better estimation of the time to sputum conversion and provides a better understanding of the relationship with its predictors.

The present study describes the seasonal distribution of microplastics (MPs) and their associated biofilms in the water column of the Netravathi-Gurupura estuary, southwest India. An average abundance of 8.15 (±3.81) particles/l and 1.14 (±0.78) particles/l was observed during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Fibres, films, and fragments accounted for majority of the microplastics. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester, polystyrene, and high-density polyethylene were the major polymers. The risk assessment revealed a low Pollution Load Index, but the Polymer Hazard Index showed higher toxicity. Diatoms from nine genera were observed attached to the microplastic samples with Amphora and Navicula spp. reported in both estuaries during both seasons. The considerable diversity of diatoms, along with other microbial groups, in microplastic-associated biofilms in this study, highlights the urgent need to understand the structure and development of microplastic-associated biofilms and their role in the vertical and horizontal transport of microplastics in tropical estuaries.

The objective of the research was to examine microbial characteristics, metabolites produced, and the potential radiological risks present in mining soils located in Keana, North Central Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from various locations within Keana, Nasarawa State. Bacterial isolation was carried out, and molecular techniques were employed to characterize the bacteria found in the collected soil samples. Additionally, the susceptibility of these isolates to antibiotics was determined, and the bacteria screened for their ability to produce metabolites. The isolated bacteria were classified into three groups: Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The analysis of the spectra revealed that 1595 compounds were produced, including carboxylic acids, nitro compounds, aldehydes, anhydrides, esters, ketones, amides, phenols, alcohols, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and arenes. Some of the metabolites produced were oleic acid, 1,3-dioxolane, linoelaidic acid and oleic acid, 1-nonadecene, butylated hydroxytoluene, diisooctyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate among others, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (85.32%) as the most produced metabolite. Among the antibiotics tested, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin exhibited the strongest antibacterial properties against the isolates. Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry analysis identified elevated levels of potassium, thorium, and uranium in the soils, indicating potential environmental hazards. However, no significant correlation was found between the presence of bacteria and radioactive elements. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive environmental monitoring in Keana to address potential health risks associated with microbial contamination and radioactive materials. Additionally, the study highlighted the role of microbial diversity in Keana soils in promoting the production of secondary metabolites with potential applications in pharmaceutical and industrial sectors..

The widespread and excessive use of pesticides in modern agricultural practices has caused pesticide contamination of the environment, animals, and humans, with confirmed serious health consequences. This study aimed to identify the 20 most critical substances based on an analysis of detection frequency (DF) and median concentrations (MC) across environmental and biological matrices. A sampling campaign was conducted across 10 case study sites in Europe and 1 in Argentina, each encompassing conventional and organic farming systems. We analysed 209 active substances in a total of 4609 samples. All substances ranked among the 20 most critical were detected in silicon wristbands worn by humans and animals and indoor dust from both farming systems. Five of them were detected in all environmental matrices. Overall, higher values of DF and MC, including in the blood plasma of animals and humans, were recorded in samples of conventional compared to organic farms. The differences between farming systems were greater in the environmental samples and less in animal and human samples. Ten substances were detected in animal blood plasma from conventional farms and eight in animal blood plasma from organic farms. Two of those, detected in both farming systems, are classified as hazardous for mammals (acute). Five substances detected in animal blood plasma from organic farms and seven detected in animal blood plasma from conventional farms are classified as hazardous for mammals (dietary). Three substances detected in human blood plasma are classified as carcinogens. Seven of the substances detected in human blood plasma are classified as endocrine disruptors. Six substances, of which five were detected in human blood plasma, are hazardous for reproduction/development. Efforts are needed to elucidate the unknown effects of mixtures, and it is crucial that such research also considers biocides and banned substances, which constitute a baseline of contamination that adds to the effect of substances used in agriculture.

This comprehensive study aimed to determine the level of nutritional compounds (20 amino acids, 11 phenolic acids, and 8 vitamins) and hazard compounds (14 mycotoxins) in ten types of conventional and ecological nuts from 25 countries. Moreover, chronic and acute toxicological risk assessment of mycotoxins was performed. Examined constituents were determined using LC-MS/MS. Ecological pine nuts showed the highest level of amino acids (233.87 g kg-1) compared to conventional (207 g kg-1), pecans-phenolic acids (816.6 mg kg-1 in ecological and 761 mg kg-1 in conventional), while pistachios-vitamins (3471.4 mg kg-1 in ecological and 3098.4 mg kg-1 in conventional). Increased concentration of mycotoxins was determined in conventional peanuts (54 μg kg-1) and walnuts (49.9 μg kg-1). Children were the most exposed population to acute intoxication with HT-2 toxin in conventional pistachios (20.66% ARfD). The results confirmed the nutritional importance of ecological nuts and emphasized the need for continuous screening of mycotoxins.