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There are a large number of the cascade reservoirs in small and medium-sized watersheds in China. Once a certain reservoir in the cascade reservoirs breaks due to catastrophic floods, strong earthquakes, or major engineering hazards, it may form a "domino effect", which will bring catastrophic consequences to the safety of the entire cascade reservoirs. This article used a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to calculate the probability and the consequences of the cascade reservoirs. Based on the risk matrix method, a risk assessment standard for the cascade reservoirs in small and medium-sized watersheds was proposed, providing a basis for risk assessment of cascade reservoirs. Taking the D, E, and H cascade reservoirs as an example, when the S River basin encountered floods exceeding the verification standard, the risk level of the cascade reservoirs was determined as Level II high risk based on the calculated probability and consequences of the dam break. Therefore, engineering and non-engineering measures were proposed to reduce the risk of the entire cascade reservoirs, ensuring the high-quality and safe operation of the cascade reservoirs in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural, societal, and economic hazards have a negative impact on agricultural production. In the field of agriculture, productivity studies are common, but election studies are rare. The goal of the study was to figure out which product to plant based on the region’s characteristics by anticipating risk factors in advance. The most appropriate crop kind to grow based on the risk variables faced in agricultural production was explored in this study. The nine risk factors in the Çukurova region, as well as three alternative crops, were determined for this study. Input costs, changes in climatic conditions, changes in yield loss due to pests, agricultural tools and machinery failure, theft, fire, crop damage due to excessive water, crop loss due to drought and lack of technical information were chosen as criteria. Citrus, cereal, and legume were chosen as alternative crops. First, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method, the weights of the score were determined. As a consequence of the weighing, the input costs criterion had the greatest weight value of 0.29. The criterion with the lowest score was a lack of technical information (0.01). Then, using the steps of the Elimination and Choice Translating Reality English method, which is one of the Multi Criteria Decision Making methods, the best relevant alternative ranking was determined. The comparison was also done using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions method. The cereal alternative was the best in both methodologies as a result of their application. In the first method, legumes and citrus were chosen, however in the second method, the opposite outcome was obtained.

Control of water quality changes in the distribution system is an important issue, due to consumer health, and a threat to technical infrastructure. Annual monitoring of water quality allowed us to analyze the physical, chemical, and biological stability of water produced in two different technological systems. The article examines the extent to which water purification technology affects the possibility of uncontrolled changes in water quality during its transport to the consumer (the risk of secondary water pollution has been estimated). Based on the obtained results, it was found that the groundwater treatment system based on the following processes—aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection—does not ensure the effective elimination of biogenic substances that determine sanitary safety. The treatment technology extended by an additional biofiltration process on granulated activated carbons (GAC) contributed to the improvement of the quality of the treated water (lowering the content of nutrients) and reduced the risk of losing the biological stability of the water in the distribution system. The biofiltration process did not change the physical and chemical stability of the water; the calculated corrosiveness indicators showed that the waters are devoid of aggressive properties, with a tendency to precipitate CaCO3. The production of stable water is a step forward in controlling water quality from source to tap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural, societal, and economic hazards have a negative impact on agricultural production. In the field of agriculture, productivity studies are common, but election studies are rare. The goal of the study was to figure out which product to plant based on the region's characteristics by anticipating risk factors in advance. The most appropriate crop kind to grow based on the risk variables faced in agricultural production was explored in this study. The nine risk factors in the Çukurova region, as well as three alternative crops, were determined for this study. Input costs, changes in climatic conditions, changes in yield loss due to pests, agricultural tools and machinery failure, theft, fire, crop damage due to excessive water, crop loss due to drought and lack of technical information were chosen as criteria. Citrus, cereal, and legume were chosen as alternative crops. First, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method, the weights of the score were determined. As a consequence of the weighing, the input costs criterion had the greatest weight value of 0.29. The criterion with the lowest score was a lack of technical information (0.01). Then, using the steps of the Elimination and Choice Translating Reality English method, which is one of the Multi Criteria Decision Making methods, the best relevant alternative ranking was determined. The comparison was also done using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions method. The cereal alternative was the best in both methodologies as a result of their application. In the first method, legumes and citrus were chosen, however in the second method, the opposite outcome was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many workers are exposed to electrical energy during the fulfillment of their tasks. It is necessary to identify the potential risk factors for electrical damages. The present study aimed to develop a novel Electrical Industry Safety Risk Index (EISRI) in the electricity power distribution industry based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). In this study several different safety risk assessment methods were analyzed. Then, common activities in the electricity distribution industry were classified into ten occupational groups. To identify the general structure of risk assessment and determine three main components, including personal, environmental, and organizational a three-stage Delphi study was conducted with the participation of 30 experts. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process approach was used to weight the components and parameters in each job group. Finally, the results of the EISRI were compared with the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) method. The most effective component in determining the risk level was the personal component (PC), with a 0.537 weighted average. Cronbach's alpha values for each of the personal, environmental, and organizational components and the entire model were 0.90, 0.85, 0.82, and 0.86, respectively, and model reliability was confirmed. The results obtained from the EISRI method were compared with the FMEA method, the results of both methods were very close to each other (p

The paper examines the existing methodological recommendations for assessing risk of financial institutions of non-bank financial services market participants. In particular, the focus is on the activities of financial companies, which are the largest non-banking market participants. The purpose of the study is to develop an approach to risk assessment of financial companies. The methodological basis for achieving the goal is a systematic analysis of the existing provisions of the regulator on the criteria for assessing the risk of financial institutions. The paper examines in detail the state of the modern risk assessment system in accordance with the criteria developed by the regulator, identifies key shortcomings of the recommendations and proposes to supplement the existing list of indicators that were taken into account by the previous regulator. An analysis of the legislation on the availability of quantitative indicators for assessing risk of non-banking financial services market participants was carried out, which made it possible to offer an expanded list of criteria for achieving the research goal. The expediency of the proposed system of quantitative indicators for assessing the risks of activity is confirmed by the existing actions of the regulator, which partially coincide with the proposed provisions. The developed recommendations provide an opportunity to improve the risk assessment system both for inspections by supervisors and for financial institutions seeking to strengthen preventive measures for their management.

This paper addresses a hybrid approach for evaluating the risk of vehicle failure modes based on Vlsekriterijumska optimizacija I KOmpromisno Resenje (VIKOR), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and maintenance data under fuzzy environment. Firstly, the failure modes and risk criteria are decided by expert team according to their experience and maintenance data. Secondly, the weights of risk criteria are determined by using AHP under fuzzy environment. Finally, the ranking of alternatives are presented by employing VIKOR method. In the end, the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid scheme is demonstrated by conducting a case study involving a vehicle type of Hyundai. Besides, a sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the obtained results. To sum up, our numerical analyses indicate that the proposed hybrid method can effectively assist enterprises and researchers in evaluating the risk of vehicle failure modes and improve vehicle safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the main approaches to the rehabilitation ability of construction companies, which should be identified based on a set of individual aspects of the construction company as a participant in investment and construction project and identification of synergetic properties to restore financial stability based on a holistic approach to such assessment. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors that should ensure the rehabilitation ability of the enterprise in the long run. Four groups of indicators can signal in advance the rehabilitation ability state of the construction company. These are indicators that characterize: rehabilitation ability of staff (rehabilitation ability of the project team, rehabilitation potential of staff) (К1); rehabilitation ability of the existing business model for the period of evaluation of the construction company (К2); rehabilitation favorability of environment of the investment and construction project (К3); rehabilitation potential of the construction company (К4). Identification of construction companies rehabilitation ability level is proposed to be carried out based on the calculation of the cumulative indicator, which is determined in six stages: 1) analysis of the dynamics of individual indicators of enterprise activity; 2) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability and a set of indicators; 3) forming of four local correlation-regression models of the cumulative indicators’ dependence on the most influential explanatory factors from the set formed at the previous step; 4) creating a comprehensive cumulative indicator of the rehabilitation ability of the construction company I; 5) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability as an explanatory factor and the cumulative indicator of rehabilitation ability I; 6) construction of a correlation-regression model of dependence of I on indicators from the set. Then all created models are combined into a single tool that can detect the threat of bankruptcy of the construction company, taking into account the functional-informational, financial, operational links between the participants of the construction in investment and construction projects. Assessing the rehabilitation ability of construction companies based on four aspects of development success (staff, business model, development project environment, and competitiveness factors) not only identify the strengths and weaknesses of participants of construction project but also identify areas of priority for control, correction and other rehabilitation actions for participants in development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A necessity to harmonize Russian sanitary-epidemiologic approaches with international standards is fixed in the federal legislation in the RF; given that, it seems vital to harmonize standards for ambient air quality taking into account a period of their averaging. To do that, previously methodical approaches were suggested to substantiating average annual MPC of chemicals in ambient air as per health risk criteria. The research goal here was to make a review of previously applied and newly created methodical approaches to establishing average annual MPC taking into account an extent to which they were harmonized with international approaches and their capacity to provide safety for population. As per results obtained via the performed literature review, we spotted out key elements in methodical approaches applied in the RF and abroad when substantiating standards for ambient air quality taking into account chronic inhalation exposure; the further analysis was performed in accordance with them. It was detected that approaches applied to establish average annual MPC were partially harmonized since they didn’t involve using threshold levels (BMC, BMCL); use of results obtained in previous studies to establish starting points in developing hygienic standards does not allow taking all the existing uncertainties into account. It seems impossible to estimate their safety as per health risk criteria due to absence of relevant parameters. Methodical approaches to substantiating average annual MPC as per health risk criteria are fully harmonized. Thus, they involve using BMC and BMCL for determining starting points when standards are being developed; values for such starting points can be established, among other things, as per data obtained via analyzing results of previous studies and are also supplemented when it comes down to taking uncertainty factors into account. Safety of developed average annual MPC is provided, among other things, due to obtained standards being verified as per acceptable (permissible) risk criteria. Given that, they can be used for developing harmonized average annual MPC.

The article considers the main approaches to the rehabilitation ability of construction companies, which should be identified based on a set of individual aspects of the construction company as a participant in investment and construction project and identification of synergetic properties to restore financial stability based on a holistic approach to such assessment. The purpose of this article is to identify the factors that should ensure the rehabilitation ability of the enterprise in the long run. Four groups of indicators can signal in advance the rehabilitation ability state of the construction company. These are indicators that characterize: rehabilitation ability of staff (rehabilitation ability of the project team, rehabilitation potential of staff) (К1); rehabilitation ability of the existing business model for the period of evaluation of the construction company (К2); rehabilitation favorability of environment of the investment and construction project (К3); rehabilitation potential of the construction company (К4). Identification of construction companies rehabilitation ability level is proposed to be carried out based on the calculation of the cumulative indicator, which is determined in six stages: 1) analysis of the dynamics of individual indicators of enterprise activity; 2) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability and a set of indicators; 3) forming of four local correlation-regression models of the cumulative indicators’ dependence on the most influential explanatory factors from the set formed at the previous step; 4) creating a comprehensive cumulative indicator of the rehabilitation ability of the construction company I; 5) calculation and analysis of pairwise correlation coefficients between each of the cumulative indicators of rehabilitation ability as an explanatory factor and the cumulative indicator of rehabilitation ability I; 6) construction of a correlation-regression model of dependence of I on indicators from the set. Then all created models are combined into a single tool that can detect the threat of bankruptcy of the construction company, taking into account the functional-informational, financial, operational links between the participants of the construction in investment and construction projects. Assessing the rehabilitation ability of construction companies based on four aspects of development success (staff, business model, development project environment, and competitiveness factors) not only identify the strengths and weaknesses of participants of construction project but also identify areas of priority for control, correction and other rehabilitation actions for participants in development projects.

The article studies the existing methodological recommendations for risk assessment of the performance of financial institutions, participants of non-bank financial services market. In particular, attention is focused on the performance of financial companies, which are the largest in number of subjects of the non-banking market. The aim of the study is to develop an approach to risk assessment of financial companies’ performance. The methodological basis for achieving the aim is a systematic analysis of the existing provisions of the Regulator regarding the criteria for assessing the risk of the performance of financial institutions. The article studies in detail the state of the modern risk assessment system in accordance with the criteria developed by the Regulator, identifies the key shortcomings of the recommendations and suggests supplementing the existing list with performance assessment indicators, taking into account the experience of the previous Regulator. An analysis of the legislation was carried out regarding the presence in it of quantitative indicators of risk assessment of the performance of participants in the non-banking financial services market, which made it possible to propose an expanded list of criteria for achieving the aim of the study. The feasibility of the proposed system of quantitative indicators for assessing the risks of performance is confirmed by the existing actions of the Regulator, which partially coincide with the proposed provisions. The developed recommendations provide an opportunity to improve the risk assessment system both for inspections by supervisory authorities and for financial institutions seeking to strengthen preventive measures in their management

The article examines the systems of risks of various types of financial institutions and focuses on the absence of the risk of legalization among them. This risk is considered separately within the framework of a special system of relations in the field of combating money laundering, financing of terrorism and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The evolution of criteria for assessing the risk of a financial institution to be involved in legalization is analyzed, risk-oriented indicators of the activities of financial institutions used to assess their risk profile are generalized. It is established that one of the regulators in the financial services market, the National Securities and Stock Market Commission, uses outdated, formal, and ineffective criteria for assessing the risks of a financial institution to be involved in money laundering. However, the other regulator, the NBU, has already carried out the process of adapting state financial monitoring to the requirements of FATF and AMLD4 and developed risk-oriented indicators of financial institutions’ activities, used to assess their risk profile. Strengthening the control by the subjects of state financial monitoring over the risk profile of a financial institution and its overall financial monitoring system will help to increase the efficiency of state financial monitoring. It is proposed to unify risk-oriented features and introduce identical financial monitoring mechanisms for all participants in the financial services markets, considering the specifics of their activities, as well as including the risk of legalization in the risk system of a financial institution in order to improve the efficiency of the financial monitoring system

Maritime accidents not only incur loss of human lives and physical damages to ships but also cause negative impact on marine safety weakening national competitiveness in maritime transportation. The government established national level plans to reduce maritime accidents. Fishing vessel accidents, among others, take up around 70% of the total maritime accidents in Korean waters.However, researches on fishing vessel accidents have not been studied much compared to commercial ship cases. In this regard, we evaluate risk level of fishing vessel accident with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, where a fuzzy membership function is applied in an attempt to reduce the degree of uncertainty inherited in the given data.For the comprehensive (overall) risk, 9 types of fishing vessel accident are analyzed over the period of 1988–2016 years and risk value is compared against fuzzy risk criteria to determine the risk level. Also risks of each type of accident are calculated and classified into different risk levels.Since the comprehensive risks are calculated on a 100 scale on a yearly basis changes in risk levels are easily visualized year by year. The results obtained from our analysis will help a decision maker establish proper risk reduction measures to mitigate different types of accident and manage effectively the limited and/or scare resources to be employed. The evaluation method can be applied to risk estimation of other sea transportation accidents.

Our research goal was to develop a system for predicting nature of fibrosis processes in patients infected with HIV and Hepatitis C virus and to assess its efficiency bearing in mind peculiarities of anti-virus therapy applied for treating the infections. Research was performed on 459 patients with confirmed HIV/viral hepatitis C who had been treated for 1 year at Saratov Regional Center for AIDS Prevention and Elimination. Most patients were males younger than 36. 72–78% patients had 3–4A HIV infection stages. The rest had 4B–C stages. 32% were treated only with sets of anti-retroviruses medications made up of nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors of reverse transcriptase, inhibitors of protease, and inhibitors of integrase in different combinations. 14% patients infected with both HIV and Hepatitis C virus were treated only with antiviral medications aimed for treating hepatitis C and made up of pegylated interferon α and ribavirin or medications with direct effects such as sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. 19% patients were prescribed both antiviral therapy aimed at treating Hepatitis C and anti-retrovirus therapy. Research results allowed establishing risk criteria for progressing hepatic fibrosis; they included fibro scanning of liver, number of CD3+CD4+ cells in blood, and immune regulatory index. Basing on the research data, we created an integral parameter for assessing quantitative risk criteria that could be used when a patient was examined for the first time or during a short-term observation period.

Control of water quality changes in the distribution system is an important issue, due to consumer health, and a threat to technical infrastructure. Annual monitoring of water quality allowed us to analyze the physical, chemical, and biological stability of water produced in two different technological systems. The article examines the extent to which water purification technology affects the possibility of uncontrolled changes in water quality during its transport to the consumer (the risk of secondary water pollution has been estimated). Based on the obtained results, it was found that the groundwater treatment system based on the following processes—aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection—does not ensure the effective elimination of biogenic substances that determine sanitary safety. The treatment technology extended by an additional biofiltration process on granulated activated carbons (GAC) contributed to the improvement of the quality of the treated water (lowering the content of nutrients) and reduced the risk of losing the biological stability of the water in the distribution system. The biofiltration process did not change the physical and chemical stability of the water; the calculated corrosiveness indicators showed that the waters are devoid of aggressive properties, with a tendency to precipitate CaCO3. The production of stable water is a step forward in controlling water quality from source to tap.

Since 2010 The Russian Union of Juice Producers (RUJP) have been examining quality of juices that are sold on the Russian market. The basic goal here is to prevent manufacture and distribution of products that don't conform to legal re-quirements; to build up and maintain trust of consumers into juice products manufactured in the country; to create better conditions for fair competition. Since then, a control system has been built; is covers most juice manufacturers that work on the Russian market, procedures for research and results processing have been worked out and tested, and there is tight interaction between manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, and state authorities responsible for control (surveillance). Quality monitoring system (QMS) is a structure created by the Russian Union of Juice Producers for accomplishing quality monitoring. QMS of the RUJP is similar to European systems for control over juices quality, such as EQCS (European Quality Control System for Juice and Nectars for Fruit and Vegetables), and SGF (Sure-Global-Fair). Annually the RUJP experts plan examinations (tests) of juices and decide on types of products that should be examined, a number of samples to be examined, and sampling criteria. Products to be examined are usually bought in retail outlets and they can be either manufactured by companies that are RUJP members or by side organizations. Products are purchased taking into account risk criteria worked out by the RUJP. There is an Expert Council that operates within the RUJP; its basic functions are to draw up examinations (tests) programs as per quality and safety criteria, assessment of marking and organoleptic properties of a product, as well as results of physical and chemical research. If any examination reveal a product that doesn't conform to legal requirements, the RUJP take action to stop its manufacturing and distribution on the market.

Maritime accidents not only incur loss of human lives and physical damages to ships but also cause negative impact on marine safety weakening national competitiveness in maritime transportation. The government established national level plans to reduce maritime accidents. Fishing vessel accidents, among others, take up around 70% of the total maritime accidents in Korean waters. However, researches on fishing vessel accidents have not been studied much compared to commercial ship cases. In this regard, we evaluate risk level of fishing vessel accident with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, where a fuzzy membership function is applied in an attempt to reduce the degree of uncertainty inherited in the given data. For the comprehensive (overall) risk, 9 types of fishing vessel accident are analyzed over the period of 1988–2016 years and risk value is compared against fuzzy risk criteria to determine the risk level. Also risks of each type of accident are calculated and classified into different risk levels. Since the comprehensive risks are calculated on a 100 scale on a yearly basis changes in risk levels are easily visualized year by year. The results obtained from our analysis will help a decision maker establish proper risk reduction measures to mitigate different types of accident and manage effectively the limited and/or scare resources to be employed. The evaluation method can be applied to risk estimation of other sea transportation accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk management of cascade reservoir systems (CRSs) is a major public challenge, and the establishment of risk criteria is critical to solving this issue. In this paper, an approach is presented to establish risk criteria of for CRSs in China based on statistical data (reservoir dam break accidents; fatalities due to reservoir dam breaks; the construction date of defective reservoirs; and the current situation of CRSs), F–N curves, F–E curves, F–I curves, and the as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) principle. This paper has some innovations in the following aspects. First, the characteristics of CRSs are revealed for the first time. Second, risk criteria for CRSs are suggested. Third, the engineering safety level, risk exposure level, and risk level of CRSs in China are determined. The research results of this paper provide abundant information for the operation management, maintenance and reinforcement of CRSs in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this work is to show the new approach to determining safety technological levels (SLs) in terms of water quality and its chemical stability, as well as issues of water corrosion properties in water distribution systems (WDSs), due to the fact that water supply pipes are prone to corrosion. In the paper the methodology of determining the risk associated with threat to technical infrastructure was considered. The concept was studied on the basis of real operational data from the water treatment plant. The probability of exceeding the individual parameters for WTPI is slightly larger than for WTPII, which means that this water treatment process may cause lack of chemical stability in the water supply network. Operators should anticipate in the process of designing water distribution system, using proper materials, as to ensure an adequate level of safety from the water source to the water recipient. It should be noted that it is necessary to adjust the material of internal installation of water supply networks to the parameters of the water. At present, there are no correlations between the designing step and water parameters. It was concluded that to protect the water supply infrastructure, which belongs to critical infrastructure, water company should put more emphasis on distribution of stable water that has not potentially corrosion properties. Some suggestions were made for the protection of WDS and to ensure safety of system functioning and long-term usability of water pipes.

The concept of mean-variance optimization, developed by Markowitz, is the cornerstone of modern finance theory. The objective of this portfolio construction is to minimize investment risk by forming optimal portfolios. Dynamic movement in capital markets requires not only changes in portfolio composition. Optimal portfolio is not only determined by the covariance between securities in the portfolio, but also by holding period. The aims of this study is to answer two research questions. The first research question is how long the optimal holding period that was resulted from trade-off between risk and return. This study using target return that are determined hypothetically as well as the risk criteria are divided into 3 namely the mean variance, semivarians and expected loss. Target returns are simulated in this study were divided into 3 criteria namely aggressive, moderate and conservative. The second research question is whether there are differences among the various portfolio performance based on criteria of risk and target return. Portfolio performance is measured by using excess return and the Sharpe index. In this study, stocks covered in LQ-45 index are used to construct efficient portoflio. Monthly price series for company and LQ-45 index for February 2004 to September 2008 are collected. The analysis found that optimal holing period is ranges between 1-5 months. Holding period of a portfolio that more than 5 months will provide risk and return trade-off less favorable. In addition this study found that there was no significant differences in portfolio performance based on overall scenarios

Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) comprise a large, highly diverse group of strains. Since the emergence of STEC serotype O157:H7 as an important foodborne pathogen, serotype data have been used for identifying STEC strains, and this use continued as other serotypes were implicated in human infections. An estimated 470 STEC serotypes have been identified, which can produce one or more of the 12 known Shiga toxin (Stx) subtypes. The number of STEC serotypes that cause human illness varies but is probably higher than 100. However, many STEC virulence genes are mobile and can be lost or transferred to other bacteria; therefore, STEC strains that have the same serotype may not carry the same virulence genes or pose the same risk. Although serotype information is useful in outbreak investigations and surveillance studies, it is not a reliable means of assessing the human health risk posed by a particular STEC serotype. To contribute to the development of a set of criteria that would more reliably support hazard identification, this review considered each of the factors contributing to a negative human health outcome: mild diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC pathogenesis involves entry into the human gut (often via ingestion), attachment to the intestinal epithelial cells, and elaboration of Stx. Production of Stx, which disrupts normal cellular functions and causes cell damage, alone without adherence of bacterial cells to gut epithelial cells is insufficient to cause severe illness. The principal adherence factor in STEC is the intimin protein coded by the eae gene. The aggregative adherence fimbriae adhesins regulated by the aggR gene of enteroaggregative E. coli strains are also effective adherence factors. The stx2a gene is most often present in locus of enterocyte effacement (eae)–positive STEC strains and has consistently been associated with HUS. The stx2a gene has also been found in eae-negative, aggR-positive STEC that have caused HUS. HUS cases where other stx gene subtypes were identified indicate that other factors such as host susceptibility and the genetic cocktail of virulence genes in individual isolates may affect their association with severe diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Involuntary admission is one of the most controversial issues in psychiatry in China. This study aimed to examine the implementation of the new risk criteria for involuntary admission, as defined by the new Mental Health Law (MHL), in major psychiatric hospitals; and to explore factors associated with the implementation.Method: We selected 32 psychiatric hospitals in 29 provincial capital cities in mainland China. We included all involuntarily admitted psychiatric inpatients who were discharged from December 25 to 27, 2017. Patients' demographic and clinical data and reasons for admission were retrieved. Hospitals' information was also collected. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to explore factors associated with the implementation.Results: We collected valid data from 814 inpatients. Rates of risk criteria implementation ranged from 7.9 to 88.5% in these hospitals. Only 369 inpatients (45.3%) met the MHL-defined risk criteria. Overall, between 62.2 and 78.5% of the variance in risk criteria implementation was at the patient level, and between 21.5 and 37.8% of the variance was at the hospital level. Patients with higher Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores at admission were less likely to meet the risk criteria (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03). No statistically significant association was found between risk criteria implementation and other patient level or hospital level factors.Conclusion: Our findings show the implementation rate of the MHL's risk criteria overall was low, with only 45.3% of involuntary admissions meeting the MHL-defined criteria. This suggests that some patients' civil rights might have been violated.

Objective: Involuntary admission is one of the most controversial issues in psychiatry in China. This study aimed to examine the implementation of the new risk criteria for involuntary admission, as defined by the new Mental Health Law (MHL), in major psychiatric hospitals; and to explore factors associated with the implementation. Method: We selected 32 psychiatric hospitals in 29 provincial capital cities in mainland China. We included all involuntarily admitted psychiatric inpatients who were discharged from December 25 to 27, 2017. Patients' demographic and clinical data and reasons for admission were retrieved. Hospitals' information was also collected. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to explore factors associated with the implementation. Results: We collected valid data from 814 inpatients. Rates of risk criteria implementation ranged from 7.9 to 88.5% in these hospitals. Only 369 inpatients (45.3%) met the MHL-defined risk criteria. Overall, between 62.2 and 78.5% of the variance in risk criteria implementation was at the patient level, and between 21.5 and 37.8% of the variance was at the hospital level. Patients with higher Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores at admission were less likely to meet the risk criteria (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03). No statistically significant association was found between risk criteria implementation and other patient level or hospital level factors. Conclusion: Our findings show the implementation rate of the MHL's risk criteria overall was low, with only 45.3% of involuntary admissions meeting the MHL-defined criteria. This suggests that some patients' civil rights might have been violated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of planning, management and process level assessment in enterprises, whether in small firms or multinationals companies, requires flexible and quality information systems. Within any company the management of the information system plays an important role. Throughout the organization, rapid and accurate transmission of information through information channels is needed, where there is a possibility for the application of basic logistics principles (system approach, coordination, planning, algorithmic thinking, global optimization). The need for information transfer, management as well as information systems is to identify and review criteria to ensure the flexibility and quality of the process level. The aim of this paper is to analyse the criteria for selecting the information system into a production company using the AHP method. In addition to the criteria for choosing an information system, the need to protect proprietary information assets is also required. The protection of information assets involves identifying and analysing risk criteria with a link to security risks for selected processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Safety Level Approach (SLA) is a structured application of risk-based methodologies for the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) rule-making process. When the SLA is applied, safety goals have to be provided. In order to set appropriate levels for safety goals, it is necessary to measure the tolerance degree of the current safety level. Based on the consistency with individual risk criteria and the principle of continuous improvement, this paper proposes an approach to establish the societal risk criteria, which can be used for setting safety goals in the context of the IMO's SLA. Furthermore, by defining dynamic factors to express risk aversion, a method for tolerance measurement of the current societal risk is developed. Finally, a case study into the societal risk evaluation of cruise ships and Roll-On Roll-Off (RO-RO) passenger ships is conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the overall risk management state for the crude oil tanker fleet, evidenced by EMSA and other international marine organisations. Based on historical statistical data related to fleet size, accident reports, amount of oil spilled on the sea and the economic value of the crude oil transport business, the risk acceptance criteria are evaluated. The Formal Safety Assessment is further used for a systematic assessment of risk, where potential hazards are analysed with structured methods (HAZID) and represented in event trees. The paper studies three risks: PLL (potential loss of lives), PLC (potential loss of containment) and PLP (potential loss of property). A general approach is presented and discussed with a particular focus on the evolution of risk acceptance in recent decades and evaluations of risk F-N curves for different tanker sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse logistics is the backward process of collecting and redistributing products at the end-of-life from customers to producers and manufacturers for reuse, remanufacturing and disposal purposes. While reverse logistics brings several economic benefits, it seems to become a necessity for businesses to remain competitive in a world that environmental and social aspects of business activities are key to sustainable development. The operations and management of reverse logistics systems is a complex task that requires substantial level of infrastructure, technology, expertise and experience. Therefore, increasingly many business organizations tend to outsource their reverse logistics activities to third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs). In this paper, we propose a multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model to rank and select 3PRLPs, using fuzzy step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) to weight the evaluation criteria. Accordingly, a developed fuzzy complex proportional assessment of alternatives (COPRAS) was proposed to rank and select the sustainable 3PRLPs in the presence risk factors. The suggested model was applied to a case study from automotive industry. Eventually, COPRAS and COPRAS-G methods were considered for the purpose of comparison and validation. As a result, the most sustainable 3PRLP was selected. While incorporating risk factors into our analysis, our study shows that environmental and social drivers are increasingly becoming dominant when selecting 3PRLPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid development of risk analysis, there is a relative absence of risk criteria for dams in developing countries recently, which restrained the practical application of the research results. This paper proposes guidelines for establishing risk criteria of dams in developing countries in considering the coordination of social, economic and engineering factors, then establishes a method of targeted analysis and demonstrates relevant parameters selected according to the ALARP principle and F-N curves, using China as an example. Different individual life risk criteria are established based on different safety levels for existing dams and newly built dams. Social life risk criteria and economic risk criteria are established on the basis of the different safety levels of all size reservoirs, the seriousness of the consequences of accidents, and the acceptability of social risks. The process of establishing risk criteria of dams and the analysis of the parameters demonstrated in this paper are meaningful to provide a reference and promote the required level of management for developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed methodology introduces the risk concept, which takes into consideration the probability of the occurrence of different operating states, the probability of the outage of system elements, and the impact such outages would have on the electric power system (EPS). The impact on the EPS is assessed on the basis of a new indicator called impact on the grid, which takes into consideration all overloads caused by the outage of a particular element. The new methodology, based on a risk index, demonstrates the reliability of the EPS and provides background and arguments, useful for transmission system operators taking decisions regarding new investments on the transmission network (TN). The new methodology also contributes multi‐selection criteria for determining priorities among individual investments, based on investment costs and on maintaining a sufficient level of reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]