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The emergence of connected vehicles has transformed the automotive sector by enhancing the vehicle's functionality, efficiency, and safety. The performance and security of these vehicles significantly rely on the deployment of the over-the-air software update. However, the execution of OTA comes with many challenges, especially with regard to security vulnerabilities and risks. The current paper delves into the complexities of the secure OTA software update for connected vehicles addressing the most critical issues; authentication; encryption and integrity verification, and risk management. Through advanced cryptographic methodologies, stringent authentication processes, and secure communication channels, automotive manufacturers and other service providers can guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of the updates, and consumers' data from malicious attack. Moreover, the paper explores the regulatory and other standards-related matters that control the use of OTA in the automotive sector. An understanding of the secure OTA update mechanisms aids the stakeholders in establishing a resilient connection in connected vehicles boosting consumer trust and the future of the automobiles industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubella, or German measles, is a vaccine-preventable disease. Rubella infection is usually mild; however, infection in pregnancy is associated with severe outcomes for the baby, including pregnancy loss or a combination of developmental defects called congenital rubella syndrome. Within the last ten-year period, two cases of congenital rubella syndrome in Saskatchewan were reported to the provincial ministry and the Public Health Agency of Canada of the newborns of mothers who had recently arrived from Sub-Saharan Africa. Both infants had multiple health complications at birth consistent with congenital rubella and tested positive for the rubella virus. The article discusses the challenges encountered by the healthcare system in diagnosing, investigating, monitoring and managing cases of congenital rubella syndrome to prevent further sporadic transmission. The article emphasizes the need to provide additional support for cases and their households, especially new Canadians with less support to comply with public health advice and the importance of routine immunization to eliminate rubella globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A company's cyber defenses are based on a secure infrastructure and risk-aware behavior by employees. With rising cyber threats and normative training efforts showing limited impact, raising cyber risk awareness is emerging as a challenging effort. The review of the extant literature on awareness diagnosis shows interdisciplinary but mainly theoretical approaches to understanding attitudes and influencing risk behavior. We propose and test a novel methodology to combine and operationalize two tools, deep metaphor interviews and the IDEA risk communication model, to apply them for the first time in the context of behavioral cyber vulnerabilities. The results show a link between diagnosed attitudes and effective risk behavior in a real-life organizational setting, indicating the potential for an expanded diagnostic effort. We propose to develop a broader diagnostic and intervention set to improve cyber awareness and a toolkit to support the business practice of cyber risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts induced by natural hazards are increasing globally. Some of these hazards, such as volcanic eruptions, cannot be prevented. Thereby, mitigating impacts is crucial, especially in densely populated areas, like in Goma city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is exposed to volcanic threats from Nyiragongo. Mitigation requires the population to be prepared to face volcanic eruptions, by having a high state of awareness, anticipation, and readiness to take appropriate decisions during eruption crisis. Therefore, this study used a mixed-method approach (questionnaire survey, focus group, and written composition) to assess the impact of two educational tools: the Hazagora serious game and a museum of Virunga volcanoes. 402 students from 12 different schools participated in the evaluation, two third as participants in the educational activities and others as control group. Results indicated thatboth educational tools have, in a complementary way, a positive impact on student's volcanic disaster understanding, and their implication in DRR initiatives. The museum improves more the knowledge of the volcanic processes while the Hazagora game increases more the perceived self-capacity and mitigation skills. A key finding is that both educational tools significantly increase the willingness of implementing protective measures, but not the risk perception.

Background: In complex academic healthcare systems, quality improvement (QI) projects designed to improve care and enhance learning proliferate, yet there is considerable variation with respect to how, or even whether, these projects receive ethical oversight. As a result of a high volume of projects that were submitted to one of our research ethics board (REB) panels, but deemed not-research and therefore not eligible for review, questions at our organization began to surface with respect to how the ethical dimensions of QI projects might be assessed, and which institutional approvals might be required to ensure compliance with emerging normative standards. Methods: A mixed-methods environmental scan led to a retrospective quantitative analysis of our organization’s QI projects coupled with in-depth qualitative consultations with staff, physicians, and learners across our health network. REB exemptions were analyzed via run charts to assess baseline QI project volumes and thematic analyses were conducted on field notes from 133 stakeholder consultations. Results: During a 34-month period, 117 REB exemption letters were issued for QI projects. Consultations identified the need for: a clearly defined ethical review process for QI projects, appropriate governance structures, and opportunities to identify and mitigate risk. Respondents also spoke to the ethical imperative to conduct QI initiatives. This paper discusses how these themes contributed to the development and implementation of our Quality Improvement Review Committee (QIRC). Conclusion: Since 2020, over 840 projects have been reviewed by our QIRC, with a view toward mitigating risks for patients, staff, and QI project teams across UHN.

Dry surface biofilms are a major concern for infection transmission in public settings. These biofilms consist of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli that thrive in low-moisture environments. The biofilms are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be easily detected using standard laboratory methods. Dry surface biofilms cannot be easily disinfected, but they can be cleaned using specialized cleaning products and tools designed for tough soil removal. The risks associated with dry surface biofilms can be effectively mitigated in public settings by use of these specialized cleaning methods. As awareness of these biofilms and their resilient nature is emerging, it is crucial to foster a strong hygiene culture among staff. This awareness can be achieved via continuous training and communication on the subject matter, ensuring that staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to address dry surface biofilms and their associated risks effectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey Rhino is a metaphor for security threat, which is unkept irrational for large extent also high probability of harmful effect on a subject of risk owner. Business continuity management system is assessed in a diagram as controlling instrument aimed at operational hazard mitigation of continuity disturbance of affected subject. A ´from Operations´ Value Added – O´VA is established as qualitative dynamic information about productivity of activities. The measures are designed in crisis scenario for quality improvement of subject´s crisis readiness. An indicator of business risk continuity slip is defined. In a connection with war conflict on Ukraine is assessed if it is Grey Rhino manifestation.

The aim of this study was to explore occupational safety in pregnant Croatian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To this end we composed an anonymous questionnaire that included pregnancy data, risk assessment and mitigation, and workplace intervention and distributed it to HCWs through social media of their groups and associations. The study includes a total of 173 respondents (71.1 % physicians, 19.7 % nurses, 9.2 % other HCWs) diagnosed with pregnancy in 2020 and 2021. Employers were notified about HCWs’ pregnancy at the eighth (IQR 7.0–11.0) week of pregnancy, which delayed workplace risk assessment and mitigation beyond the first trimester. Only 19.6 % of the participants had the risk assessed and mitigated, mostly on their own initiative (76.5 %). After notifying employers about pregnancy, 37.0 % of participants opted for temporary work incapacity (TWI) due to “pregnancy complications” despite healthy pregnancy, 16.8 % were granted a pregnant worker’s paid leave at the expense of the employer, while 5.8 % continued to work at the same workplace. Nurses used the TWI benefit more frequently than physicians (58.8 % vs 30.1 %, P=0.004). Our findings suggest that occupational safety of pregnant HCWs in Croatia lacks clear-cut and transparent strategies to protect pregnant HCWs, forcing them to misuse the healthcare system.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of freight transportation, the key management systems and outsourcing strategies should be developed for best results, including the whole process optimizations, costs reduction as well as market competitivity improvement. In this paper, the authors seek to explore via in-depth study the subtle intricacies of the link between Supply Chain Management (SCM) decisions and the choice to outsource, in order to unearth unique considerations that will guide important strategic choices in the industry. This research first embodies a systematic literature review and theory and empirical study as well as practical cases from the real world. Finally, the authors present multi-dimensioning implications and practical policy recommendations for supply chain management related to outsourcing initiatives. This research emphasizes the criticality of coordinating the SCM and the strategy for outsourcing to businesses that may be major players in the road and rail freight transportation sector. Strategy mapping generates both operational efficiency and adaptability as well as robustness which becomes a tool to tackle the complications of international supply chains thus allowing the enterprises to respond gracefully to dynamic markets. However, the research also highlights three factors of collaborative partnership, technological integration, and continuous improvement that determine the management and the supply chain outsourcing. Through creation of collaborative governance models, the deployment of advanced tech tools including AI, IoT and blockchain in addition to providing a culture a learning and improvisation, businesses can enhance their supply chain and outperform their competitors in the market space. This research is a contributory factor, revealing the strategic consequences of balancing SCM and outsourcing for the businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders of the industry. It is a point of discussion related to a demand from enterprises for strategic planning processes and governance arrangements to take into account the SCM and outsourcing synergies. Moreover, it emphasizes the fact that administrators should be able to put in place regulations seen to enhance collaborations, discoveries, and funding to the technological projects. Lastly, this research covered deeply all SCM-outsource aspects in this industry freight transportation. Through the extensive observation and the change of the suggested strategies, companies can create new openings for development, innovation, and sustainability in the midst of the world’s supply and logistics environment that is ever changing.

Abstract Background Hospital sanitation workers (SWs) are exposed to numerous occupational hazards due to workplace conditions such as unsafe and unhygienic working environment in the hospitals. Therefore, knowing magnitude, types and source of occupational hazard exposures with their determinants are very significant for further mitigations. Methods Hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia from 1st May to August 30th, 2023. 809 SWs participated. Data was entered into Epi Data Version 3.1 and Stata 17MP version used for analysis. Descriptive analysis was applied to describe the data. While, multilevel logistic regression was explored to determine the association between outcome and independents among at individual level (model 1), at hospitals (model 2) and combination of the two (model 3). The crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for models 2 and 3 were reported. Variables with an AOR with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value

This comprehensive article explores the global trends in defense acquisition processes, examining key practices in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Highlighting the diverse organizational structures and decision-making support systems, the article delves into challenges faced by each nation and strategies implemented for improvement. Drawing insights from the U.S. strategic planning and flexibility, Canada's multidepartmental approach, France's emphasis on innovation, the UK's integrated procurement and support, Germany's technological advancements, New Zealand's collaborative framework, and Australia's adaptability, the article presents a comparative analysis. It underscores the importance of joint capability management, strategic planning, flexibility, and international collaboration. In the context of Georgia, the article provides a glimpse into the current landscape of defense acquisition, focusing on key entities within the Ministry of Defense and their roles in shaping the country's defense acquisition capabilities. The findings underscore opportunities for fostering inter-departmental collaboration, leveraging innovation, optimizing logistical processes, strengthening international partnerships, enhancing personnel training, and fortifying legislative frameworks. Additionally, the study advocates for a structured defense acquisition framework inspired by international best practices, incorporating decision-making support systems, delineating clear acquisition phases, and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The proposed recommendations aim to guide Georgia towards a more resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking defense posture in the dynamic global security landscape.

This bibliometric analysis examines the evolution of academic research on banking risk management over the past four decades. The research maps publication trends, influential works, authorship, geographical distribution, conceptual themes, and future research directions using quantitative analysis of 286 English-language articles from the Scopus database. Since the 1990s, publication output and citations have been on the rise, with peaks in 2012 and 2019, indicating a rise in scholarly interest. The focus of research has expanded beyond credit risk to include operational, liquidity, and other key risks. Governance and culture are also expanding areas of emphasis. Geographic diffusion is revealed by bibliometric mapping, shifting from the early dominance of U.S. and European scholars to the increasing contributions of Asia and other emerging economies. Analysis of frequently occurring keywords illustrates the importance of fundamental risk management concerns. Six conceptual domains are identified by cluster analysis: operational risks, governance, liquidity risks, commercial bank risks, credit risks and performance, and market risk interactions. Based on the bibliometric analysis and research findings, three promising future research directions are proposed: the impact of pandemics and natural disasters on bank risk management; emerging threats such as cybercrime and climate change; and the impact of risk culture and governance on outcomes. AcknowledgmentIt is crucial to recognize everyone who contributed to the success of this study, notably the Ho Chi Minh University of Banking, Vietnam.

Background Supply chain risk management is crucial for the consumer products industry due to its vulnerability to uncertainties and risks. This study investigates the relationship between supply chain risks and performance among SMEs in the ASEAN countries. Supply chain performance, defined as meeting end-customer demands, involves ensuring commodity availability, on-time deliveries, and maintaining sufficient inventory and capacity across organizational boundaries from raw materials to the final consumer. Methods The study utilized a sample of 385 entrepreneurs from the consumer products industry in ASEAN countries. The research was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to establish the correlation between supply chain performance and risks. Factors related to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) for economic integration and regional trade agreements were incorporated to understand the diverse economic development, infrastructure, and regulatory environments across nations. Results The analysis revealed a strong correlation between supply chain risks and performance. Entrepreneurs in the consumer products industry should collaborate closely with governmental organizations to address the unique challenges posed by regulatory landscapes, cross-border logistics, and geopolitical risks within the ASEAN region. Adapting to cultural nuances and market variations, along with optimizing logistics and infrastructure, are crucial for successful supply chain risk management. Conclusions Effective supply chain risk management significantly enhances the performance of the consumer products industry’s supply chain. Entrepreneurs in this sector should align their strategies with regional and national governments to proactively address issues and mitigate risks. Continuous monitoring and adaptive measures are necessary to handle emerging risks in the dynamic market landscape. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, suggesting that supportive frameworks and policies are necessary to bolster SME capabilities in risk management. By fostering a collaborative environment between the public and private sectors, ASEAN countries can enhance overall supply chain resilience. Future research could explore sector-specific risk management practices and their impact on supply chain robustness, underscoring the imperative for SMEs to adopt proactive and integrated risk management approaches to thrive in a complex and evolving economic environment.

Background: Hospital sanitation workers (SWs) are exposed to numerous occupational hazards due to workplace conditions such as unsafe and unhygienic working environment in the hospitals. Therefore, knowing magnitude, types and source of occupational hazard exposures with their determinants are very significant for further mitigations. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia from 1st May to August 30th, 2023. 809 SWs participated. Data was entered into Epi Data Version 3.1 and Stata 17MP version used for analysis. Descriptive analysis was applied to describe the data. While, multilevel logistic regression was explored to determine the association between outcome and independents among at individual level (model 1), at hospitals (model 2) and combination of the two (model 3). The crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for models 2 and 3 were reported. Variables with an AOR with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value < 0.05 were reported. Result: Out of 809 SWs, 729 (90.11%) responded. The overall magnitude of self-reported occupational hazard exposures among SWs was 63.65% (95% CI 0.60–0.67). Of this, biological, chemical, and ergonomic hazards accounted for 82.44%, 74.76%, and 70.92%, respectively. The multilevel logistic regression shows that having social recognition (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.91), neutral attitude (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.17, 1.41) as compared to negative attitude. The model also found that SWs those supervised could reduce the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures by 50% times (AOR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.18, 1.38) as compared to non-supervised SWs. The final model predicted the variation of occupational hazard exposures among sanitary workers from the hospitals to hospitals was 26.59%. Conclusions: The concluded that hospital sanitary workers are facing biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychological, mechanical, and electrical hazards. This study's findings predicted that dissatisfied with their environment, working more than 8 hr per a day, a negative attitude towards workplace risks and inadequate supervision may serve as contributing factors for the likelihood of occupational hazard exposures among these groups. Thus, the study suggested that hospitals could reduce these hazard risks if they implement the Risk Assessment and Safety Management (RASM) model, which includes multi-modal strategies, indicators and tripartite philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the promise of oral immunotherapy (OIT) to treat food allergies, this procedure is associated with potential risk. There is no current agreement about what elements should be included in the preparatory or consent process. We developed consensus recommendations about the OIT process considerations and patient-specific factors that should be addressed before initiating OIT and developed a consensus OIT consent process and information form. We convened a 36-member Preparing Patients for Oral Immunotherapy (PPOINT) panel of allergy experts to develop a consensus OIT patient preparation, informed consent process, and framework form. Consensus for themes and statements was reached using Delphi methodology, and the consent information form was developed. The expert panel reached consensus for 4 themes and 103 statements specific to OIT preparatory procedures, of which 76 statements reached consensus for inclusion specific to the following themes: general considerations for counseling patients about OIT; patient- and family-specific factors that should be addressed before initiating OIT and during OIT; indications for initiating OIT; and potential contraindications and precautions for OIT. The panel reached consensus on 9 OIT consent form themes: benefits, risks, outcomes, alternatives, risk mitigation, difficulties/challenges, discontinuation, office policies, and long-term management. From these themes, 219 statements were proposed, of which 189 reached consensus, and 71 were included on the consent information form. We developed consensus recommendations to prepare and counsel patients for safe and effective OIT in clinical practice with evidence-based risk mitigation. Adoption of these recommendations may help standardize clinical care and improve patient outcomes and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global energy security is a growing worldwide concern in the presence of high economic policy uncertainty (EPU) that can be addressed by advancing sustainable energy diversification (ED) practices. Energy security can be estimated by combining ED and EPU indices; hence, this study uses a dataset covering three continents and 26 countries from 1995 to 2023 to measure energy security employing this approach. The study employs quantile regression and panel data analysis, finding a positive relationship between EPU and ED. The results reveal that when EPU increases, the spectrum of energy sources declines, negatively impacting energy security. Other factors of globalization, Gross Domestic Product, gross capital formation, and the labor force also have an impact on the spectrum of energy sources. To obtain a sustainable level of ED, policymakers should increase investment in gross capital formation because economic growth and openness via pro-global policies have less impact on ED. This study also demonstrates that labor capital shifts have a significant effect on ED. The quantitative results reveal the importance of clear and precise economic policies for increasing investment in carbon-free energy security. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential energy retrofitting projects in the hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) zone of China face various risks related to project activities, which incur transaction costs (TCs), such as search, negotiation, and monitoring costs. As the leader in project implementation, the Chinese government is responsible for project planning, organisation, and coordination. However, TCs impede the government's ability to execute risk-related project activities effectively, subsequently increasing the probability of the occurrence of risk. Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE), this study proposes a theoretical framework to understand the barriers—such as asset specificity, uncertainty, and frequency—that prevent the government from performing project activities and mitigating risks effectively. An artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to verify the hypotheses. The results underscore experience and operational maturity in project activities, cost and time constraints, and the immature retrofitting market as significant impediments to the government's execution of risk-related activities. Considering the varying roles of the government in reducing different risks, this study concludes by offering policy recommendations to alleviate these activity barriers and mitigate risks. By employing a TCs perspective, this study not only identifies key barriers but also deepens our understanding of risk mitigation mechanisms, providing robust policy insights tailored to the specific regional context of China, thereby enhancing both the execution and the framework of government-led retrofitting projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to reduce exposure when working with chemicals. For pesticides, exposure scenarios comprise mixing and loading (M&L) and application. The exposure prediction model recommended by European regulatory agencies for operator risk assessments—the Agricultural Operator Exposure Model (AOEM) – is based on 48 operator exposure studies involving over 500 professional operators from 10 European countries in typical working situations to assess exposure under realistic field conditions. We used the AOEM data to assess the efficiency of exposure reduction resulting from wearing chemical-resistant nitrile gloves and non-certified working coveralls during M&L (tank and backpack sprayer), applications using groundboom and airblast spraying, and outdoor and indoor (greenhouse) applications using handheld sprayers. All studies indicated consistent and high exposure reduction > 90% for gloves and non-certified coveralls across all investigated scenarios. Exceptions were almost exclusively observed when an operator incorrectly used the PPE. The mean exposure reduction from all operators, including those that used PPE incorrectly, was 95.0% for gloves and 96.4% for polyester/cotton working coveralls during M&L, and 91.1% for gloves and 94.9% for non-certified coveralls during all application scenarios. This analysis confirms the essential role of PPE and non-certified working coveralls in reducing operator exposure to pesticides. Outliers indicate that operators need to be properly trained and adhere to label instructions to apply pesticides according to good agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the multifaceted realm of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation in financial services, providing insights into its potential, challenges and best practices. Highlighting the emergence of generative AI (GenAI) as a transformative tool, the paper underscores its significant impact on productivity and revenue generation within investment banks and capital markets. Addressing inherent risks of AI adoption, the paper stresses the importance of robust governance frameworks to mitigate operational, reputational and compliance risks. Specific attention is given to the phenomenon of GenAI hallucinations and the imperative for deterministic AI models to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance. The paper outlines four key pillars of AI's applications in financial services: predictive AI, anomaly detection AI, classification AI and GenAI. Examples highlight AI's role in risk management, fraud prevention, customer experience enhancement and internal process optimisation, underscoring its transformative potential across the industry. The paper also covers the distinction between public and private AI models, emphasising the advantages of proprietary data-driven insights in ensuring competitive advantage and regulatory compliance. Concluding with actionable insights for AI implementation, the paper advocates for a strategic approach encompassing clear vision setting, risk oversight, data privacy management, centralised data architecture and comprehensive process automation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We consider directed tree networks with a single source, where there exists a positive probability of a disruptive event at any node. Such networks model security considerations in pipelines as well as in unidirectional digital networks. If a disruptive event occurs at a certain node, that node and its downstream nodes incur economic losses. Users thus have an incentive to invest in upstream locations as well as their own sites to reduce the probability of a disruptive event. The initial model we develop to reduce the expected investment plus disruption costs is a multiplicative model for which closed‐form solutions cannot be obtained in general. We overcome this problem with an additive model that we show closely approximates the initial formulation. This model reduces the security problem to a public goods setting where we minimize the total expected cost at each node. The users then need to share these costs in an equitable fashion, which gives rise to a set of cooperative games. For the case where disutilities to all users are identical, the Shapley value can be computed efficiently, along the lines of an Airport Game. We also treat the case where risk reduction and disutility vary across the network. Finally, we prove that the cooperative game is concave in this general case, which guarantees that the core of the game is nonempty and that the Shapley value is an element of the core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]