Monitoring land subsidence and element at risk in the Po Delta area (Northern Italy) through MT-InSAR and GNSS surveys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Chen ◽  
Vladimiro Achilli ◽  
Nicola Cenni ◽  
Massimo Fabris ◽  
Andrea Menin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Land Subsidence ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Delta Area ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
Persistent Scatterers ◽  
Po Delta

<p>Delta areas are more likely to suffer from land subsidence due to tectonic and geological processes. Po Delta evolution shows a succession and superposition of complex processes caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. The factors include sediment loading and compaction, post-glacial rebound, coastal flooding and erosion, sea level rise, land use changes, underground resources exploitation, population growth and urbanization. The natural subsidence has been estimated in the order of millimeters per year and the anthropogenic subsidence is greater than 10 mm/year. Several areas are located under the mean sea level and are exposed to flooding. These areas have been protected by embankments which represent a crucial element for flood risk mitigation. Multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MT-InSAR) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) allow the continuous monitoring of land subsidence and structures and infrastructures deformations. The Po Delta landscape is characterized by large mudflats, farmland, and wetlands, and a low level of urbanization. Interferometry survey is difficult in this area, due to the temporal decorrelation caused by variations of the scattering properties associated with soil moisture and volume scattering, especially in the case of summer acquisitions. Then, MT-InSAR has to be integrated with ground-based measurements techniques which are costly and time consuming. In this study, MT-InSAR and GNSS techniques are combined to monitor the land subsidence and the deformations of the elements at risk, in particular the flood protection infrastructures. C-band Sentinel-1 and X-band COSMO-SkyMed SAR data acquired in 2014-2020 and 2012-2020, respectively, are considered. An MT-InSAR technique is exploited using the interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) method, making a network of targets including both distributed scatterers (DS) and persistent scatterers (PS). GNSS data have been collected by 3 permanent stations and 46 non-permanent stations (NPS) distributed in the Po Delta. The NPS were measured during three survey campaigns in 2016, 2018, and 2020. Results from MT-InSAR applied to Sentinel-1 data and GNSS techniques are compared and integrated to estimate the subsidence rates for most of the area. The monitoring of the embankments is possible using COSMO-SkyMed data due to their high resolution and high backscatter on structures and infrastructures. For future studies, the regression analysis between the natural/anthropogenic processing and the land subsidence of the Po Delta area can be performed to identify the major driving factors of the deformations in the different periods, which can improve the risk mitigation strategies.</p>

scholarly journals Designing a risk communication strategy for health hazards posed by traditional slaughter of goats in Tshwane, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Qekwana ◽  
Cheryl M.E. McCrindle ◽  
James W. Oguttu
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Demographic Profile ◽  
Ancestor Veneration ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies

In African societies, traditional slaughter is linked to celebrations like weddings or births, as well as funerals and ancestor veneration. Participants in traditional slaughter of goats are at risk of exposure to hazards during slaughter, food preparation and consumption of goat meat. For risk mitigation strategies to be implemented, identification of the population at risk is required. This study is based on the premise that the demographic profile of people involved in traditional slaughter of goats is important for risk communication. Both structured and informal interviews were recorded and analysed using a thematic analysis. A total of 105 people were interviewed at taxi ranks in Tshwane, Gauteng. Of these, 48 were women and 57 men. The median age of women and men was 40.6 years and 44.3 years, respectively. The majority of respondents (61.9%, n = 65) interviewed were from the Gauteng Province. Sixty percent (n = 63) of respondents had a secondary education, whilst less than 4.81% (n = 5) of respondents had no formal education. This study demonstrated that interviewing commuters at taxi ranks gave access to a cross section of gender, age, language and origin. It was found that both genders were involved in traditional slaughter of goats. Risk communication strategies should thus target women as well as men. Communication strategies to mitigate the risks of traditional slaughter of goats should take into consideration the dynamic nature of demographic and cultural norms. In light of the wide demographic profile of the respondents, it was concluded that it should be possible to use taxi ranks for successful dissemination of food safety and occupational health risk mitigation messages.

scholarly journals Land subsidence contributions to relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Liu ◽  
Jiang Li ◽  
John Fasullo ◽  
Devin L. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Land Subsidence ◽  
Flood Hazard ◽  
Tide Gauge ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Relative Sea Level ◽  
Aquifer System ◽  
Relative Sea Level Rise

Abstract Relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas, is the combination of absolute sea level rise and land subsidence. We estimate subsidence rates of 3.53 mm/a during 1909–1937, 6.08 mm/a during 1937–1983, and 3.51 mm/a since 1983. Subsidence attributed to aquifer-system compaction accompanying groundwater extraction contributed as much as 85% of the 0.7 m relative sea level rise since 1909, and an additional 1.9 m is projected by 2100, with contributions from land subsidence declining from 30 to 10% over the projection interval. We estimate a uniform absolute sea level rise rate of 1.10 mm ± 0.19/a in the Gulf of Mexico during 1909–1992 and its acceleration of 0.270 mm/a2 at Galveston Pier 21 since 1992. This acceleration is 87% of the value for the highest scenario of global mean sea level rise. Results indicate that evaluating this extreme scenario would be valid for resource-management and flood-hazard-mitigation strategies for coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico, especially those affected by subsidence.

scholarly journals Clinical pharmacist involvement in expanding naloxone distribution in a veteran population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda McQuillan
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Clinical Pharmacist ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Provider Education

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose To describe the process used in a clinical pharmacist specialist (CPS)–led Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program initiative to increase naloxone distribution to veterans at high risk for overdose via provider education and identification of barriers to naloxone distribution. Summary Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. One step toward counteracting the epidemic includes expanding access to and use of naloxone. The Veterans Health Administration has developed initiatives to target veterans at risk for opioid overdose, such as the Veterans Affairs (VA) OEND program. Pharmacists can play a unique role in OEND by both prescribing naloxone and educating patients and providers on risk mitigation strategies. Through provider education, patient education, and facility-wide initiatives, naloxone prescribing was increased by 9-fold from August 2016 to August 2018. In addition, the number of new naloxone prescribers increased by almost 7-fold during the intervention period. Naloxone distribution to high-risk groups drastically increased across all target groups. Conclusion CPS involvement in promoting OEND at VAPHS drastically increased rates of prescribing of naloxone kits to veterans at risk for opioid overdose. This initiative showed that a CPS can play multiple roles in supporting OEND outreach at a large healthcare setting.

Proactive Actions Based on a Resilient Approach to Urban Seismic Risk Mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Marco Vona
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Natural Risk ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation

Background: Seismic risk mitigation is an important issue in earthquake-prone countries, and needs to be solved in those complex communities governed by complex processes, where urban planning, socioeconomic dynamics, and, often, the need to preserve cultural assets are present simultaneously. In recent years, due to limited financial resources, mitigation activities have often been limited to post-earthquake events, and only a few in periods of inactivity, particularly in urban planning. At this point, a significant change in point of view is necessary. Methods: The seismic risk mitigation (and more generally, natural risk mitigation) must be considered as the main topic in urban planning and in the governance of communities. In fact, in several recent earthquakes, significant socioeconomic losses have been caused by the low or lack of resilience of the communities. This is mainly due to the high vulnerability of private buildings, in particular, housing units. Results: Therefore, in recent years, several studies have been conducted on the seismic resilience of communities. However, significant improvements are still needed for the resilience assessment of the housing stock, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, which is applied to the housing system, a proposal regarding a change in urban planning and emergency management tools based on the concept of resilience is reported. As a first application, a case study in Italy is considered. Conclusion: The proposal is focused on defining and quantifying the improvement of the resilience of the communities and this must be obtained by modifying the current Civil Protection plan. New tools are based on a new resilience community plan by encompassing urban planning tools, resilient mitigation strategies, and consequently, emergency management planning.

scholarly journals 307 A systems approach to understanding biosecurity decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Scott C Merrill ◽  
Christopher Koliba ◽  
Gabriela Bucini ◽  
Eric Clark ◽  
Luke Trinity ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Livestock Industry ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Operational Level

Abstract Disease and its consequences result in social and economic impacts to the US animal livestock industry, ranging from losses in human capital to economic costs in excess of a billion dollars annually. Impacts would dramatically escalate if a devastating disease like Foot and Mouth Disease or African Swine Fever virus were to emerge in the United States. Investing in preventative biosecurity can reduce the likelihood of disease incursions and their negative impact on our livestock industry, yet uncertainty persists with regards to developing an effective biosecurity structure and culture. Here we show the implications of human behavior and decision making for biosecurity effectiveness, from the operational level to the owner/managerial level and finally to the systems level. For example, adjustments to risk messaging strategies could double worker compliance with biosecurity practices at the operational level. The improvement of our risk communication strategy may increase willingness to invest in biosecurity. Furthermore, the adaptation of policies could nudge behavior so that we observe a short disease outbreak followed by a quick eradication instead of a pandemic. Our research shows how the emergence of now-endemic diseases, such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, cannot be adequately modeled without the use of a human behavioral component. Focusing solely on any one sector or level of the livestock system is not sufficient to predict emergent disease patterns and their social and economic impact on livestock industries. These results provide insight toward developing more effective risk mitigation strategies and ways to nudge behavior toward more disease resilient systems.

scholarly journals Enhancing trust in AI through industry self-governance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Roski ◽  
Ezekiel J Maier ◽  
Kevin Vigilante ◽  
Elizabeth A Kane ◽  
Michael E Matheny
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Comprehensive Approach ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Critical Gap ◽  
Healthcare Data ◽  
Current Health

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is critical to harnessing value from exponentially growing health and healthcare data. Expectations are high for AI solutions to effectively address current health challenges. However, there have been prior periods of enthusiasm for AI followed by periods of disillusionment, reduced investments, and progress, known as “AI Winters.” We are now at risk of another AI Winter in health/healthcare due to increasing publicity of AI solutions that are not representing touted breakthroughs, and thereby decreasing trust of users in AI. In this article, we first highlight recently published literature on AI risks and mitigation strategies that would be relevant for groups considering designing, implementing, and promoting self-governance. We then describe a process for how a diverse group of stakeholders could develop and define standards for promoting trust, as well as AI risk-mitigating practices through greater industry self-governance. We also describe how adherence to such standards could be verified, specifically through certification/accreditation. Self-governance could be encouraged by governments to complement existing regulatory schema or legislative efforts to mitigate AI risks. Greater adoption of industry self-governance could fill a critical gap to construct a more comprehensive approach to the governance of AI solutions than US legislation/regulations currently encompass. In this more comprehensive approach, AI developers, AI users, and government/legislators all have critical roles to play to advance practices that maintain trust in AI and prevent another AI Winter.

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