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The issue of safety on national roads that traverse urban areas in emerging countries has been a significant cause for concern. Statistical analysis and modelling techniques for road safety evaluation in metropolitan India are still evolving due to inadequate crash data, inventory, and traffic volume data records. This work aims to formulate safety performance functions (SPF) using negative binomial (NB) count data models to pinpoint the variables influencing total fatal crashes and other individual victim types, i.e., pedestrians, motorcyclists, and single vehicles on mid-block sections. Using four years of crash data (2014-2017) from Visakhapatnam City Police, India, the applicability of the current study framework has been established. Besides the geometric design elements, segment length, speed and average daily traffic, this study also focuses on information collected from road safety audits such as the provision of service roads, land use type, median opening, side access, pedestrian crossings, sight clearance to the driver, availability of earthen shoulders, proper signage, and good road markings. The study outcome reveals that road segment length, service road presence, and land use type are significant risk variables associated with fatal crashes in Visakhapatnam City, India. The length of the road segment positively correlated with frequencies of total fatal, pedestrian, motorcycle and single-vehicle fatal crashes. It increased the frequency of fatal crashes on each increment by 103%, 122%, 73% and 98%, respectively. Service roads increase crash frequencies, and road stretches with commercial/mixed land use types attract more crashes. This research emphasizes the essential safety precautions that transportation engineers and planners must implement to establish a more secure environment for all road users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospitality professionals with insufficient food safety knowledge (FSK) poses a major risk to food safety in their respective organisations. This study aims to investigate the level of food safety knowledge of hospitality professionals, as well as the attributes influencing food safety knowledge and their corresponding relationships. A total of 862 hospitality professionals working in hotels, restaurants, cafes, universities and colleges located in two different cities in India participated in a cross-sectional study between July 2022 and August 2022. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 items related to food safety knowledge was used to collect the data. Both descriptive (frequency distribution, central tendency, norms) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient) were conducted in this study to investigate the level of food safety knowledge and measure the association between food safety and educational qualification, age, experience and adoption of training related to food safety. The findings of this study contribute to the current literature about mitigating food-borne illnesses through creating a level of knowledge with proper education, experience and training among hospitality professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the lack of awareness and practice of safety measures among construction workers in Kottayam, Kerala. The study found that many workers were unaware of the occupational hazards associated with their work, and their utilization of safety measures was moderate. The article emphasizes the need for health promotion and campaigns to educate workers about the health risks and proper use of personal protective equipment. The study also found a significant association between total work experience and awareness of occupational hazards. The authors highlight the importance of occupational health and safety training for construction workers to improve their well-being. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to find the factors affecting the fruit vendor’s safety measures and sanitation facilities during COVID-19 in Bangladesh. A quantitative research design was used to conduct this study. Random sampling techniques were executed to collect data from 416 fruit vendors through a field survey. The study reveals that 87% of the fruit vendors took safety measures during COVID-19. Most of them had better sanitation facilities at home compared to their workplaces. Their safety measures and sanitation facilities were associated with socioeconomic backgrounds. Age, type of house, place of business, and receiving financial support influenced fruit vendors’ safety measures. Sanitation facilities at home were affected by their sex, schooling, types of houses, and working hours. Types of houses, family income, and business duration impacted the workplace's sanitation facilities. Their socio-demographic and economic situations affected fruit vendors' safety measures and sanitation facilities during COVID-19. Fear of death and government market mechanisms also might have played a significant role in measuring the different steps against Coronavirus infection. Health and hygiene rules prescribed by the authorities should be followed strictly to avoid dire situations during the pandemic. Both government and non-government initiatives should be given the utmost priority to create sanitation awareness, whether about personal cleanliness or workplace hygiene and paired with financial support.

The present paper offers a thorough examination of the safety measures enforced at hydrogen filling stations, emphasizing their crucial significance in the wider endeavor to advocate for hydrogen as a sustainable and reliable substitute for conventional fuels. The analysis reveals a wide range of crucial safety aspects in hydrogen refueling stations, including regulated hydrogen dispensing, leak detection, accurate hydrogen flow measurement, emergency shutdown systems, fire-suppression mechanisms, hydrogen distribution and pressure management, and appropriate hydrogen storage and cooling for secure refueling operations. The paper therefore explores several aspects, including the sophisticated architecture of hydrogen dispensers, reliable leak-detection systems, emergency shut-off mechanisms, and the implementation of fire-suppression tactics. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the safety and effectiveness of hydrogen filling stations are closely connected to the accuracy in the creation and upkeep of hydrogen dispensers. It highlights the need for materials and systems that can endure severe circumstances of elevated pressure and temperature while maintaining safety. The use of sophisticated leak-detection technology is crucial for rapidly detecting and reducing possible threats, therefore improving the overall safety of these facilities. Moreover, the research elucidates the complexities of emergency shut-off systems and fire-suppression tactics. These components are crucial not just for promptly managing hazards, but also for maintaining the station’s structural soundness in unanticipated circumstances. In addition, the study provides observations about recent technical progress in the industry. These advances effectively tackle current safety obstacles and provide the foundation for future breakthroughs in hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The integration of cutting-edge technology and materials, together with the development of upgraded safety measures, suggests a positive trajectory towards improved efficiency, dependability, and safety in hydrogen refueling stations.

The safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorised twowheelers, on national highways passing through urban areas has been a significant concern in developing countries like India. This study analyzes Visakhapatnam police crash data (2014-2017) to identify high-risk road segments to vulnerable road users. Establishing negative binomial models helps analyze risk variables for fatal and injury crashes concerning several susceptible road users on mid-block sections. Further, this study focuses on site-specific information collected from road-safety audits, speed, average daily traffic, length of road section and percentage of two-wheelers, also considered to fully help understand the likelihood of a crash. The statistical analysis of this paper identified the risk variables, like length of road segment, presence of service roads, land-use type (i.e., commercial/mixed land use), number of curves and average daily traffic associated with the incidence of fatal and injury crashes of vulnerable road users in Visakhapatnam city, India. The conclusions highlight the crucial safety measures that transportation planners and policymakers must take to create a more secure environment for road users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper offers a thorough examination of the safety measures enforced at hydrogen filling stations, emphasizing their crucial significance in the wider endeavor to advocate for hydrogen as a sustainable and reliable substitute for conventional fuels. The analysis reveals a wide range of crucial safety aspects in hydrogen refueling stations, including regulated hydrogen dispensing, leak detection, accurate hydrogen flow measurement, emergency shutdown systems, fire-suppression mechanisms, hydrogen distribution and pressure management, and appropriate hydrogen storage and cooling for secure refueling operations. The paper therefore explores several aspects, including the sophisticated architecture of hydrogen dispensers, reliable leak-detection systems, emergency shut-off mechanisms, and the implementation of fire-suppression tactics. Furthermore, it emphasizes that the safety and effectiveness of hydrogen filling stations are closely connected to the accuracy in the creation and upkeep of hydrogen dispensers. It highlights the need for materials and systems that can endure severe circumstances of elevated pressure and temperature while maintaining safety. The use of sophisticated leak-detection technology is crucial for rapidly detecting and reducing possible threats, therefore improving the overall safety of these facilities. Moreover, the research elucidates the complexities of emergency shut-off systems and fire-suppression tactics. These components are crucial not just for promptly managing hazards, but also for maintaining the station's structural soundness in unanticipated circumstances. In addition, the study provides observations about recent technical progress in the industry. These advances effectively tackle current safety obstacles and provide the foundation for future breakthroughs in hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The integration of cutting-edge technology and materials, together with the development of upgraded safety measures, suggests a positive trajectory towards improved efficiency, dependability, and safety in hydrogen refueling stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Aims: Hand hygiene (HH) is an essential practice to evade the transmission of germs and minimize community-acquired infections. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HH and other health and safety measures before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. in university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted between December 2022 and March 2023, targeting university students from all disciplines and study levels. A 44-item questionnaire was used which included student demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of HH, as well as the anticipated risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Participants consented before commencing the questionnaire, and the collected data were analysed using the student's t-test and ANOVA test, as required. Results: A total of 378 responses were received nationwide, with a valid response rate of 98%. The HH knowledge revealed an average score of 62%, which was significantly higher in students with moderate family income. Additionally, the average attitude score was 74.7%, as measured on the Likert scale, and the score lacked any correlation with the other variables. HH practice showed an average score of 86.8%, which was correlated with the students' gender and field of study. Conclusions: This study showed a moderate level of knowledge, a good attitude, and good practice around HH and other safety measures among the UAE's university students. Socioeconomic status, gender, and field of study influenced the study outcomes. This study highlights the need for effective awareness campaigns to reinforce students' health and safety, especially for male and non-health science students, in order to protect against communicable diseases.

Hospitality professionals with insufficient food safety knowledge (FSK) poses a major risk to food safety in their respective organisations. This study aims to investigate the level of food safety knowledge of hospitality professionals, as well as the attributes influencing food safety knowledge and their corresponding relationships. A total of 862 hospitality professionals working in hotels, restaurants, cafes, universities and colleges located in two different cities in India participated in a cross-sectional study between July 2022 and August 2022. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 items related to food safety knowledge was used to collect the data. Both descriptive (frequency distribution, central tendency, norms) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient) were conducted in this study to investigate the level of food safety knowledge and measure the association between food safety and educational qualification, age, experience and adoption of training related to food safety. The findings of this study contribute to the current literature about mitigating food-borne illnesses through creating a level of knowledge with proper education, experience and training among hospitality professionals.

This article deals with an important category of criminal sanctions: safeguards. The fundamental institution of criminal law, criminal sanctions, are nothing more than the effect of criminal liability, this in turn being the legal consequence of committing the crime. Within the framework of criminal sanctions, an important category is safety measures. The defense of society against crimes could not be effectively ensured if only the application of punishments, however severe they may be, both in duration and in the mode of execution, were used for this purpose. The crime must be examined in relation to the man who committed it, and not isolated as an abstract notion, without any connection to social life, and the criminal treatment to be applied must take into account everything that characterizes the person of the perpetrator as described it shows in the present and how it is shaping up in the future. When an act provided for by the criminal law is committed, the investigations carried out in the respective case sometimes reveal, in addition to the gravity of the respective act, some situations, some realities that reveal a danger for the future in terms of the commission of other crimes. In order to solve these "dangerous situations" safety measures were found as a solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of ocular trauma resulting from road traffic accidents over a two-year period, emphasizing demographics, injury characteristics, and visual outcomes at Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences. Methodology: This study, conducted at the Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences over a two-year period from October 2019 to September 2021, aimed to comprehensively analyze ocular trauma resulting from road traffic accidents (RTAs). A total of 175 patients were evaluated within the casualty, surgery, and ophthalmology departments. Results: The study revealed a higher incidence of ocular trauma in males (58%) compared to females (42%), with the age group of 21-30 years being the most commonly affected (30.28%). The majority of patients (98.28%) presented to the hospital within 24 hours of the RTA, emphasizing the promptness of medical intervention. Closed globe injuries (92%) were predominant, with subconjunctival hemorrhage being the most common anterior segment finding. Visual acuity assessment showed that 53.71% of patients had acuity greater than 6/12. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for educating individuals on traffic rules and safety measures to mitigate ocular injuries in RTAs. It also highlights the importance of timely medical intervention for better visual outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposure of farmers to pesticides due to inadequate safety measures is a concern in low-income countries in Africa and Asia. However, until now, there have been limited studies on the farmers' risk due to pesticide application to fruit crops. The knowledge of farmers' exposure related to pesticide use and their safety practices was studied among 100 banana farmers in three areas (Padampur, Jagatpur, and Thimura) of Chitwan district, Nepal. More than 75% of the farmers complained about problems related to insects. Most frequently used insecticides in the area were chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin. Ten percent (10%) of the applied pesticides were highly hazardous to humans, according to the World Health Organization hazard category, with skin rash being the most common acute symptom reported by 29% of the farmers. Banned organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, such as endosulfan and triazophos, respectively, are still being used by farmers in the aforementioned areas. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed the lack of knowledge and safety practices among farmers leading to inadequate awareness related to the negative effects of pesticide use on human health and the environment. Therefore, government extension service can play a crucial role in improving banana farmers' knowledge of the toxic effects of pesticides as well as enforcing the Nepali language in the labeling of pesticide containers and packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are chemical constituents used to prevent or control pests, including insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other unwanted organisms. Despite their advantages in crop production and disease management, the use of pesticides poses significant hazards to the environment and public health. Pesticide elements have now perpetually entered our atmosphere and subsequently contaminated water, food, and soil, leading to health threats ranging from acute to chronic toxicities. Pesticides can cause acute toxicity if a high dose is inhaled, ingested, or comes into contact with the skin or eyes, while prolonged or recurrent exposure to pesticides leads to chronic toxicity. Pesticides produce different types of toxicity, for instance, neurotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and endocrine disruption. The toxicity of a pesticide formulation may depend on the specific active ingredient and the presence of synergistic or inert compounds that can enhance or modify its toxicity. Safety concerns are the need of the hour to control contemporary pesticide-induced health hazards. The effectiveness and implementation of the current legislature in providing ample protection for human health and the environment are key concerns. This review explored a comprehensive summary of pesticides regarding their updated impacts on human health and advanced safety concerns with legislation. Implementing regulations, proper training, and education can help mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide use and promote safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.

Facility managers play a key role in ensuring the safety of occupants in indoor environments, particularly in the event of a disaster. Pedestrian Simulation Models, such as the Social Force Model (SFM), are essential for simulating pedestrian behavior and evaluating safety measures in complex indoor environments. These models help to identify potential hazards and bottlenecks. However, concerns about the accuracy of the SFM in reproducing physical distance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, have raised doubts about its reliability, but little attention has been paid to the validity of the SFM in analyzing human movement in indoor environments. Our study rigorously evaluates the applicability of SFM for simulating physical distancing behavior in indoor environments, using trajectory data from building occupants during the COVID-19 peak. The investigation compares standard SFM with Pandemic SFM, which is customized for physical distancing. The results clearly demonstrate the superior performance of Pandemic-SFM in replicating indoor occupant movement, particularly in crowded spaces. Sensitivity analysis highlights the importance of accurately modeling physical distancing, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. These findings hold great promise for improving occupant behavior simulation models, especially in indoor building environments, and provide scientific evidence to guide safety improvements during pandemics.

Despite recent measures on accident prevention, road collisions, mainly on London's “A'' roads, persist as accident sources, endangering vulnerable users in particular. Analysing evidence from London's A-Roads unveils issues concerns and trends. This study utilises extensive data to target factors magnifying accidents: speed, traffic, vulnerable interactions. Stats 19 and transport data including volumes, types, speeds, and congestion parameters are all analysed alongside the collision data. The descriptive statistics have been employed to understand nature of data in the first instance. This has supported the process to cleanse the data outliers or periods where were subjected to incidents and interventions. Predictive model development is conducted to analyse and forecast accident frequency using ARIMA and SARIMAX models forecasted accident rates and interventions. ARIMA yielded higher accuracy. Method of analysis resulted in a statistically reliable formulation of the main factors, enabling use of this method for similar cities across the world. Formulated analysis revealed key contributors as population density, weather, and time of the day. The analysis of data supported identification of strategies emerging as infrastructure improvements, traffic control measures and severity and vulnerable users affected in particular. The analysis reveals distinct exhibits of causation, leading to focused recommendations on infrastructure enhancements, traffic control measures, and the impact on severity and vulnerable users, deviating from prior research findings. Insights aid safer London roads, have global predictive and mitigation value.

The effectiveness evaluation of safety measures against severe accident is necessary for restart of experimental sodium-cooled fast reactor Joyo in Japan. These safety measures correspond to those in defense-in-depth (DiD) level 4. In the previous study, an internal event level-1 probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) at power was performed to calculate frequencies of the accident sequences of failure of safety measures in DiD levels 1 to 3, to identify dominant accident sequence groups, and to identify dominant accident sequence for selecting important accident sequences in each accident sequence group, which are needed for implementing the effectiveness evaluation of safety measures in DiD level 4. Based on this, the present study implemented internal event level-1 PRA at power to show quantitatively reduction of those occurrence frequency by the safety measure in the DiD level 4. As a result, the frequency of each accident sequence group decreased significantly, and the total frequency of the accident sequence groups decreased to about 1×10-6 /reactor-year, which is about 1/1000 times the one estimated in the previous study. The protected loss of heat sink was the largest contributor in all the accident groups, and a dominant accident sequence in each accident group was also identified in this study.

This study assessed the safety measures and operational challenges of inland waterway transport along the Oron - Calabar route. Observation and structured questionnaires were used for the collection of data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was coded and analyzed using the 4-point Likert scale, which was converted to a relative importance index (R.I.I.) for each factor, posing a challenge to operators. The result showed that safety equipment was provided onboard boats by operators. The R.I.I. computed showed that boat and engine replacement (R.I.I. = 0.874) was the most challenging factor, while water hyacinth (R.I.I. = 0.418) was the least. Other challenges were frequent bad weather conditions, high running costs, floating logs and debris, extortion by law enforcement agents, difficulty making headway against the opposite current, high cost of safety equipment, passengers' refusal to adhere to safety measures, and poor berthing facilities in their order of impact. Proper funding and enforcement of safety measures are hereby recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast imaging centers in California and Texas and compare regional differences. METHODS: An 11-item survey was emailed to American College of Radiology accredited breast imaging facilities in California and Texas in August 2020. A question subset addressed March-April government restrictions on elective services (during the shutdown and after reopening). Comparisons were made between states with chi-square and Fishers tests, and timeframes with McNemars and paired t-tests. RESULTS: There were 54 respondents (54/240, 23%, 26 California, 28 Texas). Imaging volumes fell during the shutdown and remained below pre-pandemic levels after reopening, with reduction in screening greatest (ultrasound 12% of baseline, mammography 13%, MRI 23%), followed by diagnostic MRI (43%), procedures (44%), and diagnostics (45%). California reported higher volumes during the shutdown (procedures, MRI) and after reopening (diagnostics, procedures, MRI) versus Texas (P = 0.001-0.02). Most screened patients (52/54, 96% symptoms and 42/54, 78% temperatures), and 100% (53/53) modified check-in and check-out. Reading rooms or physician work were altered for social distancing (31/54, 57%). Physician mask (45/48, 94%), gown (15/48, 31%), eyewear (22/48, 46%), and face shield (22/48, 46%) use during procedures increased after reopening versus pre-pandemic (P

BACKGROUND: Due to the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on the continuation, schedule, and efficiency of radiation therapy, this study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the COVID-19 Safety Measures (CSM) questionnaire at the radiation therapy center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytical cross-sectional study, which all personnel of the radiation therapy center (20 people) participated, the validity and reliability of the 16-item CSM questionnaire were investigated. Cultural adaptation, face validity, content validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency were evaluated. For face and content validity, impact score, content validity ratio, and content validity index (CVR and CVI) were calculated, respectively. Also, internal consistency and stability reliability were calculated with Kuder–Richardson (KR20) alpha and Pearson correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation (ICC), respectively. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 24 with a significant level of 5%. RESULTS: Out of 20 employees, 70% (14 people) were female, 75% (15 people) were married and the mean age (SD) was 32.4 (6.35) years. Scale-based Kuder–Richardson alpha, S-CVI, ICC, and confidence interval were 0.79, 0.97, 0.68, and 0.38–0.89, respectively. CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability of the 16-item CSM questionnaire were confirmed. Therefore, the application of this scale is recommended.

Today, the introduction of silver nanoparticles in medical products is rampant and, therefore, their toxic release into the environment gives rise to grave environmental issues. Environmental management is the need of the hour. The objective of this study is to create and harvest silver nanodots of sizes <20 nm using a simple ingredient like monosaccharide fructose sugar in the lab, to analyse their antimicrobial properties and to find usage by functionalizing them in medical products to enhance their quality. This experimental process following in this study is rapid paced, ecofriendly, toxic free, than the existing conventional methods. These silver nanodots are unique in nature, when it is functionalized with medical products such as textiles and wound dressings. They are found to be toxin free providing a safe and healthy medical environment. Infections are reduced nearly hundred percent due to silver-nanodots’ high antimicrobial potential. The toxic release into the environment is near zero, than the rest nanoparticles used in medical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the one hand, in the present era, construction companies are one of Egypt's fastest-growing industries and provide significant economic returns. On the other hand, construction industries significantly put individuals in danger of accidental death. In this study, the researchers examined the factors that affect Occupational Safety (OCS) measures among women engineers working in Egypt's construction industries. This is a quantitative study that used cross-sectional data, and the researchers used 376 usable samples. By applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study's findings demonstrate that the Work Environment (WEN), Personal Protection (PP), Training and Education of Safety Skills (TESS), Familiarity with Safety Regulations (FSR) and Safety Commitment (SCT) influence OCS. This study's findings will help policymakers and planners design effective safety policies on construction sites. This study's findings about adopting precautionary and safety measures will help reduce the death rates on Egypt's construction sites. Finally, particularly in developing countries, this study's findings will contribute to the health and safety and environment and health literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identified the factors affecting the adoption of agrochemical safety measures among crop farmers in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study include; identifying the rate of awareness of agrochemical safety measures, to identify adoption level of agrochemical safety measures and to determine the effect of socio-economic characteristic on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 220 crop farmers for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Result of the study revealed that farmers in the area were aware of the following agrochemical safety measures: avoid eating and drinking when using agrochemicals/bathing after spraying (85%), washing spraying clothes separately from other clothes (74%), and danger of ingestion/inhalation of agrochemicals (70%) among others. Also, results on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures show that 50% of the respondents adopted on a high scale level, 38% adopted on a medium scale and 12% adopted on a low scale. Level of education, extension contact, farm size, and household size were the socio-economic characteristics that had un influence on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures in the area. It is therefore recommended that extension workers should intensify un enlightenment campaign on the danger of exposure to agrochemicals in order to achieve full adoption of agrochemical safety measures by crop farmers.

This paper discusses the legislative response to handling beryllium and its compounds as well as the administrative regulations resulting from their classification as potential human carcinogens. We describe necessary technical, organizational, and personal safety measures to comply with worker protection legislation and to ensure safe work with beryllium and its compounds. We conclude with detailed solutions to problems arising from the health hazards of beryllium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a wide range of application for nanotechnology in agriculture, including fertilizers, aquaculture, irrigation, water filtration, animal feed, animal vaccines, food processing, and packaging. In recent decades, nanotechnology emerged as a prospective and promising approach for the advancement of Agri-sector such as pest/disease prevention, fertilizers, agrochemicals, biofertilizers, bio-stimulants, post-harvest storage, pheromones-, and nutrient-delivery, and genetic manipulation in plants for crop improvement by using nanomaterial as a carrier system. Exponential increase in global population has enhanced food demand, so to fulfil the demand markets already included nano-based product likewise nano-encapsulated nutrients/agrochemicals, antimicrobial and packaging of food. For the approval of nano-based product, applicants for a marketing approval must show that such novel items can be used safely without endangering the consumer and environment. Several nations throughout the world have been actively looking at whether their regulatory frameworks are suitable for handling nanotechnologies. As a result, many techniques to regulate nano-based products in agriculture, feed, and food have been used. Here, we have contextualized different regulatory measures of several countries for nano-based products in agriculture, from feed to food, including guidance and legislation for safety assessment worldwide.

Objectives: Shopping malls are fast becoming one of the most visited public spaces globally. However, information on the possible environmental conditions in relation to health hazards in shopping malls is poorly documented in developing countries. This study assessed the sanitary conditions, waste management, safety measures and sources of air pollution associated with selected shopping malls in Nigeria.Study Design: a descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted using a comparative approach. Methods: Three shopping malls (Mall Q, Mall R, and Mall S) in urban areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, were selected using convenience sampling technique. Three major shopping malls were selected using convenience sampling technique. Fifty seven, thirty five, and twenty nine stores were sampled in Mall Q, Mall R, and Mall S respectively. Direct on-site built environment and sanitary conditions of shopping malls were assessed using an observational checklist. Results: It was observed that all the selected shopping malls had air vents that were free from dust, unbroken walls, and emergency exits, although mold growths were observed on the walls and ceilings of Mall Q and Mall R. Toilet facilities were present and functional across all the shopping malls. Waste management facilities were available across the shopping malls with the absence of overfilled waste bins as regular emptying of the waste bins was a routine. Also, various safety measures and equipment were utilized across all the shopping malls, but safety signals and smoke detectors were absent in Mall R. Furthermore, Mall R and S were 5 m within the proximity of major roads, parking lots and public drainage channels. Conclusions: These findings reveal a need for improvement in the hygiene and sanitary conditions within shopping malls. Hence, there should be periodic environmental monitoring, and proper housekeeping practices should be encouraged in shopping malls in Nigeria.

The initiative for solar-driven hydrogen and oxygen production for cooking and medical applications is designed to revolutionize our approach to energy-intensive activities. This project integrates three crucial components: solar power generation, hydrogen and oxygen gas separation and storage, and the application of these gases for cooking and medical purposes. Through the use of solar panels, the project captures sunlight and converts it into electrical energy, fundamentally departing from conventional energy sources with its clean and renewable approach. The electrolyzer, powered by the harvested solar energy, then facilitates the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen gasses, both stored meticulously in separate containers with stringent safety measures in place. The innovative aspect lies in the utilization of these clean gasses as a sustainable fuel source for cooking and medical applications. When these gasses combust, they recombine to form water vapour, releasing energy without the emission of harmful by-products. By emphasizing clean energy practices, this project significantly diminishes the carbon footprint associated with traditional cooking methods, offering a promising and ecofriendly alternative for households and communities. The success of this solar-driven hydrogen and oxygen production initiative holds the potential to transform our energy landscape, making strides towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Background: Workers are exposed to several risks in academic laboratories due to the presence of potentially hazardous substances. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of accident occurrence and associated risk factors among laboratory workers at the scientific laboratories of the public university in Lebanon and the impact of safety measures training and availability. Methods: In this observational study, a survey was conducted for one year in scientific laboratories at faculties of the public university. Results: Among the participants (N = 220), 45.0% have had accidents; the main cause was exposure to chemicals (73.7%) and more specifically by inhalation (45.4%). Females (85.9%) were more exposed to accidents than males. Laboratory workers with a master's degree, a full-time schedule, and more than ten years of experience were significantly more exposed to accidents (p

This article discusses the challenges of degradation and safety in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and the importance of implementing early warning systems to address potential risks. The article focuses on two main themes: mechanisms of degradation and mitigation strategies, and early warning systems and diagnostic methods. It includes research articles and a review article that provide insights into degradation phenomena, mitigation strategies, and diagnostic tools for LIBs. The goal of this research is to enhance the safety and reliability of LIBs, contributing to their sustainable and secure use in various applications. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in many live events being canceled or held without spectator participation. As a result, a series of investigations were carried out and strategies developed to determine the requirements under which cultural activities can be maintained. This work summarizes published studies and provides recommendations for performing cultural events under pandemic conditions. Methods The available literature search was evaluated in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. The results were combined with findings, guidelines, and regulations for conducting courses in other indoor environments under pandemic conditions, for example, school classrooms. Recommendations were derived, the consideration of which can enable the continuation of cultural events. Results The published studies can only take into account the previous conditions of the pandemic situation with the known virus mutations. However, the number of experimental investigations including analytical and medical proof of infections, surveys, and simulations is comparatively small. This is due to the complexity of the events as well as the priority and urgency of the school issue. Cultural events take place under very different conditions. It is therefore practically impossible to predict the risk of infection for a specific situation with many potential virus spreaders attending or to derive general rules that go beyond the known measures of vaccination, testing, masks, and distance. Conclusion Cultural events can be held under pandemic conditions provided certain requirements are met. Most study results agree on this. Any recommendations on hygiene, safety, and ventilation measures in cultural facilities under pandemic conditions can reduce the risk of infection but cannot completely eliminate it. It is also of considerable importance that visitors protect themselves individually and act responsibly.

BackgroundDespite being recognized as one of the most successful public health measures, vaccination is still considered to be unnecessary and unreliable in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study utilized a two-pronged approach in analyzing vaccine hesitancy and health behaviors after vaccination by employing a mixed-method design. Phase 1 was aimed at identifying predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among the Pakistani population using protection motivation theory (PMT), whereas Phase 2 was aimed at exploring the factors related to the vaccination of COVID-19.MethodA convenient sample of 1,736 individuals from the vaccine-eligible population (12 years and above) was selected to collect data on vaccine hesitancy and acceptance (Phase 1). Phase 2 of the study explored post-vaccination health behaviors, especially adherence to safety measures for COVID-19, through 23 in-depth interviews with the vaccinated population.ResultsMultiple regression analyses showed that response cost is a major predictor of vaccine hesitancy (in Phase 1). In terms of the role of demographic variables, the results showed that being male (for severity: B = −0.481; threat appraisal: B = −0.737), old age (B = −0.044), not vaccinated, and not infected with COVID-19 (themselves and family members) are strongly associated with vaccination hesitancy. Results of thematic analysis in Phase 2 revealed that perceived individual experience and insensitivity toward the severity of the disease are strongly associated with a lack of adherence to safety measures of COVID-19. Faith and religious beliefs and reliance on traditional remedies are also key predictors of people's general non-compliance to health behaviors. One interesting aspect that was revealed in the analysis was the general financially and socially destabilized situation in the context of developing countries that contributed to general apathy in the pandemic situation.ConclusionThe findings of the current study may help in devising a health model for the public from the developing world to deal with future pandemic situations.

During the second wave of the viral pandemic, hospitals were overcrowded by the escalation of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases. To effectively address the drastic escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions are warranted. The rising demand for critical-care services burdens hospitals; hence, to alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms can be treated at home through continuous monitoring and care. Affected patients are at risk of hypoxia, which urgently requires oxygen therapy. Depending on the extent of oxygen demand, patients can boost their oxygen levels by making use of a nasal cannula, face mask, oxygen cylinder, and/or oxygen concentrator. Several risk factors are associated with the augmented probability of COVID-19 progression to severe status due to increased oxygen requirement, and they include advanced age, obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. A close monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2) along with other clinical investigations like complete and differential blood counts, serum electrolytes, random blood sugar, liver function tests, coagulation profile (Prothrombin Time (PT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)), renal function test, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer and ferritin level are mandatory for patients receiving home-based oxygen therapy. An awareness of safety considerations such as perfectly fitting, proper sized mask, availability of ventilation, knowledge of caregiver about danger signs and good functioning of fire alarm system at home are of prime importance before setting up oxygenation devices at home, and this further mandates a comprehensive evaluation of home-based management and treatment of mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monkeypox (MPX) has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. As of November 4, 2022, 78,000 verified cases from 109 countries and territories, and 40 deaths have been reported due to MPX. The present article highlights salient hospital‐based prevention and control measures to be adopted and their critical role to mitigate the ongoing MPX outbreaks and global public health emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even in the best-case scenarios, working in the energy sector is tough because of the numerous possible risks that can arise during routine tasks. Therefore, the top priority of firms' management is their responsibilities for their employees' safety as they undertake various roles. In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of safety measures on the safety accountability (SA) of the Saudi Arabian Aramco Company's frontline workers. The researchers used a quantitative approach and collected data through a survey questionnaire. We applied a random sampling technique to target the company's frontline workers. Initially, the researchers distributed 450 questionnaires and received back 242 valid samples. This represented a 53% response rate. Next, the researchers applied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the directions of the hypothesized paths. This study's findings demonstrate that safety policy (SP), safety training (ST), safety communication (SC), safety commitment (SCT) and safety incentives (SIs) have positive and significant effects on frontline workers' safety accountability (SA). In addition, this study's findings provide guidelines to policy makers, government authorities and company heads to implement further initiatives that adopt precautionary and safety measures to protect their frontline workers' lives. Further, this study's findings show the benefits of opening avenues of research to concentrate on safety measures such SP, ST, SC, SCT and SIs in order to create the frontline workers' responsibilities for safety accountability (SA). Finally, the empirical evidence, which the researchers obtained from the Aramco Company's frontline workers, adds to the depth of knowledge on this subject; validates the environmental science and management literature; and provides road maps for other companies to investigate safety challenges [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever growing population constantly puts pressure on natural resources to manage the demands for their survival. This is particularly true with the agriculture sector concerning food and cash crops. Pesticides have become an inseparable part of the current agriculture and horticulture system but at the same time are adding adverse impacts on the human health and entire ecosystems. A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 farmers to appraise the association of pesticide toxins and self-reported health status among the farmers by using suitable statistical and mathematical techniques. In the study, most frequently reported symptoms of health issues among the respondents were related to eye illness (blurred vision, irritation), among both sprayers (43.1%) and (11%) in non-sprayers, with relatively high risk rate (RR = 3.9), followed by illnesses such as nervous disorders (headache, dizziness), 39% (sprayers) & 21.5% (non-sprayers) and skin illnesses i.e. skin itching and allergies. Chi-square analysis and odds ratios show a significant association between the farmer's education, use of safety measures and pesticide poisoning. The study hence, revealed the role of educational and training interventions on pesticide handling at the community and panchayat level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Because of the occurrence of severe and large magnitude earthquakes each year, earthquake-prone countries suffer considerable financial damages and loss of life. Teaching essential safety measures will lead to a generation that can perform basic procedures during an earthquake, which is an essential and effective solution in preventing the loss of life in this natural disaster. In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) technology has been a tool used to educate people on safety matters. This paper evaluates the effect of education and premonition on the incorrect decision-making of residents under the stressful conditions of an earthquake. For this purpose, a virtual model has been designed and modeled based on a proposed classroom in a school in the city of Tehran to simulate a virtual learning experience. In contrast, the classroom represents a realistic method of learning. Accordingly, each educational scenario, presented in reality and the virtual model, respectively, was conducted on a statistical sample of 20 students within the range of 20 to 25 years of age. Among the mentioned sample, the first group of 10 students was taught safety measures in a physical classroom. The second group of 10 students participated in a virtual classroom. Evaluation tests on safety measures against earthquakes were distributed after two weeks. Two self-reporting tests of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) tests were assigned to the second group to evaluate the effect of foresight under two different scenarios. The results indicate that teaching through VR technology yields a higher performance level than the in-person education approach. Additionally, the ability to detect earthquakes ahead is an influential factor in controlling anxiety and determining the right decisions should the event occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pesticides is increasing rapidly and the pesticide use crisis is badly damaging the environment, the economy, and public health in Vietnam. However, the country is yet to become successful in reducing pesticide use mostly because of policy implementation and inadequate understanding of farmers. This study examined and discussed the perceptions and safety level of using pesticides by applying a widely used index of 39 indicators equivalent to 39 safety measures grouped into four categories to assess the safety behaviour of rice farmers in the central region of Vietnam. A field survey of 320 rice farmers and 12 local leaders was conducted in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces. The result revealed that there exists a significant difference (p

Chunyan Li,1 Chunhong Shi2 1School of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunhong Shi, Tel +86 15907354840, Fax +86 735 2325007, Email shichunhong@xnu.edu.cnPurpose: Adverse events threaten residents’ safety. Risk management is important to provide proper care and maintain quality in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). However, there is little data on adverse events, risk management, and risk early warning in RACFs in the Chinese mainland. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the prevalence of the aforementioned aspects and related factors in China.Participants and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a field survey of 272 RACFs in Hunan Province was conducted from January 25 to June 1, 2020. Data were collected using four main tools on prevalence of nursing adverse events, risk management, risk early warning, and general information. Descriptive statistics were described by frequency (percentage) and median (interquartile range). Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal–Wallis H-test, and Spearman coefficient were used for statistical analysis.Results: RACFs experienced an average of five (15) adverse events in 2019, with falls and pressure ulcers being the most common. The total average score of risk management in RACFs was 4.72 (0.98) out of 5, with the environment and personnel management dimensions scoring the highest with 4.75 (1) and the service management dimension scoring the lowest with 4.60 (1). Only 72.79% had trained their staff on ethical and legal knowledge and 84.56% had utilized pre-hospital first aid. Further, 30% to 40% were unprepared for contingency plans of suicide, electric shock, gas poisoning, and drowning. There were significant risk management differences among the following variables: facilities’ locations, accreditation with the Practice Certificate of Social Welfare Facilities, bed-size, nursing hours per resident day, requirement for nursing staff with certificates, and payment for nursing staff (p < 0.05).Conclusion: RACFs are facing safety challenges with a high prevalence of nursing adverse events. These facilities need to improve risk early warning and management to ensure residents’ safety.Keywords: safety measures, quality of nursing care, nursing homes, geriatric care

During the second wave of the viral pandemic, hospitals were overcrowded by the escalation of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases. To effectively address the drastic escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions are warranted. The rising demand for critical-care services burdens hospitals; hence, to alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms can be treated at home through continuous monitoring and care. Affected patients are at risk of hypoxia, which urgently requires oxygen therapy. Depending on the extent of oxygen demand, patients can boost their oxygen levels by making use of a nasal cannula, face mask, oxygen cylinder, and/or oxygen concentrator. Several risk factors are associated with the augmented probability of COVID-19 progression to severe status due to increased oxygen requirement, and they include advanced age, obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. A close monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2) along with other clinical investigations like complete and differential blood counts, serum electrolytes, random blood sugar, liver function tests, coagulation profile (Prothrombin Time (PT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)), renal function test, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer and ferritin level are mandatory for patients receiving home-based oxygen therapy. An awareness of safety considerations such as perfectly fitting, proper sized mask, availability of ventilation, knowledge of caregiver about danger signs and good functioning of fire alarm system at home are of prime importance before setting up oxygenation devices at home, and this further mandates a comprehensive evaluation of home-based management and treatment of mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19.

Abstract Monkeypox (MPX) has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. As of November 4, 2022, 78,000 verified cases from 109 countries and territories, and 40 deaths have been reported due to MPX. The present article highlights salient hospital‐based prevention and control measures to be adopted and their critical role to mitigate the ongoing MPX outbreaks and global public health emergency.

Radioactive cesium (r-Cs) released from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant attaches to vegetation/soil and is collected as municipal solid waste (MSW) for incineration, being concentrated in incineration ash (bottom ash [BA], fly ash [FA], and chelate-treated FA [TFA]). r-Cs in FA and TFA can easily leach upon contact with moisture. It is important to prevent further contamination, as r-Cs has negative effects on ecosystems and the human body. Naturally available clay minerals, considered effective for capturing r-Cs, are a good alternative. Here, we sampled ash from MSW incineration facilities in Fukushima in August 2016 and February 2017. We used energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Ge semiconductor detector to determine elemental composition and r-Cs concentration in the samples and conducted leaching tests. We also determined the extent of leaching suppression by zeolite, acidic clay, and vermiculite. Chloride contents and r-Cs leaching rates were higher in FA and TFA than in BA, regardless of the season. Prior direct addition and mixing of clay minerals (5 to 20 wt.%) effectively prevented r-Cs leaching. This study is the first to examine r-Cs leaching inhibition by clay mineral direct addition and mixing to MSW incineration ash.

The study explored the association between gender and fear of Covid-19 and compliance with its safety protocols among health and non-health university students. The study sought to ascertain whether fear of Covid-19 and adherence to its protective measures would vary between male and female students of healthcare and non-healthcare university students. Using a cross-sectional quantitative research design, a convenient sample of 1119 undergraduate students selected from two universities in the Volta Region of Ghana completed self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney U-test were conducted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and R software. There was no significant difference [Formula: see text] in the fear of Covid-19 levels of male and female undergraduate students. However, there were significant differences in the adherence to Covid-19 safety measures between male and female students [Formula: see text]. Lastly, fear of Covid-19 and adherence to its safety measures differed significantly between healthcare and non-healthcare students [Formula: see text] Among students, fear of Covid-19 was independent of gender. However, female students are better adherents of Covid-19 safety measures than males. Also, non-healthcare students are more likely to experience greater fear of Covid-19 and adhere to its safety measures than their healthcare counterparts.

On the one hand, in the present era, construction companies are one of Egypt’s fastest-growing industries and provide significant economic returns. On the other hand, construction industries significantly put individuals in danger of accidental death. In this study, the researchers examined the factors that affect Occupational Safety (OCS) measures among women engineers working in Egypt’s construction industries. This is a quantitative study that used cross-sectional data, and the researchers used 376 usable samples. By applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study’s findings demonstrate that the Work Environment (WEN), Personal Protection (PP), Training and Education of Safety Skills (TESS), Familiarity with Safety Regulations (FSR) and Safety Commitment (SCT) influence OCS. This study’s findings will help policymakers and planners design effective safety policies on construction sites. This study’s findings about adopting precautionary and safety measures will help reduce the death rates on Egypt’s construction sites. Finally, particularly in developing countries, this study’s findings will contribute to the health and safety and environment and health literature.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients who were admitted to the emergency department for a hand injury and to make preventive inferences for hand injuries in terms of public health. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 10,352 patients admitted to the emergency department between August 2016 and July 2020. Results: The average age was 28.4. Injuries mostly occurred in the 25-34 age interval (18.7%). Men predominated in the patient group (70.27%), and injuries were almost equally distributed between right and left sides, with fingers being the most frequently affected region. Common etiologies included falling, occupational injury, and home accidents, leading most frequently to fracture/dislocations, skin nail injuries, and tendon injuries. Amputations comprised 6.3% of the injuries. Complicated injuries mostly occurred in young males and were mostly due to work accidents. Conclusions: Hand injuries can be devastating, and increased individual and social awareness and improved occupational standards are required for prevention (level of evidence: III). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identified the factors affecting the adoption of agrochemical safety measures among crop farmers in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study include; identifying the rate of awareness of agrochemical safety measures, to identify adoption level of agrochemical safety measures and to determine the effect of socio-economic characteristic on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 220 crop farmers for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Result of the study revealed that farmers in the area were aware of the following agrochemical safety measures: avoid eating and drinking when using agrochemicals/bathing after spraying (85%), washing spraying clothes separately from other clothes (74%), and danger of ingestion/inhalation of agrochemicals (70%) among others. Also, results on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures show that 50% of the respondents adopted on a high scale level, 38% adopted on a medium scale and 12% adopted on a low scale. Level of education, extension contact, farm size, and household size were the socio-economic characteristics that had un influence on the adoption of agrochemical safety measures in the area. It is therefore recommended that extension workers should intensify un enlightenment campaign on the danger of exposure to agrochemicals in order to achieve full adoption of agrochemical safety measures by crop farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]