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Organic farming is often seen as a sustainable alternative to intensive agricultural systems. The studies conducted in this direction analyze various factors, as well as their assemblies, and show contradictory results. In order to assess the impact of the organic method of soil cultivation on the stable composition of the most important mineral and organic substances in the production process, the organic agriculture procedure was implemented with an agrochemical analysis for 12 years. The content of mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and humus in the soil was determined. An elemental analysis of soil samples was conducted for a more in-depth analysis of its composition. It was established that the soils of the farm contained a sufficient amount of exchangeable potassium and humus. The content of these components remained stable during the study period. It was discovered that the soils of the farm have a low content of mobile phosphorus, which also remained stable during the study period. In the studied farm, the applied farming technologies contribute to the stable content of the main nutrient components of the soil. But to correct the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, additional agrotechnical measures are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceftiofur is a third-generation cephalosporin widely used in cattle and swine farming to treat respiratory and reproductive conditions. The veterinary pharma industry consistently develops new formulations with this molecule to bring highly effective products to market with short withdrawal periods, ensuring consumer safety for products derived from treated animals. The study aimed to evaluate the plasma concentration profile of Vilocci, a new formulation of ceftiofur, in comparison to the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of various pathogens commonly found in bovine and swine farming. Ten animals from each species were used, and a single dose of 1 mg/kg was given to bovines and 5 mg/kg to swine. Blood samples were collected at 12 time points to construct the pharmacokinetic profile. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of growth for the pathogens of interest isolated from the target species was determined and the effectiveness of the for; mulation was assessed for each one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Standardised antimicrobial testing methods are essential to validate the antimicrobial efficacy of materials and enable their application in real-life settings by providing reliable results that allow for comparison between antimicrobial surfaces while assuring end-use product safety. In this review, the literature on the ISO 22196:2011 protocols used in the published studies will be analysed. The survival and spread of foodborne and nosocomial-associated bacteria through high-touch surfaces or contamination-prone sites, in either healthcare, domestic or food industry settings, are not always prevented by the employment of sanitary hygiene protocols. Antimicrobial surface coatings have emerged as a solution to eradicate pathogenic bacteria and prevent future infections and even outbreaks. Standardised antimicrobial testing methods play a crucial role in validating the effectiveness of these materials and enabling their application in real-life settings, providing reliable results that allow for comparison between antimicrobial surfaces while assuring end-use product safety. This review provides an insight into the studies using ISO 22196, which is considered the gold standard for antimicrobial surface coatings and examines the current state of the art in antimicrobial testing methods. It primarily focuses on identifying pitfalls and how even small variations in methods can lead to different results, affecting the assessment of the antimicrobial activity of a particular product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Meat has historically been an essential source of animal‐based protein. However, due to population growth, health problems linked to the consumption of red meat, and concerns over environmental challenges, there is an increased need for alternative protein sources. Various plant‐based meat alternatives have recently been explored, with ongoing advancements in industrial‐scale production. Mycoprotein has been proposed as a sustainable alternative to meat due to its distinctive functional food properties and fibrous structure. However, some challenges still prevail related to large‐scale production, texture, sustainability, and acceptability of mycoprotein products. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of scientific research on mycoprotein, focusing on nutritional composition, functional properties, production technology, and health benefits. This study also examines the current challenges related to product safety, environmental impact, and prospects of this innovative food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmeceuticals are topically applied cosmetic products containing a biologically active ingredient with a pharmaceutical effect that improves, nourishes, and treats the skin appearance. The trend of cosmeceuticals began during the mid-20th century due to its potent ingredients with therapeutic effects for various skin ailments. Even though there is a great advancement in cosmetics, which shows the risk of cosmetic linked melanoma, endocrine disorders, and birth defects which was one in 1500 people during 1935 have increased to one in 75 people in 2000. Hence, as a part of reducing the harmful effect, natural ingredients were added to the formulation to give the pharmaceutical effect. Thus, natural/herbal cosmeceuticals were introduced. Due to the awareness of the side effects such as photo-toxicity, mutagenicity, irritation by these synthetic products, people started preferring herbal/natural cosmetic products. Moreover, natural cosmeceuticals were proven to be effective against various dermatological conditions as well as have fewer side effects marked the natural/herbal cosmeceuticals in the market. Unlike a drug, cosmeceutical products undergo safety, toxicity, and efficacy tests, but these are not classified under Food and Drug Administration. This review will give an insight into different natural ingredients used in natural/herbal cosmeceutical formulation and their function challenges faced during formulation, advantages of natural cosmeceuticals over regular cosmeceuticals, and regulatory aspects in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and further advancements show no signs of slowing down. As technology rapidly evolves, so does the complexity of product designs. However, as these advancements occur, the tests employed by courts to determine whether a product design is defective remain largely unchanged. There are two main tests used by jurisdictions to determine whether a design is defective. The first is the consumer expectations test, which provides that when a product used in a reasonably foreseeable manner is more dangerous than an ordinary consumer would expect it to be, it is defective. The second test is the risk-utility test, which balances the utility and safety of a product design against the dangers and costs of the design. When the dangers of a product design outweigh its benefits, the design is defective. Both the consumer expectations test and the risk-utility test are inadequate to address complex product designs. The consumer expectations test is not adequate because technologically advanced products are simply too complex for consumers to have a real expectation of how the product should perform in every type of situation. Similarly, the risk-utility test is not sufficient because it often requires a showing of an alternative reasonable design to prove a design is defective. Complex and cutting-edge products will often not have an alternative design because the products are so new, and therefore cannot be assessed by the risk-utility test. In response to these shortcomings, some jurisdictions employ hybrid formulations of these tests, yet even the hybrid tests are insufficient to address the growing complexity of product designs. As more and more complex products enter the market, there needs to be a design defect test that is better suited to address these concerns. Therefore, as an alternative to the tests currently employed, this Comment argues for the adoption of a new design defect test. This Comment proposes a two-part balancing test, called the dual risk-utility test. The dual risk-utility test separates the alternative design question from other factors considered in the traditional risk-utility test. Under the first prong, the availability of a reasonable alternative design is determined by identifying an alternative design and then balancing the benefits of implementing such a design against the feasibility of adopting it. If on balance there is no reasonable alternative design, or if no reasonable alternative design can initially be identified, then the second prong of the test balances the costs of the current design against the benefits of the current design. Under this prong, if the current design’s risks outweigh its benefits, the design is defective. The two-prong nature of this test is best suited to address complex products because numerous complex products do not have a feasible alternative design and therefore need another mechanism, such as this test’s second prong, to determine if there is a design defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received and then, in 2017, granted a petition under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to declare certain groups of consumer products as banned hazardous substances if they contain nonpolymeric, additive organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs). The petitioners asked the CPSC to regulate OFRs as a single chemical class with similar health effects. The CPSC later sponsored a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report in 2019, which ultimately identified 161 OFRs and grouped them into 14 subclasses based on chemical structural similarity. In 2021, a follow-up discussion was held among a group of scientists from both inside and outside of the CPSC for current research on OFRs and to promote collaboration that could increase public awareness of CPSC work and support the class-based approach for the CPSC’s required risk assessment of OFRs. OBJECTIVES: Given the extensive data collected to date, there is a need to synthesize what is known about OFR and how class-based regulations have previously managed this information. This commentary discusses both OFR exposure and OFR toxicity and fills some gaps for OFR exposure that were not within the scope of the NASEM report. The objective of this commentary is therefore to provide an overview of the OFR research presented at SOT 2021, explore opportunities and challenges associated with OFR risk assessment, and inform CPSC’s work on an OFR class-based approach. DISCUSSION: A class-based approach for regulating OFRs can be successful. Expanding the use of read-across and the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in assessing and regulating existing chemicals was considered as a necessary part of the class-based process. Recommendations for OFR class-based risk assessment include the need to balance fire and chemical safety and to protect vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. The authors also suggest the CPSC should consider global, federal, and state OFR regulations. The lack of data or lack of concordance in toxicity data could present significant hurdles for some OFR subclasses. The potential for cumulative risks within or between subclasses, OFR mixtures, and metabolites common to more than one OFR all add extra complexity for class-based risk assessment. This commentary discusses scientific and regulatory challenges for a class-based approach suggested by NASEM. This commentary is offered as a resource for anyone performing class-based assessments and to provide potential collaboration opportunities for OFR stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Safety & Fire Technology (2657-8808) is the property of Centrum Naukowo-Badawcze Ochrony Przeciwpozarowej and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The design and development process of clothing products for premature babies includes a set of requirements for these types of functional products for this group of wearers. The clothing products intended for premature children must ensure the functionality of the product and the safety of the child who wears it, by respecting the dynamic effects transposed in the constructive additions, provided in the proposed design method. The addition system adopted in the developed design method meets the dynamic needs of premature babies. Designed clothing contributes to improving the condition of the premature baby in the incubator through functions adapted to the requirements and conditions imposed. These products can provide comfort and utility to everyone involved: parents, doctors and children. Therefore, the development of functional clothing for premature infants in intensive care ensures the maintenance of body temperature within normal limits and the comfort of children, and facilitates the necessary medical procedures. Research has shown that the design of new textile products for premature babies has an important role in development and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing numbers of corporate venture capital (CVC) deals and alliances, their effectiveness is not guaranteed. This paper investigates the positive and negative impacts of CVC and alliance activity on product safety under different levels of market turbulence. Using a resource-based learning perspective and panel data from large U.S. firms, we find that both CVC and alliance activity have inverted U-shaped relationships with product recall likelihood. Market turbulence moderates both relationships, but differently. We discuss how learning theory complements the resource-based view to understand why no or rather bold external venturing are less harmful than small-scale "stuck-in-the-middle" initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding consumers' perceptions and choices about the quality and safety of livestock products is of great significance to effectively convey quality and safety information from the supply side, deepen the supply-side structural reform of the livestock industry and promote its development. Based on a systematic review of relevant progress, this paper summarized consumers' concerns, understanding, preference, evaluation, willingness to pay, and purchasing behavior to the quality and safety of livestock products. The analysis indicated that Chinese consumers had a high level of concern for the quality and safety of livestock products, but a low level of understanding, and their evaluation on the quality and safety of livestock products was not optimistic. Although consumers were willing to pay a premium for high quality and safety livestock products, there was a deviation between the needs and preferences of consumers and their actual behavioural choices. Consumers' socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their perception and evaluation on the quality and safety of livestock products and their trust in the agricultural certification system, were important factors influencing consumers' willingness to pay and their behavioural choices. This paper also pointed out that with China entering a new era of socialism, there had been significant changes in the consumption environment and demands. In recent years, there had been a relative lack of research into consumers' perceptions and behavioural choices about the quality and safety of livestock products, requiring new research and judgement to provide support for government to manage and guide industry production and consumption, as well as supply-side operators to correctly understand and match consumer preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study sponsors and market authorization holders are required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) to enroll patients administered a gene therapy product, whether in a trial setting or post‐licensure, in a long term follow‐up safety study to continue the safety assessments of their product. These follow‐up studies range between 5 and 15 years after dosing. This unprecedented duration of engagement with patients and caregivers raises logistical challenges that will require innovation and collaboration across sponsors and regulators. In this paper we delineate some of the key considerations for designing long term follow‐up protocols in the gene therapy setting, with an eye toward platform and master protocol approaches, and offer guidance for innovative operational and statistical methods that can help assess the safety profile and durability of response for these novel therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As demand for sustainable products rises across industries, ecolabels effectively communicate a product's sustainability credentials to environmentally aware consumers. This paper aims to highlight the significance of these certifications, particularly OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, in enhancing company compliance with international standards and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, utilizing various sources, including industry reports, case studies, and online data. The findings emphasize the role of certification in ensuring product safety from harmful substances, promoting transparency in the supply chain, and supporting sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study examines the influence of product knowledge, halal awareness, subjective norms, and attitudes on street food purchasing decisions through purchase intention as a mediating variable. Method: This research includes quantitative research with an explanatory research approach. The population used in this study is Gen Z Muslims in Surabaya. The sample in this study amounted to 330 respondents obtained from the sampling technique, namely accidental sampling. To test the hypotheses built using partial least square (PLS) analysis techniques with Smart-PLS Version 3.2.9 software tools. Results: The results stated that product knowledge, halal awareness, attitude, and subjective norms do not significant effect on purchasing decisions partially. However, all dependent variables affect decisions through purchase intention. This means, that customer intentions become a critical point before they make purchases. Conclusion and suggestion: In summary, understanding purchase intention through customer behavior is essential to be considered by business actors to increase consumer assessment of these products. In this case, business actors need to educate related to food regulations such as having a halal logo and ensuring product safety. By having proper assessment food vendors will be able to promote their products and increase customer purchasing intention. Furthermore, policymakers and related stakeholders also need to support food regulation and safety by having proper laws and a supply chain of halal ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits such as bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart), pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba Kuntze) and uxi (Endopleura uchi (Huber) Cuatrec), from the Amazon rainforest, are potentially interesting for studies of natural products. The current article aims at mapping and characterizing studies on the bacaba, pracaxi and uxi species. This review reports the main bioactive compounds identified in these species and discusses their therapeutic potential. Searches were performed in MEDLINE (Via Pubmed) and Web of Science. Thirty-one studies that described or evaluated the development of formulations aimed at the therapeutic use of the species were included. The findings suggest that species have the potential for the development of pharmaceutical formulations due to their therapeutic properties. However, further studies are required to assess safety and efficacy of these products. Therefore, it is suggested that new research studies propose strategies so that technological development is based on awareness and preservation of the biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active acidity (pH) and water activity (aw) were analyzed in 14 samples (K01-K14) of kulen available in markets in the Republic of North Macedonia. These samples were produced under industrial conditions by various manufacturers from R.N. Macedonia and neighboring countries in the region. The obtained pH values ranged from 4.24 to 4.97, while the aw values of the Kulen sausages ranged from 0.789 to 0.903. The pH and aw values are critical parameters for assessing the stability and safety of fermented products. According to European regulations, fermented sausages do not support the growth of L. monocytogenes under conditions of pH = 5.0 and aw = 0.94. All analyzed samples of kulen sausages (K01-K14) fall within this range that does not support the growth of L. monocytogenes, indicating a well-controlled technological process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Accounting & Financial Studies Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to guarantee the appropriate level of safety and quality of food products, integrated management systems are now actively used. To prevent the emergence of economic problems, to understand the financial value of all the organization's assets, it is important to assess their value, in particular, management systems. Integrated safety and quality management systems of special food products are defined as the object of the research. Their implementation makes it possible to ensure compliance with legislation, increase consumer satisfaction, and business excellence. The main international act regulating methodological aspects of assessment is the International Valuations Standards (IVS). It defines the terminology, procedure of organization, assessment, approaches, methods, reporting of results. It was established that when evaluating integrated management systems, it is recommended to use a cost approach. This is justified by the need to determine the amount of funds to ensure compliance with legislation, meeting the needs of consumers and stakeholders. It is appropriate to use methods of reproduction and substitution. The cost of the mentioned systems of the organization was determined by the method of reproduction, which as of the beginning of October 2023 amounted to UAH 167.6 thousand and UAH 34.7 thousand, respectively. Recommendations for estimating the cost of integrated management systems have been devised. Their main content is the need to take into account the level of changes in the market rate of the currency, in which the value is estimated, the coefficient of moral aging, based on the service life. Their consideration made it possible to estimate the cost of the investigated systems at UAH 144.6 thousand and UAH 30.0 thousand, respectively. This could contribute to more effective management of the organization's resources, investment in financial management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symshield®, also known as barrier technology or hurdle technology, is a concept of combining several physical or chemical factors aiming at inhibiting microbial growth. This systematic approach has been proven successful as it strengthens the microbiological product protection systems of cosmetic formulations, thus ensuring long-term product quality and safety. Relying on this technology, multifunctional ingredients are often used in combination with preservatives or other antimicrobial enhancers and are commonly applied as part of the product protection system. While typically chemical ingredients are used as barriers in these combinations such as organic acids, chelating agents, surfactants, etc., it is important not to overlook the possible beneficial effects of physical parameters. Ultimately, this extensive approach has the potential to create a more robust product protection system or even lower the necessary use level of traditional antimicrobial compounds in the formula. In this series of publications, we present studies to demonstrate how the antimicrobial product protection effectiveness of multifunctional cosmetic ingredients, which are known product protection enhancers, can be optimized by combining them with additional barriers, such as pH, water activity, organic acids, chelating agents, etc. In the first part of the series, we examine the effect of pH and organic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if a digital air leak detection device could speed the identification of chest tube air leak cessation in patients after pulmonary lobectomy. Staff members assessing air leaks have varying levels of expertise, and the digital device is a limited resource in the study institution. A chest tube management algorithm is necessary to standardize care and determine which patients are most likely to benefit. Implementation: Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy during the study period and continued to have a chest tube air leak on postoperative day 3 were monitored with digital air leak detection devices. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare chest tube duration and hospital length of stay between patients with digital devices and 259 patients who had traditional analog air leak detection devices (historical data from the departmental database over the previous 2 years). Evaluation: Median chest tube duration and hospital stay were 1 day less in patients with digital devices than in those with traditional analog devices (P =.01 and P =.004, respectively), with a cost savings of $2659 per hospital day. Reductions in chest tube duration and length of stay aided in the development of a chest tube management algorithm. Conclusions: Critical care nurses are valued team members who treat patients after lung resections. Digital air leak detection devices can help them assess air leaks more accurately, benefiting the patients in their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a paradigm shift in education, moving from teaching to training, with a focus on holistic human development for all individuals. The emergence of digital media has created opportunities for the growth of online entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of new job opportunities through digital platforms. Digital-based entrepreneurship is of significant importance as it can promote financial independence among individuals. Therefore, self-management skills are crucial for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) operators to achieve success in their businesses. Objective: The objective of this community service is to enhance self-management as a soft skill among MSME operators, ultimately improving the economic well-being of families and communities through the utilization of self-management and community empowerment. Method: This community service project employs a quasi-experimental research design with a pretest-posttest approach, along with a control group for comparison. Results: The provision of MSME development education, focusing on self-assessment, product safety, and digitalization in MSMEs, contributes to the development of soft skills related to self-management among MSME operators. Conclusion: Effective self-management skills are essential to ensure that MSME operators can successfully achieve their business goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product liability has been, and continues to be, a problematic area in Turkish law. Prior to legislative attempts to introduce strict product liability, producers could only be held liable based on their fault. Although liability based on fault cannot provide appropriate solutions to all product liability problems, the Turkish Court of Cassation was in the process of establishing case law that was suitable to most product liability issues. However, this development was interrupted by problematic legislative attempts to introduce strict product liability, which became the focus of academic literature on product liability. The final of these legislation attempts is the Product Safety and Technical Regulations Act of 2020. In this Act, product liability and product safety rules are intertwined with each other. This is problematic for product liability provisions, since concepts and rules that should remain in product safety law are transferred to product liability law. The Act claims to be in line with the Product Liability Directive of 1985. However, this is far from accurate. The Act fails to harmonise Turkish law with the Product Liability Directive of 1985, let alone offer solutions to problems that have become apparent since 1985. This article attempts to highlight the product liability issues caused by the Act and interpret its provisions in a manner that is as compatible with European law as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of veterinary biologicals is an integral component of poultry health programs. All veterinary biologicals are licensed and sold by manufacturing firms under strict regulation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure purity, potency, efficacy, and safety of the product. The licensing process for a new vaccine is a complex process involving a defined set of studies for each type of vaccine that are performed by the biologics firm, according to approved protocols, with results submitted to the Center for Veterinary Biologics for review. There are 10 classifications of veterinary biologicals and four types of licenses. Manufacturing and testing procedures are also defined within the licensing process. Licensing requirements were initially codified into law. In addition, guidance documents in the form of memoranda and notices have been published to address licensing for additional classes of vaccines and disease agents. This overview of vaccine licensure in the United States is offered to provide a better understanding of the process, the participants, and the factors that influence the time required to produce a commercial product. Estudio recapitulativo- Requisitos de licencia para productos biológicos veterinarios avícolas en los Estados Unidos. El uso de productos biológicos veterinarios es un componente integral de los programas de salud avícola. Todos los productos biológicos veterinarios están autorizados y son vendidos por empresas fabricantes bajo estricta regulación del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos para garantizar la pureza, potencia, eficacia y seguridad del producto. El proceso de concesión de licencia para una nueva vacuna es un proceso complejo que implica un conjunto definido de estudios para cada tipo de vacuna que son llevados a cabo por la empresa productora de biológicos, según protocolos aprobados y los resultados se envían al Centro de Productos Biológicos Veterinarios para su revisión. Existen 10 clasificaciones de biológicos veterinarios y cuatro tipos de licencias. Los procedimientos de fabricación y de prueba también se definen dentro del proceso de concesión de licencias. Los requisitos para la concesión de licencias se codificaron inicialmente como ley. Además, se han publicado documentos de orientación en forma de memorandos y avisos que han sido publicados para abordar la concesión de licencias para clases adicionales de vacunas y agentes patógenos. Esta revisión de los procesos de licencia de vacunas en los Estados Unidos se ofrece para brindar una mejor comprensión del proceso, los participantes y los factores que influyen en el tiempo necesario para producir un producto comercial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of pesticide operations still faces numerous challenges and issues. Conflicts of interest and power struggles among the government, pesticide operators, and farmers are crucial factors that impact the effectiveness of regulation. To enhance efficiency and ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products through stakeholder cooperation, this paper presents a dynamic evolution model based on the theory of evolutionary games. The model incorporates the government, pesticide operators, and farmers and evaluates the stability and effectiveness of the stakeholder cooperation mechanism under different circumstances. The research findings indicate the following: The relationships between the government, pesticide-operating enterprises, and farmers are characterized by intricate dynamics of cooperation and competition, coordination and contradiction, reciprocity, and mutual detriment. The stability and effectiveness of the stakeholder cooperation mechanism vary depending on different parameters. Several factors influence the stability of the stakeholder cooperation mechanism, with regulatory supervision from the government, stringent penalties for non-compliant pesticide operations, and strong incentives for farmers' oversight being the most significant. The stakeholder cooperation mechanism can establish an evolutionary stabilization strategy when these factors reach a certain threshold. This study contributes to understanding the operational mechanisms of stakeholder cooperation in pesticide operation regulation and offers decision support and policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders for advancing the sustainable development and optimization of pesticide operation regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: People frequently experience discomfort with immediate wheal, delayed papules, and pruritus from mosquito bites. A topical cream product containing zinc oxide is commercially available for the management of insect bites, but there has been no published evidence for its effectiveness and safety. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this product in symptoms caused by mosquito bites. METHODS: An open-label, controlled study was performed on 41 healthy participants. All subjects received Aedes aegypti mosquito bites on the forearm. Then test product was randomly applied to the bitten areas of the left or right arm. The other arm was left untreated (control). The onset of pruritus relief was noted. The severity of pruritus was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), ranging from 0 mm (no pruritus) to 100 mm (severe pruritus), and a 4-point pruritus score (0 = none; 1 = mild, not affecting normal activities; 2 = moderate, affecting normal activities to some extent; 3 = severe, significantly affecting activities) at four time points: 15 minutes after the mosquito bite (baseline), as well as 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours after initiating treatment. The size of the bite reaction lesion was also measured at all time points. Any local cutaneous adverse reactions observed during the study were documented. RESULTS: The onset of pruritus relief in the treated group (25 ± 21.7 minutes) was significantly faster compared to the untreated group (118.7 ± 304.8 minutes). The reduction in VAS score at 1 hour was significantly greater in the product group (30.5 ± 16.22) compared to the control group (14.9 ± 9.9). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the reduction of pruritus score at 1 hour, with the product group (1.1 ± 0.5) showing a higher reduction compared to the control group (0.3 ± 0.4). However, there was no significant difference in the reduction of bite lesion size between the two groups. Throughout the study, no adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings indicate that the product effectively reduces pruritus caused by mosquito bites but does not have a significant impact on the size of the bite lesions. The product was found to be safe and may be an option for managing mosquito bites pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the number of hamburger flips on cooking loss and the safety of hamburger patties during contact heating. To achieve this, a kinetic model describing the thermal inactivation of Salmonella serotypes during the cooking of hamburger patties was developed and coupled with heat and mass transfer equations (moisture and fat loss). The model also incorporated the effect of shrinkage during cooking. The results showed that while increasing the number of flips helps to distribute heat more evenly and decrease the temperature difference across the patty, which can increase safety, it can also lead to greater loss of moisture and fat during cooking. In addition, although shrinkage has a significant effect on cooking loss in the model, its inclusion did not improve the accuracy of the model in predicting experimental data. Practical Applications: The research highlights the importance of not only conveying the risks of consuming undercooked hamburgers, but also providing guidance on how to cook hamburgers thoroughly while retaining their juiciness and flavor. This information is crucial for hamburger producers to promote best practices for cooking hamburgers that meet both safety and taste criteria. The study also emphasizes the role of the effects of consecutive flipping and product shrinkage on cooking loss, as well as temperature changes during single‐sided contact heating of frozen hamburger patties. By understanding these factors, hamburger producers can develop cooking protocols that minimize cooking loss while ensuring product safety and taste. Overall, this research has practical applications for the hamburger industry, as it provides a scientific basis for optimizing cooking processes that can improve product safety, quality, and taste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has repeatedly suggested that small (vs. large) companies have a higher appeal to consumers, yet the underlying mechanisms explaining why such an effect occurs remain understudied. Through four experiments, we show that company size cues affect consumer preferences; products originating from small companies are perceived to be healthier than those from large companies, with a downstream positive effect on willingness to buy. Specifically, small (vs. large) company size cues increase the perception of product safety, in turn increasing the perception of product healthiness. This effect is more pronounced for individuals who are more sensitive to safety signals, scoring high on sensitivity to pathogen disgust. Our findings provide managerially relevant insights and show that additional safety‐related signals have the potential to counteract this seemingly inherent disadvantage for large companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the effect of reduced sodium chloride amounts (3%, 5% and 7%) on the quality aspects and safety elements of traditionally salted ham without any nitrates and nitrites added, dried and ripened under natural air-drying conditions. The physicochemical and textural properties, the degree of proteolysis, the microbiological characteristics and sensory profile of dry-cured ham were analysed at different production stages. A salting degree above 3% in the manufacture of this traditional dried product had a key role in the development of the desired microbiological and sensory characteristics in the absence of nitrites. Salting of the pork hams with 5% and 7% sodium chloride for 45 days at a temperature of 2±2 °℃ ensured a salt concentration and water activity that would guarantee the product safety with regard to the microbiological risks during the subsequent drying and ripening under natural air-drying conditions. The Elena ham samples salted with 5% sodium chloride and ripened for a period of 12 months in natural air-drying chambers were characterized as having the most balanced flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate a detection method of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin to be avail for strictly supervising the quality and safety of aquatic products. The results displayed that the optimal extraction conditions for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were the following five aspects: 15 g dosages of Na2SO4 to dehydrate, 8‰ of acetonitrile and 50% hydrochloric acid to deproteinization, 2 mL dosages of n-hexane to degrease, 10 min of ultrasonic time, and 20 min of extraction (stand) time. Meanwhile, it was also obtained for the optimal detection performance indexes of the recovery, precision, and accuracy from the tests of shrimp, grass carp, and tilapia. In particular, the expanded uncertainties were 2.8601 and 0.8613, and the factors of both the calibration curves ( U rel C ) and the analysis of the experiment ( U rel E ) were the two MU main contributors for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin together with the results above 40%. Consequently, the developed novel method was suited for the determination of the enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin residues in aquatic products and would contribute to reinforce in supervision and inspection of the quality and safety of aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key part of an engineer's purpose is to create products and services that benefit society, or, in other words, to create products with a positive social impact. While engineers have many predictive models to aid in making design decisions about the functional performance or safety of a product, very few models exist for estimating or planning for the wide range of social impacts an engineered product can have. To model social impact, a model must contain representations of both the product and society. Agent-based modeling is a tool that can model society and incorporate social impact factors. In this paper, we investigate factors that have historically limited the usefulness of product adoption agent-based models and predictive social impact models through a systematic literature review. Common themes of limiting factors are identified, steps are presented to improve the usefulness of agent-based product adoption models and predictive social impact models, and a general process for the creation of agent-based social impact models is presented. Improving the usefulness of these predictive models can aid engineers in making better design decisions. Predictive social impact models can help identify areas in the design space to improve the social impact of products. When coupled with existing design methods, agent-based predictive social impact models can help increase the probability that a product achieves positive social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the trends in fatal and nonfatal injuries in children aimed to provide valuable insights into the circumstances and mechanisms of injury. Cited are a comparison of fatal and nonfatal injuries related to a specific mechanism such as firearm-related injuries or intent such as self-harm, trends that highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to childhood injury prevention, and the factors behind the decrease in nonfatal injuries.

To ensure the safety of dairy products, a comparison was made between coastal‐derived Lactococcus lactis strains and the type strain regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and their genes. The test discs revealed that the AMR of 31 strains against streptomycin, gentamicin and kanamycin was higher than that of the type strain. The clear zone ratio of the type strain to that of Himuka‐SU2 was 3.0–3.5. However, both strains exhibited identical AMR genes. Pre‐incubation in broth containing 3.4% (w/v) NaCl increased the AMR of the type strain compared to the Himuka‐SU2 strain. These results are significant for the development of starters for fermented milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid laundry detergent packet exposures modestly declined in the mid-2010s among children less than 6 years of age due to public awareness and voluntary product safety standards. We aimed to assess longitudinal trends in the number and rate of liquid laundry detergent packet exposures in the United States by age. Data from the National Poison Data System were analyzed to characterize liquid laundry detergent packet exposures between January 2014 and December 2022. From 2014–2022, there were 114,826 single and polysubstance exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets. Children less than 6 years of age (86.8 percent) were most commonly exposed. When evaluating multi-year trends, we found that the annual exposure rate per 1 million children less than 6 years old increased by 16.8 percent from 392.6 in 2018 to 458.7 in 2020. Subsequently, the annual exposure rate in children less than 6 years of age declined by 6.8 percent from 2020 to 2022 (427.4 exposures per 1 million). The annual rate of adolescent exposures increased by 85.4 percent from 2014 (4.1 exposures per 1 million) to 2017 (7.6 exposures per 1 million), with a subsequent increase of 155.3 percent from 2017 to 2018 (19.4 exposures per 1 million). Among adults, the annual exposure rate increased by 147.1 percent from 2014 (1.7 exposures per 1 million) to 2022 (4.2 exposures per 1 million). The number of more serious medical outcomes and hospital admissions among children less than 6 years of age declined by 44.3 percent and 68.6 percent, respectively, between 2014 and 2018. Despite declines in the number, rate, and severity of liquid laundry detergent packet exposures among children less than 6 years old, the exposure burden remains high. Additionally, exposures have increased among older children, adolescents, and adults. Renewed safety efforts are warranted to protect prior public health gains and further reduce exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Oily skin, characterized by excessive sebum production, can lead to acne and have psychosocial impacts due to changes in appearance. Recent research has shown interest in treatments for oil control, with kaolin and bentonite emerging as promising options. Despite their potential, comprehensive studies on these ingredients are still in the nascent stages. AIM: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a clay mask (La Roche‐Posay Effaclar Sebo‐Controlling Mask) in reducing skin oiliness and acne, and its safety for use. METHODS: In this study, 75 adults with oily or combination skin were enrolled and provided with a clay mask for twice‐weekly use over 4 weeks. Clinical assessments, using instruments like Sebumeter, Vapometer, and Corneometer, were conducted at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, evaluating acne lesions, skin irritation, sebum content, and skin hydration. Participant self‐assessment questionnaires were also utilized for subjective evaluation. Statistical analyses were performed accordingly. RESULTS: The study revealed significant improvements in acne‐related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, stratum corneum water content, and transepidermal water loss following the application of the clay mask. Pore area and porphyrin area showed no significant changes. Tolerance assessment showed reduced dryness and irritation, with self‐assessment indicating high product acceptability and perceived oil control effectiveness. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the clay mask's efficacy in managing acne and oily skin, improving hydration and texture. Significant improvements in skin parameters and high product safety were observed, supporting its suitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order to meet the unmet needs of rare disease patients in China, importing orphan drugs is an important way. The objectives of this study were to investigate the marketing trend of orphan drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and imported by China, to examine the orphan drug lag between China and the United States. Methods: This study analyzes the orphan drugs approved by FDA and imported by China from January 2010 to December 2021. The approval lag for orphan drugs between China and the US was calculated and analyzed by approval time. Factors potentially affecting the approval lag, such as target disease, ATC classification, formulation, corporation name, drug type, and whether the indications belong to the first batch of rare diseases catalogue were investigated. Results: The number of FDA-approved orphan drugs imported by China is increasing year by year, and the approval lag of these drugs is gradually decreasing, especially in the classification of Non-L, Injections, Non-United States, and biological product. Compared with 2010–2015, the approval lag of total drugs in the study was significantly improved in 2016–2021 (1977 days) compared with 2010–2015 (3928 days). Conclusion: China's groundbreaking regulatory reforms of drugs since 2015 had made significant progress in reducing orphan drug lags, but there is still considerable room for progress. We should more actively promote the approval of rare disease drugs in China, establish a better approval mechanism, and enable Chinese patients with rare diseases to receive drug treatment in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliance-based pathways for the marketing authorization of medical products have been identified as valuable regulatory tools for the timely provision of effective, safe, quality medicines for people worldwide; however, little research has been conducted on the best way to measure the public health impact of using reliance-based pathways. The current mixed methods study was designed to explore which characteristics or "metrics" could be used to measure the impact of reliance-based pathways. A quantitative survey (n = 70) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) (n = 10) were employed to query various stakeholders (e.g., industry, regulatory authorities, NGOs) about the metrics they believed would be important to include in a framework designed to measure the impact of reliance-based regulatory pathways on advancing public health. Based on survey results, (1) ability to meet targeted product assessment timeline, (2) increased access to expertise, which is limited or not available in the agency, (3) shortened median number of days (annually) to market for medical products, (4) lower morbidity and mortality rates due to greater access to medical products, and (5) movement toward technical standards harmonization were the Top Five most important metrics to be included in a framework. IDI results suggest that, while important, the relevance of the Top Five metrics may vary by region or regulatory authority. Interviewed stakeholders intuitively believe reliance-based regulatory pathways are a worthwhile endeavor; however, there must be "harmonization" within the reliance ecosystem that creates a strong understanding of the factors necessary for reliance-based pathways to be utilized in a successful manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the recognized need for generic drug pharmacovigilance harmonization efforts, only a few studies compared generic drug postmarket safety and surveillance methods adopted by regulatory agencies in different countries. The purpose of this research is to collect available information from a sample of international regulators with the overall goal of providing a general overview of each agency's decision-making processes for postmarket generic drug safety and surveillance. A structured four-part questionnaire of open-ended and multiple-choice questions along with a semi-structured interview were designed to elicit detailed information. Swissmedic, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Health Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided information. Detailed information from participating regulatory agencies demonstrated some similarities and differences in their postmarket generic drug pharmacovigilance approaches. This study examines each agency's scientific perspective to address generic drug safety issues, as well as to identify common barriers within decision-making processes, such as legislative restrictions and limited resources. Most agencies do not have specific processes that are unique to generic drug products. This exploratory study, through documenting common and unique approaches intends to create a greater awareness and to promote cross-collaboration between global regulatory agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]