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The recent COVID-19 pandemic created an unpredictable environment regarding the safety operations of sport and recreation organizations. This study was designed to examine how safety climate and organizational innovativeness could promote preferred organizational behavior outcomes in college campus sport and recreation centers. A total of 227 sport and recreation employees were recruited through the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association. With the collected data, we employed structural equation modeling to assess the research hypotheses. The results indicated that safety climate and innovativeness positively influenced job engagement, therefore leading to enhanced safety compliance and employee innovativeness, which ultimately resulted in higher levels of organizational performance. Peer safety compliance was also found to be a moderator in the relationship between job engagement and safety compliance. In this study, the authors offer new insights into sport organizational performance by emphasizing safety and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety literature has traditionally focused on identifying and managing risk factors that lead to safety outcomes (e.g., injuries, accidents, death) at work. The current study takes a new perspective on employee safety and proposes that safety‐related experience has more general work implications. Drawing on theories of stress coping and workplace anxiety, we test a mechanism on how employees' daily experiences of safety threats are related to their work behavior via negative emotional reactions. Specifically, we focus on employees' experiences of safety violations on the way to work and at work during the ongoing struggles with COVID‐19. Our daily diary study (Level 1 N = 778, Level 2 N = 84; office workers in South Korea) shows that experiencing safety violations during the daily commute and at work is associated with increased state health anxiety at work, which then translates into work withdrawal on that day. Furthermore, we introduce organizational safety climate as an important mitigating factor of this stress‐coping process, as such a climate can emphasize management's commitment to safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

They begin to induce the flickering of fear and excitement (as circus has always done) when Zanzu begins a methodical tying process for another suspension with jute rope - but this time, around their face. This is where Zanzu (they/them) comes in. I EZ i (see Figure 1) is a circus piece with one performer, a recorded voice, and an improvising audience member. Elena Zanzu's I EZ i fits neatly into the emerging domain of "new circus" - performances that leave behind the brash ringmaster glam of the traditional circus and the Cirque du Soleil I internationale i of "contemporary circus.". [Extracted from the article]

The safety system of nuclear power plants is very crucial for protecting the environment and the living world. In this article, we have addressed the nuclear power plant safety system in a neutrosophic environment. Here, we have mathematically presented a nuclear power plant safety system in terms of neutrosophic differential equations. We have thoroughly examined and discussed both analytically and numerically the solution of the nuclear power plant safety model considering the underlying model parameter as single-valued triangular neutrosophic number. We have focused to find out probability of the nuclear power plant's safety system working normally and shutdown in safe mode when the model parameters are imprecise in nature. It has been observed that the normal operation and shutdown probability of nuclear power plant safety systems under uncertain conditions are predicted with robust accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This phenomenological study reveals the lived experiences of bamboo barbecue stick makers in Montehermoso, Carmen, Bohol, Philippines, exploring their multifaceted realities shaped by economic necessity, physical labor, and aspirations for familial and community support. The research uncovers the intricate web of challenges and aspirations inherent in this informal livelihood through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Key themes emerged, highlighting the critical role of barbecue stick production in supporting daily living and educational aspirations, despite enduring physical strain, occupational hazards, and seasonal constraints. Participants express a resilient commitment to their craft, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity and technological advancements in enhancing productivity and socio-economic well-being. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of informal livelihoods in rural settings, advocating for targeted interventions to support economic resilience, occupational safety, and sustainable livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of machines and technology in the industrial sector has led to noise pollution, which requires attention. The practice of noise control through soundproofing is closely linked to the use of various acoustic materials, whether they are synthetic or natural fibers. Natural materials are preferred for biocomposite reinforcement due to the design flexibility, eco-friendliness, sustainability, and ease of availability. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the variation of grinting grass (Cynodon dactylon) composite material as damper with safe working distance from noise exposure. This experimental research was conducted using industrial grinding machine and damper from grinting grass as the object and composite material. The instruments used for measurement included an Impedance tube (sound absorption coefficient), a sound level meter (noise intensity), and a Surfer 13 noise mapping application. The data obtained were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test to determine the differences before and after the intervention. The results showed that the most effective composite had a 60:40 ratio with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.30. Before using damper, the highest noise intensity recorded was 106 dBA, which was reduced to 83 dBA. Safe working distance from exposure before damper was 6.1 meters, which decreased to 1 meter after the intervention. In conclusion, there was a significant difference in noise intensity (p = 0.000) and safe working distance from exposure (p = 0.001) before and after the use of grinting grass as damper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion of flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) poses a significant fire safety risk due to the flow and dropping behavior of its liquid products, which can accelerate fire growth and spread between nonadjacent objects. In this work, the formation, flow, and dropping phenomena of FPUF liquid products were investigated in the laboratory. The findings show that the polyols pyrolyzed by FPUF initially form bead-like droplets on the foam surface, which undergo a morphological transformation from spherical to hemispherical and striped shapes on the side of the foam. The downward flow velocity of the largest droplet is measured to be 5.3 ± 0.4 mm s−1. Furthermore, it is found that droplets with diameters less than 0.70 mm float up, while droplets above the critical dropping diameter have a high risk of igniting flammable materials below. The critical dropping diameter increases linearly with the drop height. These results contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of FPUF during combustion and have important implications for fire safety engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of presenteeism among Taiwanese nursing staffs. BACKGROUND: Presenteeism is a subjective and multifaceted experience, but nurses have rarely been invited to provide their own views of presenteeism. METHODS: A qualitative study based on content analysis was conducted. Fifteen participants were recruited. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Four key categories and their subcategories were identified: 1) burden of being forced to attend work; 2) physical or mental discomfort; 3) predisposing factors; and 4) binding duty. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study provides guidance for administrators to establish a healthy workplace and maintain quality patient care. Managers should understand the predisposing factors that lead to absenteeism, such as insufficient staffing, and propose effective measures. This study contributes to the development of research and measurement tools, adds preliminary data, and explores nursing staff presenteeism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the transition of employees with intellectual disabilities to inclusive work environments from sheltered workplaces. The study was conducted in a sheltered workplace in Turkey for people with intellectual disabilities. Data was collected from 71 participants in interviews. Interviews were conducted with employees (n = 28), families of employees (n = 24), company human resource managers (n = 8), sheltered workshop foremen (n = 7), and special education teachers (n = 4). The study group asked about the future of the sheltered workplace and participants' views on transition to inclusive work environments. The answers of the participants were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that many participants had positive views about transition along with concerns about accidents and security problems that may occur in inclusive environments. It was observed that negative attitudes and views were related with lack of knowledge about inclusive work environment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To conceptualise experiences and perceptions of cancer nurses' potential for occupational exposure when dealing with cytotoxic drugs (CDs). Design: A mixed methods systematic review with framework synthesis. Methods and Data Sources: A literature search was conducted in February 2022 in CINAHL PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid Nursing, and PsycINFO, and it was reported using the PRISMA guidance. Results: A synthesis of 38 studies revealed new categories of perceived solutions, side effects, and risky behaviour as well as three levels of experience and perception: individual, shared, and cultural, rather than the a priori theory. Conclusions: The review conclude that individuals espouse safe handling and administration of CDs. Synthesis highlights a complex interplay between self‐reported perception and the observed experience of potential occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs. Implications for Professional Practice: The framework synthesis highlights the difference between the perception of espoused practice and the experience of practice. Observation and risk assessment must be used to enhance safe practice. Organisations must take seriously the perception and experience of the adverse effects of administering cytotoxic drugs to support cancer nurses. Reporting Method: Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews and framework synthesis indexed studies deductively and inductively. No patient or public contribution. Trial Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42022289276 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operability of harbour facilities and the safety of those working within them can be compromised by overtopping. The aim of the present study is to analyse this phenomenon through a long-term field campaign, of 5 years' duration, in the Outer Port of Punta Langosteira (Spain). Image monitoring techniques were used to identify the events, which allowed to study the influence of climatic variables and the distribution of overtopping. Results show that the place with the highest density of events was located in the central area of the third alignment. This turned out to be the area of sea wave concentration generated by the bathymetry, as shown by the propagation with a numerical model. Furthermore, wind with a magnitude greater than 30 km/h perpendicular to the breakwater increased the number of events per sea state, that is, the probability that the phenomenon will occur. In addition, the volume of 29 overtopping events and the mean discharge of 13 sea states were estimated using measurements from two pressure sensors on the crest of the breakwater. The results of this study allow to design a breakwater access warning system integrated with open access into the Port Authority's Environmental Control Panel (http://cma.puertocoruna.com). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated the effects of different approach directions, movement speeds, and trajectories of a co-robot's end-effector on workers' mental stress during handover tasks. Background: Human–robot collaboration (HRC) is gaining attention in industry and academia. Understanding robot-related factors causing mental stress is crucial for designing collaborative tasks that minimize workers' stress. Methods: Mental stress in HRC tasks was measured subjectively through self-reports and objectively through galvanic skin response (GSR) and electromyography (EMG). Robot-related factors including approach direction, movement speed, and trajectory were analyzed. Results: Movement speed and approach direction had significant effects on subjective ratings, EMG, and GSR. High-speed and approaching from one side consistently resulted in higher fear, lower comfort, and predictability, as well as increased EMG and GSR signals, indicating higher mental stress. Movement trajectory affected GSR, with the sudden stop condition eliciting a stronger response compared to the constrained trajectory. Interaction effects between speed and approach direction were observed for "surprise" and "predictability" subjective ratings. At high speed, approach direction did not significantly differ, but at low speeds, approaching from the side was found to be more surprising and unpredictable compared to approaching from the front. Conclusion: The mental stress of workers during HRC is lower when the robot's end effector (1) approaches a worker within the worker's field of view, (2) approaches at a lower speed, or (3) follows a constrained trajectory. Application: The outcome of this study can serve as a guide to design HRC tasks with a low level of workers' mental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing roadway construction and maintenance activities are essential for sustaining and improving infrastructure. Nonetheless, work zones in the United States continue to experience concerning frequencies of occupational and traffic accidents. Previous research highlighted multiple factors influencing work zone safety, yet their relative impact and importance remain unclear. This study addresses this gap following a multistep methodology. First, 32 safety factors were identified through an extensive literature review in a previous study. Second, a survey was administered among 298 professionals from diverse backgrounds, with an average of 17.75 years of construction experience and 13.78 years of work zone experience, to assess the importance of identified factors on worker safety. Third, data reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and survey responses were evaluated to uncover experts' perceptions regarding the criticality of factors affecting worker safety. Lastly, clustering analysis was utilized to group the recorded levels of work zone safety factor criticality. Survey results indicate that driver-related factors, such as drivers' level of attention and unsafe driving, are perceived as most critical to worker safety in work zones. Conversely, factors associated with motor vehicles, conditions of construction equipment, and technological sophistication are perceived as the least critical. Findings from the clustering analysis revealed three groups of factors with varying levels of criticality, where the most critical group comprised driver, work, and design-related factors. The findings of this study contribute to guiding state DOTs and safety practitioners in enhancing their safety practices and culture with a focus on worker-centered perceptions. Additionally, this analysis identifies key areas for future research that are vital for improving worker safety in work zones. These include exploring underexplored factors, such as driver impairment, level of attention, and clarity of signage and markings, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static electricity is a phenomenon commonly encountered yet often misunderstood and underestimated in terms of its hazard potential; it continues to challenge the safety and reliability of industrial processes, particularly those involving flammable substances. This paper delves into the critical issue of electrostatic hazards in industrial settings by presenting two flash fire/explosion case studies, one involving biphenyl dust and the other gasoline vapor; both linked to electrostatic discharges. The first case study examines an explosion in a flaker and pack‐out hopper during biphenyl flake manufacturing. The investigation reveals the role of electrostatic charges in the incident and how well‐intentioned equipment changes created warning signs of increased risk that were missed. The second case study discusses a gasoline vapor flash fire, highlighting the common yet overlooked hazard of static electricity during the transfer of flammable liquids. It underscores how common activities involving people can generate sufficient electrostatic charge to ignite flammable vapor–air mixtures in industry. The outcomes of these studies highlight the importance of acting on early warning signs of static electricity and the crucial role of data‐driven diagnostic techniques in addressing and controlling those hazards. By dissecting the intricacies of electrostatic phenomena, safety professionals can formulate actionable strategies to adapt plant operations and prevent hazards from static electricity. The paper advocates for a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating electrostatic risks in industrial settings beginning with process hazard analyses that incorporate static electricity hazards analysis and continues through employee training to ensure that early warning signs are identified, understood, and acted upon. It stresses the need for comprehensive safety measures, including proper grounding and bonding, use of static dissipative materials, and regular maintenance of safety equipment, to prevent incidents. Through these case studies, the paper contributes to understanding of electrostatic hazards in industrial processes and highlights the importance of integrating electrostatic safety measures into routine industrial operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries are the most common and debilitating work-related injuries among healthcare providers. These injuries often occur due to a lack of awareness and insufficient guidance during the early years of medical training. Recognizing the need to address this issue, the Comprehensive Cleft Care Workshop (CCCW) has taken steps to integrate an ergonomics session into its curriculum. The goal of this initiative is to enhance awareness on ergonomics, improve the integration of ergonomics into daily routine, and ultimately reduce the occurrence of MSK injuries among healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Essential workers across multiple industries faced a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The effects were especially severe for agricultural and food processing workers, many of whom are members of the structurally vulnerable Latine community. Under current U.S. federal laws, children under 12 years old can legally work in agriculture, one of the most hazardous U.S. industries. Many of these working youth are Latine and experience health and educational inequities. Methods: Using a community‐based participatory research approach and a qualitative design, we conducted semi‐structured in‐depth interviews in North Carolina in 2022, with service providers in health, education, and advocacy fields (n = 10) and Latine youth farmworkers aged 10–17 (n = 24). We used participatory qualitative analysis methods and a reflexive thematic analysis to understand and describe the work experiences of these youth during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Results: Amidst precarious economic and school situations exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, many youths described an increased need to work to support their families. While aware and sometimes fearful of the added occupational health risks of COVID‐19, youth and their families felt they had few other options. Service providers and youth described minimal employer‐provided safety protocols or equipment, yet some workers organized their own attempts at safety protocols. Youth narratives imply limited knowledge of basic workplace safety requirements. Conclusions: Study findings emphasize the urgent need to address structural vulnerabilities shaping workplace policies and norms to protect Latine youth farmworkers to support their healthy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of completion among both drivers and medical examiners in filling out Commercial Driver's (CD) Medical Examination Report Forms. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional retrospective study of abstracted data from the year 2019. CD Medical Examination Report Forms, collected from a single nationally‐based employer and initially reviewed by corporate medical directors, were evaluated by the study team for completeness of documentation provided by both drivers and medical examiners (MEs). Relevant findings included unanswered questions, inconsistency between responses, and lack of necessary elaboration for positive responses. Results: Among 1603 examinations, MEs completed the Medical Examination Report Form incompletely or incorrectly in 30% of examinations (n = 484). Drivers inconsistently filled out their health history with elaborations 38.7% of the time. Most commonly, they failed to elaborate on positive health history responses in 28.7% of examinations, but other types of errors were noted as well. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of drivers or examiners (n = 890, 55%) failed to adequately or correctly complete CD Medical Examination Report forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Public safety personnel, including first responders, are regularly exposed to physical, social, and psychological risks and occupational requirements. These risks and requirements extend beyond the employee and may also impact the families (for example, work-family conflict, compassion fatigue). Despite recent attention directed at the population's wellness, considerably less attention is directed towards the family. This review investigates how the risks and requirements associated with these occupations affect families' lives and experiences, and correspondingly, how families respond and adapt to these risks. Methods: In the current qualitative review, we sought to identify and describe the lifestyle experiences of public safety families as they navigate the occupational risks and requirements of public safety work. The inclusion criteria resulted in an analysis of 18 articles, representing only police (n = 11), paramedics (n = 7), and firefighting (n = 10) sectors. Results: We identified and described the experiences of public safety families both by occupation and familial role. Shared familial themes across occupational groups included 'Worry', 'Communication', 'Where do I turn', 'Are they okay', 'Serving alongside', and '(Over)Protective'. However, distinct themes also emerged between different occupational groups and family configurations. Themes prevalent amongst primarily children of police included: 'Worry', 'Let's Laugh Instead', '(Over)Protective', and 'I'm not the Police, my Parent is!'. Experiences differed if the family contained on serving public safety personnel or multiple. Conclusion: We identified the shared and unique occupational experiences of public safety families. This review normalizes these experiences and emphasizes the need to develop initiatives to improve the well-being of families and safety employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently used machine diagnostic systems are based on very modern solutions based on the acquisition and recording of their operating parameters in real time. Increasingly available and high-tech sensor systems mean that the number of recorded parameters is increasing and their quality is improving. These data are mainly used to assess the technical condition of machines and the processes they perform. In mining, these data can also be used to assess and, at a later stage, improve the safety of the underground mining process. Referring to this issue, the paper presents examples of the use of diagnostic systems for powered roof supports and longwall shearers to assess the safety status of the underground hard coal mining process. In the case of the wall support, the focus was on measuring the pressures in the stands of its individual sections. Temporary changes in the values of these pressures constitute a valuable source of information regarding the interaction of the support with the rock mass. In particular, this concerns the identification of the effects of the informational impact of the rock mass on the longwall excavation protected by the support. The research results presented in the paper, especially in the case of very dangerous dynamic impacts, indicate the possibility of both diagnosing the operating condition of the section and identifying symptoms of exposure to such events. This undoubtedly significantly expands the possibilities of using the measured pressures. Diagnostic signals from a longwall shearer are also widely used. The current intensities drawn by its motors while cutting the rock mass, as well as the advance speed and its position in the wall make it possible to analyze these parameters and their changes before, during and after the occurrence of various types of events. These data enable the assessment of the effects of the rock mass on its operational efficiency and safety status. It also enables the identification of symptoms that precede the occurrence of such events. The presented examples indicate the need for a broader and more holistic approach to the use of diagnostic parameters of mining machines. In particular, this concerns the study of the cooperation between the support and the rock mass and its influence on the efficiency and safety of the rock mass mining process. The subject matter addressed relates to very important and current issues, and the developed methodology and obtained results should be applied in practice as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Technology has the potential to prevent patient falls in healthcare settings and to reduce work-related injuries among healthcare providers. However, the usefulness and acceptability of each technology requires careful evaluation. Framed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and using the Adaptive Robotic Nursing Assistant (ARNA) to assist with patient ambulation, the present study examined the perceived usefulness of robots in patients' fall prevention with implications for preventing associated work-related injuries among healthcare providers. Methods: Employing an experimental design, subjects were undergraduate nursing students (N = 38) and one external subject (not a nursing student) who played the role of the patient. Procedures included subjects ambulating a simulated patient in three ways: (a) following the practice of a nurse assisting a patient to walk with the patient wearing a gait belt; (b) an ARNA-assisted process with the gait belt attached to ARNA; (c) an ARNA-assisted process with a subject walking a patient wearing a harness that is attached to ARNA. Block randomization was used with the following experimental scenarios: Gait Belt (human with a gait belt), "ARNA + Gait Belt" (a robot with a gait belt), and "ARNA + Harness" (a robot with a harness). Descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model were used to analyze the data and compare the outcome described as the Perceived Usefulness (PU) of a robot for patient walking versus a human "nurse assistant" without a robot. The independent variables included the experimental conditions of "Gait Belt," "ARNA + Gait Belt," and "ARNA + Harness," the subject's age, race, and previous videogame playing experience. Findings: Results indicated that PU was significantly higher in the Gait Belt + ARNA and Harness + ARNA conditions than in the Gait Belt condition (p -value <.01 for both variables). In examining potential influencing factors, the effects of race (White, African American, and Asian), age, and previous video-playing experience were not statistically significant (p -value >.05). Discussion: Results demonstrated that using robot technology to assist in walking patients was perceived by subjects as more useful in preventing falls than the gait belt. Patient fall prevention also has implications for preventing associated work-related injuries among healthcare providers. Implications: Understanding the effects of a subject's perceptions can guide further development of assistive robots in patient care. Robotic engineers and interdisciplinary teams can design robots to accommodate worker characteristics and individual differences to improve worker safety and reduce work injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of socio-economic factors on national AI strategies in India, Bangladesh, Germany, UAE, Egypt, and the USA through quantitative content analysis. The analysis explores the correlation between GDP per capita, the share of manufacturing, and the frequency of risk-related terms in AI strategy documents. It is found that wealthier nations emphasize AI risks more, correlating with deeper technological integration into their societal structures. Conversely, the emphasis on AI risks shows a weak correlation with the share of manufacturing, indicating broader AI impacts in service-oriented sectors. Lower-middle-income countries appear more optimistic, focusing on AI's economic benefits. The study underscores the need for balanced AI strategies that promote innovation while ensuring worker well-being, advocating for adaptive governance frameworks that enhance workplace safety and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensors, vital elements in data acquisition systems, play a crucial role in various industries. However, their exposure to harsh operating conditions makes them vulnerable to faults that can compromise system performance. Early fault detection is therefore critical for minimizing downtime and ensuring system reliability. This paper delves into the contemporary landscape of fault diagnosis techniques for sensors, offering valuable insights for researchers and academicians. The papers begin by exploring the different types and causes of sensor faults, followed by a discussion of the various fault diagnosis methods employed in industrial sectors. The advantages and limitations of these methods are carefully examined, paving the way for highlighting current challenges and outlining potential future research directions. This comprehensive review aims to provide a thorough understanding of current advancements in sensor fault diagnosis, enabling readers to stay abreast of the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field. By addressing the challenges and exploring promising research avenues, this paper seeks to contribute to the development of more robust and effective sensor fault diagnosis methods, ultimately improving the reliability and safety of industrial and agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built environment faces challenges from fire hazards and threats by malicious actors. Risks presented from these hazards and threats are managed through the practices of fire safety and physical security. Whilst distinct disciplines, both impact the built environment systems, resulting in potential conflict. To manage this conflict, a complex process is required. Through the framework of Governmentality, using a mixed methods approach, the study explored the process which fire safety engineers and security practitioners undertake to manage this conflict. The study produced a conceptual model that explains how practitioners operate and manage risk associated with fire safety hazards and security threats. The model indicates that the process for resolving conflicts is a dichotomy between physical security and fire safety, with fire safety being the most dominate and influential. Nevertheless, both fire safety and physical security are subservient to building regulations in this process; however unlike security, fire safety is codified through building regulations. Risk assessment and the design process are core processes, but only used in decision-making when there is conflict between the fire safety and physical security. Findings demonstrated that context remains static for greater threats, whereas context is dynamic for fire safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although extensive research has been conducted to explain the high accident rates in the Indian construction industry, studies focusing on the contributions of the prevailing safety climate as an enabler of such incidences remain sparse. Safety climate plays a crucial role in shaping workers' safety behaviors. Therefore, eliciting the perspectives of construction workers concerning safety climate dimensions that are critical for engendering improved safety behavior will provide valuable insights into the dimensions required to sustain the desired safety performance levels on construction sites. This study adopted a sequential mixed-methods research design. Purposively selected respondents and interviewees were surveyed and interviewed at various intervals. The study established that safety climate dimensions, such as effective leadership, effective communication, consultation, training, resources, incentives, and recognition, are critical in improving safety behavior among construction workers. The results of this study have significant implications for practice and knowledge, as they provide an approach for assessing the impact of different safety climate dimensions on the safety behavior of construction workers in India. Understanding these dimensions will lead to a framework for managing these challenges and improving construction safety performance. The study reported in this paper remains one of the few studies seeking to explore the impact of safety-climate dimensions on worker safety behavior in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to a statewide lockdown in Illinois starting in March 2020. To ensure students' and employees' safety for school reopening, protective measures, such as a statewide mask mandate and weekly testing, were in place in Illinois from Spring 2021 to Spring 2022. The study objective is to 1) estimate the in-school and external transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in elementary and middle schools under mask mandate and weekly surveillance and 2) estimate the impacts of protective measures such as testing and mask proportion and testing frequency on SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: A stochastic compartmental model was built to simulate the SARS-CoV-2 transmission within and between the student and employee groups in primary and middle schools participating in the weekly testing program and to evaluate the effectiveness of these protective measures. This stochastic model was modified from a susceptible–infected–recovered framework and calibrated to SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data in 116 primary and middle school districts from Spring 2021 to March 2022. This model calibration was assessed using the surveillance data from the rest of the spring semester in 2022. Results: Overall, the external transmission rates in students and employees were significantly greater than those within schools, and the external transmission rates in middle school students and school employees were greater than those in primary school students. Our sensitivity analysis showed that transmission rates within student groups could significantly influence overall infection rates in vaccinated and unvaccinated students in large school districts. Under the protective measures implemented in the studied period in Illinois, an increased proportion of students and employees participating in the weekly testing can decrease infections. However, community-level measures of self-reported mask adherence among adults were not significantly associated with the infections during the study period, when a universal mask policy was in place for the state. Conclusions: Although increased testing proportion and/or frequency can reduce the SARS-CoV-2 infections, the costs of testing can increase with the testing volume. Further studies on the cost-effectiveness between the testing volume and cases reduction or learning disturbance can aid in policy development to reduce transmission effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational or work-related injuries are mostly common among hospitals' sanitary workers (SWs) in developing countries like Ethiopia. This is due to improper practiced of devices, unhygienic workplace, neglected and undermined risk factors, as well as due to lack of policy initiatives; but not studied well. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the occupational injuries and its associated factors among SWs in public hospitals, eastern Ethiopia: A Modified Poisson regression Model Analysis. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia from May 2023 to August 30th, 2023. Out of fourteen hospitals, eight of them were selected randomly. Eight data collectors and 4 supervisors were assigned. Face-to-face interview was conducted. Eight hundred hospital SWs were recruited for the study. Occupational injury was measured using Boolean logic questionnaire either YES [1] or NO [0] for the last 12 months and the 7 days. Descriptive statistical was used for means, medians, standard deviations, and frequencies, proportions, and percentages. Modified Poisson regression was used to explore the relationship of outcome and independent variables. Accordingly, bi-variable analysis was performed to estimate unadjusted prevalence ratio (UPR). While, multi-variable model was used adjusted PR(APR) for those variables have significant values of p ≤0.20 at bi-variate analysis with confidence interval of 95% (CI:95%). Result: Out of eight hundred nine SWs, 729(90.1%) were participated on the study. Self-reported occupational injuries among SWs in the last 12 months were 44.0% (95% CI: 40.4, 47.7). Of these, 92.2% (95%CI: 88.7,94.90%) and 7.8% (95%CI: 5.1, 11.3%) occupational injuries was reported from the cleaners and waste collectors, respectively. The model found that SWs those acquired diseases after recruited in the hospitals (APR:1.3;95%CI:1.1,1.6), those had sleeping disorder (APR:1.2;95%CI:1.0,1.), those had workload (APR:1.3; 95%CI:1.0, 1.8), those exposed with occupational hazards (APR:1.4; 95%CI:1.3, 1.7) were at the risk of occupational injuries as compared to their counter parts. Meanwhile, SWs those didn't get supervision (APR: 1.0;95%CI: 1.0, 1.2) and those non-adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) (APR:1.3;95%CI:1.0,1.5) were more likely to at the risk of occupational injuries. Conclusion: The current study concluded that there was a high prevalence of occupational injuries among SWs in the current selected public hospitals. The study also found that non-compliant with PPE, work load, sleeping disorders, attitude towards workplace safety and unsupervised activities and working in high-risk environment tends to increase the risk for occupational injuries. In addition to occupational injuries the study found that SWs those acquired occupational diseases such as asthma, respiratory tract problems, allergy, infections, kidney problems and dermatology problems after recruited in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to understanding semi-automated ergonomic risk assessments in industrial manufacturing environments, proposing a practical tool for enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency. In the Industry 5.0 era, the human-centric approach in manufacturing is crucial, especially considering the aging workforce and the dynamic nature of the entire modern industrial sector, today integrating digital technology, automation, and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and environmental responsibility. This approach aims to adapt work conditions to individual capabilities, addressing the high incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The traditional, subjective methods of ergonomic assessment are inadequate for dynamic settings, highlighting the need for affordable, automatic tools for continuous monitoring of workers' postures to evaluate ergonomic risks effectively during tasks. To enable this perspective, 2D RGB Motion Capture (MoCap) systems based on computer vision currently seem the technologies of choice, given their low intrusiveness, cost, and implementation effort. However, the reliability and applicability of these systems in the dynamic and varied manufacturing environment remain uncertain. This research benchmarks various literature proposed MoCap tools and examines the viability of MoCap systems for ergonomic risk assessments in Industry 5.0 by exploiting one of the benchmarked semi-automated, low-cost and non-intrusive 2D RGB MoCap system, capable of continuously monitoring and analysing workers' postures. By conducting experiments across varied manufacturing environments, this research evaluates the system's effectiveness in assessing ergonomic risks and its adaptability to different production lines. Results reveal that the accuracy of risk assessments varies by specific environmental conditions and workstation setups. Although these systems are not yet optimized for expert-level risk certification, they offer significant potential for enhancing workplace safety and efficiency by providing continuous posture monitoring. Future improvements could explore advanced computational techniques like machine learning to refine ergonomic assessments further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents in the workplace are critical issues that necessitate attention from environmental safety and health perspectives to enhance operational safety. The elevated rate of workplace accidents in Turkey underscores deficiencies in reliability analysis studies. Effective planning of preventive measures, considering factors such as location and timing, is pivotal in accident prevention. Sociological and regional disparities, alongside technical factors such as service type, working hours, and age, contribute significantly to accident causation. Reliability analysis studies aim to identify potential causes of accidents, enabling early detection of hazardous situations and combinations. This proactive approach allows responsible personnel to implement measures that mitigate or eliminate specific types of accidents, thereby safeguarding both lives and business assets. This study utilizes Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to forecast potential occupational accidents in the shipbuilding industry before they occur. Analyzing data from 146 occupational accidents involving ship electricians between 2012 and 2016, out of a total of 1165 occupational accidents in the industry, the study estimates potential accidents for 2017. The results demonstrate that ANN achieves high accuracy in predicting occupational accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work covers the issues related to the diagnosis of selected occupational safety hazards in Polish wood processing enterprises. The main objective is to build models in order to identify occupational accident profiles in these enterprises on the basis of individual records characterizing the casualties, provided by Statistics Poland. The modelling task employed the latent class analysis (LCA) data mining technique. In order to enhance the process of building the LCA model and to support the procedure of selecting input variables relevant to the model, an iterative algorithm was elaborated by the authors. The impact of an enterprise size on occupational accident consequences was statistically confirmed. Following this result, LCA models were developed independently for smaller (micro and small), and for larger (medium and large) enterprises. Latent classes, presenting occupational accident profiles, were visualized in the form of heat maps. Similarities and differences between the occupational accident profiles identified for the two types of enterprises were indicated. It has been shown that employees of smaller enterprises are at greater risk of suffering more serious injury from accidents at work than employees of larger enterprises. However, in both cases, the most critical latent classes concern occupational accidents related to operating machinery; they affect workers with a low level of job seniority, and result in injuries (often traumatic amputations) involving upper limbs in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regardless of where they are, humans are inherently human. In this study, we explore the relationship between compassion, mindfulness, and servant leadership contributing to an overall feeling of safety. Adopting a humanistic approach to human resource management, we examine how compassion and mindfulness intersect under the lens of the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. Our investigation focuses on understanding how servant leadership facilitates the cultivation of mindfulness through compassion. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we analyze data gathered from 360 workers across diverse occupational sectors. Our findings provide empirical support for the hypothesis that compassion, manifested as a response to suffering, enhances mindfulness levels in the workplace. Specifically, we observe that organizations promoting servant leadership principles are conducive to higher levels of mindfulness among employees. Practically, our study underscores the importance of designing work contexts that prioritize compassion and servant leadership. By doing so, organizations can foster a positive work environment that promotes mindfulness and enhances workplace safety. Our research contributes to the management literature by offering empirical evidence on the role of servant leadership in cultivating compassion and mindfulness, thereby advancing the discourse on workplace safety and organizational well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bearings are widely used as a common mechanical component and significantly impacts the reliability and safety of various engineering equipment. In the field of large‐scale equipment such as wind turbines, statistical data for reliability and state prediction of bearings is usually limited, leading to the inapplicability of traditional statistical methods. Besides, individual differences commonly exist among bearings, and the appropriate failure threshold for a specific bearing is difficult to be determined due to the individual uncertainty, which may induce prediction errors. To address these issues, a novel operational reliability and state prediction method based on random threshold degradation hidden Markov model was proposed in the study. The traditional hidden Markov model was improved by considering the effect of performance degradation on state transition probability matrix. Moreover, random failure thresholds of performance degradation were employed to describe individual differences between bearings. The operational reliability and state of bearings was obtained by comprehensive analysis of prediction results under different failure thresholds. Verification of the proposed operational reliability and state prediction method were conducted using PHM2012 bearing operation data. The results underscored the effectiveness of the proposed method in achieving a comparatively high accuracy in operational reliability prediction without the prerequisite of an exact failure threshold, when contrasted with several established reliability and life prediction techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundObjectiveMethodsResultsImplicationsWork-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) is considered a critical injury that can be prevented. Few studies have integrated clinical data and workers’ injury narratives to inform sex-specific wrTBI prevention.To examine sex differences in pre-injury factors and provide recommendations for primary prevention of wrTBI.Concurrent mixed methods study. The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model served as a theoretical framework for qualitative and quantitative data analyses.The sample consisted of 93 workers (51% female, 67% aged over 40) with wrTBI sustained as a result of being struck by/against an object (SBA, 46%), falls (30%), motor vehicle accident (13%), and assault (11%). Qualitative analysis of injury events revealed distinct patterns between male and female workers in the nature and physical/social load of occupational activities performed at the time of injury. Quantitative analysis enriched interpretation of observed sex differences across PEO factors. New insights emerged by stratifying SBA injury cases, revealing sex differences in Environment- and Occupation-related factors unique to workers struck by an object.Sex- and cause-specific analysis of injury events is essential for surveillance and prevention of wrTBI. Addressing fitness for duty, supervisor–worker relationships, and industry-specific hazards in prevention strategies is essential to ensure workplace safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nurses' Machiavellian and deontic justice personality on the tendency to make medical errors. Additionally, conducted to investigate the other factors associated with nurses' tendency to make medical errors. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 345 nurses working in a state university medical faculty health application and research hospital, and data were collected using the Medical Error Tendency in Nursing Scale, the Machiavellian Personality Scale, and the Deontic Justice Scale. Results: Machiavellian and deontic justice personality of nurses effect in low level their tendency to make medical errors (R = 0.284, p = 0.001). As the nurses' Machiavellian tendencies increased, their propensity toward making medical errors also increased. The increase in Nurses' deontic justice reduced their tendency toward medical errors (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between nurses' mean tendency to medical errors scores and their age, working life/years, the number of night shifts, the daily number of patients provided with care, the status of working in the COVID-19 service, and the status of having received education on medical errors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Nurses' Machiavellian tendencies and deontic justice approach affect their propensity to make medical errors. Nurses who have a Machiavellian tendency and poor deontic justice have a high tendency to make medical errors. Nurses' age, working life/years, the number of night shifts, the daily number of patients they provide care for, working in the COVID-19 service, and having received education on medical errors were the other factors affecting their tendency to make medical errors. This study demonstrated that nurses' personality traits can cause medical errors. Generations are changing in the world and personality are also changing. Therefore, including personal development in nursing education could be a positive approach for medical errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground handling companies (GHCs) have the highest potential for occupational accidents in the air transportation sector. Understanding the success factors of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) implemented by GHCs ensures effective and efficient use of resources. Knowing the relative importance of success factors will enable companies to focus their energies on the most important factors. The analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the relative importance of success factors. The data of the study were obtained through a questionnaire survey of participants working as occupational safety and health (OSH) managers in GHCs operating in Turkey. According to the results of the study, the most critical success factor is ‘top management support’, followed by ‘positive safety culture’. The differentiating result of the research from the literature is that ‘OSH professionals’ ranks third as an important success factor. Other success factors include ‘OHSMS practices’, ‘stakeholder attitudes and characteristics’ and ‘regulations’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the strategies on how nursing leaders can implement key competencies to strengthen the well-being of nursing teams to enhance work environment in the health care industry. Topics mentioned include the creation of collaborative committees or workgroups, the incorporation of integrative health practices and the importance of work-life balance behaviors, career development and personal and professional accountability.

The article describes the results of a study on how to address fatigue experienced by night shift nurses. Topics mentioned include the need to implement a fatigue management program through education, the importance of cultivating a break-taking culture and embracing evidence-based scheduling and an overview of workplace napping in the nonhealthcare and healthcare industries in the U.S. and around the world.

These findings indicate that firefighters may enhance air consumption efficiency through training interventions focused on improving body composition the metabolic tolerance to work. Firefighters should also be mindful of excessive and unnecessary load carriage, as increasing gear mass was also associated with poorer air consumption efficiency. Objective: This study examines variability in air consumption (AC) between firefighters (FF) working at a standardized pace, evaluates the relationship between air consumption efficiency (ACE) and work economy, identifies parameters associated with ACE, and explores the relationship between ACE and self-paced work rate. Methods: FF completed randomized trials of an air consumption drill at a standardized pace while breathing through a self-contained breathing apparatus and a gas analyzer. A subsample completed another trial at a self-selected pace. Results: The average AC variability (±1 standard deviation) was ~3.1 min of cylinder usage (13.7%). AC was positively associated with work economy and numerous physiological and anthropometric outcomes. No relationship was found between ACE and self-paced air consumption drill time. Conclusions: FF working at higher internal strain demonstrated poorer ACE. Improving metabolic tolerance may extend the self-contained breathing apparatus' functional duration to enhance productivity and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing scientifically validated statistical approaches, our research underscores the significance of safety climate in the healthcare industry, emphasizing how interpersonal trust and locus of control impact organization safety. Findings inspire more informed, scientifically grounded preventative strategies and advocate for a psychologically safe error disclosure culture, prompting advancements in occupational interventions. Objectives: The current study aims to identify individual and joint drivers that significantly influence the safety climate in healthcare industries by using Bayesian network (BN) simulations for an in-depth analysis. Methods: Survey data were collected from 452 employees from two branches of one hospital in China for a study about workplace safety. The original English surveys were translated into Chinese using the back-translation procedure recommended by Brislin. Employees were asked to complete two online surveys with 1 month in between each administration. The sample was 42% doctors and 58% nurses. A BN model, based on theory, was updated and complemented with expert knowledge. A graphical model based on expert knowledge and data-driven machine learning approaches was used to refine the BN structure, representing interrelationships among all studied variables. The BN model was employed to identify the best key drivers and joint strategies for safety climate improvement. Results: The BN model demonstrated a good overall fit. The Euclidean distance metric was used to assess the influence between connected variables, with interpersonal trust and locus of control having the strongest independent effects on safety climate among the five contributing factors. Joint strategies, particularly joint optimization of error disclosure culture and interpersonal trust, as well as error disclosure culture and self-efficacy, were most effective in promoting a safe climate. Conclusions: The findings suggest that hospital safety climate can be improved by providing a psychologically safe error disclosure culture and enhancing interpersonal trust among employees and their self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to adapt and validate the Occupational Health Literacy Scale (OHLS) for the Italian workforce, assessing its psychometric properties and ensuring its relevance and applicability within this specific cultural setting. Validation process by observational and descriptive study. Initially, two members of the research team independently translated the original OHLS into Italian. Subsequent comparisons and syntheses of these translations produced a unified Italian document. To ensure translation accuracy, this document was then retranslated back into English. An expert committee with specialized knowledge in occupational safety and health evaluated the retranslations to finalize the Italian version. This version underwent a preliminary test using a pilot group, followed by anonymous administration to a sample of 398 workers. The adaptation of the OHLS into Italian demonstrated outstanding psychometric characteristics. The scale exhibited an excellent model fit and strong internal consistency. Furthermore, the factorial structures were congruent with theoretical expectations, underscoring the scale's robust construct validity. The Italian version of the OHLS has been validated as a reliable and effective instrument for quantifying occupational health literacy among Italian workers. This tool's demonstrated validity and reliability suggest its potential for broader application in promoting occupational health awareness and interventions within Italian-speaking populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Test consolidation and total laboratory automation (TLA) were implemented in a core laboratory with a high volume of specimens in a medical center in Taiwan to reduce the costs of laboratory services and improve laboratory workflow and performance. Methods Using a retrospective research approach, 5 stat and 7 routine tests were used to analyze the in-laboratory to report turnaround time (IR-TAT). Mean, SD, medium, 90th percentile, outlier percentage of IR-TAT, full-time equivalents, productivity, tube touch moment (TTM), and financial impact were determined and compared pre- and post-TLA. Results The mean IR-TAT of overall stat chemical tests for inpatient and outpatient were 32.8% and 11.9% reductions, respectively. The productivity of each medical technologist increased by 32.4% per month, and there was a reduction of 5 medical technologists compared with the number required to complete the same tests before consolidation. The TTM of staff per year post-TLA decreased by 74.1% tube touches. Conclusion The efficiency of laboratory services was improved by consolidation to the core laboratory along with TLA implementation coupled with logic rules such as delta-check and autoverification. Effectiveness was improved as measured by an increase in productivity, labor reduction, staff safety, and cost reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined students' perceptions and opinions regarding others' COVID-19 mitigation behaviors and how these behaviors impacted feelings of safety and desire for on-campus engagement. Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at a midsize regional state university during the Spring 2021 semester (n = 893). Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized with an online and anonymous questionnaire. Scale means were calculated followed by ANOVAs to determine significance. Results: Two independent variables impacted students' feelings of safety for on-ground courses and activities: living situation (on campus, with roommates) and school year (freshman/sophomores). Underclassmen were more likely to desire in-person campus engagement. Conclusions: Students showed a willingness to return to campus, but also concern over peer behaviors and remaining safe. Returning to a pre-pandemic social environment is critical for students' mental health, and making students feel safe on campus is an important first step to return campuses to vibrant educational and social communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altrenogest, also known as allyltrenbolone, is a synthetic form of progesterone used therapeutically to suppress unwanted symptoms of estrus in female horses. Altrenogest affects the system by decreasing levels of endogenous gonadotrophin and luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, which in turn decreases estrogen and mimics the increase of progesterone production. This results in more manageable mares for training and competition alongside male horses while improving the workplace safety of riders and handlers. However, when altrenogest is administered, prohibited steroid impurities such as trendione, trenbolone, and epitrenbolone can be detected. It has been assumed that greater concentrations of these steroid impurities are present in injectable preparations and, therefore, pose a greater risk of causing anabolic effects when administered. For this reason, and due to the necessity of this therapeutic substance for the safety of thoroughbred racing participants, a metabolomic approach investigating the differentiation of two main administration routes was conducted. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of equine urine samples found five sulfated compounds, estrone sulfate, testosterone sulfate, 2-methoxyestradiol sulfate, pregnenolone sulfate, and cortisol sulfate, with the potential to differentiate between oral and intramuscularly administered altrenogest using a random forest classification model. The best model results, comparing two horses' administration normalized peak area datasets, gave an AUC score of 0.965 with a confidence level of 95% (between 0.931 and 0.995). Identifications of these compounds were confirmed with assistance from the Shimadzu Insight Explore Assign feature, together with MS/MS spectrum and retention time matching of purchased and synthesized reference standards. This study proposes a new potential application for metabolomic multi-tool workflows and machine learning models in a forensic toxicological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in exoskeleton technology, both passive and active, are driven by the need to enhance human capabilities across various industries as well as the need to provide increased safety for the human worker. This review paper examines the sensors, actuators, mechanisms, design, and applications of passive and active exoskeletons, providing an in-depth analysis of various exoskeleton technologies. The main scope of this paper is to examine the recent developments in the exoskeleton developments and their applications in different fields and identify research opportunities in this field. The paper examines the exoskeletons used in various industries as well as research-level prototypes of both active and passive types. Further, it examines the commonly used sensors and actuators with their advantages and disadvantages applicable to different types of exoskeletons. Communication protocols used in different exoskeletons are also discussed with the challenges faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable devices have a significant impact on society, and recent advancements in modern sensor technologies are opening up new possibilities for healthcare applications. Continuous vital sign monitoring using Internet of Things solutions can be a crucial tool for emergency management, reducing risks in rescue operations and ensuring the safety of workers. The massive amounts of data, high network traffic, and computational demands of a typical monitoring application can be challenging to manage with traditional infrastructure. Cloud computing provides a solution with its built-in resilience and elasticity capabilities. This study presents a Cloud-based monitoring architecture for remote vital sign tracking of paramedics and medical workers through the use of a mobile wearable device. The system monitors vital signs such as electrocardiograms and breathing patterns during work sessions, and it is able to manage real-time alarm events to a personnel management center. In this study, 900 paramedics and emergency workers were monitored using wearable devices over a period of 12 months. Data from these devices were collected, processed via Cloud infrastructure, and analyzed to assess the system's reliability and scalability. The results showed a significant improvement in worker safety and operational efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of Cloud-based systems and Internet of Things devices in enhancing emergency response efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic and corrosive gas commonly found in industrial emissions and natural gas processing, posing serious risks to human health and environmental safety even at low concentrations. The early detection of H2S is therefore critical for preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This study presents the development of porous ZnO/SnO2-nanocomposite gas sensors tailored for the ultrasensitive detection of H2S at sub-ppb levels. Utilizing a screen-printing method, we fabricated five different sensor compositions—ranging from pure SnO2 to pure ZnO—and characterized their structural and morphological properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among these, the SnO2/ZnO sensor with a composition-weight ratio of 3:4 demonstrated the highest response at 325 °C, achieving a low detection limit of 0.14 ppb. The sensor was evaluated for detecting H2S concentrations ranging from 5 ppb to 500 ppb under dry, humid air and N2 conditions. The relative concentration error was carefully calculated based on analytical sensitivity, confirming the sensor's precision in measuring gas concentrations. Our findings underscore the significant advantages of mixture nanocomposites in enhancing gas sensitivity, offering promising applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. This research paves the way for the advancement of highly effective gas sensors capable of operating under diverse conditions with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use and availability of diverse advanced X-ray based imaging and guidance systems in the field of interventional pulmonology are rapidly growing. This popularity links inextricably to an increase in ionizing radiation use. Knowing ionizing radiation is hazardous, knowledge and competent use of X-ray imaging and guidance systems are important. The globally implemented As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle demands careful attention to minimize radiation exposure while achieving the precise goals of the intervention and imaging therein. To allow careful and targeted weighing of risk against reward while using X-ray based equipment, proper background knowledge of physics as well as imaging system aspects are needed. This white paper summarizes the principles of ionizing radiation which are crucial to enhance awareness and interpretation of dosimetric quantities. Consecutively, a consensus on standards for reporting radiation exposure in interventional pulmonology procedures is indicated to facilitate comparisons between different systems, approaches and results. Last but not least, it provides a list of practical measures, considerations and tips to optimize procedural imaging as well as reduce radiation dose to patients and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]