Search Results (129)

This study investigates the engineering characteristics of a newly commissioned higher education building through the Bioharmological Conformity Assessment (BCA) method, specifically using the 2020vEB version. The BCA is a novel evaluation approach that assesses whether a building aligns with the identity of its users and its intended function. The engineering attributes of the structure were assessed across 12 core criteria, encompassing a total of 600 individual parameters. Findings from the BCA inspection indicate that the newly completed building falls into the category of “Near-Standard Building/Minor Modifications Required.” The BCA score was calculated as 398.73, corresponding to a deficiency rate of 25.50%. Notably, significant shortcomings were observed in categories such as user identity and intended use, Physical Characteristics of the Space, and Ecological and Seismological Suitability. Consequently, targeted improvements are necessary to align the building with bioharmological principles, requiring only minor adjustments to rectify the identified deficiencies. Full article

AetherGeo is a standalone piece of software (current version 1.0) that aims to enable the user to analyze raster data, with a special focus on processing multi- and hyperspectral images. Being developed in Python 3.12.4, this application is a free, open-source alternative for spectral analysis, something considered beneficial for researchers, allowing for a flexible approach to start working on the topic without acquiring proprietary software licenses. It provides the user with a set of tools for spectral data analysis through classical approaches, such as band ratios and RGB combinations, but also more elaborate techniques, such as endmember extraction and unsupervised image classification with partial spectral unmixing techniques. While it has been tested on visible and near-infrared (VNIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), and VNIR-SWIR datasets, the functions implemented have the potential to be applied to other spectral ranges. On top of this, all results can be visualized within the software, and some tools allow for the inspection and comparison of spectra and spectral libraries. Providing software with these capabilities in a unified platform has the potential to positively impact research and education, as students and educators usually have limited access to proprietary software. Full article

This study investigated the perceptions of animal welfare and the consumption of alternative protein sources among future professionals in agronomy, food science, and veterinary medicine. A sample of 769 participants from three faculties [ESALQ (“Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture), FZEA (School of Animal Science and Food Engineering), and FMVZ (School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science)] of the University of São Paulo was used. These faculties have different teaching focuses: agronomy, food and animal production, and veterinary, respectively. A relationship between the perception of animal welfare and alternative sources of protein based on the participants’ educational background was verified, specifically: (i) participants from the FZEA (food science) and FMVZ (veterinary) units would be interested in consuming farmed meat and expressed interest in trying it; (ii) students from the ESALQ (agronomy) have a low level of knowledge about animal welfare and are not very interested in knowing how animals are reared, and few participants attribute the presence of the health inspection seal as influencing their purchasing intention; (iii) participants, regardless of their academic background, did not express an intention to reduce their red meat consumption; (iv) the ESALQ was the campus which showed the most skepticism about animal sentience; (v) most participants from the FMVZ and FZEA reported being willing to pay 4–5% more for products that guarantee animal welfare. The findings suggest that the academic context influences individuals’ perceptions and food choices, highlighting the need for educational strategies that foster a greater awareness of animal welfare, encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices, and promote the acceptance of alternative protein sources within the agri-food sector. Full article

Background: While public water supplies are regulated by Directive (EU) 2020/2184, inconsistencies in member state legislation for individual wells pose health risks. The study investigates the management of Slovak wells, providing insights to inform and potentially strengthen national water policies. Methods: The survey-based study collected data via online and in-person questionnaires during March 2024. It collected retrospective information on well characteristics, usage, stewardship practices, and water quality concerns. Results: We received 251 responses from 52 Slovak districts. The well water for drinking was used by 122 (48.6%) households, with notable regional variations. Only 41.0% of the respondents conducted a proper technical inspection of their wells within the past year. There has been an increase in the use of wells since the millennium. Individuals who drank well water were significantly more likely to conduct water quality tests (p < 0.05). The recommended frequency of technical inspections and annual testing was not reached in either well owners who drink well water or those with wells who drink water from other sources. Conclusions: The amendment of legislation specifically targeting individual wells, along with educational campaigns, appears crucial for well stewardship in Slovakia. The study provides data for further research and public health interventions. Full article

In order to explore the causative factors of falling accidents at high-rise building construction sites, this study collected 207 reports of these accidents from 2014 to 2024. We used the Human Factor Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) during sample collection, from the four perspectives of organizational impact, unsafe supervision, prerequisites for unsafe behavior, and unsafe behavior. In total, 21 important causal factors were identified, and the samples were classified according to these factors. Descriptive statistics, chi-square testing, and limit matrix analysis were mainly used. SPSS 27.01 was used to analyze the samples, and Super Decisions software was used to normalize the limit supermatrix and calculate the weight. Subsequently, innovative and comprehensive application of chi-square testing and correlation coefficients was applied to determine the correlation of factors, and ANP was used to determine the weight of the factors. According to the weight, we determined the key factors, levels, and paths, and the relationship between the causes of falling accidents in building construction was systematically studied. Finally, based on the key causal path and key factors, a corresponding pre-control strategy was proposed. The results show that the key factors are a lack of awareness of personnel safety, safety education and training, and on-site safety management and an absence of safety inspections and routine maintenance. The key causes are that labor companies are not qualified, there is a lack of on-site safety oversight, and personnel do not have a permit to work at significant heights and do not wear safety protection equipment properly. This study explores the shortcomings of safety management in the construction industry. In order to reduce the accident rate, it is very important to improve the level of decision-making regarding safety management by the government and construction industry. This study has the following limitations: firstly, the information obtained from the investigation report of high-rise building construction accidents is not adequate to fully reflect the situation of workers on-site, which inevitably leads to some deviations. Secondly, due to the high mobility of construction workers, it is very difficult to investigate psychological or physiological states that may have a potential impact on unsafe behavior. Full article

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for infection prevention and is effective only when worn correctly and consistently. Health organizations often use education or inspections to mitigate non-compliance, but these are costly and have limited success. This study developed a novel on-device, AI-based computer vision system to monitor healthcare worker PPE adherence in real time. Using a custom-built image dataset of 7142 images of 11 participants wearing various combinations of PPE (mask, gloves, gown), we trained a series of binary classifiers for each PPE item. By utilizing a lightweight MobileNetV3 model, we optimized the system for edge computing on a Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer, enabling rapid image processing without the need for external servers. Our models achieved high accuracy in identifying individual PPE items (93–97%), with an overall accuracy of 85.58 ± 0.82% when all items were correctly classified. Real-time evaluation with 11 unseen medical staff in a cardiac intensive care unit demonstrated the practical viability of our system, maintaining a high per-item accuracy of 87–89%. This study highlights the potential for AI-driven solutions to significantly improve PPE compliance in healthcare settings, offering a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable tool for enhancing patient safety and mitigating infection risks. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pelvic floor muscle contraction training (PFMCT) using verbal education, digital vaginal palpation (DVP), or perineometer on the common errors made during pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC) in women. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 women participated, and they were randomly assigned to three groups (Group I: PFMCT with verbal education, n = 16; Group II: PFMCT with DVP, n = 16; and Group III: PFMCT with perineometer, n = 16). Participants who had not previously received PFMCT were evaluated for pelvic floor muscle strength using the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS), and pelvic floor muscle activation was assessed with electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BF). Possible errors during pelvic floor muscle contraction (gluteal, adductor and/or abdominal muscle contractions, stop breathing (breath holding), enhanced inhaling, and straining) were evaluated through inspection, palpation, or EMG-BF. After pre-training evaluations, all participants received training on pelvic floor. After this general training, each group received PFMCT using the specific training method for their group. After the training, the same evaluations were repeated. The sessions were conducted one-on-one and lasted for an average of one hour. Results: After the training, MOS values increased in Group II and Group III, while EMG-BF values only increased in Group II (p < 0.05). The number of incorrect movements during PFMC decreased after the training in all three groups (p < 0.05). The abdominal muscle contraction value monitored by EMG-BF only decreased in Group II (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the PFMCT applied using the DVP method was more effective in creating more accurate and stronger muscle contractions and reducing common errors when compared to pre- and post-training values. Significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of performance improvements, with Group II showing the most notable progress. These results support the potential for DVP to yield better outcomes when used in PFMT. Full article

Food safety is essential to ensure that food is safe for human consumption, particularly in light of the growing global and environmental changes, including population growth and climate variations. Meeting the increasing demand for food requires enhancing and protecting agricultural systems. A common strategy is the use of pesticides, which serve to protect cultivated plants from pests, diseases, and weeds. However, improper and excessive use of these products can lead to negative impacts, spanning economic, environmental, and human health aspects. Concerns about pesticide residues in food are global, as their effects on human health vary depending on exposure and quantity. The main objective of this study was to estimate the potential residual consumption (PRC) of pesticides present in food consumed by Brazilian households. Using a specific methodology, it was identified that pineapple had the highest average PRC (121.01 mg), primarily due to the high residue of the active ingredient ethephon. On the other hand, Dithiocarbamates showed the highest residual quantity. Tebuconazole was the most repeated in the samples. It was observed that the insecticide class was responsible for the highest average PRC in households, estimated at 142.45 mg annually, while higher-income families and those located in rural areas showed a greater propensity for potential residual pesticide consumption due to the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it was found that households where the head of the family is male, highly educated, and older than 40 years present a higher risk of potential residual pesticide consumption. These results highlight the need for public policies focused on sanitary inspection, the training of professionals in the field, the rational use of pesticides by producers, and proper hygiene practices by consumers to mitigate health risks. Full article

GenAI tools like ChatGPT have changed the educational landscape, and empirical experiences are needed to better understand how to use them to their fullest potential. This article empirically explores the usage of ChatGPT 3.5 in database administration education through a case study conducted with 40 computer science students. Specifically, it inspects how widespread the use of ChatGPT is and students’ perceptions of this tool, how prior knowledge on a topic affects the use of ChatGPT, and the relationship between the usage of ChatGPT and success in solving practical problems. The student’s grades in a computer practical exam, a set of theoretical tests to assess progression in knowledge acquisition, and a comprehensive questionnaire are employed as research instruments. The obtained results indicate that students use ChatGPT moderately but more frequently than traditional internet learning resources such as official documentation, Stack Overflow or googling. However, the usage is uneven among students, and those who end up getting better grades use ChatGPT more. Beyond prompting skills, one of the elements that is key to the students’ productive use of this tool is their prior knowledge about database administration. This article concludes that ChatGPT is an excellent educational instrument in the context of database administration and that in order to use it properly, it is necessary for students to have good prompting skills as well as a sound theoretical basis. Training students in the use of GenAI tools like ChatGPT, for example, with a guided practice strategy where prompting and conducted step-by-step practice are employed is key to prevent the appearance of new digital trenches. Full article

As China’s construction industry pays increasing attention to occupational health, prefabricated buildings, as an important direction for industry transformation, are gradually gaining widespread attention. However, because relevant management regulations have not yet been perfected, work-related injuries still occur from time to time. In order to comprehensively analyze safety risks in prefabricated building construction (PBC), this article systematically discusses construction safety risks and their causal relationships based on accident data and complex network theory. By constructing a network model of safety accident causes in PBC, the topology of the network was evaluated, the relationship between accidents and safety risks was revealed, and key safety risk factors were identified. Research shows that the attack strategies of betweenness centrality and degree centrality can significantly affect the stability of the network structure, and the EffG attack strategy performs better in identifying key nodes. In addition, human factors and management factors are the main causes of accidents. In particular, the two factors of insufficient safety education and training and insufficient safety hazard investigation play a decisive role in network connectivity. This study also further analyzed the formation probabilities of critical risk paths for various types of accidents. Among them, object impact accidents have the highest probability of occurrence, reaching 0.19779, while collapse accidents have the lowest probability of occurrence at only 0.02046. In response to these findings, this article proposes strategies, such as strengthening safety training, regular hidden danger inspections, and optimizing on-site management, to reduce construction safety risks and promote the sustainable development of the construction industry. Full article

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid widely used for its potent analgesic effects in chronic pain management and intraoperative anesthesia. However, its high potency, low cost, and accessibility have also made it a significant drug of abuse, contributing to the global opioid epidemic. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of fentanyl’s medical applications, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and pharmacogenetics while examining its adverse effects and forensic implications. Special attention is given to its misuse, polydrug interactions, and the challenges in determining the cause of death in fentanyl-related fatalities. Fentanyl misuse has escalated dramatically, driven by its substitution for heroin and its availability through online platforms, including the dark web. Polydrug use, where fentanyl is combined with substances like xylazine, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or cocaine, exacerbates its toxicity and increases the risk of fatal outcomes. Fentanyl undergoes rapid distribution, metabolism by CYP3A4 into inactive metabolites, and renal excretion. Genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4, OPRM1, and ABCB1 significantly influence individual responses to fentanyl, affecting its efficacy and potential for toxicity. Fentanyl’s side effects include respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and neurocognitive impairments. Chronic misuse disrupts brain function, contributes to mental health disorders, and poses risks for younger and older populations alike. Fentanyl-related deaths require comprehensive forensic investigations, including judicial inspections, autopsies, and toxicological analyses. Additionally, the co-administration of xylazine presents distinct challenges for the scientific community. Histological and immunohistochemical studies are essential for understanding organ-specific damage, while pharmacogenetic testing can identify individual susceptibilities. The growing prevalence of fentanyl abuse highlights the need for robust forensic protocols, advanced research into its pharmacogenetic variability, and strategies to mitigate its misuse. International collaboration, public education, and harm reduction measures are critical for addressing the fentanyl crisis effectively. Full article

The Building Condition Index (BCI) is a widely adopted quantitative metric for assessing various aspects of a building’s condition, as it facilitates decision-making regarding maintenance, capital improvements and, most importantly, the identification of investment risk. In practice, longitudinal BCI scores are typically used to identify maintenance liabilities and trends and proactively provide indications when maintenance strategies need to be altered. This allows for a more efficient resource allocation and helps maximise the lifespan and functionality of buildings and their assets. Given the historical ambiguity concerns because of the reliance on visual inspections, this research investigates how AI and using ANN, DNN and CNN can improve the predictive accuracy of determining a recognisable Building Condition Index. It demonstrates how ANN and DNN perform over asset classes (apartment complexes, education and commercial buildings). The results suggest that DNN architecture is adept at dealing with diverse and complex datasets, thus enabling a more versatile BCI prediction model over various building categories. It is envisaged that with the expansion and maturity of ANN, DNN and CNN, the BCI calculation methodologies will become more sophisticated, automated and integrated with traditional assessment approaches. Full article

Sierra Leone has the fourth-highest child mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. This retrospective study aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI), and diarrhea in children under 5 years in Sierra Leone, and to identify the risk factors associated with these diseases. We extracted patient information from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. In total, 8659, 8652, and 8650 children were included in the analyses of fever, ARI, and diarrhea, respectively. The analysis revealed that the nationwide prevalence rates of fever, ARI, and diarrhea were 16.8%, 14.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Children aged 12–23 months were found to be the most susceptible. Compared to children consuming unimproved water, the highest prevalence rates of fever, ARI, and diarrhea were observed among children residing in households with tube wells or boreholes. The adjusted odds ratio for diarrhea prevalence among children drinking water from household tube wells or boreholes was 1.47 (95% confidence interval: 1.17–1.84, p < 0.001). This study has several limitations, including recall bias due to parental reporting. We suspect that the diseases may be associated with potential water contamination in tube wells or boreholes. We recommend national-level periodic inspections of water quality and community-level education on water supply management. Full article

Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus are invasive mosquito species that are causing great public concern. Aedes albopictus have successfully spread in Croatia, established in both the coastal and continental parts of the country, while Aedes japonicus is invading temperate climate areas. The invasive Aedes species are particularly attracted to the black plastic water containers and flower vases in cemeteries where they oviposit their eggs. Therefore, monitoring of this species was carried out in 12 cemeteries in Zagreb, using ovitraps with masonite strips as a substrate for oviposition. The monitoring was carried out from 2017 to 2020. The traps were inspected and the substrate was replaced every two weeks. This study showed that these two invasive species were present and very abundant in the cemeteries. In the case of Ae. albopictus, a higher population density and a greater number of occupied cemeteries were detected. This species was identified in all 12 cemeteries. Aedes albopictus was identified as the dominant species at all study sites. The spread of Ae. japonicus increased during 2018 in comparison to the previous year. Although this species was present in approximately 9% of the ovitraps, the observed population remained consistent throughout the course of the study. The findings indicate that cemeteries can be considered as significant public health hotspots, as the invasive Aedes mosquitoes tend to develop and reproduce in such environments. Consequently, the mosquito population of these two invasive species may only be reduced by applying integrated mosquito management measures, focused on the education of citizens. Full article

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by principals in rural schools in Taiwan and the professional support they require to improve leadership and school management. Utilizing focus group interviews, data was collected from 16 participants (7 women and 9 men), focusing on issues such as limited cultural capital, student retention, teacher shortages, poor student performance, and insufficient school funding. This research highlights the specific challenges of teacher retention, student mobility, and administrative burdens. The key professional support identified includes targeted professional development, curriculum inspection, parental engagement, and collaboration with colleagues and experienced principals. This study suggests that creating professional development communities, fostering collaborative networks, and increasing administrative support can significantly enhance rural school leadership and improve education quality. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers to tailor support systems to meet the unique needs of rural school principals in Taiwan, drawing on successful strategies from both local and international contexts to ensure sustainable educational leadership and development. Full article