Search Results (1,406)

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple, low-cost indicator of muscle function and predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: To establish sex- and age-specific normative values for HGS in Colombian patients undergoing hemodialysis and to examine its association with clinical and biochemical factors. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2023 in five cities across Colombia. A total of 436 hemodialysis patients aged 15 to over 80 years were assessed. HGS was measured post-dialysis using a CAMRY EH101 digital dynamometer in both flexion and extension of each arm. The Box–Cox Power Exponential (BCPE) model within the GAMLSS framework was used to generate percentile curves by sex. Comparisons were performed by sex, diabetes status, and occupation. Spearman’s correlation was used to explore associations between HGS and biochemical variables. Results: Males exhibited significantly higher HGS than females (mean difference: 8.09 kg; p < 0.001). Lower HGS was observed among individuals with diabetes and those unemployed. HGS showed a moderate inverse correlation with alkaline phosphatase (r = −0.29, p = 0.0014) and a weak inverse correlation with KT/V (r = −0.22, p = 0.02). No other biochemical markers showed significant associations. Reference percentiles (P3 to P97) were constructed for both sexes. Conclusions: These normative values for HGS represent the first reference standards for Colombian patients on hemodialysis. HGS assessment may support early identification of functional impairment and inform clinical decisions related to rehabilitation and nutritional support. Full article

Background: Feedback Orientation (FO) reflects how individuals value, accept, and use feedback in a way that influences learning, performance, and sustainable career development. While this concept has been empirically examined, the psychometric properties of the Feedback Orientation Scale (FOS) have received sparse attention outside English-speaking contexts, with no validation in the Italian context. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Italian version of the FOS. Methods: A sample of 1092 employees from diverse occupational sectors completed the FOS, also using measures of job satisfaction and perceptions of the feedback environment. The dataset was randomly split to conduct both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, followed by reliability and validity testing and measurement invariance analyses across groups. Results: Analyses confirmed the original four-factor structure—Utility, Social Awareness, Accountability, and Feedback Self-Efficacy—and supported a higher-order FO construct. The Italian FOS showed acceptable reliability and validity, with expected correlations with job satisfaction and the feedback environment. Measurement invariance was also tested to examine the scale’s equivalence across groups. Conclusions: These initial findings provide support for the Italian FOS as a promising instrument with acceptable psychometric properties, extending the cross-cultural understanding of feedback orientation and offering a useful basis for investigating feedback processes in organizational settings. Full article

This article delineates the outcomes of a comprehensive analysis of occupational conditions in coal mining, focusing on dust exposure. A multifaceted model is proposed for the holistic evaluation of occupational environments, integrating risk assessment methodologies and decision-making frameworks within a risk-based paradigm. Risk assessment involved pairwise comparison, T. Saaty’s Analytic Hierarchy Process, a pessimistic decision-making approach, and fuzzy set membership functions. Correlations were established between respiratory disease risk among open pit coal mine workers and dust generation sources at the project design phase. The risk values were then validated using source attributes and particle physicochemical parameter analysis, including disperse composition and morphology. The risk assessment identified haul roads as a predominant factor in occupational disease pathogenesis, demonstrating a calculated risk level of R = 0.512. The dispersed analysis indicated the prevalence of PM1.0 and submicron particles (≤1 µm) with about 77% of the particle count, the mass distribution showed the respirable fraction (1–5 µm) comprising up to 50% of the total dust mass. Considering in situ monitoring data and particulate morphology analysis haul roads (R = 0.281) and the overburden face (R = 0.213) were delineated as primary targets for the implementation of enhanced health and safety interventions. While most critical at the design stage amidst data scarcity and exposure uncertainty, the approach permits subsequent refinement of occupational risks during operations through the incorporation of empirical monitoring data. Full article

Building drainage systems are essential for protecting occupant health and indoor air quality. While recent studies have focused on high-rise drainage dynamics and riser offset mitigation, ventilation components—particularly appliance vent pipes—remain underexplored. This study employed a full-scale proportional drainage experimental tower to assess appliance vent pipes on horizontal branches as a strategy for water seal protection in dual-riser systems. Maximum drainage capacities were quantified under varying pipe positions and diameters (DN50, DN75, DN100), alongside analyses of pressure transients and water seal losses. Results indicate that appliance vent pipes increase maximum drainage capacity from 6.5 L/s (baseline cast iron dual-riser) to 7.5 L/s, a 1.0 L/s gain, though improvements are modest. Position does not affect capacity (uniformly 7.5 L/s across configurations) but profoundly influences water seal losses: P-type trap placement yields the lowest losses on most floors, combined P-type trap/floor drain placement achieves intermediate values, and floor drain placement the highest. Thus, the P-type trap is optimal. Diameter similarly has no impact on capacity but shows nuanced effects on seals; DN75 minimizes losses on most floors, outperforming DN50 and DN100, indicating that appliance vent pipe design should adopt a height-zoned approach tailored to anticipated drainage loads and pressure characteristics. Appliance vent pipes effectively dampen positive/negative pressure fluctuations, reducing seal depletion and sewer gas risks. These findings guide engineering designs for healthier indoor environments in high-rise buildings. Full article

The Danish asbestos executive order defines a range of situations and work processes that require no protective measures, due to an assumption of low dust generation and therefore negligible exposure to asbestos fibers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the exposure of workers performing tasks where low dust generation is assumed, as well as those in direct proximity. Five roof renovation projects, one facade removal project, and one removal project of whole pipes with intact asbestos insulation were included in the study. A total of 52 personal samples and 33 stationary samples were collected. The asbestos fiber concentrations measured in personal samples ranged from below the detection limit to 0.13 f/cm³ (fibers/cm³). Despite the large spread between projects, the measured concentrations of asbestos fibers in 45 of the 52 personal samples were above the Danish occupational exposure limit value (OEL) of 0.003 f/cm³. The concentration of asbestos fibers in 20 of 33 stationary samples was also above the Danish OEL. The results of personal and stationary measurements suggest that any work with asbestos-containing materials may be associated with a significant risk of exposure above the OEL and, thus, should not be considered a low-dust-generating process without measurements. Full article

Background: Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are rare inborn errors of metabolism with multisystemic manifestations. SSR4-CDG is an ultra-rare X-linked subtype caused by pathogenic variants in SSR4, a component of the translocon-associated protein (TRAP) complex essential for protein translocation and N-glycosylation. Case presentation: We report a two-year-old Malaysian male presenting with global developmental delay, central hypotonia, microcephaly with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, recurrent infections, bilateral vesicoureteral reflux, and failure to thrive. Growth parameters (weight, length, and head circumference) were persistently below the expected percentiles, indicating postnatal growth restriction. Initial metabolic and biochemical investigations for global developmental delay were unremarkable, apart from mild hyperammonemia. Transferrin isoform analysis demonstrated a type I CDG pattern, raising suspicion of a glycosylation defect. Results: Transferrin glycopeptide LC–MS/MS showed impaired N-glycan occupancy at both glycosylation sites (Asn432 and Asn630), with reduced fully sialylated glycoforms and increased non-glycosylated peptides. Targeted metabolomics using triple quadrupole LC–MS/MS revealed systemic abnormalities, including elevated arginine and phenylalanine, reduced glutamate, increased lysophosphatidylcholine (C24:0-LPC), and generalized depletion of free and acylcarnitines. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel hemizygous SSR4 variant (c.98del; p.Pro33LeufsTer23) on the X chromosome, predicted to produce a truncated, nonfunctional protein. Conclusions: This is the first Malaysian patient with SSR4-CDG, comprehensively characterized using a multi-omics diagnostic workflow. The integration of glycoproteomics, metabolomics, and exome sequencing provided a detailed biochemical fingerprint that expands the clinical, genetic, and metabolic spectrum of SSR4-CDG and demonstrates the diagnostic and translational value of multi-omics approaches in inborn errors of metabolism. Full article

Triazole fungicides are widely used in agriculture but may pose risks to human health through occupational, accidental, or environmental exposure. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the toxicity of ten European Union-approved triazole fungicides in rodent models and cell lines. A total of 70 studies were included, reporting quantitative in vivo oral, dermal, or inhalation toxicity in mammals or quantitative in vitro cytotoxicity in human or mammalian cell lines; the exclusion criteria comprised publications not in English or not accessible. Literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB), and risk of bias in included studies was assessed using ToxRTool. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, reporting formats, and endpoints, data were synthesized descriptively. Quantitative endpoints included LD₅₀/LC₅₀ values for in vivo studies and LOEC, IC₅₀, LC₅₀, and EC₅₀ values for in vitro studies, while mechanistic endpoints highlighted apoptosis, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Difenoconazole and tebuconazole were the most extensively studied compounds, whereas several triazoles had limited data. The limitations included heterogeneity of data and incomplete reporting, which restrict cross-study comparisons. Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive overview of potential human health hazards associated with EU-approved triazole fungicides and highlight critical knowledge gaps. The review was registered in Open Science Framework. Full article

Rear-end collisions involving maintenance vehicles remain a critical source of severe injuries and fatalities in highway work zones. Existing studies on Rear Impact Guards (RIGs) and Truck-Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) have primarily relied on vehicle-based acceleration metrics or low-speed tests, leaving uncertainty regarding their performance under high-energy impact conditions. This study investigates occupant injury risk and vehicle crash behavior through full-scale frontal impact tests conducted at 80 km/h using a 2002 Renault SM520 passenger car against (1) a truck equipped with a RIG and (2) the same truck equipped with a TMA. Hybrid III 50th percentile ATDs, high-speed imaging, and multi-axis accelerometers were employed to measure occupant kinematics and injury responses. Occupant Risk Indices (THIV (Theoretical Head Impact Velocity), ASI (Acceleration Severity Index), PHD (Post-impact Head Deceleration), and ORA (Occupant Ridedown Acceleration)) and the ATD-based HIC36 were evaluated to assess crash severity. The RIG test exhibited severe underride, resulting in an HIC36 value of 1810, far exceeding the FMVSS 208 limit. In contrast, the TMA significantly reduced occupant injury risk, lowering HIC36 by 83.5%, and maintained controlled vehicle deceleration without compartment intrusion. Comparisons between FSM-based indices and ATD-measured injury responses revealed discrepancies in impact timing and occupant motion, highlighting limitations of current evaluation methodologies. The findings demonstrate the necessity of high-speed testing and ATD-based injury assessment for accurately characterizing RIG/TMA performance and provide evidence supporting improvements to roadside safety hardware standards and work-zone protection strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bipolar II disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as unipolar depression, particularly when depressive symptoms predominate and hypomanic features are subtle or overlooked. This case study describes a patient initially treated for postpartum depression who later developed antidepressant-induced hypomanic symptoms, leading to the correct diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. The objective is to illustrate diagnostic complexities and highlight the value of an integrated treatment approach. Methods: Clinical assessment included standardized mood rating scales, structured interviews, functional evaluations, and monitoring of sleep and physical health indicators. Treatment combined mood-stabilizing pharmacotherapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychoeducation, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). Lifestyle interventions targeted sleep hygiene, physical activity, and stress management. Results: The diagnosis of bipolar II disorder was supported by the emergence of hypomanic symptoms following antidepressant treatment. The integrated therapeutic plan resulted in sustained mood stabilization, normalization of sleep patterns, improved occupational and social functioning, and reductions in depressive and hypomanic symptom scores. Physical health indicators, including body mass index, also improved. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of comprehensive assessment and careful interpretation of antidepressant response in suspected bipolar presentations. A multimodal treatment approach integrating medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modification contributed to significant clinical improvement and may serve as a model for managing complex bipolar II presentations. Full article

The structural performance of mid-rise buildings with a soft first story is a critical issue in earthquake-prone regions. This paper presents a detailed assessment of both the seismic performance and the structural reliability of a confined masonry mid-rise building with a soft reinforced-concrete first-story irregularity located in Mexico. This structure was designed according to outdated building codes to reflect construction practices that remain common in some parts of the country. Nonlinear dynamic analyses were conducted using ETABS v21. To simulate various seismic scenarios, ground motion records associated with return periods of 72, 475, and 975 years, respectively, were implemented. The results demonstrated that maximum inter-story drift is predominantly concentrated at the first story, exceeding the performance thresholds for immediate occupancy, life safety, and collapse prevention. Furthermore, a probabilistic performance assessment was developed considering the randomness of inter-story drift responses. Then, reliability index (β) was calculated for each seismic scenario. In all cases, β values remained consistently below the minimum recommended limit. These findings confirm the formation of a soft-story mechanism at the first level and are relevant for buildings designed under construction provisions like those used in the present case study. Full article

Building cracks are among the critical building defects, as they can compromise structural integrity, occupant safety and building sustainability. Traditional laborious building inspection methods are cumbersome and erroneous. Computer vision-based crack detection relies on image recognition and does not analyse the underlying causes or suggest rectification strategies. This study explores the potential and limitations of multimodal AI models, that integrate image and text modalities for building crack analysis. As a proof-of-concept, the vision–language model, CracksGPT was built upon a fine-tuned MiniGPT-v2. It was trained on custom crack images with text descriptions detailing visual features, possible causes, and rectification options. It was tested on crack images from a building site in Sydney. When provided with an image of a wall crack, CracksGPT can classify crack patterns of vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and stair-step and interpret possible underlying causes with potential rectification strategies. The ROUGE metric was used for language generation quality evaluation followed by a performance evaluation by building inspection experts. The model’s performance is sensitive to input image quality and training data limitations, specifically in complex scenarios, reaffirming the value of expert overseeing. The findings highlight the potential and limitations of multimodal AI for integrating vision–language reasoning into building inspections. Full article

This study investigated the impact of converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on fundamental traffic flow characteristics, focusing on speed, density, and flow relationships. A 25-mile HOV corridor along I-24 Westbound in Nashville, Tennessee was evaluated using both microscopic simulation via VISSIM and data-driven machine learning through a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network. Four operational scenarios were assessed: (1) HOV lanes without enforcement, (2) HOV lanes with effective occupancy enforcement, (3) HOT lanes with limited access points, and (4) HOT lanes with intermediate access points. Flow-density and speed-flow relationships were modeled using Greenshields theory to extract key traffic performance thresholds including free-flow speed, jam density, and maximum flow. Results indicate that while free-flow speeds were generally consistent across scenarios (ranging from 71 to 80 mph), HOV and HOT lanes exhibited higher values compared to general-purpose lanes. Capacity increases were observed following HOV-to-HOT conversions, especially when intermediate access points were introduced. The MLP neural network successfully replicated nonlinear flow relationships and predicted maximum flow near 2000 vph with a jam density of approximately 215 vpmpl—values that closely matched simulation outputs. Both the VISSIM and MLP-derived diagrams demonstrated curve shapes and capacity thresholds that were highly consistent with Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) standards for freeway segments. However, slightly higher thresholds were observed for HOV/HOT lanes, suggesting their potential for improved operational performance under managed conditions. The integration of simulation and machine learning offers a robust framework for evaluating managed lane conversions and informing data-driven policy. Beyond the scenario-specific findings, the study demonstrates an innovative hybrid methodology that links detailed microsimulation with an explainable neural network model, providing a concise and scalable approach for analyzing managed-lane operations. This combined framework highlights the contribution of integrating simulation and AI to enhance the analytical depth and practical relevance of traffic flow studies. Full article

Background: Workplace bullying, harassment and sexual abuse cause psychological harm, and can pose a significant threat to the success of an organization as well. This type of violence in the workplace, comprising negative actions and often abuse of power, can lead to trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD and in severe cases, suicide. These acts impact workplace performance, negatively impact psychological safety and lead to high turnover and loss of productivity in an organization. Objectives: This narrative review outlines the key concepts of bullying, its impact on the individual, and the ways an organization can obstruct and manage it, using recent works (2018–2025) and some highlighted literature on trauma, power, and psychological safety. Methodology: Research conducted on leadership, safety climate, psychological safety and trauma-informed- as well as meta-analyses and relevant gray literature, journal articles, and other studies on bullying that A narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed and selected gray literature was conducted across PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were integrated to this review. Results: Exposure to bullying was connected to anxiety, depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorders, cardiovascular problems, absenteeism, and turnover. Diminished psychological safety, as well as disordered leadership, increases the damaging effect. In contrast, ethical trauma-informed leadership and a strong psychosocial safety climate promote recovery and decrease the incidence of bullying. Conclusions: Recognizing workplace bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse as forms of violence—and as both occupational and public health hazards—underscores the urgency of prevention. Embedding psychological safety as a core organizational value at every level is essential to fostering healthier, more resilient workplaces. Full article

This study proposes and evaluates a car seat-integrated heat pump as localized air conditioning system for electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed system uses R1234yf and comprises a compressor, microchannel heat exchangers, an electronic expansion valve, and a four-way reversing valve for bidirectional operation, delivering conditioned air through the internal seat ducts to the cushion and backrest. A horizontal twin-rotary compressor was developed, which exhibits high isentropic and volumetric efficiencies. The compact module, with a height of 145 mm, a width of 330 mm, a length of 484 mm, and a mass of 20 kg, can be installed under the seat while satisfying the standard SgRP/H30 envelope constraints. Testing was conducted in controlled environmental chambers across representative operating conditions with various airflow rates at different temperatures of 30 °C and 35 °C for cooling and 7 °C and 15 °C for heating. At a typical compressor speed of 4000 rpm, the proposed system achieved coefficient of performance (COP) values of 3.5–5.5 and 4.5–8 in cooling and heating modes and cooling and heating capacities of 650–900 W and 400–600 W, respectively. Concentrating thermal control at the seat is expected to provide rapid, occupant-level cooling/heating with favorable efficiency, indicating a practical path to EV energy savings and thermal comfort. Full article

Ensuring thermal comfort in waiting areas is essential for visitor satisfaction and well-being. In the context of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs), these spaces—typically characterized by short-term occupancy, transient user behavior, and the need for rapid temperature adjustment—pose specific challenges for HVAC control in balancing comfort and energy demand. This study investigates the influence of a ceiling-mounted fan coil unit (FCU) operating in heating mode on thermal comfort conditions in an nZEB office waiting area. Measurements were conducted at multiple points within the space to assess microclimate parameters, followed by the calculation of the predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) indices, supported by occupant feedback collected through short interviews. The results showed that although the FCU effectively increased the average temperature, its intermittent operation and localized air jets during the heating phase caused temporary discomfort near the unit. Occupant feedback confirmed sensations of discomfort due to strong air movement during FCU operation but indicated slightly higher overall dissatisfaction and smaller variability compared to model-based PPD values, reflecting the averaging effect of occupant perception over time. These findings highlight the need for optimized FCU control strategies in waiting areas, such as operating at reduced fan speeds and preheating the heat exchanger, to enhance occupant comfort. This study contributes to improving HVAC control concepts for semi-transient spaces in nZEBs. Full article