Search Results (972)

To enhance the ability to identify and analyze the construction safety risks of prefabricated building projects, this paper explores the risk factors affecting the construction safety of prefabricated buildings from the perspective of the construction stage. Based on the WSR theory, this paper identifies risk-influencing factors from five dimensions: personnel, materials, management, technology, and environment, and constructs a safety risk assessment index system. This paper establishes a risk assessment model based on the G1-CRITIC method and cloud model. Firstly, it quantitatively analyzes the weights of the risk indicators for prefabricated building construction, and then evaluates the specific degree of impact of each indicator on the construction risk of this type of project. The research results show that the project is at the low-risk level, but there are still some potential risks in terms of material and technical factors, which require close attention and targeted management. The evaluation results obtained by applying this model are consistent with the current actual situation of prefabricated building construction, further demonstrating the applicability of this model. The risk assessment model proposed in this paper, by focusing on a specific type of risk, comprehensively incorporates the fuzziness and randomness of risk factors, thereby more effectively capturing the dynamic characteristics of risk evolution. This model can effectively evaluate the level of safety risk management and plays a positive role in reducing the incidence of engineering accidents. Furthermore, it also provides practical experience that can be drawn upon by risk managers of similar projects which holds significant theoretical value and practical guiding significance. Full article

Invasive candidiasis (IC), characterized by the most common clinical manifestation of candidemia, is a fungal infection with a high mortality rate and a significant impact on global public health. It is estimated that each year there are between 227,000 and 250,000 hospitalizations related to IC, with more than 100,000 associated deaths. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C), the absence of a standardized surveillance system has led to multicenter studies documenting incidences ranging from 0.74 to 6.0 cases per 1000 hospital admissions, equivalent to 50,000–60,000 hospitalizations annually, with mortality rates of up to 60% in certain high-risk groups. Armed conflicts and structural violence in LA&C cause forced displacement, the collapse of health systems, and poor living conditions—such as overcrowding, malnutrition, and lack of sanitation—which increase vulnerability to opportunistic infections, such as IC. Insufficient specialized laboratories, diagnostic technology, and trained personnel impede pathogen identification and delay timely initiation of antifungal therapy. Furthermore, the empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the limited availability of echinocandins and lipid formulations of amphotericin B have promoted the emergence of resistant non-albicans strains, such as Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and, in recent outbreaks, Candidozyma auris. Full article

Blasting operations in surface mining pose a risk of flyrock, which is a critical safety concern for both personnel and infrastructure. This study presents the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and photogrammetric techniques to improve the accuracy of blast design, particularly in relation to controlling burden values and reducing flyrock. The research was conducted in a basalt quarry in Lower Silesia, where high rock fracturing complicated conventional blast planning. A DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise UAV was used to capture high-resolution aerial imagery, and 3D models were created using Strayos software. These models enabled precise analysis of bench face geometry and burden distribution with centimeter-level accuracy. The results showed a significant improvement in identifying zones with improper burden values and allowed for real-time corrections in blasthole design. Despite a ten-fold reduction in the number of images used, no loss in model quality was observed. UAV-based surveys followed software-recommended flight paths, and the application of this methodology reduced the flyrock range by an average of 42% near sensitive areas. This approach demonstrates the operational benefits and enhanced safety potential of integrating UAV-based photogrammetry into blasting design workflows. Full article

The highway and bridge industry is facing persistent challenges related to the high turnover of technical personnel, which poses risks to the continuity and sustainability of infrastructure development. Although Geographic Information System (GIS) training has increasingly been advocated as a strategy to stabilize the workforce, its practical application remains relatively limited across China. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines whether GIS training is associated with lower turnover intention among technical staff, potentially through enhanced perceptions of career growth and reduced work-related anxiety. Based on 412 valid responses—primarily from technical personnel employed by major infrastructure enterprises such as regional subsidiaries of the China Communications Construction Group (CCCG) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)—the study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the proposed relationships. The findings indicate that GIS training is negatively associated with turnover intention, with career growth partially mediating this association. Additionally, work anxiety moderates the relationship, such that the link between GIS training and turnover intention appears weaker under higher levels of anxiety. This research contributes to bridging the gap between training practices and theoretical understanding, offering insights to inform workforce retention strategies in technology-intensive industries. Full article

Wound care in military and combat environments poses distinct challenges that set it apart from conventional medical practice in civilian settings. The nature of injuries sustained on the battlefield—often complex, contaminated, and involving extensive tissue damage—combined with limited access to immediate medical intervention, significantly increases the risk of infection, delayed healing, and adverse outcomes. Traditional wound dressings frequently prove inadequate under such extreme conditions, as they have not been designed to address the specific physiological and logistical constraints present during armed conflicts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the development of advanced wound dressings tailored for use in military scenarios. Special attention has been given to multifunctional dressings that go beyond basic wound coverage by incorporating biologically active macromolecules such as collagen, chitosan, thrombin, alginate, therapeutic peptides, and growth factors. These compounds contribute to properties including moisture balance control, exudate absorption, microbial entrapment, and protection against secondary infection. This review highlights the critical role of advanced wound dressings in improving medical outcomes for injured military personnel. The potential of these technologies to reduce complications, enhance healing rates, and ultimately save lives underscores their growing importance in modern battlefield medicine. Full article

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic human RNA viruses from probable zoonotic origin have highlighted the relevance of epidemic preparedness as a society. However, research in vaccinology and virology, as well as epidemiologic surveillance, is often constrained by the biological risk that live virus experimentation entails. These also involve expensive costs, time-consuming procedures, and advanced personnel expertise, hampering market access for many drugs. Most of these drawbacks can be circumvented with the use of pseudotyped viruses, which are surrogate, non-pathogenic recombinant viral particles bearing the surface envelope protein of a virus of interest. Pseudotyped viruses significantly expand the research potential in virology, enabling the study of non-culturable or highly infectious pathogens in a safer environment. Most are derived from lentiviral vectors, which confer a series of advantages due to their superior efficiency. During the past decade, many studies employing pseudotyped viruses have evaluated the efficacy of vaccines or monoclonal antibodies for relevant pathogens such as HIV-1, Ebolavirus, Influenza virus, or SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the applications of pseudotyped viruses when evaluating the neutralization capacity of exposed individuals, or candidate vaccines and antivirals in both preclinical models and clinical trials, to further help develop effective countermeasures against emerging neutralization-escape phenotypes. Full article

In December 2023, infections of western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) within Argentina were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). By April 2024, more than 250 human infections, 12 of which were fatal, and 2500 equine infections were identified in South America. Laboratory diagnosis and surveillance in affected countries were hindered by a lack of facilities equipped with BSL-3 laboratories, as confirmatory serodiagnosis for WEEV requires live virus in the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). To expand serodiagnosis for WEEV in the Americas, we developed a virus chimera composed of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) engineered to display the E2-E1 glycoproteins of WEEV (VSV/WEEV) in place of the VSV glycoprotein (G). PRNT₉₀ and IC₉₀ values of parental WEEV and VSV/WEEV were analogous using sera collected from mice, horses, and chickens. VSV/WEEV rapidly formed plaques with clear borders and reduced the assay readout time by approximately 8 h compared to the parental virus. Overall, we demonstrate that chimeric VSV/WEEV is a suitable surrogate for WEEV in a diagnostic PRNT. Use of chimeric VSV/WEEV in place of authentic WEEV will dramatically expand testing capacity by enabling PRNTs to be performed at BSL-2 containment, while simultaneously decreasing the health risk to testing personnel. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage in contact sports or military personnel involved in activities with a high risk of repeated head trauma. At autopsy, the examination of the brain reveals regional atrophy, corresponding to high concentrations of glutamate receptors. Microscopically, the primary findings are the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The aim of this study is to highlight the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, providing diagnostic support to forensic pathologists. Additionally, it seeks to aid in the differential diagnosis of similar conditions. Methods: A review of literature was conducted following the PRISMA criteria. Of 274 articles, 7 were selected. Results: According to these papers, most patients were male and exhibited neurological symptoms and neuropsychiatric impairments, and a proportion of them committed suicide or had aggressive behavior. Conclusions: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy remains largely underdiagnosed during life. The definitive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is established post-mortem through the identification of pathognomonic tauopathy lesions. Early and accurate antemortem recognition, particularly in at-risk individuals, is highly valuable for its differentiation from other neurodegenerative conditions, thereby enabling appropriate clinical management and potential interventions. Full article

To enhance agricultural soil health and soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, it is important to accurately measure SOC. The aim of this study was to compare common methods for measuring SOC in soils in order to determine the most effective approach among different agricultural land types. The measurement methods of loss-on-ignition (LOI), automated dry combustion (Dumas), and real-time near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were compared. A total of 95 soil core samples, ranging in clay and calcareous content, were collected across a range of agricultural land types from forty-eight fields across five farms in the Southwest of England. There were similar and positive correlations between all three methods for measuring SOC (ranging from r = 0.549 to 0.579; all p < 0.001). On average, permanent grass fields had higher SOC content (6.6%) than arable and temporary ley fields (4.6% and 4.5%, respectively), with the difference of 2% indicating a higher carbon storage potential in permanent grassland fields. Newly predicted conversion equations of linear regression were developed among the three measurement methods according to all the fields and land types. The correlation of the conversation equations among the three methods in permanent grass fields was strong and significant compared to those in both arable and temporary ley fields. The analysed results could help understand soil carbon management and maximise sequestration. Moreover, the approach of using real-time NIRS analysis with a rechargeable portable NIRS soil device can offer a convenient and cost-saving alternative for monitoring preliminary SOC changes timely on or offsite without personnel risks from the high-temperature furnace and chemical reagent adopted in the LOI and Dumas processes, respectively, at the laboratory. Therefore, the study suggests that faster, lower-cost, and safer methods like NIRS for analysing initial SOC measurements are now available to provide similar SOC results as traditional soil analysis methods of the LOI and Dumas. Further studies on assessing SOC levels in different farm locations, land, and soil types across seasons using NIRS will improve benchmarked SOC data for farm stakeholders in making evidence-informed agricultural practices. Full article

Traditional navigation relies on visual alignment with leading lights, a task typically monitored by bridge officers over extended periods. This process can lead to fatigue-related human factor errors, increasing the risk of maritime accidents and environmental damage. To address this issue, this study explores the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), evaluating different training strategies and hyperparameter configurations to assist officers in identifying deviations from proper visual leading. Using video data captured from a navigation simulator, we trained a lightweight CNN capable of advising bridge personnel with an accuracy of 86% during night-time operations. Notably, the model demonstrated robustness against visual interference from other light sources, such as lighthouses or coastal lights. The primary source of classification error was linked to images with low bow deviation, largely influenced by human mislabeling during dataset preparation. Future work will focus on refining the classification scheme to enhance model performance. We (1) propose a lightweight CNN based on SqueezeNet for night-time ship navigation, (2) expand the traditional binary risk classification into six operational categories, and (3) demonstrate improved performance over human judgment in visually ambiguous conditions. Full article

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common postoperative complications. Environmental factors, including intraoperative traffic and door openings in the operating room (OR), have been identified as critical contributors to microbial air contamination. Nurses play a pivotal role in managing these factors, directly influencing infection control practices. Methods: An integrative review was conducted to synthesize current evidence on the association between intraoperative traffic, door openings, and SSIs. A structured methodology was employed to identify, assess, and analyze the existing literature, with a specific focus on the nursing role in infection prevention. Results: Findings from a single-center prospective cohort study indicate that ORs with more than 10 personnel present exhibit a threefold increase in SSI risk [Relative Risk (RR) = 3.12; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.71–13.66] compared to ORs with fewer personnel. Additionally, every five door openings per procedure were associated with a significant increase in SSI incidence [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.24–3.20, p = 0.005]. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of strict protocols to limit intraoperative traffic and unnecessary OR access. A multidisciplinary approach plays a crucial role in ensuring surgical safety and preventing SSIs by regulating OR access and adhering to infection control best practices. Full article

An underground utility tunnel (UUT) is essential for the efficient use of urban underground space. However, current maintenance systems rely on patrol personnel and professional equipment. This study explores industrial detection methods for identifying and monitoring natural gas leaks in UUTs. Via infrared thermal imaging gas experiments, data were acquired and a dataset established. To address the low-resolution problem of existing imaging devices, video super-resolution (VSR) was used to improve the data quality. Based on a convolutional recurrent neural network (CRNN), the image features at each moment were extracted, and the time series data were modeled to realize the risk-level classification mechanism based on the automatic classification of the leakage rate. The experimental results show that when the sliding window size was set to 10 frames, the classification accuracy of the CRNN was the highest, which could reach 0.98. This method improves early warning precision and response efficiency, offering practical technical support for UUT maintenance management. Full article

Microbiological contamination of healthcare workers’ gowns represents a critical risk for the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Despite their use as protective equipment, gowns can act as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, favouring the spread of pathogens between healthcare workers and patients. The presence of these resistant bacteria on healthcare workers’ gowns highlights the urgent need to address this risk as part of infection control strategies. The aim of this work was to assess the microbiological risks associated with the contamination of healthcare staff gowns with Gram-negative bacteria, including the ESKAPE group, and their relationship with antimicrobial resistance. An observational, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in 321 hospital workers. The imprinting technique was used to quantify the bacterial load on the gowns, followed by bacterial identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In addition, antimicrobial resistance profiles were analysed, and tests for carbapenemases and BLEE production were performed. The ERIC-PCR technique was also used for molecular analysis of Pantoea eucrina clones. Several Gram-negative bacteria were identified, including bacteria of the ESKAPE group. The rate of microbiological contamination of the gowns was 61.05% with no association with the sex of the healthcare personnel. It was observed that critical areas of the hospital, such as intensive care units and operating theatres, showed contamination by medically important bacteria. In addition, some strains of P. eucrina showed resistance to carbapenemics and cephalosporins. ERIC-PCR analysis of P. eucrina isolates showed genetic heterogeneity, indicating absence of clonal dissemination. Healthcare personnel gowns are a significant reservoir of pathogenic bacteria, especially in critical areas of Hospital Juárez de México. It is essential to implement infection control strategies that include improving the cleaning and laundering of gowns and ideally eliminating them from clothing to reduce the risk of transmission of nosocomial infections. Full article

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for hazardous drinking, which often complicates treatment and affects trauma-focused psychotherapy outcomes. The present study is an exploratory, secondary analysis investigating differential effects of prolonged exposure (PE) among those with and without hazardous drinking and whether treatment outcomes varied across these groups as a function of PE format. Data used were from a randomized controlled trial that examined two daily, compressed formats of PE treatment for PTSD (massed and intensive outpatient program) in military personnel and veterans (N = 234). Individuals without hazardous drinking had greater PTSD symptom reductions compared to those with hazardous drinking (d = 0.42, p = 0.001). However, the hazardous drinking group also demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD (d = 1.46, p < 0.001) following treatment, as well as in the number of drinks per week (d = 0.63, p = 0.025) at the 6-month follow-up. There was no significant difference in treatment engagement based on drinking classification and outcomes did not vary based on PE format. The findings suggest that PE is an appropriate treatment for individuals with PTSD and hazardous drinking. However, group differences in PTSD symptom reductions indicate concurrent hazardous drinking reduces treatment benefits of PE. Full article

Background: Breastfeeding is essential for preventing non-communicable diseases. However, mothers with chronic illnesses tend to breastfeed less, increasing the likelihood of abandoning breastfeeding, especially if they experience gestational complications. Objective: To analyze the association between factors such as prepregnancy maternal characteristics, gestational complications, food security, barriers, and facilitators with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 566 women who had prenatal care and gave birth at the National Institute of Perinatology (Mexico City) between 2021 and 2024. Surveys were administered on breastfeeding practices, food insecurity, barriers, and facilitators of exclusive breastfeeding in mothers. In addition, sociodemographic information, medical history (prepregnancy conditions and complications), gestational weight gain, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results: Of the 566 women, only 43.6% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, with a median duration of 4 months. Exclusive breastfeeding was more frequent in young, stay-at-home mothers with lower educational attainment and in those with food insecurity, who also tended to delay the introduction of complementary foods until after six months. Prepregnancy risk conditions (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06–2.30) and multiparity (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.08–2.49) increased the risk of non-exclusive breastfeeding. Conversely, food insecurity (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20–0.78) and counseling from healthcare personnel (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.51) showed a protective effect. The analysis also showed that paid employment (OR 4.68, 95% CI 1.65–13.21), the perception of low milk production (OR 6.45, 95% CI 2.95–14.10), maternal illness/medication (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.36–11.28), and fatigue (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.36–11.28) increased the probability of non-exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions: In Mexico, the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding faces challenges, especially in mothers who begin pregnancy with significant chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, advanced maternal age, and hypothyroidism, among others. Healthcare personnel should provide personalized advice to each woman from the prenatal stage on strategies to achieve and maintain exclusive breastfeeding. Full article