Equipment Usage Research Articles

Recent Developments in Synthesis Techniques and Microwave Absorption Performance of Materials Based on Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) with Metal Oxides: A Review

The widespread usage of various wireless equipment in many facets of life has significantly contributed to the serious pollution caused by electromagnetic radiation. Thankfully, scientists have created materials that can absorb microwave radiation and convert dangerous electromagnetic waves into other forms of energy, including heat energy. Many investigations regarding the development of materials that absorb microwaves with different constituents, morphologies, and architectures have been published recently. Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) are becoming more and more popular for use in a variety of aviation applications, including EMI prevention, information security, and reducing the risks of electromagnetic radiation to human health. Molybdenum di-sulphide (MoS2) is a transition metal sulphide extensively employed as a microwave absorption material (MAM) owing to its superior structural and physicochemical qualities. Because of its many flaws, huge specific surface area, and semiconductor qualities, MoS2 exhibits exceptional microwave loss properties. Using a number of various designs, MoS2 may efficiently boost the absorption and dispersion of microwaves inside the absorber. This study introduces the structure, characteristics, and synthesis method based on MoS2 material. The effectiveness of MoS2-based MAMs has been evaluated and analyzed in detail at the moment. Furthermore, the key problems and development challenges are examined, and the most recent advancements in MoS2-based MAMs are impartially assessed and discussed. As a result, it is anticipated that MoS2-based composites would provide excellent choices for very thin and light MAMs.

ML-based tooth shade assessment to prevent metamerism in different clinic lights

The aesthetic understanding has found its place in dental clinics and prosthetic dental treatment. Determining the appropriate prosthetic tooth color between the clinician, patient and technician is a difficult process due to metamerism. Metamerism, known as the different perception of the color of an object under different light sources, is caused by the lighting differences between the laboratory and the dental clinic. The traditional trial-error color determination method, coupled with the high cost of instrumental color value determination, has prompted the need for alternative technologies. The integration of AI technologies into dental practices aims to minimize errors in tooth shade assessment, reduce equipment usage, eliminate the impact of clinic lighting on color detection, and decrease costs for patients, dentists, and laboratories. In this study, a machine learning (ML) based approach that can correctly detect tooth shade even under different clinical lights has been developed. A dataset consisting of 580 dental images taken under four different clinical lights and with five repetitions was created using the Vita color shade guide. Experimental studies were performed using the HSV color space, 6 different ML algorithms and color histograms. As a result, 97.93% accuracy rate was achieved by using cross-validation (cv = 5) in the classification of 29 color values ​​independent of clinical lights. It has been shown that the tooth colors can be determined with high accuracy using ML algorithms and metamerism can be prevented.

Personal protective equipment usage and compliance among healthcare workers

This review delves into personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and adherence among healthcare professionals. The research highlights the role of knowledge and awareness in shaping compliance behaviors, stressing the importance of education and training initiatives. Factors like discomfort, perceived risk, and cognitive beliefs at a level with organizational culture, leadership, and a positive safety environment impact compliance result. The benefits of using PPE range from preventing healthcare-associated infections to promoting the well-being of healthcare workers. Successful clinical management involves evidence-based policy creation, thorough education and training programs, strategic resource distribution, and ongoing assessment. Leadership and organizational culture are drivers that cultivate a safety-oriented culture and adherence to PPE protocols. Given the evolving nature of diseases, guidelines need updates alongside contingency plans for potential outbreaks or pandemics. As healthcare institutions aim to enhance compliance levels, the insights from this review offer direction for managers and policymakers by laying a foundation for improving safety standards and strengthening overall healthcare systems.

Cost Analysis of Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation.

To compare costs of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation versus non-IVUS-guided TIPS creation, accounting for differences in procedure time and resource utilization. This single institution retrospective study estimated procedure time and resource utilization from 157 consecutive elective TIPS creation procedures, of which 91 were IVUS-guided and 66 were non-IVUS-guided. Differences in procedure costs were derived using time-driven activity-based costing. The difference in post-TIPS creation length of hospital stay was included in overall episode of care cost estimates. IVUS-guided TIPS creation was 45.5 minutes faster (p<0.001) and required 35.2 mL less contrast material (p<0.001) leading to savings of $325.34 on staffing, $58.21 on medications, and $76.59 on equipment usage. However, with $2,100 single-use disposable catheters, IVUS guidance was $1,484.96 more costly per procedure. Following TIPS creation mean length of hospital stay was 1.3 days after IVUS-guided procedures versus 2.1 days after non-IVUS-guided procedures (p=0.001). With an estimated cost of $2,677 per hospital day, there was an overall savings of $656.64 with IVUS-guided TIPS creation. Improved procedural metrics during TIPS creation alone are unlikely to offset the costs of IVUS guidance. However, based on improvements in immediate post-TIPS creation clinical outcomes, which may translate into shorter hospitalization, IVUS guidance is likely to reduce overall costs for the episode of care related to TIPS creation.

Impact of WHO-Recommended TB Control Measures on Occupational TB Risk Among Healthcare Workers in a High-Burden Tertiary Hospital in Brazil: A 24-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk due to prolonged exposure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed guidelines focusing on administrative interventions, structural interventions, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage to mitigate this risk. Despite these recommendations, data on their efficiency in reducing occupational TB risk in Brazil is lacking. Evaluate the effectiveness of the WHO-recommended measures regarding the risk of developing TB among the HCWs. We conducted a retrospective analysis of TB incidence among patients admitted to a tertiary public Emergency Department (ED), and HCWs from 2000 to 2023. We extracted TB notifications among HCWs and the general population of Ribeirão Preto from a public database. We comparatively analysed the incidence rates between patients and HCWs to evaluate the effectiveness of WHO-recommended measures. From 2000 to 2023, the ED handled an average of 148,496 patients per quadrennium, with 202 TB patients per quadrennium. The prevalence ratio of TB per 100,000 patients increased from 80 to 170 (p=0.035) and the incidence rates rose from 39 to 157 per 100,000 patients (p=0.046). The incidence rate of TB among HCWs in our institution started at 412.0 (85.0;1201.0) and decreased to 179.0 (20.0;619.0). In total, 11 HCWs were diagnosed with TB. The relative risk of having TB between HCWs and the general population was significantly higher before the Program implementation and became equivalent after it. Implementing WHO-recommended TB control measures was demonstrated effective in reducing the incidence rate ratios between HCWs and the general population in a high-burden tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Evaluation of the frequency and risk of corona virus in different occupations of a teaching hospital in Yazd City

Introduction: Healthcare professionals are the frontline soldiers against Corona. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all personnel at a teaching hospital located in Yazd City. Each participant completed a questionnaire that included demographic information as well as their history regarding the frequency and length of daily contact with a patient infected with COVID-19. It also covered the duration of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and alcohol-based hand rub application during direct exposure (with 1 meter) and throughout aerosolizing procedures performed on the patient. Incidence rate, Frequency rate, probability, severity rate, and risk of corona infection were evaluated among various occupational groups within the hospital. Results: 40.66% of the staff employed in the hospital were infected with corona virus. The highest frequency of corona infection was observed among nurses (51.60%). Over 90% of healthcare personnel who did not utilize PPE for 95% of their work time faced a high-risk level for the coronavirus. Physicians reported the highest number of daily exposures (averaging 27.94 exposures) and the longest exposure time (averaging 243.89 minutes). The highest risk of infection among doctors (60.93) and nurses (39.49) was observed. The nurses exhibited the highest incidence rate (51.22) and frequency rate (26.27). Conclusion: Due to a significant percentage of hospital staff with coronavirus, and with the highest infection rates occurring among nurses, adequate training for the use of PPE is necessary.

Human Health Surveillance During Animal Disease Emergencies: Minnesota Department of Health Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks, 2015 and 2022–2023

ABSTRACT Objectives Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses an occupational risk for poultry workers, responders, and others in contact with infected birds. The objective of this analysis was to describe HPAI surveillance methods and outcomes, and highlight the challenges, successes, and lessons learned during the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH’s) public health response to HPAI outbreaks in Minnesota poultry flocks in the years 2015 and 2022–2023. Methods During both outbreaks, MDH staff attempted to contact all potentially exposed people and conduct a standardized interview. People were considered exposed and at risk if they had entered a barn with poultry on any HPAI test-positive premises. With their consent, exposed persons were entered into illness monitoring until 10 days from their last exposure. In 2015, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers only. In the 2022–2023 response, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers, backyard flock owners, responders, and private contract workers. In 2022–2023, interview responses were entered into a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database in real time, which automatically entered the person into monitoring if they consented. Through REDCap, they received an automated email with a unique link to a short survey asking about any symptom development. Where appropriate, interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2015 were compared to interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2022–2023. Results From March 3 to June 5, 2015, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 375 (86%) of 435 poultry workers from 110 HPAI-infected flocks. From March 25, 2022 through December 31, 2023, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 649 (65%) of 992 poultry workers, responders, contractors, and backyard flock owners associated with 151 HPAI-infected flocks. Among poultry workers, self-reported personal protective equipment (PPE) usage declined significantly from 2015 to 2022–2023 (full PPE usage 51.8% vs. 23.9%, p < .01). Conclusion MDH’s long standing relationships with animal health officials and the poultry industry resulted in strong poultry worker participation rates in surveillance efforts during HPAI outbreaks in 2015 and 2022–2023. Self-reported PPE usage was low, particularly in 2022–2023. Improvements in PPE accessibility and technology are needed to protect workers and responders in the on-going HPAI outbreak.

IPA기법을 이용한 예비교사의 에듀테크 역량에 대한 인식 연구

This study aimed to identify and propose key areas and factors of EdTech Competencies required for teachers through a literature review and analysis. It also investigated prospective teachers’ perceptions of each factor, providing statistical insights and implications. The results are as follows. First, the literature review and analysis identified 7 areas and 22 factors for EdTech Competencies. Among these, a survey was conducted with 19 questions covering 6 areas that prospective teachers found appropriate. Second, prospective teachers recognized skills in digital citizenship instruction, digital equipment usage, digital copyright and intellectual property rights compliance, data management skills, and learning and staying updated on the latest EdTech trends as important factors. Third, prospective teachers reported that among various factors, data security and privacy protection, software and hardware problem-solving skills, AI-based learning support skills, and creative content production skills were relatively lacking. Fourth, according to the IPA results, the main EdTech Competencies required by prospective teachers include the ability to solve software or hardware problems, data management skills, staying updated on the latest EdTech trends, peer learning and community participation, creative content creation skills, and AI-based learning support. Fifth, effective utilization of EdTech requires guidelines on balancing digital and non-digital classes while managing students' digital dependency. This study offers useful insights into designing and developing educational programs focused on EdTech competency diagnostics and enhancement.

Machine Learning Based Throughput Enhancement in Fifth Generation Networks

The 5G Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) category offers faster data rates, network capacity, and user experiences than prior generations. This research aims to boost the 5G uplink User Equipment (UE) user data transfer rate. We use Python to build frameworks and analyze data. A 250-m-radius center-excited Picocell Base Station (PBS) is investigated to support 15 clients. Cell-range Poisson distribution determines user position. All UEs send Channel State Information (CSI) to the PBS, which evaluates signal transmission channel conditions. The study uses Rayleigh, Rician, free space path, and longdistance route loss models. This inquiry produces a channel state dataset and then it is formulated dataset is dynamic. For servicespecific requirements, UEs use K-means clustering. Clustering concatenates bandwidth, enhancing system efficiency and UE sum rate. Observations from simulation findings. UEs are grouped by channel gain, achievable data rate, and minimum servicerequired data rate. Users in cluster 3 achieve the highest cumulative rate of 9.09 Mbps after clustering with an average of 7.16 Mbps. Bandwidth concatenation increased system capacity, meeting each UEs service needs. After evaluating different clustering models performance criteria, K-means remains the best algorithm for the framework. The methodology was carefully designed to satisfy study goals. This research will investigate beamforming and dynamic clustering to improve user fairness and performance.

Occupational Health Risks in Savar’s BSCIC Zone: The Dark Side of Tannery Industry

The tannery industry in Bangladesh, particularly at the Savar Bangladesh Small &amp; Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Tannery Estate, presents significant occupational health risks due to hazardous chemicals and outdated processes. Despite relocation from Hazaribagh and efforts to improve occupational health and safety (OHS) standards, compliance remains insufficient, leading to chronic health issues such as respiratory disorders, skin conditions, and increased risk of cancer. This study investigates these health risks, particularly exposure to heavy metals like chromium, as well as biological agents, dust, and high noise levels from machinery. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through participatory observation, interviews and questionnaire survey from 205 tannery workers. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis reveal a high prevalence of skin diseases (48.78%) and respiratory problems (44.39%), exacerbated by poor ventilation (66.7%), minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) usage (46.3%), and inadequate healthcare access. Although 85.9% of workers are aware of chemical hazards, only 39.5% received formal training, highlighting gaps in safety education. The regression analysis showed a positive relationship between the number of years worked and the years of health problems, with the equation y=0.31x+1.38, indicating that for every additional year worked, health issues increase by 0.31 years. The R2 value of 0.44 suggests that 44% of the variation in health problems is explained by work duration, with other factors likely contributing. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of national regulations, such as the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006, and international frameworks, including ILO conventions, to improve workplace conditions. Improved environmental management, enhanced safety training, and better healthcare provisions are essential to protect workers' health. The study also stresses aligning tannery practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to good health, decent work, and responsible production, calling for immediate action from authorities to safeguard worker well-being. Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci. Vol. 12 (1 &amp; 2): 115-129, 2024

Sustainability in Reconstructive Breast Surgery: An Eco-audit of the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Pathway.

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap provides an effective and popular means for autologous breast reconstruction. However, with the complexity of the pathway, the environmental impact of the pathway has yet to be evaluated. A retrospective analysis of 42 unilateral DIEPs at a single reconstructive center was performed. Process mapping and life-cycle analyses were performed for equipment, staff, patients, and land. A bottom-up approach was adopted to calculate carbon dioxide equivalent estimates for the initial consultation, preoperative, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative periods. This study estimated the carbon footprint of a patient undergoing DIEP flap surgery to be approximately 233.96 kg CO2eq. Induction, maintenance, and running of anesthesia had the highest overall contribution to the carbon footprint (158.17 kg CO2eq, 67.60% overall). Patient and staff travel contributed more than 15% overall carbon emissions in this study. The impact of sterilization was less than half of that from waste management (0.81 versus 1.81 kg CO2eq, respectively). Waste management alone contributed 4.21 kg CO2eq of the overall carbon emissions, the majority of which was accountable to the incineration of 14.75 kg of noninfectious offensive waste. This study estimates the carbon footprint of the DIEP pathway. Strategies to mitigate the impact of carbon emissions including usage of reusable vs single-use equipment, virtual consultations, standardization of equipment packs, and optimizing waste disposal were suggested areas for improvement. Data from manufacturers on life-cycle assessments were limited, and further work is needed to fully understand and optimize the impact of DIEP surgery on the environment.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital-acquired infections and multi-drug resistant organisms, in comparison to seasonal influenza

BackgroundWhile effective preventive measures reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated preventive measures remain inconclusive.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of COVID-19 on HAIs and MDROs and to compare it with the effect of seasonal influenza.MethodsA retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively collected data from a tertiary hospital in Haifa, northern Israel, from 2016 to 2021. It compared pre/during COVID-19 and influenza (Dec-Feb)/non-influenza (Mar-Nov) seasons. Studied parameters: hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI), MDROs, nosocomial Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) per 10,000 hospital days (HD), central line-associated BSI (CLABSI) per 1000 catheter days (CD) and hand hygiene compliance (HHC).ResultsDuring the COVID-19 period, rates of HAIs and MDROs decreased compared to the pre-COVID era for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (4.2 vs. 6.9/10,000 HD; p < 0.001), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumani (CRAB) (2.2 vs. 3.1/10,000 HD; p = 0.02), and nosocomial CDI (3 vs. 4.6/10,000 HD; p < 0.001). However, there was a higher rate of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) (4.6 vs. 2.7/10,000 HD; p < 0.001) and HA-BSI (29.7 vs. 27.3/10,000 HD; p = 0.006) during the COVID-19 era. CLABSI rates showed no significant difference (2.3 vs. 2.7/1000 CD; p = 0.910). HHC rate remained at 70% in both eras (p = 0.151). No significant differences were observed in MDROs, CDI, HA-BSI, or CLABSI rates (p = 0.233, 0.675, 0.267, and 0.563, respectively) between influenza and non-influenza seasons.ConclusionsIn the COVID-19 era, HAIs and MDROs rates significantly declined, while CRE rates increased, possibly due to a national trend in Israel since 2016. Steady HHC rates suggest additional factors like enhanced environmental cleaning, personal protective equipment usage, and increased infection prevention awareness contributed to this decline. Influenza had no noticeable impact, likely due to healthcare workers’ varying perceptions and the brevity of the influenza season, making it challenging to assess impact.

Occupancy and equipment usage prototype schedules for building energy simulations of office building types in China

The accuracy of occupancy and energy-consuming equipment schedules significantly influences building energy simulations. Existing standards provide generalized schedules that do not fully capture variations across different office building types and periods. This study utilizes questionnaire data from office buildings across four Chinese cities to extract refined prototypes for occupancy and equipment usage schedules using hierarchical clustering analysis. Specific schedules are developed for summer workdays, winter workdays, summer weekends, and winter weekends, covering HVAC, lighting, and office equipment. For instance, the extracted lighting schedule increases annual energy consumption intensity by 25.35% compared to standard schedules. Additionally, XGBoost models identify key factors influencing equipment usage; for HVAC, floor number emerges as most significant. The study's prototypes offer more realistic inputs for building energy simulations, enhancing accuracy and guiding energy-efficient building design and management strategies in China.

The Influence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Usage, Age, Work Tenure on Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can reduce productivity, which occurs as a result of unsafe actions and unsafe conditions in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of leather tanning in Magetan. Workplace accidents could be caused by workes low awareness of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as factors like age and work tenure on workplace accidents in the leather tanning SMEs in Magetan 2024. The research design employed an observational analytic method with a Cross-Sectional approach. The sample size consisted 66 people out of a population of 190, selected through proportional random sampling. The variables of PPE use, age, and work tenure, which were collected through observation and interviews, were then processed and analyzed using the Spearman Correlation statistical test (r2). The results indicated that the use of PPE, including masks,gloves, and boots, was at 36,4%, the proportion of workers aged over 30 years was 54,5%, and those with a work tenure over 5 years was 59,1%. The analysis showed that PPE use (p=0.000) and age (p=0.035) had an impact on workplace accidents, with a correlation value of p=0.232 more than 0.05. The study concluded that the use of PPE and the age of workers in the leather tanning SMEs in Magetan influenced workplace accidents. It is recommended that management provide complete PPE such as masks, boots, gloves and conduct regular monitoring of PPE use conditions. Additionally, workers should use PPE according to standars while performing their duties.

Heavy Metal and Trace Element Status and Dietary Determinants in Children with Phenylketonuria

Background/Objectives: Heavy metals are a group of metals and metalloids that have a relatively high density. They can cause toxicity even at very low levels. Trace elements are required by all living organisms to maintain their normal growth, metabolism, and development. Oral intake is the main route of exposure to both heavy metals and trace elements. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common amino acid metabolic disorder, and the best known treatment for patients requiring treatment is a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the plasma heavy metal levels, sources of exposure, changes in these levels according to dietary regimen, and trace element levels and their correlations with heavy metals in PKU patients. Methods: The study was conducted between July 2022 and January 2024 on 105 patients aged 2–6 years diagnosed with PKU. Results: The percentage of Pb levels in individuals in the upper quartile increased by 3.47 times (95% CI = 1.07–11.29) in those who consumed canned foods and 7.29 times (95% CI = 1.21–44.03) in those who consumed spring water. The percentage of As levels in the upper tertile increased by a factor of 7.26 (95% CI = 2.09–25.28) in individuals under four years of age and 8.17 times (95% CI = 2.13–31.27) in canned food users. The odds of having blood Cd levels in the upper tertile were 0.09 (95% CI = 0.01–0.96) for those being breastfed for 6–11 months compared to 0–5 months. Zn levels were lower (93.0 vs. 83.6 µg/dL, p = 0.008) in patients on a Phe-restricted diet. Conclusions: The present study did not find a relationship between heavy metal exposure and the dietary treatment status of patients with PKU. Our findings indicate that canned food consumption is a significant contributing factor to heavy metal exposure in PKU patients. Furthermore, our findings revealed a relationship between age, perception of economic level, breastfeeding, kitchen equipment, and water usage and the levels of certain heavy metals.

Prevalence of injury and utilization of personal protective equipment among building construction workers and associated factors in Bale and West Arsi Zones, southeast Ethiopia 2022.

The building construction industry is well known for being one of the most dangerous industries worldwide. Statistics show it is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of injury, personal protective equipment usage among building construction workers, and associated factors in Southeast Ethiopia. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was done among 406 selected construction workers in Southeast Ethiopia. Study participants were selected randomly. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize study variables. Binary logistic regression was utilized to investigate factors associated with injury among study participants. Accordingly, adjusted odds ratio along its 95% confidence interval were calculated and a p value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Generalized linear models were utilized to investigate factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment. Accordingly, an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was determined and a p value of <0.05 was used as a level to declare a significant statistical association. In this research 406 building construction workers were interviewed and 393 participants gave complete responses, yielding a 96.8% response rate. Of all participants included in this study, 27 (6.8%) drink alcohol and 26 (6.6%) chew khats. Uses of personal protective equipment among study participants was 133 (33.3%, with a 95% confidence interval of 28.3% to 37.7%). Of 393 participants in this study, 213 (54.2%) of them sustained at least one building work-related injury in the last year. The commonest type of injury that occurred among this population was abrasion 43.3% followed by muscular pain (13%). Not having orientation about personal protective equipment, without safety training, didn't use personal protective equipment, and rural residence were factors significantly associated with injury among building construction workers. Residence, age, monthly income, service year, orientation about personal protective equipment, safety training, and start using personal protective equipment immediately after the job offers were significantly associated with the uses of personal protective equipment by participants of this study. In general, this study has identified a relatively high prevalence of injury and low use of personal protective equipment in the study subjects and associated factors.

Real-Time estimation of internal and solar heat gains in buildings using deep learning

This paper presents real-time monitoring of dynamic internal and solar heat gains using programmable low-cost cameras and deep learning techniques. For monitoring changes in occupancy, equipment, lighting, and window status in real time, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based multi-head classification model was developed and trained with High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, collected using a low-cost fisheye camera in offices. A Python-based region of interest (ROI) generation program was developed to predefine the target areas for monitoring. The classification heads of the model were trained from scratch using a small office image dataset first; then, they were fine-tuned using another HDR image dataset collected in a larger open-plan office with more complex scenes, to evaluate the transferability of the model. The weighted mean classification precision and recall results showed that the developed model could classify the detailed status of each target heat gain (occupants, equipment, lighting, windows) in the predefined areas of the scene with great performance. Finally, to evaluate the impact of real-time monitoring of heat gains on energy demand, the open plan office space used for the experimental dataset collection was modeled using EnergyPlus software using (i) commonly assumed fixed schedules for occupancy, equipment and lighting and (ii) real-time monitored dynamic schedules for internal and solar gain components under the same weather conditions. The results showed that recommended fixed schedules may lead to significant errors in estimated internal and solar gains. The largest discrepancy was noted for occupancy and equipment usage, but other categories also showed both underestimation and overestimation of thermal load components. Implementing reliable and continuous monitoring of dynamic internal and solar heat gains is important for efficient demand-driven HVAC control.

Examining Exercise Equipment Usage In YMCA Facilities To Identify Unique Community Needs

Examining Exercise Equipment Usage In YMCA Facilities To Identify Unique Community Needs

An Analysis on Awareness of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) Practices among Management Students: A Special reference to Coimbatore city

“Green HRM” is the usage of human resource management policies and practices to promote the sustainable use of resources in business organizations in order to promote the cause of environmental sustainability. Due to industrialization, Rise in number of industries had given rise to the usage of machineries and other heavy equipment’s – which in turn, used fuels as source of energy, which is the reason for environmental degradation.in order to achieve environmental sustainability, it is a high time to create awareness among students about the green concept, who are going to run the future businesses and entrepreneurs. Its mere responsibility of educational institution in Implementation of GHRM policies, so that it can bring a positive impact on reducing the cost of resources through controlling the wastage and also makes the students more responsible over the concept of GHRM. The purpose of this research is to study the awareness about GHRM among students of various management institutes in Coimbatore city. Also, in this research researcher examined the Students perception regarding the implementation of GHRM practices in their institutes. The study will highlight any present GHRM practices followed in the college and Suggestions for future too. A structured questionnaire is distributed among students to collect data for further analysis and suggestions were provided to implementation of GHRM practices.

Dentist's perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment –A Cross sectional survey

Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, gloves, face shields, goggles, facemasks and/or respirators or other equipment designed to protect the wearer from injury or the spread of infection or illness. The usage of PPE among health care professionals is increased after Covid 19. Dentists poses high risks to infection due to largernumber of droplets generated during dental procedures. The perception and the usage of Personal Protective Equipment among the dentists may not be same. Hence an online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among the dentists on perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment. Materials and methods: A cross sectional only survey using 20closed-ended questionnaire was conducted to assess the perception and usage of Personal Protective Equipment among dentists. A total of 388 dentists were included in the survey. The study subjects were classified into 3 groups. Group A-Practitioner alone (in Clinic/Hospital), Group B-Academician (Working in academic institution alone without practice) and Group C- Both (clinician and academician). Results: Most of the dental practitioners who are affiliated to dental colleges as well as having or working in clinician (Group C) had received formal training or demonstration regarding donning and doffing of PPE compared to individual practitioners or academician (Group A and B) and it is statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) and many private practitioner’s faced shortage of PPE compared to academician and both (Private practitioners and academician) which is statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) Conclusion: Compared to Group A and B academician and clinician individually dental professionals who are working as both academician and clinician (Group C) have better perception and know the proper usage of PPE which might be because of the exposure in both college and clinical setup.