Work Capacity Research Articles

Embracing Implementation Science to Enhance Fisheries and Aquatic Management and Conservation

The management and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources are inherently applied activities. Therefore, when knowledge generated from research and monitoring, or knowledge that is held by practitioners and other actors (e.g., Indigenous elders, fishers), fails to inform those applied decisions, the persistent gap between knowledge and action is reinforced (i.e., the knowledge–action gap). In the healthcare realm, there has been immense growth in implementation science over the past decade or so with a goal of understanding and bridging the gap between knowledge and action and delivering on evidence‐based decision making. Yet, within fisheries and aquatic sciences, the concept of implementation science has not received the same level of attention. We posit, therefore, that there is an urgent need to embrace implementation science to enhance fisheries and aquatic management and conservation. In this paper, we seek to describe what implementation science is and what it has to offer to the fisheries and aquatic science and management communities. For our context, we define implementation science as the scientific study of processes and approaches to promote the systematic uptake of research and monitoring findings and other evidence‐based practices into routine practice and decision making to improve the effectiveness of fisheries management and aquatic conservation. We explore various frameworks for implementation science and consider them in the context of fisheries and aquatic science. Although there are barriers and challenges to putting implementation science into practice (e.g., lack of capacity for such work, lack of time to engage in reflection, lack of funding), there is also much in the way of opportunity and several examples of where such efforts are already underway. We conclude by highlighting the research needs related to implementation science in the fisheries and aquatic science realm that span methodological approaches, albeit a common theme is the need to involve practitioners (and other relevant actors) in the research. By introducing the concept and discipline of implementation science to the fisheries and aquatic science community, our hope is that we will inspire individuals and organizations to learn more about how implementation science can help deliver on the promise of evidence‐based management and decision making and narrow the gap between research and practice.

Regulacja schematu pracy i odpoczynku dla personelu przedsiębiorstw transportowych w Ukrainie. Czas pokoju a specyfika czasu wojny

The article substantiates the relationship between human working capacity and the work and rest pattern of the personnel of transport enterprises. Driving vehicles requires increased working capacity, that is why the legislation must clearly regulate the working time of the personnel involved in transportation. The specifics of the legal regulation of the work and rest pattern of employees of air, road, rail and water transport enterprises are considered in accordance with the norms of the legislation of Ukraine and some conventions of the International Labour Organization. Unfortunately, there are currently no legal norms regarding the regulation of the work and rest pattern for carriers in conditions of martial law, depending on the region in which they operate. The authors make conclusions about the need to study the experience of European countries regarding the regulation of the working time and rest time of transport workers according to: different modes of transport; intensifying the process of ratification by Ukraine of international agreements on regulation of the work and rest patterns; strengthening the responsibility of employers for non-compliance with the requirements of legal norms regarding the working time and rest time of employees; cooperation of employers, trade unions and state authorities in the development of program provisions and effective mechanisms for the implementation of defined norms for the protection of socio-economic and labour rights of employees at transport enterprises; revising the work and rest pattern of transport sector workers in accordance with the conditions of martial law; legal recognition of higher social guarantees for carriers working in front-line zones and combat zones.

The Analysis of 4C-Based Learning Implementation for Islamic Religious Education Students

The purpose of this study is to identify issues surrounding the application of 4C-based learning. In addition, this study looks at how lecturers address issues that arise with their pupils. The method used in this study is qualitative descriptive. Purposive sampling procedures were used in the selection of the 20 students and 2 lecturers participated in this study. Data were gathered by open-ended surveys, interviews, and observations. Data analysis involves gathering, condensing, presenting, and deriving conclusions using interactive models. Researchers found that lecturers tried to engage 4C based learning during their class. The necessary abilities, which include the capacity for critical and creative thought as well as collaboration and communication, must be tailored to the trends of the twenty-first century. Students' abilities to argue critically with others and to articulate their thoughts rationally serve as examples of this. Besides, students are able to exhibit their capacity for productive work, recognize the diversity within the team, show adaptability and a readiness to consider other people's viewpoints, assume joint accountability for group projects, and recognize the significance of each team member's contribution to a diverse group. They consider some applications such as Canva, Mind Master, Kahoot, and QR Code for their creativity supports. As well as, writing papers assignment is able to build students’ critical thinking skills. Students who possess critical thinking abilities may identify issues, come up with solutions, and gather and arrange data. Students’' ability to create topic papers and research papers serves as evidence of this.

Understanding adsorption selectivity in zirconium-pillared clays for biogas upgradation: the role of metal/clay ratio.

Biogas, as a sustainable energy source, encounters challenges in practical applications due to impurities, notably carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2). This study investigates the effect of metal/clay ratio on the adsorption selectivity of porous zirconium-pillared clay adsorbents for biogas upgradation. Comprehensive analyses including nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were conducted to evaluate the physicochemical properties. Adsorption properties for Zr-pillared clays for biogas components such as CO2, CH4, and N2, at 25 °C under different pressures were investigated. The ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) was employed to assess selectivity for three binary gas mixtures (CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, and CH4/N2). Results revealed the substantial impact of Zr/Clay ratio on both adsorption capacity and selectivity of the prepared materials. For instance, the maximum adsorption capacity of gases varies as ZrPILC-4 > ZrPILC-2 > ZrPILC-8 > ZrPILC-1, whereas the adsorption selectivity for CO2/CH4 separation (at 1000kPa) varies as ZrPILC-1 > ZrPILC-2 > ZrPILC-8 > ZrPILC-4. Interestingly, the ZrPILC-8 with maximum surface area (147 m2∙g-1) did not show maximum adsorption capacity for all the three gases, which was attributed to its lower pore volume, and basal spacing, as compared to ZrPILC-4. Amongst all the pillared samples, the ZrPILC-1 exhibited highest selectivity for all binary mixtures (at 1000kPa), signifies increased nonspecific interactions due to its lower surface area. Its separation performance, particularly for CO2/CH4 mixture exceeded that of the parent clay by 1.5 times. A significant increase in the working capacity of the prepared samples underscores the efficacy of these pillared materials in separating biogas components. This study provides valuable insights into effects of Zr/clay ratio for developing robust pillared adsorbents, contributing to the advancement of sustainable biomethane production.

Data-driven discovery of novel metal organic frameworks with superior ammonia adsorption capacity

Ammonia (NH3) has been a subject of great interest due to its important roles in diverse technological applications. However, high toxicity and corrosiveness of NH3 has made it an important task to develop an efficient carrier to safely capture NH3 with high capacity. Here, we employ a machine learning (ML) model to discover high-performance metal organic frameworks (MOFs) that will work as efficient NH3 carriers. By constructing databases at two distinct conditions, adsorption and desorption, through Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations to train ML models, we identify eight novel MOFs as potentially efficient NH3 carriers through screening the large-scale MOF databases with the trained models and GCMC verification. The identified MOFs exhibit the average NH3 working capacity exceeding 1100 mg/g, and subsequent molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate mechanical stability of the predicted MOFs. Moreover, analyses of the diffusion mechanism within the proposed MOFs underscore the strong dependence of NH₃ gas diffusivity on the structural details of the materials.

Home work: Exploring the labor market effects of subsidizing domestic services

This paper analyzes subsidies for the domestic services sector, an increasingly popular policy to create employment opportunities for low-skilled workers. Using Belgian administrative data, a differences-in-differences approach, and a shift-share instrumental variable, we estimate the local effects of the policy in targeted industries as well as overall effects on the labor market. We find that domestic service subsidies can increase female employment in the subsidized industries as well as the overall employment rate. This increase in employment is primarily driven by an increase in (formal) labor market participation and, to a lesser extent, a reduction in the rate of participation in unemployment insurance and in other social welfare programs. We also find that these subsidies can lead to an increase in the rate of work incapacity, likely due to the fact they broaden the population that can access the social safety net.

Highest order moderation of extraversion and neuroticism into the relationship between job stress and flourishing: Mediated by readiness to change among Chinese medical teachers

This study investigates the mediating role of Readiness to Change in the relationship between job stress and flourishing among Chinese medical teachers, as well as the highest order moderation of Extraversion and Neuroticism into this relationship. The research utilized a quantitative approach, surveying a sample of Chinese Medical Education teachers (N = 500) consisted of 342 males and 158 females with an age range between 30 and 65 (M = 43.69; SD = 9.31). The average tenure in the education landscape was 12.39 years (SD = 10.91) through an online platform. The primary aim was to explore how readiness attitudes influence the well-being and work capacity of Teachers in high-stress medical teaching environments. The survey incorporated self-assessment instruments to measure job stress, Readiness to Change attitudes, levels of flourishing, and personality traits (Extraversion and Neuroticism). Statistical analyses, including mediation models, were employed to test the relationships between these variables. Preliminary findings suggest a significant mediating role of Readiness to Change into the effects of job stress on flourishing and a moderation of extraversion into this relationship. The findings also failed to support the moderation of Neuroticism into the relationships, while the Higher order moderation showed a statistical marginal value. This indicates that effective readiness attitudes may not only mitigate the negative impacts of job stress but also enhance personal well-being and professional capacity. These results hold critical implications for the development of support systems and interventions aimed at fostering resilience and adaptive skills among medical teachers. Such initiatives could potentially improve job satisfaction, mental health, and teaching effectiveness in medical education settings. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on occupational stress and coping mechanisms in the educational sector, particularly within the field of medical education.

Söndrade kroppar, invasiv bemanning och prekära anställningar. Intersektionella perspektiv på försörjning, lönearbete och social reproduktion

While wage labor has been celebrated as a means of women’s emancipation within Swedish gender equality policy, unequal workplaces, the prevalence of sexual harassment, precarious working conditions, and work-related health issues indicate that wage labor also entails serious problems for many women. This article examines how unstable working conditions and work organizations built on precarious labor and flexible staffing strategies impact women’s well-being. Through feminist intersectional perspectives on social reproduction, the analysis sheds light on the risks posed by current work models to workers’ health, work capacity and liveability. The article is based on survey responses among retail workers. Their responses show that working life in retail is characterized not only by precarious employment conditions but also by invasive staffing strategies. The consequences are precarious livelihoods, stress, and limited possibilities to leisure time and social relationships. The lack of opportunities to recover highlights how workers’ bodies bear the brunt of companies’ pursuit of precarization. Building on theories of social reproduction and an analysis of working conditions in retail, we call for a deeper examination of the role of wage labor in feminist strategies.

Outpatient interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment programme for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a longitudinal cohort study

Purpose To describe the outcomes of an interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment (IMPT) for chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) patients up until 12 months post-treatment. Materials and Methods Data were gathered during routine clinical practice during a 3-year period (2019–2021) at six Dutch rehabilitation centres. Assessments included patient-reported outcome measures for multiple domains including disability, pain and fatigue. Longitudinal data were analysed using repeated-measures models and by quantifying responder rates. Results Included were 2309 patients with a mean age of 43.7 (SD 12.9) years, of which 73% female. All outcomes showed significant improvements at each timepoint. At discharge, large effect sizes were found for disability, average and worst pain, fatigue and health-related quality of life. Improvements were largely sustained at 12-months. Relatively large proportions of patients had clinically relevant improvements after treatment (pain-related disability: 60%; average pain: 52%; worst pain: 37.4%; work capacity: 50%; concentration: 50%; fatigue: 46%). Patients who received a treatment extension showed further improvements for all outcome measures, except average pain. Conclusions At group level, all outcomes significantly improved with mainly large effect sizes. The results were mostly sustained. The proportion of patients showing clinically relevant improvements tends to be larger than previously reported for mixed CMP patients.

Reversible Phase Transformations in a Double-Walled Diamondoid Coordination Network with a Stepped Isotherm for Methane.

Flexible metal-organic materials (FMOMs) with stepped isotherms can offer enhanced working capacity in storage applications such as adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage. Unfortunately, whereas >1000 FMOMs are known, only a handful exhibit methane uptake of >150 cm3/cm3 at 65 atm and 298 K, conditions relevant to ANG. Here, we report a double-walled 2-fold interpenetrated diamondoid (dia) network, X-dia-6-Ni, [Ni2L4(μ-H2O)]n, comprising a new azo linker ligand, L- (L- = (E)-3-(pyridin-4-yldiazenyl)benzoate) and 8-connected dinuclear molecular building blocks. X-dia-6-Ni exhibited gas (CO2, N2, CH4) and liquid (C8 hydrocarbons)-induced reversible transformations between its activated narrow-pore β phase and γ, a large-pore phase with ca. 33% increase in unit cell volume. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) studies of the as-synthesized phase α, β, and γ revealed that structural transformations were enabled by twisting of the azo moiety and/or deformation of the MBB. Further insight into these transformations was gained from variable temperature powder XRD and in situ variable pressure powder XRD. Low-temperature N2 and CO2 sorption revealed stepped Type F-II isotherms with saturation uptakes of 422 and 401 cm3/g, respectively. X-dia-6-Ni exhibited uptake of 200 cm3/cm3 (65 atm, 298 K) and a high CH4 working capacity of 166 cm3/cm3 (5-65 bar, 298 K, 33 cycles), the third highest value yet reported for an FMOM and the highest value for an FMOM with a Type F-II isotherm.

Optimal Gearing of Musculoskeletal Systems.

Movement is integral to animal life, and most animal movement is actuated by the same engine: striated muscle. Muscle input is typically mediated by skeletal elements, resulting in musculoskeletal systems that are geared: at any instant, the muscle force and velocity are related to the output force and velocity only via a proportionality constant G, the "mechanical advantage". The functional analysis of such "simple machines" has traditionally centered around this instantaneous interpretation, such that a small vs large G is thought to reflect a fast vs forceful system, respectively. But evidence is mounting that a comprehensive analysis ought to also consider the mechanical energy output of a complete contraction. Here, we approach this task systematically, and deploy the theory of physiological similarity to study how gearing affects the flow of mechanical energy in a minimalist model of a musculoskeletal system. Gearing influences the flow of mechanical energy in two key ways: it can curtail muscle work output, because it determines the ratio between the characteristic muscle kinetic energy and work capacity; and it defines how each unit of muscle work is partitioned into different system energies, that is, into kinetic vs "parasitic" energy such as heat. As a consequence of both effects, delivering maximum work in minimum time and with maximum output speed generally requires a mechanical advantage of intermediate magnitude. This optimality condition can be expressed in terms of two dimensionless numbers that reflect the key geometric, physiological, and physical properties of the interrogated musculoskeletal system, and the environment in which the contraction takes place. Illustrative application to exemplar musculoskeletal systems predicts plausible mechanical advantages in disparate biomechanical scenarios, yields a speculative explanation for why gearing is typically used to attenuate the instantaneous force output ($G_{\text{opt}} \lt 1)$, and predicts how G needs to vary systematically with animal size to optimize the delivery of mechanical energy, in superficial agreement with empirical observations. A many-to-one mapping from musculoskeletal geometry to mechanical performance is identified, such that differences in G alone do not provide a reliable indicator for specialization for force vs speed-neither instantaneously, nor in terms of mechanical energy output. The energy framework presented here can be used to estimate an optimal mechanical advantage across variable muscle physiology, anatomy, mechanical environment, and animal size, and so facilitates investigation of the extent to which selection has made efficient use of gearing as a degree of freedom in musculoskeletal "design."

Strategies for Evaluating Collective Impact Initiatives: Lessons Learned from a Community-Academic Partnership

Collective impact (CI) initiatives provide a promising collaborative community-based approach for addressing health disparities, but they are challenging to evaluate. This paper provides a detailed strategy for addressing these challenges through a case study, with the goal of not only of evaluating the CI, but also putting organizations in a position to implement and maintain sustainable self-evaluation efforts over time. A three-phase evaluation strategy was developed and implemented via a community-academic partnership to assess the impact of the CI. Process and outcome data from a CI to address health disparities in a Chicago community were collected and analyzed. The evaluation strategy, following the developmental, formative, and summative phases, helped a CI overcome barriers and build capacity for ongoing evaluative work for its members. Considering the flexible, low-technology approach, this strategy is a valuable resource in assisting individuals seeking to create a successful and sustainable CI evaluation.

On straightness measurements of large CNC machine tools

The CNC (computerized numerically controlled) machines are widespread in use due to their high capability of precise manufacturing in industrial production. They have a wide range of designs depending on the working capacity in manufacturing. The associated form errors in large-capacity CNC machines during production shall be identified and corrected or eliminated. This study presents an investigation of one of the main form errors that may affect the manufacturing precision of these machines. This error type is a straightness error with both two kinds of horizontal and vertical errors. The study is carried out for a vertical turning center CNC machine type. The straightness errors are measured for the X axis at different latches in the Z direction and for the Z axis at three positions in the X direction with multi-displacement steps. Different algorithms are used in the determination of straightness errors. The X-axis has minimum horizontal straightness errors at latch Nr. 3 and minimum vertical straightness errors at latch Nr. 5. For the Z axis, the minimum values for horizontal and vertical straightness errors exist when the spindle is located 1200 mm away from the machining center to the right. The displacement steps have a significant impact on the determination of straightness errors.

Solar-driven high-performance biomass porous carbon for efficient CO2 capture

Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) based on solid adsorbents is an efficient CO2 capture technology, but the temperature swing process is energy-intensive. Utilizing solar energy to regenerate adsorbents during the CO2 swing adsorption process can decrease energy consumption. This work reports a novel high-performance biomass porous carbon for efficient CO2 capture and separation in the solar-driven TSA process. Inspired by the distinctive internal expansion structure of succulents, the adsorbent is synthesized using succulents as precursors with a large specific surface area (1715 m2/g) and high solar absorbance (90.38 %), resulting in high CO2 adsorption capacity and solar thermal conversion capacity. It achieves a remarkable working capacity of 30.94 mg/g at a low desorption temperature (60 °C) in the solar-driven TSA process with a light intensity of 600 W/m2, 80.7 % higher than commercial activation carbon. The proposed biomass porous carbon derived from succulent plants has substantial potential for application in the solar-driven TSA process.

Evolution of deformation structures in CrCoNiSi0.3 medium entropy alloy subjected to high-strain-rate and quasi-static compressive deformation

The objective of the present study is to fundamentally explore the evolution of deformed structures of CrCoNiSi0.3 medium entropy alloy subjected to high-speed compression deformation with true strains of 0.16, 0.33, and 0.46 (via split Hopkinson pressure bar system, strain rate of ∼6 × 103 s−1, denoted as HSR deformation), and quasi-static compression deformation with true strains of 0.20, 0.30 and 0.50 (via MTS compression system, strain rate of ∼10−3 s−1, denoted as LSR deformation). From the comparison between the results of HSR and LSR samples, it clearly indicates that the formation of deformation nanotwins is promoted under the HSR deformation and enhances the work hardening effect in the early stage of deformation; as the HSR deformation proceeds, the nanotwins effectively provide the dynamic Hall–Petch effect, leading to an increase in flow stress beyond the stress required for HCP phase transformation. The HCP phase also induces a stronger work hardening capacity at the late stage of deformation. Profuse deformation nanotwins and HCP phase promoted by HSR deformation result in a strong work hardening effect. Furthermore, the flow stress of the HSR deformed sample with a true strain of 0.46 is 1536 MPa, which is about 36% higher than that of the LSR deformed sample with the same true strain, 1102 MPa. It is clear that under the HSR deformation, the defect structures including deformation nanotwins and ultra-thin HCP platelets are much more favorably generated, greatly improving the working capacity.

Clinical and genetic characterization of patients with eye diseases included in the Spanish Rare Diseases Patient Registry

BackgroundThe low prevalence of rare diseases poses a significant challenge in advancing their understanding. This study aims to delineate the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with rare eye diseases (RED) enrolled in the Spanish Rare Diseases Patient Registry.MethodsA total of 864 patients from the registry database were included. Diseases were categorized into inherited retinal dystrophies (n=688); anterior segment diseases (n=48); congenital malformations (n=27); and syndromic diseases with ocular involvement including muscular (n=46), neurological (n=34), or metabolic (n=13); inflammatory diseases (n=4); and tumors (n=4). Data on visual acuity (VA) and/or visual field (VF), symptoms and signs, concurrent diseases in syndromic cases, age of onset and at diagnosis, affected genes, disability rating, inability to work and dependency grade recognition were collected.ResultsA mean diagnostic delay of 7 years from symptom onset was observed. Commonly reported symptoms included photophobia, night blindness, and progressive vision loss (≥57% of patients). Cataract was the most prevalent secondary disease (46%), with pseudophakia being the most common ocular surgery (26%). Hearing loss and cardiovascular diseases were the most prevalent concurrent systemic diseases (≥13%). Certificates of disability, incapacity for work, and dependency were held by 87%, 42%, and 19% of patients, respectively. Among the 719 patients with available VA data, 193 (27%) were blind, and 188 (26%) had moderate to severe visual impairment. Over half of the patients (54%) exhibited VF defects, and 216 (25%) had concentric contraction ≤5° or abolished VF. Most had genetic diseases with autosomal recessive (55%), autosomal dominant (30%), X-linked (9%), and mitochondrial (6%) patterns. One patient had mutations in both recessive USH2A and dominant RHO genes simultaneously. Of the 656 patients (75.7%) who underwent genetic testing, only 461 (70.3%) received a positive result (pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations explaining the phenotype). We found 62 new gene variants related to RED not previously reported in databases of genetic variants related to specific phenotypes.ConclusionsThis study delineates the clinical and genotypic profiles of RED in Spain. Genetic diseases, particularly retinal disorders, predominate, but a significant proportion of affected patients remain genetically undiagnosed, hindering potential gene therapy endeavors. Despite notable improvements in reducing diagnosis delays, it is still remarkable. RED frequently lead to disability and blindness among young populations.

Do All Patients Benefit From the Soothing Properties of a Conversational Nursing Intervention to Reduce Symptom Burden During Outpatient Chemotherapy?: A Multimethod Secondary Analysis.

Soothing conversation (SC) is particularly promising for symptom management during outpatient chemotherapy. However, we know little about the profile of patients who are most likely to benefit from this intervention. To gain a better understanding of the profile of patients most likely to benefit from SC to reduce symptom burden during outpatient chemotherapy. We performed a multimethod secondary analysis of 2 data sets: the first gathered during a quantitative pilot trial investigating the impact of SC on patients' symptom fluctuations during chemotherapy perfusion (n = 24); the second derived from qualitative interviews about nurses' experiences with SC in this context (n = 6). Secondary quantitative analysis suggests that symptom control with SC is more effective in older patients, reporting lower education, widowed status, work incapacity, advanced cancer, and undergoing chemotherapy perfusion for less than 1 hour. According to nurses' interviews, SC could best benefit patients (1) prone to anxiety and fear, (2) with unalleviated pain, (3) who are unaccompanied during treatment, and contrary to what was shown with quantitative data, (4) undergoing longer perfusion duration. Although this study provides valuable insights, much work remains to be done to fully understand the factors that predispose patients to respond positively to SC during outpatient chemotherapy. This study extends previous research on the effectiveness of SC for symptom management during outpatient chemotherapy by comparing nurses' experience with the intervention to patients' results. Results could be used to inform the assignment and delivery of supportive communication-based interventions during chemotherapy protocols.

Psychological workplace injury and incapacity: A call for action

The financial cost to workplaces associated with mental health conditions is considerable. Consequently, this article explores the last two decades of Australian data pertaining to work-related psychological injuries, work capacity and benefit/compensation pathways. The presented data highlights the increasing costs and duration of mental health-related workers’ compensation claims, indicating a steady intensification of the complexity or severity of psychological injury claims. Equally, psychiatric conditions form the largest proportion of longer-term incapacity benefits received in the working population. This article then considers why there has not been reduction in rates of work-related psychological injury, and moreover, why are workers who functional recovery appears to be worsening in recent years. Firstly, despite regulatory reform, there is little practical direction available to guide preventative change, as such, establishing an evidence base for effective tools to mitigate workplace psychosocial hazards is critical. Secondly, an increased focus on workers who are already unwell is urgently needed. Multi-component work interventions, upskilling managers, and rehabilitation-focused treatments have demonstrated effectiveness and require considered implementation. Finally, at a policy level, it is important to redress aspects of the Workers’ Compensation Scheme that may be impeding recovery.

Shift and Night Work in Technology Intensive Environment as a Health Hazard

Flexible workday arrangement is a common management practice in the modern technology intensive society. The impact of shift work in night hours on human health has been a subject of a broad range of fundamental and applied studies in occupational medicine and in other fields. Epidemiological data and a body of research findings suggest that shift workers are prone to various pathologies. This paper summarizes current views on the link between shift and night work and the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among working population and are therefore a top priority. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses present strong evidence that shift workers have a higher risk of malignant tumors (breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer), coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes compared to daytime-only workers. There are, however, individual differences in the risk of NCDs that may depend on the length of employment and other circumstances. Also, factors are discussed that can modify the impact of shift work on the risk of associated pathologies, such as chronotype, changing length of night shifts, proper shift rotation, sufficient rest between shifts, etc. Mechanisms of genetic regulation of individual circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycle are a crucial element in the conceptual model of influence of night work on body. Insufficient adaptation and plasticity of the circadian system may cause desynchronization between external time and inner biorhythms in shift workers; this is accompanied with changes in circadian genes expression and may lead to pathologies. If disturbed circadian rhythms are the main factor of etiopathogenesis, the term “circadian-related disease” should be used. Deep understanding of the link between circadian desynchronosis and health problems in shift workers is important to implement ‘circadian safety’ measures, i.e. to protect workers from negative consequences of disturbed individual biorhythms that may affect their work capacities and life quality. This will require standard protocols to study circadian disturbances, standard tools and methods to diagnose circadian rhythms in workers, resolving issues of interpretation in respect of occupational capacity, research on proneness and tolerance of workers to circadian-related problems, finding pharmacological and physical approaches to reduce circadian disturbances, considering special aspects of drug therapy of desynchronosis.

Effect of mixed carbon phase state on detonation parameters and reaction zone of explosives under extreme condition

A precise description of the thermodynamic states of gaseous and solid detonation products is essential when using thermodynamic calculations to determine the detonation performance and destructive power of explosives. For high oxygen-lean explosives (the oxygen contained in explosives is insufficient to completely oxidize combustible elements and excess solid carbon will be generated in the detonation products), the phase state of solid carbon product affects the Chapman–Jouguet (CJ) detonation performance parameters, reaction zone, and energy release process. However, the recovery of detonation products demonstrates that the actual detonation carbon product is primarily a mixed state of diamond/graphite stack, as opposed to the existing thermodynamic codes, which essentially treat detonation carbon as single-phase carbon. To understand the thermodynamic effect of the mixed carbon phase state on the non-ideal detonation behavior, in this work, the matching relationship among the VINET equation of state parameters, thermodynamic potential parameters of the solid products of the equivalent system and the phase mixed system was constructed by using the nonlinear fitting method. The relationship between the carbon phase composition at the CJ point and the explosive composition structure was researched. Investigations were conducted into how the mixed carbon phase affected the volume and content of gas products as well as the composition at CJ points. Diamond formation in products is good for enhancing explosive's working capacity. Based on mixed-state potential parameters, the correlation mechanism between the mixed carbon phase and the chemical reaction zone was investigated, and it was found that intramolecular carbon/intermolecular carbon and more detonation graphite/diamond products all would lead to the extension of the reaction zone.