International Safety Research Articles

Beyond the Surface: Evaluating the Impacts of Fukushima Nuclear Wastewater Release

Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan, managing contaminated water became a long-term challenge. In August 2023, Japan began discharging treated atomic wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, sparking global concern. Since nuclear wastewater discharge involves environmental safety, public health, and international relations, understanding various perspectives and presenting scientific data is crucial for formulating reasonable policies. This study aims to analyse the attitudes of different countries towards the Fukushima nuclear wastewater discharge, assess its scientific basis, and explore its economic impact on Japan's fishing industry. The results show that Japan's wastewater discharge complies with international safety standards, based on an evaluation of publicly available data from the Tokyo Electric Power Company and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The analysis encompassed both safety measures and environmental impacts of this specific nuclear wastewater release. Despite scientific studies confirming that the treated nuclear wastewater meets safety standards, ongoing public concerns and geopolitical tensions have caused significant economic impacts on Japan's fishing industry. Therefore, enhanced scientific dialogue and research are needed to effectively address the potential long-term challenges that nuclear wastewater discharge may pose to marine ecosystems and global food safety

Radon-222 Concentration and Health Implication in Borehole Water of Ngumari Costain, Jere, Local Government, Borno State

This study investigates the concentration of Radon-222 (²²²Rn) in borehole water samples from Ngumari Costain in Jere Local Government Area, Borno State. Radon-222 levels were assessed using a Tri-Carb LSA-1000 liquid scintillation counter. Although Nigeria lacks specific guidelines for Radon-222 in drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) advises a maximum limit of 11.1 Bq/L. The recorded concentrations ranged from 4.26 to 13.50 Bq/L, with an average of 8.83 Bq/L. Certain locations, including Layen D.J. and Layen Alau, showed slightly elevated levels above the recommended limit, while Layen Zamani recorded the lowest concentration. Despite these variations, the estimated annual effective dose from ingestion and inhalation of Radon-222 remains well within the World Health Organization (WHO) safety threshold of 0.1 mSv/year for radionuclides in drinking water. The annual effective dose for various age groups—infants, children, and adults—falls below the recommended limit, indicating that water consumption from this area is safe for human health. Additionally, calculated health risk parameters, such as Whole-Body Equivalent (WBE) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), are below international safety standards. These findings indicate that borehole water in Ngumari Costain does not pose significant health risks to the local population and is considered safe for drinking.

Hazardous effects of heavy metal pollution on Nile tilapia in the aquatic ecosystem of the Eastern Delta in Egypt

IntroductionHeavy metal pollution threatens the biodiversity and ecological equilibrium of the Nile River. This study investigates the impact of heavy metal pollution on aquatic animals such as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Damietta branch of the River Nile and El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky canal in Benha City in Egypt.MethodsFish and water samples were collected from the Damietta branch and El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky during the fall of 2022. The concentrations of heavy metals in fish muscle tissues were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Histopathological examinations were performed on gill, liver, spleen, and muscle tissues, following standard histological procedures, to assess tissue damage and morphological alterations. Additionally, gene expression analysis was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the expression levels of muscle growth (MyoD, IGF-1) and immune response (TNFa, IL6) genes.ResultsHistopathological examinations revealed noteworthy alterations in tilapia gill, liver, spleen, and muscle, suggesting potential health risks. Gene expression analysis using Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) indicated significant changes in genes related to muscle growth (MyoD, IGF-1) and immune response (TNFa, IL6) in fish from the Damietta branch relative to fish of El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky.ConclusionThe findings raise concerns about bioaccumulation of heavy, some of which surpass international safety limits, posing potential health risks to consumers. The study underscores the significance of continuous monitoring, utilizing chemical, histopathological, and molecular tools as bioindicators for environmental protection measures against aquatic pollution.

The determination of colour differences when calculating the colour rendering index

The paper addresses the issue of determining the reference light source when calculating the colour rendering index (CRI) and highlights a longstanding recognition of the importance of accurately conveying the shades of illuminated objects by light sources. Certain fields, such as garment and textile factories, art workshops, museums, printing houses, beauty salons, and dental offices, necessitate high-quality colour rendering to successfully perform their work. Improving the quality characteristics of lighting installations is essentially a risk-based approach to operating conditions, including the provision of the conditions that meet current international occupational safety standards. In 1965, the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) was introduced as a method to assess the colour accuracy in light sources, now mandated for testing by international standards for the LED equipment manufacturers. The practical significance of the colour rendering index is based on the fact that the perception of lamp light by the human eye depends not only on quantitative characteristics (illumination, luminous flux), but also on qualitative characteristics, the negative indicators of which may affect the entire lighting system, that is, create the impression that “the lamp is shining, but does not illuminate”. As a result, this indicator has a direct effect on the energy efficiency of a lighting installation, where, to compensate for the “lack of light”, the power consumption of the installation is increased, instead of improving the quality of lighting, by replacing light sources with other sources with a high colour rendering index. A crucial aspect of the CRI calculation involves determining the reference light source based on the colour difference determination. The approach aims to minimize the uncertainty by studying a reference emitter with a colour temperature similar to the tested light source. However, this criterion neglects the heterogeneity of colour perception, although it eliminates the need to consider changes in the eye adaptation states. To address this limitation, having analysed the standards on colorimetry, a formula for calculating the colour difference was proposed for the first time. The formula accounts for the heterogeneity in the perception of colour space, providing a more comprehensive approach in calculating the colour rendering index.

Penerapan Standar Keamanan pada Proses Pengelasan Industri Skala Kecil di Desa Balak Kecamatan Songgon

This article discusses safety regulations during the welding process to reduce the risk of workplace accidents, long-term health consequences, and improve the quality of finished products. The study examines various international safety regulations, practical safety measures, and incidents involving welding. An important first step in increasing employee awareness and understanding of the potential risks that may arise during the welding process is safety socialization. Risks associated with welding include exposure to UV light, hazardous gases, sparks and high temperatures, which, if not managed appropriately, can jeopardize worker health and safety. Therefore, to ensure the best possible implementation of occupational safety standards, organized teaching initiatives through outreach are required. Personal protective equipment (PPE), safe work practices, handling of dangerous goods, risk mitigation and emergency response training are examples of socialization activities. A thorough understanding of welding safety is believed to reduce the number of workplace accidents, increase output, and make the workplace safer. This community service focuses on conducting welding and work safety training for home welding workshop businesses in Balak Village, Songgon District, Banyuwangi Regency. The application of safety standards to the welding process aims to evaluate the effectiveness of welding safety socialization in improving workers' compliance with safety procedures, while providing recommendations for optimizing future training programs.

A mechanistic understanding of human magnetoreception validates the phenomenon of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)

Background Human electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) or electrosensitivity (ES) symptoms in response to anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at levels below current international safety standards are generally considered to be nocebo effects by conventional medical science. In the wider field of magnetoreception in biology, our understanding of mechanisms and processes of magnetic field (MF) interactions is more advanced. Methods We consulted a range of publication databases to identify the key advances in understanding of magnetoreception across the wide animal kingdom of life. Results We examined primary MF/EMF sensing and subsequent coupling to the nervous system and the brain. Magnetite particles in our brains and other tissues can transduce MFs/EMFs, including at microwave frequencies. The radical pair mechanism (RPM) is accepted as the main basis of the magnetic compass in birds and other species, acting via cryptochrome protein molecules in the eye. In some cases, extraordinary sensitivity is observed, several thousand times below that of the geomagnetic field. Bird compass disorientation by radio frequency (RF) EMFs is known. Conclusions Interdisciplinary research has established that all forms of life can respond to MFs. Research shows that human cryptochromes exhibit magnetosensitivity. Most existing provocation studies have failed to confirm EHS as an environmental illness. We attribute this to a fundamental lack of understanding of the mechanisms and processes involved, which have resulted in the design of inappropriate and inadequate tests. We conclude that future research into EHS needs a quantum mechanistic approach on the basis of existing biological knowledge of the magnetosensitivity of living organisms.

INVESTIGATION OF PESTICIDE, ANTIBIOTIC, AND HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN HONEY PRODUCED IN BAYBURT AND THE UPPER ÇORUH VALLEY

This study investigates pesticide, antibiotic, and heavy metal levels in Bayburt and the Upper Çoruh Valley honey. Thirteen honey samples were collected from different apiaries managed by stationary and migratory beekeepers. These samples were analysed for heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb), antibiotics, pesticides, and chemical residues such as naphthalene. The results revealed that lead (Pb) levels exceeded international food safety standards in 2 honey samples, while pesticide residues were detected in 5 samples. Additionally, antibiotic residues were found in 6 samples, including sulfamethazine, tetracycline, and streptomycin. However, no naphthalene was detected in any of the samples. These findings highlight the importance of stricter regulations and monitoring systems to control chemical use in beekeeping practices. Enhancing awareness among beekeepers regarding the risks associated with pesticide and antibiotic use is crucial for improving honey quality and ensuring the health of beekeepers and consumers. The adoption of safer practices and adherence to guidelines are necessary to mitigate these health hazards.

Presentation of the new EPM 23RPT03 project “Metrology for standardised moisture/water content measurement in plant-origin bulk materials in support of International and European food safety and trade – GrainMet”

Presentation of the new EPM 23RPT03 project “Metrology for standardised moisture/water content measurement in plant-origin bulk materials in support of International and European food safety and trade – GrainMet”

Occurrence of ochratoxins in coffee and risk assessment of ochratoxin a in a Costa Rican urban population

Costa Rica is a coffee producer and consumer country, but this product is prone to ochratoxin contamination; therefore, this study aims evaluates the human health risk associated with ochratoxin exposure among coffee consumers in the Costa Rica. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic compound classified as a Group 2B carcinogen, produced by the fungi Aspergillus section Circumdati, Aspergillus section Nigri and Penicillium spp. The presence of OTA and ochratoxin B (OTB) in Costa Rican coffee products (n = 175) was determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. OTA was detected in 58.2% of the green coffee beans (1.01 ± 0.85 ng g −1), in 36.8% of the pure roasted coffee (2.59 ± 4.41 ng g −1), in 23.1% of the sugar-added roasted coffee (1.59 ± 0.33 ng g−1) and 75% of the instant coffee samples (0.69 ± 0.58 ng g−1). The contamination with OTB was 45.5% (1.28 ± 0.83 ng g −1), 31.6% (1.60 ± 2.04 ng g −1), 30.8% (1.42 ± 0.86 ng g −1), and 41.7% (2.64 ± 2.07 ng g −1), respectively. The dietary exposure to OTA of the Costa Rican population was assessed by a probabilistic approach. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) of OTA from coffee was: 0.184 (90% IC: 0.179–0.189) ng kg−1 bw day−1 for the total population (0.189 [90% IC: 0.184–0.194] ng kg−1 bw day−1 for males and 0.181 [90% IC: 0.176–0.186] ng kg−1 bw day−1 for females). The EDIs were lower than the tolerable human intake benchmarks for OTA set by international food safety authorities (even though more than 80% of OTA is extracted during coffee preparation). The results evidence a low risk (related to ochratoxin) for coffee consumers in Costa Rica.

Some aspects of international cooperation and information exchange among journalists during armed conflicts: current challenges and prospects

The article examines the contemporary challenges of international journalism in the context of armed conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine. It focuses on the risks to journalists’ safety, issues of censorship and information manipulation, as well as the impact of new technologies on the timeliness and accuracy of news. The study expands existing knowledge about international journalism by proposing a new model for analyzing the interaction of political, social, and technological factors in conflict situations. Using a comprehensive case study methodology and bibliometric research, the article explores practical aspects of information exchange, including the creation of secure communication channels, adherence to ethical standards, and fact-checking. Content analysis of media messages and surveys of journalists working in conflict zones are employed in the research. The study reveals that the war in Ukraine has led to a significant decline in international cooperation due to difficulties in ensuring the credibility of information, an increase in censorship and manipulation. Particularly pressing are the issues of journalists’ safety, restrictions on access to critical information sources, and challenges in maintaining media independence. Additionally, the article highlights that armed conflicts pose numerous threats to journalists, such as risks of physical attacks, detention, and even life-threatening situations. In combat conditions, journalists often face restricted access to important information, complicating their work and impacting the quality of event coverage. These conditions necessitate new approaches to protecting journalists at both individual and institutional levels, as well as improving international safety standards and support. The findings indicate the need to develop new strategies for protecting journalists, ensuring the accuracy of information, and strengthening international media cooperation. These conclusions have broad implications for understanding modern information wars and forming effective mechanisms to counter disinformation. The article makes a significant contribution to the advancement of journalism and may be useful for journalists, scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in safeguarding freedom of speech and developing a democratic society.

The impact of feeding pattern on heavy metal accumulation and associated health risks in fishes from the Dhaleshwari River Bangladesh

Heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems accumulate in fish tissues, posing significant ecological and health hazards due to their toxic effects on both the environment and human consumers. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential hazards associated with consuming carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous fish species from the Dhaleshwari River in Bangladesh. The study focused on the seasonal variation and accumulation pattern of toxic heavy metals in these fish species. For this, four fish species (Wallagu attu, Ompak bimaculatus, Labeo calbasu, Cirrhinus mrigala were sampled during the dry and wet seasons from the contiguity of the industrial outlet from Dhaleshwari River. The amount of accumulation of Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu and As in the muscles of the samples were analyzed using spectrophotometry. Heavy metal concentrations were observed to be in the following descending order: Cu (1.99) > Cr (1.92) > Pb (1.42) > Cd (0.31) > As (≤0.0002) (mg/kg, wet weight). Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded some international food safety guidelines for fish muscles. Carnivorous species exhibited higher metal accumulation than omnivores and herbivores. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations among seasons (p < 0.001), species (p < 0.05) and strong correlation among metals (except As) with p < 0.01. Risk assessment suggested carnivorous species might pose noncarcinogenic risks to both of its child and adult consumers. Despite the potential noncarcinogenic risks, the alarming levels of chromium in these fish indicate a substantial cancer risk for both adults and children, raising concerns about the safety of consuming fish from the Dhaleshwari River. These findings strongly emphasize the importance of implementing enhanced regulatory monitoring to mitigate health risks associated with contaminated fish consumption.

The role of international cooperation in improving road traffic safety

The article is devoted to a detailed analysis of the impact of international cooperation on improving road traffic safety in Ukraine. The author emphasizes that every year, approximately 1.3 million people die worldwide as a result of road traffic accidents, with tens of millions more suffering injuries of varying severity. This makes the issue one of the most pressing on the international agenda. In this regard, international cooperation in the field of road traffic safety is of paramount importance. One of the main topics of the article is the analysis of international agreements, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which is a key document in regulating road traffic at the international level. The Convention establishes uniform standards for the participating countries, promoting the unification of traffic rules, which is especially important in the context of the globalization of transport systems. The article examines how Ukraine is gradually implementing the provisions of this Convention into its national legislation, which is an important step toward harmonization with international standards. The article also explores global initiatives such as «Vision Zero,» which aims to achieve zero road deaths. This initiative originated in Sweden and has spread to many countries in Europe and around the world. The article analyzes successful cases of this initiative’s implementation in EU countries, which have significantly reduced road mortality rates. Ukraine is also striving to adapt these standards, which could become a key factor in reducing road accidents on its roads. The research methodology outlined in the article is based on an in-depth analysis of legal acts, a comparative study of international and national road safety standards, and a review of successful international practices in this field. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of the role of international cooperation in improving national road traffic safety policies. In conclusion, the author emphasizes that international cooperation not only contributes to improving infrastructure and regulatory frameworks but also stimulates the further development of a road safety culture. For Ukraine, it is crucial to continue cooperation with international organizations and adapt global standards to its conditions. This will not only improve road traffic safety but also reduce the accident rate on its roads.

Search‐Based MC/DC Test Data Generation With OCL Constraints

ABSTRACTSystem‐level testing of avionics software systems requires compliance with different international safety standards such as DO‐178C. An important consideration of the avionics industry is automated test data generation according to the criteria suggested by safety standards. One of the recommended criteria by DO‐178C is the modified condition/decision coverage (MC/DC) criterion. Current model‐based test data generation approaches use constraints written in Object Constraint Language (OCL) and apply search techniques to generate test data. These approaches either do not support MC/DC criterion or suffer from performance issues while generating test data for large‐scale avionics systems. In this paper, we propose an effective way to automate MC/DC test data generation during model‐based testing. We develop a strategy that utilizes case‐based reasoning (CBR) and range reduction heuristics designed to solve MC/DC‐tailored OCL constraints. We performed an empirical study to compare our proposed strategy for MC/DC test data generation using CBR, range reduction, both CBR and range reduction, with an original search algorithm, and random search. We also empirically compared our strategy with existing constraint‐solving approaches. The results show that both CBR and range reduction for MC/DC test data generation outperform the baseline approach. Moreover, the combination of both CBR and range reduction for MC/DC test data generation is an effective approach compared to existing constraint solvers.

Effect of skin thickness on electromagnetic dosimetry analysis of a human body model up to 100 GHz

Abstract The accuracy of electromagnetic (EM) exposure assessments depends mainly on the resolution of a voxel human body model. The resolution of the conventional human body model is limited to a few millimeters. In the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range, EM waves are absorbed by the superficial tissues in the human body. Therefore, resolution and skin thickness of the human body model are important for accuracy of the EM wave exposure metrics recommended by international human safety guidelines. Realistic thickness modeling of the skin tissue on the human body may provide greater accuracy in the EM exposure assessment, especially at mmWave frequency range. In this paper, effects of the skin thickness on the EM exposure metrics in one-dimensional multi-layered models obtained from different regions of the body model are investigated using the dispersive algorithm based on the finite-difference time-domain method over the frequency range from 1 to 100 GHz. Furthermore, effects of eyelid tissue in a human eye on the EM exposure metrics are studied over the frequency range. The EM exposure metrics such as absorbed power density, heating factor, and power transmission coefficient are calculated up to 100 GHz to evaluate the limits of EM wave exposure.

Trends in Clinical Research on Ultrasound-Guided Acupuncture: A Scoping Review

Acupuncture is widely used to reduce pain and improve function in various conditions. Despite ongoing research in ultrasound-guided acupuncture, evidence supporting efficacy remains inconclusive. This study aimed to examine Korean and international research trends, clinical efficacy, and safety of ultrasound-guided acupuncture by performing a scoping review of clinical research on ultrasound-guided acupuncture. Literature searches were conducted across 11 databases, including all clinical studies published before April 2024, without restrictions on condition/disease or type of study. Of the 2,644 identified articles, 25 studies were selected for review, mostly involving patients with musculoskeletal pain, and post-stroke sequelae. Interventions included ultrasound-guided acupuncture, warming acupuncture, dry needling, and electroacupuncture. The effectiveness of ultrasound-guided acupuncture was evaluated using pain, functional disability, and effective rate as outcome measures, and most studies reported significant improvements. This study is the first scoping review to report on trends, clinical efficacy, and safety of ultrasound-guided acupuncture. While it demonstrates potential for treating musculoskeletal disorders, post-stroke sequelae, spinal injuries, and other conditions/diseases, research on its application remains limited to specific conditions/diseases. Furthermore, substantial variations were observed in types of acupuncture, application areas, and treatment frequencies. Future research should focus on high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized ultrasound frequencies for specific conditions/diseases.

Applications of Big Data and Blockchain Technology in Food Testing and Their Exploration on Educational Reform.

This study reviews the applications of big data (BD) and blockchain technology in modern food testing and explores their impact on educational reform. The first part highlights the critical role of BD in ensuring food safety across the supply chain, discussing various data collection methods, such as national and international food safety databases, while addressing the challenges related to data storage and real-time information retrieval. Additionally, blockchain technology has been explored for its ability to enhance transparency, traceability, and security in the food-testing process by creating immutable records of testing data, ensuring data integrity, and reducing the risk of tampering or fraud. The second part focuses on the influence of BD and blockchain on educational reform, particularly within food science curricula. BD enables data-driven curriculum design, supporting personalized learning and more effective educational outcomes, while blockchain ensures transparency in course management and credentials. This study advocates integrating these technologies into curriculum reform to enhance both the efficiency and quality of education.

A Novel WTG Method for Predicting Ship Trajectories in the Fujian Inshore Area Based on AIS Data

The increasing congestion in major global maritime routes poses significant threats to international maritime safety, exacerbated by the proliferation of large, high-speed vessels. To improve the detection of abnormal ship behavior, this research employed automatic identification system (AIS) data for ship trajectory forecasting. Traditional methods primarily focus on spatial and temporal correlations but often lack accuracy and reliability. In this study, ship path predictions were enhanced using the WTG model, which combines wavelet transform, temporal convolutional networks (TCN), and gated recurrent units (GRU). Initially, wavelet decomposition was applied to deconstruct the input trajectory time series. The TCN and GRU modules then extracted features from both the time series and the decomposed data. The predicted elements were reassembled using a multi-head attention mechanism and a pooling layer to produce the final predictions. Comparative experiments demonstrated that the WTG model surpasses other models in the accuracy of ship trajectory prediction. The model proposed in this study proves to be reliable for forecasting ship paths, which is crucial for marine traffic management and ensuring safe navigation.

Temporal and spatial analysis of fertilizer application intensity and its environmental risks in China from 1978 to 2022

Fertilizers are an essential input in agriculture as they can enhance crop yields. However, their use also poses significant environmental risks. To thoroughly explore the intensity of fertilizer use and its potential threats to the ecological environment, this study analyzed the environmental risks of fertilizer use from a temporal and spatial perspective based on fertilizer application data in China from 1978 to 2022. Additionally, the contribution of fertilizer application in Chinese farmland to greenhouse gas N2O emissions was quantified using IPCC emission factor methodology. The results indicated that fertilizer application intensity and N2O emissions in China initially increased and then decreased from 1978 to 2022. Despite the implementation of various fertilizer control measures at the policy level, such as the Zero Growth of Fertilizer Action in 2015 and the Efficiency-Increasing Action for Reducing Fertilizer Use in 2022, the intensity of fertilizer application in China still exceeded international safety standards by 1.33-fold in 2022, reaching 298.79 kg/hm2. Furthermore, N2O emissions amounted to 50.17 × 104t, accounting for 16% of China's total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions that year. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated that with increasing fertilizer application, crop production exhibits an inverted U-shaped growth trend, indicating limited effectiveness of high-intensity fertilizer use in increasing crop yields. These findings highlight the profound greenhouse effect resulting from the use of agricultural nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, this study proposed technical and policy-level mitigation measures to address the issues caused by excessive fertilizer application, aiming to provide insights for controlling agricultural non-point source pollution and preserving the agroecological environment.

In-situ electrochemically synthesized “artificial” Gly m TI antibody for soybean allergen quantification in complex foods

Biosensors, especially those designed for detecting food allergens like Gly m TI in soybean, play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals who suffer from adverse food allergies, extending to both individual well-being and broader public health considerations. Furthermore, their integration into food production and monitoring processes aids in compliance with regulatory standards, reducing the incidence of allergen-related recalls and protecting vulnerable populations. Technological advancements in biosensor development, such as increased portability, real-time monitoring capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces, have expanded their practical applications, making them indispensable in various settings, including manufacturing plants, food service establishments, and even at-home use by consumers.For the first time, a biosensor targeting the Gly m TI allergen based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology was developed to detect/quantify soybean in complex food matrices and effectively address the detection challenges of complex and processed foods. The Gly m TI-MIP underwent a thorough validation process using anti-Gly m TI IgG raised as a polyclonal response to the trypsin inhibitor. Gly m TI-MIP was successfully tested across a range of food matrices, including tree nuts (e.g., peanuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts) and legumes (e.g., lentils, beans, and lupine), presenting minimal cross-reactivity with lupine and walnut. The innovative approach provided a linear response in the 1 ag mL−1 - 10 μg mL−1 range, with a LOD<1 ag mL−1. Applying the Gly m TI-MIP sensor to complex model foods allowed to detect 0.1 mg kg−1 (0.00001 %) of soybean protein isolate in biscuits, ham, and sausages before and after the respective thermal treatments. The innovative biosensor can significantly improve food safety protocols by addressing the complexities of tracing allergens in processed and unprocessed food products. By ensuring rigorous allergen control, these biosensors may support global food trade compliance with international safety standards, boost consumer confidence, and promote transparency in food labeling, ultimately contributing to a safer food supply chain.

Andromeda: A model-connected framework for safety assessment and assurance

Safety is a key factor in the development of critical systems, encompassing both conventional types, such as aircraft, and modern technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Failures during their operation can be potentially far-reaching and impact people and the environment. To certify these systems and enable their employment, regulatory bodies require, among others, a safety case. However, the growing complexity of modern systems and iterative nature of development pose significant challenges to the traditional approaches for creating safety cases that are still used in practice. Furthermore, safety cases are often generated in an ad-hoc manner and remain disconnected from system models and related artefacts. Without these connections it is difficult to construct the proper infrastructure for producing and maintaining safety cases in a structured manner throughout the system lifecycle. This paper presents our innovative method, Andromeda, and its underpinning metamodel, which establish connections between safety cases, system models, safety assessment activities aligned with international safety standards, and argument patterns. Automation is applied across various stages of the production of argument structures that support safety assurance and certification activities. Andromeda is complemented by tool-support designed to facilitate its application, and we demonstrate our work through a case study from the aviation industry.