Major Hazard Research Articles

Implementation of Digital Filters for Real-Time PPG Signal Processing in VLC

Health care units depend on Wi-Fi or local area networks for biomedical data communication within their premises. The major hazard associated with biomedical data communication in healthcare units is radio frequency interference with medical devices. Visible light communication (VLC) is a developing technology that solves the issue of RF interference in healthcare units. Long-range communication is a great challenge in VLC as the transmitted data get corrupted by noise from ambient light and degrade with distance. Hence it is necessary to upgrade the signal condition and eradicate the noise due to ambient light interference. The proposed work addresses these issues and enables robust communication in healthcare units. The experimental validation of the proposed work has been executed by analyzing the VLC communication performance up to a distance of 5[Formula: see text]m. The proposed work focuses on implementation of digital filters like finite impulse response, infinite impulse response and least mean square adaptive filter for PPG signal processing. The least mean square filter showed a superior performance with a mean square error of 7.23e[Formula: see text] than the other filters, leading to an accurate diagnosis for patients without any RF interference inside healthcare units.

Do safety cases demonstrate risks have been reduced so far as is reasonably practicable? an Australian study examining the methods of presenting safety cases

Australian major hazard facilities (MHF) are regulated through a ‘safety case’ regime requiring operators to submit a safety report to the regulator demonstrating all risks have been reduced so far as is ‘reasonably practicable’. The Work Health and Safety Act (2019) has codified the definition of what is reasonably practicable, requiring consideration of five matters: the likelihood of the risk; degree of harm; what is known about the risk; availability and suitability of risk control measures; and the cost of the control measures.Thirteen interviews with MHF regulators were conducted across Australia to understand how they regulated safety cases and applied the concept of reasonably practicable. The regulators revealed they relied on the operator to provide the safety case to demonstrate how the facility had reduced risks so far as is reasonably practicable. The regulators stated that the four most common tools used to demonstrate reasonable practicability were: quantitative risk assessment, layer of protection analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and risk matrices. These tools were examined against the five considerations of reasonable practicability. None of these tools addressed all five considerations.Four suggestions are provided to improve the safety case process: 1. Safety case should demonstrate how the risk is acceptable. 2. Safety case should outline how the operator has met their legal obligations. 3. Safety case should place greater emphasis on the use of consequence-based analysis. 4. Regulators should be granted additional powers to enforce their interpretation of what is reasonably practicable.

Non-linear Dynamic Analysis of RC Structures Under Earthquake Sequences

Earthquakes in active seismic regions usually occur in a series of medium to strong intensity ground motions at small intervals of times. A large intensity mainshock (MS) is often followed by a series of aftershocks (AS) or even preceded by smaller foreshocks. This sequence type of mainshock-aftershock (MS-AS) ground motions with varying intensity pose major seismic hazard as there is limited scope of repair and retrofitting between seismic events. Due to continuous and repeated seismic ground motions over a brief period of time, the damages in the structure gets accumulated and structure collapse. This study navigates the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures under such seismic sequences. For this purpose, the nonlinear response of three 12 storey reinforced concrete buildings (regular plan, mass irregularity and diaphragm irregularity) is evaluated. The buildings are subjected to five real seismic sequences from previous earthquakes. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are carried out to study the response of buildings under MS and MS-AS sequences considering: a) material and geometric non linearities and b) irregularities. A single highest aftershock is considered in the present study. The results in this study indicates that MS-AS seismic sequence considering both material and geometric nonlinearities has significant effect on the response of structure. It also showed that seismic sequences significantly alter the response of irregular structure.

Design of Metallic Dampers and Analysis Using MATLAB Program

Earthquakes are one of the major natural hazards to life on the earth and have affected countless areas on almost every continent. The damaged caused by earthquakes are mostly seen in man-made structures which are most of the time responsible for most of the causalities. Therefore, it is necessary that design of structures is done to resist earthquake forces, in order to reduce the loss of life. Passive control devices were developed earlier and have been used extensively in practice. Metallic dampers, one of the passive damping devices, dissipate seismic energy through in-elastic deformation of metals. It utilizes the yielding of metals as the dissipative mechanism. In the present study, characterization of ADAS (Added Damping Added Stiffness) type metallic damper is carried analytically and experimentally to understand cyclic behaviour. It is found that response of metallic damper is a function of its geometry and its mechanical characteristics of the metal. The primary factors affecting ADAS element behaviour are device’s elastic stiffness, yield strength and yield displacement. Attempt has been made to develop design procedure for ADAS type metallic damper in Indian Scenario. Designed damper behaviour is analysed by programming tool MATLAB obtaining solution of equation of motion for different time history data.

Anticipating ‘The Big One’: Developing decision support with emergency managers to mitigate flood impacts

Flooding from excessive rainfall remains a major weather hazard with respect to lives and property. The US National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center and National Water Center work continuously and collaboratively to produce accurate and timely forecasts of potential flooding disasters for the public. This paper explores their ongoing efforts to mitigate flood impacts with enhanced impact-based decision support services, via the Excessive Rainfall Outlook (ERO) and Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) services. Future directions for precipitation and flood inundation forecasting are also discussed. Through the ERO and FIM services, the National Weather Service hopes to strengthen collaboration with partners in the weather industry, emergency management and water resources management to develop weather, water and climate readiness in communities around the nation.

Prediction and Interpretation of Low-Level Wind Shear Criticality Based on Its Altitude above Runway Level: Application of Bayesian Optimization–Ensemble Learning Classifiers and SHapley Additive exPlanations

Low-level wind shear (LLWS) is a rare occurrence and yet poses a major hazard to the safety of aircraft. LLWS event occurrence within 800 feet of the runway level are dangerous to approaching and departing aircraft and must be accurately predicted. In this study, first the Bayesian Optimization–Ensemble Learning Classifiers (BO-ELCs) including Adaptive Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting Machine, Categorical Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Random Forest were trained and tested using a dataset of 234 LLWS events extracted from pilot flight reports (PIREPS) and weather reports at Hong Kong International Airport. Afterward, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm was utilized to interpret the best BO-ELC. Based on the testing set, the results revealed that the Bayesian Optimization–Random Forest Classifier outperformed the other BO-ELCs in accuracy (0.714), F1-score (0.713), AUC-ROC (0.76), and AUR-PRC (0.75). The SHAP analysis found that the hourly temperature, wind speed, and runway 07LA were the top three crucial factors. A high hourly temperature and a moderate-to-high wind speed made Runway 07LA vulnerable to the occurrence of critical LLWS events. This research was a first attempt to forecast the criticality of LLWS in airport runway vicinities and will assist civil aviation airport authorities in making timely flight operation decisions.

Mars Space Exploration and Astronautical Religion in Human Research History: Psychological Countermeasures of Long-Term Astronauts

As the development of science and technology has reached the point where the desire to travel to Mars has become a tangible reality, the physical limits of human movement are also part of the systematic research based on the space environment. The critical issues of radiation, altered gravity, hostile environment, isolation or confinement, and distance from Earth (travel time) are the five major hazards for astronauts during spaceflight. The prepared technology of space medicine is significant for physical health. However, how would the lone space exploration (2.5 to three years) affect the mental conditions of the astronauts? How can the space community keep astronauts safe from psychological obstacles, such as depression, conflict, resentment, bipolar disorder, obsession, and addiction? This paper explores the environmental factors of a healthy lifestyle (well-being) of the spacecraft. It presumes that a successful mission often relies on positive interactions between crew members and between the crew and ground personnel. The paper considers the mental sustainability from stress, emotions, and perceptions to improve human tonicity or vitality and argues a new mental strategy in space exploration policy that the role of an astronautical religion beyond human intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) could be a psychiatric anchor (in a moral, ethical, and self-sacrificial context) of each astronaut and leadership of the space team as a psychoanalytical countermeasure, along with physical exercise, hobbies, pets, and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) entertainment, especially in the case of unexpected crises where science and technology fail its general function.

Acute health effects of bushfire smoke on mortality in Sydney, Australia

BackgroundBushfire smoke is a major ongoing environmental hazard in Australia. In the summer of 2019–2020 smoke from an extreme bushfire event exposed large populations to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) pollution. In this study we aimed to estimate the effect of bushfire-related PM of less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) on the risk of mortality in Sydney, Australia from 2010 to 2020. MethodsWe estimated concentrations of PM2.5 for three subregions of Sydney from measurements at monitoring stations using inverse-distance weighting and cross-referenced extreme days (95th percentile or above) with satellite imagery to determine if bushfire smoke was present. We then used a seasonal and trend decomposition method to estimate the Non-bushfire PM2.5 concentrations on those days. Daily PM2.5 concentrations above the Non-bushfire concentrations on bushfire smoke days were deemed to be Bushfire PM2.5. We used distributed-lag non-linear models to estimate the effect of Bushfire and Non-bushfire PM2.5 on daily counts of mortality with sub-analyses by age. These models controlled for seasonal trends in mortality as well as daily temperature, day of week and public holidays. ResultsWithin the three subregions, between 110 and 134 days were identified as extreme bushfire smoke days within the subregions of Sydney. Bushfire-related PM2.5 ranged from 6.3 to 115.4 µg/m3. A 0 to 10 µg/m3 increase in Bushfire PM2.5 was associated with a 3.2% (95% CI 0.3, 6.2%) increase in risk of all-cause death, cumulatively, in the 3 days following exposure. These effects were present in those aged 65 years and over, while no effect was observed in people under 65 years. ConclusionBushfire PM2.5 exposure is associated with an increased risk of mortality, particularly in those over 65 years of age. This increase in risk was clearest at Bushfire PM2.5 concentrations up to 30 µg/m3 above background (Non-bushfire), with possible plateauing at higher concentrations of Bushfire PM2.5.

Isolation of Lytic Bacteriophage against Some Pathogenic Bacteria from Camel's Urine

Background: Antibiotic resistance has been identified as a major hazard to public health in recent years. Using bacteriophages to control bacterial infections seems to be a safer alternative. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Escherichia coli (E.coli) can cause a variety of infections, ranging in severity from fairly insignificant to potentially fatal. Camels' urine has been utilized for therapeutic purposes and anecdotally hailed as a treatment for a variety of ailments for millennia. Alternative eradication strategies must be taken into consideration because of their increased antibiotic resistance, which frequently causes therapeutic failures. Potential candidates to control MRSA &E.coli infections are bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, lysins. The goal of the current study is to examine the existence of native bacteriophages in camel urine and determine whether they have any antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E.coli). As well, as the impact of camel’s status on the presence of bacteriophages. Material and methods: In this study, we collected 80 camel urine samples from 6 different areas in the Taif region. The camel's urine was collected from healthy male and female (virgin, mother) camels aged 1–8 years, it has been divided into two groups with different natural feeding patterns G1:which grazes naturally on wild plants ( wild feeding)&G2: which grazes naturally on wild plants, fodder, and barley(mixed feeding). Bacteriophages were isolated by spot assay Results: The phages had good lytic activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E.coli). When evaluated in vitro the greatest activity occurred 24 hours after phage infection. The highest activity of about 100% was achieved by virgin females out of eighty males and female samples. While the ratio represented in male and mother female, 70% 60% respectively. Conclusi

Biochar Stimulated Actual Evapotranspiration and Wheat Productivity under Water Deficit Conditions in Sandy Soil Based on Non-Weighing Lysimeter.

The major climate-related hazard to worldwide agricultural productivity is drought, which is becoming more common because of ongoing climate change, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. Herein, we investigated the influence of biochar soil application at 0, (B1), 7.5 ha-1 (B2), and 15 t ha-1 (B3) on the productivity and drought-tolerance indices of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Sakha 93) grown in sandy soil under irrigation levels of 100 (I1), 80 (I2), and 60% (I3) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), as well as soil properties based on non-weighing lysimeter units. Increasing water deficiency significantly decreased the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) values. A growing biochar rate caused a significant increase in ETa values, water use efficiency, and wheat productivity compared to the untreated control. Additionally, biochar supplementation revealed an improvement in soil quality as measured by the reduction in the bulk density and hydraulic conductivity with an increase in the total porosity and void ratio of the experimental soil. The correlation analysis exhibited a highly significant and positive correlation (0.98 **) between biological yield and grain yield traits. Therefore, it may be stated that these traits are the most significant components of the evaluated grain yield in wheat plants. The productivity of I1 plants was not significantly different and slightly higher than that of I2 plants. Therefore, it can be recommended that exposed wheat plants cultivated in sandy soil with I2 × B3 treatment significantly provide the highest yield while saving 20% of the irrigation water.

Screening of Novel Antimicrobial Diastereomers of Azithromycin-Thiosemicarbazone Conjugates: A Combined LC-SPE/Cryo NMR, MS/MS and Molecular Modeling Approach.

A well-known class of antibacterials, 14- and 15-membered macrolides are widely prescribed to treat upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Azithromycin is a 15-membered macrolide antibiotic possessing a broad spectrum of antibacterial potency and favorable pharmacokinetics. Bacterial resistance to marketed antibiotics is growing rapidly and represents one of the major global hazards to human health. Today, there is a high need for discovery of new anti-infective agents to combat resistance. Recently discovered conjugates of azithromycin and thiosemicarbazones, the macrozones, represent one such class that exhibits promising activities against resistant pathogens. In this paper, we employed an approach which combined LC-SPE/cryo NMR, MS/MS and molecular modeling for rapid separation, identification and characterization of bioactive macrozones and their diastereomers. Multitrapping of the chromatographic peaks on SPE cartridges enabled sufficient sample quantities for structure elucidation and biological testing. Furthermore, two-dimensional NOESY NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations revealed stereogenic centers with inversion of chirality. Differences in biological activities among diastereomers were detected. These results should be considered in the process of designing new macrolide compounds with bioactivity. We have shown that this methodology can be used for a fast screening and identification of the macrolide reaction components, including stereoisomers, which can serve as a source of new antibacterials.

Application of GIS for the Control of Major Accident Hazards

The presented study discusses the importance of GIS in assessing the fire and explosion modelling involved in major accident hazards. The simulation of toxic dispersions in the atmosphere is especially dangerous for densely inhabited areas, or close to the sensitive environment, which are called the target systems. Therefore, mathematical-physical predictions from hazard modelling programs such as Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) have to be combined with a Geographic Information System (GIS) such as ArcGIS. This multidisciplinary approach allows experts to couple the consequences and the target systems in one representation of major accident hazards. This unique combination of the two programs allows us to calculate the consequences to human life for a real accident scenario case study. Description of methodical approach and four accident scenarios are investigated based on ALOHAs models for carbon monoxide release combined with ArcGIS for Liberty Ostrava a.s. as a case study. Keywords: ALOHA; ArcGIS; Carbon monoxide; Major accident hazards; Modelling of release and dispersion.

Engaging in cybersecurity proactive behavior: awareness in COVID-19 age

PurposeDue to the lack of awareness and poor cybersecurity practices that pose cyber threats during COVID-19 time, this research aims to explore user's attitude toward engaging in proactive cybersecurity awareness behavior.Design/methodology/approachBased on the theory of planned behavior, the relationship between multiple factors and their influence on the attitude is explored. A survey-based approach was utilized to collect responses and a model was proposed and tested on 229 respondents from the University of Petra-Jordan.FindingsThe attitude was significantly influenced by peers' influence and the individuals' cybersecurity threats awareness, especially threats that emerged during the COVID-19 time.Research limitations/implicationsThe research benefits decision makers in educational institutions who intend to develop cybersecurity awareness programs and helps them to assess user cybersecurity background weaknesses.Originality/valueThe research is the first to explore users' knowledge dimensions including organizational, information systems and social media as well as peers' influence on cybersecurity awareness. Also, it sheds light on the users’ perception of major cybersecurity hazards in COVID-19 time.

Literature review for applying peroxyacetic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide to control foodborne pathogens on food products

As a major biological hazard, foodborne pathogens infect 48 million people annually, and are a major food safety concern in the U.S. Applying antimicrobial chemical agents is still an effective approach to control foodborne pathogens during food processing. Peroxyacetic acid (PAA) is an organic peroxide based, colorless liquid with a low pH and a strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor, which is formed from the chemical reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Commercial PAA products contain all three chemicals in an aqueous solution often with stabilizers added, which can exert antimicrobial activity against microorganisms. PAA are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Services (USDA-FSIS) for use as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) antimicrobial agent on meat, poultry and egg products with the concentrations between 0.005 to 0.2%. This review provides detailed summaries of antimicrobial activities of PAA and H 2 O 2 alone or in combination on fresh produce, meat and poultry products, and eggs against foodborne pathogens. This information is useful for food processors in the development of operational procedures for applying PAA and H 2 O 2 during post-harvest food processing to control foodborne pathogens on food products. • PAA or H 2 O 2 alone indicated 1–3 log reduction of pathogens on food products. • PAA-H 2 O 2 Mixer showed better pathogen reductions than commercial antimicrobials. • No antimicrobial efficacy improvement of mixer of PAA and H 2 O 2 ≥ 0.25%.

Street-level heat and air pollution exposure informed by mobile sensing

Heat and air pollution persist as major public health hazards in urban environments. Yet there are gaps in the quality of information about the hazards as conditions tend to be informed by limited stationary sensors providing information at large geographic scales. Here we present the results of a study that took place in Phoenix, Arizona, to assess the efficacy of low-cost mobile sensors on public transportation vehicles to monitor fine-scale on-road heat and PM 10 concentrations. The goal of the study is to uncover the spatial and temporal variations of excessive heat and air pollution experienced by transit commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The results show that the sensors on the buses complement the readings from stationary sensors and low-cost mobile sensors are effective for gaining fine-grained heat and air quality readings at different locations, thereby creating new insights into pockets of heat and air pollution that should be targeted for intervention.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy : A new Evolving Future Perspective for Management of Mucormycosis and COVID 19 in Children in Developing Countries

The SARS COVID-19 virus has arisen as a major hazard to mankind, posing harm to the whole world population. During the second COVID wave, mucormycosis has emerged as one of the deadliest and most devastating illnesses. Mucormycosis is strongly associated with diabetes, prolonged use of steroids, prolonged hospitalisation and immunocompromised states. Children have also been affected by this badly. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a non-invasive, cost-effective and painless therapy where 100% oxygen is given to patients under high atmospheric pressure in small tents or chambers. It helps in tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. Hyperbaric oxygen has proved to be effective in the treatment of oculo-rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. Various studies have proved its role in the management of mucormycosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with COVID-19 infection. The advantages of hyperbaric oxygen are same in children as in adults with minimum side effects. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be one of the good adjunctive therapies in the management of mucormycosis. It is found to be safe in the treatment of COVID-19 infection, but data is still limited on its use and further studies are needed. This article is all about its use, its efficacy, and future perspectives in the management of mucormycosis and COVID-19 in view of the arrival of the third COVID wave in developing countries like India.

Application of hazard analysis and critical control points concept for rural bottled drinking water production process

ABSTRACT Drinking water quality is one of the greatest factors affecting human health. The drinking water production process was investigated in 30 factories in Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand using hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) and water quality analysis. The results showed that the major hazards were pollution of the raw water source, final disinfection, personal hygiene of workers and drinking water quality. Overall, 28 samples contained total coliform bacteria, 23 samples were positive for fecal coliform bacteria and 16 samples contained Escherichia coli. These results suggested poor hygienic conditions in the water production process. To safeguard public health, more effort is required regarding a community program and strict regulation.

Effects of hypomagnetic field on adult hippocampal neurogenic niche and neurogenesis in mice

The elimination of geomagnetic field (GMF), also called hypomagnetic field (HMF), is one of the major environmental hazards faced by deep-space astronauts and the workers in magnetically shielded rooms on Earth. We previously reported that long-term HMF exposure impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) and cognition by reducing endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in adult neural stem cells (aNSCs). In addition to the aNSCs themselves, adult neurogenesis is also regulated by the local environment, i.e., the neurogenic niche. Neurogenic niche is mainly composed of astrocyte, microglia, and vascular system. However, whether the HMF exposure affects the neurogenic niche in hippocampus remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of the HMF exposure on the neurogenic niche and adult neurogenesis in hippocampus, as well as the cognitive function in mice. The HMF is simulated by using the newly upgraded double-wrapped coils, different with our previous coils, which are capable of providing a very low-strength static magnetic field and identical electromagnetic field background between the HMF group and the GMF group. Here, we for the first time clearly revealed that 8-week HMF exposure significantly induced microglia activation and increased the number of astrocytes in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), suggesting the abnormalities in the neurogenic niche. Meanwhile, 8-week HMF exposure also markedly reduced proliferation and differentiation of aNSCs in the DG, and impaired the cognitive behavior of mice, consistent with our previous findings. In addition, we also found that 8-week HMF exposure significantly induced anxiety-like behaviors of mice. In summary, this study indicates that 8-week HMF exposure induces the neurogenic niche abnormalities, contributing to the AHN impairments, thus leads to the cognitive dysfunction and anxiety-like behaviors in mice.

Evaluation of possible reactivation of undetected faults during CO[formula omitted] injection

Geologic storage of carbon dioxide can efficiently contribute to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Two major hazards of this technology are leakage towards the ground surface and fluid-induced seismicity. While major faults may be detected and avoided during site characterization, undetected subseismic faults could be encountered once injection has started. This paper investigates leakage and reactivation of undetected faults through coupled thermal–hydraulic–mechanical modeling. The simulations are performed using a recently developed sequential simulator, TOUGH-Pylith, that allows to accurately account for the thermodynamics of brine-CO2 mixtures, and to model faults as surfaces of discontinuity using state-of-the-art fault friction laws. The simulator is benchmarked against well-known analytical solutions and subsequently applied to investigate two cases of CO2 injection close to undetected faults under normal and strike-slip faulting regimes. Although the scenarios are generic and represent unfavorable conditions, they suggest that leakage could occur and that undetected faults could trigger minor seismic events. Therefore, careful site characterization and continuous monitoring during operations should be always performed.

The advancement of the HPV vaccine program: focus on adolescents

HPV is currently a major hazard to human health. Whether the HPV vaccination program will be effectively promoted in the future depends on the awareness and attention of adolescents and children to the vaccine, and whether their parents are willing to let adolescents and children to be vaccinated.However,a number of issues have arisen in the process. The main thrust of this writing is to examine and review the relevant literature,including the background knowledge of prophylactic HPV vaccine,personal acceptance by adolescents and parental acceptance, and some of the potential social issues.It summarizes the existing types of prophylactic HPV vaccines and the corresponding disease prevention, the principle and background of prophylactic HPV vaccines.Some of the potential social issues, such as conspiracy theorists' rumors about the prophylactic HPV vaccine, people's prejudices about the vaccine, and the price of the vaccine are described.In the end, the future application of prophylactic HPV vaccinesis prospected.