Safety Measures Research Articles

Pattern of Drowning among Autopsies Conducted at Baroda Medical College and S.S.G Hospital

Drowning kills at least 3,72,000 people every year and is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional deaths. In addition to the human tragedy, drowning represents a huge economic problem with direct and indirect costs, including many Disability-Adjusted Life Years. In India, there is limited knowledge about the epidemiology of drowning.The objective of the study was to study the incidence, manner and epidemiology of deaths due to drowning in and around Vadodara region.The present study was conducted from May 2022 to April 2023 in Government Medical College, Baroda on 82 cases to study the various epidemiological parameters of drowning. In this study period, 1989 cases of post-mortem examination were done out of which 82 cases were of drowning deaths. A maximum number of cases were seen in the age group of 21–30 years with 43% cases of males, dominating the study population. 62% of deaths were accidental in nature and occurred during the rainy season. The most common place of occurrence of drowning was river (38%) followed by water canal (31%). Soddening of hands and feet was the most common external feature of drowning followed by the presence of froth at mouth and nostril. Drowning is a most ignored public hazard worldwide with serious implications for the society. Public awareness regarding safety measures and drowning prevention strategies suitable to the needs of geographical region should be adapted.

Enhancing Daily Crash Count Prediction using Deep Learning with Window Size Selection and Seasonality Predictor Integration

The escalating need for proactive safety measures, coupled with advancements in data collection and analytical techniques, has significantly refined the accuracy of crash count predictions, shifting from annual scales to finer daily or hourly estimates. This research places emphasis on recurrent neural networks (RNNs), specifically the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, acknowledged for effectively managing sequential data in time series predictions. Paramount considerations encompass the treatment of input data, including the decision to incorporate temporal features alongside endogenous historical target values, and the establishment of an optimal window size for data input. Despite the critical nature of these facets, exhaustive studies concurrently investigating both under controlled conditions are scarce. This research addresses this gap, assessing diverse scenarios featuring distinct temporal treatments and window sizes, and employing an LSTM model with uniform fine-tuned parameters to ensure a fair comparison. Findings indicate a significant variation in performance among models employing different window sizes and month predictor integration, under identical RNN structures and LSTM configurations. The best model outperformed the least effective by roughly 30% concerning root mean square error (RMSE) and ranking correlation between predicted and actual target crash counts in the test datasets. Unlike seasonality predictor treatment, diverse window size selections did not lead to statistically significant differences in model performance. Generally, a window size of 3 performed worst under most conditions, followed by a size of 14. Sizes of 7 and 28 performed best in nearly an equal numbers of cases.

Augmented reality guidance improves accuracy of orthopedic drilling procedures

In several orthopedic procedures, the accurate use of surgical power tools is critical to avoid damage to surrounding tissues. As such, various guidance techniques and safety measures were developed. Augmented reality (AR) guidance shows promise but requires validation. We evaluated a new approach using an inside-out infrared tracking solution for the HoloLens to compensate for its limited tracking performance. Eighteen participants with varying levels of experience (student, trainee, expert) each drilled twelve trajectories (six perpendicular, six oblique) in equidimensional wooden logs. Three different techniques were evaluated: freehand drilling; proprioception-guided drilling towards the contralateral index finger; and AR-guided drilling using a tracked drill and a virtual overlay of the log with predefined guidance vectors. The angular errors between planned and performed trajectories were compared using a mixed-design ANOVA. The results demonstrated that guidance technique (p < 0.001) and drilling direction (p < 0.001) significantly affected drilling accuracy, while experience (p = 0.75) did not. AR outperformed both other techniques, particularly for oblique trajectories (p < 0.001). For perpendicular trajectories, it only outperformed proprioception guidance (p = 0.04). Target plots revealed an important scatter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the log during freehand and proprioception-guided drilling, especially for oblique trajectories. This inaccuracy disappeared during AR-guided drilling. As such, we were able to conclude that AR guidance using inside-out infrared tracking reduced angular uncertainty during directional drilling, resulting in improved drilling accuracy. This improvement was particularly noticeable for complex trajectories and angles. The benefits of AR guidance were observed across all experience levels, highlighting its potential for orthopedic applications. We believe this study opens the way for the methodical evaluation of AR guidance in specific orthopedic use cases.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Mold Remediation Following Hurricane Ida in Southeast Louisiana

Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall in southern Louisiana in August of 2021, causing widespread wind damage and flooding. The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to post-hurricane mold exposure and cleanup among residents and workers in areas of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida and assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices that have occurred over the past 16 years since Hurricane Katrina. We conducted in-person interviews with 238 residents and 68 mold-remediation workers in areas in and around New Orleans to ask about their mold cleanup knowledge and practices, personal protective equipment use, and risk perceptions related to mold. Knowledge of recommended safety measures increased since the post-Katrina survey but adherence to recommended safety measures did not. Many residents and some workers reported using insufficient personal protective equipment when cleaning up mold despite awareness of the potential negative health effects of mold exposure.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses and Midwives towards Hepatitis B Infection and Control Measures in Alban Gaded Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan

Purpose: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes severe morbidity and death, burdening world health. Nurses and midwives, among other healthcare professionals, are more likely to contract the illness. Few studies have looked at the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals in Sudan with regard to HBV infection, despite the fact that diverse components of KAP have an impact on health-related behaviors. This study's objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level of nurses and midwives concerning HBV viral infection in, Khartoum, Sudan.  Methods: In the Sudanese state of Khartoum, a public hospital (Alban Gaded Hospital) underwent a cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study. To assess KAP's understanding of nurses and midwives about HBV infection. Self-administered questionnaires were used and approved by the supervisor for distribution to the population chosen for the study. The data was handed over to the Medical Director whom personally ensured the questionnaires were signed and filled by the Healthcare workers (HCWs) of the chosen criteria at the field. A member of group (23:B) took care of the supervision aside with the medical director, and made sure the data was collected as needed. The data at hand were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 24.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).  Results: 95 samples out of 99 were collected. According to participants’ knowledge: 67.95% have good knowledge about HBV, while 32.05% lack basic knowledge about it. The participants’ attitude towards HBV is above average showing 60.3% safe attitude. Lastly, the study shows excellent practice of the participants’ behavior towards HBV safety measures with a score of 92.3% safe practice. From the hospital, a total of 95 out of 99 nurses and midwives took part in the study. Two thirds of the respondents practiced safety, and the majority of respondents had a positive attitude about HBV preventative measures. More than half of the respondents (58.2%) had an average level of understanding. A minor but serious score of (12.6%) was noticed of the individuals, dealing with patients without wearing gloves. More over half of the nurses and midwives were not vaccinated against HBV; more than 50% of participants had incorrect ideas regarding the symptoms and route of HBV infection and all 95 participants voted (NO) for ever being infected by HBV.  Conclusion: In Alban Gaded hospital, the majority of the nurses and midwives were aware of HBV infection. But a sizeable majority of the participants lacked the necessary understanding of early immunization after birth. The study found a probability of high risk infection due to exposure under the poor level of HBV vaccine coverage rate. Moreover a clear point of limitation was noticed in Table 4 third question, where it asks whether you are or ever was infected by HBV. All the participants denied, showing a sense of partiality. Further occupational exposure prevention measures, training programs on HBV infection, including post-exposure prophylaxis, and increasing the vaccination rate of all HCWS are also strongly encouraged.

Beach Quality Evaluation as a Strategy for Sustainable Coastal Tourism Management

This study evaluates the quality and visitor satisfaction across Anyer Beach, Tanjung Lesung Beach, Carita Beach, and Sawarna Beach in Banten, Indonesia, using the Bath Area Registration and Evaluation (BARE) survey and Importance-Performance (I-P) Matrix analysis. Each beach's attributes, including security, water quality, facilities, litter management, and scenery, are assessed to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The findings reveal varying levels of performance and visitor satisfaction, highlighting notable gaps in safety, medical facilities, showers, waste facilities, and changing rooms. Recommendations include enhancing safety measures, upgrading medical and shower facilities, improving waste management practices, and preserving scenic beauty to enhance visitor experiences and support sustainable tourism practices.

Survival 1.0: A Novel Autonomous Industrial Mobile Warehouse (AIMW) for Industrial Environments

This article presents the design, implementation and start-up of the first AIMW (Autonomous Industrial Mobile Warehouse) in the industry, in particular, in the factory located at Ford España S.L. in Almussafes (Valencia). This first version has been given the name of “Survival”, due to its ability to survive the industrial environment commonly known as “the jungle”. The motivation for the design of the first AIMW was due to the management of spare warehouses for maintenance tasks. In all factories there is a central warehouse where replacement materials with a higher probability of use are placed near the warehouse exit, thus reducing the time to obtain the replacement. However, in large factories, such as automobile manufacturing, the distance between the central warehouse and the place where the breakdown occurs may cause very long delays. For this reason, there are smaller warehouses distributed throughout the plant that replicate the part of the central warehouse where the most used materials are kept. The objective of our research is to make that part of the central warehouse mobile with the AIMW design, thus eliminating the fixed warehouses. In the factory at Ford España S.L. in Almussafes there are 170 of these warehouses distributed in a homogeneous way. In this first proposal of an AIMW, and with the primary objective of reducing costs, Survival 1.0 has been designed based on a commercial AMR. For its choice, commercial AMRs were tested in real situations within the Ford factory (Almussafes). As a result, none of them were able to pass all the tests. In addition, the current regulations for AMRs, the ANSI/ITSDF B56.5:2019 and the EN 1525:1997 standard, only define minimum test standards to describe how manufacturers and users must carry out the safety measurements of AGVs and AMRs. However, from an industry point of view, these regulations are not adequate. Therefore, there are extensions of these regulations generated by the companies themselves that imply additional developments of commercial AMRs. This paper shows the developments made to be able to integrate the first AIMW into the production line, but it also shows the gap between research and standardization of AMRs with respect to the demands and needs of the industry. There are currently three Survival 1.0 AIMWs in operation in the factory at Ford España S.L. in Almussafes.

Multifeatured Electronic Helmet to Enhance Road Safety and Rider’s Comfort

This paper presents a multi-featured electronic helmet designed to tackle critical road safety issues, including accidents, drunk driving, and over-speeding. The design incorporates a global system for mobile communications (GSM) and global positioning system (GPS) modules to accurately capture driver’s current location and send messages to predefined contacts. When encountering an accident, the helmet promptly notifies designated contacts and authorities, ensuring swift assistance. By integrating features for detecting over-speeding, accidents, and drunk driving, the helmet renders real-time alerts to both the driver’s family and traffic police, enhancing accountability and safety measures. Additionally, the helmet includes solar charging functionality for mobile devices receive 100% charged in 3.37 hours, thereby optimizing usability and emergency communication. A rain detection system protects mobile devices, while an internal warming mechanism caters to adverse weather conditions, and proffers enhanced comfort by maintaining internal form temperature between 26-27 ℃ and safety, especially in cold regions or for military personnel.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes, players, boxers and military: systematic review

The objective of the study was to demonstrate whether athletes, players, boxers and military personnel can really be victims of CTE, and to elucidate this pathology. In 53 articles, 14 were selected for qualitative synthesis in the results table that addresses CTE in football, soccer and rugby players, boxers and the military. Neuropathologically, CTE shows cerebral atrophy, a pelvic septum cavity with fenestrations, dense diffuse immunoreactive inclusions and a TDP-43 proteinopathy. Microscopically, there are extensive neurofibrillary tangles and spindle-shaped neurites throughout the brain. Thus, CTE is characterized by being a distinct tauopathy and with a clear environmental etiology. American football players, boxers and the military are more likely to trigger CET, due to the constant mechanical shocks from their heads. The most frequent clinical manifestations were: headache, aggressiveness, dementia, executive dysfunction and suicide. CET is definitely diagnosed only at autopsy, there is no specific treatment for it, but support and safety measures can help the patient. Advances to definitively diagnose CTE in living people and specific treatment for this disease are needed.

Feasibility of a 10-week community-based mobile health rehabilitation program using the WalkWithMe application in late sub-acute and chronic stroke survivors in a low resource setting: A pilot study

ABSTRACT Physical functioning can be increased in people with stroke by using a mobile health application. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a 10-week community-based program using the WalkWithMe (WWM) application in people with late sub-acute and chronic stroke in Benin. An interventional pilot study with mixed methods research design was used examining the application of an unsupervised individualized mobile Health (mHealth) instructed training program. Main outcome included the application usage, safety, adherence, perceived enjoyment, mHealth quality, patient experiences and pre-post efficacy measures. Nine adults, five males, median age of 60 years and time since stroke of 12 months participated in this study. For most participants adherence with the application was over 70%. However, some usability problems were observed due to incorrect understanding and use by participants and technical problems. The application was very fun, stimulating and enjoyable. Significant improvements were found with median (pre/post measures) of locomotors skill (1.4/3.4); impairments (38/40), Barthel Index (85/95), activity limitation (2.1/3.1), and quality of life (194/218). A trend towards significant improvement was found with 6 minutes walking test (181/220, p = 0.06). The WWM application is perceived as a potential approach to increase physical activity and functioning among people with stroke in Benin.

Effects of fluorine and phosphorus-based flame retardants addition on the lower flammability limit of dimethyl carbonate

This study initially examines the alteration pattern of the lower flammable limit (LFL) of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a typical electrolyte component in lithium batteries, under the influence of inhibitors, namely di(2,2,2trifluoroethyl) carbonate (DtFEC), perfluorohexanone (C6F12O), and trimethylphosphate (TMP), through experimental investigation. Additionally, the critical inhibitory concentration required for complete inhibition is investigated. Subsequently, numerical simulations and chemical kinetic path analyses reveal how these inhibitors control combustion. Results show that C6F12O and DtFEC initially decrease and then increase the LFL of DMC, while TMP causes a monotonic increase. This is due to the competition between reaction-thermal and reaction-radical effects. Reaction kinetic analysis reveal that when small amounts of C6F12O and DtFEC are added, the fluorine-containing components decomposed by the reaction undergo oxidation, thereby promoting combustion. However, with increased amounts, these components combine with H and OH radicals to form stable substances like HF, inhibiting the combustion process. In the case of TMP, the phosphorus-containing intermediate components produced by cleavage catalyze the recombination of H and OH radicals, thereby inhibiting DMC combustion. The research findings offer a theoretical foundation for the development of safer lithium batteries and provide crucial data references for enhancing battery safety and prevention measures.

Arsenic Pigments in Libraries – Testing Methods, Contaminated Spaces, and Occupational Safety Measures

Arsenic Pigments in Libraries – Testing Methods, Contaminated Spaces, and Occupational Safety Measures

Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib vs Dupilumab in Adults and Adolescents with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Week 16 results of an Open-label, Randomized, Efficacy Assessor-Blinded Head-to-Head Phase 3b/4 Study (Level Up).

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease characterized by intense itch and eczematous skin lesions. Some patients continue to experience flares and substantial clinical burden despite ongoing systemic treatment. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of once-daily upadacitinib (UPA), initiated at 15 mg and dose-escalated to 30 mg based on clinical response, compared with dupilumab (DUPI) per its label. Week 16 primary analysis results are presented. Level Up is a phase 3b/4 global, randomized, open-label, efficacy assessor blinded study evaluating UPA vs DUPI in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe AD who had inadequate response to systemic therapy or when use was inadvisable. Patients were randomized to UPA or DUPI for 16 weeks of treatment (Period 1). Patients on UPA started on 15 mg and were dose-escalated to 30 mg if they did not achieve an Eczema Area and Severity Index reduction of at least 50% (EASI 50) or a ≥4-point Worst Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (WP-NRS) improvement on/after Week 4, or EASI 75 on/after Week 8. The primary endpoint was simultaneous achievement of EASI 90 and WP-NRS 0/1 at Week 16. Ranked secondary endpoints included skin and itch responses at varying response levels and timepoints. Safety measures were assessed throughout the study. Superior efficacy in achieving simultaneous EASI 90 and WP-NRS 0/1 response at Week 16 was demonstrated with UPA vs DUPI (19.9% vs 8.9%, respectively; p<0.0001). UPA showed superiority vs DUPI for all ranked secondary endpoints, with post-hoc analyses exhibiting higher itch response rates as early as Day 2. No new safety signals were identified during this period. Treatment of moderate-to-severe AD with UPA, initiated at 15 mg and dose escalated based on clinical response, demonstrated superiority vs DUPI per its label for the primary endpoint of simultaneous achievement of near complete skin clearance (EASI 90) and little to no itch (WP-NRS 0/1) at Week 16, with all ranked secondary endpoints demonstrating superiority at varying skin and itch response levels and timepoints. There were no new safety signals identified compared to the previously reported safety profiles of UPA and DUPI.

An example of a field service plan for oceanographic submerged moorings

Oceanographic mooring missions are critical for advancing our understanding of the world’s oceans and their role in the broader Earth system. These missions rely on the deployment and maintenance of complex observing systems, comprising subsurface, profiling, and surface moorings, which are designed to collect valuable data from the ocean interior. The success of these missions depends on meticulous planning and strategic execution, which are facilitated by the use of Field Service Plans (FSPs). FSPs are comprehensive and adaptable planning tools that integrate safety measures, contingency plans, and timelines to ensure the successful and safe recovery, maintenance, and deployment of mooring systems. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive guide to drafting, implementing, and adapting FSPs tailored to the unique challenges posed by oceanographic mooring missions. We highlight the critical role of FSPs in optimizing safety, data quality, and mission success, while also underscoring the need for flexibility and adaptation. Our aim is to provide practical guidance and a template for researchers, expedition leaders, and institutions engaged in oceanographic research.

Swimming Proficiency and Self-reported Mental Health Outcomes in Chinese Individuals

This researh examines the relationship between swimming proficiency and self-reported mental health outcomes in Chinese adults, considering different demographic variables. A descriptive-correlational research technique was used to recruit a varied sample from various areas and backgrounds in China. Systematic surveys evaluated swimming proficiency in multiple aspects, such as water confidence, breath control, body positioning, propulsion, coordination, and safety awareness. Additionally, self-reported mental health outcomes were measured, including emotional well-being, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, and social connectivity. The findings suggest that respondents usually have high confidence and proficiency in swimming abilities. However, there needs to be more understanding of safety measures, highlighting the need to enhance education on recognizing hazards and following safety procedures. Although respondents were skilled swimmers, they said that participating in swimming activities did not substantially impact their mental well-being, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, or social connectivity. Nevertheless, a significant correlation between swimming proficiency and mental health outcomes was established, indicating that enhancing swimming abilities might benefit mental well-being. The study revealed many primary obstacles to participation in swimming, such as financial limitations, cultural and societal expectations, difficulties in accessing facilities, safety and health worries, and educational and psychological hindrances. The obstacles differ across different demographic groups, emphasizing the need for focused solutions.

Gamma Dose Rate Measurements in Northern Spain: Influence of Local Meteorological Scenarios on Radiological “False Alarms” in a Real-Time Radiological Monitoring Network

The present study characterizes gamma dose rate (GDR) concentrations in Bilbao, located in the northern Iberian Peninsula, utilizing a comprehensive 10-min interval database spanning from 2009 to 2018. This station belongs to the radiological environmental monitoring of the Basque Country network. The daily average GDR was found to be 0.07624 ± 0.00004 µSv/h, with the daily 95th percentile averaging 0.08026 ± 0.00007 µSv/h throughout the entire period. Our analysis specifically addresses the impact of precipitation on GDR, revealing a higher correlation coefficient for daily 95th percentile values compared to daily averages. Additionally, the influence of the Galerna (GL) event, a natural meteorological phenomenon in this region, on GDR was investigated, noting that it can develop both with and without precipitation. Understanding the interaction between GDR and this meteorological scenario is vital for the development of more reliable radiological monitoring strategies and for safeguarding public health. For this purpose, 40 GL events were analyzed. The present results indicate that GDR values frequently exceed alarm levels when a GL is formed. These GDR peaks should be considered natural radiological events, necessitating the classification of such GDR peaks as false alarms within the radiological monitoring network. To explain them in detail, 10-min time series of precipitation and radon outdoor concentrations were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the GL event with precipitation is a meteorological scenario that can be associated with false alarms. The present analysis provides a distinct contrast in radon behavior under the same meteorological event in case of being developed with precipitation or without precipitation. The findings from this analysis are crucial for avoiding and understanding false radiological alarms triggered in the monitoring network, thereby enhancing the accuracy of radiological data interpretation and improving public safety measures.

02 Youth perspectives on virtual healthcare appointments in Nova Scotia – a qualitative study

Abstract Background With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public safety measures required healthcare providers to look for alternative ways of delivering care in a safe and timely fashion. This led to an escalated use of virtual appointments to continue to provide patient care. For future decision-making regarding virtual care in our community, we must consider the youth perspective to ensure our healthcare delivery meets the needs of this patient population. Objectives Our study aims to determine the perspectives of local youth patients on their experience with virtual and in-person paediatric clinic appointments. Design/Methods Participants were recruited from general and subspecialty paediatrics clinics at the IWK Health Centre, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Eligibility criteria included attending both a virtual and in-person appointment from 2019-2022. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and provided their perspective on comfort level, accessibility, participation, and general preferences between virtual and in-person clinics. Transcribed data was analyzed using thematic analysis with both inductive and deductive approaches to identify themes. Results 12 participants aged 14-18 provided interviews. Participants represented clinical areas of general paediatrics, rheumatology, diabetes clinic and gender clinic. Virtual appointments were preferred for convenience, flexibility, and efficiency during shorter conversations. In-person appointments were preferred for physical concerns, communication and relationship building. Some youth appreciated talking face-to-face for the ease of communication, feeling able to “get the point across” in this setting. The value of the in-person connection with their healthcare team was expressed by some youth, and building this relationship held importance. When appointments provided education, youth preferred for that information to be delivered in-person. Participants overall felt more comfortable during virtual appointments, and participation levels varied based on the individual and not based on an appointment being virtual versus in-person. Accessibility issues were predominantly associated with in-person appointments, with barriers including access to transportation, time spent attending appointment, and the cost of travelling to a tertiary care centre. Conclusion Youth patients have unique and individual preferences for virtual versus in-person appointments. This study provided insight into situations when each appointment type should be considered and emphasizes the importance of including the youth in the decision-making process around appointment scheduling when possible.

Moving towards a core measures set for patient safety in perioperative care: An e-Delphi consensus study.

A Core Measures Set (CMS) is an agreed standardized group of measures that should be assessed and reported in research for a specific condition or clinical area. This study undertook the development of a CMS for Patient Safety through a two-round, web-based Delphi consensus approach, in the context of the "Improving quality and patient SAFEty in surgical care through STandardisation and harmonization of perioperative care in Europe" (SAFEST) project-a collaborative, patient-centered and evidence-based European Union-funded project that aims to generate action-oriented evidence in perioperative care. We developed an Initial List of Measures via an umbrella review following the deployment of an e-Delphi method with an inclusive panel of experts to prioritize measures towards a consensualized Final List of Measures. All measures were rigorously assessed for both importance and feasibility. After the two rounds of the e-Delphi consensus method we observed 13 preoperative measures (40.6% of the initial number), 24 intraoperative measures (66.7%), 25 postoperative measures (20.3%) and 23 mixed period measures (41.1%) met consensus criteria for both importance and feasibility. Higher scores were detected in importance ratings compared to feasibility across all groups of measures. Importantly, numeric averages regarding pain-related measures differed in the assessment of patients when compared to that of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs). This work not only informs future SAFEST iterations but also sets a precedent for research into valid, patient-centered, and action-oriented perioperative safety measures.

Occupational Exposure to Unburnt Tobacco Dust and Thyroid Function: A Case-Control Study

Beedi rolling is one of the most common home-based occupations used to meet daily expenses. The process of making beedis is mainly done by women, especially in rural areas. Due to a lack of awareness regarding safety measures, beedi-rolling women are exposed to toxic components present in unburnt tobacco dust. This exposure leads to many health complications among women beedi-rollers. In this study, we investigated how unburnt tobacco dust disrupts thyroid gland homeostasis by altering levels of thyroid hormone and TSH. We included 421 beedi rolling women (BR) and 426 control subjects (NBR) who were not exposed occupationally to any chemical agents. Levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) were analysed using competitive ELISA, and TSH levels were analysed using sandwich ELISA. Serum nicotine metabolites were analysed using LC-MS. We observed a statistically significant increase in the levels of T3, T4, anabasine, nornicotine, and cotinine in BR compared to the NBR group. Additionally, significantly lower TSH levels were observed in the BR group. However, the Correlation between nicotine metabolites, and hormones did not show a significant difference in the BR group. We conclude that prolonged exposure to unburnt tobacco dust must have disrupted thyroid function by altering the thyroid hormone, and TSH levels.

Snapshot of Academic Libraries in North Carolina in 2024

Since 2020, the higher education landscape has been in a drastic state of flux. From ramping up efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion to scaling back these same efforts due to new policies and laws, from implementing health and safety measures in the wake of a pandemic to again rolling the measures back, and from shifting teaching and learning into an online setting to bringing it back in-person to varying degrees, academic libraries have been in a constant state of change. In addition to the aforementioned shifts occurring, other new and significant issues are facing colleges in North Carolina. This article will examine some of them through the lens of some of our institutions. In particular, the examples will focus on the rise of AI, construction, and renovation, changing staffing patterns, and a look to the future.