Protective Gear Research Articles

Reversibly Compressible Silanated Cellulose Nanofibril Aerogel for Triboelectric Taekwondo Scoring Sensors.

The integration of bio-based materials into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for energy harvesting from human body motions has sparked considerable research attention. Here, a silanated cellulose nanofibril (SCNF) aerogel is reported for structurally reliable TENGs and reversely compressible Taekwondo scoring sensors under repeated impacts. The preparation of the aerogel involves silanizing cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), following by freeze-drying and post-heating treatment. The SCNF aerogel with crosslinked physico-chemical bonding and highly porous network is found to exhibit superior mechanical strength and reversible compressibility as well as enhanced water repellency and electron-donating ability. The TENG having a tribo-positive SCNF layer exhibits exceptional triboelectric performances, generating a voltage of 270V, current of 11µA, and power density of 401.1mWm-2 under an applied force of 8N at a frequency of 5Hz. With its inherent merits in material composition, structural configuration, and device sensitivity, the SCNF TENG demonstrates the capability to seamlessly integrate into a Taekwondo protection gear, serving as an efficient self-powered sensor for monitoring hitting scores. This study highlights the significant potential of a facilely fabricated SCNF aerogel for the development of high-performance, bio-friendly, and cost-effective Bio-TENGs, enabling their application as self-powered wearable devices and sports engineering sensors.

A helmet detection algorithm based on improved Yolov8n

Abstract To address the issues of false positives and missed detections in current safety helmet algorithms, we propose a new detection method using an enhanced yolov8n model. An enhanced Yolov8n-based algorithm for detecting safety helmets is proposed. In this experiment, a new module called C2f_ECA is proposed. This module can extract channel information and enhance the performance of the network by replacing the original loss function of the algorithm with the EIoU loss function. The aspect ratio loss term is now determined by the difference between the predicted dimensions of width and height and those of the minimum bounding box. This modification speeds up the convergence of predicted boxes and improves their regression accuracy. In addition, a dataset of safety helmets is constructed in complex scenarios. The proposed algorithm enhances Yolov8n’s mAP50 by 1.6% and average accuracy by 1.6% compared to the original and traditional Yolov8 algorithms, respectively. It can efficiently address the issues of false positives and missed detections of safety helmets.

Strategy for enhancing energy conversion efficiency and cyclist helmet safety: A theoretical and experimental study of diverse thermoelectric generator models

Recent studies have focused on Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) as a key to sustainable energy, using thermal power through temperature differentials to produce electric power. Despite the promise of TEGs, there is diversity of TEG models and the shortage of comprehensive evaluations on energy conversion. In particular, measuring the output of electrical energy and time of production across temperature variances, which has impeded their broad adoption. This research conducted a comprehensive analysis of TEG models. It used a new test rig designed in SolidWorks and actualized, coupled with MATLAB simulations to validate the predicted results. This includes developing a wearable device such as a helmet-mounted warning light for motorcyclists or cyclists. In the study, five different thermoelectric generator models (TEG1-12703, TEG1-12706, TEG1-12709, TEG1-12712, and TEG1-12715) were tested, these models showed varying power outputs of 66.46, 97.51, 117.5, 191.72 and 358.74 mW. Their efficiencies were 1.78 %, 1.982 %, 2.097 %, 2.567 % and 2.93 %, respectively, when ΔT reaches 30 °C. The experimental and theoretical data indicate discrepancies in results and thermal response delays due to heat transfer and energy conversion within the test rig’s layers. These discrepancies were addressed to adjust simulations closer to reality. A differential correction ratio (19.133 % for power, 17.94 % for efficiency) was applied to enhance prediction accuracy. After adjustment, the maximum power generation reached 1.64355, 2.8386, 3.83433, 4.6843, 4.96746 W. The maximum efficiency peaked at 2.236, 3.59462, 4.1184, 6.278154, 6.75779 %, respectively, when ΔT reaches 70 °C. The output power and efficiency from these TEGs could run certain sensors.The study shows that TEG model 12,715 excels in generating electrical energy with large temperature differences. However, its output nearly vanished under a 1 °C differential, ending tests prematurely. In contrast, the model 12,703 consistently generates electricity over long periods (more than 420 min) under minimal temperature differential, while it is unable to produce high power under greater differentials. This suggests that using diverse TEG models and integrating together to enhance the efficiency and continuity of free energy generation, depends on the models’ varied performance and temperature differences. Utilizing the results, five TEG units connected in parallel were installed on a cyclist’s helmet to power a rear warning light, this installation enhances night-time safety. These TEG models demonstrated continuous power generation, producing an average of 55.7 mW per hour with a temperature difference ΔT between 3.2 °C and 7.4 °C.

Yasri Miftah Joenoes

Background: Mining accidents in truck transportation activities are the most common accidents in the mining industry in Southeast Sulawesi Province in the last 3 years and often cause fatalities. Previous studies have not identified all types of dominant causes of mining accidents in truck transportation activities, be it direct causes, basic causes, or lack of management control. The purpose of this study is to analyze the causes of mining accidents in truck transportation activities in the Southeast Sulawesi Region in 2021-2023. Method: The research used is qualitative phenomenology to understand and describe the dominant accident-causing factors from mining accident phenomena in transportation activities using trucks. Results: The dominant causes of mining accidents in truck transportation activities in Southeast Sulawesi Province in 2021-2023 were: driving above the speed limit; drivers not wearing safety belts and helmets; downhill road conditions with a grade above 12% and long; drivers lack knowledge/skills; lack of supervision; and inadequate SOP and HIRA. Conclusion: Corrective actions that can be taken to minimize the occurrence of mining accidents in truck transportation activities are: increasing supervision and socialization related to speed limits, as well as the use of safety belts and helmets; striving for engineering, maximizing supervision and completing road signs on downhill road segments with grades above 12% and long; implementing new worker training and annual refresher courses with output in the form of SIMPER which is valid for a maximum of 1 year; meeting the needs/ratio of operational supervisors, and ensuring that SOP and IBPR are adequate for truck transportation activities.

Effect of Structure and Wearing Modes on the Protective Performance of Industrial Safety Helmet.

This study aims to explore the effects of helmet structure designs and wearing modes on the protective performance of safety helmets under the impact of falling objects. Four helmet types (no helmet, V-shaped, dome-shaped, and motorcycle helmets) and five wearing modes (left and right tilt by 5 deg, backward tilt by 15 deg, 0 deg without chin strap, 0 deg with chin strap) were included in this study. The axial impact of a concrete block under various impact velocities was simulated. The results indicate that the energy absorption and shock mitigation effects of the foam cushion are superior to those of the suspension system in traditional industrial safety helmets. The structure of the top of V-shaped helmets is designed to withstand greater impact. Regarding the wearing mode, the helmet strap's deflection angle increases stress in the brain tissue and skull, heightens intracranial pressure, and causes pressure diffusion toward the forehead.

Tailoring the size and shape of PbWO4 particles in highly filled polymer fibers for γ‐rays shielding

AbstractHighly filled polymer fibers offer huge promise for radiation protection safety and wear comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) in radiation environments. However, it usually sacrifices mechanical properties that directly related to practical usability. Here, as high as 75 wt% PbWO4 (PWO) particles have been filled in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber via tailoring their size and shape for enhanced γ‐rays shielding and good mechanical properties. Clearly shown that 0 dimensional (0‐D) PWO exhibits better dispersion and compatibility between the interfaces than 1‐D PWO in highly filled PVA fibers. In addition, 70 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers display better mechanical properties than 70 wt% 1‐D PWO/PVA fibers. Note that 75 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers show 1.02 cN/dtex of tensile strength. However, 75 wt% 1‐D PWO/PVA fibers fail to be fabricated smoothly. Importantly, the overlapped fabrics with 75 wt% 0‐D PWO/PVA fibers display 43.05% of γ‐ray shielding (105 keV) meanwhile it offers good air and water vapor permeability for wear comfort. The superior γ‐ray shielding ascribes the polymer fibers with the higher filling in comparison with its counterpart, which provides a practical means to design radiation protection safety and wear comfort of articles.Highlights This work breaks the upper limit of filling in polymer fibers Filler structure can weigh the integrated properties of polymer fibers. 0‐D PWO particles promote interfacial compatibility in highly filled fibers. Radiation protection safety and wear comfort of articles tend to be designed.

Development of stab resistant armor for different energy levels using shear thickening fluid reinforced multi‐layered p‐aramid fabrics

AbstractStab‐resistant armors are important protective gear for the law enforcement officers and security forces. This research attempts to develop stab‐resistant armors for different impact energy levels using multi‐layer neat and shear thickening fluid (STF)‐ treated Kevlar® fabrics. The developed panels were tested using National Institute of Justice's (NIJ) P1 knife at wide range of stabbing energy from 6 to 36 J. The panel containing 16 layers of STF‐treated Kevlar® fabric met the requirements at normal and over‐test conditions showing penetration depth lower than 7 and 20 mm, respectively. For stabbing at high energy level (≥ 24 J), the effect of number of Kevlar® fabric layers was found to be highly beneficial in case of STF‐treated condition and not so for the neat one. STF treatment reduced the stab penetration depth by 40%–68% at 24–36 J energy level without any increase in effective weight of the panel. The fabric‐knife interaction was also studied using a novel sharpness tester and optical microscopy. It was found that the tip of knife deformes and sharpness declines at a faster rate in case of STF‐treated fabric. The study opens up possibilities to explore other materials that would damage the tip of knife during stabbing ensuring better protection.Highlights Stab resistant armor has been developed for different energy levels. Effect of number of neat fabric layers is less pronounced at higher energy levels. STF can reduce the penetration depth significantly at high energy levels. Silica particles damage the knife tip during stabbing. STF‐treated panels are lighter and efficacious than their neat counterparts.

How Well Do Popular Bicycle Helmets Protect from Different Types of Head Injury?

Bicycle helmets are designed to protect against skull fractures and associated focal brain injuries, driven by helmet standards. Another type of head injury seen in injured cyclists is diffuse brain injuries, but little is known about the protection provided by bicycle helmets against these injuries. Here, we examine the performance of modern bicycle helmets in preventing diffuse injuries and skull fractures under impact conditions that represent a range of real-world incidents. We also investigate the effects of helmet technology, price, and mass on protection against these pathologies. 30 most popular helmets among UK cyclists were purchased within 9.99-135.00 GBP price range. Helmets were tested under oblique impacts onto a 45° anvil at 6.5m/s impact speed and four locations, front, rear, side, and front-side. A new headform, which better represents the average human head's mass, moments of inertia and coefficient of friction than any other available headforms, was used. We determined peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak rotational acceleration (PRA), peak rotational velocity (PRV), and BrIC. We also determined the risk of skull fractures based on PLA (linear risk), risk of diffuse brain injuries based on BrIC (rotational risk), and their mean (overall risk). Our results show large variation in head kinematics: PLA (80-213g), PRV (8.5-29.9rad/s), PRA (1.6-9.7 krad/s2), and BrIC (0.17-0.65). The overall risk varied considerably with a 2.25 ratio between the least and most protective helmet. This ratio was 1.76 for the linear and 4.21 for the rotational risk. Nine best performing helmets were equipped with the rotation management technology MIPS, but not all helmets equipped with MIPS were among the best performing helmets. Our comparison of three tested helmets which have MIPS and no-MIPS versions showed that MIPS reduced rotational kinematics, but not linear kinematics. We found no significant effect of helmet price on exposure-adjusted injury risks. We found that larger helmet mass was associated with higher linear risk. This study highlights the need for a holistic approach, including both rotational and linear head injury metrics and risks, in helmet design and testing. It also highlights the need for providing information about helmet safety to consumers to help them make an informed choice.

Influence of the thickness of TiAlSiN on the thermal properties as input parameter for FEM-simulation

Hard coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition are state of the art for wear and oxidation protection of cutting tools. The cutting performance depends on coating material and process as well as cutting edge microgeometries. Both have an influence on the thermomechanical tool loads resulting in tool wear. Therefore, a process adapted design for the consideration of the entire system is necessary. One approach to substitute costly machining investigations and save material resources is the use of finite element (FE)-based chip formation simulations. However, in order to perform these simulations, information about chemical, thermal and physical coating behavior in the temperature range relevant for machining is necessary. In the present study, nanocomposite TiAlSiN coatings with varying coating thicknesses were deposited on cemented carbide tools. The effect of coating thickness on coating morphology, chemical composition, thermal conductivity as well as indentation hardness at ϑ = 20 °C, ϑ = 200 °C, ϑ = 400 °C and ϑ = 600 °C was analyzed. Therefore, three coating variants with a coating thickness of ds = 2 μm, ds = 4 μm and ds = 6 μm were deposited. Additionally, the distribution of the heat, generated during turning 42CrMo4 + A, was simulated for the coated cutting tool. A columnar morphology with constant chemical composition was determined for the variants. While the arithmetic mean value of the coating roughness increased with increasing coating thickness, there was no influence of coating thickness on thermal diffusivity and high temperature coating hardness measurable. Nevertheless, an influence of the tool temperature can be observed in the application behavior in turning tests as well as in the simulation, possibly caused by a change in the contact conditions due to increasing cutting edge microgeometry by increasing coating thickness. Regarding the tested TiAlSiN hard coatings no significant influence of the coating thickness on properties such as thermal diffusivity and indentation hardness were observed. This leads to the assumption, that even when the coating thickness is changed no significant changes in the FEM simulation are needed, which makes modelling easier.

Epidemiological analysis of a 10-year retrospective study of pediatric trauma in intensive care

Pediatric trauma plays a crucial role in pediatric mortality, with traffic injuries and falls frequently cited as leading causes of significant injuries among children. A comprehensive investigation, including geographical factors, is essential for developing effective strategies to prevent injuries and alleviate the burden of pediatric trauma. This study involved a retrospective analysis of clinical data from pediatric patients admitted to our hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) due to trauma over a 10-year period. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to elucidate trends, demographics, injury patterns, and risk factors associated with these admissions. This retrospective study included 951 pediatric patients (mean age: 4.79 ± 3.24 years; mean weight: 18.45 ± 9.02 kg; median time to ICU admission post-injury: 10.86 ± 14.95 h). Among these patients, 422 (44.4%) underwent emergency surgery, and 466 (49%) required mechanical ventilation support, with a mean duration of 70.19 ± 146.62 h. The mean duration of ICU stay was 6.24 ± 8.01 days, and the overall mean hospitalization duration was 16.08 ± 15.56 days. The predominant cause of unintentional injury was traffic accidents (47.9%), followed by falls (42.5%) and burns/scalds (5.3%). Most incidents involved children aged 0–6 years (70.7%), with males comprising 60.0% of patients. Injury incidents predominantly occurred between 12 and 6 PM (44.5%) and on non-workdays (37.6%). The most common locations where injuries occurred were roadsides (49%) and rural areas (64.35%). Single-site injuries (58.78%) were more prevalent than multiple-site injuries (41.22%), and head injuries were the most common among single-site injuries (81.57%). At ICU admission, the mean injury severity score was 18.49 ± 8.86. Following active intervention, 871 patients (91.59%) showed improvement, while 80 (8.41%) succumbed to their injuries. Traffic injuries remain the primary cause of pediatric trauma leading to ICU admission, underscoring the importance of using appropriate child restraint systems and protective gear as fundamental preventive measures. The increased incidence of injuries among children aged < 6 years and those residing in rural areas highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies, necessitating tailored interventions and public policy formulations that address these high-risk populations.

Kiteboarding Injuries: Epidemiology, Common Treatment Strategies, and Time to Return to Kiteboarding Following Injury.

To evaluate the prevalence and types of injuries incurred during kiteboarding (1), along with treatment approaches (2). In addition, the time to return to kiteboarding following injury (3) and factors associated with the rate and type of injury were analyzed (4). Recreational kiteboarding. Retrospective cohort. Three hundred twelve kiteboarders (280 men, 32 women, mean age 42.91 ± 13) were included in the study. Age, sex, experience, and the use of protective gear. Kiteboarding experience, injury location, type, incidence, nonsurgical and surgical treatment modalities, and return-to-kiteboarding data. The number of injuries calculated per 1000 sessions was a mean of 7.82 (4.83-10.81). Patients with less than 2 years of kiteboarding experience were at a greater risk of injury than more experienced kiters (P < 0.001). The knee (24.1%), ankle and foot (18.9%), ribs (12.7%), and shoulder (10.2%) were the body parts most frequently injured. Overall, 14.4% of kiters underwent surgical intervention, with knee surgery being the most common site of operation (41.9%) and the most frequently performed procedure being anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The pattern of reported injury was found to be different from that previously reported in the scientific literature among freeriding kiters, with knees, ribs, and shoulders being most frequently involved. Participants with <2 years of experience had a significantly greater risk of injury; therefore, proper technical and physical training is advisable.

Scene understanding method utilizing global visual and spatial interaction features for safety production

Risk identification in power operations is crucial for both personal safety and power production. Existing risk identification methods mainly use target detection models to identify the common risks but the scene specificity of risk occurrence. For example, not wearing a safety harness, not wearing insulated gloves, etc. Since most methods for detecting safety gears make sense only under specific scene. But the power electric work is a complex object involving many elements such as personnel, equipment and safety tools. Therefore, this paper proposes a scene understanding method that integrates visual features and spatial relationship features among scene elements. This method constructs a scenean undirected scene graph to represent the interactive relationship among the elements, extracts the interactive features by using a graph encoder-decoder convolution module, and fuse perceived high-dimensional visual features and spatial topological features for scene recognition, in order to effectively solve addressing the power operation scene understanding problem under multi-element interaction. Finally, a power inspection operation scenario was chosen as the test case. The outcome of the evaluation indicates results indicate that the proposed approach suggested in this study exhibits superior precision in scene identification and shows ademonstrates strong generalization ability.

Effective Utilization of Pre Engineering building (PEB) construction for Development of Rapid Healthcare facilitates in Medical Emergency

World is developing at a faster pace in all spheres of technology. The parameters whichdetermine the development have changed a lot in the recent past and will keep changing in future too.Rapid rise in levels of education, high rates of technological innovations and applications, ever faster andcheaper communication that dissolves physical and social barriers both within countries andinternationally, greater availability and easier access to information, and the further opening up of globalmarkets are the set of catalytic forces that is accelerating the speed of social change throughout theworld.Pre Engiering building is one of the best application of fast track construction Pre-Engineered Buildingconcept involves the steel building systems which are predesigned and prefabricated .The presentconstruction methodology calls for the best aesthetic look, high quality fast construction, costeffective innovative touch. One has to think for alternative construction system like pre-engineeredsteel buildings. In recent years, the introduction of Pre Engineered Building (PEB) concept in the designof structures has helped in optimizing design. In this report the detail explore of pre engineering as afast tack construction’s application discuss . As the world battles the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ithas become very clear that societies depend on functioning healthcare facilities. The sufficientavailability of hospital beds, healthcare staff, protective gear or ventilators can make all the differencebetween a situation that is still manageable and a severe crisis. for this infrastructure facilities should beprepare in short time ,For this EPS Pannel and UPVC panels will be use for rapid construction ofhealthcare facilities

The Risks and Safety Practices of Waste Pickers at Selected Dumping Sites in Pretoria, South Africa, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the accumulation of household waste continued to rise as the number of COVID-19 patients increased. COVID-19 can survive and be transmitted from contaminated surfaces, making waste pickers more vulnerable and at risk of contracting and spreading the virus through contact with infected household waste. The study assessed safety practices and risks related to waste picking during the COVID-19 pandemic at two selected dumping sites in the north of Pretoria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 81 waste pickers at these landfill sites. Results showed that 100.0% of waste pickers at Site A and 86.7% at Site B collected plastics; 96.7% at Site A and 90.5% at Site B collected bottles; and 100% at Site B and 95.5% at Site A collected metals. The majority, 92.0% at Site A and 90.0% at Site B, were aware of the dangers and risks associated with waste handling if protective gear was not worn. From sites A and B, 97.0% and 90% of the waste pickers respectively had heard of COVID-19, although 51.9% from both sites believed they could not contract COVID-19 while handling waste. Only 18.0% of waste pickers from Site A and 82.0% from Site B faced challenges with purchasing their own PPE. All waste pickers at Site A wore facial masks, whereas 86.0% at Site B did so. Regarding testing for COVID-19, 22.0% from Site A and 19.0% from Site B were tested, with 2.0% from Site A and none (0.0%) from Site B testing positive. It is recommended that all waste pickers be educated about COVID-19 transmission and provided with PPE during the pandemic.

A Review On Human Brucellosis: An Important Occupational Hazard

Human brucellosis is a re-emerging and neglected zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp., with Brucella melitensis being the principal cause worldwide. Despite the disease's prevalence, serological surveillance is not routinely practiced, even in countries where Brucella is endemic. Although eradication efforts have been successful in many developed and developing countries, brucellosis continues to pose a significant health risk to both animals and humans. Transmission to humans occurs by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Veterinary professionals, especially those conducting per-vaginal examinations without proper protective gear, and animal handlers are particularly vulnerable to infection. The pathogenesis of brucellosis is complex, involving bacterial invasion of host cells, immune evasion, and the potential for chronic infection. In humans, brucellosis often becomes chronic, but in acute cases, it presents as undulant fever with nonspecific symptoms. To reduce morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and timely antibiotic treatment are most important. For diagnosis of Brucella spp. reliable, rapid, sensitive, specific, easy-to-perform, and automated detection systems are urgently required. Currently, there is no safe and effective vaccine available for humans. Prevention relies on controlling the disease in domestic livestock, primarily through mass vaccination, effective heat treatment of dairy products, and hygienic precautions to minimize occupational exposure. Treatment requires prolonged antibiotic therapy with a combination of drugs. To control human brucellosis, awareness programs, safe livestock practices, and timely diagnosis are essential

ZnO nanolayer on polypropylene fabrics: a highly effective antimicrobial coating against pathogenic bioaerosols

Abstract Antimicrobial coatings offer a promising solution for enhancing the efficacy of materials used to fabricate protective equipment for healthcare personnel. Given the rapid spread of respiratory diseases caused by pathogenic bioaerosols, our study delves into probing the antimicrobial properties of a sputtered ZnO nanolayer deposited onto polypropylene fabrics earmarked for the production of respiratory protective gear such as facemasks. A comprehensive methodology was developed to assess the immediate antimicrobial effect of the zinc oxide nanolayer against bioaerosols laden with four DNA or RNA viral surrogates and eight aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species. Additionally, its antimicrobial efficacy was measured over time across contact durations ranging from 0.5 to 24 h. The ZnO nanolayer exhibited an immediate reduction in infectivity of approximately 40% for RNA viruses, whereas only an 11% reduction was noted for the DNA virus. Remarkably, the infectivity of RNA viruses was totally eradicated after 12 h of contact with the ZnO nanolayer. In the case of anaerobic bacteria-laden bioaerosols, inhibition ratios ranged from 58% to 97% across various anaerobic strains, while aerobic bacteria aerosols demonstrated inhibition ranging from 26% to 74%. Notably, after 24 h of direct contact between bacteria and ZnO nanolayer, a substantial viability inhibition of most strains (80%–90%) was achieved. These findings underscore the potential of ZnO nanolayer for diverse biomedical purposes, encompassing personal protective equipment and other applications such as air purification systems.

Biomecânica e Traumatologia do Skateboarding

Skateboarding emerged in the 1940s-50s and, after irregular periods of growth, it’s now a sport ranging from recreational to professional, competitive, and lucrative. The imitation of professionals by amateurs increases the risk of injuries, especially considering the sport’s aim – performing jumps and stunts on a fast-moving board without a mechanical braking system. Most practitioners are male, with teenagers and young adults having the highest proportion of this sport-related injuries. Common injuries include fractures, sprains, and lacerations, predominantly in the upper limbs. Traumatic brain and cervical injuries are also significant, often resulting in severe consequences. Many injuries occur on public roads, compounded by the lack of proper protective gear among practitioners. It’s imperative to create more dedicated spaces for the sport and provide education and training for amateur athletes to reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries.

Observational Study of the Clinical Impact of E-scooter Injuries at a Major Trauma Centre.

Background Due to the increased use of e-scooters in the UK, associated injuries have increased, and its cost has increased as well. Worldwide data on injuries related to e-scooter use are relatively limited, owing to the short duration since their first introduction to the public. Aim There has been an increase in using e-scooters as a method of transport recently. It was noticed that the severity and frequency of its injuries are increasing as well. This study focuses on the frequency of e-scooter-associated injuries, especially open fractures, and to evaluate its burden on the health system. Methods Data on e-scooter injuries were extracted from our trauma database from November 2017 to July 2022. Patients' notes and images were reviewed. Outcome measures were the type of injuries: site of bony fractures, closed vs. open fracture (using Anderson and Gustilo classification), number of operations, complications, and length of hospital stay. Results The number of patients enrolled was 104. The mean age was 34.3 years, and 78.8% (n = 82) were male. The main mechanism of injury was riding (91%, n = 95) vs. hitting by an e-scooter (9%, n = 9). Injured patients were more likely not to wear helmets (82% of total injured patients). Patients with bony injuries were 65.4% (n = 68), with 22.1% (n = 15) of them being open fractures. The most common bony injuries were lower limb-only fractures at 45.6% (n = 31), then upper limb-only injuries at 39.7% (n = 27). Combined upper and lower limb cases were 8.8% (n = 6), and pelvic injuries were 5.9% (n = 4). Head and neck injuries composed 23.1% (n = 24) of the reported injuries, including intracranial haemorrhages (9.6%, n = 10), extensive traumatic brain injury (3.8%, n = 4), haematoma/lacerations (3.8%, n = 4), cervical spine fractures (1.9%, n = 2), and skull fractures (1.9%, n = 2). The mean duration of hospital stay was 8.6 days, and 9.6% (n = 10) of patients needed intensive therapy unit(ITU) admission. The number of patients presented as trauma calls was 55.8% (n = 58). Patients who needed surgical intervention either under orthopaedics or other specialties were 52.9% (n = 55) and 21.2% (n = 22) of total patients had complications either due to surgical intervention or a long hospital stay. Conclusion E-scooter riding can lead to serious injuries that can end with limb- or life-threatening conditions. The most common demographic characteristics were adults in their early 30s. There should be more emphasis on wearing protective gear like wrist and elbow guards in addition to helmets. Future prospective studies with larger cohorts across multiple regions and hospitals are necessary to truly characterize the nature and cost of e-scooter injuries.

Molecular simulations of amine-based organic additives at a steel surface: Effect of the internal molecular structure on adsorption

Lubricating oils mitigate wear in gears and rolling bearings lengthening the lifespan of drivetrain units for electric vehicles. Amine-based organic additives from the lubricating oil contribute to alleviating wear by adsorbing on rubbing steel surfaces of mechanical contacts and forming anti-wear films. Cross-pin wear experiments suggest that additives with branches in polar heads improve wear protection, while remaining environmentally friendly. Experiments show a reasonable correlation with the energy of adsorption calculated from molecular dynamics simulations at large surface coverages. Whereas adsorption strengths and surface coverages are barely affected by the conformation of alkyl chains (cis/trans), they are affected by the length of branches in polar heads of additives. Results suggest better performances for branch lengths containing 3–4 C atoms.

Occupational stressors experienced by healthcare professionals in the course of the COVID-19 crisis.

The novel coronavirus has significantly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, exposing healthcare professionals (HCPs) to work-related stressors to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to assess the occupational stress of HCPs in Lagos State, Nigeria, using a qualitative approach. The study involved nine HCPs from various departments, including doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technicians. The main causes of stress were workload, policy changes, and extended use of personal protective gear. The study found high levels of occupational stress among HCPs, with workload being the main cause. The impact of the disease outbreak crisis on HCPs' lives and work demands was observed, with occupational demands categorized into safety risk at work and public perceptions. Employers and unions must respond to HCPs' needs for workplace protection and appropriate help to address stressors.