Safety Regulations Research Articles

Key Elements of Safety Culture

Security is one of the most important aspects in various spheres of society. In everyday life, a person is obliged to independently make certain choices in favor of his safety. But in professional activities, the employer is responsible for his safety. The employer is obliged to provide safe working conditions for employees at their workplaces and to immediately take certain measures if these conditions do not comply with safety regulations. This is stated in Article 214 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. An important element of ensuring safety in an organization is safety culture. According to the International Labor Organization, there are 340 million occupational accidents every year, and the main reasons include a poor safety culture and neglect of occupational safety and health standards.

Study of Various Materials for Automobile Bumper: A Review

India leads the world in annual road fatalities (230,000), despite being a top-ten car market. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for stricter vehicle safety regulations. While concerns regarding an 8-15% increase in car prices due to stricter standards exist, the potential for global car exports and significant lives saved outweighs these costs. This review analyses the critical role car bumpers play in mitigating accident severity. By absorbing impact energy and protecting occupants and vehicles, bumpers directly address a crucial gap in current Indian automotive safety. Implementing stringent safety regulations, including robust bumper testing programs, can significantly reduce road fatalities and injuries, aligning India's car safety standards with global best practices and fostering a safer transportation ecosystem.

Development of a Low-Cost Web-Based Information System for Managing a University Department Chemical Warehouse

Herein, we present the implementation of a low-cost web-based information system tailored to manage a university department chemical warehouse. The system provides a centralized platform for cataloging, tracking, and managing chemical inventory data, while also facilitating purchasing and various administrative tasks associated with laboratory operations. The system has been developed within the Campusnet platform and has the following functionalities: (i) an efficient way for cataloging the extensive array of products available in the warehouse; (ii) an intuitive web interface with a device-responsive layout to facilitate browsing and purchasing of products by students, researchers, and technical staff; (iii) an inventory transaction recording system to simplify the attribution of costs; (iv) a simple procedure to streamline the process of joint purchases; and (v) a low deployment cost and ease of maintenance. Key design considerations, including regulatory compliance and safety, are also presented.

Indian Thyroid society expert consensus on salt Iodisation

ABSTRACT Iodine, an essential micronutrient, is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones - triiodothyronine(T3) and thyroxine(T4). Thyroid hormones regulate the optimum mental development, physical growth and development, regulation of body metabolism, heat generation, and maintenance of body temperaturein an individual. Geological processes like flooding, soil erosion, deforestation, and rivers changing course, deplete the surface soil of iodine, as it is present in the top layers of soil and easily soluble in water. As a result, the population residing in the area with iodinedeficient soil, becomes susceptible to a spectrum of functional and developmental abnormalities due to dietary deficiency of iodine. Universal Salt Iodization (USI) for prevention of IDDs in India is a public health success story. The adoption of the salt iodization strategy serves as a textbook example of the journey of an intervention through the iterative loop of research to policy to programme. Salt iodization has proved to be a safe, accessible, available, affordable, and cost-effective strategy to address the burden of IDDs in India. India has been at the forefront of the efforts to control IDDs globally. India is on its way to achieving the target of > 90 percent household coverage of adequately iodized salt. Revised Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations released in 2019 introduced an upper limit for iodine concentration in salt, the adequate iodine level required at the production and consumer level, including the distribution channel at 15 – 30 ppm. Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) is India's public health success story. There is a need to consolidate progress so far and focus on strategy to reach the “last mile”. Sustainable elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) with Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) being the primary strategy needs to also factor in harmonisation with salt reduction strategy for control of non-communicable diseases.

Evolution of Occupational Safety and Health Disclosure Practices: Insights from 8 Years in Taiwan’s Construction Industry

Evolution of Occupational Safety and Health Disclosure Practices: Insights from 8 Years in Taiwan’s Construction Industry

Analysis Seismic Behavior of Structures with Planar Imperfections: A Comprehensive Numerical Analysis

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the seismic analysis and design of a tall hospital building, accounting for horizontal irregularities and employing equivalent static analysis (ESA) methodology. The study initiates with the collection of relevant site data and building specifications, including the identification and characterization of horizontal irregularities such as setbacks, mass distribution variations, and irregular floor plans. Equivalent static lateral loads are calculated based on applicable building codes and standards, taking into account the effects of horizontal irregularities on seismic response. Structural modeling and analysis are then conducted using sophisticated software to evaluate the building's behavior under seismic forces, considering the influence of irregularities on structural performance. Design criteria, encompassing drift limits, strength requirements, and detailing considerations for mitigating irregularity effects, are rigorously adhered to ensure compliance with safety regulations and performance objectives. The iterative process of evaluation and adjustment ensures optimal seismic performance and adherence to design criteria despite the presence of horizontal irregularities. Documentation of the analysis and design process, coupled with meticulous construction oversight, guarantees the implementation of a robust seismic design strategy tailored to the unique characteristics of the tall hospital building. Post-construction evaluations are carried out to validate predicted seismic performance, accounting for the influence of horizontal irregularities. Through collaborative efforts and adherence to best practices, the seismic design of the tall hospital building prioritizes safety and resilience, even in the face of horizontal irregularities, aiming to safeguard occupants and critical healthcare infrastructure during seismic events.

Towards Safer Roads: A Deep Learning Approach to Driver Distraction Detection in Four-wheeler Cars

The fact that there are more than 50 million cars sold annually and more than 1.3 million fatal motor vehicle accidents each year indicates the urgent need for stronger road safety regulations. Driver behaviour needs to be addressed, especially in emerging nations like India, which is responsible for 11% of all road fatalities worldwide. Diversion has been identified as the leading cause of 78% of accidents involving drivers. Distractions can take many different forms, from using a phone to interacting with others, and they greatly hinder road safety. This work aims to address this important problem by creating a highly effective machine learning (ML) model that employs computer vision techniques to classify various driver distractions in real-time. Utilising cutting-edge models, such as an ensemble of CNNs and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) like ResNet50. Our goal is to effectively identify and categorise distractions through the use of deep learning and picture recognition, allowing for proactive intervention to avert mishaps. Beyond classification accuracy, this study evaluates the model’s overall speed and scalability, which are critical for deployment on edge devices. We assess the practical practicality and wide-spread adoption of our approach by analysing performance parameters like inference time and resource utilisation

Environmental stewardship in the oil and gas sector: Current practices and future directions

This paper provides an overview of the current practices and future directions in environmental stewardship within the oil and gas industry, focusing on key areas of concern and strategies for improvement. The oil and gas industry has made significant strides in environmental stewardship in recent years, driven by a combination of regulatory requirements, corporate initiatives, and stakeholder pressure. One of the primary areas of focus has been the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with extraction, refining, and transportation processes. Companies have implemented technologies such as carbon capture and storage to minimize their carbon footprint, alongside investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures to transition towards cleaner energy alternatives. Furthermore, the industry has placed increasing emphasis on the responsible management of water resources, recognizing the potential environmental impacts of water extraction and usage in oil and gas operations. Strategies for water recycling, reuse, and wastewater treatment have been adopted to mitigate pollution and minimize strain on local ecosystems. Biodiversity conservation has also emerged as a critical aspect of environmental stewardship in the oil and gas sector, with companies undertaking environmental impact assessments and collaborating with conservation organizations to minimize habitat disruption and restore ecosystems affected by their operations. Community engagement and social responsibility are integral components of environmental stewardship, with companies seeking to address the social impacts of their operations through employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and social programs benefiting local communities. However, the industry continues to face challenges and limitations in its efforts to minimize environmental impact. Accidental spills, leaks, and other incidents pose significant ecological risks, highlighting the importance of stringent safety regulations and emergency response protocols. Moreover, the transition to renewable energy presents challenges for traditional oil and gas companies, requiring substantial capital investment and strategic planning. To address these challenges and advance environmental stewardship, several future directions are proposed. These include accelerating the transition to renewable energy, enhancing transparency and accountability in reporting environmental performance, strengthening environmental regulations and enforcement, investing in research and development of innovative technologies, and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders, governments, NGOs, and local communities. Keywords: Stewardship, Oil, Gas, Sustainability, Climate, Mitigation

Multiplex fluorescence quenching immunoassay based on multicolor magnetic quantum dot and dual spectral-overlapped polydopamine nanospheres for ultrasensitive detection of aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, and fumonisin B1

Due to the increasing fungal infections and the implementation of strict food safety regulations, the demand for sensitive, rapid, and easy assays for testing co-contaminated mycotoxins in food has grown in recent years. In this study, a multiplex fluorescence quenching immunoassay is developed to simultaneously detect prevalent mycotoxins in cereals, namely aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), and fumonisin B1 (FB1). Four spherical nanocomposites with magnetic core and three-layer quantum dot (QD) shell (MagTQD) are fabricated. These nanocomposites exhibit different maximum emission peaks without overlap and interference at the same excitation wavelength. Four MagTQD conjugated with corresponding coating antigens to prepare four fluorescence signal probes with rapid magnetic enrichment ability, respectively. Moreover, polydopamine nanospheres (PDANs) with dual-spectral overlapped fluorescence quenching properties are conjugated with four mycotoxin antibodies to prepare four fluorescence quenching probes, respectively. The established immunoassay has the low detection limit at 1.29 pg mL−1 for AFB1, 0.80 pg mL−1 for ZEN, 1.97 pg mL−1 for OTA, and 13.89 pg mL−1 for FB1, respectively. This developed assay can provide a new approach to realize the efficient detection of multi-mycotoxins in food safety supervision.

Legal regulation of nuclear and radiation safety during operation of nuclear power plants

The article examines the problems of legal regulation of nuclear and radiation safety that arise during the operation of nuclear power plants. On the basis of the legal definition of such legal categories as radiation and nuclear safety, radiation protection, which must be guaranteed by the state to human life and health, the main attention is focused on the analysis of the legal regime of lands as the basis of human life activities that have undergone radioactive contamination, which are legally classified as man-made polluted. The genesis of the legislation that secures the definition of these lands is analyzed, it is emphasized that these lands are the result of human economic activity, that is, it is about the consequences of anthropogenic activity, when highlighting the peculiarities of the legal regime of man-made contaminated lands, their division into radioactively dangerous and radioactively contaminated is taken as a basis. The mentioned lands, being in state ownership, cannot be transferred to private ownership, are included in the exclusion zone and the zone of mandatory (unconditional) resettlement of the territory that has undergone radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. Residence and permanent stay of people in the territory of these zones is prohibited by law. Land plots located in the zone of guaranteed voluntary resettlement are also radioactively contaminated and are used in accordance with the procedure determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The amendments to the current legislation are analyzed separately, which relate to the inclusion of radioactively contaminated lands in the ecological network for the purpose of restoration and are related to the creation of the Chernobyl radiation- ecological biosphere reserve. It is emphasized that part of the territory of the reserve, created at the expense of the zone of exclusion and the zone of unconditional (mandatory) resettlement, being on the border with the Republic of Belarus, causes additional restrictions of its legal regime. In this case, we are talking about changing the purpose of a part of the relevant lands, which have been transferred to defense lands. The conclusions emphasize that lands that have undergone radioactive contamination need priority restoration, which today is carried out naturally. The legal mechanism for restoring the state of such lands is imperfect and needs significant changes. It is time to develop and approve the Strategy for returning radioactively contaminated land to economic use.

Dust dynamics: distribution patterns of semi-volatile organic chemicals across particle sizes in varied indoor microenvironments.

An extensive analysis of the distribution patterns of three distinct classes of semi-volatile organic chemicals (SVOCs)-phthalates (PAEs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-across four distinct size fractions of dust (25, 50, 100, and 200μm) was conducted. The dust samples were sourced from AC filter, covered car parking lots, households, hotels, mosques, and car floors. To generate the four fractions, ten dust samples from each microenvironment were pooled and sieved utilizing sieving apparatus with the appropriate mesh size. Selected SVOCs were quantified utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in electron impact (EI) mode. Results unveiled diverse contamination levels among dust fractions, showcasing car parking lot dust with the lowest chemical contamination, while car floor dust displayed the highest levels of PAHs and OPFRs, peaking at 28.3µg/g and 43.2µg/g, respectively. In contrast, mosque and household floor dust exhibited the highest concentrations of phthalates, with values of 985µg/g and 846µg/g, respectively. Across the analyzed microenvironments, we observed a trend where concentrations of SVOCs tended to rise as dust particles decreased in size, forming a visually striking pattern. This phenomenon was particularly pronounced in dust samples collected from car floors and parking lots. Among SVOCs, PAEs emerged as the predominant contributors with > 90% followed by OPFRs and PAHs. The high levels of OPFRs in car floor dust align logically with the fact that numerous interior components of cars are treated with OPFRs, within a compact indoor microenvironment, to comply to fire safety regulations. Furthermore, petroleum products are a major source of PAHs in the environment and all the sampled cars in the study had combustion engines. Consequently, car dust is more likely to be polluted with PAHs stemming from petroleum combustion. Although previous investigations have noted an increase in heavy metals and brominated flame retardants with decreasing dust particles, this is the first study analyzing these SVOCs in different fractions of dust from various microenvironments. However, aside from two specific microenvironments, the observed pattern of escalating SVOC concentrations with smaller dust particle sizes was not corroborated among the examined microenvironments. This divergence in concentration trends suggests the potential involvement of supplementary variables in influencing SVOC distributions within dust particles.

Fungal profile of eggshells from commercial and free-range hens of a supermarket chain in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

Eggs are perishable and fragile foods because of their easy contamination by different microorganisms, such as fungi. Hence, research on egg safety and quality has been recently developed worldwide to minimize illness transmitted by this food, although most present mainly pathogenic bacteria. Thus, this study identified potentially pathogenic fungal species in eggshells from free-range and commercial hens offered in supermarkets in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. The research was performed at the Vettings laboratory at the State University of Ceará (UECE) with 40 eggs: 20 from commercial and 20 from free-range hens. The eggshells were assessed using the dextrose evaluation method for pathogenic cultivation, commensal, and yeast fungi. Subsequently, readings were taken to identify and count the fungi on a binocular light microscope in 100x increments. Both egg categories showed a significant number of colony-forming units (CFU). The study identified eight different fungal species in both egg production types. The most prevalent fungal colonies in the free-range hen lineage (brown shell) were yeast spp. and Penicillium citrinum, and the laying hen lineage (white shell) had mostly Penicillium spp. and yeast spp. Therefore, both egg production systems showed similar fungal contamination, which suggests that the manipulation and/or storage are adequate despite the lack of strict food safety regulations or supervision for eggs in Brazil.

Damp and mould—the big picture. How do we tackle the damp and mould crisis in social housing: lessons from the UK

The tragic death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, from extensive and prolonged exposure to damp and mould that had not been dealt with by the social landlord who owned the property, and other high profile news stories, have alerted social landlords to the damp and mould crisis in social rented homes across England. This paper discusses the findings from a 24-h knowledge exchange “Think Tank”, attended by representatives from social housing providers, charities, professional bodies, and residents from across England, to discuss how to tackle damp and mould in social housing. The event was made up of short informal presentations and group discussions in order to share good practice and develop a cross-sector understanding of damp and mould, its impacts, and how it can be tackled holistically. The event highlighted that damp and mould should firstly be seen as a building problem and that residents’ “lifestyles” should not be blamed. Tackling damp and mould should not be seen as the responsibility of one individual or department, all stakeholders need to work together to tackle the problem, ensuring tenants’ wellbeing is at the centre of every decision. Finally, damp and mould cannot be tacked in silo. Social landlords are facing a number of other major challenges, including the cost-of-living crisis, new building safety regulations, and the urgent need to decarbonise their stock. Landlords must think creatively in order to tackle these problems together and consider the big picture to ensure we are not walking towards the next housing tragedy. This paper brings together a wider contextual understanding of how the damp and mould crisis has developed in the UK, the impacts of damp and mould on residents’ physical and mental wellbeing, and the Think Tank findings, to suggest policy and practical recommendations for tackling the problem holistically.

A Face-Mask Detection Approach based on YOLO V3 applied for a New Collected Dataset

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of face-mask detection systems has become paramount to enforce safety measures and regulations. This paper presents a novel approach for face-mask detection utilizing the YOLOv3 architecture applied to a newly collected dataset. The proposed system aims to accurately detect the presence or absence of face masks in real-time scenarios. The dataset used in this research is meticulously curated to encompass diverse environmental conditions, facial expressions, and variations in mask types and orientations. Each image in the dataset is annotated with bounding boxes indicating the regions of faces and masks, facilitating supervised learning for the YOLOv3 model. Our methodology involves fine-tuning the pre-trained YOLOv3 model on the collected dataset to specialize in face-mask detection. The model is trained using a combination of techniques such as data augmentation, transfer learning, and hyperparameter optimization to enhance its performance. Furthermore, to address challenges such as occlusions, varying lighting conditions, and diverse facial orientations, we incorporate techniques like multi-scale training and post-processing algorithms. These techniques aid in improving the robustness and generalization capability of the model, making it suitable for deployment in real-world scenarios. Keywords: Face Mask Detection, YOLO V3, Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Object Detection, Dataset Collection, COVID-19, Image Processing, Real-time Monitoring.

Psychopathic traits and attentional control: Antisociality associated with poorer real-world cognitive functioning and egocentricity associated with poorer low-prevalence visual search performance due to quitting early

Attentional control is the process that enables focusing on executing goals without succumbing to distraction, and it is implicated in meaningful outcomes such as driving safety, perspective-taking, and emotion regulation. Across three studies we investigated the relationship between psychopathic traits (egocentricity, callousness, and antisocial tendencies) and: a) subjective experiences of attentional control in real-world contexts, b) performance on a task that differentiates proactive from reactive attentional control, and c) performance on a real-world relevant task that demands endogenous maintenance of a goal with minimal scaffolding from the task (low prevalence visual search). A strong and consistent finding was that antisocial tendencies were associated with poorer subjective real-world attentional control. Psychopathic traits were not reliability associated with individual differences in either proactive or reactive attentional control. Egocentricity was associated with poorer performance in low prevalence visual search, but this was mediated by a reduced quitting threshold (i.e., giving up on searching for the target earlier). This likely reflects reduced motivation rather than impaired ability. Altogether, there was no evidence for psychopathic traits being associated with enhanced attentional control. The differential relationships between different psychopathic traits and attentional control highlights the importance of distinguishing them.

Factors and Business Strategies for Making Local Products Successful: Case Study From the Developing Economy

Purpose: This study provides insights into the factors that determine the success of local products, taking the Hai Phong fish sauce industry as a typical example. Theoretical framework: The research team utilized qualitative techniques, focusing on gathering and analyzing secondary data across various developing countries, with a particular emphasis on local product brands in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Results and discussion: Meticulous consideration of customer preferences and local needs is core to the success and sustainability of local products in highly competitive markets. It is concerned with preserving local culture and heritage as well as promoting ethical and sustainable values, thereby enhancing the overall impact of these products in the regional and global context. bridge. Policy implications recommend creating an enabling environment that encourages using high-quality raw materials and traditional techniques in local product development, and strategic investments in branding and marketing, while ensuring strict compliance with food safety regulations. This study has limitations, mainly related to the focus on Hai Phong fish sauce products, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Research Implications: Future research should include a broader range of products and local areas. Traditional production methods and craftsmanship are essential in product differentiation, cultural preservation, and consumer loyalty. Furthermore, appropriate packaging and branding are indispensable to attract consumer attention and communicate the value of the product. Marketing and distribution strategies enhance product visibility and consumer engagement. Originality/value: Appropriate packaging and branding are indispensable to attract consumer attention and communicate the value of the product. Marketing and distribution strategies enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.

STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS OF THE PROCESS OF ADSORPTION OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS FROM ALKANE

In petrochemistry, normal paraffins are used mainly as raw materials for the production of alkylbenzenes, alkanesulfonates, synthetic fatty acids, secondary alcohols, a-olefins (thermocracking), internal olefins (dehydrogenation). Currently, the market for synthetic detergents (SMC) is one of the most dynamically developing in the world. According to the forecasts of the leading companies producing alkyl benzenes, in the next 10 years, the demand for intermediates for the production of synthetic detergents is expected to grow both in domestic markets and in the global market as a whole. At hydrotreatment units, a wide fraction of n-paraffins (C9–C20) is released from hydrotreated diesel fuel. After that, the C9–C20 fraction is sent to the pre-fractionation unit of the olefin production unit, where the C14–C17 fraction is separated from the wide fraction. This fraction is marketable and requires preliminary purification from aromatic hydrocarbons. Typically, the content of aromatic hydrocarbons in the crude fraction С14+ is from 0.5 to 2.0 wt%. The residual content of aromatic hydrocarbons in the purified fraction should not exceed 0.01% wt. To remove aromatic hydrocarbons, the С14+ fraction is fed to the oleum treatment unit. At the oleum purification unit, post-treatment is carried out using oleum with a concentration of 20–24% wt. After sulfonation, it is necessary to neutralize with caustic soda. Obtaining dearomatized liquid paraffins from diesel fuel using oleum purification has many disadvantages, since working with fuming sulfuric acid requires a high degree of protection of the human body and the strictest observance of safety regulations. Due to the difficulties in disposing of spent sulfuric acid, plant shutdowns and downtime are not uncommon. This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons from higher alkanes on zeolite CaX. The main parameters of statics, dynamics and kinetics of adsorption are determined

Ecological and economic evaluation of modern systems for apple tree protection from codling moth

This work substantiates the transition to biorational systems of plantation protection using low-toxic preparations to ensure high-quality yields. Regularities in the development of codling moth in Krasnodar Krai are revealed. During the period of 2021–2023, a 30% increase in the expenditures on protective measures in horticultural organizations of Krasnodar Krai was established. As a result, the production costs grew by an average of 17%, decreasing the entire efficiency of fruit production. This explains the need to develop modern protection systems for perennial plantations. Differentiated approaches to apple-tree protection from pests (on the example of codling moth), which are based on application of low-toxic chemical and biorational preparations according to phytophage development stages, are reviewed. An integrated system for protection of industrial fruit plantations in the Krasnodar Krai against coddling moth is proposed. The advantages of the proposed system over the existing approaches that apply highly toxic chemicals are described. These relate to the possibility of introducing flexible changes in protective measures in accordance with phytosanitary characteristics of orchards, including activation of local apple varieties and use of agrotechnical and biological methods based on toxicological monitoring. An ecological and economic evaluation of the integrated system of fruit plantation protection from codling moth is provided. This system enables a reduction in the background pesticide content in food chains (a 2-fold and 5-fold decrease in soils and fruits, respectively), a 1.3-fold reduction in pesticide load, the preservation of yield by more than 98% while complying with the regulations of ecological agrocenosis safety regulations, a 1.5-fold reduction in production costs, and a 10.5% increase in the product profitability.

Influence of Agricultural Practices on Food Safety in Nigeria

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria is significant, with traditional and modern methods impacting the safety and quality of food. The use of pesticides and fertilizers, often unregulated, can lead to residue accumulation in crops, posing health risks. Additionally, the prevalence of subsistence farming without proper sanitation measures can contribute to the contamination of food products. There is also concern about the spread of zoonotic diseases through livestock farming, exacerbated by inadequate veterinary services and poor handling practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social identity theory, stakeholder theory & norm activation theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the influence of agricultural practices on food safety in Nigeria. Promote the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs) and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies among farmers to minimize food safety risks at the production level. Advocate for the development and enforcement of robust food safety regulations and standards that encompass the entire agricultural supply chain.

Enhancing research skills of schoolchildren through 3D modeling

The problem and the aim of the study. 3D modeling and prototyping are important areas of digital education and have undoubted didactic potential for the development of engineering thinking, which is in demand in the modern economy. The authors suggest using 3D modeling technology to develop the research skills of schoolchildren when studying natural sciences and implementing interdisciplinary projects aimed at forming the foundations of a holistic scientific picture of the world through understanding the relationship and interdependence of the natural sciences. Research methods. The work uses the following classification of research skills: operational, communication, organizational, and information. For them, the authors have identified the corresponding indicators: conducting observations and research during modeling; putting forward a hypothesis; planning research activities; and analysis of information sources. The experimental base for the study was the Vyatka Technical Lyceum (Russian Federation). During the diagnostics, the products of students' educational activities were assessed - computer models and objects printed on a 3D printer. For statistical processing of data, the χ2 -Pearson criterion was used. Results. The curriculum and lesson planning for the “Technology” course are presented, which allows students to develop research skills during the implementation of applied educational tasks. A system of tasks and sample models has been developed to support all stages of students’ research activities during the implementation of educational interdisciplinary projects following the proposed lesson planning of the module. Statistically significant differences were determined in the qualitative changes that occurred in the level of research skills of schoolchildren (χ2 =6.184; p<0.05). In conclusion, the didactic potential of computer 3D modeling and prototyping for the development of research skills of schoolchildren is formulated: putting forward a hypothesis of a natural science nature and testing it experimentally; mastering the methodology of independent planning and conducting an experiment in compliance with safety regulations, etc.