Management Support Research Articles

Determination of nurses' occupational health and safety perceptions and occupational riskfactors

Introduction: This study aimed to examine nurses'perception of occupational health and safety anddetermine their notification status in case ofoccupational accidents and possible problems.Materials and methods: The study is descriptive. Atotal of 332 nurses working in a training and researchhospital in western Turkey between March 5, 2023and June 20, 2023, were collected by face-to-facesurvey method. The data were collected using theQuestionnaire Form and Occupational Safety Scale(OSS) for health personnel working in the hospital.The data were analyzed in SPSS data program.Results: It was found that 47.9% of the nurses werebetween 31-45 years of age, 90.1% were female, and78.6% had a bachelor's degree. It was reported that95.5% of the nurses used personal protectiveequipment, 85.5% felt time pressure during work,78.6% did not work with enough nurses, 72.6% reported that the physical conditions of the hospitalwere not suitable, and 95.5% reported that thehospital food was not sufficient. The mean total scoreof the OSS scale was found to be 3.301.06. It wasobserved that there was a statistically significantdifference between the OSS scale scores accordingto the age and working years of the nurses (p<0.05).Conclusion: It was concluded that the mean OSSscale score of the nurses was at a moderate level, andthe mean occupational safety awareness increased asthe age and working years of the nurses increased. Itis recommended that occupational health and safetyareas, especially "Occupational Diseases and Com-plaints" and "Managerial Support and Approaches,"be improved.

Fatal Fulminant Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) Encephalitis in Immunocompetent 5.5-Year-Old Girl—A Case Report with the Review of Diagnostic and Management Dilemmas

Introduction: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) usually causes mild, self-limiting, or asymptomatic infection in children, typically infectious mononucleosis. The severe course is more common in immunocompromised patients. Neurological complications of primary infection, reactivation of the latent infection, or immune-mediated are well-documented. However, few published cases of fatal EBV encephalitis exist. Case presentation We report a case of a 5.5-year-old immunocompetent girl with fulminant EBV encephalitis fulfilling the criteria for the recently proposed subtype Acute Fulminant Cerebral Edema: (AFCE). The child presented with fever, vomiting, altered mental status, and ataxia. Her initial brain CT (computed tomography) scan was normal. On day 2 she developed refractory status epilepticus requiring intubation, ventilation, and sedation for airway protection and seizure control. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed cytotoxic brain edema. Despite intensive treatment, including acyclovir, ceftriaxone, hyperosmotic therapy (3% NaCl), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), corticosteroids, as well as supportive management, on day 5 she developed signs of impending herniation. Intensification of therapy (hyperventilation, deepening sedation, mannitol) was ineffective, and a CT scan demonstrated generalized brain edema with tonsillar herniation. EBV primary infection was confirmed by serology and qPCR in blood samples and post-mortem brain tissue. An autopsy was consistent with the early phase of viral encephalitis. Conclusions This case confirms that normal or non-specific CT and MRI scans do not exclude encephalitis diagnosis if clinical presentation fulfills the diagnostic criteria. The implementation of prophylactic anticonvulsants could improve outcomes. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring should be considered in AFCE for better ICP management. Decompressive craniectomy might be a life-saving option in refractory cases. An encephalitis management algorithm is proposed.

Emotions shape attitudes towards wolf conservation management in the Italian Alps

Across Europe, wolves are recolonizing former habitats, but frictions between wolves and people remain a challenge. Better understanding of attitudes towards existing management practices is essential to devise wolf management that better considers societal aspects. In this study, we focus on a case study in the Italian Alps, where we conducted a quantitative survey to investigate attitudes towards wolf management. We used multiple regression analysis to determine which factors such as emotions and knowledge or belonging to a particular stakeholder group explained variations in attitudes towards wolf management. We found that almost half of our respondents felt scared about the presence of wolves, and that people who had less factually correct knowledge about wolves were more afraid than people who had better factual knowledge. Farmers reported significantly higher ratings of anger, fear, and frustration than the general population. We found that anger and fascination were significant predictors for attitudes towards management, but that fear, factual knowledge, education level and connectedness to nature were not. Our findings support further stakeholder engagement to take seriously and address the range of emotions of stakeholders that impact public support for wolf management and co-existence in the cultural landscapes of the Italian Alps.

Multi-Sensor Adaptive Fusion and Convolutional Neural Network-Based Acoustic Emission Diagnosis for Initial Damage of the Engine

Abstract Aiming at the problems of traditional fault diagnosis means that are difficult to identify initial damage, as well as the poor reliability and fault tolerance with a single sensor, an acoustic emission (AE) diagnosis method for initial damage of the engine based on multi-sensor adaptive fusion and convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed. Firstly, under the premise of utilizing parametric analysis to characterize the multi-sensor AE signals, the feature parameter entropy is used to determine the primary and secondary relationships between multi-sensor signals, and then the AE feature parameter matrix is formed by adaptive fusion. Secondly, CNN is employed to mine and learn the fault feature combinations from the AE feature parameter matrix by multi-layer fusion to realize the identification and diagnosis for initial damage of the engine. Finally, the proposed method is validated on the engine test bench designed for initial damage identification and is compared with conventional methods in terms of diagnostic performance. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve an identification accuracy of 98.83% for initial damage, and has advantages in various aspects such as TAMSE, K, F1mic, and F1mac, which explicitly provides a theoretical and methodological basis for identifying initial faults comprehensively and accurately. This research not only enriches the theory and methods in the field of structural health monitoring, but also provides strong technical support for engine health management, which is expected to play a key role in the maintenance and guarantee of aviation engines in the future.

MENGEFEKTIFKAN PENGELOLAAN ASET DAERAH MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN ORGANISASIONAL: Mediasi Job Crafting sebagai Faktor Kunci

This study aims to explore the role of organizational learning and job crafting in enhancing the effectiveness of asset management in South Konawe Regency. The primary issue addressed is the low effectiveness in asset management aspects, such as planning, procurement, utilization, assessment, and administration. This research examines how individuals, through job crafting, can improve asset management performance and support more effective organizational learning. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document studies, and observations at the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency, as well as related agencies such as the Education and Health Offices. The findings indicate that limited organizational learning and a lack of policies supporting collaboration and the use of technology hinder asset management effectiveness. Job crafting, focusing on task crafting, relational crafting, and cognitive crafting, can improve collaboration and enhance employees' understanding of their contributions to organizational goals. This study suggests that policies should better support team-based learning, technology, and cross-unit collaboration. Leadership must also promote job crafting implementation to boost employee motivation and commitment to more efficient asset management. This research is expected to provide a foundation for better policies and encourage more efficient and sustainable asset management practices in the future.

Digital learning strategies in residency education

Background New digital learning environments have transformed medical education and training, allowing students and teachers to engage in synchronous, real-time interactions and asynchronous learning activities online. Despite extensive research on the role of digital technologies in education, understanding the interplay between digital technology, work, and learning, especially in complex fields like healthcare, remains a challenge. Objective The objective of this study is to examine resident physicians’ perceptions and experiences of using a digital learning environment as part of their specialist medical training. The paper focuses on digital learning through video conferencing (virtual lectures and seminars) and related learning technologies. It aims to understand how resident physicians perceive pedagogical opportunities and challenges in digital learning environments during their medical training and what strategies they use to address these. Materials and Methods The methodological approach is qualitative, aiming to capture and understand participants’ experiences and views of digital learning. The empirical data gathered from open-ended responses to four course evaluation surveys and semi-structured interviews with nine physicians from a cohort of participants enrolled in two or more digital courses were analyzed through thematic analysis. The analysis revealed three main themes related to digital transformation of learning: sociotechnical, educational and administrative. Results The results suggest that (i) sociotechnical aspects and understanding of the context in which the learning takes place contribute to enhancing digital learning for resident physicians; (ii) insights into participants’ perceptions of digital learning emphasize that interactive communication and group discussions are significant for their learning, and (iii) administrative aspects related to course design, lecture management, and instructional support are more important in digital learning environments compared to traditional teaching and learning. Conclusion Findings from this study confirm and extend prior studies on digital learning in healthcare, contributing to a better understanding of how digital learning environments, especially virtual lectures and seminars, can be developed and integrated into residency programs and health professions education to increase their usefulness.

Association between health checkups, vaccination, and social isolation among people on public assistance: The case of Izumi Public Health and Welfare Center, Sendai City

Objective The healthcare management support program for public assistance recipients has been mandated at all welfare centers since 2021 because the importance of healthcare support for them has recently been recognized in Japan. However, the factors that hinder preventive healthcare service utilization have not been empirically investigated. This survey aimed to identify the relationship between health checkups, vaccination services, and social isolation among people on public assistance.Methods The survey participants were 1,739 public assistance recipients within the jurisdiction of the Public Health and Welfare Center, Izumi Ward, as of January 1, 2022. Data on basic attributes, number of household members, household type, and employment status were obtained from the welfare system. Whether the recipient had received a health checkup or COVID-19 vaccination was determined from the medical receipt. We created four items assessing social isolation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the number of health checkups, vaccination, and social isolation.Results A total of 444 participants (response rate: 25.5%) were included in this analysis. Forty-four (9.9%) participants received a health checkup, and 336 (75.7%) received a vaccination. Logistic regression analysis revealed that attendance at health checkups was positively associated with face-to-face contact, non-face-to-face contact, emotional support, and instrumental support. In particular, the odds ratio of face-to-face contact was 3.59 (95% confidence interval: 1.85-6.94). Vaccination was positively associated with face-to-face contact, non-face-to-face contact, emotional support, and instrumental support. In particular, the odds ratio of instrumental support was 1.58 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.54).Conclusion The findings of this survey revealed that social isolation was an important factor in facilitating the uptake of health checkups and vaccinations among welfare recipients in Sendai. Furthermore, this survey suggests that different types of social support should be incorporated into welfare services depending on the nature of the process by which the recipient accesses preventive services.

Beyond Just “Free Time”—Designing Effective and Lasting Slack Time Programs in Organizations

OVERVIEW Employee slack time programs aim to provide workers with pockets of unscheduled time to pursue innovative ideas, yet their efficacy varies greatly across organizations. This qualitative study explores optimal slack time program conditions. Rather than the traditional view of slack time as unstructured “free time,” the study findings reveal slack time outcomes depend on aligning (1) willing and able individuals through self-selection; (2) a supportive organization that provides management buy-in, psychological safety, mentorship, and appropriate evaluation mechanisms; and (3) a process that serves as a guide and includes a workflow, simple forms, and required interactions with peers and management. We propose a framework that integrates these individual, organizational, and process components. PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS A successful slack time program requires alignment on the individual, organizational, and process level. To maximize the benefits of slack time in your organization, (1) encourage voluntary participation to attract motivated individuals; (2) foster a culture of psychological safety and managerial support; (3) provide mentorship opportunities for participants; (4) implement evaluation criteria that emphasize behavior and action over unpredictable results; and (5) balance autonomy with flexibility through process. Slack time processes should serve as a guide for both scientists and management. A good slack time process harmonizes freedom and creativity with accountability for both scientists and managers through requiring simple documentation and regular interactions between participants, peers, and management.

基于轻量化的 HCES-YOLO 的鸡蛋品质检测算法

The quality detection of eggs based on deep learning faced many problems, such as similar feature colors and low computational efficiency, which resulted in an increased probability of false detection or missed detection. To effectively solve these problems, this paper proposed an egg quality detection method based on YOLOv8n, which integrated the ContextGuideFusionModule, EfficientHead, and SIOU loss functions by improving the backbone network. The recognition rate from the field test was 88.4%, indicating that the algorithm could meet the real-time monitoring requirements, effectively identify the quality status of eggs, and provide support for intelligent poultry house management.

CHRONIC GASTRIC INSTABILITY IN REHABILITATED VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA).

Chronic gastric instability (CGI), potentially part of the gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) syndrome, was identified in four free-ranging Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) treated at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota in Roseville, Minnesota. These individuals displayed lack of expected weight gain, inappetence, gastric gas distension, and delayed gastric emptying time. One was diagnosed with GDV via diagnostic radiology, whereas the other three were diagnosed with suspected CGI using radiographs, ultrasound, and confirmed with exploratory surgery. Clinical signs fully resolved after surgical intervention and supportive management in all four cases. This case series illustrates the clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment of CGI in Virginia opossums.

Electronic records management in government departments and parastatals in Zambia

Traditionally, records have existed as print sources of information. Therefore, many records in most government departments and agencies in many developing countries such as Zambia remain paper records. However, as countries push to implement the concept of e-governance, government departments and agencies are deploying electronic records management systems (ERMS) to manage electronic records. The study employed a survey research design, exploiting purposive sampling method to sample 50 government departments and parastatals. Data was collected from 42 records officers, registry clerks, or officers in charge of managing records through a questionnaire. The collected data was analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The findings reveal that the majority 76% of government departments and parastatals in Zambia kept e-records. Only 24% indicated that they do not keep e-records. The study also shows that the adoption and use of ERMS in government departments and parastatals in Zambia is not widespread. For example, only 9.5% of government departments and parastatals in Zambia have deployed EDRMS commercial software such as TRIM and HP Records Manager. The study further established that inadequate funding was the greatest challenge towards the effective management of e-records, alongside issues such as the absence of clear policies, laws, and standards, lack of qualified staff, inadequate end user ICT infrastructure, and lack of senior management support and corruption.

Enabling Sustainable Diffusion in Supply Chains Through Industry 5.0: An Impact Analysis of Key Enablers for SMEs in Emerging Economies

Industry 5.0 (I5.0) builds upon Industry 4.0 by emphasizing the role of workers in production processes and prioritizing socio-economic-environmental sustainability. It has been shown that I5.0 can enhance sustainability within supply chains (SCs). However, companies in emerging economies, especially small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to developing economies, face challenges in implementing these concepts. These SMEs are in the early stages of adopting I5.0 to foster sustainability in their SCs and require urgent identification of key I5.0 enablers. Unfortunately, the current literature lacks research on this topic specifically within the context of SMEs in emerging economies. To bridge this gap, this study identifies the enablers of I5.0 that promote sustainability diffusion in SCs, using China’s SME manufacturing sector as a case study. The integrated framework for applying multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques in this study aims to assist decision-makers in evaluating different options and making optimal choices in a systematic and structured manner when faced with complex situations. The study employs the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) to identify 15 key I5.0 enablers and categorize them into three clusters. Grey-DEMATEL is subsequently utilized to determine the causal relationships, rank the importance of the enablers, and construct an interrelationship diagram. This study found that ‘availability and functionality of resources’; ‘top management support, active participation, and effective governance’; ‘support from government, regulators, and financial resources’; and ‘introduction of safer and more efficient robotic systems for human–robot interaction and collaboration’ serve as the primary means of resolving issues. Overall, this study helps managers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in I5.0 applications to promote sustainability in the supply chain.

The role of rule-following and accountability leadership and management support in internal control effectiveness moderated by organizational culture

PurposeThe current study intends to explore the internal control effectiveness through leadership who follow rules and emphasize accountability with support from management. It also examines the influence of organizational culture. Current research aims to enhance the internal control effectiveness in organizations by examining leadership roles, support from management and organizational culture specifically in the segment of accounting and finance.Design/methodology/approachThe study surveys professionals from the accounting and finance segment to accumulate insights into the influence of leadership, management support and organizational culture on internal control effectiveness. Statistical tools were applied by using the AMOS and SPSS program to draw practical recommendations for the optimization of internal control mechanisms.FindingsThe findings direct that internal control effectiveness is positively linked to rule-following and accountability leadership while presenting a negative association with top management support. Prominently, organizational culture demonstrates a central moderating role, highlighting its significant influence on internal control effectiveness.Practical implicationsThe study provides real-world insights to aid accounting and finance professionals in implementing effective internal controls. The findings provide actionable recommendations for top management to improve organizational practices and financial processes.Originality/valueThe unique combination of exploring leadership impact, top management support and organizational culture adds value to existing knowledge. The findings provide a novel perspective for practitioners and researchers seeking to enhance internal control mechanisms in organizational settings.

Value engineering implementation in construction projects in Morocco: Awareness, benefits and challenges

Value engineering is a systematic and structured approach that aims to optimize the value of a project by analyzing its components and functions. This article intends to explore the current level of awareness of value engineering, the benefits that can be derived, and the major challenges of successful implementation in construction projects in Morocco. The study was conducted based on a quantitative approach using a structured survey among construction professionals in Morocco. Interviews were carried out with academics, representatives of project owners, technical design offices, and work execution companies, and responses to the questionnaire were collected from various stakeholders in the field of construction in Morocco. The results show that value engineering is still in its infancy in the Moroccan construction sector since 65 percent of respondents are not familiar with the concept of value engineering and only 8% of respondents have implemented value engineering with its recognized standards. The findings have also confirmed the benefits of implementing value engineering in construction projects in Morocco, especially significant potential savings, both initial and Life-Cycle Costs, the reduction of completion times, and early uncovering of potential design deficiencies or alternative approaches. The major challenges emphasized in this study are the understanding and support of top management, the resistance of designers, and the adaptation of the contracts of the stakeholders. This is the first scientific article addressing the value engineering process and its adoption in the construction sector in Morocco. Thus, it could be considered as a first step towards comprehension and vulgarization of value engineering concepts and techniques among construction professionals in Morocco. This study presents for the first time the level of awareness of value engineering in the construction sector in Morocco, demystifies the process as a whole, emphasizes the potential benefits derived from it, and clarifies the major challenges to a successful implementation.

Small smart cities – vision or reality?

Purpose This paper aims to focus on analysing the prerequisites that small cities need to create smart governance, namely, the conditions for establishing smart government, the stakeholder engagement and the tools used in smart governance. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents research results from a questionnaire survey conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of 51 small cities (5,000–49,999 inhabitants) in the Slovak Republic. From an international perspective, they are seen as small cities and cities with a rural feel. The survey’s main objectives are to assess the conditions that must be met in order for smart governance to be developed, as well as to identify stakeholders and provide tools for their engagement. Findings This study shows that the adoption of smart governance in small cities is not greatly affected by the citýs size. Although larger cities may use more smart governance tools, the overall quality of governance remains consistent across cities of different sizes. Moreover, the proximity to a regional capital does not have a significant impact on the implementation of smart governance. This study underscores the need for small cities to focus on internal capabilities, innovative use of existing resources and stakeholder engagement to effectively implement smart governance. Research limitations/implications This paper develops the knowledge on smart governance in small cities, namely, the specifics of smart governance, the stakeholder engagement and the tools used. The research findings may also serve as an inspiration for study conducted elsewhere because the institutional and social environments are comparable in Central and Eastern European nations. Practical implications This study suggests that small cities should prioritise the innovative use of their current resources to implement smart governance. This may involve using strong community networks, focusing on internal capabilities and using low-cost tools. Social implications This paper identifies barriers and formulates recommendations for further development of smart governance in small cities. The research results indicate that even small cities can adopt smart governance practices, despite having fewer resources compared to larger cities. To facilitate this process, political commitment, strategic management support, active community participation and the steady development of the professional, financial and technical infrastructure required to generate smart solutions are all important. Small cities should put more effort into implementing co-creation and co-production techniques to be more creative and effective in allocating resources and responsibilities. Originality/value This paper presents the results of a pilot study and critically compares and discusses them with theoretical assumptions related to the implementation and development of smart governance in small cities.

Estimating Water Depth of Different Waterbodies Using Deep Learning Super Resolution from HJ-2 Satellite Hyperspectral Images

Hyperspectral remote sensing images offer a unique opportunity to quickly monitor water depth, but how to utilize the enriched spectral information and improve its spatial resolution remains a challenge. We proposed a water depth estimation framework to improve spatial resolution using deep learning and four inversion methods and verified the effectiveness of different super resolution and inversion methods in three waterbodies based on HJ-2 hyperspectral images. Results indicated that it was feasible to use HJ-2 hyperspectral images with a higher spatial resolution via super resolution methods to estimate water depth. Deep learning improves the spatial resolution of hyperspectral images from 48 m to 24 m and shows less information loss with peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM), and spectral angle mapper (SAM) values of approximately 37, 0.92, and 2.42, respectively. Among four inversion methods, the multilayer perceptron demonstrates superior performance for the water reservoir, achieving the mean absolute error (MAE) and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 1.292 m and 22.188%, respectively. For two rivers, the random forest model proves to be the best model, with an MAE of 0.750 m and an MAPE of 10.806%. The proposed method can be used for water depth estimation of different water bodies and can improve the spatial resolution of water depth mapping, providing refined technical support for water environment management and protection.

Entity-Driven New Paradigm of Mine Data: Model Construction and Application

In the construction of a three-dimensional real scene (3D real scene) of a mine, we encounter challenges in organizing and correlating multi-source data. To surmount these challenges, we innovatively adopted the entity organization method. We proposed a definition of a “mining entity” and conducted an in-depth analysis of its main characteristics. Based on these characteristics, we classified and coded the main mining entities and further constructed an entity expression pattern layer that could fully reflect the characteristics of the mine. Based on multi-source heterogeneous mine data, we constructed a mining entity data layer. Furthermore, by adopting a graph database approach, we were able to create a graphical representation and correlation application of the complex relationships among mining entities. This work shows that compared to traditional data management methods, a mine data organization approach centered on entities can more effectively integrate and correlate multi-source mine data, providing strong support for the digital management of mines and the construction of 3D real scenes.

Exploring employee engagement in internal branding: a case study of commercial banks in Urban Masvingo

Efficient internal branding is essential for aligning employees with an organization's ideals, especially in service industries such as banking. This study examines the influence of employee engagement on the efficacy of internal branding activities in commercial banks located in Urban Masvingo, with the objective of understanding the impact of these initiatives on staff commitment and service quality. A quantitative survey design was utilised, focussing on management-level employees, shop floor personnel, and customers from certain banks, employing stratified random sampling to guarantee a varied participant pool. The results demonstrate that although the majority of internal branding efforts focus on frontline employees, there is a significant deficiency in engagement among shop floor personnel. The lack of established recognition procedures and allocated funding for internal branding undermines effectiveness. Strong managerial support and employee participation in branding activities were recognised as essential factors for improving engagement and alignment with brand values. To enhance internal branding, banks must to conduct frequent evaluations of employee engagement, incorporate branding into HR operations, establish formal recognition systems, and promote the co-creation of branding initiatives. These measures will foster a unified organisational culture and enhance service performance, hence augmenting brand equity in a competitive marketplace. This report provides actionable ideas for banks to enhance employee involvement in internal branding and sustain a competitive advantage in a fluctuating market..

Ranking of Criteria Affecting the Implementation Readiness of Internet of Things in industries Using TISM and Fuzzy TOPSIS Analysis

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology has emerged as a vital driver across various fields, engaging businesses, platforms, and industries. IoT involves a holistic ecosystem and a value chain that necessitates the evaluation of impactful dimensions for successful implementation. This research employs the TISM method to identify driver and dependent criteria regarding IoT implementation readiness and uses the fuzzy TOPSIS method to rank these criteria. In the initial step, 15 criteria were identified through a review of previous studies. The TISM results reveal five levels reflecting the driver power and dependence of the criteria. Based on these results, “Implementation Knowledge and Expertise (C2)”, “Technical and Infrastructural Readiness (C9)” and “Financial and Investment Readiness (C12)” were placed at level 5, marking them as the most driver criteria. Additionally, “Implementation Roadmap (C8)” was identified as the most dependent criterion at level one. According to the fuzzy TOPSIS results, “Senior Management Support (C6)”, “IoT Usage Culture (C1)”, “Business Model Development Capability (C15)”, “Financial and Investment Readiness (C12)” and “Technical and Infrastructural Readiness (C9)” ranked first to fifth, respectively. The combined results provide valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders involved in IoT implementation. By determining driver and dependent levels and ranking the criteria, industries can effectively prepare for the successful implementation of IoT.

Reducing Cd and Pb Accumulation in Potatoes: The Role of Soil Passivators in Contaminated Mining Soils

This work aimed to explore safe techniques for the utilization of farmland surrounding mining areas contaminated with heavy metals—specifically cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)—in order to achieve food security in agricultural production. A potato variety (Qingshu 9) with high Cd and Pb accumulation was used as the test crop, and seven treatments were set up: control (CK), special potato fertilizer (T1), humic acid (T2), special potato fertilizer + humic acid (T3), biochar (T4), calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (T5), and biochar + calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (T6). The remediation effect of the combined application of different passivators on the accumulation of cadmium and lead in potatoes in the contaminated soil of a mining area was studied. The results showed that, compared with CK, all passivator treatments improved the physical and chemical properties of the soil and reduced the available Cd and Pb content in the soil and in different parts of potatoes. The T6 treatment yielded the most significant reduction in the available Cd and Pb content in the soil, the Cd and Pb content in the potato pulp, and the enrichment factor (BCF) and transfer factor (TF) of the potatoes. Compared with T4 and T5, the content of available Cd in the soil decreased by 1.22% and 4.71%, respectively; the soil available Pb content decreased by 3.13% and 3.02%, respectively; the Cd content in the potato pulp decreased by 68.08% and 31.02%, respectively; and the Pb content decreased by 31.03% and 20.00%, respectively. The results showed that the application of biochar combined with calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer had a better effect in terms of reducing the available Cd and Pb content in the soil and the Cd and Pb content in the potato flesh compared to their individual application. Biochar and calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer can synergistically increase the content of soil available nutrients and reduce the activity of heavy metals in the soil to prevent the transfer and accumulation of cadmium and lead to potatoes, as well as improve their yield and quality. The results of this study provide technical support for safe potato planting and agricultural soil management.