Working Conditions Research Articles

Global-Local Continual Transfer Network for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery

Existing fault diagnosis methods face three fundamental challenges when deployed in the dynamic environment, including insufficient continuous diagnostic capability, poor model generalization performance, and inadequate data privacy protection. To address these problems, we develop a novel continual fault diagnosis framework named Global-Local Continual Transfer Network (GLCTN) for fault classification of unlabeled target samples under different working conditions without any source samples. Specifically, a consistency loss and a mutual information loss are introduced in the proposed GLCTN to transfer the learned diagnostic knowledge. Moreover, a dual-speed optimization strategy is utilized to preserve the acquired diagnostic knowledge and to endow the model with the ability to acquire new knowledge. Validation experiments conducted on an automobile transmission dataset demonstrate that the proposed GLCTN achieves satisfactory diagnostic performance on multiple continuous transfer diagnostic tasks.

Exploring Teacher Job Satisfaction in Regular Basic Education: The Case of Peru

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the educational journey of children and adolescents. This article endeavours to examine whether teacher satisfaction in Peru has seen consistent improvement over time, influenced by various factors such as salary increments, enhancements in infrastructure and working conditions, as well as changes in teaching and learning methodologies. This inquiry stems from the significant increase in government budget allocation to the education sector since 2000, with a notable 546.2% rise in student expenditure at the secondary level. We proposed as research question: “How has job satisfaction been for regular basic education teachers in Peru?” To address this, a qualitative, descriptive, non-experimental approach was adopted, drawing upon data from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) and the Ministry of Education (MINEDU). We found that despite the increase in factors such as salary, budgetary allocation, and job stability within the public sector, teacher satisfaction has not seen the desired improvement. On the contrary, teachers express a sense of unrecognized contributions by their educational institutions. Received: 20 March 2024 / Accepted: 1 November 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Study on the influence characteristics of multi-working condition parameters on membrane electrode type CO2 electrolyzer

The electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into basic chemicals or carbon-based fuels is a promising new strategy for carbon resource utilization. Within this domain, solid-electrolyte CO2 electrolyzer demonstrate significant potential for the continuous production of pure formic acid solutions. This study, leveraging a 4 cm2 visualization electrolyzer, explores the impact of three working condition parameters on performance: working voltage, gas flow rate, and the intermediate chamber water flow rate. It compares the variations in current density, formic acid concentration, and the distribution of liquid water on the cathode side under different working conditions. The results indicate that the working voltage, current density, and formic acid yield are all positively correlated; overly low gas flow rates can lead to CO2 deficiency and diminished electrolyzer performance; concentration control of the formic acid solution is effectively achieved by adjusting the intermediate chamber water flow rate; and during the electrolyzer reaction process, almost all of the liquid water is positioned at the bends downstream of the cathode flow channel.

ANÁLISE DE RISCOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE FRIGORÍFICOS: ESTRATÉGIAS PARA PREVENÇÃO E CONTROLE

This paper is a scientific article whose theme is the analysis of risks in the production of meatpacking plants: strategies for prevention and control. In this environment, workers face physical risks, biological risks and risks of accidents. This is because, in meatpacking plants, we find places where the temperature is extremely low (usually below 0º). Therefore, the function of the PPE provided is to provide safety to avoid humidity, low temperatures, noise, injuries caused by sharp instruments and biological contamination. What strategies should be adopted to prevent and control the occurrence of accidents and/or the spread of diseases in the production line of meatpacking plants, based on risk analysis? The general objective is: to describe what risk management is as well as the best way to apply it in a meatpacking plant to prevent accidents and control occupational diseases. The specific objectives are: to characterize what risk analysis and management are in a meatpacking plant; to present the main characteristics of the production environment as well as the main precautions that should be taken to ensure the physical integrity of the worker; describe the guidelines set out in NR-32 and its determinations for occupational health and safety, especially in companies that work with the slaughter and processing of meat and meat products. The methodology used will be a descriptive and exploratory literature review

A Review of the Links Between Work and Heart Disease in the 21st Century.

This review explores the multifaceted exposures in the workplace that contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including physical, ergonomics, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and emerging occupational hazards. These well-documented occupational hazards have long been linked to heart disease. Exposures arising from these hazards present significant concerns for worker health and safety. Moreover, heat stress is an emerging and increasingly pervasive threat, exacerbated by climate change, particularly in outdoor, high-exposure industries like agriculture and construction. While the epidemiological links between heat and CVD are well established, there is a critical gap in research on the physiological impacts of heat on workers' cardiovascular health. In particular, migrant workers are especially vulnerable to these occupational hazards, particularly in the absence of targeted, equitable interventions. As global temperatures rise, addressing these occupational exposures is important for protecting the cardiovascular health of the workforce and the expanding field of occupational cardiology.

Maternal and newborn health prioritization in Yobe State, Nigeria: analysis of stakeholders' perspective.

Maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in conflict-affected northeastern areas of Nigeria, such as Yobe State, are disproportionately higher than those in the rest of the country. There is limited evidence on the factors that influence maternal and newborn health (MNH) policymaking and implementation in this region, particularly with respect to the impact of conflict and context-specific issues. This study explores the political, economic and health system factors that drive the prioritization of MNH policies in Yobe State. The aim of this study was to elucidate the conflict-related factors influencing MNH outcomes, which could inform targeted interventions to improve MNH. The study is a descriptive case study that relies on multiple data sources and is guided by the Health Policy Analysis Triangle. We reviewed national and subnational research, technical reports and policies related to reproductive health and the MNH in Nigeria since 2010. Following stakeholder mapping, we identified and invited prospective participants in the MNH policymaking space. Nineteen stakeholders from the government, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, donor agencies, and public and private sector health providers in Yobe State participated in the semistructured in-depth interviews. Data were collected from November 2022 through January 2023 and were thematically analysed via Dedoose software. MNH services in Yobe State have received considerable attention through initiatives such as the National Midwifery Service Scheme, free MNH services, training of midwives with deployment to rural areas, and health facility renovations. The effective implementation of MNH services and policies faces challenges due to insufficient funding, and sustainability is hampered by changes in governance and political transitions. The Boko Haram insurgency exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yobe State and disrupted MNH services due to the displacement of populations and the decline in the number of health workers. Additionally, sociocultural and religious beliefs hinder timely access to and utilization of MNH services. Although policies and guidelines for MNH services exist in the state, they are inadequately disseminated to health providers, which affects their effective implementation across facilities. Collaboration and intersectoral coordination platforms exist, but competition and rivalries among unions, political entities, and implementing agencies sometimes impede progress. Enhancing MNH services in Yobe state requires increased commitment for funding through the Northeast Development Commission rehabilitation fund; strengthening the health workforce, safety and retention plan; promoting gender inclusivity within the health sector; and addressing sociocultural barriers to women's health-seeking behaviors. Concrete, time-bound plans for policy dissemination are necessary to ensure effective service implementation.

Continuous work-related sitting time and its association with perceived workplace support for health among workers in the Greater Accra Municipality: a cross-sectional analysis with sensitivity analyses

BackgroundResearch to date has shown that work-related sitting time can be a major occupational health risk. This understanding has encouraged several workplace health promotion efforts. Even so, some domains of work-related sitting time and their associations with Perceived Workplace Support for Health (PWSH) have not been considered in research. This study aims to compare domains of work-related sitting time between employee characteristics (e.g., gender and age) and assess their associations with PWSH.MethodsThis study adopted a cross-sectional design with a sensitivity analysis against confounding and measures against common methods bias. The study population was employees of private and public firms in Accra, Ghana. In all, 1000 employees participated in the study. The hierarchical linear regression analysis and the independent samples t-test were used to present the results.ResultsEmployees working in service firms, compared with those working in manufacturing firms, reported longer sitting time for lunchtime. After adjusting for physical function, we found a negative association between PWSH and the sum of continuous sitting time as well as its domains (p < 0.001), except for ‘sitting with a desk’ (p > 0.05).ConclusionWork-related sitting time was associated with employee characteristics and was lower at higher PWSH. This study reinforces the importance of workplace support for health and its role in work-related sitting.

The effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement on self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms and work ability: a cluster randomised clinical trial.

Problem-solving interventions with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) have been shown to reduce sick leave and increase return to work in an occupational health services context. However, many employees struggle with reduced work functioning, anxiety-, and depressive symptoms up to 12months after a sick leave episode, and it is unclear if the intervention affects outcomes other than sick leave. The aim of this study is to investigate if a PSI-WPI added to care as usual (CAU) is superior to CAU with respect to self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms, work ability, work performance, and health after RTW when provided in primary care. Employed individuals aged 18-59years on sick leave (2 to 12weeks) diagnosed by a physician at a primary care center with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorder were enrolled in a two-armed cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a PSI-WPI. Multiple outcomes were recorded at baseline, six months, 12months, and every fourth week during the study period. Outcomes were categorised into psychological symptoms, health, work ability, work performance, and self-reported sick leave. Data were analysed using MANOVA, GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations), and cox regression. One hundred ninety-nine individuals responded to the invitation to participate; one participant withdrew, one was excluded as the employment ended, nine did not answer the baseline survey, and three were removed from the analysis due to missing data. The analysis included 81 subjects who received the intervention and 104 subjects who received the control. Baseline characteristics were similar across both groups. No differences between the groups were found among either variables except one. There was a significant difference between the groups in self-rated health (EQ5D) in favour of the CAU group from baseline to six-month follow-up, with a mean difference of -8.44 (-14.84, -2.04). A problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement added to CAU did not result in statistically significant reductions in outcomes. Further research is needed to understand why problem-solving interventions appear to have an effect on sick leave in an occupational health services context and not in a primary care context. NCT3346395, registration date 2017-11-17.

Determining the effect levels of augmented decent work criteria in sustainable economic development with the fuzzy DEMATEL method

Creating decent work is among the priority issues for sustainable employment and development. This study aimed to determine the effect levels of the International Labour Organization (ILO) decent work criteria by augmenting nine indicators in the ILO manual to 12 criteria through a comprehensive literature review. Fuzzy DEMATEL, a multi-criteria decision-making method, has been preferred in this context. According to the analysis results of the study, the most heavily ranked criteria are ‘healthy workplace environment’, ‘decent working hours’ and ‘safe working conditions’ respectively, which contribute to the decent work concept. Further, ‘balance between work–family–personal life’ has been found the most affected criterion, while ‘education and training system’ has been the most affecting. Based on the findings, remedial and developing strategies are suggested on issues such as corporate culture, working hours regulation, safe working environment, subordinate–superior relations, social activities and regulations that take family life into account.

Extraction of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine by modified graphene oxide solid phase extraction method coupled to HPLC-UV in urine sample.

Methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, and related drugs are among the first drugs used for the stimulation of the central nervous system. In this study, two adsorbents based on graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized and used for the analysis of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine. The prepared nano-adsorbents based on GO in this study were coated by polyaniline (PANI) and Fe3O4/C-nanodot/GO (magnetic adsorbent). The average size of nanoparticles (GO/PANI) was 18.43nm. The specific surface area and pore size diameter of Fe3O4/C-nanodot/GO were 22.71 m2 g- 1 and 15.23nm, respectively. Experimental variables affecting the extraction efficiency of the analytes such as pH of the sample solution, amount of adsorbent, extraction time, and type of eluents were investigated and optimized by response surface methodology. Under optimum conditions, GO/PANI and Fe3O4/C-nanodot/GO were considered appropriate solid phase extraction adsorbents for HPLC-based analyses of the studied drugs in human urine samples. However, GO/Fe3O4 nano adsorbent (Fe3O4/C-nanodot/GO) showed superior working condition than GO/PANI. The validated proposed analytical methods can be used for the quantitative determination of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine in actual samples.

Cylindrical Composite Structural Design for Underwater Compressed Air Energy Storage

Abstract The utilization of renewable energy sources is pivotal for future energy sustainability. However, the effective utilization of this energy in marine environments necessitates the implementation of energy storage systems to compensate for energy losses induced by intermittent power usage. Underwater compressed air energy storage (UWCAES) is a cost-effective and emission-free method for storing energy underwater. This technology has proven to be effective and viable, and it offers significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability. In this paper, a cylindrical composite structure UWCAES tank is designed. At first, the materials and shapes of the different forms of air containers were evaluated, and the relationship between container diameter, length, and number of air containers was analyzed on the basis of the range of energy storage densities for different kinds of systems. Subsequently, the materials to be applied in the tanks were investigated and selected according to the actual working conditions of the system. Eventually, finite element models (FEMs) and prediction formula were developed, and the influence of changes in the thicknesses of the steel reinforcement was discussed. The results demonstrated that the storage tank possesses adequate environmental resistance and load-bearing capacity, which can provide a reference for its practical engineering implementation.

Impact of Organic Farming in Economic Development in Agriculture

Organic farming is valued for its self-sustaining, environmentally friendly methods that protect surrounding ecosystems of plants and animals. It reduces weed growth through techniques like crop rotation and integrates traditional knowledge alongside natural processes. This approach optimizes inputs, strengthens regenerative abilities, and ensures effective conservation of resources and nutrients. The cost-benefit ratio in sustainable agriculture is notably better, as it requires fewer primary inputs compared to conventional methods, which often incur high costs for fertilizers and pesticides, lowering profit margins. Additionally, conventional farming's heavy reliance on chemicals can lead to significant health risks, both mental and physical. Organic farming, by following natural principles and using non-synthetic, traditional practices, creates a balanced environment that allows crops to thrive. This approach helps counteract the negative impacts of chemical-dependent agriculture, increasing production sustainably and supporting population growth without harming the ecosystem. Core principles of organic farming include health, ecology, fairness, and care. The benefits range from natural pest and disease resistance, specialization potential, healthier soil, support for pollinators, no GMO concerns, safer work conditions for farmers, and on-farm input production. Farmers and companies must meet stringent, government-approved standards, undergo regular certification, and comply with inspections to ensure the high quality of organic products produced with renewable resources. This paper aims to delve into the origins of organic farming, its environmental, social, economic, and agricultural advantages, and underscore its importance for the future. Similarly, on a larger scale, it can provide rural populations with greater earnings, better resource management and more chances to generate revenue Keywords: Organic Farming, Sustainability, Farmers, Health, Ecology.

Long Working Hours, Work-life Imbalance, and Poor Mental Health: A Cross-sectional Mediation Analysis Based on the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey, 2020-2021.

There has been growing concern about the negative mental health impact of long working hours and overwork. Our study examined how work-life imbalance (WLI) could be a mediator between working hours and poor mental well-being. We included 34,968 individuals from a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Korea. Self-reported working hours per week were collected, and mental health was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index. Counterfactual-based mediation models were employed to disentangle the total effects into a direct effect (work hour - poor mental health) and an indirect effect (work hour - WLI - poor mental health). Out of 34,968 participants, 52.6% worked 35-40 hours/week, 20.0% worked 41-48 hours/week, 11.7% worked 49-54 hours/week, and 15.6% worked ≥55 hours/week. The odds ratios (ORs) of the total impact of working hours on poor mental health were 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.16) for 41-48 hours/week, 1.28 (95% CI, 1.17-1.39) for 49-54 hours/week, and 1.60 (95% CI, 1.48-1.74) for ≥55 hours/week in comparison to 35-40 hours/week. The ORs of the indirect effects were 1.04 (95% CI, 1.03-1.05) for 41-48 hours/week, 1.08 (95% CI, 1.07-1.09) for 49-54 hours/week, and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.12-1.16) for ≥55 hours/week, accounting for 51%, 31%, and 28% of the total effects, respectively. Our findings suggest that WLI can partially mediate the association of long working hours with mental health deterioration. Policy efforts are required to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of overwork.

Work Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Burnout and Its Consequences, Using a Structural Model, in Air Cabin Crew Members

Burnout is an emerging socio-labor phenomenon, where this problem is particularly relevant in airline cabin crew members, who face important psychosocial demands and difficult working conditions. This study aimed to analyze job satisfaction and its relationship with burnout and its consequences (family–work conflict (FWC), work–family conflict (WFC), and psychosomatic disorders), through structural models. The sample consisted of 732 workers in the aeronautical sector (204 men/28% and 528 women/72%), aged between 19 and 53 years (M = 33.56, dt = 6.62). The hypotheses were tested using a path model. The selected hypothesized model [where work satisfaction is associated according to the relationships established burnout model showed an adequate fit of the data, including a mediating role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and FWC (where FWC was associated with WFC and psychosomatic disorders). The findings of this study provide further insight into the problematic experience and development of burnout in airline cabin crews, in turn providing new evidence on the bidirectional and reciprocal relationships of FWC.

High-sensitivity and high-resolution triboelectric acoustic sensor for mechanical equipment monitoring

Traditional sensors for mechanical equipment monitoring often face challenges such as high cost, difficult installation and removal, and reliance on power sources. Herein, we introduced a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membrane doped with BaTiO3 for constructing a triboelectric acoustic sensor (PB-TAS), innovatively designed for monitoring and recognizing the working conditions of mechanical equipment. This represents the first application of a triboelectric acoustic sensor for mechanical equipment monitoring. The PB-TAS demonstrates an ultra-broad frequency response range of 20–20,000 Hz, effectively covering the characteristic frequency spectrum (within 2000 Hz) during piston pump operation. It also exhibits extraordinarily sensitivity of 4.40 V Pa−1 at 85 dB, and ultra-high frequency resolution down to 0.1 Hz, enabling precise matching of the piston pump's acoustic characteristic frequencies. Integrated with deep learning techniques, the PB-TAS achieves real-time recognition of 15 distinct working conditions of a piston pump, with an impressive accuracy of 95.2 %. The PB-TAS, boasting exceptional sensitivity and frequency resolution, offers a cost-effective, miniaturized, self-powered, non-contact, and highly accurate solution for intelligent monitoring of hydraulic piston pumps.

Research on the Propagation Law of Fire Smoke on the Working Face of a Belt Conveyor

In view of the spread and distribution of high-temperature toxic smoke on the working face during belt conveyor fires, the FDS was used to carry out numerical simulation, establish a belt conveyor fire simulation model, set up a variety of working conditions, and study the flue gas spread of the working face with different ignition source locations and different heat release rates. The results show that the flue gas reaching the working face varies greatly from different ignition source locations, and the smoke propagation time of the working face decreases first and then increases with the increase in the scale of the fire. The location of the fire source is from 0 to 700 m, and the visibility of the working face will drop to less than 3 m within 10 min, which seriously affects emergency evacuation; the maximum concentration of CO in the working face is proportional to the heat release rate, the fire source is less than 100 m away from the working face, and the temperature of the air inlet area of the working face is higher than 60 °C, which poses a great threat to personnel evacuation. When the fire source is less than 200 m away from the working face, the evacuees will encounter smoke damage on the working face, and when the fire scale reaches 4 MW and 6 MW, the CO concentration will have a great impact on the evacuation and make people incapacitated.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATION OF CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN PRISONS

The research aims to develop recommendations for the organization of care in primary health care in prisons. An integrative review was used, which covered 267 articles in databases such as SciELO, PubMed and LILACS, resulting in the final selection of 12 studies. The research included articles published between 2019 and 2024, with some texts from previous years due to their methodological relevance. The main findings highlight the importance of intersectorality, continuous training of professionals and gender-sensitive health policies. Challenges include the precariousness of working conditions and the need to adapt the PNAISP to better serve different groups, especially women. The conclusion stated that the organization of health care in primary care in prisons requires an integrated and intersectoral approach, based on evidence and solid public policies. The work emphasizes the importance of humanized practices and collaboration between health and justice to ensure equity in access to health for the population deprived of liberty (PDL).

Piezoelectric deicing system for aeronautics: Extensional mode actuator and power supply

AbstractRecent research shows a growing interest in low‐power avionic deicing systems, in particular, those based on piezoelectric actuators for their energy efficiency. The system generates micrometric vibrations in the structure to delaminate and break the ice with a low power requirement. However, designing the power supply and its control for driving piezoelectric actuators is challenging due to their distinctive capacitive behavior at most frequencies, especially in deicing applications requiring high operational frequency. This contribution addresses the two cross‐dependent parts of the deicing system, that is the piezoelectric actuator designed for breaking any kind of ice on a large area and its power supply made of a 1 kW/200 V/2 MHz auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter (ARCPI). The choice of this converter is based on the specific constraints of the application, such as varying the operating frequency with the actuator working conditions, the long cables and necessary insulation between the actuator and its supply, the soft‐switching operation and reactive energy balancing for a good efficiency. Based on these criteria, the converter was developed and realized in the laboratory. Deicing tests confirmed effective operation with a power input density of 122 mW/cm2, using nine piezoelectric patches per dm2.

Addressing “Idealism Exploitation” Through Unionization: Causes and Outcomes of Nonprofit Worker Labor Organizing in the U.S

Through in-depth interviews with nonprofit workers and full-time union organizers in the nonprofit sector, this qualitative study examines the causes, outcomes, and workers’ perceptions of the recent nonprofit worker unionization movement. We found that chronic low pay, substandard working conditions, and a concern for compromised services to clients were the impetus for workers’ labor organizing. Interviews revealed that existing unionization efforts yielded significant wins for workers. This shows that nonprofit organizations could figure out resources to reprioritize labor costs even though they face constraints by funders. Unionization also benefited nonprofit management, including favorable work policies applying to managers and reduced staff turnover. Previous literature suggests that the highly gendered and value-based labor dynamic in nonprofits is a barrier to labor organizing. We found that workers are reevaluating this sacrificing, “labor-of-love” logic and aligning workers’ rights with clients’ rights. This has transformed a barrier to a powerful facilitator for labor organizing.

UNVEILING FACTORS INFLUENCING RESEARCH HESITANCY AND LIMITED RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT AMONG FILIPINO BEGINNING TEACHERS

This descriptive qualitative study explores factors contributing to research hesitancy and limited research engagement experienced by Filipino beginning teachers. By employing in-depth individual interviews and a virtual focus group discussion, the study gathered insights from 21 purposively selected beginning teachers. Participants were required to meet all inclusion criteria to be part of the study. Template analysis was used to interpret the data gathered. The participants highlighted poor research foundations, demanding work conditions, lack of mentoring, perceived lack of professional competence, and preoccupation with personal issues as factors contributing to their research hesitance and limited research engagement. A significant finding revealed that many beginning teachers are preoccupied with personal issues, which often hinder their ability to balance personal and professional responsibilities. This highlights the complex interplay between personal struggles and professional challenges that novice educators face, an underexplored area in research. Studying the topic qualitatively allowed for a deeper understanding of these various challenges, bringing to light personal and professional struggles that may not have been fully captured through quantitative methods alone, providing a more complete picture of the issue. Findings also suggest a need for targeted interventions, such as enhanced research instruction, structured mentoring systems, manageable teaching responsibilities, and in-service training, to empower and support beginning teachers in their research journey. This study has significant implications for teacher preparation programs and school administrators, aiming to foster a research-oriented culture and enhance research engagement among early-career educators. Further investigation into how personal issues affect research skills development could help design more effective support strategies.