Journal articles on the topic 'Site-oriented risk assessment'

Purpose Worldwide, natural hazards are affecting urban cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites, exacerbating other environmental and human-induced threats deriving from deterioration, uncontrolled urbanization and unsustainable tourism. This paper aims to develop a disaster risk analysis in Italian historic centers because they are complex large-scale systems that are cultural and economic resources for the country, as well as fragile areas. Design/methodology/approach A heritage-oriented qualitative methodology for risk assessment is proposed based upon the formalization of risk as a function of hazard, vulnerability and exposure, taking into account the values of cultural heritage assets. Findings This work provides a contribution to the body of knowledge in the Italian context of disaster risk mitigation on World Heritage Sites, opening for further research on the monitoring and maintenance of the tangible heritage assets. The application to the site of San Gimignano proves the effectiveness of the methodology for proposing preventive measures and actions that ensure the preservation of cultural values and a safer built environment. Originality/value The application of a value-based simplified approach to risk analysis is a novelty for historic centers that are listed as World Heritage Sites.

At all stages of the production of microbiological nutrient media (MNM), the manufacturer, and in particular, the microbiological laboratories that manufacture the media on site, face many operational risks. The presence of such risks, in almost every critical point of production and further operation of the MNM, is due to the presence of common basic requirements for all MNM, which must be taken into account and respected during their development and preparation; as well as the complexity and laboriousness of the very process of manufacturing high-quality differential-diagnostic and other nutrient media, requiring the availability of all the components necessary for preparing these media, equipment, sterile conditions and qualified personnel. In this regard, there is a need to search for effective methods to identify and prevent undesirable situations associated with the production and use of MNM. The aim of this work was to adapt the risk assessment methodology based on the expert method for analyzing the types and consequences of FMEA failures (Failure Mode Effect Analysis) set out in GOST R ISO 31010-2011 for the needs of microbiological laboratories, including those for veterinary and sanitary expertise, producing microbiological nutrient environments and using them. As part of this work, a comparative analysis of risk assessment methods was carried out in order to select the optimal one; adaptation of the QMS principle - risk-oriented thinking and the FMEA method for risk assessment in the implementation of MNM manufacturing processes in a microbiological laboratory (for example, solid agar media); risk assessment protocol forms were developed; calculations of a quantitative assessment of risk levels were carried out in order to determine the need for preventive actions and their implementation in order to minimize the negative consequences of risk in case of its implementation using the developed protocols. The results showed that this technique can be successfully implemented and used in the claimed area.

Construction companies are under pressure to enhance their site safety condition, being constantly challenged by rapid technological advancements, growing public concern, and fierce competition. To enhance construction site safety, literature investigated Machine Learning (ML) approaches as risk assessment (RA) tools. However, their deployment requires knowledge for selecting, training, testing, and employing the most appropriate ML predictor. While different ML approaches are recommended by literature, their practicality at construction sites is constrained by the availability, knowledge, and experience of data scientists familiar with the construction sector. This study develops an automated ML system that automatically trains and evaluates different ML to select the most accurate ML-based construction accident severity predictors for the use of construction professionals with limited data science knowledge. A real-life accident dataset is evaluated through automated ML approaches: Auto-Sklearn, AutoKeras, and customized AutoML. The investigated AutoML approaches offer higher scalability, accuracy, and result-oriented severity insight due to their simple input requirements and automated procedures.

Effective safety management is a key aspect of managing construction projects. Current safety management practices are heavily document-oriented that rely on historical data to identify potential hazards at a construction job site. Such document-bound safety practices are prone to interpretative and communication errors in multilingual construction environments, such as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Applications of Building Information Models (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) are claimed to improve hazards identification and communication in comparison to 2-D static drawings by simulating job-site conditions and safety implications and thus can interactively educate the job-site crew to enhance their understanding of the on-site conditions and safety requirements. This paper presents findings of a case study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of 4-Dimensional (4-D) BIM and VR in simulating job-site safety instructions for a multilingual construction crew at a project in the UAE. 4-D BIM-enabled VR simulations, in lieu of the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHAD) code of practice, were developed and tested through risk assessment and safety training exercises for the job-site crew. The results showed a significant improvement in the job-site crew’s ability to recognize a hazard, understand safety protocols, and incorporate proactive risk response in mitigating the hazards. This study concludes that 4-D BIM-enabled VR visualization can improve information flow and knowledge exchange in a multilingual environment where jobsite crew do not speak a common language and cannot understand written safety instructions, manuals, and documents in any common language due to linguistic diversity. The findings of this study are useful in communicating safety instructions, and safety training, in the UAE, as well as in international projects.

The Italian “Guidelines for risk classification and management, security assessment and monitoring of existing bridges”, published in 2020 after the collapse of the Polcevera viaduct in Northern Italy, present a multilevel methodology that involves on-site operators and universities/research centers carrying out and validating a management process from on-site survey to the bridges’ condition assessment. The main goals of this process are to acquire appropriate knowledge of the current state and its evolution over time of the overall buildings that compose the infrastructures, with the aim to support the managing companies in a decision-making process and the purpose of guaranteeing service in full safety. In particular, the guidelines propose the use of engineered software platforms for data digitalization of the structures with the aim to create a Building Management System (BMS) in which the main historical and current state information is collected and can then be uploaded continually. In 2020, the CUGRI (Inter-University Research Center for the Prediction and Prevention of Major Hazards) and the SAM (Southern Highways Company) launched an innovative surveillance management model established on a multidisciplinary approach based on Geography Markup Language (GML), BIM tools, on-site interdisciplinary inspections, and multi-hazard analysis. The experimented methodology provides the on-site training of inspectors, the elaboration of suitable BIM models according to the above guidelines, and AINOP (National Archive of Public Infrastructures) requirements, and an expert judgement process for preliminary bridge assessment and data validation to support the maintenance managing process. The study presents an innovative operative model for the surveillance process, which integrates on-site expeditious inspections and multidisciplinary expert judgements by using an appropriate digitalization of the bridges with BIM and GIS technologies. The paper illustrates the experimental methodology performed on the A3 highway, which connects Naples to Salerno in Southern Italy, highlighting issues and opportunities, moreover in a first interdisciplinary contribution of object-oriented landslide mapping modelling.

In this paper, we assess the economic and financial impacts of the proposed Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project. Our assessment following Zou et. al. (2018) suggests that, over the long run, the project may increase the combined income of Jakarta, the neighbouring province Karawang and the country’s major industrial centre Bandung, by an estimated 12-18%, by increasing ‘market access’, by the firms in the region, under several assumptions. We estimated that the project will increase Indonesian real GDP by almost 0.4%, mostly during its construction phase, with certain assumptions on the returns to capital. On the other hand, although the project is expected to generate over 40,000 jobs in Indonesia, according to several sources, the project may entail an immediate loss of over 2,000 traditional jobs around the track. In addition, Transit Oriented Development plans, such as tourist spot in Walini, residential complex around the project site etc. are likely to affect community farming and water supply in the region. Therefore, we assessed that the success of the project is subjected to several legal and institutional barriers including ongoing issues related to the land acquisition. The sluggish progress of the project exerts financial risk to the stakeholders, especially since the project has no ‘guarantee’ from the Indonesian government. We estimated that the China Development Bank, as a majority fundraiser, bears a significantly large portion of the risk than the other stakeholders in the project. The financial risks faced by the Indonesian counterpart, on the other hand, is significantly lower. Keywords : High-speed rail, market access, economic growth, risks,

Accidents occurring during the process of gas pipelines testing are characterized by the impossibility of the occurrence of thermal radiation of jet flames and fire in the pit-damaging factors dominating the operation stage of the facility. In addition, what is happening cannot be accompanied by the baric effect of chemical explosions. However, taking into account the significant increase in pressure in the gas pipeline during pneumatic tests, such damaging factors of the accident as the scattering of fragments, the pressure effect of a high-speed jet and the baric effect of the primary shock wave are amplified. The issue of ensuring the safety of personnel present near the test site becomes relevant. As a result, the need occurs to determine precisely the safe distances to the gas pipeline. Protective zones for the population are also established based on the identified safe distances. Within the framework of the risk-oriented approach, the procedure for determining safe distances is reduced to calculating the distances at which damaging factors lose their damaging properties. When assigning protective zones, it is required to consider the possibility of changing the indicator under consideration, due to probable errors of personnel in the preparation and conduct of tests. Even non-critical miscalculations can significantly affect the determination of a safe distance. The article presents an assessment of the relative values of safe distances, taking into account possible violations of the regulations regarding backfilling and filling with water or air, during hydraulic or pneumatic tests of gas pipelines. Relative values of safe distances are also established in terms of the scattering of fragments and the impact of an air shock wave of a physical explosion on people and building objects.

<strong>Background: </strong>We leveraged the data of the international CREACTIVE consortium to investigate whether the outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) in hospitals without on-site neurosurgical capabilities (no-NSH) would differ had the same patients been admitted to ICUs in hospitals with neurosurgical capabilities (NSH).<strong>Methods: </strong>The CREACTIVE observational study enrolled more than 8000 patients from 83 ICUs. Adult TBI patients admitted to no-NSH ICUs within 48 h of trauma were propensity-score matched 1:3 with patients admitted to NSH ICUs. The primary outcome was the 6-month extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E), while secondary outcomes were ICU and hospital mortality.<strong>Results: </strong>A total of 232 patients, less than 5% of the eligible cohort, were admitted to no-NSH ICUs. Each of them was matched to 3 NSH patients, leading to a study sample of 928 TBI patients where the no-NSH and NSH groups were well-balanced with respect to all of the variables included into the propensity score. Patients admitted to no-NSH ICUs experienced significantly higher ICU and in-hospital mortality. Compared to the matched NSH ICU admissions, their 6-month GOS-E scores showed a significantly higher prevalence of upper good recovery for cases with mild TBI and low expected mortality risk at admission, along with a progressively higher incidence of poor outcomes with increased TBI severity and mortality risk.<strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our study, centralization of TBI patients significantly impacted short- and long-term outcomes. For TBI patients admitted to no-NSH centers, our results suggest that the least critically ill can effectively be managed in centers without neurosurgical capabilities. Conversely, the most complex patients would benefit from being treated in high-volume, neuro-oriented ICUs.

Abstract The last 2 decades have seen growing recognition of the need to appropriately identify and treat children with osteoporotic fractures. This focus stems from important advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of bone fragility, the natural history and predictors of fractures in chronic conditions, the use of bone-active medications in children, and the inclusion of bone health screening into clinical guidelines for high-risk populations. Given the historic focus on bone densitometry in this setting, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry published revised criteria in 2013 to define osteoporosis in the young, oriented towards prevention of overdiagnosis given the high frequency of extremity fractures during the growing years. This definition has been successful in avoiding an inappropriate diagnosis of osteoporosis in healthy children who sustain long bone fractures during play. However, its emphasis on the number of long bone fractures plus a concomitant bone mineral density (BMD) threshold ≤ −2.0, without consideration for long bone fracture characteristics (eg, skeletal site, radiographic features) or the clinical context (eg, known fracture risk in serious illnesses or physical-radiographic stigmata of osteoporosis), inappropriately misses clinically relevant bone fragility in some children. In this perspective, we propose a new approach to the definition and diagnosis of osteoporosis in children, one that balances the role of BMD in the pediatric fracture assessment with other important clinical features, including fracture characteristics, the clinical context and, where appropriate, the need to define the underlying genetic etiology as far as possible.

One of the most important problems that multinational organizations are dealing with in risk-oriented supply chains is efficiency assessment and choosing the best low-risk financial institution for financial assistance. We provide an integrated approach for evaluating the unpredictable, dangerous, and fragile arrangement of the financial sector, which directly affects the supply chain network's processing stages. This model is supported by fuzzy-soft tools. The real economy is currently under pressure from both the domestic economic crisis and the decline in international commerce. President Xi Jinping has often suggested stepping up initiatives to assist the real economy's high-quality growth. In this regard, the development of the model for supply chain financing offers a fresh approach to resolving the funding issues faced by businesses. To tackle the financial issues facing the marketplace, we should use the chain of custody finance model, but we also need to thoroughly understand the risks associated with it and how to manage them. False trade orders and insufficient control over core businesses are difficulties that the present logistics finance risk management must deal with. The World Wide Web, big data, and block chain technologies are all blooming, opening new avenues for risk management in block chain finance. As a result, the goal of this essay is to examine the features of supply chain finance based on the technology of block chain, examine the risks associated with financing supply chains, and debate how to use block chain innovation for supply chain banking risk management.[4] Risk Financing: To assist organizations in transferring or reducing supply chain risks, financial institutions offer risk financing solutions including insurance &amp; alternative risk transfer methods. The creation of novel risk financing products, evaluation of their performance, and comprehension of the effects on the resilience of supply chains can all be the subject of research. Financial institutions provide supply chain financing options like factoring, discounted invoices, and supply link finance programmed that help businesses manage their working capital, improve cash flow, and lower the risk of supplier failure to pay or insolvency. The effects of different financing choices on supplier relationships, supply chain stability, and overall risk reduction may be studied. Financial institutions collaborate with businesses to detect and classify different supply chain risks. An extensive investigation of the supply network environment, encompassing suppliers, transportation, logistics, and market dynamics, is required in this phase. Data gathering techniques used may include questionnaires, interviews, &amp; site visits. In the above rank one is axis, and the last one is Punjab national bank. Financial Institution in Supply Chain Risk Management In the above rank one is axis, and the last one is Punjab national bank.

One of the directions of the economic development of the state is the construction industry, in which the issues of labor protection and improving safety are extremely acute, since its effective growth depends on the solution of this issue. With the development of scientific and technological progress, as well as digital technologies, the question of the possible application of this area in matters of ensuring the safety of production processes becomes relevant. Today, in the construction industry, BIM technologies are actively being used. BIM (Building Information Modeling) - Building information modeling is the process of creating an integrated model of the future construction project, which includes all stages of the life cycle of the project from the design stage to the dismantling stage. BIM technology is the very tool that shows how to improve the interaction of all project participants. BIM is based on a three-dimensional information model. The information model of the building means obtaining full information about the future construction site according to the most popular sections of the design documentation. This technology is a universal information platform that allows you to integrate various software modules into the BIM model of investment and construction projects. Thanks to this approach, it became possible to digitize construction production while monitoring the safety of work, as well as labor protection using a risk-oriented approach. Considering the application of this technology and the result, it can be seen that all research is aimed mainly at the work of designers. However, if we consider BIM technology as an information platform (base) on which new software products (complexes) can be superimposed, then we can create a qualitatively different approach in the application of this technology. In particular, it is possible to review the approach to the assessment of industrial safety and labor protection, in another perspective to approach the scheduling of construction schedules, consider the possibility of applying such programs in the assessment of construction and installation risks during the implementation of the investment and construction project. The article discusses 3D modeling of objects, such as a construction site. Individual areas with boundary assignment were analyzed to assess the degree of safety in these areas. To assess the state of labor protection, a breakdown of the studied object to 100 square meters was adopted. The stage of determining the most hazardous production factors, as well as possible risks that may be involved in the construction work has been investigated. According to the results of ranking of hazardous and harmful production factors, hazard zones are determined regardless of the type of construction and installation work. Based on the distribution of hazard zones (boundaries), it is possible to rank safety levels that characterize the safety situation at the construction site. The Construction Safety Index allows you to identify the processes and factors that most affect labor safety, which makes it possible for inspectors to most effectively correct the selection of protective measures at the construction site.

Labor safety in the mining industry is a set of measures aimed at improving the production environment that affects the health and operability of a person at work and the continuous professional development of employees. The objective assessment of safety of all stages of the production process is a crucial aspect of the enterprise’s activities. It is based on compliance with the requirements of regulatory authorities in the field of labor protection and industrial safety, occupational standards as characteristics of labor conditions, qualifications and professional competence of an employee, as well as compliance with the federal state educational standards as a basis of training of a specialist or a worker who are the main participants of the technological process in mining. The formation of professional competencies of each employee that ensure safe operation at the site or enterprise, the in-depth knowledge, development of operational algorithms, and the skill to perform technological operations at the workplace primarily depend on the basic education of employees obtained under the programs of secondary vocational education. The Federal State Educational Standards existing since 2013 became outdated and were gradually updated in 2022–2023. The training terms were normatively determined within the framework of the federal project «Professionalism» which aimed to resume close cooperation between educational organizations and enterprises. Educational organizations were enabled to increase the time to practice. The qualification of graduates under skilled worker training programs has become universal and does not specify the type of activity, whereas a new type of professional activity, namely ensuring the functioning of the occupational health and industrial safety management system at the site (or enterprise), was introduced for midlevel specialists. All this should ensure the future training of new personnel in compliance with the requirements of Federal Law of July 21, 1997 № 116–FZ «On industrial safety of hazardous production facilities» and the Russian Federation Government Decree of August 17, 2016 № 806 «On application of the risk-oriented approach in the organization of certain types of state control (supervision) and introducing amendments to some acts of the Government of the Russian Federation».

IntroductionFamilies in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) face multiple challenges (eg, poverty and adverse childhood experiences) that increase the risk for child mental health problems, while the context may provide them with few resources. Existing prevention-oriented parenting programmes have been shown to be effective in reducing child behaviour problems and associated risk factors. This project has the overall goal of adapting, implementing and testing a parenting intervention in three Southeastern European LMIC and uses the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy and dimensions of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework. It is implemented over three phases: (1) preparation, (2) optimisation and (3) evaluation. The preparation phase, the subject of this paper, involves the adaptation and feasibility piloting of the parenting programme.Methods and analysisThis protocol describes the assessment of an evidence-informed indicated prevention programme for families with children aged 2–9 years (Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children) for implementation in FYR of Macedonia, Republic of Moldova and Romania. In this phase, officials, experts, parents and practitioners are interviewed to explore their views of suitability and needs for further adaptation. In addition, a small pre–post pilot study will test the feasibility of the programme and its implementation as well as the evaluation measures in the three countries with 40 families per country site (n=120). Quantitative data analysis will comprise a psychometric analysis of measures, testing pre–post differences using ANCOVA, χ2tests and regression analysis. For qualitative data analysis, a thematic approach within an experiential framework will be applied.Ethics and disseminationThe ethics review board of the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt and ethical review boards in the three LMIC sites have approved the study.Trial registration numberNCT03552250.

Abstract Background: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who receive intensive chemotherapy must cope with immense physical and psychological symptoms associated with a variety of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as quality of life (QOL). Although coping is critical to the management of an AML diagnosis and its treatment, data characterizing the use of coping strategies and its associations with PROs in the AML population are limited. Hence, we characterize coping strategy use among patients with AML and examine the associations between coping strategy use, psychological distress, and QOL. Methods: We used cross-sectional secondary data analyses to describe coping in 160 patients with newly diagnosed high-risk AML enrolled in a multi-site randomized supportive care trial. We used the Brief COPE, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu) within 72 hours of patient initiation of chemotherapy, to measure coping strategies, psychological distress and QOL, respectively. We grouped coping strategies into two higher-order domains of coping based on prior literature: approach-oriented coping (i.e., use of emotional support, active coping, positive reframing, acceptance) or avoidant coping (i.e., self-blame, denial, behavioral disengagement). We used the median split method for the distribution of coping domains. We used multivariate regression models adjusting for age, gender and diagnosis type (newly diagnosed vs. relapsed/refractory AML) to assess the relationship between coping and PROs. Results: Participants (median age of 64.4 years) were mostly non-Hispanic White (86.3%), male (60.0%), and married (73.8%). Most (51.9%) reported high utilization of approach-oriented coping strategies (e.g., emotional support) whereas 38.8% reported high utilization of avoidant coping strategies (e.g., denial) (Figure 1). At the time of AML diagnosis, use of approach-oriented coping was associated with less psychological distress and better QOL (Table 1). Use of avoidant coping was associated with more psychological distress and worse QOL. Additionally, patients who used multiple approach-oriented coping strategies had less psychological distress and better QOL (Table 2). In contrast, patients who used multiple avoidant coping strategies had more psychological distress, and worse QOL. Conclusions: Our study illustrates that most patients with high-risk AML utilize both approach-oriented and avoidant coping strategies. Our results also reveal links between approach-oriented coping strategies, less psychological distress, and better QOL. These findings underscore the need for early integration of supportive oncology interventions that help patients to cultivate approach-oriented coping strategies. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Brunner: Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acceleron: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Keros Therapeutics: Consultancy; GSK: Research Funding; Aprea: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding. Fathi: AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Blueprint: Consultancy, Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; Trillium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kura: Consultancy, Honoraria; Foghorn: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ipsen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. LeBlanc: Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; UpToDate: Patents &amp; Royalties; American Cancer Society: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Travel fees, Speakers Bureau; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Flatiron: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Travel fees, Speakers Bureau; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Duke University: Research Funding; Helsinn: Consultancy, Research Funding; Heron: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory board; CareVive: Consultancy, Other, Research Funding; NINR/NIH: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel.

Indoor radon accumulation is considered the main source of human exposure to ionizing radiation. Depending on the average radon level, indoor long-term exposure can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer onset. The publication of international regulations on the protection of human health the exposure of ionizing radiation, defining threshold values over whom health consequences for occupants could be expected, led to the control and testing of radon levels in workplaces and premises using multiple techniques and approaches. In particular, since the main source of radon is soil, many efforts have been done for the redaction of maps of the geogenic potential risk, as well as the definition of proper measurement standards and techniques for indoor monitoring. Radon maps, based on geology and measurements of radon and/ or the natural radioactive content in the soil, constitute an evaluable tool for decision-making authorities in radon policies giving the possibility to characterize areas for radon risk where indoor radon measurements are not available. But, of course, they are not completely descriptive of the potential risk, so indoor monitoring in buildings is also required. The correct design of an indoor monitoring campaign is a crucial topic.. Scientific literature has largely demonstrated that many site-specific features influence the accumulation process, as well as most building materials represent a significant source, after the soil. The preliminary complete investigation in buildings should be properly defined since radiation safety in a situation of radon exposure completely ensured during the building's construction and maintenance phases as well as during the selling/rental ones. So, the aim of this work is to put the basis for the development of a pre-diagnosis procedure as a tool for the screening of buildings susceptible to high indoor radon activity concentrations. The work represents a very early stage of implementation of a qualitative method for the design of a measurement campaign for the indoor radon assessment. A pre-evaluation selection of the variables that play a leading role in the accumulation process is presented. A prior survey, based on evidence in scientific literature, was done to identify all relevant characteristics that most affect indoor radon levels, mainly concerning local geology, building features, ventilation, and occupancy factors. The selected parameters, classified into levels according to defined indicators and then combined, allow a more refined sample selection for measurements campaign in the indoor radon assessment process. Future development will be oriented to the validation of case studies and the implementation of the procedure in a software environment which will be the first tool available to systematize and regulate the radon monitoring process for short-term decision-making.

Purpose: To develop effective cancer chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory agents, a series of chalcones were prepared by reacting suitable aromatic aldehyde with appropriate acetophenones.&#x0D; Methods: Twenty-four synthesized chalcones (namely, 1 - 24) were assessed for their in vitro anti-cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and anti-cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in a COX catalyzed prostaglandin synthesis bioassay. Molecular docking was done to investigate the ligand-protein interactions, and selectivity on both enzymes. ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) modeling and software were also used.&#x0D; Results: The compounds inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2. Two compounds (3 and 19) demonstrated more marked COX-2 inhibition than compound 1. Indomethacin as a standard anti-cyclooxygenase shows unselective inhibition of 81.44 ± 6.5 and 91 ± 9.5, respectively. The in silico data revealed that a chalcone skeleton with C=O at 4-position, C2–C3 double bond and OH at 5-position are necessary properties for anti-cyclooxygenase effects. It was also revealed that the propenone moiety comprises of an appropriate scaffold which proposes a new acyclic 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones with selective anti-COX effects. A molecular modeling investigations where these chalcones 1, 3 and 19 were docked in the active site of COX-2 depicted that the p-CH3 substituent on the C-4- phenyl ring A are oriented in the vicinity of the COX-2 secondary pocket Phe381, Gly526, Tyr385 and Val349.&#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the screening for oral bioavailability, in silico ADMET, and toxicity risk assessment, this study shows that these compounds could be a cornerstone for the development of new pharmaceuticals in the battle against COX-associated inflammatory disorders.

The contamination of natural ecosystems with heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs) primarily results from anthropogenic activities. Consequently, ongoing efforts are dedicated to the development of technologies aimed at restraining the mobility of HMMs and expediting chemical reactions that convert pollutants from mobile to immobile states. Addressing the reclamation issue always necessitates the selection of the most promising and effective type of reclamation work, as well as justification of land prioritization for reclamation purposes. In terms of performance and future potential, the sorbent-oriented approach, grounded in the concept of “green” utilization of man-made waste as a raw material for creating novel composite sorbents, is gaining traction for land reclamation in disturbed areas. In international practice, diverse environmental risk assessment methods are employed to substantiate the necessity for and prioritize reclamation efforts.The aim of the present study is to evaluate established conventional methods for assessing the risks associated with environmental harm. Additionally, this research aims to assess the efficacy and ecological compatibility of the composite sorbents developed by the author. This evaluation will be conducted by assessing and comparing the levels of potential environmental risks or risks of environmental damage subsequent to the application of these sorbents.The objectives of this study are as follows: 1) to explore the theoretical aspects of HMMs: including the formulation of a definition, investigation onto the origins of HMMs, examination of HMMs’ toxicity, and identification of prevalent methods for evaluating the environmental risks associated with HMMs; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of established methods for assessing the environmental risks posed by HMMs; 3) to assess the efficacy and environmental sustainability of the composite sorbents developed by the author. This evaluation will involve an examination and comparison of the levels of potential environmental risks and the risks of environmental damage subsequent to the a pplication of these sorbents.The research subject: the mining allotment within the Levikhinskoye mine (classified as an environmental disaster site) is investigated as a disturbed land ecosystem, encompassing industrial waste dumps containing HMMs.The research hypothesis aims to establish the viability of “green” waste utilization from industrial sources as a raw material for composite sorbents used in land reclamation, without escalating the environmental damage. The conducted experiments revealed that sorbents composed of peat/water treatment sludge (at a ratio of 20/80 wt. % with natural moisture content) and peat/diatomite/water treatment sludge (at a ratio of 5/15/80 wt. % with natural moisture content) exhibited the highest level of performance, surpassing an overall efficiency of 89%. A sorbent composed of peat/diatomite (at a ratio of 25/75 wt. % with natural moisture content) demonstrated an overall efficiency of 67.7%. The estimated environmental risks (ER and ED) after the application of the proprietary composite sorbents, which include water treatment sludge, exhibited an average reduction of 89.5% and 88%, respectively.

Petroleum generation, expulsion, migration and accumulation have been modelled in 3D at basin-scale for the Bass Basin, Tasmania. The petroleum systems model shows several source rocks of different ages have generated and expelled sufficient hydrocarbons to fill structures in the basin; however, the lithologies and fault properties in the model result in generally limited migration after hydrocarbon expulsion started. Impermeable faults, together with several fine-gained sealing facies in the Lower and Middle Eastern View Group (EVG) have resulted in minor vertical hydrocarbon migration in the lower parts of the EVG. An exception occurs in the northeastern part of the basin, where strike-slip movement of suitably oriented faults during Miocene reactivation resulted in breaches in deeper accumulations and migration to upper reservoir sands and, in several cases, leakage through the regional seal. The Middle Eastern View Group source rocks have produced most of the gas in the basin. Oil appears to be largely limited to the Yolla Trough, related to the relatively high thermal maturation of Narimba Sequence source rocks. In general, most of the hydrocarbon expelled from the Otway Megasequence occurred prior to the regional seal being deposited; however, modelling predicts it can contribute to the hydrocarbon inventory of the Cape Wickham Sub-basin. In particular, the modelling predicted an Otway sourced accumulation at the site of the recently drilled Rockhopper–1. In the Durroon Sub-basin in the Bark Trough, the Otway Megasequence is predicted to be the main source of accumulations. The modelling has provided detailed insights into migration in the existing plays and has allowed assessment of the reasons for previous exploration failures (e.g., a migration shadow at Toolka–1) and to suggest new locations with viable migration histories. Reservoir sands of the Upper EVG are only prospective in the Yolla and Cormorant troughs where charged by Early Eocene sources; however, Miocene reactivation is a major exploration risk in this area.

Abstract Introduction There is strong evidence that B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling has a critical role in the pathogenesis of B-cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The BCR signalosome, B-cell receptor signaling protein complex, is therefore a rational therapeutic target. This has already been proven by success in clinical trials of B-cell signaling inhibitors such as Ibrutinib and Idelalisib. It is becoming more important to know what combinations of new and traditional agents is best for each patient. Although genetic profiles may help to predict sensitivity to treatment to some degree, it is ideal to profile the BCR signaling state of each case to select most effective B-cell signaling inhibitors. Our goal is to develop a BCR signalosome-oriented molecular marker and investigate its clinical value. We focus on protein-protein interactions in the B-cell signalosome that are regulated by tyrosine kinases, their substrates, and SH2 domains. We hypothesized that the global tyrosine phosphorylation state determined by SH2 profiling, an SH2 domain-based molecular diagnostic approach, may meaningfully represent the B-cell signaling state of B-cell malignancies. Here we conducted SH2 profiling of 1) BCR signalosome peptides to determine specificity of BCR SH2 domain probes and 2) CLL patient samples to determine the presence of patient specific BCR SH2 profiles. Methods For microarrays, phosphorylation site databases were extensively searched and 368 tyrosine phosphorylation sites from the core 38 proteins which make up the BCR-signalosome were selected for peptide synthesis. Replicated peptide microarrays containing pairs of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated tyrosine motifs were separately probed with a set of BCR SH2 domains including BTK, BLNK, LYN, PI3K, SYK, and PLCg2. For clinical sample experiments, PBMC samples were collected from 35 CLL patients who visited UConn Health (UCH) and Saint Francis Hospital (SFH) between 2008 and 2014. The median age at study enrollment was 67 (46-98 years). Male patients constituted 63%. Binet stage A disease was present in 76% of the patients. Reverse-phase SH2 domain binding assay was performed as previously described using the BCR SH2 domains. Results According to the microarray results, 94% of BCR signalosome phosphotyrosines were bound by at least one SH2 domain (median 5 domains). A group of proteins including CD22, CD79A, CD45, and PLCg2 protein harbour tyrosine sites that can bind to more than 10 SH2 domains suggesting competition between these SH2 domains may exist in the cell. Specificity of BCR SH2 domains could be grouped into three levels: very specific (BTK, BLNK), medium (Lyn, PLCg2, SHP-1, etc) and broad (SHIP). We found a number of previously undocumented SH2-ligand interactions that may be involved in specific downstream signaling pathways. A clustering analysis of CLL samples revealed the presence of different patient groups such as BLNK-dominant and PLC-dominant. Of those clusters, we observed that a cluster with low BLNK signal and high LYN signal was enriched with clinically progressive type CLL cases. To test the prognostic impact of the BLNK/LYN profile, the CLL cases were divided into four groups by high (+) and low (-) BLNK and LYN SH2 binding and compared with PFS. There was a significant difference between the groups in a log-rank test, indicating that patients with the BLNK-low &amp; LYN-high profile progressed more rapidly. Of note, in the microarray experiments we identified that a group of BCR signaling proteins/peptides such as CD19, CD79A, and Dok1 show a similar BLNK-low &amp; LYN-high profile. Their involvements in the SH2 profile of CLL samples remain to be determined. Conclusion Aiming to develop a new molecular marker based on the BCR signaling state of B-cell malignancies, we applied SH2 profiling to BCR peptide microarrays and CLL/NHL patient samples. We confirmed that BCR signalosome-oriented SH2 probes have sufficient specificity to distinguish various signalosome tyrosine sites. SH2 profiling of CLL indicated that the BCR SH2 probes are able to distinguish CLL subgroups, one of which was correlated with a poor PFS. Further efforts are underway to determine the clinical marker value of the BCR signalosome profile, such as its utility in risk stratification, early detection of disease progression, and prediction or assessment of response to B-cell signaling inhibitor therapy. Disclosures Wasser: Amgen, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

AbstractNumerous archaeological investigations have been performed along the river Meuse in the Netherlands’ southeastern province of Limburg as part of the major ‘Maaswerken’ infrastructural project. To improve flood risk management and navigability, and for the purpose of gravel production and nature development, several areas of land covering a total of almost 2000 ha are being excavated to a great depth. In anticipation of this, archaeological research was performed for the purposes of recording and documenting archaeological remains in the most important areas and locations. From 1998 to 2015 the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Amersfoort) was in charge of the investigations, and acted as adviser to national public works agency Rijkswaterstaat.The archaeological research connected with the Maaswerken project differed from regular, site-based investigations in terms of the landscape archaeology perspective on which it was based. The research themes and principles associated with this perspective were published in several documents, including a scientific policy plan published in 2004, and presented in further detail in area programmes and project briefs. The policy plan assigned each project area to one of five value assessment categories, based on the intactness of the landscape and the archaeological potential for addressing the research questions. In areas of high landscape intactness and great archaeological potential (category 1) the Agency selected zones to be surveyed and assessed, and for archaeological excavation. Though most of the fieldwork, including specialist analysis, was performed in these zones, other category project areas have also been the subject of archaeological fieldwork, including borehole surveys, site-oriented research and watching briefs, but on a more incidental basis. Observations were also made in the river Meuse itself and in the river's winter bed.The archaeological investigations resulted in a large number of standard reports of desk studies and fieldwork, including reports of specialist analyses. A considerable proportion of these refer to the large-scale investigations at Borgharen and Itteren to the north of Maastricht, and at Lomm and Well–Aijen to the north of Venlo. The results of the investigations suggest the archaeological record here is rich and varied, with a time depth of c. 11,500 years, and traces of occupation and land use ranging from the Early Mesolithic (Well–Aijen, Borgharen) to the Second World War (Lomm).This paper reflects on almost 20 years of archaeological research in the project areas of the Maaswerken and on the principles and methods used in the field research. The common thread is the results of landscape and archaeological studies and the relationship between them. Examples are used to illustrate results that can be regarded as important from a national perspective, and in terms of archaeological heritage management.

Abstract. The ways to safely dispose of highly radioactive waste are manifold and remain a central sociopolitical challenge. Environmental compatibility, health protection and social peace are only some of the aspects that a future-oriented final disposal must meet. The corridor for action is thus still wide open in many countries, various disposal paths are under discussion, and a number of fundamental decisions still have to be made, even if geological disposal seems to be the reference pathway currently followed in Germany. Against this background, it is a central task to identify, analyze and evaluate target-adequate future paths for the disposal of highly radioactive waste – this is the focus of this paper in order to specify the approach of thinking of alternative options. On the one hand, the aim is a comparative analysis of the identified paths with regard to their prioritization and characteristics. On the other hand, superordinate strategies for dealing with uncertainties are derived from the pathways. One of the tasks of the research presented here was to clarify and classify this diversity. In an expert workshop, a total of seven different future paths of nuclear waste disposal were identified and classified in terms of their plausibility and probability of implementation. The expert workshop took place in spring 2021 with the project staff of the TRANSENS project, which is one of a handful of transdisciplinary research projects in the realm of nuclear waste management. The workshop gathered experts from various fields (e.g., radiation and nuclear science, risk analysis, law, social sciences, and engineering sciences) working at senior levels in science and dealing with nuclear disposal issues. The workshop discussed several pathway options, detailed their specific characteristics and assessed the relevance and impact for German nuclear disposal policies. The workshop was based on a qualitative discursive approach rather than a quantitative survey assessment. The following pathways were identified: (1) exotics: space, ocean, Arctic/Greenland Ice Sheet; (2) direct storage in interim storage tanks; (3) partitioning and transmutation; (4) deep well storage; (5) consolidated interim storage; (6) extended decentralized interim storage; and (7) post StandAG (Repository Site Selection Act). From a path comparison perspective, the strategies of uncertainty management can be derived. Three basic strategy approaches can be distinguished, and these were deduced on the basis of plausibility and drawing conclusions based on detailed pathway description and analysis. First, a reduction of uncertainty occurs via a strategy of incremental status quo orientation. The main option envisages interim storage, followed by deep geological disposal in a mine with a multi-barrier system. However, this path has not been fully specified to date. With the revision of the repository process, this path focuses on the site search and the decision for the time being. The siting decision is to be made in incremental, procedural steps. Further planning, such as upgrading of the technical and geotechnical repository barriers or new construction of interim storage facilities, etc., is currently being pursued to any great extent at present. This is accompanied by a status-quo-oriented derivation of necessary actions, as discussed in the field of extended and consolidated interim storage. Second, the strategy of strongly anchoring participation and involvement reduces uncertainty and insecurity. Past experiences with the Gorleben, Germany, aboveground interim storage facility and the Gorleben exploratory mine, as well as the Asse II mine in Germany, have clearly demonstrated the potential for social conflict in nuclear waste disposal – and ultimately played a decisive role in the new beginning of the site search. Social and political feasibility is a decisive factor for successful disposal. With the help of a strong participation and involvement approach to the site selection process, social uncertainty factors should be minimized and robust decisions collectively made. Third, the principle of flexibility and reversibility involves a strategy of maintaining the future capacity to act. This is to ensure that uncertainties arising in the future can be adequately dealt with via an adaptive learning procedure and that new bodies of knowledge can be integrated. Initial requirements have already been defined in terms of retrievability and salvageability, even if questions of technical and organizational feasibility have not yet been adequately answered. The procedural openness with respect to the future ability to act results in exciting aspects and challenges for the professional design of anticipatory governance structures in institutions and decision-making processes, especially from the perspective of political, administrative and planning science. Furthermore, the interface of science and politics is of great importance in the interplay between the analysis of unintended and unexpected side effects by science and the management of these side effects by administrators.

The risk of erosion is particularly high in Mediterranean areas, especially in areas that are subject to a not so effective agricultural management–or with some omissions–, land abandonment or wildfires. Soils on Crete are under imminent threat of desertification, characterized by loss of vegetation, water erosion, and subsequently, loss of soil. Several large-scale studies have estimated average soil erosion on the island between 6 and 8 Mg/ha/year, but more localized investigations assess soil losses one order of magnitude higher. An experiment initiated in 2017, under the framework of the SoilCare H2020 EU project, aimed to evaluate the effect of different management practices on the soil erosion. The experiment was set up in control versus treatment experimental design including different sets of treatments, targeting the most important cultivations on Crete (olive orchards, vineyards, fruit orchards). The minimum-to-no tillage practice was adopted as an erosion mitigation practice for the olive orchard study site, while for the vineyard site, the cover crop practice was used. For the fruit orchard field, the crop-type change procedure (orange to avocado) was used. The experiment demonstrated that soil-improving cropping techniques have an important impact on soil erosion, and as a result, on soil water conservation that is of primary importance, especially for the Mediterranean dry regions. The demonstration of the findings is of practical use to most stakeholders, especially those that live and work with the local land.

The risk of erosion is particularly high in Mediterranean areas, especially in areas that are subject to a not so effective agricultural management&ndash;or with some omissions&ndash;, land abandonment or wildfires. Soils on Crete are under imminent threat of desertification, characterized by loss of vegetation, water erosion, and subsequently, loss of soil. Several large-scale studies have estimated average soil erosion on the island between 6 and 8 Mg/ha/year, but more localized investigations assess soil losses one order of magnitude higher. An experiment initiated in 2017, under the framework of the SoilCare H2020 EU project, aimed to evaluate the effect of different management practices on the soil erosion. The experiment was set up in control versus treatment experimental design including different sets of treatments, targeting the most important cultivations on Crete (olive orchards, vineyards, fruit orchards). The minimum-to-no tillage practice was adopted as an erosion mitigation practice for the olive orchard study site, while for the vineyard site, the cover crop practice was used. For the fruit orchard field, the crop-type change procedure (orange to avocado) was used. The experiment demonstrated that soil-improving cropping techniques have an important impact on soil erosion, and as a result, on soil water conservation that is of primary importance, especially for the Mediterranean dry regions. The demonstration of the findings is of practical use to most stakeholders, especially those that live and work with the local land.

Energy shortage and climate change call for sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure capable of simultaneously recovering energy, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting public health. Although energy and greenhouse gas emissions of water and wastewater infrastructure are extensively studied, the human health impacts of innovative infrastructure designed under the principles of decentralization and resource recovery are not fully understood. In order to fill this knowledge gap, this study assesses and compares the health impacts of three representative systems by integrating life cycle and microbial risk assessment approaches. This study found that the decentralized system options, such as on-site septic tank and composting or urine diverting toilets, presented much lower life cycle cancer and noncancer impacts than the centralized system. The microbial risks of decentralized systems options were also lower than those of the centralized system. Moreover, life cycle cancer and noncancer impacts contributed to approximately 95% of total health impacts, while microbial risks were associated with the remaining 5%. Additionally, the variability and sensitivity assessment indicated that reducing energy use of wastewater treatment and water distribution is effective in mitigating total health damages of the centralized system, while reducing energy use of water treatment is effective in mitigating total health damages of the decentralized systems.

Abstract Abstract 4839 Background: As children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at significant risk for neurocognitive complications, an automated and objective measure of neurocognitive functioning would address several challenges facing both clinical and research progress in SCD including longitudinal monitoring of deficits, cross-site comparability of neurocognitive tests in multicenter trials, and limited access to pediatric neuropsychologists. The Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB) is a well-validated computerized test with significant normative data in individuals age 4 to 80 that has been used to monitor disease progression and treatment response in children and adults with a range of disorders but has not been used previously in SCD. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the CANTAB system is a useful and viable tool for the neurocognitive evaluation of pediatric patients with SCD. We expect that the CANTAB testing will be well tolerated by SCD patients and parents, easy to administer in our comprehensive clinic, and generate valid results that correlate with both medical and psychological outcomes. Methods: 7 CANTAB tests which assess attention, executive function and memory were run on pediatric SCD patients during scheduled clinic visits. Parents completed the child behavior checklist (CBCL) which generates t-scores for children on internalizing, externalizing scales as well as DSM-oriented scales of affective, anxiety, pervasive developmental, attention and oppositional scales. Medical data including SCD genotype, average hemoglobin (hgb), hematocrit (hct), reticulocyte count (rct), lactate dehydrogenase and hospital utilization records (ER visits, # hospital visits in the last year) was collected. Demographic information and a total pain burden assessment were also collected. Results: 11 children with HbSS SCD were enrolled in the pilot study (table 1). All patients successfully completed the CANTAB testing without difficulty. Hgb and rct were associated with strategy score on spatial working memory and the latency score on the motor screening task. Hgb and rct also correlated with internalizing, externalizing, and total symptoms scores on the CBCL (table 2). Specifically lower hgb and higher rct were associated with increased CBCL scores. A regression model incorporating average hgb and total internalizing scores with spatial working memory as the dependent variable revealed a significant interaction between internalizing scores and hgb and a significant model p=.01 and r2 of 0.89 offering preliminary support for a multi-level model incorporating disease and child specific factors (table 2). The total pain burden score correlated error making in several tests including the delayed match to sample test (p=.01), spatial working memory test (p=.06), and Stockings of Cambridge task (p=.0038). The pain burden score was not associated with performance or latency on these tests indicating that pain burden may have a specific association with error making. Pain burden also correlated with the somatic measure on the CBCL (p=.01) indicating cross validation between the two measures. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and value of the CANTAB system in evaluating neurocognitive deficits in pediatric patients with SCD. These results can be assessed longitudinally following medical interventions. Furthermore, results indicate a multi-level model that includes medical factors, child specific factors, and demographics may be a more appropriate model to utilize in determining the etiology of neurocognitive deficits in SCD. Ongoing studies with an increased sample size will examine the association of neurocognitive function with SCD genotype, MRI, transcranial doppler studies, and family stress. SWM: Spatial working memory SOC: Stockings of Cambridge MOT: Motor Screening Test Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Objectives: Some surgeons prefer reverse shoulder arthroplasty to total shoulder arthroplasty in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and without cuff tears because these patients may subsequently develop cuff tears. However, other studies have shown total shoulder arthroplasty provides good to excellent results in elderly patients with intact rotator cuffs, even in patients ≥ 80 years of age. We conducted the following studies to clarify potential rotator cuff degeneration in elderly OA patients, histologically analyzing the torn edges of ruptured rotator cuff tendons from patients with cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) with a proximal humeral fracture with an intact cuff (control) or en bloc cuff tendon remaining on the greater tuberosity from patients with OA after harvesting such tissues at the time of RSA. Then, we compared the clinical results of elderly patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reversed shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) when these patients reached ≥ 80 years of age. We hypothesized that rotator cuff tendons were more severely degenerated microscopically in elderly patients with OA and intact cuff tendons compared with tendons in elderly patients with proximal humeral fractures, and comparable to those with CTA. Methods: We histologically evaluated torn rotator cuff tendon samples harvested from 13 samples in 11 shoulders in 9 patients with OA without cuff tears, 18 samples in 14 shoulders in 14 patients with CTA, and 2 shoulders in 2 patients with proximal humeral fractures using the Bonar score and electron microscopic analysis. In addition, we compared the clinical results of TSA in 7 shoulders in 6patients and RSA in 19 shoulders in 15 patients when these patients reached ≥ 80 years of age. Bonar scores were compared between the OA and CTA patients (OA and CTA groups), and Constant scores, and range of motion were compared between the two procedures (TSA and RSA groups). Two patients with proximal humeral fractures served as controls. We identified patients with secondary rotator cuff dysfunction by the presence of either moderate or severe superior subluxation of the humeral head base on radiographic assessment of humeral superior subluxation. Results: There were no significant differences in patients’ age, sex, BMI, heart disease, DM, hyperlipidemia, sample site, and preoperative Constant and ASES scores (except regarding the number of affected dominant arms), between the CTA and OA groups. There were no significant differences in the distribution of each category for tenocytes, ground substance, and collagen; and vascularity (P = .227 .107, .509, .848, respectively). In addition, there was no significant difference in the Bonar scores between the CTA and OA groups (P = .140). In the both groups, irregularly-orientated collagen fibers showing fiber separation and numerous blood vessels and inflammatory cells were observed in the sections with HE staining (Fig. 1A-C, A, OA patients; B and C, CTA patients). In the sections with AB/PAS staining, increase in alcianophilia indicating glycosaminoglycans among collagen fibers were observed (Figure 1, D, CTA patient). The control supraspinatus tendons from the patients of a four-part proximal humeral fracture demonstrated well-oriented collagen fibers with tightly cohesive well-demarcated bundles. The two control shoulders had 0 points and 2 points for the Bonar score, respectively (Figure 2). The ultrastructural analysis showed that collagen fibrils were arranged irregularly, with a heterogenous extracellular matrix, in the OA group. Similarly, in the CTA group, some collagen fibrils were oriented in different directions, and that there were empty spaces between the fibrils, representing non-collagenous extracellular matrix (Figure 3, A, C; OA patient, B,D; CTA patient). We found no significant difference in the fibril diameter (nm) between the two groups (mean,66.9 for the CTA group and 65.0 for the OA group) (P = .219) (Figure 3 C and D). There were significant improvements between preoperative and postoperative clinical scores in both groups. In addition, patients in the TSA group had significantly lower Constant scores, Constant ROM scores, and ROM in flexion and abduction at the final follow-up (P; .009, &lt; .001, .003, .009, respectively). Upward migration of the prosthetic humeral head was observed in 7 shoulders (100%) overall and was graded as mild in 3 shoulders (42.9%), moderate in 4 shoulders (57.1%) as secondary cuff dysfunction. Conclusions: The most important finding in the present study was that rotator cuff tendons in elderly OA patients without cuff tears had relatively higher mean Bonar scores than the scores in the cuff tendons in two patients with proximal humeral fractures (control shoulders), and scores were comparable to the scores in cuff tendons in the elderly CTA patients. In addition, our clinical results showed that the TSA group had significantly lower clinical variables than those of the RSA group regarding the Constant score, Constant ROM score, and ROM in flexion and abduction in our cohort who were ≥ 80 years of age at the latest follow-up. Furthermore, 4 shoulders (57.1%) in the TSA group had moderate superior subluxation of the prosthetic humeral head as possible secondary cuff tendon dysfunction, at the final follow-up. Considering these histologic and clinical results, severe histological degeneration of rotator cuff tendons in elderly OA patients without cuff tears may be a risk of secondary rotator cuff dysfunction and poor clinical outcome after TSA.

Introduction. The aluminum industry occupies a leading position among non-ferrous metallurgy industries in revealing somatic pathologies in workers that occur against the background of chronic fluoride intoxication. Long-term exposure to fluorides on the body has a cardiovasotoxic effect, leads to structural and functional disorders of the myocardium and the development of comorbid cardiovascular pathology. This dictates the need for a risk-oriented approach to its diagnosis, including one based on molecular genetic analysis, for the timely identification of risk groups for the development of atherosclerosis and the elaboration of preventive measures aimed at preserving the health and maintaining working longevity of the studied occupational cohort. Materials and methods. There were examined ninety seven metallurgists with a previously proven diagnosis of chronic occupational intoxication with fluoride compounds, engaged in aluminum production. The comparison group consisted of 33 workers of this enterprise without a proven occupational disease. All respondents underwent ultrasound investigation of the main arteries. Genotyping of the rs2010963 polymorphic locus of the VEGF-A gene was carried out in a 96-well format using TaqMan technology (allele-specific real-time PCR). Results. The associative connection of the G/G VEGF-A genotype is determined in metallurgists with the risk of developing chronic occupational intoxication with fluoride compounds and heterozygous G/C genotype in subjects with multifocal atherosclerosis. The high level of predictive value of the polymorphism -634 G/C (rs2010963) of the VEGF-A gene allows considering it a marker of the risk for the developing atherosclerosis in workers exposed to long-term impact to fluoride compounds on the body. Limitations. The study was limited to the number of long-term work experienced subjects undergoing periodic medical examinations and undergoing inpatient treatment at the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. Conclusion. It is recommended to conduct a screening molecular and genetic analysis in a clinical hospital setting for timely assessment of the prognostic significance of risk markers for the development of atherosclerosis and its complications in workers of basic occupations engaged in aluminum production.

Abstract. It is estimated that 2 billion people will move to cities in the next 30 years, many of which possess high seismic risk, underscoring the importance of reliable hazard assessments. Current ground motion models for these assessments typically rely on an extensive catalogue of events to derive empirical ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs), which are often unavailable in developing countries. Considering the challenge, we choose an alternative method utilizing physics-based (PB) ground motion simulations and develop a simplified decomposition of ground motion estimation by considering regional attenuation (Δ) and local site amplification (A), thereby exploring how much of the observed variability can be explained solely by wave propagation effects. We deterministically evaluate these parameters in a virtual city named Tomorrowville, located in a 3D-layered crustal velocity model containing sedimentary basins, using randomly oriented extended sources. Using these physics-based empirical parameters (Δ and A), we evaluate the intensities, particularly peak ground acceleration (PGA), of hypothetical future earthquakes. The results suggest that the estimation of PGA using the deterministic Δ−A decomposition exhibits a robust spatial correlation with the PGA obtained from simulations within Tomorrowville. This method exposes an order-of-magnitude spatial variability in PGA within Tomorrowville, primarily associated with the near-surface geology and largely independent of the seismic source. In conclusion, advances in PB simulations and improved crustal structure determination offer the potential to overcome the limitations of earthquake data availability to some extent, enabling prompt evaluation of ground motion intensities.

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong> The study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals. It was a prospective randomized comparative study. Based on the results and data compared between the two groups preoperative dose of dexamethasone is recommended prior to total thyroidectomy operations, due to its beneficial effect in diminishing probability of occurrence of postoperative voice changes, pain and dyspepsia. <strong>Key words:</strong>Thyroid, Dexamethasone, cartilage, trachea, chemotherapy. <strong>REFERENCES</strong> Aburahma AF, Choueiri MA. Cranial and cervical nerve injuries after repeat carotid endarterectomy. J VascSurg ; : - . Andrianopoulos MV, Gallivan GJ, Gallivan KH. PVCM, PVCD, EPL, and irritable larynx syndrome: what are we talking about and how do we treat it? J Voice ; : - Apfel CC, Kranke P, Eberhart LH. Comparison of surgical site and patient&#39;s history with a simplified risk score for the prediction of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Anaesthesia. ; : &ndash; . 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Evaluation and treatment of the unilateral paralyzed vocal fold. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Bergenfelz A, Jansson S, Kristoffersson A, et al. Complications to thyroid surgery: results as reported in a database from a multi- center audit comprising patients. Langenbecks Arch Surg. Bhattacharyya N, Fried MP. Assessment of the morbidity and complications of total thyroidectomy. Arch Otolaryngology Head Neck Surg ; &ndash; Bhattacharyya N, Fried MP. Surgical anatomy of thyroid gland. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg ; Bisgaard T, Klarskov B, Kehlet H, et al. Preoperative dexamethasone improves surgical outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized double- blind placebo-controlled trial. Ann Surg. ; Cavicchi O, Caliceti U, Fernandez IJ, et al. Laryngeal neuromonitoring and neurostimulation versus neurostimulation alone in thyroid surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Head Neck. ; - Cavo JW. True vocal cord paralysis following intubation. 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Echternach M, Maurer CA, Mencke T, schilling M, Verse T, Richter B. Laryngeal complications after thyroidectomy: is it always the surgeon? Arch Surg. Eddy D. A Manual for Assessing Health Practices and Desiging Practice Policies: The Explicit Approach. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Physicians;. Eisele DW. Intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Laryngoscope. Ewalenko P, Janny S, Dejonckheere M, Andry G, Wyns C. Antiemetic effect of subhypnotic doses of propofol after thyroidectomy. Br J Anaesth. ; Farrag TY, Samlan RA, Lin FR, Tufano RP. The utility of evaluating true vocal fold motion before thyroid surgery. Laryngoscope. ; ( ): - . Fujii Y, Saitoh Y, Tanaka H, et al. Prophylactic antiemetic therapy with granisetron in women undergoing thyroidectomy. Br J Anaesth. Fukuda H, Koga T. Stimulation of glossopharyngeal and laryngeal nerve afferents induces expulsion only when it is applied during retching in paralyzed decerebrate dogs. Neurosci Lett. Gardiner KR, Russell CFJ. Thyroidectomy for thyroid malignancy. JR. Coll. Surg. Edinb. ; Golembiewski J, Chernin E, Chopra T. Prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Am J Health Syst Pharm. ; &ndash; . &nbsp;Grant CS, Hay ID, Gough IR, Bergstralh EJ, Goellner JR, McConahey WM. Local recurrence inpapillary thyroid carcinoma: is extent of surgical resection important? Surgery. Grundfast KM, Harley E. Vocal cord paralysis. OtolaryngolClin North Am. Gurlekian JA, Franco HE, RodriguezL, et al. Sistemadeedici&oacute;n y an&aacute;lisis de habla para computador as personales. Informe LIS No. XXV, , . &nbsp;Halsted WS. The operative story of goitre the author&lsquo;s operation. Johns Hopkins Hosp. Rep. ; . Hartl DM, Travagli JP, Leboulleux S, Baudin E, Brasnu DF, Schlumberger M. Clinical review: current concepts in the management of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery. J ClinEndocrinolMetab. Henry LR, Helou LB, Solomon NP, et al. Functional voice outcomes after thyroidectomy: an assessment of the Dsyphonia Severity Index (DSI) after thyroidectomy. Surgery. Henry LR, Solomon NP, Howard R, Gurevich- Uvena J, Horst LB, Coppit G, et al. Surgeon&#39;s approach to the thyroid gland: surgical anatomy and the importance of technique Ann SurgOncol. Hill RP, Lubarsky DA, Phillips-Bute B, Fortney JT, Creed MR, Glass PS, et al. Cost-effectiveness of prophylactic antiemetic therapy ith ondansetron, droperidol, or placebo. Anesthesiology. Hundahl SA, Cady B, Cunningham MP, et al. Initial results from a prospective cohort study of cases of thyroid carcinoma treated in the United States during U.S. and German Thyroid Cancer Study Group. An American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Patient Care Evaluation study. Cancer. Husein OF, Husein TN, Gardner R, et al. Formal psychological testing in patients with paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction. Laryngoscope ; : - . Jatzko Gr, Lisborg PH, Muller MG, Wette VM. recurrent nerve palsy after thyroid operations--principal nerve identification and a literature review. Surgery. Jeannon JP, Orabi AA, Bruch GA, Abdalsalam HA, Simo R. Diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after thyroidectomy: a systematic review. int J ClinPract ; : - . Johnson S, Goldenberg D. Intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during revision thyroid surgery. Oto-laryngolClin North Am. Swapna Gurrapu and Estari Mamidala. In vitro HIV-Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition of Andrographolide Isolatedfrom Andrographis Paniculata. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017. Volume 4, Issue 12. 516-522. Jung A, Schramm J. How to reduce recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in anterior cervical spine surgery: a prospective observational study. Neurosurgery; . Kambic V, Radsel Z. intubation lesions of the larynx. Br J Anaesth ; : - . Kang YK, Park YH, Ryoo BY, Bang YJ, Cho KS, Shin DB, et al. Ramosetron for the prevention of cisplatin-induced acute emesis: a prospective randomized comparison with granisetron. J Int Med Res. ; &ndash; . Kierner AC, Aigner M, Burian M. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve: its topographicalanatomy as related to surgery of the neck. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. ; ( ): - . Kikura M, Suzuki K, itagaki T, Takada T, Sato S. Age and comorbidity as risk factors for vocal cord paralysis associated with tracheal intubation. Br J Anaesth ; Kolawole IK, Ishaq MS. Post-anaesthetic respiratory complaints following endotracheal anaesthesia in lower abdominal obstetric and gynaecology surgery. Niger J ClinPract ; : Kovac AL. Prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Drugs. Kranke P, Apfel CC, Roewer N, et al. Reported data on granisetron and postoperative nausea and vomiting by Fujii et al. Are incredibly nice! AnesthAnalg.&nbsp; Lamade W, renz K, Willeke F, Klar E, Herfarth C. Effect of training on the incidence of nerve damage in thyroid surgery. Br J Surg ; : Lee HJ, Kwon JY, Shin SW, Kim CH, Baek SH, Baik SW, et al. Preoperatively administered ramosetron oral disintegrating tablets for preventing nausea and vomiting associated with patient-controlled analgesia in breast cancer patients. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Lee Y, Lin PC, Lai HY, Huang SJ, Lin YS, Cheng CR. Prevention of PONV with dexamethasone in female patients undergoing desflurane anesthesia for thyroidectomy. ActaAnaesthesiol Sin;. Liu Q, Djuricin G, Prinz RA. Total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease. Surgery ; . Lombardi CP, raffaelli M, D&rsquo;Alatri L, et al. Voice and swallowing changes after thyroidectomy in patients without inferior laryngeal nerve injuries. Surgery ;. Lombardi CP, Raffaelli M, De Crea C, D&rsquo;Alatri L, Maccora D, Marchese MR, et al. surgical techniques of thyroid gland Surgery ; - Lu YH, Hsieh MW, Tong YH. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation--a case report. ActaAnaesthesiol Sin ; : - Manser T. Teamwork and patient safety in dynamic domains of healthcare: a review of the literature. ActaAnaesthesiol Scand. ; ( ): - . Mattioli F, Bergamini G, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, et al. The role of early voice therapy in the incidence of motility recovery in unilateral vocal fold paralysis. LogopedPhoniatrVocol. ; . McIvor NP, Flint DJ, Gillibrand J, Morton RP. Thyroid surgery and voice-related outcomes. Aust N Z JSurg. ; (): - . Meek P, Carding PN, Howard DH, Lennard TW. Voice change following thyroid and parathyroid surgery.JVoice. ; ( ): - . Melish JS. Thyroid disease. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, eds. Clinical Methods: The History, Physicial and Laboratory Examinations. rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths; . Mencke T, Echternach M, Plinkert PK, et al. Does the timing of tracheal intubation based on neuromuscular monitoring decrease laryngeal injury? A randomized, prospective, controlled trial. AnesthAnalg. Moore KL, Persaud TVN. The developing human. Clinically oriented thembroyology, edition. Philadelphia: Saunders; , p. - . Morris MJ, Christopher KL. Difficult-to-treat asthma or vocal cord dysfunction? Am J RespirCrit Care Med: ; author reply . Mortensen M, Carroll L, Woo P. Arytenoid adduction with medialization laryngoplasty versus injection or medialization laryngoplasty: the role of the arytenoidopexy. Laryngoscope. Neri G, Castiello F, Vitullo F, DE Rosa M, Ciammetti G, Croce A. Post-thyroidectomy dysphonia in patients with bilateral resection of the superior laryngeal nerve: a comparative spectrographic study. Actaotorhinolaryngol Ital : Nishimaki T, Suzuki T, Suzuki S, Kuwabara S, Hatakeyama K. outcomes of extended radical esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. J Am CollSurg.

TamdrupRoyal residence and memorial church in a new light&#x0D; Tamdrup has been shrouded in a degree of mystery in recent times. The solitary church located on a moraine hill west of Horsens is visible from afar and has attracted attention for centuries. On the face of it, it resembles an ordinary parish church, but on closer examination it is found to be unusually large, and on entering one discovers that hidden beneath one roof is a three-aisled construction, which originally was a Romanesque basilica. Why was such a large church built in this particular place? What were the prevailing circumstances in the Early Middle Ages when the foundation stone was laid?&#x0D; The mystery of Tamdrup has been addressed and discussed before. In the 1980s and 1990s, archaeological excavations were carried out which revealed traces of a magnate’s farm or a royal residence from the Late Viking Age or Early Middle Ages located on the field to the west of the church (fig. 4), and in 1991, the book Tamdrup – Kirke og gård was published.&#x0D; Now, by way of metal-detector finds, new information has been added. These new finds provide several answers, but also give rise to several new questions and problems. In recent years, a considerable number of metal finds recovered by metal detector at Tamdrup have been submitted to Horsens Museum. Since 2012, 207 artefacts have been recorded, primarily coins, brooches, weights and fittings from such as harness, dating from the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages. Further to these, a coin hoard dating from the time of Svein Estridson was excavated in 2013.&#x0D; The museum has processed the submitted finds, which have been recorded and passed on for treasure trove evaluation. As resources were not available for a more detailed assessment of the artefacts, in 2014 the museum formulated a research project that received funding from the Danish Agency for Culture, enabling the finds to be examined in greater depth.&#x0D; The aim of the research project was to study the metal-detector finds and the excavation findings, partly through an analysis of the total finds assemblage, partly by digitalisation of the earlier excavation plans so these could be compared with each other and with the new excavation data. This was intended to lead on to a new analysis, new interpretations and a new, overall evaluation of Tamdrup’s function, role and significance in the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages.Old excavations – new interpretationsIn 1983, on the eastern part of the field, a trial excavation trench was laid out running north-south (d). This resulted in two trenches (a, b) and a further three trial trenches being opened up in 1984 (fig. 6). In the northern trench, a longhouse, a fence and a pit-house were discovered (fig. 8). The interpretation of the longhouse (fig. 4) still stands, in so far as we are dealing with a longhouse with curved walls. The western end of the house appears unequivocal, but there could be some doubt about its eastern end. An alternative interpretation is a 17.5 m long building (fig. 8), from which the easternmost set of roof-bearing posts are excluded. Instead, another posthole is included as the northernmost post in the gable to the east. This gives a house with regularly curved walls, though with the eastern gable (4.3 m) narrower than the western (5.3 m).&#x0D; North of the trench (a) containing the longhouse, a trial trench (c) was also laid out, revealing a number of features. Similarly, there were also several features in the northern part of the middle trial trench (e). A pit in trial trench c was found to contain both a fragment of a bit branch and a bronze key. There was neither time nor resources to permit the excavation of these areas in 1984, but it seems very likely that there are traces of one or more houses here (fig. 9). Here we have a potential site for a possible main dwelling house or hall.&#x0D; In August 1990, on the basis of an evaluation, an excavation trench (h) was opened up to the west of the 1984 excavation (fig. 7). Here, traces were found of two buildings, which lay parallel to each other, oriented east-west. These were interpreted as small auxiliary buildings associated with the same magnate’s farm as the longhouse found in the 1984 excavation. The northern building was 4 m wide and the southern building was 5.5 m. Both buildings were considered to be c. 7 m long and with an open eastern gable. The southern building had one set of internal roof-bearing posts.&#x0D; The excavation of the two buildings in 1990 represented the art of the possible, as no great resources were available. Aerial photos from the time show that the trial trench from the evaluation was back-filled when the excavation was completed. Today, we have a comprehensive understanding of the trial trenches and excavation trenches thanks to the digitalised plans. Here, it becomes apparent that some postholes recorded during the evaluation belong to the southernmost of the two buildings, but these were unfortunately not relocated during the actual excavation. As these postholes, accordingly, did not form part of the interpretation, it was assumed that the building was 7 m in length (fig. 10). When these postholes from the evaluation are included, a ground plan emerges that can be interpreted as the remains of a Trelleborg house (fig. 11). The original 7 m long building constitutes the western end of this characteristic house, while the remainder of the south wall was found in the trial trench. Part of the north wall is apparently missing, but the rest of the building appears so convincing that the missing postholes must be attributed to poor conditions for preservation and observation. The northeastern part of the house has not been uncovered, which means that it is not possible to say with certainty whether the house was 19 or 25 m in length, minus its buttress posts.&#x0D; On the basis of the excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1990, it was assumed that the site represented a magnate’s farm from the Late Viking Age. It was presumed that the excavated buildings stood furthest to the north on the toft and that the farm’s main dwelling – in the best-case scenario the royal residence – should be sought in the area to the south between the excavated buildings. Six north-south-oriented trial trenches were therefore laid out in this area (figs. 6, 7 and 13 – trial trenches o, p, q, r, s and t). The results were, according to the excavation report, disappointing: No trace was found of Harold Bluetooth’s hall. It was concluded that there were no structures and features that could be linked together to give a larger entity such as the presumed magnate’s farm.&#x0D; After digitalisation of the excavation plans from 1991, we now have an overview of the trial trenches to a degree that was not possible previously (fig. 13). It is clear that there is a remarkable concentration of structures in the central and northern parts of the two middle trial trenches (q, r) and in part also in the second (p) and fourth (s) trial trenches from the west, as well as in the northern parts of the two easternmost trial trenches (s, t). An actual archaeological excavation would definitely be recommended here if a corresponding intensity of structures were to be encountered in an evaluation today (anno 2016).&#x0D; Now that all the plans have been digitalised, it is obvious to look at the trial trenches from 1990 and 1991 together. Although some account has to be taken of uncertainties in the digitalisation, this nevertheless confirms the picture of a high density of structures, especially in the middle of the 1991 trial trenches. The collective interpretation from the 1990 and 1991 investigations is that there are strong indications of settlement in the area of the middle 1991 trial trenches. It is also definitely a possibility that these represent the remains of a longhouse, which could constitute the main dwelling house. It can therefore be concluded that it is apparently possible to confirm the interpretation of the site as a potential royal residence, even though this is still subject to some uncertainty in the absence of new excavations. The archaeologists were disappointed following the evaluation undertaken in 1991, but the overview which modern technology is able to provide means that the interpretation is now rather more encouraging. There are strong indications of the presence of a royal residence.&#x0D; FindsThe perception of the area by Tamdrup church gained a completely new dimension when the first metal finds recovered by metal detector arrived at Horsens Museum in the autumn of 2011. With time, as the finds were submitted, considerations of the significance and function of the locality in the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages were subjected to revision. The interpretation as a magnate’s farm was, of course, common knowledge, but at Horsens Museum there was an awareness that this interpretation was in some doubt following the results of the 1991 investigations. The many new finds removed any trace of this doubt while, at the same time, giving cause to attribute yet further functions to the site. Was it also a trading place or a central place in conjunction with the farm? And was it active earlier than previously assumed?&#x0D; The 207 metal finds comprise 52 coins (whole, hack and fragments), 34 fittings (harness, belt fittings etc.), 28 brooches (enamelled disc brooches, Urnes fibulas and bird brooches), 21 weights, 15 pieces of silver (bars, hack and casting dead heads), 12 figures (pendants, small horses), nine distaff whorls, eight bronze keys, four lead amulets, three bronze bars, two fragments of folding scales and a number of other artefacts, the most spectacular of which included a gold ring and a bronze seal ring. In dating terms, most of the finds can be assigned to the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages.&#x0D; The largest artefact group consists of the coins, of which 52 have been found – either whole or as fragments. To these can be added the coin hoard, which was excavated in 2013 (fig. 12) and which primarily consists of coins minted under Svein Estridson. The other, non-hoard coins comprise: 13 Svein Estridson (figs. 15, 16), five Otto-Adelheid, five Arabic dirhams, three Sancta Colonia, one Canute the Great, one Edward the Confessor, one Theodorich II, one Heinrich II, one Rand pfennig, one Roman denarius (with drilled hole) and nine unidentified silver coins, of which some appear however to be German and others Danish/Anglo-Saxon. Most of the single coins date from the late 10th and early 11th centuries.&#x0D; The next-largest category of finds from Tamdrup are the fittings, which comprise 34 items. This category does, however, cover a broad diversity of finds, of which the dominant types are belt/strap fittings of various kinds and fittings associated with horse harness (figs. 17-24). In total, ten fittings have been found by metal detector that are thought to belong to harness. In addition to these is a single example from the excavation in 1984. The majority of these fittings are interpreted as parts of curb bits, headgear and stirrups.&#x0D; One particularly expressive figure was found at Tamdrup: a strap fitting from a stirrup, formed in a very characteristic way and depicting the face of a Viking (fig. 20). The fitting has been fixed on the stirrup strap at the point where the sides meet. Individual stirrup strap fittings are known by the hundred from England and are considered stylistically to be Anglo-Scandinavian. The fitting from Tamdrup is dated to the 11th century and is an example of a Williams’ Class B, Type 4, East Anglian type face mount.&#x0D; A special category of artefacts is represented by the brooches/fibulas, and enamel brooches are most conspicuous among the finds from Tamdrup. Of the total of 28 examples, 11 are enamel brooches. The most unusual is a large enamel disc brooch of a type that probably has not been found in Denmark previously (fig. 24). Its size alone (5.1 cm in diameter) is unusual. The centre of the brooch is raised relative to the rim and furnished with a pattern of apparently detached figures. On the rim are some alternating sail-shaped triangles on a base line which forms four crown-like motifs and defines a cruciform shape. Between the crowns are suggestions of small pits that probably were filled with enamel.&#x0D; Parallels to this type are found in central Europe, and the one that approaches closest stylistically is a brooch from Komjatice in western Slovakia, found in a grave (fig. 25). This brooch has a more or less identical crown motif, and even though the other elements are not quite the same, the similarity is striking. It is dated to the second half of the 10th century and the first half of the 11th century.&#x0D; The other enamel brooches are well-known types of small Carolingian and Ottonian brooches. There are four circular enamel cross-motif brooches (fig. 26a), two stellate disc brooches with central casing (fig. 26b), one stepped brooch with a cruciform motif, one cruciform fibula with five square casings and two disc-shaped brooches.&#x0D; In addition to the enamel brooches there are ten examples that can definitely be identified as animal brooches. Nine of these are of bronze, while one is of silver. The motifs are birds or dragons in Nordic animal styles from the Late Viking Age, Urnes and Ringerike styles, and simpler, more naturalistic forms of bird fibulas from the Late Viking Age and Early Middle Ages. Accordingly, the date for all the animal brooches is the 11th and 12th centuries.&#x0D; A total of 21 weights of various shapes and forms have been found at Tamdrup: spherical, bipolar spherical, disc-shaped, conical, square and facetted in various ways. Rather more than half are of lead, with the remainder being of bronze, including a couple of examples with an iron core and a mantle of bronze (so-called ørtug weights), where the iron has exploded out through the bronze mantle. One of the bipolar spheres (fig. 28) has ornamentation in the form of small pits on its base. Weights are primarily associated with trade, where it was important to be able to weigh an agreed amount of silver. Weights were, however, also used in the metal workshops, where it was crucial to be able to weigh a particular amount of metal for a specific cast in order to achieve the correct proportions between the different metals in an alloy.&#x0D; Eight bronze keys have been found, all dated broadly to the Viking Age (fig. 29). Most are fragmentarily preserved pieces of relatively small keys of a very simple type that must be seen as being for caskets or small chests. Keys became relatively widespread during the course of the Viking Age. Many were of iron and a good number of bronze. Nevertheless, the number of keys found at Tamdrup is impressive.&#x0D; A further group of artefacts that will be briefly mentioned are the distaff whorls. This is an artefact group which appears in many places and which was exceptionally common in the Viking Age. In archaeological excavations, examples are often found in fired clay, while metal distaff whorls – most commonly of lead – are found in particular by metal detector. Nine distaff whorls have been found at Tamdrup, all of lead. &#x0D; The finest and absolutely most prestigious artefact is a gold ring, which was found c. 60 m southwest of house 1. The ring consists of a 2 mm wide, very thin gold band, while the fittings comprise a central casing surrounded by originally eight small circular casings. In the middle sits a red stone, presumably a garnet, mounted in five rings. In a circle around the stone are the original eight small, circular mounts, of which six are preserved. The mounts, from which the stones are missing, alternate with three small gold spheres. The edges of the mounts have fine cable ornamentation. The dating is rather uncertain and is therefore not ascribed great diagnostic value. In the treasure trove description, the ring is dated to the Late Middle Ages/Renaissance, but it could presumably also date from the Early Middle Ages as it has features reminiscent of the magnificent brooch found at Østergård, which is dated to 1050.&#x0D; Two other spectacular artefacts were found in the form of some small four-legged animals, probably horses, cast in bronze. These figures are known from the Slav area and have presumably had a pre-Christian, symbolic function. Common to both of them are an elongated body, long neck and very short legs.&#x0D; Finally, mention should be made of four lead amulets. These are of a type where, on a long strip of lead, a text has been written in runes or Latin characters. Typically, these are Christian invocations intended to protect the wearer. The lead amulets are folded together and therefore do not take up much space. They are dated to the Middle Ages (1100-1400) and will therefore not be dealt with in further detail here.&#x0D; What the artefacts tell usWhat do the artefacts tell us? They help to provide a dating frame for the site, they tell us something about what has taken place there, they give an indication of which social classes/strata were represented, and, finally, they give us an insight into which foreign contacts could have existed, which influences people were under and which networks they were part of.&#x0D; Most of the artefacts date from the period 900-1000, and this is also the dating frame for the site as a whole. There is a slight tendency for the 10th century finds to be more evenly distributed across the site than those from the 11th century, which tend to be concentrated in the eastern part.&#x0D; A number of the finds are associated with tangible activities, for example the weights and, especially, the distaff whorls. Others also had practical functions but are, at the same time, associated with the upper echelons of society. Of the material from Tamdrup, the latter include the harness fittings and the keys, while the many brooches/fibulas and pendants also belong to artefact groups to which people from the higher strata of society had access.&#x0D; Some of the harness fittings and brooches suggest links with England. The stirrup-strap fitting and the cruciform strap fitting in Anglo-Scandinavian style have clear parallels in the English archaeological record. The coins, on the other hand, point towards Germany. There are a number of German coins from the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century, but the occurrence of Otto-Adelheid pennies and other German coins is not necessarily an indication of a direct German connection. From the second half of the 11th century, Svein Estridson coins dominate, but they are primarily Danish. Other artefacts that indicate contacts with western Europe are the enamelled brooches in Carolingian-Ottonian style.&#x0D; A number of objects suggest some degree of trade. Here again, it is the coins and the hack silver, and also the relatively large number of lead weights, that must be considered as relatively reliable indicators of trade, at least when their number is taken into consideration.&#x0D; In the light of the metal-detector finds it can, in conclusion, be stated that this was a locality inhabited by people of middle to high status. Many objects are foreign or show foreign inspiration and suggest therefore that Tamdrup was part of an international network. The artefacts support the interpretation of Tamdrup as a magnate’s farm and a royal residence.&#x0D; ConclusionTamdrup was located high up in the landscape, withdrawn from the coast, but nevertheless with quick and easy access to Horsens Fjord. Tamdrup could be approached from the fjord via Nørrestrand and the river Hansted Å on a northern route, or by the river Bygholm Å on a southern route (fig. 33). A withdrawn loca­tion was not atypical in the Viking Age and the Early Middle Ages. At that time there were also sites directly on the coast and at the heads of fjords, where early urbanisation materialised through the establishment of the first market towns, while the king’s residences had apparently to be located in places rather less accessible by boat and ship. As withdrawn but central, regional hubs and markers between land and sea.&#x0D; One must imagine that Tamdrup had a high status in the 10th and 11th centuries, when the king had a residence and a wooden church there. A place of great importance, culminating in the construction of a Romanesque basilica to commemorate the Christianisation of Denmark. Tamdrup appears to have lost its significance for the monarchy shortly after the stone church was completed, which could fit with King Niels, as the last of Svein Estridson’s sons, being killed in 1134, and another branch of the royal family taking over power. At the same time as Tamdrup lost its importance, Horsens flourished as a town and became of such great importance for the Crown that both Svein Grathe and Valdemar the Great had coins minted there. Tamdrup must have been a central element of the local topography in the Viking Age, when Horsens functioned as a landing place, perhaps with seasonal trading. In the long term, Horsens came out strongest, but it must be assumed that Tamdrup had the highest status between AD 900 and 1100.Lars PaghHorsens Museum

Abstract Machinery safety in high-tech industrial sectors is essential for maintaining operational integrity and ensuring the well-being of workers. The risks associated with machinery operations, such as entanglement, crush, nip, and shear hazards, can result in severe injuries and costly operational downtime. This paper highlights the critical need for improved machinery safety in these environments and presents a strategic framework to mitigate risks through effective hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation. An independent on-site machine safety assessment was carried out to evaluate safety measures and compliance with relevant safety regulations, specifically AS/NZS 4024.1–2019. The focus is on ensuring that safety measures are practical and effective, in line with the hierarchical risk control methods. We emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and regular testing to maintain safety and compliance in ever-evolving manufacturing environments. This work offers a comprehensive approach to machinery safety in manufacturing-oriented facilities, stressing the need for ongoing risk assessments and proactive safety improvements. Implementing a robust safety framework can significantly enhance manufacturing safety, safeguarding personnel and operational efficiency.

Two-dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2DERT) and Seismic Refraction Tomography (2DSRT) were concurrently applied in assessment of a gully site with the view of assessing its stability and risk level. Eight profile lines oriented parallel and perpendicular to the boundary of the gully were surveyed. As a result, apparent resistivity model tomograms in the range of 1-9,000 and p-wave velocity models in the range of 300-700 were obtained from the two techniques respectively. Interpretation of the models obtained show predominance of unconsolidated clay, shale intercalates, clayey sand, sandy clay and weathered lateritic soil at shallow depths. Low amplitude undulating refracting layers, landslide slip subsurface and lose horizons were also delineated at shallow depths. The predominance of weak, clayey and unconsolidated lithology at the gully site suggests evidence of unstable gravitational equilibrium which imply environmental hazard. The plausible deductions made from the two

In the last quarter of the twentieth century, a new technical term appeared in world practice - risk, with its various manifestations: technical and industrial, emergency, aerological, environmental, individual, collective, complex, etc. New forms of safety assessment preceded the public's understanding of the need to improve approaches to its assessment in such a way, which led to great differences in the interpretation of risk-oriented technology for safety management of dangerous production objects (DPO). In the article, the peculiarities of coal production in modern Ukraine are considered in terms of labor protection with its drawbacks, and a conclusion is made that the way out for the coal industry from the situation is to reduce risks of various types, which increases the safety of coal workers. It is noted that the terms «risk» and «danger» are not synonyms. Safety does not mean absence of unacceptable risk. A term «risk management» requires additional discussion and elucidations. Based on the terminological foundations of management theory, management is a process which includes development of alternative control influences, making of decisions by choosing the most effective ones and the implementation of control influences to achieve the desired results of the controlled object. The Risk, as (a) measure of danger of an object, is not an object, and therefore cannot be an object of control. Risk cannot function, and it has no results of functioning. Therefore, it is impossible to manage risk as such. The term "risk management" is a market phrase it is a mistake to consider risk in the form of an independent entity (because risk is only a rate of danger). It is necessary to manage work the safety of the site as a whole, and not its features and parameters, one of which is the risk. Unfortunately, in practice, we have to observe how "risk is managed" by unscrupulous authors of industrial safety declarations, as well as by hasty interpreters in their one-sided and biased reports in some media. The risk of a man working in DPO needs further and more thorough researches.

An Organization has to abide national safety legislation procedures so as to maintain business moral and workers safety. To ensure this, management has to do the following active monitoring steps like Hazard Identification, detailed Risk Assessment, drafting Safe Work procedure, Supervision and Training to Workers. While doing Risk Assessment the likelihood for the hazard to occur and the intensity of damage it would create should be properly calculated. Along with that, the effectiveness of existing control measure and the recommendations for advanced control measures also to be suggested. In general, incidents are happening mainly due to defect in Safety management, technical Job factor or individual factors. The accidents are happening mainly due to unsafe act or unsafe condition. Unsafe act includes Individual negligent behavior like, not wearing personal protective equipment, not carrying out the task as per the instruction, not carrying out the inspection or preventive maintenance as per the procedure etc., . Unsafe conditions include defective equipment in the work place, improper Housekeeping in the work site etc. In Petrochemical plants, as volatile Hydrocarbon exist in the process area, the chances for fire oriented emergencies are unavoidable if unsafe act or unsafe condition not identified and controlled appropriately. In a crude oil refinery or downstream petrochemical units, mostly flammable substances like Petrol, Diesel, Superior Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuels and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would be the refined products. These products processed in distillation columns, stored in tanks, bullets and transported through pipelines. As this process equipment’s and distribution networks especially Pipeline grids are exposed to atmosphere the natural phenomenon called Atmospheric Corrosion is unavoidable. Atmospheric Corrosion may happen if the atmospheric pollutants interact with humidified air an electrochemical reaction leads to Corrosion. This electrochemical reaction would affect the Pipeline structures very badly results in puncture on pipeline surface leads to flammable substance leakage. To control this corrosion, along with proactive engineering control measure, ambient air quality analysis, corrosion simulation and corrosion monitoring should be done.

AbstractEarthquake is a sudden release of energy due to faults. Natural calamities like earthquakes can neither be predicted nor prevented. However, the severity of the damages can be minimized by development of proper infrastructure which includes microzonation studies, appropriate construction procedures and earthquake resistant designs. The earthquake damaging effect depends on the source, path and site conditions. The earthquake ground motion is affected by topography (slope, hill, valley, canyon, ridge and basin effects), groundwater and surface hydrology. The seismic hazard damages are ground shaking, structural damage, retaining structure failures and lifeline hazards. The medium to large earthquake magnitude (&lt; 6) reported in Ethiopia are controlled by the main Ethiopian rift System. The spatial and temporal variation of earthquake ground motion should be addressed using the following systematic methodology. The general approaches used to analyze damage of earthquake ground motions are probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA), deterministic seismic hazard assessment (DSHA) and dynamic site response analysis. PSHA considers all the scenarios of magnitude, distance and site conditions to estimate the intensity of ground motion distribution. Conversely, DSHA taken into account the worst case scenarios or maximum credible earthquake to estimate the intensity of seismic ground motion distribution. Furthermore, to design critical infrastructures, DSHA is more valuable than PSHA. The DSHA and PSHA ground motion distributions are estimated as a function of earthquake magnitude and distance using ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) at top of the bedrock. Site response analysis performed to estimate the ground motion distributions at ground surface using dynamic properties of the soils such as shear wave velocity, density, modulus reduction, and material damping curves. Seismic hazard evaluation of Ethiopia shown that (i) amplification is occurred in the main Ethiopian Rift due to thick soil, (ii) the probability of earthquake recurrence due to active fault sources. The situation of active fault is oriented in the N-S direction. Ethiopia is involved in huge infrastructural development (including roads, industrial parks and railways), increasing population and agricultural activity in the main Ethiopian Rift system. In this activity, socio-economic development, earthquake and earthquake-generated ground failures need to be given attention in order to reduce losses from seismic hazards and create safe geo-environment.

4-D Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was employed at the Kegbara Dere oil spill site in Ogoniland, Rivers State, southern Nigeria, to monitor the pollution dynamics of the contaminant plume, identify its preferential flow path, and determine target areas for decontamination to optimize remediation planning. Twelve survey lines were executed in a grid at four time points at the spill site. The independent inversion of 3-D datasets displayed acute variations in the apparent resistivity of the contaminants in response to precipitation, and a maximum depth of 41.8 m was imaged. A time-dependent evaluation of 3-D ERT models showed a reduction in the apparent resistivity of the contaminant plume during the rainy season compared to the dry season. This tendency is attributed to the dilution effect of rainfall, which increases the water content of the soil in the wet season. The time-lapse (TL) 3-D datasets were subjected to 4-D simultaneous inversion using a developed in-house algorithm, and the 4-D inversion results were analyzed to show the real-time position of the contaminant plume and the migration flow pathway is oriented to the southwest of the spill site. A maximum depth of 44.0 m was investigated. The 4-D inversion was able to eliminate time-related inversion artifacts to identify the preferential flow path of contaminant plumes at the spill site. This allows the environmental assessment of the target areas for cleanup and decontamination. An investigation of water specimens collected from five boreholes at the spill site revealed an average concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbon for the specimens as 739.51 µg/l, which surpassed the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) margins (50 and 600 µg/l). The summed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration in the specimens was measured at 0.70 µg/l in borehole 1 (BH1), 0.79 μg/l in borehole 2 (BH2), 0.36 μg/l in borehole 3 (BH3), 1.00 μg/l in borehole 4 (BH4), and 1.89 μg/l in borehole 5 (BH5), which are beyond the DPR target margin of 0.15 µg/l. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene compositions also displayed elevated concentrations in the specimens. The direction of groundwater flow is toward BH4, located southwest of the spill site, indicating the most at-risk receptor area for contamination. The results obtained from the geophysical and geochemical methods showed a strong correlation and have been validated as efficacious tools for environmental monitoring and pollution assessment at contaminated sites. The 4-D inversion proved beneficial for remediation planning and sustainable development, even in the presence of rainfall during the TL surveys.

There is a growing interest worldwide on the potential of nature-based solutions (NBSs) as measures for dealing with water-related risks while producing multiple co-benefits that can contribute to several societal challenges and many of the sustainable development goals. However, several barriers still hamper their wider implementation, such as mainly the lack of stakeholders’ engagement and the limited integration of stakeholders’ knowledge throughout the phases of NBS design and implementation. This is a crucial aspect to guarantee that the multidimensional implications of NBSs are adequately understood and considered by decision-makers. Innovative methods and tools for improving NBS design and supporting decision-makers in overcoming the main barriers to implementation, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness, are therefore needed. The present work proposes a combined approach based on the integration of fuzzy cognitive maps, hydraulic modeling, and participatory Bayesian belief networks aiming to facilitate the stakeholders’ engagement and the knowledge integration process in NBS design and assessment. The approach was developed and implemented within the NAIAD project in the Lower Danube demo site, specifically oriented to support the process of the Potelu Wetland restoration. First, fuzzy cognitive maps are adopted as a problem structuring method for eliciting stakeholders’ risk perception and problem understanding, and for constructing a causal model describing the system as a whole, with specific attention to the expected role of the NBS in reducing flood risk and addressing the key local challenges. Second, hydraulic modeling is used to analyze the effect of extreme floods starting from the retrospective analysis of a specific event and to model the potential benefits of risk reduction measures. Last, a Bayesian belief network is used to support the model integration process and a scenario analysis with a user-friendly tool. The whole process can be replicated in other areas and is particularly suitable to support an active engagement of stakeholders (both institutional and not) in the process of NBS design and assessment.

There is a growing interest worldwide on the potential of nature-based solutions (NBSs) as measures for dealing with water-related risks while producing multiple co-benefits that can contribute to several societal challenges and many of the sustainable development goals. However, several barriers still hamper their wider implementation, such as mainly the lack of stakeholders' engagement and the limited integration of stakeholders' knowledge throughout the phases of NBS design and implementation. This is a crucial aspect to guarantee that the multidimensional implications of NBSs are adequately understood and considered by decision-makers. Innovative methods and tools for improving NBS design and supporting decision-makers in overcoming the main barriers to implementation, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness, are therefore needed. The present work proposes a combined approach based on the integration of fuzzy cognitive maps, hydraulic modeling, and participatory Bayesian belief networks aiming to facilitate the stakeholders' engagement and the knowledge integration process in NBS design and assessment. The approach was developed and implemented within the NAIAD project in the Lower Danube demo site, specifically oriented to support the process of the Potelu Wetland restoration. First, fuzzy cognitive maps are adopted as a problem structuring method for eliciting stakeholders' risk perception and problem understanding, and for constructing a causal model describing the system as a whole, with specific attention to the expected role of the NBS in reducing flood risk and addressing the key local challenges. Second, hydraulic modeling is used to analyze the effect of extreme floods starting from the retrospective analysis of a specific event and to model the potential benefits of risk reduction measures. Last, a Bayesian belief network is used to support the model integration process and a scenario analysis with a user-friendly tool. The whole process can be replicated in other areas and is particularly suitable to support an active engagement of stakeholders (both institutional and not) in the process of NBS design and assessment.

Microfluidic&nbsp;glazing is a newly developed, adaptive, transparent component characterized by micro-channels filled with a circulating liquid, functioning as a&nbsp;heat exchanger&nbsp;and controlling the heat transfer through a&nbsp;fa&ccedil;ade. The performance of this glazing depends on its design and operation on site. The aim of this study is to present the results of an in-situ performance evaluation of microfluidic glazing components obtained from an experimental campaign in outdoor test cells, and to explore their potential and limitations under realistic working conditions. A case study has been conducted in Turin, Italy, in which two small south-oriented triple glazing units, upgraded with different functional elements, including a laminated semi-transparent&nbsp;Perovskite solar cell&nbsp;and microfluidic glazing, have been investigated under different operating conditions. Overall, the experimental campaign has shown a reduction in the heat exchange through the fa&ccedil;ade of about 70%. Moreover, this technology allows the temperature in the Perovskite solar cell to be decreased by as much as 10&nbsp;&deg;C, and the central glazing temperature to be reduced by as much as 41&nbsp;&deg;C, when set as the central panel, thereby effectively decreasing the risk of&nbsp;thermal degradation&nbsp;or thermal shocks. A temperature difference of 12&nbsp;&deg;C and 16&nbsp;&deg;C was recorded, depending on the modules, between the inlet and outlet temperatures.

This protocol outlines&nbsp;the feasibility study (phase 1) of the&nbsp;RISE project&nbsp;(Prevention of child mental health problems in Southeastern Europe). Introduction Families in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) face multiple challenges (eg, poverty and adverse childhood experiences) that increase the risk for child mental health problems, while the context may provide them with few resources. Existing prevention- oriented parenting programmes have been shown to&nbsp;be effective in reducing child behaviour problems and associated risk factors. This project has the overall&nbsp;goal of adapting, implementing and testing a parenting intervention in three Southeastern European LMIC and uses the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy and dimensions of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation&nbsp;and Maintenance framework. It is implemented over three phases: (1) preparation, (2) optimisation and (3) evaluation. The preparation phase, the subject of this paper, involves the adaptation and feasibility piloting of the parenting programme. Methods and analysis&nbsp; This protocol describes the assessment of an evidence-informed indicated prevention programme for families with children aged 2&ndash;9 years (Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children) for implementation in FYR of Macedonia, Republic of&nbsp;Moldova and Romania. In this phase, officials, experts, parents and practitioners are interviewed to explore their views of suitability and needs for further adaptation. In addition, a small pre&ndash;post pilot study will test the feasibility of the programme and its implementation as well as the evaluation measures in the three countries with 40 families per country site (n=120). Quantitative data analysis will comprise a psychometric analysis of measures, testing pre&ndash;post differences using ANCOVA,&nbsp;&chi;2tests and regression analysis. For qualitative data analysis, a thematic approach within an experiential framework will be applied. Ethics and dissemination&nbsp; The ethics review board of the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt and ethical review boards in the three LMIC sites have approved the study.trial registration number&nbsp;NCT03552250.

Abstract Background Plastic surgery training requires the trainee to assist in surgeries to improve their on-table decision making and hone their surgical skills, but this results in an increased risk of intraoperative complications and increased operative time. It is important to have a training method that orients the trainee toward the surgery to ensure patient safety. Materials and Methods A training method called preoperative preparatory talk (PPT) was devised in which the preceptor orients the trainee toward the planned surgery in three phases. Comparison and statistical analysis of mean operative times of four stages of free flap surgeries after PPT and without PPT were done. Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) scores of surgical trainees were also documented for surgeries done with and without PPT and statistical analysis was done for comparing these scores. Results Statistical analysis via unpaired t-test confirmed that after applying PPT, there was a significant decrease in time taken in three out of four stages of free flap surgeries: flap planning and harvesting, recipient site preparation and vessel dissection, and flap division and partial inset. Trainees were found to be better oriented toward the surgery which resulted in a better performance on table that was confirmed by statistical analysis of OSATS score via unpaired t-test. Conclusion PPT ensures better learning for the resident and improves patient safety because of better orientation of the operating team toward the procedure and operating steps. This reduces the operative time of free flap surgeries. We recommend this training method to be incorporated in plastic surgery training programs.

AbstractThis study proposes a method to explicitly account for ground motion duration in seismic design by modifying structural deformation capacity. An equation is presented to adjust the design drift limit prescribed in the New Zealand standard NZS 1170.5, based on the anticipated reduction in structural deformation capacity for ground motion durations longer than a critical value. The proposed relationship is used to derive designs corresponding to three duration targets each for two case‐study steel moment frame buildings ‐ a 4‐storey and a 12‐storey, located on a site in Nelson, New Zealand. Hazard‐consistent collapse risk assessment of the design versions is conducted using a structural reliability framework employing incremental dynamic analysis. Results indicate that buildings designed for lower drift limits have a lower mean annual frequency of collapse. The application of the proposed method is found to reduce the variation in the collapse risk of steel frame buildings designed for different duration targets, compared to the existing approach. The method proposed in this study is simple and easy for practical applications and can be modified for other design codes and a range of structural typologies.

Abstract Modern research management, particularly for publicly funded studies, assumes a data governance model in which grantees are considered stewards rather than owners of important data sets. Thus, there is an expectation that collected data are shared as widely as possible with the general research community. This presents problems in complex studies that involve sensitive health information. The latter requires balancing participant privacy with the needs of the research community. Here, we report on the data operation ecosystem crafted for the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia project, an international observational study of young individuals at clinical high risk for developing a psychotic disorder. We review data capture systems, data dictionaries, organization principles, data flow, security, quality control protocols, data visualization, monitoring, and dissemination through the NIMH Data Archive platform. We focus on the interconnectedness of these steps, where our goal is to design a seamless data flow and an alignment with the FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) principles while balancing local regulatory and ethical considerations. This process-oriented approach leverages automated pipelines for data flow to enhance data quality, speed, and collaboration, underscoring the project’s contribution to advancing research practices involving multisite studies of sensitive mental health conditions. An important feature is the data’s close-to-real-time quality assessment (QA) and quality control (QC). The focus on close-to-real-time QA/QC makes it possible for a subject to redo a testing session, as well as facilitate course corrections to prevent repeating errors in future data acquisition. Watch Dr. Sylvain Bouix discuss his work and this article: https://vimeo.com/1025555648.

Abstract This paper presents the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research within the Medical Informatics Initiative (PCOR-MII) project, focusing on the integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into a large-scale national data sharing infrastructure, established in Germany by the Medical Informatics Initiative (MII). PCOR-MII aims to systematically address the interests of various stakeholders in patient-reported health data and three dimensions of clinical utility: (1) prediction, (2) monitoring, and (3) outcome assessment. The project builds upon harmonized technical, data, and compliance environments established at the participating institutions as part of the MII to deploy and roll out software solutions for capturing PROs and making them accessible within local electronic health record (EHR) systems. To overcome interoperability challenges, PCOR-MII is developing a construct-oriented PROM module for the Health Level 7 (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)–based German National Core Dataset. The project applies its approach to three patient populations with distinct characteristics: anorexia nervosa targeting risk prediction (dimension 1), kidney transplantation prioritizing health status and adherence monitoring (dimension 2), and persistent somatic symptoms primarily aimed at assessing and understanding outcomes (dimension 3). With their emphasis on different aspects of PROs, those application areas can serve as blueprints for a broader roll-out. PCOR-MII represents a structured and comprehensive effort to incorporate PROs into a national data infrastructure, promising more precise diagnostics, improved treatment decisions, and the generation of new biomedical insights. We believe that our structured approach may serve as a guiding framework for others aiming to implement PROs in diverse healthcare settings.