• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.241-257
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• 2020

The rapid proliferation of oil/gas drilling and wind turbine installations with jack-up rig-formed structures increases structural safety requirements, due to the greater risks of operational collisions during use of these structures. Therefore, current industrial practices and regulations have tended to increase the required accidental collision design loads (impact energies) for jack-up rigs. However, the existing simplified design approach tends to be limited to the design and prediction of local members due to the difficulty in applying the increased uniform impact energy to a brace member without regard for the member's position. It is therefore necessary to define accidental load estimation in terms of a reasonable collision scenario and its application to the structural response analysis. We found by a collision probabilistic approach that the kinetic energy ranged from a minimum of 9 MJ to a maximum 1049 MJ. Only 6% of these values are less than the 35 MJ recommendation of DNV-GL (2013). This study assumed and applied a representative design load of 196.2 MN for an impact load of 20,000 tons. Based on this design load, the detailed design of a leg structure was numerically verified via an FE analysis comprising three categories: linear analysis, buckling analysis and progressive collapse analysis. Based on the numerical results from this analysis, it was possible to predict the collapse mode and position of each member in relation to the collision load. This study provided a collision strength assessment between attendant vessels and a jack-up rig based on probabilistic collision scenarios and nonlinear structural analysis. The numerical results of this study also afforded reasonable evaluation criteria and specific evaluation procedures.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure. Methods: With the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950-2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses. Results: Sixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays. Conclusion: Norwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

Purpose: The risk of disaster from extreme weather events is increasing due to the increase in occurrence and the strength of heavy rains and storms from continued climate change. To reduce these risks, emergency weather information customized for the characteristics of the information users and related circumstances should be provided. Method: A first-stage emergency weather information delivery system has been developed to provide weather information to the disaster-risk area residents and the disaster response personnel. Novel methods to apply artificial intelligence to identify emergencies have been studied. The relationship between special weather reports from meteorological administration and disaster-related news articles has been analyzed to identify the significance of a pilot study using text analytic artificial intelligence. Result: The basis to identify the significance of the relations between disaster-related articles and special weather reports has been established and the possibility of the development of a real-world applicable system based on a broader analysis of data has been suggested. Conclusion: Through direct alert delivery of weather emergency alerts, a weather emergency alert system is expected to reduce the risk of damage from extreme weather situations.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.351-355
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• 2023

The need for Advanced LOSA arises from the limitations and drawbacks of traditional LOSA. Amended LOSA aims to address some of the shortcomings of the original methodology and make it more effective and relevant to current aviation safety needs. Some of the key reasons for developing Advanced LOSA include Enhancing the scope, Improving data collection and analysis, Providing more targeted safety recommendations. First, Traditional LOSA mainly focuses on flight deck operations, but Advanced LOSA expands the scope to include other operational areas such as cabin operations, ground handling, and maintenance. Second, Advanced LOSA can build a Forecasting System that can predict the future through data collection and data analysis. Third, Advanced LOSA aims to provide more specific and targeted safety recommendations based on the Aviation data collection and Aviation data analysis. Overall, Advanced LOSA seeks to improve aviation safety by addressing the limitations of traditional LOSA and providing a more comprehensive and effective methodology for identifying and mitigating safety risks in aviation operations.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2023

Formaldehyde use is associated with serious health risks, which can affect medical personnel and technicians. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of an alternative fixative, with respect to two types of formalin fixatives, by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and RNA extraction. For H&E staining, the circular nucleus was stained dark blue by the basic dye hematoxylin and the cytoplasm was stained red by the acid dye eosin in all three fixative samples. No difference was found in the Duksan General Science (DGS), Sigma-Aldrich, and Core-Fix fixative samples (Corebiotech) used to fix kidney tissue, after PAS staining. IHC staining showed that CD4 was significantly increased in the lippolysaccharide (LPS)-treated group compared to the control group (vehicle), confirming the changes in specific molecules. The quantity and quality of RNA from tissues fixed in the three types of fixatives were evaluated. The average concentration of RNA was 106 ng/µL and average purity at A 260/280 ratio was 1.7~2.0, regardless of fixative used. For quality of protein, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein was confirmed by Western blotting. In conclusion, Core-Fix can be used as a fixative for pathological tissues, in histological and molecular diagnoses.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2022

Pathological tissue fixation using formalin has been widely used for histological samples in many hospitals and institutions. In general, formalin fixatives were either manufactured in laboratories or purchased commercially because of the risks and environmental concerns of handling organic compounds. In this study, the efficacy of three kinds of commercially purchased and one laboratory-made formalin fixative was compared in the PCR-based molecular diagnosis using the extracted DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. The quality of extracted DNA from FFPE tonsil tissues with four kinds of formalin solutions was evaluated, and PCR for beta-globin gene and microsatellite instabilities (MSI) tests for pentaplex panel markers were performed using the extracted DNA. There was no difference in PCR and MSI tests as molecular diagnoses regardless of the types of formalin used in this study. However, the total amount and average length of double-stranded DNA extracted from FFPE tonsil tissue showed significant differences according to the type of formalin fixative. Optimized formalin fixatives and methods for DNA extraction might be sophisticated to extract good quality DNA from the small size of specific tissue samples. Further studies are needed to select the most effective formalin fixative for histology and molecular pathology using human FFPE tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Objectives: Dental or maxillofacial emergencies are uncommon during pregnancy, but if they occur, they are challenging to treat due to potential risks. The mother should not be denied necessary medical or dental care because of pregnancy. The aim of the study is to observe outcomes of pregnancy in patients requiring emergency minor oral surgical procedures during gestation and to determine the safety of the pregnant woman undergoing the procedure and the fetus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 52 pregnant women requiring emergency oral surgical procedures. A standard treatment protocol for treatment of specific entities was followed. Close monitoring and observation were the primary goal of treatment. All patients were followed postoperatively until complete recovery from the surgical procedures and then until birth of the baby. A control group of 52 healthy pregnant patients who did not require oral surgical procedures was considered for statistical analysis. The measurements to calculate observation were fetal loss (spontaneous abortion), preterm birth, low-birth weight, or incidence of any congenital anomalies in the baby and its association with surgical procedures. Results: No fetal loss occurred in any of the cases. However, four patients experienced preterm birth and seven neonates exhibited low birth weights. No congenital abnormalities were discovered. In one instance, a patient who underwent surgery for a mandibular symphysis fracture under general anesthesia in the 31st week of pregnancy experienced labor pain on the fourth postoperative day, requiring an emergency Caesarean section. Conclusion: The results of our study demonstrate that, compared to the control group, minor emergency surgeries performed during pregnancy have no discernible negative effects on the fetus. These procedures can safely be performed by adhering to our described protocols.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.895-911
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• 2023

Processed meat products play a vital role in our daily dietary intake due to their rich protein content and the inherent convenience they offer. However, they often contain synthetic additives and ingredients that may pose health risks when taken excessively. This review explores strategies to improve meat product quality, focusing on three key approaches: substituting synthetic additives, reducing the ingredients potentially harmful when overconsumed like salt and animal fat, and boosting nutritional value. To replace synthetic additives, natural sources like celery and beet powders, as well as atmospheric cold plasma treatment, have been considered. However, for phosphates, the use of organic alternatives is limited due to the low phosphate content in natural substances. Thus, dietary fiber has been used to replicate phosphate functions by enhancing water retention and emulsion stability in meat products. Reducing the excessive salt and animal fat has garnered attention. Plant polysaccharides interact with water, fat, and proteins, improving gel formation and water retention, and enabling the development of low-salt and low-fat products. Replacing saturated fats with vegetable oils is also an option, but it requires techniques like Pickering emulsion or encapsulation to maintain product quality. These strategies aim to reduce or replace synthetic additives and ingredients that can potentially harm health. Dietary fiber offers numerous health benefits, including gut health improvement, calorie reduction, and blood glucose and lipid level regulation. Natural plant extracts not only enhance oxidative stability but also reduce potential carcinogens as antioxidants. Controlling protein and lipid bioavailability is also considered, especially for specific consumer groups like infants, the elderly, and individuals engaged in physical training with dietary management. Future research should explore the full potential of dietary fiber, encompassing synthetic additive substitution, salt and animal fat reduction, and nutritional enhancement. Additionally, optimal sources and dosages of polysaccharides should be determined, considering their distinct properties in interactions with water, proteins, and fats. This holistic approach holds promise for improving meat product quality with minimal processing.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.531-537
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• 2023

Municipal solid waste landfills are unpredictable bioreactors which in cases of mishandling and bad supervision presents numerous risks. The key to municipal waste landfills is to approach them from the point of prevention of the possible consequences, which means using methods of organized waste disposal, and also utilizing landfill gas, as an unavoidable consequence with disposal of municipal solid waste with a high share of biodegradable organic matter. This paper presents an overview about problems of solid municipal waste management, type and composition of waste, and an overview of waste management condition. Further, the problem of landfill and landfill gasses is described with the calculation models of landfill production, as well as the use of the SWM GHG Calculator and LandGEM software on a specific example of gas production for the central zone at Sarajevo landfill "Smiljevici". Main focus of this thesis is the analysis of potentials of greenhouse gas emission reduction measures from the waste management. Overview of the best available techniques in waste management is presented as well as the methodology used for calculations. Scenarios of greenhouse gas emission reduction in waste management were defined so that emissions were calculated using the appropriate model. In the final section of the paper, its description of the problem of collection and utilization the landfill gas at the sanitary landfill "Smiljevici", and implementation of the system for landfill gas collection and solution suggestion for the gasification and exploitation of gas. Energy, environmental and economic benefits can be accomplished by utilizing municipal solid waste as fuel in industry and energy and moreover by utilizing energy generation from landfill gas, which this thesis emphasizes.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2023

Recent studies have evaluated the association between specific beverage intake and metabolic risks in adults. However, more evidence is needed to examine the association between the Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and metabolic factors. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between HBI and metabolic factors in adults. In this cross-sectional study, 338 overweight and obese individuals living in Tabriz, Iran were selected. Data on beverage consumption, demographics, physical activity, and anthropometric characteristics were evaluated using validated standard protocols. The predefined HBI was calculated based on previous studies. The mean value of HBI index among all of the participants was 59.76 ± 6.51. Those at the higher HBI scores had significantly lower waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fat mass, and weight (p < 0.05). HBI and triglyceride scores also had a significant relationship. It has been shown that at higher HBI scores compared to lower scores, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increase while homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood pressure decrease. HBI scores higher among Iranian adults were associated with a better chance of losing weight and weight loss and a better lipid profile, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, HBI can be a useful and helpful tool for assessing the overall quality of beverages adults consume. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the possible health effects of healthy beverage index.