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The recent technological advances in Automated Driving Systems (ADS) have fueled interest in the use and impact of vehicle fleetsinvolved in driverless passenger transport services. This research identifies key safety risks associated Level 4 ADS-equipped vehicleoperation for fleets employed for Mobility as a Service (MaaS) applications. The study goes beyond assessing the functional safety ofthe ADS-equipped vehicles to explore the role of fleet operators in ensuring the operational safety of the vehicle fleets through remote driving assistance functions. This work identifies key responsibilities of the fleet operators in implementing risk reductionmeasures related to organizational management of change, training remote supervisors, ensuring suitable working conditions, enforcing vehicle connectivity and dispatching requirements, and coordinating incident mitigation procedures, training, tools, and work conditions. The study employs a hazard identification methodology that combines traditional and innovative methods to analyze risks involving human, software, and hardware systems. The study identified twenty hazard scenarios arising from system failures, human errors, and unsafe interactions during different operational phases. These are ranked based on their impact on safety and resource intensity, enabling fleet operators to make better decisions regarding resource allocation. By implementing these actions, fleet operators can prevent and mitigate safety hazards in the operation of ADS-equipped fleets though remote monitoring and driving assistance functions. The hazards and risk mitigation activities identified in this report may also improve the operational safety of passenger vehicles equipped with ADS technology as they become more widely deployed in future large-scale commercialoperations.

Tsampa, as an essential traditional food in Tibet, demands strict quality and safety assurances during its industrial production process. In order to ensure the food safety of the public, it is urgent to establish a comprehensive quality and safety control system aimed at enhancing the food quality and safety of Tsampa. This study conducts a systematic hazard analysis on the entire production process of Tsampa from raw materials to finished products, identifies critical control points, sets critical limits and corrective measures, and ultimately formulate and verify a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plan. By applying the HACCP system to the production processes of local Tibetan Tsampa enterprises, five critical control points, including raw material acceptance, raw material storage, roasting, packaging, and finished product storage, were identified and subjected to in-depth analysis of significant hazards. Corresponding control measures and critical parameters were established for various hazards. The effective implementation of the HACCP system within the actual production processes ensures comprehensive control over the quality and safety of Tsampa, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the Tibetan Tsampa industry.

Copyright of International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Pure Sciences is the property of Marmara University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods is the property of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

After the Minxian-Zhangxian magnitude 6.6 earthquake on July 22, 2013, debris flow occurred in Fangjiagou, Zhangxian County. To reduce the potential damage of debris flow, a three-level check dam and drainage channel were built in the gully to regulate the peak flow of debris flow and reduce the threat to the downstream accumulation fan protection objects. However, The control project currently in place in the study area has been designed based on the characteristics of previous debris flow occurrences, and its effectiveness for future incidents remains to be tested. This study used the bilinear interpolation method to fine process DEM data of high-precision remote sensing image, reconstructed the check dam and topographic model of Fangjiagou small watershed, and adopted FLO-2D software to simulate and analyze the movement characteristics and risk of Fangjiagou debris flow under different precipitation probability conditions; the effect of debris flow control project thus then was evaluated. The results show that: As the intensity of rainfall gradually increases, the desilting ability of the barrier dam for debris flow increases gradually, and the debris flow does not pass the barrier dam. The limiting efficiency of flow rate of debris flow is 80.1%, which greatly weakens the impact of failure ability of debris flow. The area with a high risk of debris flow is reduced by 45.34%, which effectively reduces the influence range of debris flow. This study presents that the debris flow blocking project has a remarkable treatment effect under the simulation condition of Fangjiagou dam construction, which can provide effective guidance for the feasibility test of debris flow blocking projects in similar small watersheds.

In this research, the deformation pattern of Alborz is investigated using a combination of data from the new permanent GPS networks that belong to State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties (SHAMIM) and Tehran Municipality (SAMT), the new temporary IASBS_NCC network and the permanent and temporary stations of the National Cartographic Organization. The addition of the 27 new GPS stations has improved the obtained velocity field, which shows that the active deformation happens across the entire width of Alborz from south to north by several faults and active fault zones. Contrary to the common belief about the strain partitioning in the Alborz Mountains between the strike-slip faults in the southern flank of the Alborz and along the compressional south-dipping Khazar fault in the northern flank of the Alborz, the new velocity field indicates a spread of strike-slip and compressional movements along different faults across the width of the Alborz. In previous works, due to the lack of GPS stations between the Khazar fault and other active faults in the northern flank of the Alborz (e.g. North Alborz fault), all the observed deformation in the northern flank of the Alborz has been associated with the Khazar fault. In the improved velocity field, the presence of a new GPS vector between the North Alborz and the Khazar fault in the eastern part of the Alborz indicates a dominant role of the North Alborz fault in the strain accommodation once compared to the Khazar fault. Like the previous works, the new velocity field shows a lower total strain for the western Alborz, which is consistent with the lower observed seismicity in the western Alborz. The new velocity field indicates an active extensional system in the western Alborz in a longitude range of 49o to 50.5o around the Tarom Valley. The extensional system might be related to the counterclock wise rotation of the South Caspian Basin relative to Eurasia. The improved velocity field shows a noticeable strike-slip motion of 2 mm/yr at the northern edge of Central Iran which could be related to the Aran-Torud fault zone and Attari fault. There is also a shortening rate of ~2 mm/yr between the northern edge of Central Iran and the Eastern Alborz which could be related to the salt tectonic within the Great Kavir fault. The improved velocity field shows a right-lateral strike-slip motion of ~1 mm/yr across the Indes and Kushk-Nosrat faults. Despite the observed large seismic activity and a geological slip rate of 2 mm/yr for the eastern part of the Mosha fault, both strike-slip and compressional slip rates along the Mosha fault are less than 1 mm/yr. Within a radius of ~50 km from the center of Tehran metropolitan area, there is no noticeable rate of strike-slip or compressional movement and the strain rate is around the error limit or less than 1 mm/yr. The low strain rate implies a very long earthquake return period for large earthquakes in Tehran metropolitan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrometeorological hazards significantly impact agricultural production and rural economic development. The interdisciplinary nature of studying these hazards poses challenges such as poor data interoperability in research. This paper proposes a method for analyzing agrometeorological hazards using knowledge graphs to understand occurrence patterns and devise response strategies. The study involves classifying agricultural and meteorological knowledge and designing a hazard entity model based on the characteristics and influencing factors of agrometeorological hazards. Data mining and extraction techniques are used to extract relevant information from multiple sources, and a knowledge graph for knowledge fusion and storage is built. The retrieval and inference capabilities of the knowledge graphs are used to intelligently analyze agrometeorological hazards. Results indicate that analyzing agrometeorological hazards using knowledge graphs is an innovative method that offers new perspectives and ideas for agricultural meteorological hazard research, thereby promoting the sustainable development of agricultural production and the stable growth of the rural economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology / Shuiwendizhi Gongchengdizhi is the property of Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to utilize the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique and Google Earth optical remote sensing images to analyze the area within 20 km around the epicenter of a M 3.9, earthquake that occurred in Tanchang County, Gansu Province, on December 28, 2020. The objective is to identify potential earthquake-induced landslides, assess their scale, and determine their impact range. The study results reveal the successful identification of two potential landslides in the 20 km radius around the epicenter. Through time-series deformation analysis, it was observed that these potential landslides were significantly influenced by both the earthquake and rainfall. Further estimation of these potential landslides indicates maximum depths of 7.4 m and 14.1 m for the failure surfaces, with volumes of 9.02 x 104 m³ and 25.5 x 104 m³, respectively. Finally, based on the simulation analysis of Massflow software, the maximum thickness of soil accumulation in the final accumulation area after sliding of the potential landslide in Shangyaai is 12 m, the area of the final accumulation area is 1.75 x 104 m², and the farthest movement distance is 1124 m. The maximum thickness of soil accumulation in the final accumulation area after sliding of the potential landslide in Wangshancun is 8 m, the area of the final accumulation area is 7.89 x 104 m², and the farthest movement distance is 742 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of extreme storms on the safety of flood protection dams within complex schemes. A modeling methodology is developed using HEC-RAS 2D and presented on an illustrative case, where nine scenarios are simulated. The impact of climatic shifts on extreme storms and dams’ safety is highlighted. The results showed that, despite multi-reservoir systems can be efficient in flood protection against their design storms, they can cause catastrophic damage when subjected to extreme events that have become evident nowadays due to climatic shifts. This is attributed to the successive failure of the water storage structures in a progressive (“domino-like”) manner. The consequences of such breaches can significantly multiply the hazards. These findings can be linked to storm Daniel that occurred at Wadi Derna in Libya and caused two successive dam breaches, leaving a tragedy. The proposed modeling methodology can be useful for designers in evaluating complex scenarios.

Rapid urbanization in developing countries poses challenges such as rising crime rates and resource scarcity. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) offer a promising solution to enhance public safety, but their integration requires addressing specific challenges. This study employs the Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) and System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) methodologies to identify potential hazards and requirements for integrating UAS into public safety systems in urban environments. The research objectives include identifying hazards and challenges, developing safety requirements and guidelines, and proposing strategies for efficient infrastructure investment. The proposed framework, based on STAMP/STPA, includes additional steps to consider early-stage systems and maintain stakeholder traceability. A risk matrix approach is utilized to prioritize risk mitigation measures for cost-effectiveness. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in developing countries seeking to harness the potential of UAS technology for enhancing public safety while addressing the unique challenges posed by rapid urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer preferences, safety, and sustainability aspects of conventional cosmetic ingredients have contributed to an increase in the demand for natural cosmetic ingredients and products. Naturally derived active cosmetic agents and excipients may come into contact with various naturally occurring and synthetic contaminants throughout the supply chain, and substantiating their safety is essential. This review examines the safety and legislative requirements applicable to natural cosmetic ingredients in the European Union (EU). Cosmetic safety requirements include technical data based on the ingredient profile, presence of hazards and the risks associated with the intended conditions of use. The hazard analysis includes screening for microbial contaminants such as aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans; chemical contaminants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury; and naturally occurring toxins, such as allergens. The toxicological assessment considers both local effects (such as skin sensitisation, eye/skin irritation, and photo-induced effects) and systemic effects (including acute dermal toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and toxicokinetics). The EU legislative requirements prohibit the use of animal-based tests for the toxicological evaluation of cosmetic ingredients, paving the way for alternatives termed as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The validation of NAMs is critical for their wider usage, and despite advancements, few have been validated, particularly for systemic toxicity testing. The use of NAMs in evaluating the safety of complex natural cosmetic ingredients is further examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While urban underground space is being built and developed at a high speed, urban flooding is also occurring gradually and frequently. Urban water, in many disasters, has intruded into underground spaces, such as subway stations, often leading to serious casualties, in which it is crucial for people to be able to escape from the staircases. In order to enable and guide the escape of people in underground floods, a staircase model with multiple rest platforms, applicable to common entrance and exit staircase forms, was constructed. The realizable k-ε turbulence model, coupled with a volume of fluid (VOF) method, was used to simulate and analyze the flow patterns when floods of various heights intrude into the structure. The effects of rest platform settings on the ejection phenomena and flow velocity changes in flood flows were summarized. The change rule of flood flow velocity on the stairs under different flood heights and stair heights was summarized, and a linear relationship between the peak flood flow velocity and the location of the peak flow velocity point on each flight of stairs was derived. Combined with the formula of the critical conditions for people to escape upwards in the flood, the proposed escape conditions for staircases with multiple rest platforms were proposed, which provide a basis for guiding the evacuation of people in times of disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experience-based methods like reinforcement learning (RL) are often deemed less suitable for the safety field due to concerns about potential safety issues. To bridge this gap, we introduce STPA-RL, a methodology that integrates RL with System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). STPA is a safety analysis technique that identifies causative factors leading to unsafe control actions and system hazards through loss scenarios. In the context of STPA-RL, we formalize the Markov Decision Process based on STPA analysis results to incorporate control algorithms into the system environment. The agent learns safe actions through reward-based learning, tracking potential hazard paths to validate system safety. Specifically, by analyzing various loss scenarios related to the Platform Screen Door, we assess the applicability of the proposed approach by evaluating hazard trajectory graphs and hazard frequencies in the system. This paper streamlines the RL process for loss scenario identification through STPA, contributing to self-guided loss scenarios and diverse system modeling. Additionally, it offers effective simulations for proactive development to enhance system safety and provide practical assistance in the safety field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Introduction The preparedness of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) plays a crucial role in managing health disaster risks. This study was conducted to assess the disaster preparedness of EMS facilities in Iran, using a nationally reliable tool. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2021 to evaluate the disaster preparedness of EMS facilities in Iran using a national standard tool. The census sampling approach was utilized to select the samples, and descriptive statistics, as well as analytical statistics like the independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation test, were used to analyze the data using SPSS-18 software. Results The findings of this study revealed that the majority of EMS facilities in Iran possess a moderate level of preparedness in dealing with disasters. Also, the results indicate that EMS facilities have an average level of preparedness against disasters in all dimensions except for “coordination and cooperation” and “surge capacity”. Conclusion According to this study, the majority of EMS facilities in Iran are exposed to different disasters. Furthermore, the findings indicate that while EMS facilities are generally prepared to respond to disasters at an average level, there are some important preparedness gaps in dimensions like response capacities, coordination, and cooperation. Thus, specific strategies, standards, and procedures must be developed and disseminated by the National Medical Emergency Organization.

This paper provides a bibliometric analysis and literature review to explore the current application landscape of the Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) principles and techniques in the railway transportation domain. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed 118 research documents retrieved from prominent bibliographic databases, covering the period from 2008 to September 2023. The investigated research works, involving STAMP, mainly focus on two topics: 1) applications of STAMP to railway accident modeling/analysis and 2) applications of Systems Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) to railway hazard analysis and risk assessment. In this paper, while the STAMP related studies are discussed with respect to the considered railway accidents, the studies related to STPA analysis are discussed with respect to three subjects, STPA applications, STPA comparative studies, and STPA extensions and improvements. Ultimately, this review aims to provide academic researchers and railway practitioners with a comprehensive exploration and analysis of the current state of knowledge on STAMP within the railway sector.

Abstract A comprehensive evaluation method is proposed to analyze dust pollution generated in the production process of mines. The method employs an optimized image-processing and deep learning framework to characterize the gray and fractal features in dust images. The research reveals both linear and logarithmic correlations between the gray features, fractal dimension, and dust mass, while employing Chauvenel criteria and arithmetic averaging to minimize data discreteness. An integrated hazardous index is developed, including a logarithmic correlation between the index and dust mass, and a four-category dataset is subsequently prepared for the deep learning framework. Based on the range of the hazardous index, the dust images are divided into four categories. Subsequently, a dust risk classification system is established using the deep learning model, which exhibits a high degree of performance after the training process. Notably, the model achieves a testing accuracy of 95.3%, indicating its effectiveness in classifying different levels of dust pollution, and the precision, recall, and F1-score of the system confirm its reliability in analyzing dust pollution. Overall, the proposed method provides a reliable and efficient way to monitor and analyze dust pollution in mines.

System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) is a method for analyzing hazards caused by interactions between components of an industrial product. STPA is applied in the upper stream stages of industrial product development, STPA detects hazards while referring to the whole configuration of the industrial product. Therefore, STPA generally does not deal with detailed information about the industrial product. Since the information on the industrial product is insufficient, it is difficult to clarify the factors of hazards, the occurrence order of factors, and the conditions that occur the hazard by STPA. Therefore, the following methods were added to the conventional STPA; the method of describing the components of industrial products in hierarchical detail, the method of clearly defining the behaviour of each component, and the method of tracking the structured CSD to clarify the causes of the hazard. By adding those methods, it became possible to conduct a hazard analysis of the industrial product in detail. As a result of applying the proposed method to the existing railroad crossing control system, it was confirmed that the proposed method could detect more factors of hazards and create adequate scenarios from the occurrence of hazard causes to the occurrence of the hazard.

Introduction: The preparedness of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) plays a crucial role in managing health disaster risks. This study was conducted to assess the disaster preparedness of EMS facilities in Iran, using a nationally reliable tool. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2021 to evaluate the disaster preparedness of EMS facilities in Iran using a national standard tool. The census sampling approach was utilized to select the samples, and descriptive statistics, as well as analytical statistics like the independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test, were used to analyze the data using SPSS-18 software. Results: The findings of this study revealed that the majority of EMS facilities in Iran possess a moderate level of preparedness in dealing with disasters. Also, the results indicate that EMS facilities have an average level of preparedness against disasters in all dimensions except for "coordination and cooperation" and "surge capacity". Conclusion: According to this study, the majority of EMS facilities in Iran are exposed to different disasters. Furthermore, the findings indicate that while EMS facilities are generally prepared to respond to disasters at an average level, there are some important preparedness gaps in dimensions like response capacities, coordination, and cooperation. Thus, specific strategies, standards, and procedures must be developed and disseminated by the National Medical Emergency Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared kitchens, where users share kitchen space, are becoming popular worldwide due to the economic cost savings of startup businesses. This study conducted monitoring of microbial and chemical hazards from prepared foods and the environment of shared kitchen facilities, surveyed shared kitchen operators, and compared shared kitchen regulations between Korea and other countries. The monitoring results indicate that the hygiene status of the facilities and the microbial and chemical hazards in the prepared foods were all within the standard specifications, showing significantly lower levels compared to regular restaurants (p < 0.05). In particular, concurrent-use and time-division types of open shared kitchens showed significantly lower levels of both hazards than separated-individual kitchens. Survey results of hygiene inspection also confirmed better hygiene management in concurrent-use and time-division types of open shared kitchens in Korea. However, more frequent cleaning and disinfection, hygiene inspections, and training are high economic burdens in the operation of shared kitchens compared to regular restaurants. Moreover, mandatory insurance subscriptions, the operator’s responsibility in hygiene-related incidents, and high operational costs collectively challenge shared kitchens’ competitiveness in the food service market. Critical reassessments of regulations utilizing the benefits of shared kitchens are needed to promote a safe dining culture and the growth of shared kitchen startup businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Landslides are an example of severe natural disasters that occur worldwide and generate many harmful effects that can affect the stability and development of society. A better-quality susceptibility mapping technique for the landslide risk is crucial for mitigating landslides. However, the use of assemblages of multivariate statistical methods is still uncommon in Indonesia, particularly in the Kepahiang Regency of Bengkulu Province. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide an improved framework for creating landslide susceptibility map (LSM) using multivariate statistical methods, i.e., the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method, the simple additive weighting (SAW) method and the frequency ratio (FR) method. In this study, we established a landslide inventory considering 15 causative factors using the area under the curve (AUC) validation method and another evaluation technique. The performance of each causative factor was evaluated using multicollinearity and Pearson correlation analysis with regression-based ranking. The LSM results showed that the most susceptible areas were located in the districts of Kabawetan, Kepahiang, and Tebat Karai. The high landslide risk in these areas could be attributed to the slope conditions in mountainous regions, which are characterized by high annual rainfall and seismic activity. The AUC training values of the AHP, SAW, and FR methods were 0.866, 0.838, and 0.812, respectively. Then, on the validation dataset, the AHP method yielded the highest AUC value (0.863), followed by the SAW (0.833) and FR (0.807) methods. Moreover, the AHP method provided a higher accuracy value, which suggests that the AHP method is more suitable than the other methods. Therefore, our research indicated that all algorithm methods generate a positive impact and greatly improve landslide susceptibility evaluation, especially for the preparation of landslide damage assessments in this study area. Finally, the method proposed in this study could improve the feasibility of LSM and provide support for Indonesian government decision-makers in arranging hazard mitigation measures in the Kepahiang Regency, Indonesia.

This paper presents the results of a simulation model regarding the productivity and safety working space for construction workers through the floors of a building using swarm intelligence (SI), a field of artificial intelligence (AI), and specifically using artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization. After designing the algorithm used to build the simulation model, the simulation was used in an actual building project by comparing the travel times of workers conventionally transporting material with another group working on routes optimized by the algorithm. Thus, the proposed algorithm provides routes combining shorter travel times and correct distances between workers when transporting materials in a construction site, handling the interference between crews. After validating the algorithm on-site, no statistically significant differences were found between the travel times of workers and the times delivered by the algorithm. Additionally, the travel times using the routes obtained through the algorithm were significantly lower than those made by workers who moved freely without a predefined route. In summary, the algorithm proposed may help construction practitioners maintain safe movements that respond to hazard contexts imposed by any restriction that demands a safety distance.

Agrometeorological hazards significantly impact agricultural production and rural economic development. The interdisciplinary nature of studying these hazards poses challenges such as poor data interoperability in research. This paper proposes a method for analyzing agrometeorological hazards using knowledge graphs to understand occurrence patterns and devise response strategies. The study involves classifying agricultural and meteorological knowledge and designing a hazard entity model based on the characteristics and influencing factors of agrometeorological hazards. Data mining and extraction techniques are used to extract relevant information from multiple sources, and a knowledge graph for knowledge fusion and storage is built. The retrieval and inference capabilities of the knowledge graphs are used to intelligently analyze agrometeorological hazards. Results indicate that analyzing agrometeorological hazards using knowledge graphs is an innovative method that offers new perspectives and ideas for agricultural meteorological hazard research, thereby promoting the sustainable development of agricultural production and the stable growth of the rural economy.

A comprehensive evaluation method is proposed to analyze dust pollution generated in the production process of mines. The method employs an optimized image-processing and deep learning framework to characterize the gray and fractal features in dust images. The research reveals both linear and logarithmic correlations between the gray features, fractal dimension, and dust mass, while employing Chauvenel criteria and arithmetic averaging to minimize data discreteness. An integrated hazardous index is developed, including a logarithmic correlation between the index and dust mass, and a four-category dataset is subsequently prepared for the deep learning framework. Based on the range of the hazardous index, the dust images are divided into four categories. Subsequently, a dust risk classification system is established using the deep learning model, which exhibits a high degree of performance after the training process. Notably, the model achieves a testing accuracy of 95.3%, indicating its effectiveness in classifying different levels of dust pollution, and the precision, recall, and F1-score of the system confirm its reliability in analyzing dust pollution. Overall, the proposed method provides a reliable and efficient way to monitor and analyze dust pollution in mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediate-frequency debris flows has the characteristics of high danger and long outbreak period. Human activities can trigger its occurrence and aggravate its disaster severity. When the channel cannot meet the capacity for drainage and water transport, it will cause blockage and endanger the safety of both sides of the strait and even the main river channel. Due to the lack of analysis on the danger of intermediate-frequency debris flows, this paper takes the intermediate-frequency debris flow in Hada Gully, Yunnan Province as an example to explore its characteristics and the danger of its recurrence and channel blockage caused by debris flows and proposes prevention and control suggestions. The results show that the debris flow has a density of 1.62 t/m3, a flow velocity of 4.794 m/s at the outlet of the channel, a peak flow rate of 54.43 m3/s at the channel outlet and a total discharge of 11072.03 m3 for a single occurrence based on the 10% burst frequency. A culvert was constructed in the downstream channel, with a flow capacity of 16.5 m3/s, which is less than the flow rate of a debris flow once in 20 years. Once a large debris flow occurs, there is a risk of blockage. The study found that the hazard level of intermediate-frequency debris flows in Hada gully is highly dangerous, and the history of blockage indicates the possibility of its recurrence and the risk of debris flow blocking the Lapu River.

The interaction between the physical world and information technologies creates advantages and novel emerging threats. Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) result vulnerable to cyber-related disruptive scenarios, and, for some critical systems, cyber failures may have fallouts on society and environment. Traditional risk analysis in no more sufficient to deal with these problems. New techniques are gaining increasing consensus, especially those based on systems theory. In this context, the System-Theoretic Process Analysis for Security (STPA-Sec) extends the Systems-Theoretic Accident Modelling and Processes (STAMP) model considering cyber threats, and identifying unsafe and unsecure controls throughout a cyber socio-technical system. Despite its large usage as a descriptive tool, there is still limited use of STPA-Sec in (semi-)quantitative terms. This article presents System-Theoretic Process Analysis for Security with Simulations (STPA-Sec/S), a methodological interface between STPA-Sec and quantitative resilience assessment based on simulation models. The methodology is instantiated in a demonstrative case study of a water treatment plant, and its critical CPSs which may impact both community health, and environment. The obtained results show how STPA-Sec/S foster systems understanding, allow a systematic identification of its major criticalities, and the respective quantification.

For decades, the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has suffered from persistent pollution, leading to heavy metal contamination in fish samples that poses significant risks to human health. This study conducted an analysis of the whole bodies of various fish species, including Heteropnuestes fossilis, Channa punctatus, Notopterus notopterus Channa striata and Colisa fasciata to examine the concentrations of Chromium, Manganese, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Arsenic, Cadmium, Barium, and Lead. The analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, revealing notable concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn, with average levels of 6.85, 156.77, 0.41, and 3.37 mg/kg, respectively.Assessment of target hazard quotients for Pb, against recommended benchmark doses of observable effects, indicated levels 2 to 6 times higher than the recommended safety thresholds. The cumulative totals of target hazard quotients across multiple specimens exceeded 2 and, in some cases, reached up to 7, surpassing the safety cutoff of 1. The risk of cancer from Ni and Pb was calculated to be 1 in 10,000 on average for each, classifying it as a moderate risk. Quantitative analysis revealed that heavy metal concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn in most fish samples exceeded reference safety values.Simultaneously, hazard analysis identified critical concerns regarding Pb content in one sample, and cumulative toxin loads in almost every sample were deemed unsafe for regular consumption. In addition to quantitative assessments, a qualitative survey employed observation techniques, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to investigate consumption behaviors and viewpoints on fish contamination. The results revealed that consumers generally held an enthusiastic attitude towards consuming these fish and were largely unaware of the associated health hazards.

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) has been recognized as a reasonable method for quantifying seismic threats. Traditionally, this method ignores the effect of the focal depth, in which the ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) are applied to estimate the probability distribution associated with the possible motion levels induced by the site earthquakes, but it is limited by the unclear geological conditions, which makes it difficult to provide a uniform equation, and these equations cannot express the non-linear relationship under geological conditions. Hence, this paper proposed a method to consider the seismic focal depth for the PSHA with the example of California and used a back propagation neural network (BPNN) to predict the peak ground acceleration (PGA) instead of the GMPEs. Firstly, the measured PGA and unknown PGA seismic data applicable to this method were collected separately. Secondly, the unknown PGA data were supplemented by applying the BPNN based on the measured PGA data. Lastly, based on the full-probability equation, PSHA considering the focal depth was completed and compared with the current California seismic zoning results. The results showed that using the BPNN in the PSHA can ensure computational accuracy and universality, making it more suitable for regions with unclear geological structures and providing the possibility of adding other parameters to be considered for the influence of the PSHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization in developing countries poses challenges such as rising crime rates and resource scarcity. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) offer a promising solution to enhance public safety, but their integration requires addressing specific challenges. This study employs the Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) and System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) methodologies to identify potential hazards and requirements for integrating UAS into public safety systems in urban environments. The research objectives include identifying hazards and challenges, developing safety requirements and guidelines, and proposing strategies for efficient infrastructure investment. The proposed framework, based on STAMP/STPA, includes additional steps to consider early-stage systems and maintain stakeholder traceability. A risk matrix approach is utilized to prioritize risk mitigation measures for cost-effectiveness. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in developing countries seeking to harness the potential of UAS technology for enhancing public safety while addressing the unique challenges posed by rapid urbanization.

Consumer preferences, safety, and sustainability aspects of conventional cosmetic ingredients have contributed to an increase in the demand for natural cosmetic ingredients and products. Naturally derived active cosmetic agents and excipients may come into contact with various naturally occurring and synthetic contaminants throughout the supply chain, and substantiating their safety is essential. This review examines the safety and legislative requirements applicable to natural cosmetic ingredients in the European Union (EU). Cosmetic safety requirements include technical data based on the ingredient profile, presence of hazards and the risks associated with the intended conditions of use. The hazard analysis includes screening for microbial contaminants such as aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans; chemical contaminants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury; and naturally occurring toxins, such as allergens. The toxicological assessment considers both local effects (such as skin sensitisation, eye/skin irritation, and photo-induced effects) and systemic effects (including acute dermal toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and toxicokinetics). The EU legislative requirements prohibit the use of animal-based tests for the toxicological evaluation of cosmetic ingredients, paving the way for alternatives termed as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The validation of NAMs is critical for their wider usage, and despite advancements, few have been validated, particularly for systemic toxicity testing. The use of NAMs in evaluating the safety of complex natural cosmetic ingredients is further examined.

Background: In the field of digital circuit design, assuring the safety and reliability of logic circuits is critical. Unexpected behaviors or performance abnormalities represent possible hazards to these circuits. Objective: The aim of hazard analysis in logic circuits is to anticipate potential circuitry difficulties and correct them during the design and testing phases. This proactive strategy aims to eliminate any hazards that might jeopardize the circuit's dependability or safety. Methods: The method is used to examine the design and functioning of a logic circuit, concentrating on its inputs, outputs, inherent logic, and time. This extensive study assists in anticipating any possible problems that the circuit may offer. Results: Following the hazard analysis, the insights gained are used to enhance the circuit design, implement safety measures, or conduct more testing. This guarantees that the circuit satisfies the appropriate levels of safety and reliability. Conclusion: Conducting a comprehensive hazard analysis is an essential step in creating safe and dependable logic circuits. Potential dangers may be discovered and minimized by meticulously evaluating a circuit's design and functioning, assuring smooth operation.

Large subduction zone earthquakes often cause tsunamis, but observational data for hazard analysis is limited. Synthetic catalogs of seismically-generated tsunami scenarios can be created by pairing earthquake and wave simulations. Tsunami Squares is one such wave simulator, explicitly tracking water mass and momentum, allowing simulation of dry land and the inundation process. We demonstrate a C++ port of Tsunami Squares paired with the Virtual Quake simulator by replicating the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Comparisons of coastal run-up and wave heights with observations finds good agreement, with future improvements coming from tsunami source time dependence.

The Indonesian fishing industry developed by 1.4% in 2020, compared to the previous year, as shown by the existence of around 773 seafood factories. Such growth caused the emergence of different working conditions due to the use of complex machines. In 2019, the industrialization process generated an immense potential for accidents on occupational health as the mishaps increased from 60 to 270 cases. For this reason, this study aimed to identify the value and level of risk, using HIRARC (Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Risk Control) following AS/NZS 4360:2004 standards. The study was conducted at the fish meatball company located in East Java, for six months. The results showed that the company could manage the occupational health and safety, as indicated by the reduction of the levels of risk from acceptable (33.4%), priority 3 (14.3%), priority 2 risk (38.1%), priority 1 risk (9.5%), and very high risk (4.8%) to acceptable (76%) and priority 3 (24%). The risk assessment matrix had shifted from yellow (moderate) to green (low). Some recommendations implemented in the workplace included creating a safety organization, organizing training sessions among employees, fostering a safety culture, applying ergonomic principles, and controlling work hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediate-frequency debris flows has the characteristics of high danger and long outbreak period. Human activities can trigger its occurrence and aggravate its disaster severity. When the channel cannot meet the capacity for drainage and water transport, it will cause blockage and endanger the safety of both sides of the strait and even the main river channel. Due to the lack of analysis on the danger of intermediate-frequency debris flows, this paper takes the intermediate-frequency debris flow in Hada Gully, Yunnan Province as an example to explore its characteristics and the danger of its recurrence and channel blockage caused by debris flows and proposes prevention and control suggestions. The results show that the debris flow has a density of 1.62 t/m³, a flow velocity of 4.794 m/s at the outlet of the channel, a peak flow rate of 54.43 m³/s at the channel outlet and a total discharge of 11072.03 m³ for a single occurrence based on the 10% burst frequency. A culvert was constructed in the downstream channel, with a flow capacity of 16.5 m³/s, which is less than the flow rate of a debris flow once in 20 years. Once a large debris flow occurs, there is a risk of blockage. The study found that the hazard level of intermediate-frequency debris flows in Hada gully is highly dangerous, and the history of blockage indicates the possibility of its recurrence and the risk of debris flow blocking the Lapu River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to develop a quantitative resilience assessment framework for a supply chain system exposed to multiple risk factors. Most existing studies on supply chain resilience have primarily focused on assessing the system's ability to withstand and recover from disruptions caused by a single type of hazard. However, a supply chain system is exposed to multiple exogenous and endogenous events and conditions over a planning horizon, and a comprehensive assessment of resilience should take into account multiple risk factors. Moreover, contrary to the conventional resilience assessment methods focusing on the short duration during which the system is impacted by a disaster event, the proposed framework measures the resilience capacities of the system over a long-term horizon through multi-risk assessment and multi-component resilience assessment. Specifically, a new multi-component resilience index is proposed to measure (a) hazard-induced cumulative loss of functionality, (b) opportunity-induced cumulative gain of functionality, and (c) non-hazard-induced cumulative loss of functionality. The case study results indicate that all three types of risk factors contribute to the overall resilience index significantly and ignoring any one of them may result in inaccurate supply chain performance and resilience assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key objective of this research review is to elucidate the mechanisms for applying a food safety scheme based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and to identify the difficulties and benefits of this technique (HACCP) in Algeria. Characterization of food processing companies around the capital of Algeria was carried out on the basis of questionnaires and direct interviews with the manager in charge of these companies. Forty-six agri-food firms working in the Algiers region and operating in the field for more than 15 years (80.5%) with Joint Stock company (JSC) status (23.9%), Limited Liability Company (LLC) (63%) and multinational companies (26.1%). The establishment of a transparent and effective framework for food safety controls will enable compliance with customer requirements, improved product quality and a stronger commitment to food safety managers. This is favorably correlated with the age as well as the level of education of the managers of the different surveyed companies. The survey conducted in the Algerian region showed that the key barriers to the introduction of the food safety management system (FSMS) in general are inadequate knowledge and competence of the HACCP and a long time to be developed FSMS, a lack of expertise and technical support and a lack of specialized expertise, intelligence and technological assistance to help the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The findings of the survey also revealed that the key reason for the introduction of the FSMS is to strengthen product protection, recognize the strengths and shortcomings of the business, enhance relationships with suppliers and enhance government and consumer confidence.

The food industry around the world faces many challenges regarding food safety due to the lack of understanding of HACCP and other food safety management systems. A HACCP is a system for ensuring food safety by identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to human health or reducing the occurrence of these risks to the extent that they do not cause any danger to the health of consumers. There are seven principles of HACCP that allow packaging companies to review their production through a structured approach to identifying risks. These principles are used as steps for defining a new HACCP program or making changes to an existing HACCP program.Conclusions were drawn that emphasized the importance of applying the HACCP system for food packaging to determine the potential risks that may be present, how to control them, and how to determine the extent to which the risk is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. And the necessity to have a list of raw materials suppliers of all raw materials for packaging and their suitability with different products and treatments. When packaging a specific product, the characteristics of both the product and the material must be studied well, with the necessary tests performed for them together to ensure the safety of food products and thus the safety of the consumer.Research problem: Spoilage of products due to lack of good planning to choose the appropriate packaging for the product. Lack of risk analysis in the packaging stages exposes the product to hazards due to ignorance of the critical control points.Confusion about understanding the difference between product spoilage and the severity of this and the product's lack of quality.Aims of the research: Awareness of conducting an analysis of the various risks and their potential sources that affect food safety at the packaging.Developing a set of steps and models to clarify steps to reduce risks or reduce them to the permissible limit.

Experience-based methods like reinforcement learning (RL) are often deemed less suitable for the safety field due to concerns about potential safety issues. To bridge this gap, we introduce STPA-RL, a methodology that integrates RL with System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). STPA is a safety analysis technique that identifies causative factors leading to unsafe control actions and system hazards through loss scenarios. In the context of STPA-RL, we formalize the Markov Decision Process based on STPA analysis results to incorporate control algorithms into the system environment. The agent learns safe actions through reward-based learning, tracking potential hazard paths to validate system safety. Specifically, by analyzing various loss scenarios related to the Platform Screen Door, we assess the applicability of the proposed approach by evaluating hazard trajectory graphs and hazard frequencies in the system. This paper streamlines the RL process for loss scenario identification through STPA, contributing to self-guided loss scenarios and diverse system modeling. Additionally, it offers effective simulations for proactive development to enhance system safety and provide practical assistance in the safety field.

While urban underground space is being built and developed at a high speed, urban flooding is also occurring gradually and frequently. Urban water, in many disasters, has intruded into underground spaces, such as subway stations, often leading to serious casualties, in which it is crucial for people to be able to escape from the staircases. In order to enable and guide the escape of people in underground floods, a staircase model with multiple rest platforms, applicable to common entrance and exit staircase forms, was constructed. The realizable k-ε turbulence model, coupled with a volume of fluid (VOF) method, was used to simulate and analyze the flow patterns when floods of various heights intrude into the structure. The effects of rest platform settings on the ejection phenomena and flow velocity changes in flood flows were summarized. The change rule of flood flow velocity on the stairs under different flood heights and stair heights was summarized, and a linear relationship between the peak flood flow velocity and the location of the peak flow velocity point on each flight of stairs was derived. Combined with the formula of the critical conditions for people to escape upwards in the flood, the proposed escape conditions for staircases with multiple rest platforms were proposed, which provide a basis for guiding the evacuation of people in times of disaster.

The escalation of climate-induced natural disasters—such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires—constitutes an increasing hazard to populations and infrastructure globally. This research examines the incorporation of risk assessment models in forecasting, assessing, and alleviating the effects of severe calamities. We evaluate the susceptibility of different locations to climate-related risks by conducting a thorough analysis of historical climate data and use sophisticated risk modeling methodologies. Catastrophe modeling (CAT), geographic information systems (GIS), and statistical hazard analysis are used to delineate high-risk areas and assess possible losses. The results highlight the significance of early warning systems and sustainable adaption measures, particularly for areas increasingly impacted by severe climatic events. The research underscores the constraints of existing models and stresses the need for cohesive, data-informed strategies to enhance the prediction and management of catastrophe risks.

Personnel who work in laboratories and directly deal with detecting and examining pathogenic biological agents (PBA) in human biomaterials have to face high risks of becoming infected. At present, working conditions at workplaces of personnel in such laboratories are to be analyzed and checked thoroughly with subsequent implementation of relevant correction measures. We performed qualitative analysis of infection risks in clinical and diagnostic laboratories using a reason tree and event tree analysis and determined a risk probability range for an ending event considering combined effects produced by preconditions. We revealed basic reasons why personnel in medical laboratories became infected when working with PBA. The events were considered at three levels and four directions in their development. We performed mathematical calculation of possible event combinations and determined the whole probability range for occurrence of the events. Quantitative risk analysis showed that a probability of a person becoming infected remained within 0.9∙10–4–0.9∙10–3 range even in case of the most unfavorable outcome. The study provides a well-substantiated conclusion about peculiarities of work tasks accomplished in laboratories; we established that laboratory personnel who were involved in determining drug resistance of microbacteria had the highest risks of infection. The most hazardous scenarios of emergencies were identified; they made the highest contribution to the analyzed risk. We established that a probability of personnel becoming infected that starts with the value being 1.3∙10–6 occurs when immune prevention is neglected and a disease is revealed too late. It is advisable to analyze ways how emergencies develop in medical laboratories since this helps to make necessary amendments in the system and influence factors of its functioning. This analysis procedure gives an opportunity to select the most relevant measures for protection and prevention of emergencies involving PBA leakage out of all the available ones. These measures can reduce risks of infection for personnel down to their acceptable levels.

This paper proposes a creation method of comprehensive cases and specifications for hardware and software combined test (HSCT) to detect undesirable events of an industrial product controlled by software using hazard and operability studies (HAZOP). By testing with created HSCT specifications, the proposed method detects undesirable events of the industrial product. To remove undesirable events in industrial products, it is important to confirm the behaviour of as many undesirable events as possible in HSCT. However, since the HSCT cases were manually created by engineers, the coverage of the HSCT cases was insufficient. This paper proposes a comprehensive creation method of HSCT cases and specifications to resolve the problem of insufficient coverage of HSCT cases. The following countermeasures are implemented to realize the proposed method. (1) Define the method for extracting the parameters used in HAZOP from the hardware and software specifications, and define the information necessary to create HSCT cases and specifications. (2) Prepare HAZOP guide words for HSCT. (3) Define the format of parameters and guide words and the procedure for creating HSCT cases by combining parameters and guide words. (4) Propose a creation procedure of HSCT specifications corresponding to the HSCT cases. (5) Propose an adequate HSCT procedure that includes methods (1)–(4). As a result of the application of the proposed method, 25% more adequate HSCT cases are created and 40% more undesirable events were detected in comparison with the manual creation. Additionally, the creation time was reduced by 27%.

STPA (System-Theoretic Process Analysis) is a widely used safety analysis technique to identify UCAs (Unsafe Control Actions) resulting in potential losses. It is totally dependent on the experience and ability of analysts to construct an information model called Control Structures, upon which analysts try to identify unsafe controls between system components. This paper proposes a formal approach to support the manual identification of UCAs, effectively and systematically. It allows analysts to mechanically extract Process Model, an important element that makes up the Control Structures, from a formal requirements specification for a software controller. It then concisely constructs the contents of Context Tables, from which analysts can identify all relevant UCAs effectively, using a software fault tree analysis technique. The case study with a preliminary version of a Korean nuclear reactor protections system shows the proposed approach's effectiveness and applicability.

Neo-Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA), dating back to the turn of the Millennium, is the new multi-disciplinary scenario- and physics-based approach for the evaluation of seismic hazard and safety–guaranteeing “prevention rather than cure.” When earthquakes occur, shaking certainly does not depend on sporadic occurrences within the study area, nor on anti-seismic (earthquake-resistant) design parameters scaled otherwise to probabilistic models of earthquake return-period and likelihood — as adopted in the widespread application of the model-driven Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA). Therefore, from a policy perspective of prevention, coherent and compatible with the most advanced theories in Earth Science, it is essential that at least the infrastructure installations and public structures are designed so as to resist future strong earthquakes. Evidences and case histories detailed in the newly published book Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure present a new paradigm for Reliable Seismic Hazard Assessment (RSHA) and seismic safety — comprehensively detailing in one volume the ‘state-of-the-art’ scientific knowledge on earthquakes and their related seismic risks, and actions that can be taken to ensure greater safety and sustainability. The book is appropriately dedicated to the centenary of Russian geophysicist Vladimir Keilis-Borok (1921–2013), whose mathematical-geophysical insights have been seminal for the innovative paradigm of Neo-deterministic seismic hazard assessment. This review focuses on Hazards, Risks and Prediction initially discussed in the introductory Chapter 1 — an understanding of which is essential in the applications of the state-of-the-art knowledge presented in the book’s 29 following chapters.

Increasing automation is a major trend in container terminals. In automated container handling systems, safety has been previously ensured by segregating the automated machinery from other traffic and workers moving on foot. Currently, further increases in flexibility are sought by developing autonomous systems that are capable of mixed-traffic operations without the need for separate operating areas. This increases the complexity of the systems and introduces new safety hazards. In addition to traditional hazard analysis methods, new approaches are needed to address the emergent risks related to autonomous operations. This paper studies the applicability of the STPA (system-theoretic process analysis) method in hazard analysis of an autonomous machine system. To support the evaluation, we define evaluation categories for comparison of the analysis methods. We also compare STPA with an established method, HAZOP (hazard and operability study). To perform the comparison, both STPA and HAZOP are applied to an autonomous container handling system concept. The study suggests that both STPA and HAZOP are well suited to support the development of autonomous machinery. However, we also highlight some notable differences in the methods, mostly related to the different underlying accident models that they utilise. HAZOP is an established method with tools and standards available. STPA, on the other hand, provides a well-defined syntax to ensure the analysis quality and a system modelling approach that supports the system development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the risk of gas leakage and explosion that may occur during the serviceability of urban natural gas pipeline, based on the numerical simulation conducted by FLACS, the gas leakage, explosion and disaster risk under the different speed of wind are mainly studied with local climate characteristics for actual urban street. The results show that the wind speed has an obvious effect on the gas leakage and diffusion, the deviation of gas leakage direction is not obvious for the smaller speed of wind at the initial stage, the horizontal diffusion range gradually increases with the increase of wind speed, while the vertical diffusion range gradually decreases, and the volume of gas at the limit concentration of combustion and explosion gradually decreases. In urban buildings, the overpressure load of higher buildings is lower. After the explosion, the peak overpressure at the same monitoring point decreases with the increase of wind speed. With the increase of distance from the building to the explosion location, the overpressure load on the building decreases and the oscillation effect of overpressure load is relatively gentle. The thermal radiation after burning has great influence on the surrounding buildings and downwind position, especially the buildings around the leakage point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]