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Unraveling hierarchical penetration mechanisms and coupling relationships of safety risks in major transportation infrastructure construction using text mining and complex networks
No full textAbstract The continuous expansion and increasing complexity of major transportation infrastructure construction have led to frequent safety accidents during construction. To address the limitations of traditional methods in safety risk management and to reveal the hierarchical penetration mechanisms and coupling relationships of risk factors, this study established a new paradigm for understanding safety risks in transportation infrastructure construction by integrating text mining and complex network theory, based on 244 construction safety accidents that occurred in China between 2010 and 2023. First, text mining was used to extract 101 key features related to safety accidents in major transportation infrastructure construction from raw data, and these features were utilized to develop an improved Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) model. Subsequently, a co-occurrence matrix was employed to quantify the frequency and strength of associations among factors, leading to the construction of a Safety Risk Network (SRN) with risk factors as nodes. By calculating the Multi-Feature Gravity Model (MCGM) value and the comprehensive degree C(i) for cross-validation, the following findings were revealed:① Inadequate safety training, though widely connected, have a weak global impact;② Explicit factors such as equipment defects are easily identifiable and are predominantly influenced by supervisory-level factors;③ Safety management in construction should focus on addressing systemic deficiencies at the organizational and supervisory levels rather than merely rectifying operational-level issues. Finally, a hierarchical blocking and proactive defense strategy was developed using the Bow-Tie Model, providing a quantitative decision-making basis for enhancing the intelligence of safety management in major transportation engineering projects
Anatomic safeguards and the low risk of vascular injury during percutaneous tricortical S1 pedicle screw fixation – a cadaver study
No full textAbstract Percutaneous tricortical S1 pedicle screw fixation (PTSPSF) offers superior fixation compared to bicortical or monocortical methods but poses potential risks to major intrapelvic vessels. Strangely, clinical complications are rare. This study aims to elucidate the reasons for this discrepancy. In 17 fresh human cadavers, 34 pedicle screws were placed under fluoroscopic guidance, ensuring the distal two threads to exceed the anterior cortical promontory wall. 12 specimens were turned supine and anatomically dissected. The relation between the sacral promontory tip, screw tips and intrapelvic vessels was carefully examined. In 5 specimen 3D fluoroscopy was conducted to measure the distance between the screw tips and the surrounding blood vessels. No intraluminal screw placements were observed. In 2 cases (8.3%), screw tips penetrated the anterior longitudinal ligament and abutted the right common iliac vein (CIV), but without causing impression or injury of the vessel wall. In 2 other cases the ligament remained intact and the screw trajectory pointed dorsally to the CIV. Again the wall of this vessels remained intact. In 84%, the screws were surrounded by osteophytes and did not touch or point to major vessels. Osteophytes at the sacral promontory are typically not visible during lateral fluoroscopy-guided surgery, yet they are commonly present in older individuals. As demonstrated in our study, screw trajectory plays a critical role in avoiding vascular injury, with osteophytes potentially offering an added layer of protection to the right common iliac vein (CIV) and other major vessels. In a post-mortem setting, our findings suggest that even when screw tips penetrate the anterior longitudinal ligament and extend two threads beyond the bone, there is no direct injury to the walls of major blood vessels
Computational analysis of X 2CaZnH6 (X = K, Rb and Cs) hydrides for hydrogen storage
No full textAbstract Using first-principles calculations, we investigate the structural, thermodynamic, mechanical, electronic, optical, and hydrogen storage properties of the double perovskite hydrides K2CaZnH6, Rb2CaZnH6, Cs2CaZnH6. All three compounds are predicted to form thermodynamically stable cubic phases and satisfy mechanical stability criteria. Hydrogen storage analysis reveals moderate gravimetric capacities together with competitive volumetric densities and favorable desorption temperatures, indicating potential suitability for stationary hydrogen storage applications. The materials exhibit indirect semiconducting behavior and strong optical absorption over a broad photon energy range. Bonding analysis suggests predominantly ionic interactions that are favorable for hydrogen retention. Overall, these results identify K2CaZnH6, Rb2CaZnH6 and Cs2CaZnH6 as promising candidates for hydrogen-related energy applications
Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells facilitate repair of radiation-Induced skin injury by attenuating inflammation and apoptosis
No full textAbstract Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) refers to injury to the skin resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation, for which current treatment options are limited. Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs-Exos) have demonstrated significant potential in tissue repair. This study evaluated the healing efficacy of BMSCs‑Exos in a rat model of RISI. BMSCs-Exos were isolated and delivered via subcutaneous injection into the RISI. Our findings revealed that BMSCs-Exos reduced the wound area and lowered the radiation injury score, thereby indicating their capacity to facilitate RISI healing. Histological analysis revealed that BMSCs-Exos enhanced epidermal repair and collagen deposition. Immunological assays revealed significantly higher CD31 and α‑SMA expression of the BMSCs‑Exos treatment group (EXO) than that of the irradiation group (IR), suggesting that BMSCs-Exos promoted angiogenesis. In the EXO group, there was also a downregulation of CD86, Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (INOS), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression, coupled with an upregulation of Macrophage Mannose Receptor 1 (CD206), Arginase-1 (Arg-1), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression, indicating that BMSCs-Exos can induce macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype and suppress inflammation. Additionally, BMSCs-Exos decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Western blot analysis of apoptosis-related proteins showed that BMSCs-Exos increased the Bcl-2 expression and reduced Bax expression and promoted phosphorylation of the Akt signaling pathway, which implied suppression of cellular apoptosis. In summary, our findings demonstrate that BMSCs-Exos promote RISI repair by regulating the inflammatory microenvironment, and inhibiting cell apoptosis
The role of leadership in shaping psychological safety: a qualitative study from Slovakia
No full textAbstract The study explored how leadership behaviors shape psychological safety and employee voice in Slovak workplaces, with a particular focus on relational dynamics. Drawing on attachment theory, the study examined the barriers and enablers to speaking up and how leaders influence employees’ perceptions of workplace safety. A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 11 employees from diverse industries in Slovakia. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, identifying key patterns related to leadership behavior, communication practices, and workplace culture. Seven overarching themes and 17 subthemes emerged, forming a typology of workplace climates: (A) psychologically safe, (B) psychologically unsafe, and (C) emotionally disengaged. Leadership behaviors, such as emotional availability, relational consistency, and accessibility, strongly influenced psychological safety. Key barriers included fear of negative consequences, hierarchical distance, lack of feedback, and unclear roles. Participants identified five leadership competency domains (social, emotional, communication, cognitive, and organizational) as essential for cultivating safety and voice in the workplace. The findings conceptualize psychological safety as a relationally constructed phenomenon co-created through everyday leader-employee interactions. Leadership with attachment-related qualities, defined by emotional support and trust, enables employees to engage, speak up, and contribute authentically. The study contributes a culturally grounded interpretive typology and a dual competency model (relational and functional) for leadership development. Psychological safety should be viewed as an integral component of occupational safety management. Leadership development and organizational interventions may benefit from targeting both relational and functional dimensions to cultivate safe and healthy workplaces
Machine learning-based prognostic model of stemness and angiogenesis-related genes for predicting prognosis and immune infiltration in patients with HCC
No full textAbstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer, ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated mortality globally. The heightened mortality associated with HCC is largely attributed to its propensity for recurrence and metastasis, which cannot be achieved without tumor stemness and angiogenesis. Here, we aimed to develop a novel signature of stemness and angiogenesis-related genes (SARGs) for the prediction of clinical prognosis and tumor microenvironment in HCC, with the overarching objective of uncovering novel therapeutic targets capable of concurrently disrupting these intertwined processes, thereby offering potential breakthroughs for more effective anti-HCC strategies. The differentially expressed SARGs were subjected to univariate Cox regression analysis to identify SARGs with prognostic significance. A nine-SARGs risk score model was constructed using Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression with 10-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, a nomogram incorporating the SARGs score and other clinicopathological features was developed for accurate prediction of survival rate in patients with HCC. Knockdown of ELOVL3 expression was performed, and its effects on tumor stemness and angiogenic potential were verified through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Patients with HCC were categorized into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score values, with higher risk scores indicating worse overall survival (log-rank P < 0.001). The nine-SARGs risk score, comprising DRD1, CDX2, ELOVL3, TKTL1, IGLON5, SHISA9, WNT1, CNTN6, and MMP3, demonstrated robust predictive performance (C-index: 0.72) for clinical prognosis, tumor microenvironment characteristics, and immunotherapy response in HCC. ELOVL3 knockdown reduced tumor stemness and angiogenic potential, leading to the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. This study established a direct molecular correlation between tumor stemness and angiogenesis, encompassing clinical features, tumor microenvironment, and immune response, thereby offering valuable insights for predicting clinical outcomes and immunotherapy responses in HCC. Our findings demonstrate that ELOVL3 correlates with cancer cell stemness and angiogenic potential, thereby identifying it as a promising therapeutic target. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the downstream molecular pathways that mediate these functional effects
A humanoid control strategy based on deep reinforcement learning for enhanced comfort in lower limb rehabilitation robots
No full textAbstract The development of humanoid intelligent controllers represents a breakthrough in enhancing the effectiveness and comfort of rehabilitation training using lower limb rehabilitation robots for diverse gait patterns. In this study, a kinematic model of the lower limb rehabilitation robot is established based on a simplified link structure. For dynamic modeling, the Lagrange formulation is employed to analyze human lower limb motion from an energy-based perspective.Gait data were collected from five healthy subjects, with each performing 20 walking trials, yielding a total of 100 gait cycles for analysis. The acquired gait data are filtered and fitted to plan a reference trajectory of anthropomorphic joint angles suitable for rehabilitation training. Joint torques are computed from plantar force data and the dynamic model, serving as feedback for the controller and used in comfort assessment. A humanoid control strategy integrating Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and a Proportional-Differential (PD) controller is proposed. This approach facilitates individualized gait trajectory planning for rehabilitation training by learning human gait characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method not only improves the intelligence and human-likeness of the robot but also significantly enhances comfort during training
The investigation of initial endotracheal tube cuff pressures in the operating room: a multi-center cross-sectional study in China
No full textAbstract Cuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are widely used in general anesthesia, with recommended cuff pressure (CP) between 20 and 30 cmH2O in adults. This multi-center study investigated actual CP management practices across 19 Grade A tertiary hospitals in China, involving 2058 anesthetized patients. The median initial CP measured within 30 min post-intubation was 48 cmH2O (IQR 32–70), with only 19% within the recommended range (75.4% > 30 cmH2O; 5.6% 30 cmH2O) included: age < 60 years, pressure-controlled ventilation, absence of PEEP, ETT internal diameter < 7.0 mm, aminosteroid neuromuscular blocker use, and trainee-performed inflation. These findings highlight widespread challenges in optimal CP management across Chinese tertiary care centers
24-hour urine chemistry shows higher stone formation risk after malabsorptive than restrictive type bariatric surgery
No full textAbstract Bariatric surgery is effective for obesity management but associated with kidney stone formation. Give the different post-operative physiology between restrictive type and malabsorptive type bariatric surgery, this study aims to compare difference in post-operative lithogenic risk profiles between these surgical types by assessing the postoperative 24-hour urine chemistry profiles. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive adults undergoing bariatric surgery at a tertiary center in Hong Kong between April 2017 and October 2019. A total number of 35 patients underwent malabsorptive and 55 underwent restrictive procedures. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative 24-hour urine chemistry were assessed within 12 months after surgery. Abnormal urinary parameters were identified, with between-group comparisons performed using Mann–Whitney U and Chi-squared tests. Propensity scores were estimated using selected covariates, and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied. IPTW-weighted logistic regression was used to compare the odds of abnormal urinary parameters between surgical groups. At 12 months, the malabsorptive group demonstrated significantly higher urinary oxalate and lower urinary creatinine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, citrate, urate, pH, and calcium phosphate activity compared with the restrictive group. The prevalence of hyperoxaluria (51.4% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.012), hypocitraturia (71.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.001), and acidic urine (54.3% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.001) was higher in the malabsorptive group. Conversely, hyperuricosuria was more common in restrictive patients (29.1% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.049). No significant differences were observed for urine volume, sodium, phosphate, or calcium oxalate activity. IPTW-weighted logistic regression demonstrated that malabsorptive procedures were associated with significantly higher odds of hyperoxaluria (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.03–8.44), hypocitraturia (OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.40–12.21), hypomagnesuria (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.11–9.57), and acidic urine pH (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.33–10.64). Malabsorptive bariatric surgery is associated with more lithogenic urinary profiles than restrictive surgery, particularly hyperoxaluria, hypocitraturia, hypomagnesuria, and acidic urine, underscoring increased risk of postoperative nephrolithiasis. Close monitoring of urinary parameters and multidisciplinary management are recommended to mitigate stone risk
Metacognitive ability is associated with reduced emotion suppression
No full textAbstract Emotion regulation and metacognition are two key self-regulatory capacities that contribute significantly to psychological functioning. Emotion regulation involves the strategies individuals use to influence their emotional experiences, whereas metacognition refers to the capacity to reflect on and monitor one’s own mental processes. Both constructs have been the focus of extensive research and are associated with important cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Although theoretical models propose that self-monitoring is a fundamental component of emotion regulation, the empirical link between emotion regulation strategies and metacognitive ability remains poorly understood. This preregistered study (N = 200) investigated the association between self-reported emotion regulation strategies, specifically reappraisal and suppression, and metacognitive ability, which we assessed using a visual discrimination task paired with confidence ratings. We also included self-reported emotional intelligence and rumination as control variables. Our findings indicate that better metacognitive ability is associated with lower use of suppression, but shows no relationship with reappraisal. These results suggest that metacognitive processes may play a meaningful role in shaping how individuals regulate their emotions
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