Reconsidering screening thresholds in health assessments for obstructive sleep apnea using operational and safety incident data.

The rail industry in Australia screens workers for probable obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to known safety risks. However, existing criteria to trigger screening only identify a small proportion of workers with OSA. The current study sought to examine the relationship between OSA risk and rail incidents in real-world data from Australian train drivers, and conducted a proof of concept analysis to determine whether more conservative screening criteria are justified. Health assessment (2016-2018) and subsequent rail incident data (2016-2020) were collected from two passenger rail service providers. Predictors included OSA status (confirmed no OSA with a sleep study, controlled OSA, unknown OSA [no recorded sleep assessment data] and confirmed OSA with no indication of treatment); OSA risk according to the current Standard, and OSA risk according to more conservative clinical markers (BMI threshold and cardiometabolic burden). Coded rail safety incidents involving the train driver were included. Data were analysed using zero-inflated negative binomial models to account for over-dispersion with high 0 counts, and rail safety incidents are reported using Incidence Risk Ratios (IRRs). A total of 751 train drivers, typically middle-aged, overweight to obese and mostly men, were included in analyses. There were 43 (5.7%) drivers with confirmed OSA, 62 (8.2%) with controlled OSA, 13 (1.7%) with confirmed no OSA and 633 (84.4%) drivers with unknown OSA. Of the 633 train drivers with unknown OSA status, 21 (3.3%) met 'at risk' criteria for OSA according to the Standard, and incidents were 61% greater (IRR: 1.61, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.02-2.56) in the years following their health assessment compared to drivers who did not meet 'at risk' criteria. A more conservative OSA risk status using lower BMI threshold and cardiometabolic burden identified an additional 30 'at risk' train drivers who had 46% greater incidents compared to drivers who did not meet risk criteria (IRR (95% CI) 1.46 (1.00-2.13)). Our more conservative OSA risk criteria identified more workers, with greater prospective incidents. These findings suggest that existing validated tools could be considered in future iterations of the Standard in order to more sensitively screen for OSA.

Indoor air quality and sick-building syndrome at a metro station in Tianjin, China.

Metro systems play a crucial role in public transportation worldwide. Given that metro stations are unique built environments with a significant volume of daily commuters, ensuring a satisfactory air quality in these spaces becomes paramount. This study involved measurements of indoor air quality (IAQ), staff satisfaction, particulate matter (PM) chemical composition, and heavy metal health risks at a typical metro station in Tianjin over two seasons. Although the air exchange rate was sufficient to maintain a CO2 concentration less than 1000 ppm, the proportion of staff reporting no sick-building symptoms decreased from 83 % in spring to 25 % in winter. An average mass concentration of PM with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) of 68.0 ± 42.2 µg/m3 and an average PM1 mass concentration of 51.8 ± 33.3 µg/m3 were observed on the platform in winter. PM2.5 contained more metal in winter than in spring. PM2.5 in winter contained more metal in winter than in spring. With a lower relative humidity in winter, the coefficient of friction between railway wheels and rails increased, thus increasing particle emission. The carcinogenic risk of Cr on the platform was unacceptable. Moreover, the health risks induced by Ba should be investigated. The findings indicate that PM control at metro stationss, particularly on platforms in winter, should be emphasized.

Gastrointestinal syndrome encountered during a train voyage to high altitudes: A 14-day survey of 69 passengers in China.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of acute mountain sickness (AMS) continue to be problematic due to a lack of consensus on the inclusion of symptoms in a scoring system. Recent investigations highlight the significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in identifying this condition. However, the specific gastrointestinal symptoms associated with AMS have not been thoroughly elucidated in previous studies, and the underlying risk factors remain inadequately comprehended. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics, trends, and risk factors related to gastrointestinal symptoms encountered during train travel to high altitude. A total of 69 passengers, specifically all with medical backgrounds, were surveyed 6 times over a period of 14 days. RESULTS: The daily incidence of abdominal discomfort was higher than non-gastrointestinal symptoms within 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms demonstrated a greater prevalence, longer duration, and increased risk compared to non-gastrointestinal symptoms, such as headaches. The symptoms of abdominal distension and bowel sound hyperaction were found to be prevalent and persistent among patients diagnosed with AMS, exhibiting a high incidence rate. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and alcohol consumption were identified as risk factors associated with the occurrence and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms are more common and persistent when traveling to the plateau by train. These symptoms should be taken into consideration in the further diagnosis and prevention of AMS. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical foundation for the prevention and treatment of AMS.

Electromagnetic exposure analysis of the subway passenger under the civil communication system radiation.

In order to assess the electromagnetic exposure safety of passengers under the civil communication system of the subway, the radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic environment of subway carriage is established by using COMSOL Multiphysics software, it includes a 1-1/4 " leaky coaxial cable (LCX1) and a 1-5/8" leaky coaxial cable (LCX2), which are designed to be the exposure sources, and twelve passengers at different position. The electromagnetic environment model has been verified through field measurement. The exposure dose distribution of twelve passengers is compared and analyzed, when LCX1 and LCX2 works respectively. The simulated results show that, to compare with LCX2, the electromagnetic dose absorbed by the passengers is reduced by 9.19% and 22.50% at 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz respectively. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of passengers obtains the maximum value of 1.91×10-4 W/Kg and the temperature rise to 0.214 K when the LCX1 works at 3400 MHz. By comparing with the public exposure limitation of the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), it demonstrates the electromagnetic exposure safety of the passengers under the civil communication system. More importantly, the proposed LCX1 not only could add the 5G signal cover but also lower the SAR absorbed by the passengers, which indicates that the public electromagnetic exposure dose could be reduced by adjusting the radiation performances of exposure source, which provide a new way for electromagnetic protecting.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the pulmonary inflammation induced by inhalation of subway fine particles.

People generally take the subway and inevitably inhale the fine particles (PM2.5) on subway platforms. This study revealed whether and how subway PM2.5 causes lung inflammation. Herein, the pulmonary inflammatory response to subway PM2.5 was observed in mice, manifesting as the inflammatory cells infiltration and collagen deposition in tissue, inflammatory cytokine enhancement in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and Toll-like receptors signal pathway activation in the lungs. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing unearthed subway PM2.5-induced cell-specific responses in the lungs. Twenty immune subsets were identified by the molecular and functional properties. Specific cell populations of CD4+ T and γδ T cells were regarded as the predominant sources of pneumonitis induced by subway PM2.5. Moreover, we demonstrated that the lung inflammatory injury was significantly more attenuated in Rag1-/- mice lacking functional T cells and B cells than that in wild type mice. We proved the slight inflammation of lung tissue in Rag1-/- mice may be dependent on monocytes and neutrophils by activation of the intracellular molecular network. This is the first experimental study on subway PM2.5 causing pulmonary inflammatory damage. It will set an alarm for people who usually travel by subway and efficient measures to reduce PM2.5 should be developed in subway stations.

Long-term exposure to PM10 and respiratory health among Parisian subway workers.

Exposure to ambient PM10 may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung function decline. We evaluated the long-term exposure to PM10 and its relationship with COPD prevalence and lung function in Parisian subway workers. Participants were randomly selected from a 15,000-subway worker cohort. Individual annual external exposure to PM10 (ePM10) was estimated using a company-specific job-exposure-matrix based on PM10 measurements conducted between 2004 and 2019 in the Parisian subway network. Mean annual inhaled PM10 exposure (iPM10) was modeled as function of ePM10 exposure, inhalation rate, and filtration efficiency of the respiratory protection used. COPD diagnosis was performed in March-May 2021 based on post-bronchodilator spirometry. The relationship between iPM10 and outcomes was assessed using logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for exposure duration and potential confounders. Amongst 254 participants with complete data, 17 were diagnosed as COPD. The mean employment duration was 23.2 ± 7.3years, with annual mean ePM10 of 71.8 ± 33.7 µg/m3 and iPM10 of 0.59 ± 0.27 µg/shift, respectively. A positive but statistically non-significant association was found for COPD prevalence with iPM10 (OR = 1.034, 95%-CI = 0.781; 1.369, per 100 ng/shift) and ePM10 (OR = 1.029, 95%-CI = 0.879; 1.207, per 10 µg/m3). No decline in lung function was associated with PM10 exposure. However, forced expiratory volume during the first second and forced vital capacity lower than normal were positively associated with exposure duration (OR = 1.125, 95%-CI = 1.004; 1.260 and OR = 1.171, 95%-CI = 0.989; 1.386 per year, respectively). Current smoking was strongly associated with COPD prevalence (OR = 6.85, 95%-CI = 1.87; 25.10) and most lung function parameters. This is the first study assessing the relationship between long-term exposure to subway PM10 and respiratory health in subway workers. The risk estimates related with subway PM10 exposure are compatible with those related to outdoor PM10 exposure in the large recent studies. Large cohorts of subway workers are necessary to confirm these findings.

Inhalation of subway fine particles induces murine extrapulmonary organs damage.

Because of its speed and convenience, the subway has become the first choice for travel by many residents. However, the concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air of a subway platform is higher than that of the ground level or carriage. Moreover, the composition and source of subway PM2.5 differ from those of atmospheric PM2.5. Currently, there is insufficient research on the impact of subway PM2.5 on health. In this study, intratracheally subway PM2.5-inoculated wild type (WT) and Rag1-/- mice, lacking functional T cells and B cells, were used to investigate the potential of subway PM2.5 exposure to cause extrapulmonary organ injuries. Subway PM2.5 increased inflammatory cells infiltration, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, as well as monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 gene and protein expression, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels in liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus in a dose-dependent fashion in WT mice. Subway PM2.5 exposure resulted in slight macrophage (F4/80+) and neutrophil (Ly6G+) infiltration and caused no increase in the protein levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, or COX-2 in the liver, kidneys, spleen, and thymus of Rag1-/- mice. These results demonstrate a dose-response manner between subway PM2.5 exposure and inflammatory injuries of extrapulmonary organs, which could be related to the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Subway PM2.5-induced extrapulmonary organ damage was dependent on T cells and B cells; this finding may provide insight for research on the mechanisms responsible for the health hazards posed by air pollution.

O trem e a "senhorita espanhola": a epidemia de gripe em Diamantina, 1918 / The train and the "Spanish señorita": the flu epidemic in Diamantina, 1918

Resumo O artigo analisa a epidemia de gripe de 1918 em Diamantina, no interior de Minas Gerais. A partir de fontes bibliográficas e documentais, discute como o ramal ferroviário da Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas, inaugurado em 1914, contribuiu para a chegada da doença à cidade que, até então, era representada no discurso de suas elites como isolada e salubre. Aborda as imbricadas relações entre a expansão dos sistemas de transportes pelo interior do Brasil, o meio ambiente, o conhecimento científico e os processos saúde/doença.

Abstract The article analyzes the influenza epidemic in 1918 in Diamantina, a town in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Bibliographic and documental sources are used to investigate the influence of the Vitória-Minas railroad (Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas), opened in 1914, on the arrival of the disease in the town, which had until then been represented in the discourse of its elites as insalubrious and isolated. The interrelations between the spread of transportation systems across Brazil, the environment, scientific knowledge, and health-disease processes are discussed.

Contradições e fragilidades da segurança comportamental na prevenção de acidentes em uma empresa ferroviária de transporte de passageiros / Contradictions and fragilities of behavioral safety in accident prevention in a passenger railway transportation company

Introdução: Este estudo aborda o tema de investigações de acidentes do trabalho e as práticas de Saúde e Segurança do Trabalho (SST) de uma empresa ferroviária metropolitana brasileira de transporte de passageiros, confrontados com os resultados encontrados pela intervenção colaborativa das sessões do método MAPA Expandido. Desde 2009, ocorreram 15 acidentes de trabalho fatais nas dependências da empresa, sendo 13 por atropelamento por trem e dois por choque elétrico. Um desses acidentes em 2011, que vitimou três trabalhadores, levou à abertura de um Inquérito Civil Público (ICP) no Ministério Público do Trabalho (MPT) para investigar as condições de SST da empresa. O MPT percebeu ao longo da investigação, que as prescrições legais de SST, que eram exigidas para a organização, que é muito complexa, não conseguiam alcançar os objetivos preventivos, visto que os acidentes fatais continuavam acontecendo. Portanto, o MPT solicitou o auxílio do grupo de pesquisa USP-UNESP para abordar uma metodologia na organização que enxergasse além das prescrições legais. Objetivo: Analisar as práticas de segurança do trabalho de uma empresa ferroviária metropolitana de transporte de passageiros, a fim de contribuir para a disseminação de uma abordagem organizacional. Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise quantitativa de uma amostra de 98 acidentes típicos de trabalho (ocorridos entre 2017 e 2020), dos quais destes, três acidentes graves, um acidente fatal e dois incidentes de alto potencial de gravidade foram selecionados para uma análise qualitativa, totalizando seis eventos indesejados, sendo que destes, cinco foram objeto de investigação em uma comissão de sindicância da empresa. Na análise qualitativa foram utilizados os métodos Modelo de Análise e Prevenção de Acidentes de Trabalho (MAPA), e conceitos da Gravata Borboleta, Teoria do Queijo Suíço e Teoria da Atividade Histórico-Cultural (TAHC). Além dessas análises, foram explorados os resultados da investigação que utilizou a metodologia colaborativa do MAPA Expandido com a finalidade de compreender as hipóteses de contradições históricas que auxiliaram na compreensão da ocorrência de um incidente durante a atividade de manutenção da linha férrea. Resultados: Na análise sobre os 98 acidentes, a empresa conclui que dois casos (2,04%) ocorreram exclusivamente pelos atos inseguros dos trabalhadores, 28 casos (28,57%) ocorreram exclusivamente por condições inseguras e 68 casos (69,39%) ocorreram pela combinação de atos e condições inseguras. A organização utiliza a abordagem da segurança comportamental para fazer a análise e tentar prevenir novos acidentes. Foram identificadas cinco hipóteses de contradições que ajudam a entender as ocorrências, sendo a principal delas o fato da empresa intensificar e priorizar a utilização da linha férrea para o setor de circulação dos trens, enquanto a equipe de manutenção não tem tempo suficiente e se expõe a riscos e perigos para conseguir trabalhar na via permanente, o que muitas vezes interfere na confiabilidade do sistema e na produção do serviço. Conclusões: A sindicância, responsável por analisar acidentes graves/fatais e incidentes de alto potencial de gravidade, serve como meio jurídico-defensivo em vez de preventivo, no intuito da empresa se eximir de suas responsabilidades. Nas sindicâncias e em muitos dos relatórios de acidentes feitos pelos profissionais de SST (SESMT), os trabalhadores são culpabilizados pelas ocorrências, ocultando aspectos organizacionais. A gestão da segurança da empresa é voltada para a abordagem centrada no indivíduo e não evoluiu para a abordagem organizacional. A empresa ignora a existência da segurança em ação e apenas preconiza a segurança normatizada, portanto, não há um equilíbrio pertinente entre elas, visto que a gestão leva em consideração apenas o trabalho prescrito. Evidenciou-se que suas práticas de segurança são frágeis e pouco eficientes na prevenção dos acidentes.

Introduction: This study addresses the topic of work accident investigations and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices in a Brazilian metropolitan railway company that provides passenger transportation, in light of the findings resulting from the collaborative intervention of Expanded MAPA method sessions. Since 2009, there have been 15 fatal work accidents within the company premises, with 13 resulting from train collisions and two from electrical shocks. One of these accidents in 2011, which claimed the lives of three workers, led to the opening of a Public Civil Inquiry (PCI) at the Ministry of Public Labor Prosecution (MPLP) to investigate the OSH conditions within the company. Throughout the investigation, the MPLP realized that the legal OSH requirements, which were imposed on the highly complex organization, were unable to achieve the preventive objectives as fatal accidents continued to occur. Therefore, the MPLP sought the assistance of the research group USP-UNESP to adopt a methodology within the organization that would go beyond the legal requirements. Objective: This study aims to analyze the occupational safety practices of a metropolitan passenger railway company, with the purpose of contributing to the dissemination of an organizational approach. Methods: A quantitative analysis was conducted on a sample of 98 typical work accidents that occurred between 2017 and 2020. From this sample, three severe accidents, one fatal accident, and two incidents with high potential severity were selected for qualitative analysis, resulting in a total of six undesirable events. Five of these events were investigated by an internal company inquiry commission. The qualitative analysis employed the Model of Analysis and Prevention of Accidents (MAPA), as well as concepts from the diagram Bow-tie, Swiss Cheese Model and Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). Additionally, the findings of an investigation utilizing the collaborative methodology of Expanded MAPA were explored to understand the hypotheses of historical contradictions that contributed to an incident during railway maintenance activities. Results: In the analysis of the 98 accidents, the company concluded that two cases (2.04%) occurred solely due to unsafe acts by the workers, 28 cases (28.57%) occurred solely due to unsafe conditions, and 68 cases (69.39%) occurred as a result of a combination of unsafe acts and conditions. The organization employs a behavioral safety approach to analyze these incidents and attempt to prevent future accidents. Five hypotheses of contradictions were identified to help understand these occurrences, with the primary one being the fact that the company intensifies and prioritizes the use of the railway line for train circulation, while the maintenance team lacks sufficient time and is exposed to risks and dangers in order to carry out work on the track, which often affects the reliability of the system and the service production. Conclusions: The internal inquiry commission, responsible for analyzing severe/fatal accidents and incidents with high potential severity, serves as a legal-defensive mechanism rather than a preventive one, allow with the company seeking to absolve itself of your responsibilities. In these inquiries and in many of the accident reports produced by occupational health and safety professionals, the workers are blamed for the occurrences, thereby concealing organizational aspects. The company's safety management is focused on an individual-centered approach and has not evolved towards an organizational approach. The company disregards the existence of managed safety and only advocates for rule-based safety, resulting in a lack of pertinent balance between the two, as safety management solely considers Work-as-Imagined. It has been evidenced that their safety practices are weak and inefficient in accident prevention.

Spatial characteristics of fine particulate matter in subway stations: Source apportionment and health risks.

Air in subway stations is typically more polluted than ambient air, and particulate matter concentrations and compositions can vary greatly by location, even within a subway station. However, it is not known how the sources of particulate matter vary between different areas within subway stations, and source-specific health risks in subway stations are unclear. We analyzed the spatial characteristics of particulate matter by source and calculated source-specific health risks on subway platforms and concourses and in station offices by integrating source apportionment with health risk assessments. A total of 182 samples were collected in three areas in six subway stations in Nanjing, China. Enrichment factors and the positive matrix factorization receptor model were used to identify major sources. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks to subway workers and passengers were evaluated to determine control priorities. Seven sources of particulate matter were identified in each area, with a total of four subway sources and six outdoor sources over all the areas. The source contributions to total element mass differed significantly from the source contributions to human health risks. Overall, subway sources contributed 48% of total element mass in the station office and 75% and 60% on the concourse and platform, respectively. Subway-derived sources accounted for 54%, 81%, and 71% of non-carcinogenic health risks on station platforms, concourses, and office areas, respectively. The corresponding values for carcinogenic risks were 51%, 86%, and 86%. Among the elements, cobalt had the largest contributions to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, followed by manganese for non-carcinogenic risks and hexavalent chromium for carcinogenic risks. Reducing emissions from subway sources could effectively protect the health of subway workers and passengers.

Experimental Study on Vibration and Noise Characteristics of Steel-Concrete Railway Bridge.

The paper presents the results of vibroacoustic tests of a plate girder railway bridge consisting of two parallel dilated structures and a common ballast trough. The requirements currently set for railway bridges relate to, among others, vibrations considered as one of the criteria for traffic safety and to noise emissions that may pose a threat to the environment. In this article, the results of tests conducted on vibrations of elements of the analyzed structure are presented, and the level of these vibrations in terms of meeting the requirements of the European standards is assessed. Vibrating criteria of structure performance were checked, and safety was assessed. The results of noise measurements in the vicinity of the analyzed bridge are also presented, and the environmental impact of this structure is determined. The test results show that the bridge meets the requirements for vibration acceleration and noise. An increased acoustic emission in the analyzed case does not pose a significant threat, but if this type of structure was on high supports in an urbanized area, it would be a nuisance to the environment.

Wild and trapped: a history of Colombian zoos and its revelations of animal fortunes and State entanglements, 1930s-1990s / Selvagens e confinados: uma história dos zoológicos colombianos e suas revelações sobre os destinos de animais e entrelaçamentos do Estado, décadas de 1930 a 1990

Abstract This article presents the first history of Colombian zoos and one of the few contributions to the history of these institutions in Latin America. It proposes that in this region's zoos native animals tended to predominate, signaling the increasing transformation of forests and other native ecosystems into croplands and pasturelands, as well as the growing distance between people and natural environments. Colombian zoos additionally underscore the limitations of the State in its period of most rapid expansion. They reveal how private interests overshadowed the State by providing public amenities, but also how they offered unconventional solutions to certain hurdles of State formation.

Resumo Este artigo apresenta a primeira história dos zoológicos colombianos e é uma das poucas contribuições à história dessas instituições na América Latina. Nele, propõe-se que nos zoológicos dessa região predominavam animais nativos, indício da crescente transformação de florestas e outros ecossistemas nativos em terrenos agrícolas e pastos, assim como do gradativo distanciamento entre pessoas e natureza. Os zoológicos colombianos também evidenciam as limitações do Estado no período de sua mais rápida expansão. Eles revelam como os interesses privados eclipsaram o Estado fornecendo comodidades públicas, mas também como ofereceram soluções não convencionais a algumas das dificuldades na formação do Estado.

Subway-related trauma at a level 1 trauma centre in Toronto, Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Given the rising prevalence of subways in combination with an increasing incidence of subway-related injuries, understanding subway-related trauma is becoming ever more relevant. The aim of this study was to characterize the potential causes, injury characteristics and outcomes of subway-related trauma at a level 1 adult trauma centre in Toronto, Ontario. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify patients who presented to the emergency department a level 1 adult trauma centre with a subway-related injury between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2018. Patients were identified via International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision E-codes (X81, Y02, V050, V051 and W17). We then further screened for descriptions of subway-related injuries. Patients whose injuries did not involve a moving subway train were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 51 patients who presented to the emergency department after being hit by a moving subway train. The majority of incidents (39 [76%]) were due to self-harm, 10 (20%) were unintentional injuries, and 2 (4%) were due to assault. The presence of alcohol was detected in 8 patients (80%) with unintentional injuries and 3 (8%) of those with self-inflicted injuries. Thirteen patients (25%) had a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg. The median Injury Severity Score was 17 (interquartile range 9-29). Seventeen patients (33%) presented with severe injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥ 3) in 1 body region, and 19 (37%) had severe injuries in 2 or more body regions. The most common isolated severe injury was in the lower extremity, and the most common combinations of severe injuries were in the head and lower extremity, and head and thorax. Ten patients (20%) were declared dead in the emergency department. Of the 41 patients who survived their initial presentation, 12 (29%) went directly to the operating room, and 17 (41%) were transferred to the intensive care unit. The overall mortality rate was 29%. CONCLUSION: Patients with subway-related injuries experienced high mortality rates and severe injuries. Most incidents were due to self-harm or alcohol-related. Further research into early identification of those at risk and optimal prevention strategies is necessary to curb further incidents.

Robotic Railway Multi-Sensing and Profiling Unit Based on Artificial Intelligence and Data Fusion.

This article presents the research and results of field tests and simulations regarding an autonomous/robotic railway vehicle, designed to collect multiple information on safety and functional parameters of a surface railway and/or subway section, based on data fusion and machine learning. The maintenance of complex railways, or subway networks with long operating times is a difficult process and intensive resources consuming. The proposed solution delivers human operators in the fault management service and operations from the time-consuming task of railway inspection and measurements, by integrating several sensors and collecting most relevant information on railway, associated automation equipment and infrastructure on a single intelligent platform. The robotic cart integrates autonomy, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and ability to detect even infrastructural anomalies. Moreover, via a future process of complex statistical filtering of data, it is foreseen that the solution might be configured to offer second-order information about infrastructure changes, such as land sliding, water flooding, or similar modifications. Results of simulations and field tests show the ability of the platform to integrate several fault management operations in a single process, useful in increasing railway capacity and resilience.

Ambiente alimentar de estações de metrô: um estudo no município de São Paulo, Brasil / Food environment at subway stations: a study in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil

Resumo Os objetivos deste estudo foram caracterizar o ambiente alimentar no interior de estações de metrô da cidade de São Paulo e descrever a disponibilidade de alimentos e bebidas segundo vulnerabilidade social da área onde as estações se localizam. Foi realizado um estudo transversal envolvendo 19 estações de metrô. Para a auditoria dos pontos comerciais e das vending machines foram utilizados instrumentos do tipo checklist. Para caracterização do local onde as estações estavam inseridas, utilizou-se o Índice Paulista de Vulnerabilidade Social. Foram encontrados 66 pontos comerciais. A mediana de pontos comerciais por estação foi a mesma em todas as categorias de vulnerabilidade social do território (mediana=2 estabelecimentos/estação). Os tipos de alimentos comercializados mais frequentes foram os de conveniência, presentes em 100% dos pontos comerciais. A vulnerabilidade do território não resultou em diferença na disponibilidade de alimentos marcadores saudáveis e não saudáveis. O ambiente alimentar das estações de metrô é marcado pela grande disponibilidade de alimentos e bebidas ultraprocessados em todos os pontos comerciais.

Abstract This study aimed to characterize the food environment within subway stations in São Paulo and describe the availability of food and drinks according to the social vulnerability of the area where the stations are located. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 19 subway stations, and checklist instruments were used to audit outlets and vending machines. The São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index was adopted to characterize the location of the stations. Sixty-six outlets were found. The median of outlets per station was the same in all categories of the territory's social vulnerability (median=2 establishments/station). The most frequent types of food sold were convenience foods, present in all of the outlets. The territory's vulnerability did not result in a difference in the availability of healthy and unhealthy marker foods. The food environment at subway stations is marked by the high availability of ultra-processed food and drinks at all outlets.

Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and work exposures among railroad maintenance-of-way workers.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to examine occupational risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands among railroad maintenance-of-way (MOW) workers. Little systematic research on musculoskeletal disorders has been conducted in this occupational group. METHODS: In total, 3995 active members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) completed a standardized survey focusing on disorders caused by hand-transmitted vibration. We computed adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) using Poisson regression for shoulder, elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vibration white finger musculoskeletal symptoms by work exposures, adjusted for age, region, race/ethnicity, smoking, potential second job, and spare time vehicle vibration exposure, and other work exposures. RESULTS: Among active male BMWED members, we found associations between >5.2 years (vs. 0.0-0.7 years) duration of full-time equivalent power tool use and shoulder pain (aPR = 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-2.85), elbow pain (aPR = 2.88; 95% CI, 1.86-4.46), vibration white finger symptoms (aPR = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.06-5.85), hand/wrist pain (aPR = 2.40; 95% CI, 1.74-3.32), finger numbness or tingling (aPR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.38-2.50) and self-reported carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis (aPR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.24-3.77). Associations were not consistent across outcomes for the duration of non-powered hand tool use and "repeated lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending." Positive gradients were observed for most outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-arm vibration and some other biomechanical exposures were associated with shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and finger symptoms. Prevention programs should address occupational risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among MOW workers.

Proportionate mortality study of unionized maintenance of way railroad workers.

BACKGROUND: Railroad maintenance of way (MOW) workers are exposed to many workplace hazards, including diesel fuel and exhaust, ballast (silica) dust, asbestos, solvents, herbicides, welding fumes, heavy rolling equipment, vibration and extreme weather. AIMS: Due to the number of excess deaths we found in a companion standardized mortality ratio (SMR) study for union members <65 years, we hypothesized that these workers may have elevated mortality risks among all ages for many chronic conditions. METHODS: Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were calculated for 37 661 male MOW workers ages 20 and older who were members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED). A data set was submitted to the National Death Index (NDI) to identify decedents and to determine cause of death for workers who died between 1979 and 2014. The CDC WONDER database was used to determine expected mortality for US males. RESULTS: For certain diseases and cancers the SMR and PMR findings have parallel mortality excesses. Examples include septicaemia and anaemia; diabetes; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); nephritis; and transportation accidents. Among cancers, we found excess oesophageal, stomach, colorectal, lung, prostate, kidney and in situ cancers. Two excess SMR findings were not replicated in the PMR assessment-Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. CONCLUSIONS: The PMR findings suggest that some of the mortality excesses from the SMR study are elevated, which adds support to their being consistently raised among BMWED members. The shared excess causes of death in the PMR and SMR studies should be focused on for future prevention and surveillance activities.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in railway stations dust of the mega traffic hub city, central China: Human health risk and relationship with black carbon.

Twenty dust samples collected from Wuchang and Wuhan Railway Stations, the biggest transport stations in the mega traffic hub city in Central China, were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to investigate the concentration, sources apportionment, and relationship with black carbon (BC) and assess the health risk. The results suggested that the concentrations of PAHs, BC and TOC in Wuhan Railway Station (WHRS) (PAHs = 5940 ± 1920 ng g-1, BC = 53.2 ± 23.1 mg g-1 and TOC = 80.7 ± 44.4) were twice higher than those in Wuchang Railway Station (WCRS) (PAHs = 2580 ± 1630 ng g-1, BC = 20.4 ± 14.3 mg g-1 and TOC = 33.9 ± 20.1 mg g-1). Moreover, the 3 - and 4 - rings PAHs were major PAHs in railway station dust. The composition pattern of PAHs in these railway station dusts had a common characteristic with HMW-PAHs contribution. The results of source identification revealed that different local development features and energy consumption of trains would influence the sources of PAHs and BC. PAHs and BC were most likely related to industrial activities in WHRS. Coal and biomass combustion may influence the PAHs components and BC distribution in WCRS. Moreover, BC had played an important role in retaining PAHs in urban railway stations. Especially in WHRS, BC would more likely to absorb the high molecular weight PAHs, such as 4 -ring (p<0.05), 5 -ring (p<0.05) and 6 -ring (p<0.05) PAHs; while BC just played limited roles in the binding of volatile and semi-volatile organic pollutants, such as 2 -ring and 3 -ring PAHs. With the coexistence of BC and PAHs, passengers would face significant potential health risks by exposure to toxic dust in railway stations, especially for children. The cancer risk in WHRS was almost twice higher than that in WCRS, and it would tend to be stable by a semi-confined structure in the platform area.

Inhaled underground subway dusts may stimulate multiple pathways of cell death signals and disrupt immune balance.

In this study, we aimed to identify a toxic mechanism and the potential health effects of ambient dusts in an underground subway station. At 24 h exposure to human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells (0, 2.5, 10, and 40 µg/mL), dusts located within autophagosome-like vacuoles, whereas a series of autophagic processes appeared to be blocked. The volume, potential and activity of mitochondria decreased in consistent with a condensed configuration, and the percentage of late apoptotic cells increased accompanying S phase arrest. While production of reactive oxygen species, expression of ferritin (heavy chain) protein, secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinases, and the released LDH level notably increased in dust-treated cells (40 µg/mL), intracellular calcium level decreased. At day 14 after a single instillation to mice (0, 12.5, 50, and 200 µg/head), the total number of cells increased in the lungs of dust-treated mice with no significant change in cell composition. The pulmonary levels of TGF-ß, GM-CSF, IL-12 and IL-13 clearly increased following exposure to dusts, whereas that of CXCL-1 was dose-dependently inhibited. Additionally, the population of cytotoxic T cells in T lymphocytes in the spleen increased relative to that of helper T cells, and the levels of IgA and IgM in the bloodstream were significantly reduced in the dust-treated mice. Subsequently, to improve the possibility of extrapolating our findings to humans, we repeatedly instilled dusts (1 time/week, 4 weeks, 0.25 and 1.0 mg/head) to monkeys. The total number of cells, the relative portion of neutrophils, the level of TNF-α significantly increased in the lungs of dust-treated monkeys, and the expression of cytochrome C was enhanced in the lung tissues. Meanwhile, the pulmonary level of MIP-α was clearly reduced, and the expression of caveolin-1 was inhibited in the lung tissues. More importantly, inflammatory lesions, such as granuloma, were seen in both mice and monkeys instilled with dusts. Taken together, we conclude that dusts may impair the host's immune function against foreign bodies by inhibiting the capacity for production of antibodies. In addition, iron metabolism may be closely associated with dust-induced cell death and inflammatory response.