Research on coupling coordination between construction industry innovation and region economic development in China.

In numerous developing nations, challenges such as insufficient investment in innovation and limited capabilities for conversion impede the growth of the construction sector, thus affecting the overall economic well-being of these regions. This paper focuses on construction industry innovation (CII) and its correlation with region economic development (RED), providing valuable insights to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable economic advancement. This study references existing literature to devise an evaluation indicator system dedicated for CII and RED. It then proceeds with an empirical analysis of the integration and synergy between CII and the economic development across 31 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. Furthermore, this paper employs ArcGIS and Geoda software to meticulously dissect the spatial distribution characteristics underlying this coordination. The main conclusions are succinctly summarized as follows: CII in China is intricately connected to RED, exhibiting a strong connection that diminishes from south to north. Nonetheless, the coordination level between these factors remains relatively low, with notable regional disparities, particularly from southeast to northwest. The primary obstacles to effective coordination are related to innovation input, output, and economic scale. Additionally, spatial correlation analysis demonstrates pronounced regional clustering, showing stability despite slight fluctuations over the study period. This research underscores the concept of coupling coordination between CII and RED, underpinned by scientific analytical methods. The outcomes provide a definitive guide for advancing the transformation and enhancement of the construction industry while promoting RED.

Burden of carpal tunnel syndrome and its associated factors among construction industry workers in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as pain, numbness, or tingling on the anterior surface of the index, middle, or radial half of the ring finger, which is frequently associated with weakness of hand grip, and nocturnal pain and/or numbness resulting from compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel between the carpal bones and the transverse ligament. The construction industry involves many activities aside from the building process, such as landscaping, painting, electrical supply, plastering, paving, and telecommunications. Performing such tasks involves repetition of wrist flexion and extension, forceful grip with the hand, and/or vibrations of the hand and arm. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome and its associated risk factors among construction workers. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among six construction sectors in Gondar from April to July 2021. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was prepared from the literature with a Katz hand diagram, and a physical examination and a special test (carpal compression test, Phalen's, and Tinel's test) were carried out for those participants who reported pain during the interview. Binary logistic regression was conducted with SPSS 25 to identify the associated risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. The strength of the association was detected by the adjusted odds ratio. Result: A total of 333 study participants aged 18-70 years were included in this study. Among the participants, 11.7% (AOR: 95%CI: 8.1-15.3) had carpal tunnel syndrome. Age, cigarette smoking, work experience, and working with finger-pressing tools were risk factors significantly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers with a p-value of <0.05. Conclusion: The magnitude of carpal tunnel syndrome was 11.7% among construction workers. Being of older age, having more experience, cigarette smoking, and working with finger-pressing tools were risk factors significantly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers. Employers should implement work safety education programs that raise awareness about the risks of cigarette smoking and encourage employers and supervisors to seek early medical intervention and treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome before it becomes a chronic problem.

A two-pronged approach to understanding reciprocity and mental health relationship in developing countries: evidence from young informal construction workers in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems disproportionately affect young people in developing countries. However, there is limited research on help-seeking behaviours and the social support systems that improve mental wellbeing among vulnerable youth populations. OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods study aimed to examine the relationship between social support reciprocity and mental health among young informal construction workers in Nigeria, a population at high-risk for occupational and socioeconomic stressors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 686 informal workers to measure reciprocity, mental health-related quality of life, and covariates. In-depth interviews with 32 participants provided qualitative context. RESULTS: Quantitative analyses showed 25% of participants reported poor mental health. Reciprocity positively predicted mental health after controlling for covariates. Qualitative findings revealed reciprocity occurs directly between individuals as well as indirectly through trade unions and religious groups. Indirect exchanges through groups helped address limitations of direct support due to limited resources. CONCLUSIONS: This study fills important gaps in understanding how social relationships impact mental health in developing country contexts. Findings emphasize the role of collective action and community-based support systems in promoting mental wellbeing among vulnerable populations. Insights can inform culturally relevant, systems-level mental health interventions.

Scaling up a Positive Safety Culture among Construction Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ghana.

The Ghanaian construction industry faces challenges in managing safety, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that need more resources. This research addressed the critical need for a positive safety culture framework specifically designed for SMEs in Ghana. The study adopts the Delphi research approach, which involves a series of questionnaire 'rounds' to gather and refine information and develop a collaborative safety culture framework with SME stakeholders. The study employed a mixed-methods strategy, harnessing quantitative and qualitative data to meet the research goals. The critical components of the developed framework included safety commitment, adaptability, information, awareness, culture, and performance. The research offered evidence-based recommendations for effective positive safety practices across Ghana's SMEs by analysing the relationship between these interventions and safety outcomes. Applying the framework should reduce workplace accidents and foster a positive safety culture that aligns with international best practices.

A Review of Data Mining Strategies by Data Type, with a Focus on Construction Processes and Health and Safety Management.

Increasingly, information technology facilitates the storage and management of data useful for risk analysis and event prediction. Studies on data extraction related to occupational health and safety are increasingly available; however, due to its variability, the construction sector warrants special attention. This review is conducted under the research programs of the National Institute for Occupational Accident Insurance (Inail). OBJECTIVES: The research question focuses on identifying which data mining (DM) methods, among supervised, unsupervised, and others, are most appropriate for certain investigation objectives, types, and sources of data, as defined by the authors. METHODS: Scopus and ProQuest were the main sources from which we extracted studies in the field of construction, published between 2014 and 2023. The eligibility criteria applied in the selection of studies were based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). For exploratory purposes, we applied hierarchical clustering, while for in-depth analysis, we used principal component analysis (PCA) and meta-analysis. RESULTS: The search strategy based on the PRISMA eligibility criteria provided us with 63 out of 2234 potential articles, 206 observations, 89 methodologies, 4 survey purposes, 3 data sources, 7 data types, and 3 resource types. Cluster analysis and PCA organized the information included in the paper dataset into two dimensions and labels: "supervised methods, institutional dataset, and predictive and classificatory purposes" (correlation 0.97-8.18 × 10-1; p-value 7.67 × 10-55-1.28 × 10-22) and the second, Dim2 "not-supervised methods; project, simulation, literature, text data; monitoring, decision-making processes; machinery and environment" (corr. 0.84-0.47; p-value 5.79 × 10-25--3.59 × 10-6). We answered the research question regarding which method, among supervised, unsupervised, or other, is most suitable for application to data in the construction industry. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis provided an overall estimate of the better effectiveness of supervised methods (Odds Ratio = 0.71, Confidence Interval 0.53-0.96) compared to not-supervised methods.

Enhancing construction safety: predicting worker sleep deprivation using machine learning algorithms.

Sleep deprivation is a critical issue that affects workers in numerous industries, including construction. It adversely affects workers and can lead to significant concerns regarding their health, safety, and overall job performance. Several studies have investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on safety and productivity. Although the impact of sleep deprivation on safety and productivity through cognitive impairment has been investigated, research on the association of sleep deprivation and contributing factors that lead to workplace hazards and injuries remains limited. To fill this gap in the literature, this study utilized machine learning algorithms to predict hazardous situations. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the applicability of machine learning algorithms, including support vector machine and random forest, by predicting sleep deprivation in construction workers based on responses from 240 construction workers, identifying seven primary indices as predictive factors. The findings indicate that the support vector machine algorithm produced superior sleep deprivation prediction outcomes during the validation process. The study findings offer significant benefits to stakeholders in the construction industry, particularly project and safety managers. By enabling the implementation of targeted interventions, these insights can help reduce accidents and improve workplace safety through the timely and accurate prediction of sleep deprivation.

Potential utilization of waste plastic in sustainable geopolymer concrete production: A review.

Plastic production has increased manifold over the last decade, with worldwide production reaching 400 million tonnes in 2021, and the trend is estimated to have a sharp rise in the future. Apart from being non-biodegradable, plastics are essentially durable, which makes waste plastic disposal extremely difficult and poses a threat to solid waste management. Disposal methods, including incinerating, landfilling, disposal into water bodies, etc., are having hazardous environmental impacts. Hence, plastic recycling is essential for ensuring sustainability. The construction industry is a major contributor to global warming primarily due to the Portland cement production emitting 6% of global CO2 production. Growing awareness has emphasized partial replacement of Portland cement with other binders, such as metakaolin, fly ash, slag, etc., to be used in conventional composites or complete replacement to yield geopolymer composites. Waste plastics can be used in geopolymer concrete (GPC) as a partial or complete replacement of natural aggregates or added as fibers. Based on the above background, various researchers have incorporated plastics in GPC in the form of aggregate replacement or fiber addition, justifying sustainability and enhancing GPC characteristics. Plastic supplementation in GPC is a relatively new research domain. An attempt has been made through the current review work to develop a comprehensive database established on various concrete characteristics through the globally available research performances involving various forms of plastic incorporation in GPC yielding plastic-supplemented GPC (PSGPC). A detailed plastic classification and varying forms are poised, with identified plastics elicited from its global acceptance so far in PSGPC production. Through various PSGPC characteristics like fresh, physical, mechanical, durability, and microstructural analysis with different plastic types and forms, the optimal waste plastic disposable range is entrenched justifying eco-friendly and sustainable concrete yield.

Resource management at modern construction sites: Bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and industry practice and needs.

The urgent need to address the construction sector's significant contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions underscores the importance of developing more sustainable construction practices. This paper presents a comprehensive review that offers valuable insights into evolving research and guides future strategies for sustainable resource management in construction processes. A systematic literature review (SLR) examined on-site activity data to identify emission reduction measures, and ten in-depth interviews with industry practitioners validated the theoretical concepts against field experiences and practices. The research identified seventy-three (73) measures with emissions mitigation potential within six resource categories: transport, fuel, heating, electricity, water, and waste. The study highlights a gap between theoretical knowledge and on-site practices, with many identified measures not being used in practice. Only 26% of reviewed articles measured on-site resource consumption, indicating a need for on-site monitoring and real-time evaluation of emissions. The interviews revealed 31 challenges hindering the practical implementation of these measures and identified nine enablers to overcome these obstacles. The findings emphasise the opportunities presented by regulatory initiatives, technological advancements, and standardised methods for conducting life cycle assessments (LCAs) and data collection. The paper underscores that collaboration among stakeholders and policymakers is not just beneficial but crucial for driving meaningful progress in reducing the construction sector's environmental footprint. Ultimately, this integrated approach, validated, and contextualised by the interviews, provides practical insights that enrich our understanding of sustainable construction practices.

Status and barriers to circular bio-based building material adoption in developed economies: The case of Flanders, Belgium.

Circular bio-based building materials (CBBMs) provide a potential solution to reduce the climate impacts of buildings and offer opportunities to transition the construction industry to a circular model. Promoting the use of these materials can also bring economic, environmental, and social benefits from valorising biowaste and by-products from other sectors. Despite their potential, CBBMs have not received sufficient attention globally, and their adoption is hindered by various barriers. However, it is unclear what the CBBMs' use status is, what adoption barriers exist, how these barriers interact, and what should be done to address them. This study addresses these knowledge gaps through a systematic study using mixed methods to investigate the adoption status and barriers to these materials in developed economies by using a specific case analysis in Flanders. The data analysis results show that hemp-based, cork-based, and straw-based materials are the most used, while the market for CBBMs is very limited in the region. Twenty-three potential adoption barriers were identified and selected from the existing literature, then ranked based on their mean scores. The t-test analysis helps to identify 13 critical barriers, which are grouped into five categories, including cost and risk-related barriers, technical and cultural-related barriers, the government's role-related barriers, information and quality-related barriers, and market-related barriers. Among them, cost and risk-related barriers, including "concern about the high initial cost", "risks and uncertainties involved in adopting new materials", and "perception of the extra cost being incurred", are the three most critical barriers to CBBM adoption in Flanders. Kendall's W test shows good consensus among the two expert groups-with and without hands-on experience in utilising CBBMs-in their rankings of the barriers. Meanwhile, the Mann-Whitney U test indicates no statistically significant differences in the ranks of barriers between the two expert groups. The interview results confirm almost all survey results and provide deeper insights into the status and barriers to adopting these materials. Practical and policy implications are discussed based on these findings to inform policy deliberations on promoting CBBMs. This study may also be a good reference for scholars and industry practitioners to better understand issues impacting decision-making towards the adoption of CBBMs in the construction industry.

Reported exposures to respirable crystalline silica during construction tasks and guidance for harmonizing future research.

Airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has been a widely recognized hazard in the United States for nearly 100 years, yet it continues to pose a risk to construction tradespersons, among others. RCS exposures vary widely depending on site conditions and tools and materials used. The proper use of engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE) controls can effectively reduce exposure to RCS. Historically, others have reviewed available RCS exposure data among construction trades and reported that there were considerable data gaps and variability that needed to be addressed. This current assessment aimed to synthesize available peer-reviewed exposure studies to determine potential RCS exposures during the use of common construction materials and evaluate to what extent data gaps and variability persist. Twenty-eight studies were identified that reported RCS exposure during construction tasks. After conversion to the unit of µg/m3, reported measurements from samples collected for varying durations ranged from 6.0 to 75,500 µg/m3 for work with concrete, 80 to 4,240 µg/m3 for work with brick, <59 to 10,900 µg/m3 for work with mortar, 90 to 44,370 µg/m3 for work with engineered stone, and 70 to 380 µg/m3 for work with roof tile. To better facilitate pooling data across studies, future researchers should report their sample duration, clarify how time-weighted average (TWA) exposure data are calculated, report the silica content of the material being manipulated, and specify whether samples were collected while the task was performed in isolation or on a worksite where other silica-containing materials were also actively handled. When reporting results as respirable quartz, it is important to note whether any other polymorphic forms of silica were detected. It is ultimately the employer's responsibility to train employees and monitor and control RCS exposures on construction worksites. To do this effectively, it is important to have a clear understanding of the tasks, materials, and site conditions where intervention is most urgently needed.

Perceptions of mental health, suicide and working conditions in the construction industry-A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore perceptions of mental ill health, suicidal behaviour and working conditions among male construction workers, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of these phenomenon and to identify relevant avenues for workplace interventions. METHOD: Data were collected in individual and group interviews, and 43 individuals from the Swedish construction industry, workers, union representative and managers, participated in the study. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Five main themes were found: Difficult to talk about mental health, Demanding working environment affects mental health, Substance abuse among construction workers, Importance of management, and Need for routines and social support in the workplace. Many participants reported that there was a stigma related to mental health. Suicides that had occurred among colleagues were perceived to come out of the blue. The working environment in the construction industry was perceived to have a negative effect on mental health, and it was reported that the management played an important role in both the cause and prevention of mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this Swedish study are in accordance with previous international research regarding a macho culture, stigma of mental health and a demanding working environment in the construction industry. The study adds to existing knowledge by highlighting that suicides were perceived to be very unexpected, that poor physical health affected mental health and that many participants did not know how to deal with mental health issues in the workplace.

Sun-related knowledge and practices in Irish construction and agricultural workers.

BACKGROUND: Agricultural and construction workers spend much of their work time outdoors and have higher risks of developing skin cancer when compared to indoor workers. However, there is limited research on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure knowledge, sun safety practices and constraints within these occupational groups in Ireland. AIMS: This study aimed to examine self-reported time spent outdoors in a sample of Irish agricultural and construction workers; to describe and compare UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices and perceived constraints in both occupational groups, and to assess the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with sun-related knowledge, practices and perceived constraints. METHODS: Agricultural workers (n = 154) and construction workers (n = 467) completed a questionnaire, which measured solar UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices, and perceived constraints to sun personal protective equipment and sunscreen use in addition to demographic, personal, and workplace characteristics. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences in knowledge, practices and perceived constraints by these characteristics. RESULTS: Both groups spend a significant proportion of their working week outdoors (25 hours per week on average). Although participation in sun safety training was high for both groups, UVR exposure knowledge and sunscreen use were low, and annual rates of reported sunburn were high. Knowledge, practices and perceived constraints also differed significantly according to demographic, personal, occupational and workplace characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to training by employers and advisory groups, interventions are required to address perceived barriers that impede the uptake and usage of control measures that can lower risk.

Factors influencing contractors' low-carbon construction behaviors in China: a LDA-DEMATEL-ISM approach.

Contractors' low-carbon construction behaviors (CLCB) are pivotal in advancing decarbonization during the construction phase. However, there exists a notable gap in the comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted factors and mechanisms influencing CLCB. Therefore, this study aims to systematically identify the factors influencing CLCB in China, examine the interrelationships among these factors, and pinpoint the key determinants. Based on topic modeling of Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), influencing factors are identified firstly from the pertinent literature. Subsequently, the causality degree and centrality degree between these factors are assessed by the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), followed by the establishment of a hierarchical structure using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method, culminating in the identification of pivotal factors. Findings reveal that (1) 21 influential factors influencing CLCB are identified. (2) "Incentive policies for relevant stakeholders" and "Low-carbon regulation and supervision" emerge as key influences. (3) CLCB should be guided by policy and subjective awareness, fortified by market and management support, underpinned by technology, and directly driven by economic considerations. This research furnishes valuable insights for promoting low-carbon development during the construction phase, thereby assisting the construction sector in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

The Influence of Fatigue, Recovery, and Environmental Factors on the Body Stability of Construction Workers.

In the construction industry, falls, slips, and trips (FST) account for 42.3% of all accidents. The primary cause of FST incidents is directly related to the deterioration of workers' body stability. To prevent FST-related accidents, it is crucial to understand the interaction between physical fatigue and body stability in construction workers. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of fatigue on body stability in various construction site environments using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) analysis. We conducted experiments reflecting six different fatigue levels and four environmental conditions. The analysis process involves comparing changes in DTW values derived from acceleration data obtained through wearable sensors across varying fatigue levels and construction environments. The results reveal the following changes in DTW values across different environments and fatigue levels: for non-obstacle, obstacle, water, and oil conditions, DTW values tend to increase as fatigue levels rise. In our experiments, we observed a significant decrease in body stability against external environments starting from fatigue Levels 3 or 4 (30% and 40% of the maximum failure point). In the non-obstacle condition, the DTW values were 9.4 at Level 0, 12.8 at Level 3, and 23.1 at Level 5. In contrast, for the oil condition, which exhibited the highest DTW values, the values were 10.5 at Level 0, 19.1 at Level 3, and 34.5 at Level 5. These experimental results confirm that the body stability of construction workers is influenced by both fatigue levels and external environmental conditions. Further analysis of recovery time, defined as the time it takes for body stability to return to its original level, revealed an increasing trend in recovery time as fatigue levels increased. This study quantitatively demonstrates through wearable sensor data that, as fatigue levels increase, workers experience decreased body stability and longer recovery times. The findings of this study can inform individual worker fatigue management in the future.

Mining LDA topics on construction engineering change risks based on graded evidence.

Engineering change (EC) risk may negatively impact project schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. However, existing methods for managing EC risk have certain shortcomings in evidence selection and do not adequately consider the quality and reliability of evidence associated with EC risks. Evidence grading plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of decisions related to EC risks and can provide essential scientific and reliability support for decision-making. In order to explore the potential risks associated with architectural engineering changes (ECs) and identify the most significant ones, this study proposed a methodology that combines evidence grading theory and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic analysis means. Initially, the evidence-based grading theory served as the creation of a grading table for evidence sources related to EC risk. Specifically, we categorized the evidence sources into three levels based on their credibility. Subsequently, we selected evidence with higher credibility levels for textual analysis, utilizing the LDA topic model. This involved analyzing regulations, industry standards, and judgment documents related to EC, ultimately identifying the themes associated with EC risks. In addition, by combining EC risk topics with relevant literature, we identified factors influencing EC risks. Subsequently, we designed an expert survey questionnaire to determine the key risks and important risk topics associated with potential risks. The results show that by synthesizing information from both Class A and B evidence, a total of five prominent risk themes were identified, namely contract, technology, funds, personnel, and other hazards. Among them, the technical risk has the highest value, so it implies that the risk is the most important, and the key risks are engineering design defects, errors, and omissions.

Non-invasive detection of mental fatigue in construction equipment operators through geometric measurements of facial features.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged operation of construction equipment could lead to mental fatigue, which can increase the chances of human error-related accidents as well as operators' ill-health. The objective detection of operators' mental fatigue is crucial for reducing accident risk and ensuring operator health. Electroencephalography, photoplethysmography, electrodermal activity, and eye-tracking technology have been used to mitigate this issue. These technologies are invasive and wearable sensors that can cause irritation and discomfort. Geometric measurements of facial features can serve as a noninvasive alternative approach. Its application in detecting mental fatigue of construction equipment operators has not been reported in the literature. Although the application of facial features has been widespread in other domains, such as drivers and other occupation scenarios, their ecological validity for construction excavator operators remains a knowledge gap. METHOD: This study proposed employing geometric measurements of facial features to detect mental fatigue in construction equipment operators' facial features. In this study, seventeen operators performed excavation operations. Mental fatigue was labeled subjectively and objectively using NASA-TLX scores and EDA values. Based on geometric measurements, facial features (eyebrow, mouth outer, mouth corners, head motion, eye area, and face area) were extracted. RESULTS: The results showed that there was significant difference in the measured metrics for high fatigue compared to low fatigue. Specifically, the most noteworthy variation was for the eye and face area metrics, with mean differences of 45.88% and 26.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that geometrical measurements of facial features are a useful, noninvasive approach for detecting the mental fatigue of construction equipment operators.

A critical review of the feasibility of emerging technologies for improving safety behavior on construction sites.

INTRODUCTION: Advancements in the modern construction industry have contributed to the development of a range of technology-based interventions to improve the safety behavior of front-line construction workers. Notwithstanding the extensive research on safety behavior, there is still a paucity of research on assessing technology interventions of safety behavior to provide an overview of their strengths and limitations. The present study aims to bridge this gap in the literature and identify the main trends of research. METHOD: A systematic review and critical content analysis are adopted to capture an overview of the state of knowledge on safety behavior technologies. As a result of searching Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases in the period from Jan 2010 to Feb 2023, a total of 359 potential studies went through the systematic screening process and finally, 48 representative studies were selected followed by an assessment of the feasibility and applicability of the safety behavior technologies. RESULTS: It was found that safety behavior technology is characterized by seven technologies including virtual-reality simulation (T1), eye-tracking technology (T2), prediction modeling of safety behavior (T3), computer-based training (T4), drone/sensor-based hazard monitoring (T5), vision-based behavior monitoring (T6), and real-time positioning (T7). CONCLUSIONS: This research improves understanding of the status of safety behavior technologies and provides a critical review of their feasibility from the perspective of four assessment criteria including application, limitation, benefit, and feasibility. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The categorizations of technologies add value to the body of knowledge in terms of generic requirements for their implementation and adaptation on construction sites.

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among casual labourers working in selected road construction sites in central Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Workers with occupational exposure to respirable silica dust, such as casual labourers at road construction sites (RCSs), are known to be at high risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). There is limited literature about the burden of PTB among this subpopulation with high occupational exposure to silica dust at road construction sites. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in central Uganda. METHODS: We enrolled 297 participants via consecutive sampling in a cross-sectional study between September 1st and September 30th, 2022, at four road construction sites in four districts in central Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the PTB patients were identified by using GeneXpert and/or computer-aided detection for TB (CAD4TB). The data were analysed with STATA version 17.0. Descriptive statistics adjusted for clustering were used to summarize the data, and the relationships between PTB and independent variables were assessed by using a mixed effects modified Poisson regression model to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Most participants were males (95.6% [284/297]), and the median age was 29 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-33). The prevalence of PTB among casual labourers was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.9, 2.8). Not being vaccinated with BCG (3.45, 95% CI: 1.02, 11.61), alcohol use (2.70, 95% CI: 1.52, 4.80) and staying in shared rooms (8.13, 95% CI: 4.37, 15.12) were positively associated with having PTB. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of PTB among casual labourers working at road construction sites in central Uganda. Individuals who had never been vaccinated with BCG, alcohol users and those staying in shared rooms were at an increased risk of having PTB. We recommend routine screening of casual labourers at road construction sites to optimize active TB case finding.

A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Parameters in Construction Workers and Normal Healthy Volunteers.

Construction work is common all over the world. Construction workers are exposed to various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards that may directly affect respiratory health. Aim of the study was to assess construction workers' pulmonary function and compare pulmonary function with healthy volunteers. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology ARMCH & RC, Solapur, India from March 2022 to March 2023 on construction workers (n=25) and healthy subjects (n=25). Pulmonary function assessment in both groups was done using a Spiro Excel machine spirometer. The comparison was made between both groups for frequency of respiratory symptoms, spirometry pattern, and spirometry values. Statistical software used unpaired t-test and chi-square test. A normal pattern was observed in 40.0% of healthy subjects compared to 72.0% of construction workers (p<0.05). Restrictive and mixed patterns were evident in 4.0% and 1.0%, respectively, in healthy volunteers compared to 11.0% and 3.0% in construction workers (p<0.05). Statistical difference was seen in all lung function parameters, i.e. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, FEF 25.0-75.0%, PEFR except MVV between both groups. In conclusion the construction workers are at risk of respiratory function derangement. This derangement is in the form of increased frequency of respiratory symptoms, restrictive & mixed patterns and decreased spirometry values of various parameters.

PAAD: Panelization algorithm for architectural designs.

Due to the competitive nature of the construction industry, the efficiency of requirement analysis is important in enhancing client satisfaction and a company's reputation. For example, determining the optimal configuration of panels (generally called panelization) that form the structure of a building is one aspect of cost estimation. However, existing methods typically rely on rule-based approaches that may lead to suboptimal material usage, particularly in complex designs featuring angled walls and openings. Such inefficiency can increase costs and environmental impact due to unnecessary material waste. To address these challenges, this research proposes a Panelization Algorithm for Architectural Designs, referred to as PAAD, which utilizes a genetic evolutionary strategy built on the 2D bin packing problem. This method is designed to balance between strict adherence to manufacturing constraints and the objective of optimizing material usage. PAAD starts with multiple potential solutions within the predefined problem space, facilitating dynamic exploration of panel configurations. It approaches structural rules as flexible constraints, making necessary corrections in post-processing, and through iterative developments, the algorithm refines panel sets to minimize material use. The methodology is validated through an analysis against an industry implementation and expert-derived solutions, highlighting PAAD's ability to surpass existing results and reduce the need for manual corrections. Additionally, to motivate future research, a synthetic data generator, the architectural drawing encodings used, and a preliminary interface are also introduced. This not only highlights the algorithm's practical applicability but also encourages its use in real-world scenarios.