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Remote towers are increasingly deployed at small-to-medium airports globally for cost efficiency, yet safety optimization for large airport remote apron control remains underexplored. This study proposes a human error identification framework for air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in large airport remote apron operations. Using hierarchical task analysis (HTA), a cognitive-behavioral model, and the technique for retrospective analysis of cognitive errors (TRACEr), we analyzed error probability and severity through field research. Key findings reveal critical divergences. Memory functions showed the highest error probability, while perception errors caused the most severe outcomes. Working memory errors were most prevalent, but visual detection errors were most severe. Attention deficits were most frequent, while spatial confusion and information integration failures exceeded severity thresholds. Personal factors dominated performance-shaping factors, with low vigilance and equipment unavailability as primary high-risk conditions. This research provides an error identification checklist and analysis methodology to enhance human performance and aviation safety in remote apron control.

The information air traffic controllers (ATCos) communicate via radio telephony is valuable for digital assistants to provide additional safety. Yet, ATCos have to enter this information manually. Assistant-based speech recognition (ABSR) has proven to be a lightweight technology that automatically extracts and successfully feeds the content of ATC communication into digital systems without additional human effort. This article explains how ABSR can be integrated into an advanced surface movement guidance and control system (A-SMGCS). The described validations were performed in the complex apron simulation training environment of Frankfurt Airport with 14 apron controllers in a human-in-the-loop simulation in summer 2022. The integration significantly reduces the workload of controllers and increases safety as well as overall performance. Based on a word error rate of 3.1%, the command recognition rate was 91.8% with a callsign recognition rate of 97.4%. This performance was enabled by the integration of A-SMGCS and ABSR: the command recognition rate improves by more than 15% absolute by considering A-SMGCS data in ABSR.

Interventional radiology activities and other medical practices using ionising radiation have become increasingly prevalent. In this context, the use of anti-X aprons, in association with awkward postures and non-ergonomic working conditions, might cause the onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This research aims to evaluate the evidence about the correlation between wearing anti-X aprons and work-related MSDs. A systematic scoping review of articles published between 1990 and 2020 was conducted by searching the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Twelve cross-sectional studies, conducted among interventional physicians, nurses, and technicians, were finally included. Five studies primarily investigated the association between use of anti-X aprons and MSDs, showing that a higher prevalence of disorders was not always associated with the use of protective aprons. No studies investigated the impact of anti-X aprons on fitness for work assessment, particularly in subjects with MSDs. There is no complete agreement about the correlation between anti-X apron-wearing and the occurrence of MSDs, although the possible discomfort of workers using anti-X aprons appears more evident. Further studies are needed to objectify the role of these protective devices in the genesis of MSDs and to offer specific ergonomic solutions for healthcare workers.

Introduction Due to the radiation exposure for the urology staff during endourology, our aim was to evaluate the trends of radiation protection in the operation room by endourologists from European centers and to estimate their annual radiation. Methods We conducted a multicenter study involving experienced endourologists from different European centers to evaluate whether the protection and threshold doses recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) were being followed. A 36-question survey was completed on the use of fluoroscopy and radiation protection. Annual prospective data from chest, extremities, and eye dosimeters were collected during a 4-year period (2017–2020). Results Ten endourologists participated. Most surgeons use lead aprons and thyroid shield (9/10 and 10/10), while leaded gloves and caps are rarely used (2/10 both). Six out of ten surgeons wear leaded glasses. There is widespread use of personal chest dosimeters under the apron (9/10), and only 5/10 use a wrist or ring dosimeter and 4 use an eye dosimeter. Two endourologists use the ALARA protocol. The use of ultrasound and fluoroscopy during PCNL puncture was reported by 8 surgeons. The mean number of PCNL and URS per year was 30.9 (SD 19.9) and 147 (SD 151.9). The mean chest radiation was 1.35 mSv per year and 0.007 mSv per procedure. Mean radiation exposure per year in the eyes and extremities was 1.63 and 11.5 mSv. Conclusions Endourologists did not exceed the threshold doses for radiation exposure to the chest, extremities and lens. Furthermore, the ALARA protocol manages to reduce radiation exposure.

Purpose To evaluate the influence of detrusor apron preservation on continence in Retzius-sparing Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP). Materials and methods A prospective study was carried out on patients who underwent RS-RARP at our institute from January 2019 to June 2022. We aimed to identify potential factors that could affect continence, including age, BMI, ISUP Grade Group, bladder neck sparing, fascial plane of dissection, and degree of preservation of the detrusor apron. The detrusor preservation was graded from 0 to 3, where grade 0 the detrusor apron is sacrificed and grade 3 it is complete preservation. Result The study included 311 patients. There was a significant correlation between the degree of detrusor preservation and continence at three months, with significance escalating with greater detrusor preservation. The OR for grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 stood at 3.84 ( p  = 0.026), 9.83 ( p  < 0.001) and 16.06 ( p  = 0.03) respectively. This correlation in the three groups at six months was 29.38 ( p  < 0.001), 26.57 ( p  < 0.001), and 17.29 ( p  = 0.005) respectively, showing an even stronger association with continence recovery. The OR for detrusor apron preservation at 12 months was 21.89 ( p  = 0.003), 14.21 ( p  = 0.006), and 6.31 ( p  = 0.105) respectively. We observed that the association between detrusor apron preservation persisted at 12 months, although the odds ratios (OR) were diminished compared to the six-month periods. Conclusion The study emphasizes the critical role of the detrusor apron in achieving both early and superior continence rates. Sacrificing the detrusor apron was associated with delayed continence recovery and an increased incidence of incontinence. To achieve good continence with reduced incidence of margin positivity detrusor can be preserved in a graded manner.

The sedimentological study of volcaniclastic successions is essential for gaining insight into the intricate geological history of the Ulukışla Basin in south Central Anatolia. This study, based on a comprehensive facies analysis of two representative stratigraphic sections, attempts to reconstruct the depositional conditions associated with volcaniclastic sedimentation within the Ulukışla Formation. Facies assemblages dominated by debris-flow deposits and turbidites provide clear evidence for deposition under deep-water conditions related to the proximal environment. Sedimentary characteristics of these deposits made up of volcanogenic conglomerates with basaltic to andesitic clasts of variable size, sandstones, and subordinate mudstone are suggestive of derivation from the nearby Ulukışla volcanic rocks. Almost all the lithofacies display a high tuff content indicative of possible sediment contributions from sub-aerial volcanic sources. The main controlling factors responsible for deposition include submarine gravity flow processes thought to have been triggered by slope instability or the collapse of a volcanic edifice. Thus, the resulting volcaniclastic accumulations are interpreted to be linked to volcanic apron deposits. In the realm of prospective research, the acquisition of geochemical and geochronological data stands as a promising avenue, offering crucial insight into the temporal aspects and tectonic setting of deposition of the Ulukışla volcaniclastic sequence.

Quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicles have become increasingly popular for various real-world applications, and a significant body of literature exists regarding the improvement of their flight capabilities to render them fully autonomous. The precise landing onto moving platforms, such as ship decks, is one of the remaining challenges that is largely unresolved. The reason why this operation poses a considerable challenge is because landing performance is considerably degraded by the ground effect or external disturbances. In this paper, we propose a synthesized landing algorithm that allows a quadcopter to land precisely on a vertically moving pad. Firstly, we introduce a disturbance observer-based altitude controller that allows the vehicle to perform robust altitude flight in the presence of external disturbances and the ground effect, strictly proving the system’s stability using Lyapunov’s theory. Secondly, we derive an apron state estimator to provide information on the landing target’s relative position. Additionally, we propose a landing planner to ensure that the landing task is completed in a safe and reliable manner. Finally, the proposed algorithms are implemented in an actual quadcopter, and we demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of our method through real flight experiments.

PurposeEvaluation and registration of patient and staff doses are mandatory under the current European legislation, and the occupational dose limits recommended by the ICRP have been adopted by most of the countries in the world.MethodsRelevant documents and guidelines published by international organisations and interventional radiology societies are referred. Any potential reduction of patient and staff doses should be compatible with the clinical outcomes of the procedures.ResultsThe review summarises the most common protective measures and the needed quality control for them, the criteria to select the appropriate protection devices, and how to avoid unnecessary occupational radiation exposures. Moreover, the current and future advancements in personnel radiation protection using medical simulation with virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are commented. A section on the personnel radiation protection in the era of COVID-19 is introduced, showing the expanding role of the interventional radiology during the pandemic.ConclusionThe review is completed with a summary of the main factors to be considered in the selection of the appropriate radiation protection tools and practical advices to improve the protection of the staff.

Turbo-roundabouts are one of the most frequently recommended road junction design options when it comes to increasing traffic capacity and traffic safety. This is in particular true of suburban areas, with dominant traffic flow on the main road and moderate traffic flow on the side road. Other intersections handling local traffic and considerably constricting the availability of space are usually located in the vicinity of such intersections. Another factor contributing to the limited availability of land for construction in these locations is the presence of surrounding residential housing. Then, choosing the suitable turbo-roundabout type becomes the main issue. The article presents a case study for the selection of a type of turbo roundabout under the conditions of considerably constricted land availability based on the analysis of the provision of a swept path for the chosen design vehicles. The article considers the standard egg-type turbo-roundabouts, “look-a-like” type turbo-roundabouts, non-standard “flattened” turbo-roundabouts and ellipse-based roundabouts, with non-standard geometries of the truck apron and central island. For each of the analysed roundabout types, setting-out methods were described in detail, allowing the designer to quickly select a type of roundabout suitable for the specific constrained site conditions. This article analyses the applicability of non-standard turbo roundabouts for three area types: LUDA low urbanisation degree area, BA built-up area and CDA highly commercially developed area along the side road, wherever standard roundabouts are not practicable due to constraints imposed by existing buildings, canals or any other obstacles found at the project site.

Severe variability of fresh feed ore flowrate in a crushing circuit may cause some operational damages. Related issues include conveyor belt and sieves overload, interlocked crushers, early equipment wear, and silos overflow. Usually, the speed of feeders is used to control the ore output from silos; however, it is ineffective in regulating the height of material carried by the feeder. The introduction of a slide gate in the primary silo of the crushing circuit is an alternative to increase the degree of freedom for controlling the fresh ore flowrate. This paper presents a numerical simulation using a discrete element method (DEM) applied in a silo-gate-feeder system. The simulated model is based on parameters from a Vale’s iron ore beneficiation plant located in Serra Leste Mine, city of Curionópolis, Brazil. The simulation was carried out using the software Siemens Star CCM+ ®. Three scenarios were evaluated, such as changes in the slide gate aperture. The results show that regulating the feeder speed simultaneously with the gate aperture provides a novel control strategy to reduce variability in fresh ore flowrate. The best simulation result reduced in about 11% the variability flowrate compared with the case with no slide gate.