Laboratories

From the perspective of the history of science and technology, this paper delves into the global development of high-level biosafety laboratories, the establishment of related legal frameworks, and the evolution of safety standards. The importance of these laboratories within the context of national security is emphasized. This paper begins with an overview of global high-level biosafety laboratories’ origins and technological advancements. Then, it provides a detailed analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks that different countries have developed in the field of biosafety. By comparing the evolution of laboratory standards across nations, the paper illustrates how high-level biosafety laboratories have adapted to and addressed the international challenges posed by health security and biological threats. This study provides a broad review and analysis of the historical development and technological progress of these laboratories, offering insights into the construction and management of high-level biosafety laboratories. It also provides important historical perspectives for the formulation of future biosafety policies and international cooperation, contributing to the development of more effective strategies to address global biosafety challenges. This review demonstrates the critical role of high-level biosafety laboratories in safeguarding national security and global health, highlighting the continuous need for improving regulatory systems, upgrading standards, and fostering technological innovation. Full article

This study applied ARIMA modeling to analyze the energy consumption patterns of laboratory equipment over one month, focusing on enhancing energy management in the laboratory. By explicitly examining AC and DC equipment, this study obtained detailed daily operating cycles and periods of inactivity. Advanced differencing and diagnostic checks were used to verify model accuracy and white noise characteristics through enhanced Dickey–Fuller testing and residual analysis. The results demonstrate the model’s accuracy in predicting energy consumption, providing valuable insights into the use of the model. This study highlights the adaptability and validity of the ARIMA model in laboratory environments, contributing to more competent laboratory energy management practices. Full article

The distribution of water droplets in crude oil is one of the key issues involved in the processes of oil extraction and transportation, and these water droplets might also be habitats for microorganisms in oil reservoirs. However, it is still a challenge to observe and measure the distribution of water droplets in crude oil quickly and directly. In this work, an improved method based on the optical microscopy technique is introduced, which is named the Plate Pressing (PP) method and can observe and determine the distribution of water droplets in crude oil directly. The reliability of this method was verified by comparing the results with those of a computed tomography (CT) scan, indicating that the PP method can measure the distribution of water droplets accurately. Meanwhile, the total number and size distribution of water droplets in three crude oil samples from different oilfields were obtained by the PP method, which consolidated the idea that the PP method is capable of determining the distribution of the water droplets in crude oil directly and is suitable for the statistical analysis of water droplets in multiple samples of crude oil. Full article

From the perspective of science and technology history, we review the development history and key events of global biosafety laboratories to deepen our understanding of biosafety. The construction history of biosafety laboratories reveals the complex interactions between science, social needs, public health safety, and national security. From the recognition of laboratory infection incidents in the late 19th century to the potential hazards of biological warfare and the development of biotechnology in the mid-20th century, the gradual establishment of a laboratory biosafety level system to the construction of high-level biosafety laboratories in the 21st century to respond to global infectious disease challenges, each stage of development is closely related to the social background, technological progress, public health needs and national security considerations of the times. Full article

Rectal prolapse is a common condition in laboratory-housed macaques, usually associated with recurrent gastroenteritis and stress. However, evidence for both statements is lacking. Therefore, the prevalence of rectal prolapses and their risk factors in laboratory-housed macaques have yet to be assessed. In addition, a standard of care pharmacological treatment remains to be recognized and documented. Thus, a retrospective study involving 816 laboratory-housed macaques was conducted, in which the prevalence, risk factors, and treatment success of rectal prolapses was assessed. The prevalence was shown to be 3.92%, and all cases could be either directly or indirectly linked to stress factors. By eliminating the suggested stressor, most rectal prolapses reverted naturally (69%). Moreover, we discuss the advantage of the ancillary administration of hyoscine butylbromide and metamizole as a treatment modality. Full article

Carbon disulfide (CS₂) is a highly toxic and flammable solvent extensively used in chemical processes and laboratory analyses. This review examines both air and biological monitoring methods for assessing the exposure of laboratory workers to CS₂. Emphasis is placed on the measurement of airborne CS₂ concentrations and the monitoring of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine, a key biomarker of exposure. By analysing case studies and practical applications, the paper outlines the effectiveness and limitations of current monitoring techniques. Additionally, the review addresses key challenges such as CS₂ volatility, dietary influence on biomarker levels, and the sufficiency of protective measures, including nitrile gloves. It also proposes best practices to mitigate exposure, such as improved ventilation, the use of polyvinyl alcohol gloves, and the substitution of CS₂ with less hazardous solvents. This comprehensive review underscores the need for continuous vigilance in managing chemical exposure and offers insights into how laboratories can better protect their workers by integrating air and biological monitoring strategies. Full article

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of two methods for airborne surface decontamination: hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) and aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP). Spores of G. stearothermophilus and B. atrophaeus were exposed to a 35% hydrogen peroxide solution under controlled laboratory conditions, including specific concentrations, exposure durations, humidity levels, and temperatures. Following each decontamination procedure, the spores were incubated for 7 days to evaluate bacterial growth and assess the efficacy of each method. The results indicate that the aHP method achieved biocidal rates of 84.76% for G. stearothermophilus and 89.52% for B. atrophaeus, while the HPV method demonstrated respective rates of 90.95% and 90.48%. These findings suggest that both the aHP and HPV methods are highly effective for microbial decontamination, with HPV showing a slight edge in overall efficacy. However, despite its comparable effectiveness, the HPV method has raised concerns regarding technical and economic factors. Observations highlighted issues such as fluctuations in humidity levels causing surface damage, a problem not encountered with the aHP method. Economically, HPV requires specific devices that can cost up to EUR 50,000, whereas aHP equipment costs do not exceed EUR 10,000. These observations emphasize the importance of critically evaluating the pros and cons of each decontamination method, taking into account factors such as biocidal efficacy, technical feasibility, and the associated costs. Full article

Laboratory testing is a complex process with a significant error rate. Studies of laboratory errors have found that the major causes are preanalytical factors, interferences, and process errors. Efforts by regulatory agencies to improve quality via more stringent premarket evaluations of laboratory tests therefore have poor prospects of reducing laboratory errors and improving test quality. Efforts toward increasing the regulation of laboratory tests are analogous to preventing traffic accidents by increasing the premarket evaluation of automobiles. This analogy illustrates how increased premarket evaluation has limited prospects for quality improvement and, in some cases, actually contributes to errors and lower quality. Tools that are used by laboratories to detect, prevent, and address analytical errors are discussed, and the increased implementation of such tools offers approaches that can be used to improve laboratory quality. Full article

Infections acquired in research laboratories and unintentional pathogen escapes from breaches in biocontainment pose risks to humans and the environment, necessitating the need for effective biosafety and biosecurity management frameworks in biocontainment research animal facilities (BRAFs). We examine key biosafety issues associated with BRAFs, including inadequate decontamination procedures for wastewater and experimental samples, handling high biosafety level pathogens in lower-level laboratories, risks of animal bites and sharps injuries, contamination of bedding and enrichment materials, and improper management and transportation of biohazard samples. Additionally, we discuss the role of veterinarians in research animal facilities and the challenges they encounter in maintaining biocontainment standards. We emphasise the importance of routine monitoring of effluent water to detect possible disease outbreaks. We recommend a thorough investigation of disease outbreaks to identify potential sources of pathogen release from BRAFs, which could serve as hotspots for future disease outbreaks. Findings from such investigations will inform the development of policies aimed at safeguarding human populations from future pandemics and preventing BRAFs from becoming sources of infectious disease outbreaks. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the history of laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) from a scientific perspective on biosafety risks. It analyzes cases from the late 19th century to the 2020s, whereas the previous research on this topic has primarily focused on social factors. By combining real case studies, this study elucidates the mechanisms of LAI occurrence and development, compares the attribution of risks and mitigation measures, and establishes the scientific patterns of LAIs’ historical evolution. The details of LAI cases are compared to the biosafety risk assessment indices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States, and China. These real cases of LAI occurrence risks are now incorporated into biosafety standards and assessments in the modern era. Additionally, factors that pose potential risks of LAIs, even if they have not yet manifested, are also highlighted. Full article

Despite the growing number of published studies on student learning in the laboratory, there is a critical need to improve methodological rigor. Resonating with discussions on research methods, this paper outlines the importance of theory-informed research questions, the minimization of researcher and participant biases, and the use of triangulation and iteration in data collection to establish rigor. An illustrative case is presented within the context of a large interdisciplinary research project aimed at improving laboratory learning at the university level. The project incorporates two research avenues: one focusing on student and faculty perspectives, and the other on a comprehensive assessment of multidimensional learning in the laboratory. The project employs a mixed methods paradigm and is grounded in a conceptual framework that conceptualizes laboratory work as epistemic practice, requiring a holistic analysis of student learning. The article concludes by discussing the results and implications of the project’s findings, which are synthesized to highlight aspects of establishing methodological rigor. The overarching goal is to develop a comprehensive assessment instrument that captures the complexity and richness of the laboratory learning environment. The findings from this research are expected to contribute to the advancement of laboratory education research by providing a model for methodological rigor that can be applied across various scientific and interdisciplinary contexts. Full article

Herein, we present the implementation of a low-cost web-based information system tailored to manage a university department chemical warehouse. The system provides a centralized platform for cataloging, tracking, and managing chemical inventory data, while also facilitating purchasing and various administrative tasks associated with laboratory operations. The system has been developed within the Campusnet platform and has the following functionalities: (i) an efficient way for cataloging the extensive array of products available in the warehouse; (ii) an intuitive web interface with a device-responsive layout to facilitate browsing and purchasing of products by students, researchers, and technical staff; (iii) an inventory transaction recording system to simplify the attribution of costs; (iv) a simple procedure to streamline the process of joint purchases; and (v) a low deployment cost and ease of maintenance. Key design considerations, including regulatory compliance and safety, are also presented. Full article

Authentic hands-on learning experiences are paramount for applying content and practices in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and career and technical (CTE) education. Such learning experiences are foundational for preparing P-12 students for future post-secondary and workplace opportunities. However, valuable hands-on learning opportunities often involve some level of potential safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks. While progress has been made in some aspects of STEM education and CTE safety, numerous safety issues and barriers remain. This article provides a detailed overview of some of the most pertinent health and safety issues from the literature and recent studies (e.g., overcrowding and occupancy load). Moreover, this article provides important information for policy makers, state departments of education, teacher preparation programs, school systems, school administrators, curriculum directors, educators, and other stakeholders to make data-informed decisions to improve safety in P-12 STEM education and CTE programs. Full article

The rapid evolution of robotics across various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and domestic applications, has underscored a significant workforce skills gap. The shortage of qualified professionals in the labor market has had adverse effects on production capacities. Therefore, the significance of education and training for cultivating a skilled workforce cannot be overstated. This research work presents the development of a pedagogical approach centered on laboratory infrastructure designed specifically with multidisciplinary technologies and strategic human–machine interaction protocols to enhance learning in industrial robotics courses. Progressive competencies in laboratory protocols are developed, focusing on programming and simulating real-world industrial robotics tasks, to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical industrial applications for higher education students. The proposed infrastructure includes a user-configurable maze comprising different colored elements, defining starting points, endpoints, obstacles, and varying track sections. These elements foster a dynamic and unpredictable learning environment. The infrastructure is fabricated using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining and 3D printing techniques. A collaborative robot, the Universal Robots UR3e, is used to navigate the maze and solve the track with advanced computer vision and human–machine communication. The amalgamation of practical experience and collaborative robotics furnishes students with hands-on experience, equipping them with the requisite skills for effective programming and manipulation of robotic devices. Empowering human–machine interaction and human–robot collaboration assists in addressing the industry’s demand for skilled labor in operating collaborative robotic manipulators. Full article

Textile chemistry and textile processing laboratories are essential environments for textile product research and development, but they also pose hazards that require rigorous precautions. Among the most common risks is handling chemicals used in the textile industry, such as dyes, solvents, and finishing chemicals, which can be contaminants, corrosive, and flammable, presenting risks of poisoning and fire. Textile processing laboratories also require proper ventilation, as a lack of appropriate ventilation in these environments can accumulate toxic vapors in the air. The most relevant risks and hazards of using textile chemistry laboratories include using equipment such as dyeing autoclaves under pressure and high temperature; drying ovens like furnaces/lab stenters; cylinders of squeezing, calenders, and others, capable of causing severe accidents. These laboratories also generate or handle solid waste and effluents containing, heavy metals to pathogens (e.g., from industrial sludge). It is essential to adopt rigorous safety measures in textile chemistry laboratories, including using personal protective equipment (PPE), proper training of workers, effective ventilation systems, and safe waste disposal protocols. Good laboratory work practices not only reduce risk but also promote better research; more accurate results; and better data. Therefore, this study aimed to map the risks and hazards of textile processing laboratories with a view to accident prevention and formalizing a protocol for good practices. Full article