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M-D Pro Launches New Website

The new website was designed with the end-user in mind for individuals looking for product information, where to buy and how-to videos.




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Versatrim Launches E-Commerce Website

Flooring professionals who need moldings to complete their projects can now order them via Versatrim's new e-commerce website. 




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InstaFloor North America Relaunches Website

InstaFloor North America has relaunched its website, with improved styling, clearer layout, and enhanced content.




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Artistic Finishes Announces Website Relaunch

Artistic Finishes recently launched its revamped website.




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New End-to-End Visual AI Solutions Reduce the Need for Onsite Machine Learning

Oxipital AI’s 3D vision and AI offerings aim to be more convenient and effective through a different method of “training” its products.




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Confused re presentation of passport no. on booking site

Hi, I don't know which forum to use for this but perhaps I can be sent in the right direction. I am trying to complete my booking of the second of two flights for a relative on Ryanair (Dublin to Manchester UK and back). Each flight was booked...






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A 'Wicked' mistake: Mattel apologizes for printing a porn site on its doll packaging

Mattel is pulling its Wicked dolls from some store shelves because of a misprint directing shoppers to a pornographic site. Meanwhile, resellers are listing the products on eBay for up to $500.




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Christians must be 'major influencers' in American politics, say activists on opposite sides

Two Christian activists urged fellow believers to remain active in politics, contending that they have an obligation to become “major influencers” in American society by restoring civility to political discourse. 




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Former OnlyFans recruiter recalls horrors that made her quit website, seek Jesus

Victoria Sinis used to recruit women to sell their bodies on OnlyFans, but the strange fetish requests and pornographic content led her to question her career, an inner conviction that ultimately led her to Christ.




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creation of the my oficial website

Hello Everyone! Today, August 16, 2013 is the day that this site was created and has been edited for the first time ! Here you may find my own compositions and arrangements, many will also have have the chance to hear my performances at the piano. All of this can be found on page "Products" section of this site.I hope is to have fun!




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TDI staff on site to assist homeowners with tornado damage

If your home was damaged by the severe weather that hit Southeast Texas this week, contact your insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible.




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Dyslexia Awareness Week: Ensuring website inclusivity in the retail sector

As Dyslexia Awareness Week (07-13 October 2024) arrives this week, digital transformation specialists Sherwen Studios are advocating for retailers to reconsider how accessible their website is for users affected by dyslexia.




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Cyberattack Disrupts Defense Ministry Website

[Domestic] :
The defense ministry’s website fell victim to a cyberattack Tuesday, prompting the military to take response measures.  According to the ministry on Wednesday, the distributed denial-of-service(DDoS) attack struck at about 5:30 p.m. the previous day, adding that the website is currently back ...

[more...]




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Symmetry, magnetic transitions and multiferroic properties of B-site-ordered A2MnB'O6 perovskites (B' = [Co, Ni])

A comparative description is presented of the symmetry and the magnetic structures found in the family of double perovskites A2MnB'O6 (mainly B' = Co and some Ni compounds for comparative purposes).




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The incommensurate composite YxOs4B4 (x = 1.161)

Tetragonal YxOs4B4 (x = 1.161) is an incommensurate composite of columns of Y atoms in a three-dimensional Os4B4 framework. The structure was refined using the superspace approach.




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The incommensurate composite YxOs4B4 (x = 1.161)

YxOs4B4 (x = 1.161) crystallizes as a tetragonal incommensurate composite of columns of Y atoms extending along [001] in an Os4B4 framework. The structure was refined using the superspace approach. The basic structure of the Y subsystem can be idealized as having I4/mmm symmetry, with a crystallographically unique Y atom located on the 4/mmm position. The actual superspace symmetry is P42/nmc(00σ3)s0s0. The Y atoms feature only subtle positional modulation in the [001] direction. The Os4B4 subsystem [P42/ncm(00σ3)00ss superspace symmetry] is built of columns of edge-sharing Os4 tetrahedra extending along [001] and B2 dumbbells. The Os4 tetrahedra feature pronounced positional modulation with a distinct variation of the Os—Os bond lengths. Modulation of the B2 dumbbells is best described as a rotation about the [001] axis.




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Image registration for in situ X-ray nano-imaging of a composite battery cathode with deformation

The structural and chemical evolution of battery electrodes at the nanoscale plays an important role in affecting the cell performance. Nano-resolution X-ray microscopy has been demonstrated as a powerful technique for characterizing the evolution of battery electrodes under operating conditions with sensitivity to their morphology, compositional distribution and redox heterogeneity. In real-world batteries, the electrode could deform upon battery operation, causing challenges for the image registration which is necessary for several experimental modalities, e.g. XANES imaging. To address this challenge, this work develops a deep-learning-based method for automatic particle identification and tracking. This approach was not only able to facilitate image registration with good robustness but also allowed quantification of the degree of sample deformation. The effectiveness of the method was first demonstrated using synthetic datasets with known ground truth. The method was then applied to an experimental dataset collected on an operating lithium battery cell, revealing a high degree of intra- and interparticle chemical complexity in operating batteries.




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Revealing the structure of the active sites for the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CO over Co single atom catalysts using operando XANES and machine learning

Transition-metal nitro­gen-doped carbons (TM-N-C) are emerging as a highly promising catalyst class for several important electrocatalytic processes, including the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The unique local environment around the singly dispersed metal site in TM-N-C catalysts is likely to be responsible for their catalytic properties, which differ significantly from those of bulk or nanostructured catalysts. However, the identification of the actual working structure of the main active units in TM-N-C remains a challenging task due to the fluctional, dynamic nature of these catalysts, and scarcity of experimental techniques that could probe the structure of these materials under realistic working conditions. This issue is addressed in this work and the local atomistic and electronic structure of the metal site in a Co–N–C catalyst for CO2RR is investigated by employing time-resolved operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with advanced data analysis techniques. This multi-step approach, based on principal component analysis, spectral decomposition and supervised machine learning methods, allows the contributions of several co-existing species in the working Co–N–C catalysts to be decoupled, and their XAS spectra deciphered, paving the way for understanding the CO2RR mechanisms in the Co–N–C catalysts, and further optimization of this class of electrocatalytic systems.




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The diamond–silicon carbide composite Skeleton® as a promising material for substrates of intense X-ray beam optics

The paper considers the possibility of using the diamond-silicon carbide composite Skeleton® with a technological coating of polycrystalline silicon as a substrate for X-ray mirrors used with powerful synchrotron radiation sources (third+ and fourth generation). Samples were studied after polishing to provide the following surface parameters: root-mean-square flatness ≃ 50 nm, micro-roughness on the frame 2 µm × 2 µm σ ≃ 0.15 nm. The heat capacity, thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear thermal expansion were investigated. For comparison, a monocrystalline silicon sample was studied under the same conditions using the same methods. The value of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion turned out to be higher than that of monocrystalline silicon and amounted to 4.3 × 10−6 K−1, and the values of thermal conductivity (5.0 W cm−1 K−1) and heat capacity (1.2 J K−1 g−1) also exceeded the values for Si. Thermally induced deformations of both Skeleton® and monocrystalline silicon samples under irradiation with a CO2 laser beam have also been experimentally studied. Taking into account the obtained thermophysical constants, the calculation of thermally induced deformation under irradiation with hard (20 keV) X-rays showed almost three times less deformation of the Skeleton® sample than of the monocrystalline silicon sample.




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Mononuclear binding and catalytic activity of europium(III) and gadolinium(III) at the active site of the model metalloenzyme phosphotriesterase

Lanthanide ions have ideal chemical properties for catalysis, such as hard Lewis acidity, fast ligand-exchange kinetics, high coordination-number preferences and low geometric requirements for coordination. As a result, many small-molecule lanthanide catalysts have been described in the literature. Yet, despite the ability of enzymes to catalyse highly stereoselective reactions under gentle conditions, very few lanthanoenzymes have been investigated. In this work, the mononuclear binding of europium(III) and gadolinium(III) to the active site of a mutant of the model enzyme phosphotriesterase are described using X-ray crystallography at 1.78 and 1.61 Å resolution, respectively. It is also shown that despite coordinating a single non-natural metal cation, the PTE-R18 mutant is still able to maintain esterase activity.




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Crystallographic fragment-binding studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis trifunctional enzyme suggest binding pockets for the tails of the acyl-CoA substrates at its active sites and a potential substrate-channeling path between them

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis trifunctional enzyme (MtTFE) is an α2β2 tetrameric enzyme in which the α-chain harbors the 2E-enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH) and 3S-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) active sites, and the β-chain provides the 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (KAT) active site. Linear, medium-chain and long-chain 2E-enoyl-CoA molecules are the preferred substrates of MtTFE. Previous crystallographic binding and modeling studies identified binding sites for the acyl-CoA substrates at the three active sites, as well as the NAD binding pocket at the HAD active site. These studies also identified three additional CoA binding sites on the surface of MtTFE that are different from the active sites. It has been proposed that one of these additional sites could be of functional relevance for the substrate channeling (by surface crawling) of reaction intermediates between the three active sites. Here, 226 fragments were screened in a crystallographic fragment-binding study of MtTFE crystals, resulting in the structures of 16 MtTFE–fragment complexes. Analysis of the 121 fragment-binding events shows that the ECH active site is the `binding hotspot' for the tested fragments, with 41 binding events. The mode of binding of the fragments bound at the active sites provides additional insight into how the long-chain acyl moiety of the substrates can be accommodated at their proposed binding pockets. In addition, the 20 fragment-binding events between the active sites identify potential transient binding sites of reaction intermediates relevant to the possible channeling of substrates between these active sites. These results provide a basis for further studies to understand the functional relevance of the latter binding sites and to identify substrates for which channeling is crucial.




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CheckMyMetal (CMM): validating metal-binding sites in X-ray and cryo-EM data

Identifying and characterizing metal-binding sites (MBS) within macromolecular structures is imperative for elucidating their biological functions. CheckMyMetal (CMM) is a web based tool that facilitates the interactive valid­ation of MBS in structures determined through X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Recent updates to CMM have significantly enhanced its capability to efficiently handle large datasets generated from cryo-EM structural analyses. In this study, we address various challenges inherent in validating MBS within both X-ray and cryo-EM structures. Specifically, we examine the difficulties associated with accurately identifying metals and modeling their coordination environments by considering the ongoing reproducibility challenges in structural biology and the critical importance of well annotated, high-quality experimental data. CMM employs a sophisticated framework of rules rooted in the valence bond theory for MBS validation. We explore how CMM validation parameters correlate with the resolution of experimentally derived structures of macromolecules and their complexes. Additionally, we showcase the practical utility of CMM by analyzing a representative cryo-EM structure. Through a comprehensive examination of experimental data, we demonstrate the capability of CMM to advance MBS characterization and identify potential instances of metal misassignment.




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Ab initio crystal structures and relative phase stabilities for the aleksite series, PbnBi4Te4Sn+2

Density functional theory methods are applied to crystal structures and stabilities of phases from the aleksite homologous series, PbnBi4Te4Sn+2 (n = homologue number). The seven phases investigated correspond to n = 0 (tetradymite), 2 (aleksite-21R and -42R), 4 (saddlebackite-9H and -18H), 6 (unnamed Pb6Bi4Te4S8), 8 (unnamed Pb8Bi4Te4S10), 10 (hitachiite) and 12 (unnamed Pb12Bi4Te4S14). These seven phases correspond to nine single- or double-module structures, each comprising an odd number of atom layers, 5, 7, (5.9), 9, (7.11), 11, 13, 15 and 17, expressed by the formula: S(MpXp+1)·L(Mp+1Xp+2), where M = Pb, Bi and X = Te, S, p ≥ 2, and S and L = number of short and long modules, respectively. Relaxed structures show a and c values within 1.5% of experimental data; a and the interlayer distance dsub decrease with increasing PbS content. Variable Pb—S bond lengths contrast with constant Pb—S bond lengths in galena. All phases are n-fold superstructures of a rhombohedral subcell with c/3 = dsub*. Electron diffraction patterns show two brightest reflections at the centre of dsub*, described by the modulation vector qF = (i/N) · dsub*, i = S + L. A second modulation vector, q = γ · csub*, shows a decrease in γ, from 1.8 to 1.588, across the n = 0 to n = 12 interval. The linear relationship between γ and dsub allows the prediction of any theoretical phases beyond the studied compositional range. The upper PbS-rich limit of the series is postulated as n = 398 (Pb398Bi4Te4S400), a phase with dsub (1.726 Å) identical to that of trigonal PbS within experimental error. The aleksite series is a prime example of mixed layer compounds built with accretional homology principles.




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Reducing heat load density with asymmetric and inclined double-crystal monochromators: principles and requirements revisited

The major principles and requirements of asymmetric and inclined double-crystal monochromators are re-examined and presented to guide their design and development for significantly reducing heat load density and gradient on the monochromators of fourth-generation synchrotron light sources and X-ray free-electron lasers.




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SEB: a computational tool for symbolic derivation of the small-angle scattering from complex composite structures

Analysis of small-angle scattering (SAS) data requires intensive modeling to infer and characterize the structures present in a sample. This iterative improvement of models is a time-consuming process. Presented here is Scattering Equation Builder (SEB), a C++ library that derives exact analytic expressions for the form factors of complex composite structures. The user writes a small program that specifies how the sub-units should be linked to form a composite structure and calls SEB to obtain an expression for the form factor. SEB supports e.g. Gaussian polymer chains and loops, thin rods and circles, solid spheres, spherical shells and cylinders, and many different options for how these can be linked together. The formalism behind SEB is presented and simple case studies are given, such as block copolymers with different types of linkage, as well as more complex examples, such as a random walk model of 100 linked sub-units, dendrimers, polymers and rods attached to the surfaces of geometric objects, and finally the scattering from a linear chain of five stars, where each star is built up of four diblock copolymers. These examples illustrate how SEB can be used to develop complex models and hence reduce the cost of analyzing SAS data.




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What's killing sea otters? Scientists pinpoint parasite strain

Full Text:

Many wild southern sea otters in California are infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, yet the infection is fatal for only a fraction of sea otters, which has long puzzled the scientific community. A National Science Foundation-funded study identifies the parasite's specific strains that are killing southern sea otters, tracing them back to a bobcat and feral domestic cats from nearby watersheds. The study marks the first time a genetic link has been clearly established between the Toxoplasma strains in felid hosts and parasites causing fatal disease in marine wildlife. The study's results highlight how infectious agents like Toxoplasma can spread from cat feces on land to the sea, leading to detrimental impacts on marine wildlife.

Image credit: Trina Wood/UC Davis




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Access the Catawba County Library System website from your Smartphone!

You may now access the Catawba County Library System website from your smartphone, thanks to a recent upgrade to the library�s home page. LS2Mobile is accessible with an iPod Touch or iPhone.




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Catawba County developing new GIS Real Estate website to take advantage of new technology, offer enhanced services

Enhancements include an auto-fill feature, the ability to search on a business or landmark name, and links to both Google and Bing maps.




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Statement Regarding National Academies Study on Potential Health Risks of Living in Proximity to Surface Coal Mining Sites in Central Appalachia

In an August 18 letter, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement informed the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that it should cease all work on a study of the potential health risks for people living near surface coal mine sites in Central Appalachia.




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Breakthrough Solutions and Technologies Needed to Speed Cleanup of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Sites

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends changes in the way that the U.S. Department of Energy manages science and technology (S&T) development in order to accelerate the cleanup of radioactive waste and contaminated soil, groundwater, and facilities at U.S. nuclear weapons sites.




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National Academies Review of Report on Supplemental Low-Activity Waste at Hanford Nuclear Site Now Available for Public Comment

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – which reviews a separate report by a federally funded laboratory that examines options for treating low-activity radioactive waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation -- is available for public comment until Oct. 31.




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DOE Plan to Dilute and Dispose of Surplus Plutonium at New Mexico Site Technically Viable if Security, Execution, Other Challenges Are Addressed, Says New Report

The U.S. Department of Energy’s plan to dilute and dispose of 34 metric tons of surplus plutonium in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico is technically viable, provided that the plan’s implementation challenges and system vulnerabilities are resolved.




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BSNL issues purchase order to TCS, ITI for 1 lakh 4G sites: Report

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved the third revival package for the telecom PSU worth Rs 89,047 crores which also includes the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum through equity infusion.




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App vs. website: Which best protects your privacy?

That's the ques­tion that North­eastern researchers, led by assis­tant pro­fessor David Choffnes, ask in new research that explores how free app- and web- based ser­vices on Android and iOS mobile devices com­pare with respect to pro­tecting users' privacy.

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  • Mathematics & Economics

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Mühlenchemie introduces enzyme-based products to improve baking results with composite flours

New “Compozym” enzyme series reduces dependence on global wheat markets.




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Mühlenchemie establishes award for composite flour research

Global conditions and crises are putting increasing pressure on the world's flour market.




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Biospringer North America Corporation announces $29 million expansion to its Yeast Extract production site in Cedar Rapids Iowa

Biospringer North America Corporation has announced an expansion on its yeast extract site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to support the growing market trend for natural origin ingredients derived from fermentation.  




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Create mobile workstations using smart upfitting solutions to maximize jobsite efficiency

Efficient fleet management is essential for plumbing and HVAC contractors looking to optimize operations and improve service. Customizing fleet vehicles to meet specific company needs is a key strategy. Modern upfitting now includes advanced technology and ergonomic designs, creating mobile workstations that boost efficiency on job sites.




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Jobsite oddities

Last week, we did a simple oil to gas steam boiler replacement. The customer (Mike) has been a family friend of my parents for more than 60 years. Mike’s grandfather built the house back in the 1920s. The home is currently occupied by Mike’s daughter and her two teenage grandchildren.




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Dan Holohan: Tough job site conditions call for creative workarounds

In the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, which snuggles into the center of the state, you will find Mount Saint James, and upon that steep hill, you will find The College of the Holy Cross.




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Hazcom for multi-employer sites

Today’s workplaces look far different than they have in the past, taking on many shapes, sizes and settings. As a result, more workers from multiple employers are working side-by-side at the same locations, increasing the shared responsibility for worker safety among employers.




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How to protect yourself from silicosis on a jobsite

More than two million workers in the construction industry have been exposed to silica in the workplace. Short of a complete double lung transplant, silicosis is both a chronic and incurable condition.




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Case study: Optimizing lockout procedures for a multi-site, national retailer

As an organization highly committed to safety, it was important to this premium retailer that they take a proactive approach to control any hazardous energy that could impact safety and/or the efficiency of their stores – and the sooner the better. 




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Hidden risks in the construction site

Explore hidden risks on construction sites from hearing loss to vibration injuries.




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Safety by design: Proactive measures for reducing risk at job sites

It’s important for every team member, from subcontractors to superintendents, to take responsibility for safety compliance.




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Contractor again fails to protect workers from deadly fall hazards at construction sites

Wisconsin construction company has failed to correct multiple fall protection hazards, exposing workers to risk. 




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Hot work, cool heads: Safety protocols for summer work sites

Whether workers are toiling under the sun or next to a blast furnace, the risks of heat-related illnesses and accidents are ever-present and growing.




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Understand your jobsite safety climate strengths & weaknesses

Companies of any size or available resources can start their safety climate improvement journey by using one of the system’s two assessments developed by CPWR (with stakeholder input) to either measure their safety climate maturity or conduct a simple needs assessment of the company’s jobsite safety climate across eight leading indicators.