Wearables for Monitoring and Postural Feedback in the Work Context: A Scoping Review.

Wearables offer a promising solution for simultaneous posture monitoring and/or corrective feedback. The main objective was to identify, synthesise, and characterise the wearables used in the workplace to monitor and postural feedback to workers. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Studies were included between 1 January 2000 and 22 March 2023 in Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese without geographical restriction. The databases selected for the research were PubMed®, Web of Science®, Scopus®, and Google Scholar®. Qualitative studies, theses, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Twelve studies were included, involving a total of 304 workers, mostly health professionals (n = 8). The remaining studies covered workers in the industry (n = 2), in the construction (n = 1), and welders (n = 1). For assessment purposes, most studies used one (n = 5) or two sensors (n = 5) characterised as accelerometers (n = 7), sixaxial (n = 2) or nonaxialinertial measurement units (n = 3). The most common source of feedback was the sensor itself (n = 6) or smartphones (n = 4). Haptic feedback was the most prevalent (n = 6), followed by auditory (n = 5) and visual (n = 3). Most studies employed prototype wearables emphasising kinematic variables of human movement. Healthcare professionals were the primary focus of the study along with haptic feedback that proved to be the most common and effective method for correcting posture during work activities.

The Virtual Reality Radiology Workstation: Current Technology and Future Applications.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology hold potential across many disciplines in medicine to expand the delivery of education and healthcare. VR-AR applications in radiology, in particular, have gained prominence and have demonstrated advantages in many areas within the field. Recently, VR software has emerged to redesign the physical radiology workstation (ie, reading room) to expand the possibilities of diagnostic interpretation. Given the novelty of this technology, there is limited research investigating the potential applications of a simulated radiology workstation. In this review article, we explore VR-simulated reading room technology in its current form and illustrate the practical applications this technology will bring to future radiologists and learners. We also discuss the limitations and barriers to adopting this technology that must be overcome to truly understand its potential benefits. VR reading room technology offers great potential in radiology, but further research is needed to appreciate its benefits and identify areas for improvement. The findings and insights presented in this review contribute to the ongoing discourse on future technological advancements in radiology and healthcare, offering valuable recommendations for further research and practical implementation.

Strategies to improve the efficiency and quality of mutant breeding using heavy-ion beam irradiation.

Heavy-ion beam irradiation (HIBI) is useful for generating new germplasm in plants and microorganisms due to its ability to induce high mutagenesis rate, broad mutagenesis spectrum, and excellent stability of mutants. However, due to the random mutagenesis and associated mutant breeding modalities, it is imperative to improve HIBI-based mutant breeding efficiency and quality. This review discusses and summarizes the findings of existing theoretical and technical studies and presents a set of tandem strategies to enable efficient and high-quality HIBI-based mutant breeding practices. These strategies: adjust the mutation-inducing techniques, regulate cellular response states, formulate high-throughput screening schemes, and apply the generated superior genetic elements to genetic engineering approaches, thereby, improving the implications and expanding the scope of HIBI-based mutant breeding. These strategies aim to improve the mutagenesis rate, screening efficiency, and utilization of positive mutations. Here, we propose a model based on the integration of these strategies that would leverage the advantages of HIBI while compensating for its present shortcomings. Owing to the unique advantages of HIBI in creating high-quality genetic resources, we believe this review will contribute toward improving HIBI-based breeding.

The effects of active workstations on reducing work-specific sedentary time in office workers: a network meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Active workstations have been proposed as a feasible approach for reducing occupational sedentary time. This study used a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess and compare the overall efficacy of active workstation interventions according to type and concomitant strategy for reducing work-specific sitting time in office workers. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from database inception until May 2022 to obtain randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of active workstations with or without concomitant strategies for reducing occupational sedentary time in office workers. The risk of bias of the RCTs included in this study was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook. An NMA with STATA 15.1 was used to construct a network diagram, league figures, and the final surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: A total of 23 eligible studies including eight different types of interventions with 1428 office workers were included. NMA results showed that compared to a typical desk, multicomponent intervention (standardized mean difference (SMD) = - 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 2.17, - 0.82; SUCRA = 72.4%), sit-stand workstation + promotion (Reminders of rest breaks, posture variation, or incidental office activity) (SMD = - 1.49; 95%CI - 2.42, - 0.55; SUCRA = 71.0%), treadmill workstation + promotion (SMD = - 1.29; 95%CI - 2.51, - 0.07; SUCRA = 61.6%), and sit-stand workstation (SMD = - 1.10, 95%CI - 1.64, - 0.56; SUCRA = 50.2%) were effective in reducing occupational sedentary time for office workers. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent intervention, sit-stand workstation + promotion, treadmill workstation + promotion, and sit-stand workstation appear to be effective in reducing work-specific sedentary time for office workers. Furthermore, multicomponent interventions and active workstations + promotion better reduced work-specific sedentary time than active workstation alone. However, the overall certainty of the evidence was low. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Our study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO); registration number: CRD42022344432.

A multicomponent quasi-experimental ergonomic interventional study: long-term parallel four-groups interventions.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are known as one of the main problems affecting the health of industrial workers and can lead to lost working days, functional disability of workers and wasting the financial resources of an organization. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluating the effect of ergonomic interventions on reducing MSDs and improving working posture in the in a foundry industry workers. METHODS: A field multicomponent cross-interventional study was conducted on workers working in a foundry industry. In this study, 117 male workers were divided into 4 groups, including a control group, a group with specialized ergonomics training, a group with workstation intervention, and a group simultaneously undergoing training and workstation intervention. All 4 groups were evaluated during a period of baseline, 6 and 12-months follow- up. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and direct observations of working postures by using the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method were used. RESULTS: The results showed that the implemented interventions in the shoulder/arm, back and stress level were effective and the difference in the final score was significant among different groups (P-value > 0.05). In addition, the interventions led to a significant decrease in the QEC scores and musculoskeletal symptom scores in the neck, shoulder, lower back, knee, and lower leg regions among different groups (P-value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that workstation modification and training and workstation intervention simultaneously had a greater effect on MSDs and improving working posture compared to training alone.

Comparison Between the Stereoscopic Virtual Reality Display System and Conventional Computed Tomography Workstation in the Diagnosis and Characterization of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations.

It is difficult to accurately understand the angioarchitecture of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (CAVMs) before surgery using existing imaging methods. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the stereoscopic virtual reality display system (SVRDS) to display the angioarchitecture of CAVMs by comparing its accuracy with that of the conventional computed tomography workstation (CCTW). Nineteen patients with CAVM confirmed on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or during surgery were studied. Computed tomography angiography images in the SVRDS and CCTW were retrospectively analyzed by two experienced neuroradiologists using a double-blind method. Angioarchitectural parameters, such as the location and size of the nidus, type and number of the arterial feeders and draining veins, and draining pattern of the vessels, were recorded and compared. The diameter of the nidus ranged from 1.1 to 9 cm. Both CCTW and SVRDS correctly diagnosed the location of the nidus in 19 patients with CAVM. Among the 19 patients, 35 arterial feeders and 25 draining veins were confirmed on DSA and during surgery. With the DSA and intraoperative results as the gold standard bases, the CCTW misjudged one arterial feeder and one draining vein and missed three arterial feeders and two draining veins; meanwhile, the SVRDS missed only two arterial feeders. SVRDS had some advantages in displaying nidus, arterial branches, and draining veins of the CAVM compared with CCTW, as well as SVRDS could more intuitively display the overall angio-architectural spatial picture of CAVM.

The Effect of Cycling While Typing on Patterns of Upper Body Muscle Activation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of one's sex and pedaling intensity on upper body muscle activation patterns during typing while cycling. BACKGROUND: Females are at a higher risk for computer work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and mobile workstations have been suggested to induce healthier muscular patterns compared with sitting. However, the neuromuscular characteristics of performing computer work in a cycling workstation have not been investigated. METHOD: Twenty-two participants (10 females) completed a 60-min computer typing task while pedaling on a cycle ergometer at two different intensities (25%, 4% heart rate reserve). Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from seven muscles of the upper body. Effects of time, sex, and intensity were assessed for muscle activation (RMS), activation variability (CV), and normalized mutual information (NMI) via generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: With time, neck/shoulder CV increased in males during higher pedaling intensity, whereas in females it decreased during lower intensity. In females, RMS of neck/shoulder and NMI of neck/shoulder muscle pairs were lower, whereas forearm RMS was 34.2% higher with higher intensity cycling compared with lower intensity. Lower back RMS decreased 28.3% in the initial half of the task in females, but in males it increased 14.4% in the later half. CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION: Cycling workstation showed a sex- and intensity-specific EMG response. These differing responses should be considered when implementing the use of cycling workstation and may be important for preventing/managing sex-specific muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders.

Between Two Rocks and in a Hard Place: Reflecting on the Biomechanical Basis of Shoulder Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to review the biomechanical origins of occupational shoulder damage, while considering the complexity of shoulder mechanics and musculoskeletal consequences of diverse task demands. BACKGROUND: Accessible measures of physical exposures are the primary focus of occupational shoulder assessments and analyses. This approach has led to guidelines and intervention strategies that are often inadequate for mitigating shoulder disorders amongst the complexity of modern workplace demands. Integration of complex shoulder mechanics into occupational assessments, analyses, and interventions is critical for reducing occupational shoulder injury risk. METHOD: This narrative review describes shoulder biomechanics in the context of common injury mechanisms and consequent injuries, with a particular focus on subacromial impingement syndrome. Several modulators of shoulder injury risk are reviewed, including fatigue, overhead work, office ergonomics considerations, and pushing and pulling task configurations. RESULTS: Relationships between work requirements, muscular demands, fatigue, and biomechanical tissue loads exist. This review highlights that consideration of specific workplace factors should be integrated with our knowledge of the intricate arrangement and interpersonal variability of the shoulder complex to proactively evaluate occupational shoulder demands and exposures. CONCLUSION: A standard method for evaluating shoulder muscle exposures during workplace tasks does not exist. An integrated approach is critical for improved work design and prevention of shoulder tissue damage and accompanying disability. APPLICATION: This review is particularly relevant for researchers and practitioners, providing guidance for work design and evaluation for shoulder injury prevention by understanding the importance of the unique and complex mechanics of the shoulder.

T-shaped handle set-up: effects of handle diameter, between-handle distance, workpiece orientation, working height, and exertion direction on two-handed torque strength, usability, comfort, and discomfort.

The use of both hands is often required for force/torque exertions, particularly when using hand tools. This study investigated the effects of handle diameter (3-5 cm), between-handle distance (0.5-1.5 shoulder span (SS), workpiece orientation (horizontal/frontal), working height (shoulder/elbow/knuckle), and exertion direction (clockwise/counter-clockwise) on maximum two-handed torque strength, usability and comfort/discomfort while using T-shaped handles. Participants (n = 20) performed 36 experimental conditions. The handle diameter had no significant main effect on torque strength. The 3 cm diameter handle was associated with better usability and comfort compared to other options. Higher torque values were recorded with between-handle distance of 1.0 and 1.5 SS, in frontal plane, in shoulder and knuckle heights, and in counter-clockwise direction. The between-handle distance of 1.0 SS had better comfort and higher usability than other conditions. Interactions between the between-handle distance and working height, between-handle distance and workpiece orientation, and workpiece orientation and working height were also significant.Practitioner summary: Effects of handle diameter, between-handle distance, workpiece orientation, working height, and exertion direction on torque exertions, and subjective measures when using T-shaped handles were evaluated. Higher levels of strength were measured with between-handle distance of 1.0-1.5 shoulder span, and in frontal plane, in shoulder/knuckle heights, and in counter-clockwise direction.

Comparison of Three Workstations For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sizing: Impact in Decision Making and Graft Selection.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and semiautomated central lumen line (CLL) analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), with 3 different software workstations (WS1, WS2, WS3) and 2 experienced practitioners as well as to analyze its eventual impact in graft selection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty computed tomography (CT) angiography data sets were randomly chosen from a series of 100 consecutive studies. Measurements were performed twice by each reader, in random order, and included 8 parameters (5 diameters and 3 lengths). Each observer performed a complete set of 60 studies. Intra-observer and interobserver variability for every WS was assessed. Measurements were evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis, correlation coefficients (r), and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC [95% confidence interval (CI)]). RESULTS: A high overall agreement between repeated measurements for both observers was obtained (r=0.989; CCC=0.988 [0.982-0.992] and r=0.998; CCC=0.996 [0.994-0.997], for observers 1 and 2, respectively). However, reproducibility for individual parameters was excellent for observer 2 and only moderate for observer 1. A high overall agreement was obtained for interobserver concordance (r=0.987; CCC=0.986 [0.982-0.989]). When analyzing for individual parameters, greatest interobserver differences were found at CLL measurement of the diameter of aortic neck (WS2) and bifurcation (WS1 and WS2) as well as iliac diameter in all 3 WS for both CLL and MPR. Similar differences were observed in paired comparison between WS when involving these parameters. Careful inspection of Bland-Altman charts revealed some cases of disagreement between WS and observers that would affect decision making on graft selection, changing the neck diameter to a different size, in 2 cases when measuring with WS1, and iliac diameter in 4 cases (2 of them with WS1 and 2 with WS2). Greatest discordance was observed regarding ipsilateral iliac length affecting 7 measurements that would lead to change the length of the selected limb graft (2 with WS1, 3 with WS2, and 2 with WS3). CONCLUSIONS: Although a high agreement between different observers using different WS for AAA measurements is to be expected, small differences may lead to the selection of a different graft size. The use of a single software by experienced users, and double check by a different one, may be advisable. CLINICAL IMPACT: Influence of inter and intraobserver variability in CT measurements during planning of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been extensively reviewed. However, its impact in graft selection (final choose of diameter and lengths) has been scarcely analyzed. The results of this study suggest that, although a high agreement between different observers using different workstations for AAA measurements is to be expected, small differences may lead to the selection of a different graft size. The use of a single software by experienced users, and double check by a different one, may be advisable.

Musculoskeletal problems of hand-sewn crafted footwear manufacturing artisans in Kolhapur, India.

BACKGROUND: Kolhapuri hand-sewn crafted footwear is one of the well-designed and traditional footwear in India. Many of the processes in these industries are manual. The study was carried out to establish the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in different body parts of artisans engaged in crafted footwear manufacturing activity. Due to the difficult physical activities carried out by artisans, there was a possibility of evolving different kinds of MSDs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of MSD symptoms in various body regions of crafted footwear manufacturing artisans. This work further aims to assess different working postures. METHODS: The existing working environment and the occurrences of MSD indications of 105 artisans of Kolhapuri crafted footwear manufacturing were evaluated in this study. The data collection was done through an interview and using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. The work uses the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method for posture analysis. Multiple regression investigation was used to evaluate different risk factors linked with MSDs symptoms. RESULTS: It has been cleared that there are high occurrences of MSD pain between crafted footwear manufacturing artisans. The most frequently affected body areas were low back, neck, hips/thighs/buttocks, shoulder, elbows, hand and wrist, knees and upper back. The final RULA grand total of 6.1 specifies that artisans' posture needs to be change. CONCLUSION: The artisans who were associated with the manufacturing of Kolhapuri footwear had a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Analysis of data suggests that the necessity of operational implementation program for handcrafted footwear manufacturing artisans.

Musculoskeletal pain trajectories of employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid public health response which included mandatory working from home (WFH) for many employees. This study aimed to identify different trajectories of multisite musculoskeletal pain (MSP) amongst employees WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined the influence of work and non-work factors. METHODS: Data from 488 participants (113 males, 372 females and 3 other) involved in the Employees Working from Home (EWFH) study, collected in October 2020, April and November 2021 were analysed. Age was categorised as 18-35 years (n = 121), 36-55 years (n = 289) and 56 years and over (n = 78). Growth Mixture Modelling (GMM) was used to identify latent classes with different growth trajectories of MSP. Age, gender, working hours, domestic living arrangements, workstation comfort and location, and psychosocial working conditions were considered predictors of MSP. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to identify work and non-work variables associated with group membership. RESULTS: Four trajectories of MSP emerged: high stable (36.5%), mid-decrease (29.7%), low stable (22.3%) and rapid increase (11.5%). Decreased workstation comfort (OR 1.98, CI 1.02, 3.85), quantitative demands (OR 1.68, CI 1.09, 2.58), and influence over work (OR 0.78, CI 0.54, 0.98) was associated with being in the high stable trajectory group compared to low stable. Workstation location (OR 3.86, CI 1.19, 12.52) and quantitative work demands (OR 1.44, CI 1.01, 2.47) was associated with the rapid increase group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study offer insights into considerations for reducing MSP in employees WFH. Key considerations include the need for a dedicated workstation, attention to workstation comfort, quantitative work demands, and ensuring employees have influence over their work.

Portable electrochemical micro-workstation platform for simultaneous detection of multiple Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.

Alzheimer's disease, as a most prevalent type of dementia, is quickly becoming one of the most expensive, lethal, and burdening diseases of this century. Though there are still no efficient therapies, early diagnosis and intervention are important directive significance to clinical works. Here, we develop a portable electrochemical micro-workstation platform consisting of an electrochemical micro-workstation and integrated electrochemical microarray for simultaneously detecting multiple AD biomarkers including Aß40, Aß42, T-tau, and P-tau181 in serum. The integrated electrochemical microarray is mainly used for droplet sample manipulation and signal generation. The micro-workstation can regulate signals and transfer the signals to a smartphone by Bluetooth embedded inside. This portable electrochemical micro-workstation platform exhibits excellent analysis performance. The LODs for Aß40, Aß42, T-tau, and P-tau181 are 0.125 pg/mL, 0.089 pg/mL, 0.142 pg/mL, and 0.176 pg/mL, respectively, which satisfies the needs of detecting AD biomarkers in serum. The combination of portable micro-workstation and integrated electrochemical microarray provides a promising strategy for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and personal healthcare.

Memsorb™, a novel CO2 removal device part II: in vivo performance with the Zeus IE®.

Memsorb™ (DMF Medical, Halifax, Canada) is a novel device based upon membrane oxygenator technology designed to eliminate CO2 from exhaled gas when using a circle anesthesia circuit. Exhaled gases pass through semipermeable hollow fibers and sweep gas flowing through these fibers creates a diffusion gradient for CO2 removal. In vivo Memsorb™ performance was tested during target-controlled closed-circuit anesthesia (TCCCA) with desflurane in O2/air using a Zeus IE® anesthesia workstation (Dräger, Lübeck, Germany). Clinical care protocols for using this novel device were guided by in vitro performance results from a prior study (submitted simultaneously). After IRB approval, written informed consent was obtained from 10 ASA PS I-III patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. TCCCA targets were 39% inspired O2 concentration (FIO2) and 5.0% end-expired desflurane concentration (FETdes). Minute ventilation (MV) was adjusted to maintain 4.5-6.0% FETCO2. The O2/air (40% O2) sweep flow into the Memsorb™ was manually adjusted in an attempt to keep inspired CO2 concentration (FICO2) ≤ 0.8%. The following data were collected: FIO2, FETdes, FICO2, FETCO2, MV, fresh gas flow (FGF, O2 and air), sweep flow, and cumulative desflurane usage (Vdes). Vdes of the Zeus IE®-Memsorb™ combination was compared with historical Vdes observed in a previous study when soda lime (DrägerSorb 800 +) was used. Results are reported as median and inter-quartiles. A combination of manually adjusting sweep flow (26 [21,27] L/min) and MV sufficed to maintain FICO2 ≤ 0.8% and FETCO2 ≤ 6.0%, except in one patient in whom the target Zeus IE® FGF had to be increased to 0.7 L/min for 6 min. FIO2 and FETdes were maintained close to their targets. Zeus IE® FGF after 5 min was 0 [0,0] mL/min. Average Vdes after 50 min was higher with Memsorb™ (20.3 mL) compared to historical soda lime canister data (12.3 mL). During target-controlled closed-circuit anesthesia in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, the Memsorb™ maintained FICO2 ≤ 0.8% and FETCO2 ≤ 6.0%, and FIO2 remained close to target. Modest amounts of desflurane were lost with the use of the Memsorb™. The need for adjustments of sweep flow, minute ventilation, and occasionally Zeus IE® FGF indicates that the Memsorb™ system should preferentially be integrated into an automated closed-loop system.

Memsorb™, a novel CO2 removal device part I: in vitro performance with the Zeus IE®.

Soda lime-based CO2 absorbents are safe, but not ideal for reasons of ecology, economy, and dust formation. The Memsorb™ is a novel CO2 removal device that uses cardiopulmonary bypass oxygenator technology instead: a sweep gas passes through semipermeable hollow fibers, adding or removing gas from the circle breathing system. We studied the in vitro performance of a prototype Memsorb™ used with a Zeus IE® anesthesia machine when administering sevoflurane and desflurane in O2/air mixtures. The Zeus IE® equipped with Memsorb™ ventilated a 2L breathing bag with a CO2 inflow port in its tip. CO2 kinetics were studied by using different combinations of CO2 inflow (VCO2), Memsorb™ sweep gas flow, and Zeus IE® fresh gas flow (FGF) and ventilator settings. More specifically, it was determined under what circumstances the inspired CO2 concentration (FICO2) could be kept < 0.5%. O2 kinetics were studied by measuring the inspired O2 concentration (FIO2) resulting from different combinations of Memsorb™ sweep gas flow and O2 concentrations, and Zeus IE® FGFs and O2 concentrations. Memsorb™'s sevoflurane and desflurane waste was determined by measuring their injection rates during target-controlled closed-circuit anesthesia (TCCCA), and were compared to historical controls when using a soda lime absorbent (Draegersorb 800+) under identical conditions. With 160 mL/min VCO2 and 5 L/min minute ventilation (MV), lowering the sweep gas flow at any fixed Zeus IE® FGF increased FICO2 in a non-linear manner. Sweep gas flow adjustments kept FICO2 < 0.5% over the entire Zeus IE® FGF range tested with VCO2 up to 280 mL/min; tidal volume and respiratory rate affected the required sweep gas flow. At 10 L/min MV and low FGF (< 1.5 L/min), even a maximum sweep flow of 43 L/min was unable to keep FICO2 ≤ 0.5%. When the O2 concentration in the Zeus IE® FGF and the Memsorb™ sweep gas flow differed, FIO2 drifted towards the sweep gas O2 concentration, and more so as FGF was lowered; this effect was absent once FGF > minute ventilation. During sevoflurane and desflurane TCCCA, the Zeus IE® FGF remained zero while agent usage per % end-expired agent increased with increasing end-expired target agent concentrations and with a higher target FIO2. Agent waste during target-controlled delivery was higher with Memsorb™ than with the soda lime product, with the difference remaining almost constant over the FGF range studied. With a 5 L/min MV, Memsorb™ successfully removes CO2 with inflow rates up to 240 mL/min if an FICO2 of 0.5% is accepted, but at 10 L/min MV and low FGF (< 1.5 L/min), even a maximum sweep flow of 43 L/min was unable to keep FICO2 ≤ 0.5%. To avoid FIO2 deviating substantially from the O2 concentration in the fresh gas, the O2 concentration in the fresh gas and sweep gas should match. Compared to the use of Ca(OH)2 based CO2 absorbent, inhaled agent waste is increased. The device is most likely to find its use integrated in closed loop systems.

Schedules of standing and sitting directed by musculoskeletal discomfort in workers transitioning to sit-stand workstations: a cross-sectional study.

Sit-stand workstations are growing in popularity, however limited guidelines exist regarding optimal schedules of sitting and standing. This was the first known study to observe sit-stand workstation schedules when postural change is based on maintaining musculoskeletal discomfort within 'acceptable' levels. Fourteen healthy adults new to sit-stand workstations completed computer-based work at a sit-stand desk for half a workday. Participants changed between standing and sitting postures each time discomfort reached the maximum acceptable threshold. On average, the amount of standing and sitting was greatest in the first standing (median 40 minutes, interquartile range 40 minutes) and sitting (median 30 minutes, interquartile range 115 minutes) bouts. Average durations spent standing and sitting were lower in all consecutive bouts. Stand-sit ratios indicated an equal amount of standing to sitting or somewhat less standing. The schedules had substantial inter-participant variability. Future studies should consider that optimal schedules may vary with regard to time and be individual-specific.

Refined guidelines are needed regarding effective use of sit-stand workstations. This study proposed a novel method of investigating potentially optimal schedules, in which postural change was based on reaching a threshold of musculoskeletal discomfort. The findings suggest that an optimal schedule may vary with time and be individual-specific. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; Borg CR-10 scale: Borg Category Ratio-10 scale; IQR: interquartile range; LMD questionnaire: the localised musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire; MHT: maximum holding time; SD: standard deviation.

[Design and Application of Ultrasound Audit Workstation System].

According to the problems exist in the original ultrasound system, the study elaborates the design and application of the ultrasound audit workstation system, including the workflow, trace information recording, information management, audit data interaction, application effects, et al. This study points out that the system can optimize the ultrasound process, help to improve the quality and efficiency of ultrasound report audit as well as improve the efficiency of patients' ultrasound examination and medical treatment experience.

Consensus guidelines on perioperative management of malignant hyperthermia suspected or susceptible patients from the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group.

Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal condition, in which genetically predisposed individuals develop a hypermetabolic reaction to potent inhalation anaesthetics or succinylcholine. Because of the rarity of malignant hyperthermia and ethical limitations, there is no evidence from interventional trials to inform the optimal perioperative management of patients known or suspected with malignant hyperthermia who present for surgery. Furthermore, as the concentrations of residual volatile anaesthetics that might trigger a malignant hyperthermia crisis are unknown and manufacturers' instructions differ considerably, there are uncertainties about how individual anaesthetic machines or workstations need to be prepared to avoid inadvertent exposure of susceptible patients to trigger anaesthetic drugs. The present guidelines are intended to bundle the available knowledge about perioperative management of malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients and the preparation of anaesthesia workstations. The latter aspect includes guidance on the use of activated charcoal filters. The guidelines were developed by members of the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group, and they are based on evaluation of the available literature and a formal consensus process. The most crucial recommendation is that malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients should receive anaesthesia that is free of triggering agents. Providing that this can be achieved, other key recommendations include avoidance of prophylactic administration of dantrolene; that preoperative management, intraoperative monitoring, and care in the PACU are unaltered by malignant hyperthermia susceptibility; and that malignant hyperthermia patients may be anaesthetised in an outpatient setting.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of treadmill desks on energy expenditure, sitting time and cardiometabolic health in adults.

BACKGROUND: As the health risks of sedentary working environments become more clear, greater emphasis on the implementation of walking interventions to reduce sitting time is needed. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigate the role of treadmill-desk interventions on energy expenditure, sitting time, and cardiometabolic health in adults with sedentary occupations. METHODS: Relevant studies published in English were identified using CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases up to December 2020. Random effects meta-analysis models were used to pool study results. RESULTS: Thirteen relevant studies (six workplaces and seven laboratories) were found with a total of 351 participants. Pooled analysis of laboratory studies showed a significant increase in energy expenditure (105.23 kcal per hour, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.41 to 120.4), as well as metabolic rate (5.0 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 3.35 to 6.64), among treadmill desk users compared to sitting conditions. No evidence of significant differences in blood pressure were found. In workplace studies, we observed a significant reduction in sitting time over a 24-h period (- 1.73 min per hour, 95% CI: - 3.3 to - 0.17) among users of treadmill desks, compared to a conventional desk. However, there were no evidence of statistically significant changes in other metabolic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill desks offer a feasible and effective intervention to increase energy expenditure and metabolic rate and reduce sitting time while performing work-related tasks. Future studies are needed to increase generalizability to different workplace settings and further evaluate their impact on cardiometabolic health.

Curved Versus Flat Monitors: Interactive Effects of Display Curvature Radius and Display Size on Visual Search Performance and Visual Fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the interactive effects of display curvature radius and display size on visual search accuracy, visual search speed, and visual fatigue. BACKGROUND: Although the advantages of curved displays have been reported, little is known about the interactive effects of display curvature radius and size. METHOD: Twenty-seven individuals performed visual search tasks at a viewing distance of 50 cm using eight configurations involving four display curvature radii (400R, 600R, 1200R, and flat) and two display sizes (33″ and 50″). To simulate curved screens, five flat display panels were horizontally arranged with their centers concentrically repositioned following each display curvature radius. RESULTS: For accuracy, speed, and fatigue, 33″-600R and 50″-600R provided the best or comparable-to-best results, whereas 50″-flat provided the worst results. For accuracy and fatigue, 33″-flat was the second worst. The changes in the horizontal field of view and viewing angle due to display curvature as well as the association between effective display curvature radii and empirical horopter (loci of perceived equidistance) can explain these results. CONCLUSION: The interactive effects of display curvature radius and size were evident for visual search performance and fatigue. Beneficial effects of curved displays were maintained across 33″ and 50″, whereas increasing flat display size from 33″ to 50″ was detrimental. APPLICATION: For visual search tasks at a viewing distance of 50 cm, 33″-600R and 50″ 600R displays are recommended, as opposed to 33″ and 50″ flat displays. Wide flat displays must be carefully considered for visual display terminal tasks.