[Performance of generative pre-trained transformer-4 on the certification test for mental health management: A factorial design].

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the performance of generative pre-trained transformer-4 (GPT-4) on the Certification Test for Mental Health Management and whether tuned prompts could improve its performance.

Methods: This study used a 3 × 2 factorial design to examine the performance according to test difficulty (courses) and prompt conditions. We prepared 200 multiple-choice questions (600 questions overall) for each course using the Certification Test for Mental Health Management (levels I-III) and essay questions from the level I test for the previous four examinations.

Validation of foot plantar pressure sensor data used to estimate standing, sitting, and moving durations in one working day.

Background: Maintaining immovable postures for long durations might be a cause of low back pain. However, the relation between low back pain and the maintenance of postures for long durations has been unclear. Therefore, the durations of several postures in one working day should be measured to evaluate the risk of low back pain, although the available measuring methods are limited.

[Design and Evaluation of Miniature Cyclones for Dust Indicators].

Dust indicators based on light scattering photometers are widely used to measure aerosol concentrations in work environments. These concentrations at workplaces in Japan are measured by these dust indicators and calibrated by mass concentration in order to control workers' exposure to dust. The mass concentration in a specific point in a workplace is measured simultaneously with a dust indicator.

Assessment of exposure to voices and noise via earphones in manufacturing industry workers in Japan.

Objectives: There is concern that sound via earphones and headphones attached to headsets used in workplaces may be a risk factor for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Although there are some previous studies investigating exposure to noise from headphones, almost none have assessed the risks to workers who use earphones. We assessed exposure to noise among workers who regularly wear earphones in noisy workplaces.

Temporary threshold shifts at 1500 and 2000 Hz induced by loud voice signals communicated through earphones in the pinball industry.

To assess the risk of hearing loss among workers using earphones as communication devices at noisy worksites, we compared temporary threshold shifts (TTS) between ears on which workers wore earphones and ears on which no earphones were worn. We measured ambient noise and personal noise exposure as well as noise generated by and passed through earphones by applying frequency analysis at three pinball facilities during their hours of actual operation. We assessed hearing levels before and after a work shift (prework and postwork) of 54 workers by pure tone audiometry at six frequencies.

Technique for continuously monitoring core body temperatures to prevent heat stress disorders in workers engaged in physical labor.

Objectives: Measuring core body temperature is crucial for preventing heat stress disorders in workers. We developed a method for measuring auditory canal temperatures based on a thermocouple inserted into a sponge-type earplug. We verified that the tip of this thermocouple is positioned safely, allowing the wearer to engage in normal physical tasks; this position averaged 6.

Effectiveness of a head wash cooling protocol using non-refrigerated water in reducing heat stress.

Envisioning a cooling method and aiming at maximum feasibility and simplicity, we designed an experimental intervention-control study based on non-refrigerated water usage, consisting of pouring 2 l of 23.0 degrees C water simultaneously on head and hands for one minute, after every 20 min of exertion. The subjects were 11 fit male individuals between 19 and 26 yr old.

Heat exposure control using non-refrigerated water in Brazilian steel factory workers.

To test an economically reasonable method to reduce thermal stress, we performed an alternated intervention-control study on 2 groups of 8 male steel workers performing the same jobs, using 2 l of water at ambient temperature (23.5 degrees C +/- 1.4), poured on the head and hands.

[A systematic review of working hours and mental health burden].

There is growing concern over the possible increase in mental health problems among Japanese workers. This trend is generally regarded as a reflection of Japan's prolonged economic depression and changes in working environment. In fact, claims for compensation for industrial accidents related to mental health diseases have been rapidly increasing in recent years.

[Long working hours and cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review].

Three years have passed since the countermeasures against the adverse health effects of overwork started in Japan, and fruitful outcomes have been expected. In the current study, a systematic review of articles was performed regarding the association of long working hours (LWH) with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) to obtain recent evidence of their association. An electronic database search was conducted using PubMed among English-written original articles published until December, 2004.

[Body cooling capacity of water circulated cooling pants during lower body exercise in a hot environment].

We investigated the body cooling capacity of water-circulated cooling pants during lower body exercise in a hot environment. Five subjects were asked to ride a bicycle ergometer and to keep a work rate of 75 W continuously for 20 minutes. They then rest on the ergometer for 15 minutes, in a climate chamber kept at WBGT = 31.

[Development of a computerized sound attenuation measurement system of hearing protectors based on Japanese Industrial Standard(JIS)].

Sound attenuation measurement of hearing protectors is done in accordance with JIS T 8161 in Japan. In the JIS T 8161 it is stated that more than three non-coherent sets which include a noise generator, one-third octave band-pass filter, amplifier, calibrated attenuator and signal interrupter are required. To realize this measurement system, various expenses and a large space are required.

[Actual situation of medical checkups carried out by Industrial Health Organizations in Japan--manpower and service].

Japanese Industrial Health Organizations (IHOs) have been taking part in medical checkups for employees in accordance with the law of industrial safety and health in Japan. We carried out a questionnaire survey for each IHO in order to learn the actual number of full-time doctors and their proportion of work time. We sent a questionnaire to 112 IHOs (members of International Federation of Industrial Health Organizations) by mail, of which 77 replied (68.

Effect of dilution of sports drink on water balance and beverage preference of heat-exposed steel workers.

Eight skilled workers engaged in heat-exposed work in front of a blast furnace in a steel factory were asked to drink a sports drink or one of its dilutions of x 2, x 3, or x 5 during a regular daytime shift in the summer of 1999. A regular lunch was taken and the examined beverage was iced and was allowed to be consumed ad libitum. The beverage was changed each day during four days of the experiment without informing the dilution ratio.

[Occupational physician's role regarding return to work of workers with acquired disability].

Occupational physicians are expected to play important roles in helping workers with an acquired disability return to work. However, the key elements to develop a successful program to help these workers return to work are still unclear. In this study, we searched the literature referring to occupational physicians' role in the return-to-work process of the workers with acquired disability.

[Occupational safety and health at small scale enterprises co-operating with a medical university].

This descriptive study reports the results of a systematic survey on occupational safety and health hazards and risks to exposed workers at companies co-operating with a medical university, and investigates the effective methods for their management. Varieties of works at all these co-operating companies have been categorized into 14 types of businesses. The survey was performed in two-fold; an individual interview of managers and a comprehensive inspection of workshops, and a questionnaire to all workers (response rate 95.

Noise attenuation characteristics of a foam type earplug measured using a dummy head.

The attenuation characteristics of the earplug using a dummy head (KEMAR; Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research) were measured, when it was exposed to pure tones or broadband noises at three different sound pressure levels (SPLs) of 70, 80 and 90 dB SPL in the 'wide frequency range from 250 to 20 k Hz. We ascertained the satisfactory capacity of noise attenuation except for from 10 k to 14 k Hz. The noise attenuation level increased with frequency until 2 k Hz, became almost constant until 8 k Hz, then decreased at around 10 k to 14 k Hz, and recovered in the range from 16 k to 20 k Hz.