The Impact of COVID-19 and Pandemic Mitigation Measures on Persons With Sensory Impairment.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation measures on persons with sensory impairments (SI), including visual impairments (VI) and hearing impairments (HI).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Adults with VI (best-corrected visual acuity <20/60 in the better-seeing eye), HI (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes), and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 375) were recruited from the University of Michigan.

Multilayer film shields for the protection of PMT from constant magnetic field.

Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are widely used in physical experiments as well as in applied devices. PMTs are sensitive to magnetic field, so creation of effective magnetic shields for their protection is very important. In this paper, the results of measurements of shielding effectiveness of multilayer film magnetic shields on PMT-85 are presented.

Ulnar Neuropathy Among Active Workers Based Upon Hand Diagram Ratings.

Background: Limited studies have estimated the prevalence of ulnar neuropathy (UN) in the workplace. Hand diagrams have been demonstrated to have a good sensitivity and specificity when attempting to identify patients with UN.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for UN among active workers based on results of a hand diagram, and to determine the reliability of hand diagram scoring.

A frequency-duty cycle equation for the ACGIH hand activity level.

A new equation for predicting the hand activity level (HAL) used in the American Conference for Government Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value®(TLV®) was based on exertion frequency (F) and percentage duty cycle (D). The TLV® includes a table for estimating HAL from F and D originating from data in Latko et al. (Latko WA, Armstrong TJ, Foulke JA, Herrin GD, Rabourn RA, Ulin SS, Development and evaluation of an observational method for assessing repetition in hand tasks.

A hand speed-duty cycle equation for estimating the ACGIH hand activity level rating.

An equation was developed for estimating hand activity level (HAL) directly from tracked root mean square (RMS) hand speed (S) and duty cycle (D). Table lookup, equation or marker-less video tracking can estimate HAL from motion/exertion frequency (F) and D. Since automatically estimating F is sometimes complex, HAL may be more readily assessed using S.

Maximum hand-rung coupling forces in children: the effects of handhold diameter.

Objective: To quantify the effect of handhold size (diameter) on the maximum breakaway strength between a hand and handhold for children.

Background: Falls from playground equipment are a major cause of childhood injury and death. It is unclear if recommendations for handholds on playground equipment are too broad.

Feasibility and safety of a novel in vivo model to assess playground falls in children.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal unintentional injuries among hospitalized children with playground equipment accounting for more than 50%. National standards for playground rung and rail design exist, but there a lack of in vivo models available to test these standards. We developed a novel in vivo model to test rung and rail design.

A new approach for quantitative phosphoproteomic dissection of signaling pathways applied to T cell receptor activation.

Reversible protein phosphorylation plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular signaling pathways. Current approaches in phosphoproteomics focus on analysis of the global phosphoproteome in a single cellular state or of receptor stimulation time course experiments, often with a restricted number of time points. Although these studies have provided some insights into newly discovered phosphorylation sites that may be involved in pathways, they alone do not provide enough information to make precise predictions of the placement of individual phosphorylation events within a signaling pathway.

The NatA acetyltransferase couples Sup35 prion complexes to the [PSI+] phenotype.

Protein-only (prion) epigenetic elements confer unique phenotypes by adopting alternate conformations that specify new traits. Given the conformational flexibility of prion proteins, protein-only inheritance requires efficient self-replication of the underlying conformation. To explore the cellular regulation of conformational self-replication and its phenotypic effects, we analyzed genetic interactions between [PSI(+)], a prion form of the S.

Analysis of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) using expert ratings of job categories.

Background: Few epidemiologic studies have addressed the exposure-response relationships between work activities and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). This analysis used data from a national survey and ergonomists' ratings to address this issue.

Methods: Interview and knee X-ray data were obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

A cross-sectional assessment of the ACGIH TLV for hand activity level.

The ACGIH Worldwide Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for hand activity "considers average hand activity level or "HAL" and peak hand force." We report cross-sectional data that assess the validity of the TLV with respect to symptoms and selected upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among workers. The prevalence of symptoms and specific disorders were examined among 908 workers from 7 different job sites in relation to the TLV.

A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and assessment of risk factors.

This study followed workers over an extended period of time to identify factors which may influence the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The purpose was to evaluate incidence of CTS and to create a predictive model of factors that play a role in the development of CTS. This prospective study followed 432 industrial and clerical workers over 5.

A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: predictors of upper extremity tendonitis.

Upper extremity tendonitis (UET) associated with work activity is common but the true incidence and risk factors can best be determined by a prospective cohort study. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years.

Predictors of upper extremity discomfort: a longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers.

Upper extremity discomfort associated with work activity is common with a prevalence of over 50% in many settings. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years.

Case studies of ergonomic interventions in automotive parts distribution operations.

Ergonomic job analysis, intervention design, and intervention implementation are essential components of an ergonomics program designed to reduce worker exposure to risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. As part of a 4-year study to reduce overexertion injuries in the service parts division of a major automaker, intervention case studies were identified that could be used at multiple facilities across the division. Interventions were developed and implemented.

Using multiple information sources to identify opportunities for ergonomic interventions in automotive parts distribution: a case study.

An essential activity in any ergonomics program is determining specific work locations and activities where physical demands place workers at increased risk of sustaining an overexertion injury. To do this, safety and health professionals rely on a variety of information sources to identify and prioritize opportunities for ergonomic interventions. As part of a 4-year project to reduce overexertion injuries in the service parts division of a major auto maker, a study was performed in 19 parts distribution centers to evaluate the contributions of the following information sources in identifying specific high-risk work locations and activities: (1) archival medical/injury records, (2) identification of "problem tasks" by plant-based ergonomic committees, (3) facility walk-throughs by experienced ergonomists, and (4) detailed ergonomic job analyses.

Developing ergonomic solutions for prevention of musculoskeletal disorder disability.

Numerous models have been proposed to help understand the relationship between personal and work factors that affect participation in work. The authors use a generic version of these models as a framework for identifying gaps between job demands and worker capacities. They describe metrics for assessing factors associated with causing or aggravating musculoskeletal disorders.

High-pressure xenon detectors for gamma-ray spectrometry.

The main results of long-term research on compressed xenon detector properties conducted at the laboratory of cosmic physics of MEPhI are given along with a description of the latest gamma-ray spectrometers based on this work. It is shown that using xenon as working substance, it is possible to create a gamma-ray spectrometer with high energy resolution. The construction and the main physical, technical and operation performances of xenon gamma-ray spectrometers based on ionization chambers of various configurations are described.

Cross-sectional study of the relationship between repetitive work and the prevalence of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders.

Background: This study examined the relationship of repetitive work and other physical stressors to prevalence of upper limb discomfort, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: Three hundred fifty-two workers from three companies participated. Job exposure levels for repetition and other physical stressors were quantified using an observational rating technique.

Validation of Portable Ergonomic Observation (PEO) method using optoelectronic and video recordings.

The validity of the 'Portable Ergonomic Observation' method (PEO) was investigated against posture measurements based on continuous optoelectronic and video recordings made simultaneously with the observation. Work postures and actions during different frequently changing tasks were analyzed using both methods. In general, a high agreement between measured and observed data was achieved for the duration of clearly identifiable sustained postures and actions (such as repetitive movements of hands when typing), as well as for the frequency of clearly distinguishable actions (such as lifts).

Development and evaluation of an observational method for assessing repetition in hand tasks.

Several physical stressors, including repetitive, sustained, and forceful exertions, awkward postures, localized mechanical stress, highly dynamic movements, exposures to low temperatures, and vibration have been linked to increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Repetitive exertions have been among the most widely studied of these stressors, but there is no single metric for assessing exposure to repetitive work. A new methodology enables repetitive hand activity to be rated based on observable characteristics of manual work.

A biomechanical analysis of methods used for transferring totally dependent patients.

Lifting and transferring patients have been identified as frequent precipitating factors or causes of low back problems among nurses. This study systematically evaluated six different transfer methods (three manual and three mechanical) completed by two female nurses working as a team to transfer two totally dependent patients (heavy, 95 kg and light, 56 kg). The patient transfers were completed on a rehabilitation unit of a large university hospital.

Effect of tool shape and work location on perceived exertion for work on horizontal surfaces.

Thirty subjects drove screws into perforated sheet metal mounted on a horizontal surface using three air-powered tools that varied in shape (right-angle, in-line, and pistol-shaped). The four horizontal work locations ranged from 13-88 cm in front of the body and were placed at 25 cm intervals. The vertical placement of the horizontal beam was at midthigh, elbow, and midchest height.

Perceived exertion and discomfort associated with driving screws at various work locations and at different work frequencies.

Eighteen subjects drove screws with air-powered tools into perforated sheet metal at three vertical and two horizontal work locations using three different work paces (8, 10, and 12 screws/min). Subjects drove screws with a pistol-shaped tool on the vertical orientation at knee, elbow, and shoulder height. They used an in-line tool to drive screws on the horizontal surface.