Objective and subjective evaluation of the use of protective clothing on the thermal strain and mental workload of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Background: Nurses are among high-risk occupational groups during the outbreak of epidemics. Therefore, these people are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Previous studies have shown that the use of personal protective equipment can affect people's thermal strain and mental workload.

Determining the effect of environmental factors, work postures and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders in rescue workers and accidents of one of the water and sewage companies in Iran.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important problems faced by ergonomists today.

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of weather conditions, working conditions and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders of rescuers and water and sewage company accidents in hot and cold seasons.

Methods: The present study was a longitudinal study that was performed on all employees of rescue and disaster teams of Shiraz Water and Sewerage Company in Iran (184 people) by census.

Investigating the effect of workwear textile modification with nanometal-embedded PMMA polymer by a spray method on textile air permeability, bending stiffness and surface temperature induced by near-infrared.

This study aimed to optimize modification of cotton-polyester textiles of workwear in terms of air permeability (AP), bending stiffness (BS) and near-infrared (NIR) reflectance using nanometal-embedded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer by a spray method. This experimental study was carried out to modify cotton-polyester textiles using nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (AlO), tin oxide (SnO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) embedded in PMMA polymer with different weight percentages by a spray method under 215-psi pressure. The surface temperature of the textiles induced by the NIR spectrum and their comfort in terms of AP and BS were measured according to Standard No.

Investigating the short-term effects of using full-body hospital personal protective equipment and changes in physical workload intensity on human physiological and cognitive performance.

The present study investigated the short-term effects of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and physical workload intensity on human physiological and cognitive performance among 21 males and 19 females. PPE1 consisted of a medical coverall and surgical mask, while PPE2 consisted of impermeable full-body coverall, shoe covers, latex gloves, N95 mask, and face shield. Objective assessments were heart rate, energy expenditure, core body temperature, clothing microclimate temperature and humidity, and cognitive performance were the continuous performance test and N-Back test.

Effect of temperature reduction of the prefrontal area on accuracy of visual sustained attention.

Detection of sensitive signs in many work environments with automated systems (aviation industry, flight safety tower, maritime industry, monitoring in the military industry, etc.) is essential and requires constant visual attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of forehead cooling on the accuracy of stable visual attention.

An observational study to assess circulating nurses' non-technical skills.

Background: Non-technical skills are cognitive and social skills that are necessary for safe and efficient practices in operating theatre. These skills are inseparable parts of circulating nurses' duties and help them have a good performance during surgical processes. Circulating nurses' non-technical skills have not been closely measured, and much uncertainty still exists about the quality of their skills.

Application of the HEART method to enhance patient safety in the intensive care unit.

Background: The intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex, dynamic, high stress and time-sensitive place. While a variety of rules and regulations provided to reduce medication errors in recent years, many studies have emphasized that medication errors still happen.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation is to predict, reveal and assess medication errors among surgical intensive care unit (SICU) nurses.

Evaluation of oxidative stress and biochemical biomarkers, and psychological parameters in cement plant workers.

The cement industry is one of the main world industries with exposure to a wide range of hazardous chemical and physical occupational agents that may increase free radicals and lead to disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress, biochemical markers, and psychological parameters among cement plant workers. In this cross-sectional study, 40 workers exposed to cement and 40 office employees were selected as the exposed and non-exposed groups, respectively.

The Effect of Educational Intervention on the Improvement of Nontechnical Skills in Circulating Nurses.

Background: Nontechnical skills are necessary for clinicians' safe performance and prevention of errors in the operating room. Educational intervention is a useful way to improve these skills, which are a vital area for improvement. Circulating nurses are surgical team members whose work depends heavily on using nontechnical skills.

Covid-19 Effects on the Mental Workload and Quality of Work Life in Iranian Nurses.

Introduction: The mental health of people working in Covid-19 wards (nurses, doctors, etc.) may be compromised due to the specific conditions of the workplace and patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental burden and quality of work life in nurses in intensive care units of Covid-19 patients.

Ergonomic Design of Manual Assembly Workstation Using Digital Human Modeling.

Background: Manual assembly workers are exposed to risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. The most important risk factor among the workers is static and awkward posture. This study aimed to the ergonomic design of manual assembly workstation using Digital Human Modeling (DHM).

Understanding the role of oxidative stress in the incidence of metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Understanding the causes and risk factors of metabolic syndrome is important for promoting population health. Oxidative stress has been associated with metabolic syndrome, and also obstructive sleep apnea. These are two diseases which have common prognostic characteristics for heart disease.

Designing and Fabricating Nano-structured and Micro-structured Radiation Shields for Protection against CBCT Exposure.

Researchers have always been interested in finding new and effective materials for protection against radiation. This experimental study aimed to design and fabricate new types of nano-material and micro-material based shields against the ionizing effect of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) X-rays. To fabricate a flexible prototype, we added dioctyl phthalate (DOP) oil to emulsion polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder.

The influence of ergonomic breastfeeding training on some health parameters in infants and mothers: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Breastfeeding is considered as a protective factor against non-communicable diseases in infants and mothers. The first aim of this study was to assess the influence of ergonomic breastfeeding training on the infants' growth. The second aim was to investigate the effectiveness of this training for improving musculoskeletal disorders in mothers.

Autonomic Nervous System Responses to Whole-Body Vibration and Mental Workload: A Pilot Study.

Background: Whole-body vibration (WBV) and mental workload (MWL) are common stressors among drivers who attempt to control numerous variables while driving a car, bus, or train.

Objective: To examine the individual and combined effects of the WBV and MWL on the autonomic nervous system.

Methods: ECG of 24 healthy male students was recorded using NeXus-4 while performing two difficulty levels of a computerized dual task and when they were exposing to WBV (intensity 0.

The effects of screen light filtering software on cognitive performance and sleep among night workers.

Previous studies have reported impaired performance, sleepiness and sleep deprivation among night workers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of color screen Light Filtering software on cognitive performance, alertness and sleep quality among night shift operators of a medical emergency operations center. This field trial interventional study was carried out among 30 nightshift operators of shiraz emergency control center.

The Effects of Noise and Heat Strain on the Work Ability Index (WAI) among Rubber Factory Workers.

Introduction: Assessing the work ability and factors affecting it is essential in developing strategies for preventing damages and managing risks. This study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effect of noise level and physiological strain as well as individual characteristics on the work ability.

Method: The population in this cross-sectional study included workers of a rubber factory.

Respiratory Exposure to Toxic Gases and Metal Fumes Produced by Welding Processes and Pulmonary Function Tests.

Background: Welding is a common industrial process and is harmful to welders' health.

Objective: To determine the effect of toxic gases and metal fumes produced during 3 welding processes on welders' incidence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an Iranian shipbuilding industrial factory in 2018.

Harmful Outcome of Occupational Exposure to Petrol: Assessment of Liver Function and Blood Parameters among Gas Station Workers in Kermanshah City, Iran.

Background: Petrol is an integral ingredient in industrial world. According to the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, there are typically more than 150 chemicals in petrol, including small amounts of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, and trace amounts of some contaminants, such as lead. The aim of this study was to measure the possible deleterious effect of long-term exposure to petrol on blood parameters and liver function.

Toxic effects of subacute inhalation exposure to trichloroethylene on serum lipid profile, glucose and biochemical parameters in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The current study evaluated the inhalation toxicity of trichloroethylene (TCE) at 0, 10, 100, 250 and 400 ppm in Sprague-Dawley rats for 10 day period, because the subacute inhalation toxicity of TCE on serum lipid profile, glucose and some biochemical parameters has not been previously reported. TCE vapors were generated using the dynamic generation system based on evaporation method in the exposure chamber. On the basis of the results, mean serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and albumin (ALB) decreased significantly in all the groups exposed to TCE compared with the control group (p < .

Evaluation of environmental heat stress on physiological parameters.

Background: Thermal component of the atmospheric environment is an important issue which is related to human's health. Thermal environment includes both heat exchange conditions (stress) and the physiological response (strain). The aim of this study was to measure the association of heat indices (PSI, HSI, Humidex) especially subjective one (STI) with some physiological parameters (Blood pressure, pulse rate and skin temperature).

Maximal Oxygen Consumption, Respiratory Volume and Some Related Factors in Fire-fighting Personnel.

Background: Firefighters for difficult activities and rescue of damaged people must be in appropriate physical ability. Maximal oxygen capacity is an indicator for diagnosis of physical ability of workers. This study aimed to assess the cardiorespiratory system and its related factors in firefighters.

Factors associated with work ability index (WAI) among intensive care units' (ICUs') nurses.

Objectives: Work ability is a crucial occupational health issue in health care settings where a high physical and psychosocial work capacity is required and a high risk of disabling injuries and illnesses is predictable. This study aims to examine the association between the work ability index (WAI) and individual characterizations, workload, fatigue, and diseases among intensive care units' (ICUs') nurses.

Methods: The study sample included 214 nurses selected by a random sampling method from a target population consisting of 321 registered nurses working in eight ICUs.