Search

In Croatia, every twelfth child (0-19 years old) grows up with a developmental disability (CDD), one of seven adults is a person with a disability (PWD). Although the majority of citizens know, and a quarter of them often meet CDD and PWD, ignorance and discomfort are noticeable, as well as mistakes in everyday encounters despite good intentions. Every seventh 4th grade elementary school student thinks he/she can or is not sure if he/she can become deaf if he/she plays with a deaf child. More than a quarter of them would do what they assume is helping a blind person, without asking them if and what kind of help they need, and more than half of their parents would not communicate with a blind person in a situation that directly concerns them. The readiness of parents for their children to socialize with children with developmental disabilities decreases as the closeness and intensity of socializing increases. This was shown by the Creative Backbone Center research conducted on 582 respondents - 4th grade elementary school students and their parents, from 11/2022. until 04/2023. Less than a third of parents say that they know how to communicate with PWDs, but more than 90% of them claim that they have explained to their child how to do it. Only half of the children remembered that conversation. Numerous studies confirm that the chances of creating an inclusive society are greatest if the building of attitudes begins at an early stage of education when positive exposure changes negative attitudes in a short time and builds desirable attitudes. Students in the lower grades of elementary schools in Croatia are somewhat informed about PWDs through classes, but the problem is the application of the information obtained, which should be given much more attention.

Noise and whole-body vibrations (WBV) inside commercial vehicles can lead to annoyance and reduced comfort. As a result, negative effects on the driver can occur even below the legal exposure limits. In order to understand the annoyance perception and the interaction between noise and WBV, two perception experiments were conducted. For both experiments, recorded signals inside different commercial vehicles were used. Sound pressure and acceleration levels varied. In addition, the frequency content of the recorded vertical seat vibrations was reproduced in different modified variants. The varied parameters (sound pressure level, acceleration level and vibration frequency) were investigated within a three-factorial experimental design. It was found that noise and vibration levels, as well as the vibration spectrum, had a significant effect on total annoyance. Furthermore, an interaction between noise and vibration levels in both experiments could be observed. The results show that for the highest noise level, changing vibration exposure influences annoyance ratings less than the lowest noise level. The results also show that despite the same Wk-weighted RMS level of the WBV according to ISO 2631-1, vibration spectra with sinusoidal components or narrowband vibrations below

As part of ongoing practice-as-research that explores ‘difference, collisions, incompatibilities’ (Etchells, 1999: 56) in collaborative working, this Perspectives article focuses discussion on a series of performances I have set up since 2019 where I invite a group of participants to gather around a table with a sheet of paper and a marker pen and are then invited to hold the pen together at the same time and move the pen together across the page to mark the paper, responding to a series of sonic stimuli Having explained the process and contextualised the work in relation to earlier iterations of my practice, I will then share and consider a selection of reflective remarks by participants having taken part. Chiefly, I will refer to the most iteration of the activity at Radical Repetition which I curated for London Critical Thought Conference. Part of this section of the discussion will include an exchange between myself and fellow collaborator Nick Eisen about our experiences at Radical Repetition and subsequent iterations including how we may translate the performance to the virtual/digital/online space. I will conclude my discussion by sharing briefly how I remediate the finished drawings resulting from these performances through the medium of film.

Musculoskeletal disease is a common cause of chronic pain that is often overlooked and inadequately treated, impacting the quality of life of humans and horses alike. Lameness due to musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in horses, but the perception of pain by owners is low compared with veterinary diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to establish and validate a pain scale for chronic equine orthopaedic pain that is user-friendly for horse owners and veterinarians to facilitate the identification and monitoring of pain in horses. The newly developed musculoskeletal pain scale (MPS) was applied to 154 horses (mean age 20 ± 6.4 years SD) housed at an equine sanctuary, of which 128 (83%) suffered from chronic orthopaedic disease. To complete the MPS, the horses were observed and videotaped from a distance while at rest in their box or enclosure. In addition, they received a complete clinical and orthopaedic exam. The need for veterinary intervention to address pain (assessed and executed by the sanctuary independent from this study) was used as a longitudinal health outcome to determine the MPS’s predictive validity. To determine the interrater agreement, the MPS was scored for a randomly selected subset of 30 horses by six additional blinded raters, three equine veterinary practitioners, and three experienced equestrians. An iterative process was used to refine the tool based on improvements in the MPS’s correlation with lameness evaluated at the walk and trot, predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, and interrater agreement. The intraclass correlation improved from 0.77 of the original MPS to 0.88 of the refined version (95% confidence interval: 0.8–0.94). The refined MPS correlated significantly with lameness at the walk (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) and trot (r = 0.5, p

Introduction: Intrapartum ultrasound (IU) is used in the delivery ward; even if IU monitors the labouring women, it could be perceived as a discomfort and even as an“ obstetric violence”, because it is a young technique, not often well ''accepted''. A group of clinicians aimed at obtain an informed consent from patients, prior to perform a translabial ultrasound (TU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of both translabial and transabdominal IU. Methods: In this study, performed at the University Hospital of Bari (Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology), were enrolled 103 patients in the first or second stage of labor in singleton cephalic presentation. A statistical frequency and an association analysis were performed. As a significant result, we consider the peace of mind/satisfaction and the” obstetric violence”. IU was performed both transabdominal and translabial to determine the presentation, head positions, angle of progression and head perineum distance. During the first and second stage of labor, the ASIUG questionnaires (Apulia study intrapartum ultrasonography group) were administered. Results: 74 (71, 84%) patients underwent IU and 29 had a vaginal examination (28, 15%). Significant less “violence” has been experienced with a IU (73 out 74/98, 65%) and only one person (1 /1, 35%) recorded that. On the contrary, 10 patients (10/29) perceived that “violence” (34, 48%) while 19 (65, 52%) did not respond on a similar way, after a vaginal examination (VE). More patients felt satisfaction (71 out 74/95, 95%) with the use of IU and only 3 (3/4, 05%) felt unease. A different picture was evident in the vaginal examination group. Only 17 patients (17 out 29/58, 62%) felt comfort while 12 (41, 38%) felt unease. Conclusions: In our study, IU use is well accepted by most of patients, because it could reassure women about their fetal condition. Moreover, they can see the fetus on the screen, while the obstetrician is performing the US and this is important for a visual feedback, in comparison with the classical VE.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgeons who regularly perform endoscopy are more likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders than other internal medicine specialists, a difference that attributed to repetitive movements, poor postures, and sub-optimal equipment design. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design, build, and evaluate an endoscope holder for reducing the static load applied by the weight of the endoscope, in order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in the surgeon's hand, shoulder and back issues regions. METHODS: A new endoscope holder was designed according to ergonomic design principles. The designed holder was evaluated by surface electromyography (sEMG) and discomfort assessment including 15 laparoscopic surgeons. The results were analyzed with centrality statistics and compared with the independent t-test using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The evaluation of the new endoscope holder shows a statistical significant decrease in the average electrical activity of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, lateral deltoid, T9 Thoracic erector spinae, L4 Lumbar erector spinae, and external oblique after using the holder (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results shows that using the new endoscope holder is associated with a lower level of discomfort, as well as a lower induced muscle activity. The results also highlight the need to upgrade the holder to offer rotability in all directions (perpendicular to the ground) which will be included in the next design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related functional decline often leads to reduced reach capabilities. This study investigated the self-perceived discomfort experienced by older women with and without osteoarthritis (OA) and young women while reaching for items on various shelf heights. A simulation of six grocery store shelf heights was created in the laboratory, and a perceived discomfort scale measured the discomfort in selecting products from different heights. A body diagram was used to document discomfort at specific body locations. Results from a 3 (groups-older women with and without OA and young women without OA) × 6 (shelf height conditions) ANOVA indicated that discomfort was lowest for shelf heights ranging from 23.5 to 57.5 inches. Older women had significantly higher discomfort mean scores than young women, but there were no statistically significant differences in perceived discomfort scores between the older women with and without OA. Older women with OA reported maximal discomfort at the shoulder for the highest shelf height (72 inches) and lower back for the lowest shelf (4 inches). Maximum participants reported no discomfort in any body part for shelf heights ranging from 23.5 to 57.5 inches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research intends to examine the impact between the conflict of work-family and the psychological distress of permanent employees working in the manufacturing sector of Lahore. We further discussed workplace ostracism which plays the role of mediator in this particular relationship and the moderating role of resilience with specific theory. The study of psychological distress is a vast concept but not still focused on previous studies in this way and this study focused excitedly on it. The pressure that is related to work is known to be a basic issue that applies an impact on employees and also impacts the whole execution of an organization. stress-related issues incorporate high non-appearance, huge turnover, protests by employees, or relational conflicts. The survey was conducted through permanent employees for at least one year working in the manufacturing sector in Lahore. The data was gathered from 230 employees through convenience sampling, an adopted questionnaire with a cross-sectional deductive positivist approach was used, the explanatory research design, and descriptive research. The reliability, correlation, and standard deviation were tested for statistical analysis of research and used process Hayes for mediation moderation analysis. However, the workplace ostracism playing the role of mediating in this particular relationship and the moderating role of resilience exist in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Wheelchair tennis (WT) players are prone to developing shoulder and upper-limb injuries due to the combination of wheelchair propulsion, overhead activities, and training loads. Despite these characteristics, little is known about possible associations between reported pain and injuries and the psychological health perceptions of experienced athletes. The objective of this study was to verify the existence of correlations between pain in the upper limbs (UL) with psychobiological aspects after the return to activity following the confinement period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: 18 WT athletes (16 males and 2 females; age: 31.2 ± 10.4; weight: 65.8 ± 16.8; height: 160 ± 30; BMI: 29.6 ± 21.5) participated in the study. For data collection, five instruments were used: (1) the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, (2) the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, (3) the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire, (4) the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire and, (5) the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed by correlation and simple linear regressions. We adopted p < 0.05 as the significance threshold. Results: No significant correlations were found between pain in the upper limbs and psychobiological aspects. However, the dimension of physical and emotional exhaustion correlated with anxiety (R² = 0.257; p = 0.032) and devaluation in sport was associated with poor sleep quality (R² = 0.324; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Although there are no correlations between pain in the upper limbs and psychobiological strain, mental aspects influence each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we present VaccineHero, an extended reality system that aims to reduce children's discomfort during vaccination. In our proposal, the child wears a headset during vaccination and watches a VR short story. The story includes a hero touching the child's arm, and the doctor synchronises the insertion of the needle with the VR content so that the child is efficiently distracted. A clinical trial has been carried out involving two doctors and a cohort of 16 children, which showed that the use of VaccineHero reduces children's discomfort during vaccination by a staggering 40% and completely eliminates extreme discomfort. The implemented solution is extremely affordable, as it can be deployed on simple headsets or even Cardboard devices, a feature that makes it a realistic option for any paediatric practice. It can also be extended to support other medical activities that involve needles, such as blood drawing and blood donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Physical inactivity is linked to chronic illnesses and disabilities among workers, especially those in high demanding jobs like teachers. Despite the global prominence of sedentary behavior research, studies drawing the relationships between physical inactivity and multimorbidity among working teacher populations in low-and middle-countries remain untapped. This study assessed the sedentariness and health status of primary school teachers in Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. Method: This cross-sectional survey employed 1109 primary school teachers from the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana, targeting the entire population. Results: Generally, the teachers were highly sedentary and reported poor health status. Other results showed no difference in sedentariness across gender, (n = 1107, t= -0.32, p > 0.05). However, female teachers suffer more pain and discomfort, (n = 1103.51), t = − 3.07, p < 0.05), anxiety and depression, (n = 1099.56), t = − 2.85, p < 0.000), and poor health status (n = 1107), t = 2.14, p < 0.05), than their male counterparts. Also, pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression, health status and years of work significantly predicted sedentariness among the teachers, F (4, 1104) = 5.966, p = 0.00, R = 0.145, R2 = 0.029, adjusted R2 = 0.018. Conclusion: The findings suggest that individualized or personalized interventions are urgently needed to promote regular physical activity to improve the health status and reduce associated complications on the health and well-being, especially among the female primary school teachers. Given the health risks of sedentary lifestyle, behavioral interventions at the person-level (i.e., individualized- routine weekly physical activity programs) and built environmental restructuring (e.g., creation of walkways to encourage regular walking) could be done to improve physical activity behavior among teachers within the Cape Coast Metropolis, and perhaps beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy exercise is a form of exercise or structured training. Regular exercise will improve blood circulation, strengthen muscles and stretch joints and can reduce disorders that commonly occur during pregnancy such as aches, back pain, stiff muscles, constipation, and reduce swelling of the legs. Doing regular pregnancy exercises can reduce lower back pain, one of which is by kneeling movements, rotating the pelvis, bending the buttocks, bending the knees, chest. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of health education about pregnancy exercise using audio visual media on the interest of pregnant women at the Permata Hati Karanganyar Clinic. This research is quantitative research with the form of a preliminary experimental design. This research method is pre-experimental research with a one-group-pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 32 respondents. The techniques used for this analysis are univariate and bivariate. Based on the Wilcoxon test results, a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05 so it can be concluded that there is a significant influence of providing health education about pregnant women's exercises using audio-visual media on the interest of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hand size, strength, and stature all impact a surgeon's ability to perform Traditional Laparoscopic Surgery (TLS) comfortably and effectively. This is due to limitations in instrument and operating room design. This article aims to review performance, pain, and tool usability data based on biological sex and anthropometry. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched in May 2023. Retrieved articles were screened based on whether a full-text, English article was available in which original results were stratified by biological sex or physical proportions. Article quality was discussed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data were summarized in three main themes: task performance, physical discomfort, and tool usability and fit. Task completion times, pain prevalence, and grip style results between male and female surgeons formed three meta-analyses. Results: A total of 1354 articles were sourced, and 54 were deemed suitable for inclusion. The collated results showed that female participants, predominantly novices, took 2.6–30.1 s longer to perform standardized laparoscopic tasks. Female surgeons reported pain at double the frequency of their male colleagues. Female surgeons and those with a smaller glove size were consistently more likely to report difficulty and require modified (potentially suboptimal) grip techniques with standard laparoscopic tools. Conclusions: The pain and stress reported by female or small-handed surgeons when using laparoscopic tools demonstrates the need for currently available instrument handles, including robotic hand controls, to become more size-inclusive. However, this study is limited by reporting bias and inconsistencies; furthermore, most data was collected in a simulated environment. Additional research into how anthropometric tool design impacts the live operating performance of experienced female surgeons would further inform this area of investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In online learning, students often experience problems related to the use of technology. One of them is enterprise resource planning (ERP) technology. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the technology readiness index (TRI) to measure the extent to which students' readiness for ERP gamification. This research targets students who use ERP gamification during management information systems and accounting information systems courses. The technique of determining the sample is using a census. So that all the population is used as a sample of 153 students in Indonesia, then analyzed using TRI. Through TRI analysis using SEM PLS, most students studying ERP gamification have a medium readiness index. The findings of this research showed that students are very close to technology, so they have a strong adoption of technology. Most students have an explorer character where they are enthusiastic and have high curiosity about learning ERP gamification. Pioneers who need a little encouragement from external parties to adopt ERP gamification. However, typical skeptics should be given a concrete example of the benefits of using ERP in learning. This research is also a benchmark for developing technology-based learning media according to the characteristics of students who are intended for technology in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates the prevalence and management of pain and discomfort associated with prosthodontic appliances, including dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implants, among a diverse sample of 500 participants. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, collecting data on demographic characteristics, prevalence, and severity of pain and discomfort, and management strategies. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, was used to explore associations. Results: Dentures had the highest prevalence of pain and discomfort (45%), followed by crowns (30%), bridges (22%), and dental implants (18%). Mean severity scores were highest for dental implants (4.5), followed by dentures (5.2), bridges (4.1), and crowns (3.8). Demographics, including age, gender, education level, and socioeconomic status, influenced these experiences. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for individualized care and patient education, especially for procedures associated with higher discomfort levels. It underscores the importance of considering patient expectations and tailoring treatment recommendations. Further research should explore factors contributing to pain and discomfort and the effectiveness of management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is a complex multidimensional feeling combined with sensorial and emotional features. The majority of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment report various degrees of pain, which is perceived as widely variable between individuals, even when the stimulus is the same. Orthodontic pain is considered the main cause of poor-quality outcomes, patients' dissatisfaction, and lack of collaboration up to the interruption of therapy. A deep understanding of pain and how it influences a patient's daily life is fundamental to establishing proper therapeutic procedures and obtaining the correct collaboration. Because of its multifaced and subjective nature, pain is a difficult dimension to measure. The use of questionnaires and their relative rating scales is actually considered the gold standard for pain assessment. Choosing the most appropriate instrument for recording self-reported pain depends on a patient's age and cognitive abilities. Although several such scales have been proposed, and a lot of them are applied, it remains uncertain which of these tools represents the standard and performs the most precise, universal, and predictable task. This review aims to give an overview of the aspects which describe pain, specifically the pain experienced during orthodontic treatment, the main tool to assess self-perceived pain in a better and more efficient way, the different indications for each of them, and their correlated advantages or disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a 2-week self-administered gentle mechanical skin stimulation on chronic neck and shoulder discomfort. In participants (n = 12) with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort, subjective measures of pain sensation, discomfort, and difficulty in moving using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–10) and objective measures of 12 different joint range of motions (ROMs) for the cervical and shoulder regions, using a digital goniometer, were collected before and after self-care with contact acupuncture, called microcones. The self-care for 2 weeks significantly (p

Falls at height are among the major causes of fatal accidents at work, especially in the construction sector. Maintaining balance while performing a tool with both hands generates physical efforts and mental loading that needs to be managed for workers’ safety and health. The purpose of the study is to compare perceived (dis)comfort (overall and localized), the ergonomic risk, and the perceived effort through the acquired postures that subjects assumed during the execution of simple and common tasks both on a ladder and on the ground. 26 subjects were asked to perform four tasks in both conditions: top screwing, frontal screwing, object picking from the bottom forward, and object picking from the bottom sideways. Subjective and objective data were gathered for assessing subjective experience (discomfort and effort, perceived) and ergonomic risk. Results highlighted few ergonomic risk differences among “on ladder” and “on ground” tasks, while subjective data reveal significant differences in different scenarios. Furthermore, the knees and neck areas are the most critical ones.

IntroductionSensory discomfort occurs in clinical and non-clinical populations. While some of the parameters that evoke visual discomfort have been identified, the parameters of sounds that evoke auditory discomfort are largely unknown.MethodsWe presented various sounds and asked participants to rate the discomfort they experienced. In Experiments 1 and 2 tones were presented at frequencies between 0.25-8 kHz and modulated sinusoidally in amplitude at frequencies between 0-32 Hz. In Experiment 3 tones were swept in frequency from 500 Hz-2 kHz at sweep rates of 5-50 per second. In Experiment 4, sweeps varied in frequency range and central frequency.ResultsDiscomfort increased with frequency. The effects of the amplitude modulation and sweep rate on discomfort were relatively small and were experienced mainly at low modulation frequencies and high sweep rates. Individuals who experienced visuo-perceptual distortions in the Pattern Glare (PG) Test reported greater auditory discomfort.DiscussionThis suggests that sensory sensitivity in one modality may occur in another.

Background: To survey the unmet medical needs associated with atrium thrombus screening in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for planned radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Methods: This cross-sectional survey study interviewed 300 patients who underwent their first TEE for planned RFCA. The surveyed information included patients' anxiety, oropharynx pain and discomfort, time expense, and patient satisfaction related to TEE examination. Patient preference for a new atrium thrombus screening technology, hospital length of stay (LOS) of RFCA, and hospital costs of RFCA in these surveyed patients were collected as well. Descriptive statistical methods were used to summarize the collected survey information. Results: Of the 300 interviewed patients, 36.3% reported anxiety before TEE examination, 58.6% reported oropharynx pain related to TEE, and 76.2% reported oropharynx discomforts, mainly including foreign body sensation (54.3%), dry heaves (33.8%), nausea (31.9%), and bleeding (22.9%). Even though 62.3% were satisfied with TEE, 84.3% preferred a new technology to replace TEE. Conducting outpatient TEE took more wait time (4.4 days vs. 0.1 days, p = 0.016) but led to significantly shorter hospital LOS (3.8 days vs. 6.4 days, p

This cross-sectional study examined the biomechanical effects of two active chairs (AC1: had the feature to pedal and slide forward on the seat pan; AC2: a multiaxial motion seat pan) compared to a traditional office chair and standing workstation. Twenty-four healthy participants worked at each of the workstations for 60-min. The following equipment was used: Motion Capture, Electromyography, Ratings of Perceived Discomfort Questionnaire, and Exit Survey. The active protocol had positive effects on the body, including increased neuromuscular activity in the gastrocnemius, increased overall movement, and a more open trunk–thigh angle. Greater discomfort in the buttocks due to the lack of seat pan contour was reported for the AC1 which identified a need for a design modification. While standing, participants' shoulders were less flexed than when sitting in any of the three seats, however, greater discomfort was reported in the lower legs after 1 h of computer work. Practitioner summary: A comparison of four different workstations was conducted to further understand the use of active workstations. Active sitting was found to have positive effects on the body, such as allowing sitters to increase movement while sitting without the high activation of muscular activity. Standing can also provide a positive break from sitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Firefighters are often placed in situations that require high levels of physical exertion, leading to significant strain on firefighters’ musculoskeletal system, predisposing them to musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and/or musculoskeletal injury (MSI). Physical fitness programs are often recommended and justified, in part, to prevent injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal health (MSH) in firefighters. Methods: A total of 308 full-time firefighters took part in the study conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Physical fitness tests encompassed a non-exercise estimation for cardiorespiratory fitness, grip and leg strength for upper and lower body strength, push-ups and sit-ups for muscular endurance, and sit-and-reach for flexibility. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire were used to determine MSIs and MSD, respectively. A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: Every one-unit increase in AbVO2max, push-ups, sit-ups, and sit-andreach decreased the odds of firefighters reporting MSIs by 5% (p = 0.005), 3% (p = 0.017), 3% (p = 0.006), and 3% (p = 0.034), respectively. Every one repetition increase in push-up capacity increased the odds of firefighters reporting neck, elbow and forearm, wrist and hand, and thigh discomfort by 3% (p = 0.039), 4% (p = 0.031), 5% (p = 0.002), and 5%` (p = 0.007), respectively. Every one repetition increase in sit-up capacity increased the odds of firefighters reporting upper back discomfort and thigh discomfort by 5% (p = 0.045) and 7% (p = 0.013), respectively. Conclusion: Maintenance of physical fitness is likely beneficial in reducing MSIs, which, however, may increase the feeling of MSD in firefighters. In addition, it may be noticed that there is an ideal level of physical fitness that is conducive to the reduction of MSIs and should be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find out the prevalence of convergence insufficiency (CI) in patients suffering from headache. Study Design: Cross Sectional, Observational study. Setting: Departments of Eye, The Children's Hospitals and The Institute of Child Health, Multan and Govt. Shahbaz Sharif Hospital, Multan. Period: August 2020 to January 2021. Material & Methods: A total of 95 patients between the ages of 08-62 years with a complaint of headache were examined. Both male and female patients having complaint of headache, patients more than 07 years of age and patients with complaint of discomfort and blur vision at near after focusing for few minutes were included. While uncooperative patients, patients less than 07 year of age and patients having systemic and neurological diseases that can cause headache were excluded. Patient's visual acuity (VA) was recorded with Snellen's chart and refraction was done with retinoscopy/auto refractometer. Fundoscopy was carried out to find out any pathology i.e., papilledema. Convergence was checked by pencil push-up test and amplitude of accommodation was measured using RAF rule. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were extracted for categorical variables and mean ± standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables. Results: In this study, we recruited 95 patients with a complaint of headache between the ages of 08-62 years and mean age was 27.80 years. 68 (71.60 %) were female and 27 (28.40 %) were male. These patients were examined to determine the prevalence of convergence inefficiency in patients suffering from a headache. Out of these 95 patients having headache 27 (28.4%) had poor convergence, 42 (44.2%) had weak convergence and 26 (27.4%) had normal convergence. This study suggested that 69 (72.6%) patients with headache had varying degree of CI. Conclusion: Our study suggested that headache is more common in females than males and CI is the most common cause of headache among these patients. These patients should be assessed and treated to relieve their symptoms and enable them to spend a better quality of life. We recommend ophthalmologists and optometrists to measure CI as a part of their routine ophthalmic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction with and dependency on intelligent autonomous systems, may bring about feelings such as discomfort or fear. Users' willingness to accept new technologies can be hampered by unwanted emotions like discomfort, making the study of the onset of discomfort essential for future technology design and implementation. Interest in discomfort has been growing but agreed-upon definitions or models are still wanted. Here, we present a theoretical model of discomfort predicated upon existing models and definitions. Our model emphasizes internal mental processes that guide the formation of discomfort. Specifically, we specify how environmental stimuli are linked to personal needs and expectations, and how that gap between internal and external factors contributes to discomfort. We conclude with a practical example of how our model can apply to the design of autonomous vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perimeter control involves monitoring network-wide traffic and regulating traffic inflow to alleviate hypercongestion. Implementation of transit priority with perimeter control measures, which allow transit into a controlled area without queuing at the perimeter boundary, is an effective strategy in bimodal transportation systems. However, travelers' behavior changes in response to perimeter control strategies, such as shifts in their departure times and transportation modes, have not been fully investigated. Therefore, important questions remain, such as the use of transit during perimeter control with transit priority. This paper examines the travelers' behavior changes in response to perimeter control with transit priority in a mixed bimodal transportation system with cars and flexible route transit (FRT) vehicles. We model departure time and transportation mode choices in such a transportation system with hypercongestion and discomfort in FRT (called the mixed bimodal bathtub model). Initially, we investigate the properties of dynamic user equilibrium without perimeter control. Then, we study the equilibrium patterns during perimeter control with transit priority. Unlike existing works, we find that the number of FRT passengers decreases with time toward the desired arrival time and that FRT may not be used around the peak of rush hour. Furthermore, transit priority may not be sufficient to promote the use of FRT, and additional incentive such as subsidy for lower fares may be required to encourage FRT use during perimeter control. Finally, we show that operating many FRT vehicles does not always decrease the equilibrium cost, even under perimeter control with transit priority. • Develop the bimodal bathtub model of departure time and travel mode choices. • The number of transit passengers decreases with time toward desired arrival time. • Transit may not be used around the peak of rush hour. • Examine the travelers' behavior changes in response to perimeter control strategies. • Transit priority may not be sufficient for transit use under perimeter control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This forum presents a conversation among seven scholars who explore the theme of discomfort in the emergent field of global music history. Prompted by Yvonne Liao and Olivia Bloechl, co-founders of the American Musicology Society's Global Music History Study Group in 2019, these contributions address ideas of globality by decentering knowledge production and productively engage different ways to resist hegemonic pasts, narratives, and processes entrenched at home, whatever and wherever home may be. This forum thus confronts home-based challenges that resist or obstruct the implementation of this decentering principle: What does it mean to locate a "home" and to identify various "discomforts" in the global musical and sonic spheres? How does the thinking of "home" relative to "discomfort" help to theorize the concepts of agency, locality, temporality, community, regionalism, and nationality? All seven articles share one structural feature--an extensive selfintroduction in the spirit of Jessica Bissett Perea's call for "intertribal visiting protocols" developed by critical Indigenous studies. This grounds each contribution by exposing the contingency of arguments and allows for a weaving of themes of space, boundary, and interconnection across articles. The forum's topics range from world-making to relationality, from cripping musical taste to making Siamese music legible to colonial ears, and from listening for political taboos to problematizing "Latin American" music and theorizing intimacy through the notion of "scale" itself. Writing with candor, all contributors bring global music history into uncomfortable terrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens when we pay attention to the sensations of our research? Based on an image and encounter during fieldwork in West Jerusalem, this article traces how a feeling of discomfort both confirms and challenges what we (think we) know about settler colonialism in Palestine/Israel. Rather than dismissing the moments when narratives, objects and exchanges generate unease, I suggest that exploring this 'data' attunes us to how settlers navigate the complex and contradictory conditions of coloniality – how they create resources for living. Structuralist accounts of settler colonialism are not fully capable of engaging this texture, even as they might invoke or attempt to harness emotion through mechanisms including the logic of elimination, settler indigenisation and heteropatriarchy. While thinking with this existing theory, I ask scholars and activists to consider what exceeds our dominant frames, following how affects spill over, attach and circulate among settler subjects in ways that have material consequences. This uneasy approach entails letting things play out, accepting our own implication in power and taking theorisation seriously as an ethical practice. At the same time, it is profoundly future-facing, enabling us to better identify what must be done as we work toward decolonial futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Runa: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre is the property of Runa: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study assessed the effects of movement-based interventions on the complexity of postural changes during prolonged standing. Twenty participants, equally distributed in gender and standing work experience (SWE), completed three simulated prolonged standing sessions: without movement (control), leg exercise and footrest. The amount and complexity of variability in the centre of pressure (COP) and lumbar curvature angle were quantified using linear and nonlinear tools. Lower leg swelling and back/leg discomfort were also monitored. Participants in the SWE group showed significantly greater postural complexity during the standing. Regular leg exercise resulted in significantly higher postural complexity and lower leg discomfort and swelling. The footrest led to significant changes in amount of COP variability. Both interventions significantly reduced back discomfort. Overall, the nonlinear analysis of postural changes provided different findings compared to linear ones, considering the standing time, interventions and standing job experience. Nonlinear results were consistent with leg discomfort and swelling. Practitioner summary: The effect of movement-based interventions on dynamics of postural alterations over prolonged standing were characterised using nonlinear techniques. The effect of standing work experience was also considered. Previous experience of standing jobs and leg movements increase the complexity of postural behaviour over standing period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) is usually the first approach for diagnosis of reproductive tract complaints in all adolescents. However, there are instances when transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is more feasible. Although TRUS is considered more invasive and distressing, evidence-based data are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety in adolescents subjected to TAUS and TRUS and in their caregivers. In this cross-sectional study, data were prospectively gathered using 2 instruments: the adult or child version of the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI or STAIC) and a self-developed survey. TAUS and TRUS are connected with high-level anxiety in patients and moderate anxiety in caregivers, as measured by the STAI/STAIC questionnaires. TRUS-related anxiety, fear, discomfort, and pain in adolescents are significantly higher compared with TAUS. The TRUS-related anxiety of caregivers, as well as the parent-estimated fear, discomfort, and pain of adolescents, is significantly higher compared with TAUS. Anticipated pain connected to TRUS is significantly higher than the post-exam, actually experienced pain. Pain and shame are the main reasons for adolescent anxiety connected with TRUS, whereas shame and unknown experience contribute to TAUS-related anxiety. Given the high level of anxiety associated with both exams, additional support should be provided to patients scheduled for any pelvic ultrasound exam. Given the even higher level of adolescent anxiety related to TRUS, specialists should be encouraged to train in TAUS and make efforts to begin with this approach. Because increased caregiver anxiety could adversely affect a child's reactions, anxiety-reducing interventions should be oriented toward the caregivers as well as the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine whether increasing pressure pain threshold (PPT) through isometric handgrip exercise (HG) affects the number of repetitions completed and discomfort with knee extension exercise (KE) with blood flow restriction (BFR), and examine whether performing additional exercise leads to a further increase in PPT. Forty-one participants completed 2 trials: rest followed by low-load KE with BFR at 80% of resting arterial occlusion pressure (Rest + KE BFR) and low-intensity (30% of maximal strength) HG exercise followed by KE with BFR (HG + KE BFR). Pressure pain threshold was measured before and after exercise at the forearm and tibialis anterior. Results are presented as median difference (95% credible interval). Pressure pain threshold increased at the forearm (Bayes factor [BF10]: 5.2 × 107) and tibialis anterior (BF10: 1.5 × 106) after HG exercise. However, this did not lead to greater repetitions being completed with BFR exercise (0.2 [-0.1, 0.6] repetitions, BF10: 0.07). Pressure pain threshold after BFR exercise was not augmented over that observed with HG exercise (0.02 [-0.15, 0.2] kg·cm-2, BF10: 0.175) at the forearm. More data are needed in the lower body to determine which model best fits the data (BF10: 0.84). Discomfort with BFR exercise was not different between conditions (1.0 [-2.3, 4.4] arbitrary units, BF10: 0.10). The pain-reducing effect of prior exercise did not change the repetitions completed with BFR exercise, suggesting that the change in PPT may not have been great enough to alter performance. Performing additional exercise did not elicit further increases in PPT nor was perceived discomfort to BFR exercise altered by changes in PPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare lower-leg muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort induced by the prolonged standing of security guards wearing regular socks and those wearing 15–20 or 20–30 mmHg compression stockings as intervention. Background: Compression stockings are sometimes used by individuals standing all day at work. However, quantitative evidence showing their potential benefits for lower-leg health issues in healthy individuals during real working conditions is lacking. Method: Forty male security employees participated in the study. All were randomly assigned to the control or one of the two intervention groups (I15–20 or I20–30). Lower-leg muscle twitch force, volume, and discomfort ratings were measured before and after their regular 12-hr standing work shift. Results: Significant evidence of lower-leg long-lasting muscle fatigue, edema, and discomfort was observed after standing work for guards wearing regular socks. However, no significant changes were found for guards wearing either compression stockings. Conclusion: In healthy individuals, compression stockings seem to attenuate efficiently the tested outcomes in the lower leg resulting from prolonged standing. Application: Occupational activities requiring prolonged standing may benefit from 15–20 or 20–30 mmHg compression stockings. As similar benefits were observed for both levels of compression, the lower level may be sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients often present with symptoms of ocular surface discomfort. Although a significant proportion of these changes are related to problems of the tear film, other causes exist. Unfortunately, the nature of the symptoms expressed by the patient is nonspecific and does not have a diagnostic significance. In many instances, there is also a significant disconnect between patient-reported symptoms and physician-determined signs of disease. Hence, a methodical approach is required to properly diagnose and manage the problems in such patients. This includes an understanding of normal interrelationships between the various components that constitute the ocular surface, conditions that can impact these, and the resulting changes that can occur. The importance of recognising the other conditions that may coexist with and exacerbate tear film abnormalities, the history-taking process to determine these, and the examination of the eye and other systems is highlighted. Finally, an algorithmic approach that puts together all of the information from the above is discussed. Following this process can help arrive at the proper diagnosis in patients with ocular surface discomfort and help manage their condition appropriately.

The vaccination of children is a crucial tool to protect both individuals and the world in general from various diseases and pathogens. Unfortunately, the vaccination procedure is not a pleasant one for all children, with many experiencing various levels of discomfort, sometimes reaching intolerable levels. In the first part of this work, we develop VACS, a tool that measures the discomfort children experience during vaccination. VACS takes into consideration the complete timeline of the vaccination experience from the perspective of the child, starting from the moment the child enters the doctor’s office through to their departure, and also the complete range of manifestations of discomfort, ranging from moaning and crying to facial expressions and posture. Their discomfort is quantified as a number from 0 to 25, with zero corresponding to a smooth vaccination and 25 to maximal/unbearable discomfort. In the second part of the work, we apply VACS to 40 vaccinations of children aged 2 to 12. Our findings show that approximately 40% of the children do not face discomfort during vaccination, but for the rest discomfort of varying degrees is observed. We also find that doctors are content with their patients facing considerably higher discomfort levels than what the children themselves are willing to withstand: doctors are content with VACS values up to 19 whilst children start to suffer when the VACS value exceeds 11. Surprisingly, characteristics such as (a) gender, (b) whether the state’s recommended vaccination program has been implemented in full, and even (c) prior negative vaccination experiences are found to be poor predictors of vaccination discomfort. Age on the other hand may be a factor, with younger children experiencing discomfort more often and more intensely; more research is required in order to validate this with higher confidence. The formulation of VACS opens the door for more systematic work towards the mitigation of vaccination discomfort for children.

Introduction: The manufacturing, service professions, and other occupations commonly require their employees to spend more than 2 hours of their workday in an upright position which can potentially cause temporary or permanent health effects. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of anti-fatigue mats on leg muscle discomfort and muscle activity due to prolonged standing. Material and Methods: A total of 100 workers were involved in the study. The control and experimental group stood for 2 hours in a controlled room with or without the anti-fatigue mat while sorting an assortment of mixed items. Borg’s scale questionnaire and EMG signals were used to monitor the muscle discomfort and activity of the respondents. Results: The discomfort ratings and muscle activity in the experimental group were always at lower levels compared to the control group, which meant there was a reduction in mean perceived exertion rating for the knees, calves, and feet, i.e., 1.8, 2.5 and 2.6, respectively. The results showed that there was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference in the Borg’s scale of discomfort ratings and leg muscle activity between both groups. Conclusion: The anti-fatigue mat can have a positive effect in preventing muscle discomfort and reduce muscle activity among the respondents during prolonged standing.