scholarly journals The Impact of Heavy Load Carrying on Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Among Women in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Jillian L. Kadota ◽  
Sandra I. McCoy ◽  
Michael N. Bates ◽  
Agatha Mnyippembe ◽  
Prosper F. Njau ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aybüke Koyuncu ◽  
Michael N. Bates ◽  
Ziva Petrin ◽  
Myles Cope ◽  
Sandra I. McCoy ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackgroundTrends in urbanization contribute to the growing global demand for raw construction materials. The health effects of load carrying among occupational groups that mine and carry sand and stone used for construction of roads and buildings remains poorly understood.MethodsWe conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study among a convenience sample of sand miners working at an excavation site on the Seti River in Pokhara, Nepal. Load carrying weight, duration, and frequency were used to categorize miners as having “low” or “high” load-carrying exposures. Probable musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were identified using self-reported symptoms of moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain, as well as physical examinations.ResultsThe average loads carried by female and male sand miners weighed 66.3 kg and 87.3 kg, respectively. Among all participants (N=42), 45.2% reported moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain in at least one body region and 16 (38.1%) had probable MSDs identified using specified case criteria. The prevalence of MSDs was lower among miners carrying, on average, heavier loads compared to those carrying lighter loads (ORa=0.29; 95% CI: 0.05, 1.8), possibly indicative of the healthy worker survival effect. Miners carrying loads for longer durations and frequencies had higher odds of MSDs compared with those carrying for shorter durations and frequencies.ConclusionDespite the pervasiveness of load carrying as an income generating activity throughout the developing world, these populations remain largely excluded from global occupational health agendas. Larger epidemiologic studies are needed to justify action to protect the health and safety of these unrecognized and understudied groups.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2378
Author(s):  
Mertol Tüfekci ◽  
Sevgi Güneş Durak ◽  
İnci Pir ◽  
Türkan Ormancı Acar ◽  
Güler Türkoğlu Demirkol ◽  
...  

To investigate the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) addition and consequently porosity, two different sets of membranes are manufactured, since PVP is a widely used poring agent which has an impact on the mechanical properties of the membrane material. The first set (PAN 1) includes polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and the necessary solvent while the second set (PAN 2) is made of PAN and PVP. These membranes are put through several characterisation processes including tensile testing. The obtained data are used to model the static behaviour of the membranes with different geometries but similar loading and boundary conditions that represent their operating conditions. This modelling process is undertaken by using the finite element method. The main idea is to investigate how geometry affects the load-carrying capacity of the membranes. Alongside membrane modelling, their materials are modelled with representative elements with hexagonal and rectangular pore arrays (RE) to understand the impact of porosity on the mechanical properties. Exploring the results, the best geometry is found as the elliptic membrane with the aspect ratio 4 and the better RE as the hexagonal array which can predict the elastic properties with an approximate error of 12%.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1333
Author(s):  
Syed S. U. H. Bukhari ◽  
Alan G. McElligott ◽  
Rebecca S. V. Parkes

There are approximately 112 million working equids in developing countries, many of which are associated with brick kilns. Brick kilns and overloading are associated with welfare problems in working equids. Understanding equids’ abilities and influencing factors are important for both effective performance and welfare. Traditionally, measurement of the amount of ‘bone’ was used, and more recently, gait symmetry has been identified as a potential marker for loading capacity. Assessment of stride parameters and gait kinematics provides insights into adaptations to loading and may help determine cut-off loads. Physiological factors such as the ability to regain normal heart rates shortly after work is an important tool for equine fitness assessment and a more accurate measure of load-carrying capacity than absolute heart rate. Oxidative stress, plasma lactate, and serum creatine kinase activity are reliable biochemical indicators of loading ability. For monitoring stress, salivary cortisol is superior to serum cortisol level for assessment of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and is related to eye temperatures, but this has yet to be interpreted in terms of load-carrying ability in equids. Further research is needed to standardize the evidence-based load-carrying capacity of working horses and donkeys.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Zhanzhan Tang ◽  
Zhixiang He ◽  
Zheng Chen ◽  
Lingkun Chen ◽  
Hanyang Xue ◽  
...  

For an RC beam, the strength of steel rebar, the bonding strength between the concrete and reinforcement, and the bite action between the aggregates will deteriorate significantly due to corrosion. In the present study, 10 RC beams were designed to study the impact of corrosion on the shear bearing capacity. The mechanism of corrosion for stirrups and longitudinal bars and their effects were analyzed. Based on the existing experimental data, the correlation between the stirrup corrosion factor and the cross section loss rate was obtained. An effective prediction formula on the shear bearing capacity of the corroded RC beams was proposed and validated by the experimental results. Moreover, a numerical analysis approach based on the FE technique was proposed for the prediction of the shear strength. The results show that corrosion of the reinforcements could reduce the shear strength of the RC beams. The corrosion of stirrups can be numerically simulated by the reduction of the cross section. The formulae in the literature are conservative and the predictions are very dispersed, while the predictions by the proposed formula agree very well with the experiment results.


2013 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se Ho Kim

In this paper, a frontal crash analysis is carried out with a full vehicle model in order to investigate the influence of stamping effects of auto-body members on the crash characteristics of the vehicle. Stamping effects are considered for load carrying members such as the front side member and the rear lower. From the analysis result considering stamping effects, it is conformed that stamping history has to be considered for longitudinal members simultaneously that transfer the impact load under the frontal impact. Comparison of simulation result with experimental one also shows that the prediction accuracy of the crash analysis is remarkably improved.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
K Engquist ◽  
P Ørbaek ◽  
K Jakobsson

We studied the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on performance in orchestra musicians and in a reference group of actors, who share the mental stress in a performance situation, but without having the physical work load from an instrument. Swedish musicians (n = 103) from symphony and chamber orchestras and actors (n = 106) participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by a further developed Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The impact of pain on performance (pain affecting playing capacity, decreased playing time, and change of technique) and trouble-related sick leave also was assessed. Pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scales. Musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulders was the most frequently reported problem, with similar prevalence among musicians and actors, around 25% for present pain and 20% for chronic pain (1-year prevalence). Around 10% of the musicians and 5% of the actors reported pain in the hands. Oral pain was reported by 12% of the musicians and 18% of the actors. The number of affected body regions and the intensity of pain were similar in the study groups. The musicians had an increased risk for pain affecting playing capacity. For the neck, the prevalence odds ratio (POR) was 3.0 (95%CI 1.2-7.2; adjusted for age and gender). String instrumentalists had higher risk estimates than nonstring instrumentalists. A gender difference was not observed. Pain in the oral region affecting playing capacity was less common in musicians, with a prevalence odds ratio of 0.4 (95%CI 0.1-0.8). Even though the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was similar in the two groups of performing artists, the consequences for the work situation were more serious among musicians.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152
Author(s):  
Mohmmadraiyan M. Munshi ◽  
Ashok R. Patel ◽  
Gunamani B. Deheri

This paper attempts to study a ferrofluid lubrication based rough sine film slider bearing with assorted porous structure using a numerical approach. The fluid flow of the system is regulated by the Neuringer-Rosensweig model. The impact of the transverse surface roughness of the system has been derived using the Christensen and Tonder model. The corresponding Reynolds’ equation has been used to calculate the pressure distribution which, in turn, has been the key to formulate the load carrying capacity equation. A graphical representation is made to demonstrate the calculated value of the load carrying capacity which is a dimensionless unit. The numbers thus derived have been used to prove that ferrofluid lubrication aids the load carrying capacity. The study suggests that the positive impact created by magnetization in the case of negatively skewed roughness helps to partially nullify the negative impact of the transverse roughness. Further investigation implies that when the Kozeny-Carman’s model is used, the overall performance is enhanced. The Kozeny-Carman’s model is a form of an empirical equation used to calculate permeability that is dependent on various parameters like pore shape, turtuosity, specific surface area and porosity. The success of the model can be accredited to its simplicity and efficiency to describe measured permeability values. The obtained equation was used to predict the permeability of fibre mat systems and of vesicular rocks.


Author(s):  
Hye-Eun Lee ◽  
Min Choi ◽  
Hyoung-Ryoul Kim ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi

A possible association between night shift work and musculoskeletal disorder has been suggested. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of decreased night work on musculoskeletal pain. Difference-in-difference estimation was used to compare changes in musculoskeletal pain between shift workers (N = 122) and non-shift workers (N = 170) in a manufacturing company before and after the introduction of a new shift system eliminating overnight work. Musculoskeletal pain was measured by a questionnaire asking if workers had symptoms in specific body parts, including the neck, shoulder, arm/elbow, wrist/hand, back, and leg/foot, over the past year. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate changes in pre- versus post-intervention musculoskeletal pain rates between the treated and control group. In the difference-in-difference (DID) models, prevalence of musculoskeletal pain for shoulder (−10.3%), arm (−12.9%), all sites combined (−9.2%), and upper extremity combined (−14.8%) showed significant decreases from pre- to post-intervention among the treated group (shift workers) compared to the control group (non-shift workers) after controlling for age and weekly working hours. Decreasing night work was related to improvement in musculoskeletal pain in shift workers.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1823 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasir G. Gharaibeh ◽  
Michael I. Darter

The Illinois Department of Transportation has periodically conducted pavement longevity studies to assess the longevities and the traffic loadcarrying capacities of these new and rehabilitated pavements so that any needed improvements to design, construction, or rehabilitation could be identified and implemented in a timely manner. The results of the latest round of pavement longevity studies in Illinois provide performance data updated through 2000 for new hot-mix asphalt concrete (HMAC), jointed reinforced concrete pavement (JRCP), and continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) construction as well as the asphalt concrete (AC) overlays (first, second, and third overlays) of these original pavements. These studies were conducted on more than 2,000 centerline miles of Interstate and other freeways that were constructed beginning in the 1950s in Illinois. Significant findings on the performance of the original pavements and overlays were obtained, and these findings will be of value to designers and managers to improve pavement cost-effectiveness and life. Survival curves have an economic impact on the agency. Key findings show the impact of pavement type (HMAC, JRCP, or CRCP), slab thickness, geographic location (north or south), durability cracking (D-cracking), and AC overlay thickness (coupled with preoverlay condition) on longevity and load-carrying capacity. The results of the probabilistic analysis illustrate the wide variation in pavement life and traffic carried. The study also provides models for predicting the probability of survival for various designs of original pavements and AC overlays in Illinois for use in pavement management.


Author(s):  
Emil Sandoz-Rosado ◽  
Elon J. Terrell

Lamellar atomically-thin sheets such as graphene (and its bulk equivalent graphite) and molybdenum disulfide have emerged as excellent solid lubricants at the macro scale and show great promise as protective coatings for nanoscopic applications. In this study, the failure mechanisms of graphene under sliding are examined using atomistic simulations. An atomic tip is slid over a graphene membrane that is adhered to a semi-infinite substrate. The impact of sliding velocity and substrate rigidity on the wear and frictional behavior of graphene is studied. In addition, the interplay of adhesive and abrasive wear on the graphene coating is also examined. The preliminary results indicate that graphene has excellent potential as a nanoscale due to its atomically-thin configuration and high load carrying capacity.


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