Air Quality of Work, Residential, and Traffic Areas during the COVID-19 Lockdown with Insights to Improve Air Quality

This study investigated the concentrations of air pollutants (NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, CO, O3, PM10, and PM2.5) at three sites with different traffic loads (work, residential, and traffic sites) before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects and associated potential pollution control implications of the lockdown on the quality of ambient air at three selected sites in the urban area of Riyadh City. The average concentrations of NO, NO2, NOx, and CO decreased during the lockdown period by 73%, 44%, 53%, and 32% at the work site; 222%, 85%, 100%, and 60% at the residential site; and 133%, 60%, 101%, and 103% at the traffic site relative to the pre-lockdown period, respectively. The average concentration of O3 increased by 6% at the work site, whereas the concentration of SO2 increased by 27% at the residential site and decreased by 6.5% at the work site. The changes in PM10 and PM2.5 varied and did not exhibit a clear pattern. The air quality index (AQI) results indicated that the contribution to “undesired” air quality by O3 was 35.29% of the lockdown period at the work site while contributions to undesired air quality by PM10 and PM2.5 were 75.6% and 100% at the work site, 94.5% and 100% at the residential site, and 96.7% and 100% at the traffic site, respectively. The findings of this study are useful for devising effective urban pollution abatement policies. Applying control measures comparable to the lockdown measures over one week will result in a decrease of approximately 19% and 15% in CO mean concentration and 25% and 18% in NO2 mean concentration at residential and traffic sites, respectively.

ANXIETY-DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION DURING A PERIOD OF CONFINEMENT IN MOROCCO

Summary:Facedwith the spread of the coronavirus, the Moroccan population is in confinement, thisperiod of confinement isdifficult to live for all and especially for somevulnerable people, they are worried for theirhealth and that of theirfamilies, and theyriskhavingpsychologicalrepercussionsanxio- depressive, whichnegatively influences theirsocio-professional life. Objective: to measure the degree of depression and anxiety in the general population during a period of confinement Method: cross-sectional, descriptive and analyticalstudyconductedfrom 30 April to 10 August 2020, using a questionnaire, including the BECK scales for depression, the GAD (GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder) for anxiety Results: 632 responseswerecollected, of which 70.8% werewomen, 40.9% werebetween 18 and 30 yearsold, 47.8% were single, 76% hadhighereducation, 14.4% had a psychiatrichistory. 64.8% of the participants haddepression, of which 28.6% hadmilddepression, 24.3% hadmoderatedepression, 11.9% hadseveredepression and 8.3% hadanxiety. Age, presence of children, marital status, agreement to confinement, workduring confinement and type of occupation;presented a statisticallysignificantdifferencewith a P <0.005 between the 2 groups presenting or not a depression. Univariatelogisticregressionanalysisshowedthat the presence of anxiety (OR = 7.307; 95% CI: 2.4977 -21.379), and physicalpresence at the work site compared to the non-work group (OR = 0.5097; 95% CI: 0.2728 -0.950) wereindependentlyassociatedwith the occurrence of depression. Conclusion: Exploration of depression and anxietyconcludedthattherewas a definite impact of containment on the general population in Morocco. Research data are needed to developstrategies to reducepsychological impacts and psychiatricsymptomsduring the epidemic.

Lessons Learned During Large-Scale Implementation Project Focused on Workplace Lactation Practices and Policies

Purpose This practice-based research funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on the translation of evidence-based practices and policies into real-world applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study to research the implementation process for lactation accommodations and policies for work sites. Design or Approach Pre-/post-test evaluation of work-site lactation accommodations, and 6-month follow-up with business that worked on the project. Setting/Participants 34 businesses across New Hampshire. Method The team developed work-site selection criteria to award mini-grants; developed trainings and a toolkit; and worked with 34 businesses over a 3-year period. Pre-/post-implementation data were collected using the CDC work-site scorecard. A 6-month follow-up phone interview was conducted with each site. Results We assessed the CDC scorecard and evaluated the challenges of implementing lactation spaces by industry. In our 6-month follow-up, we found that spaces were still being utilized and we identified specific research to inform practical evidence-based applications and lessons learned when implementing a work-site lactation space. Conclusion We successfully provided financial/technical support to develop or improve 45 lactation spaces, with policies and practices to support mothers and families for 34 businesses. We identified key takeaway lessons that can be used to guide the development of lactation spaces and policies in work sites. Sites self-report that these work-site changes were sustainable at 6-month follow-up.

Analysis of human object lifting operation force using power assist device

We carry various objects at the work site. At that time, you may have a heavy object, which requires muscular strength. However, setting such restrictions reduces the number of people who can participate in the work. Therefore, I think that it can be improved by using a power assist device. However, the power assist device has a problem in operability. When we use an assist device to lift an object, we feel sensation different than usual. At that time, we can feel discomfort and unstable. Analyze what kind of operation is performed when a person feels uncomfortable. For that purpose, we set a weight and some lifting conditions and conducted an experiment.

Air Quality of Work, Residential, and Traffic Areas During the COVID-19 Lockdown with Insights to Improve Air Quality

This study investigated the concentrations of air pollutants (NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, CO, O3, PM10, and PM2.5) at three sites with different traffic loads (work, residential, and traffic sites) before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects and associated potential pollution control implications of the lockdown on the quality of ambient air at three selected sites in the urban area of Riyadh City. The average concentrations of NO, NO2, NOx, and CO decreased during the lockdown period by 73%, 44%, 53%, and 32% at the work site, 222%, 85%, 100%, and 60% at the residential site, and 133%, 60%, 101%, and 103% at the traffic site relative to the pre-lockdown period, respectively. The average concentration of O3 increased by 6% at the work site, whereas the concentration of SO2 increased by 27% at the residential site and decreased by 6.5% at the work site. The changes in PM10 and PM2.5 varied and did not exhibit a clear pattern. The air quality index (AQI) results indicated that the contribution to “undesired” air quality by O3 was 35.29% of the lockdown period at the work site while contributions to undesired air quality by PM10 and PM2.5 were 75.6% and 100% at the work site, 94.5% and 100% at the residential site, and 96.7% and 100% at the traffic site, respectively. The findings of this study are useful for devising effective urban pollution abatement policies. Applying control measures comparable to the lockdown measures over one week will result in a decrease of approximately 19% and 15% in CO mean concentration and 25% and 18% in NO2 mean concentration at residential and traffic sites, respectively. Significant mitigation of urban air pollution could be accomplished through intermittent implementations of strict pollution control measures.

Archivists at Work: Stress and Mood Effects in a Gendered Profession

ABSTRACT Although much has been written about both the gendering of the archival profession and how gender impacts work in society, empirical data are insufficient to document how they combine to specifically influence archivists and archival work. This study examines gender differences as a factor in individual and work-site characteristics of archivists. Six central questions are used to explore the role of gender in the intensity or stressfulness of work, organizational climate where archival work is done, administrative support for archivists, and mood. Methodology, results, and suggestions for future research are presented.

Mathematical models of water surface for geodetic support of construction in agro-industrial complex

The purpose of the study was to analyze the possibilities of using mathematical models of the water (level) surface of rivers and reservoirs for the transfer of elevations. The use of an empirical mathematical model obtained for the Irtysh River near the city of Omsk makes it possible to determine the heights in the investigated area with an accuracy of about 0.1 m. To determine the level of the water edge at the selected area, it is necessary to obtain: the mark of the water edge at the gauging station; the distance along the river from the gauging station to the work site. It is advisable to fix the water level at the gauging station and the work site simultaneously. For the elevation transfer from one river bank to another by the III class leveling program, the authors propose the technology of laying temporary benchmarks on the banks, fixing the level using special devices, and transferring the elevations of the fixed water level to temporary benchmarks. The technology contains the devices of simple design for accurate level fixing. The factors influencing the accuracy of the height transmission are: fixing the water level, the centrifugal forces of the flow, the Coreolis force caused by the rotation of the Earth, and the wind surge. The authors calculated the expected values of errors determining the accuracy: for fixing the level it was about 1 mm according to the proposed method; the height difference at the banks due to the forces of Coreolis was 0.007 m; the influence of centrifugal forces at a turning radius of 500 m causes a difference in heights at opposite banks of 0.1 m. In the result, the authors proposed the recommendations developed for transferring heights from one river bank to another using a class III leveling program, which ensure the specified accuracy.

Computer wireless network integration technology in equipment state data collection

The paper introduces a handheld integrated power data acquisition and analysis equipment based on a computer wireless network mobile platform, an intelligent transportation inspection box. The intelligent transportation inspection box acts as a bridge between the transportation inspection work site side and the power grid company center to realize data and resource sharing between the site and center sides. The application of intelligent operation and inspection boxes based on computer wireless network integration technology is essential for improving the professional and intelligent level of on-site operation and maintenance, improving the efficiency of operation and inspection work and the ability to control equipment status, strengthening state maintenance and auxiliary decision-making, and promoting the construction of smart grids significance.

Screening of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Upper Limb Disorders Using the SALTSA Protocol: A Work-Site Study in Belgium

Background: Long-term absenteeism continues to rise in Belgium and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been considered a primary cause. However, there is still uncertainty about the prevalence of MSDs, and about the contribution of work-related factors in the etiology of MSDs. SALTSA, which was developed in 2001, is a European diagnostic criterion document that aims to standardize the reporting of work-related upper limb MSDs (ULMSDs). The purpose of this work-site study was to implement SALTSA in daily occupational health practice and to determine the prevalence of ULMSDs in a Belgian company. Methods: During health examinations, occupational health nurses and an occupational health physician screened employees in a company with ergonomically high-risk activities for the occurrence of ULMSDs using the SALTSA protocol. In order to explore associations between ULMSDs and lifestyle and work-related factors, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Findings: Three hundred and eight (94.0%, 308/328) employees were screened resulting in an ULMSD prevalence of 20.5% (95% CI = [16.0–25.3]). Rotator cuff syndrome was the most common condition. Prevalence varied significantly between men (9.6%, 95% CI = [5.6–14.9]) and women (35.0%, 95% CI = [26.9–43.9]). Being female ( p < .001) and working in the cabling assembly unit ( p = .002) were found to be significant predictors of ULMSDs. Conclusion/Application to Practice: By using the SALTSA protocol in occupational health practices, ULMSDs can be screened unequivocally, enabling comparisons between different occupational sectors and countries. Occupational health nurses can play an important role in detecting and screening MSDs among workers.