Real-Time Fatigue Evaluation Using Ecological Momentary Assessment and Smartwatch Data: An Observational Field Study on Construction Workers

Managing the fatigue of construction workers is crucial to productivity, quality of work, and accident risk reduction. However, the current practice for assessing fatigue is limited when applied to construction sites. This study proposed a framework to objectively and subjectively evaluate construction workers' fatigue in real-time using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) application and smartwatch data. Fatigue data were collected from 100 construction workers over three days. The results revealed that objective fatigue factors (heart rate and physical activity) were easily affected by the characteristics of the construction field (i.e., starting early, changing and demanding schedules, and overworking hours), whereas subjective fatigue steadily increased with working time. Most workers were aware of physical fatigue at the end of work for the day, when the EMA scores were the highest in a day. However, objective and subjective fatigue did not completely concur throughout the work period. Our findings are expected to improve the management of construction site health and safety with priority given to construction workers. The proposed framework, which utilizes EMA and wearable devices as a fatigue assessment method, reflects the comprehensive aspect of work-related fatigue. © 2023 This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license,.ope

Factors Associated with Poor Quality of Sleep in Construction Workers: A Secondary Data Analysis

This study aimed to explore factors associated with poor quality of sleep in construction workers. This study was cross-sectional, correlational in design and used secondary data from fatigue instrument development study. We analyzed the data from 206 participants aged over 19 years who worked at construction sites for more than 6 months. We used multivariate binary logistic regression to identify the factors associated with poor quality of sleep. We classified the two sleep quality groups based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and almost 63% of them were classified as the poor quality of sleep group. Based on multivariate binary logistic regression (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.317, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.429), the poor quality of sleep group tended to sleep for a shorter duration before the working day, and not only showed lower sleep latency and higher levels of daytime dysfunction and discomfort in daily life, but also had more chronic disease, depressive symptoms, and higher physical fatigue. Our study findings support that there are many modifiable factors associated with poor sleep and a high rate of poor quality of sleep occurred in construction workers. Thus, clinicians should consider providing diverse options for applying interventions to ensure better sleep, fatigue management, and depression prevention in construction workers after considering their unique characteristics.ope

카메룬 여행 후 발생한 종기성 피부 구더기증 1예

Myiasis is defined as an infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae, which at least for a period, feed on dead or living tissue of the host, liquid body substances or ingested food. Among several types of myiasis, cutaneous myiasis is classified as the most common type. Cutaneous myiasis is subdivided into furuncular, migratory and wound myiasis based on the infested morphology. Common dipterous larvae for furuncular myiasis include Dermatobia hominis, Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cuterebra spp., Wohlfahrtia vigil and W. opaca. Early lesions resemble other insect bite reactions, but the physician can differentiate the lesions by the visualization of larvae through an aperture with serous exudes as the larvae grow. Although cutaneous myiasis is not uncommon in endemic areas, there has been one previous report of cutaneous myiasis by C. anthropophaga in the Korean dermatological literature. We report here an interesting case of furuncular cutaneous myiasis by C. anthropophaga in a patient after traveling to Cameroon.ope

Factors related to Depression of Single-Parents with Minor Children: Focusing on the Gender Differences

Purpose This study aimed to investigate gender differences as ecological factors associated with depression of single-parents who lived with minors. Methods This study was secondary data analysis using national data from the 2018 Single Parent Family Survey, including 2,427 participants (1,575 mothers and 852 fathers). Data were analyzed using SPSS/MAC 26.0 program for the descriptive analysis, independent t-tests, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression. Results The depression groups were identified as 17.4% for women and 11.0% for men based on Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In logistic regression, single mothers’ depression was significantly associated with low income, unemployment, low education level, parenting difficulties, a sense of distance from family, and family discrimination experiences. However, single fathers’ depression was significantly associated with low income, unemployment, and parenting difficulties. Conclusion Our study findings suggest that depression interventions should be tailored to different gender groups of the single-parents, specifically socio-emotional factors should be considered for the single mother group.ope

Development of an integrated fatigue measurement system for construction workers: a feasibility study

Background: Construction workers working in physically and mentally challenging environments experience high levels of occupational fatigue, which is the primary cause of industrial accidents and illnesses. Therefore, it is very important to measure fatigue in real time to manage the safety and health of construction workers. This study presents a novel approach for simultaneously measuring the subjective and objective fatigue of construction workers using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and smartwatches. Due to the complexity and diversity of construction site environments, it is necessary to examine whether data collection using smartwatches is suitable in actual construction sites. This study aims to examine the feasibility of the integrated fatigue measurement method. Methods: This study comprised two phases: (1) development of an integrated fatigue measurement system for construction workers, and (2) a validation study to evaluate the method's feasibility based on sensor data acquisition, EMA compliance, and feedback from construction workers in the field (N = 80). Three days of biometric data were collected through sensors embedded in the smartwatches for objective fatigue measurement, including heart rate, accelerometer, and gyroscope data. Two types of self-reported data regarding each worker's fatigue were collected through a researcher-developed EMA application. The acceptability and usability of this system were examined based on the researchers' observations and unstructured interviews. Results: Based on the standardized self-report questionnaire scores, participants were classified into high (n = 35, 43.75%) and low (n = 45, 56.25%) fatigue groups for comparison. The quantitative outcomes did not show a statistically significant difference between the two fatigue groups. Both groups experienced positive emotions and were able to recognize their health condition at the time of self-reporting, but stated that responding to this measurement system could be burdensome. Conclusions: This feasibility study provides a unique understanding of the applications of EMA and smartwatches for safety management in the construction workforce. The developed measurement system shows potential for monitoring fatigue based on the real-time collection of relevant data. It is expected that by expanding this integrated system through further research and onsite application, the health and safety of construction workers can be improved.ope

A study on Cognition and Behavior of Seoullo7017 Visitors -Focusing on implementation of design concept-

학위논문 (석사)-- 서울대학교 대학원 : 환경대학원 환경조경학과, 2018. 2. 조경진.한국의 근대발전사와 함께하면서 대한민국 산업화의 상징이기도 한 서울역고가는 이 후 산업구조의 변화로 그 기능이 축소되고 시간의 흐름에 따른 시설의 노후화 등의 이유로 철거가 예정되었다. 그러나 정부는 서울역 7017 프로젝트라는 이름으로 서울역고가를 보행도로화 하겠다는 계획을 밝혔다. 이 후 전체 프로젝트의 기본 설계 계획안을 위한서울시 7017 프로젝트 국제지명초청현상공모가 개최되었고 7개의 지명 팀 중 비니마스의 서울수목원이 최종 당선되었다. 서울에 서식하는 식물들을 가나다순에 따라 화분형식으로 심어 고가 전체를 수목원이자 나무로 만드는 아이디어를 바탕으로 한다. 서울로 7017은 조성 초기 단계이지만 앞으로 지속가능한 공공공간이 되기 위한 고민이 필요하다. 대상지는 차량이 통제하던 도로에서 보행로로 기능이 바뀐 국내 첫 번째 사례의 공원으로써 기존 다수의 공원들과는 다른 도심의 새로운 공공공간이다. 이에 본 연구는 설계자의 최초 설계의도에 따라 서울로7017에 대한 이용자의 인식 및 행태를 파악하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 연구는 서울시 내의 새롭게 조성된 공공공간에 대한 초기 자료로써 조사된 자료의 결과분석을 통해 문제점, 개선방안 등을 제시하고 앞으로 공간의 이용방안, 대안설계 등 이 후 발생할 다양한 연구의 기초 자료로 기능하는데 의의가 있다. 설계자의 발표와 자료에 따르면 당선된 설계안은 고가도로를 공중정원으로 조성하는 안으로서울수목원(Seoul Arboretum)이라는 대표 컨셉 아래 식물도서관(Plant Library), 도시 활동 유발공간(Nursery for Urban Activity)이자 주변지역과의 연계(Connections to Neighbors)가 이루어지는 공간으로 컨셉을 설정하였다. 식물도서관(Plant Library)이라는 컨셉에 따라 식재는 서울에 자생하는 식물 중 식물의 과(科)의 가나다순으로 식재되었다. 보도 자료에 따르면 설계자는 서울에서 생육 가능한 모든 종류의 식물을 심어 주변지역 녹화사업의 근거이자 기준을 마련하겠다는 구상을 밝힌바 있다. 또한 길에서 일어나는 다양한 활동들이 서울로7017의 전 구간에 걸쳐 균등하게 분배되어 발생하게 하고 대상지 주변에 연결 가능한 공간 또는 주변건물과 서울로7017와 물리적으로 연결하여 도심 활기의 확장이 이루어지도록 한다. 대상지의 시스템과 유지관리에 있어서 각 구간마다 다양한 폭의 너비(Pedestrian Path Width), 화장실과 엘리베이터와 같은 공공편의 시설물(Utility), 운영관리사무실(Maintanance Office) 및 관수시설(Water Supply)등의 시설물이 고려되어졌고 서울로7017의 주변의 학생이나 거주민, 회사원을 위한 프로그램, 노숙자를 위한 정원사 프로그램을 제안하여 지역주민의 참여(Participation of the Locals)를 유도했다. 조사 분석을 통한 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 서울로 7017은 설계자의 의도가 강하게 드러난 공간이고 식물배치 방식이 중점적으로 의도한 부분이었으나 설문조사와 인터뷰를 분석한 결과 인식하지 못하는 사람이 다수를 차지해 이용자를 고려한 시스템 구축마련이 필요한 것으로 파악된다. 그러나 식물지식이 늘었다고 대답한 응답자의 비중은 더 높아 식물의 배치방식을 통해 향후 교육적 이용 가능성이 있음을 시사한다. 둘째, 설계자는 서울로7017의 구간에 따라 길에서 발생하는 다양한 활동을 기대하며 대상지가 도시 활동의 유발공간이 되기를 희망하였으나 프로그램 및 활동 참여 여부 설문에 참여한 적 없다에 응답한 비율이 높은 것으로 보아 현재까지는 활동의 유발공간의 역할은 두드러지지 않으며 개선이 필요하다. 셋째, 서울로7017이라는 수단을 통해 도시 발전 과정에서 교통에 의해 단절된 주변지역을 연결하고 하나로 엮어내는 것이 이 프로젝트의 목적이다. 설문조사결과 주변 환경의 변화, 지역 간 접근의 편리성, 주변지역과 서울로7017의 연결지점 항목에 대해 만족도가 높게 나왔다. 서울로7017이 조성됨에 있어 주변 환경이 개선됨과 동시에 동측과 서측의 물리적 거리감뿐만 아니라 심리적 거리감도 가까워져 생활권 범위 확장에도 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다. 만리동광장 측은 서울로7017이 조성된 후 환경 개선은 이루어졌으나 관광객이나 타지역으로부터 온 방문객들의 이용이 현저히 적어 실질적 연계는 이루어지지 않아 주변지역으로의 확장 및 연결일부 구간에서만 활발하게 이루어지고 있음을 시사한다. 지역주민, 주변지역 직장인들을 대상으로 한 인터뷰를 통해 서울로7017이 단절된 지역을 연결함으로써 생활권의 확장에 영향을 미친 것으로 파악되었다. 특히 서울로7017에 면해있는 주변지역 직장인들의 경우 출․퇴근 혹은 휴식 및 산책을 위해 지속적으로 방문하는 경우가 대다수였다. 이용빈도를 분석한 결과 처음 방문한 이용자의 비율이 과반수였으며 실제 이용자를 대상으로 심층인터뷰를 진행한 결과 일반방문객의 경우 새롭게 조성된 서울로7017을 관광하는데 목적을 둔 경우가 많았다. 조사결과 서울로7017는 일상적으로 이용이 일어나는 생활권공원의 역할보다는 목적성공원의 역할을 하는 것으로 파악된다. 연구의 결과는 향후 개발의 방향을 열어두고 있는 서울로 프로젝트의 성격에 따라 앞으로의 방향성 및 구체적 방안을 마련하는데 있어 도움이 될 것이다.1장 서론 1절. 연구의 배경 및 목적 01 1. 연구의 배경 01 2. 연구의 목적 및 의의 03 2절. 연구의 범위 04 1. 공간적 범위 04 2. 내용적 범위 05 3절. 연구의 방법 06 1. 설문조사 및 심층인터뷰 06 2. 행태관찰 07 4절. 연구진행과정 08 2장 이론적 고찰 1절. 선행연구 검토 10 1. 선형공원 10 2. 이용행태 관련 선행연구 검토 13 3장 여건분석 및 대상지분석 1절. 서울로 7017 조성과정 검토 및 현황 17 1. 대상지 선정배경 17 2. 서울로7017 조성과정 검토 18 3. 서울역7017 설계공모 당선안 검토 23 4. 서울로7017 조성 현황 30 4장 조사 및 분석 1절. 방문객 인식 및 행태조사 38 1. 설문조사 38 2. 심층인터뷰 57 5장 결론 [참고문헌] 74 [Abstract] 76 [부록] 80Maste

Comparative Genome Analysis and Global Phylogeny of the Toxin Variant Clostridium difficile PCR Ribotype 017 Reveals the Evolution of Two Independent Sublineages (vol 55, pg 865, 2017)

The diarrheal pathogen Clostridium difficile consists of at least six distinct evolutionary lineages. The RT017 lineage is anomalous, as strains only express toxin B, compared to strains from other lineages that produce toxins A and B and, occasionally, binary toxin. Historically, RT017 initially was reported in Asia but now has been reported worldwide. We used whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to investigate the patterns of global spread and population structure of 277 RT017 isolates from animal and human origins from six continents, isolated between 1990 and 2013. We reveal two distinct evenly split sublineages (SL1 and SL2) of C. difficile RT017 that contain multiple independent clonal expansions. All 24 animal isolates were contained within SL1 along with human isolates, suggesting potential transmission between animals and humans. Genetic analyses revealed an overrepresentation of antibiotic resistance genes. Phylogeographic analyses show a North American origin for RT017, as has been found for the recently emerged epidemic RT027 lineage. Despite having only one toxin, RT017 strains have evolved in parallel from at least two independent sources and can readily transmit between continents.ope

Sporicidal Activity of Selected Disinfectants against Clostridium difficile

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the predominant cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. This study evaluated the sporicidal activities of several disinfectants against C. difficile spores. METHODS: We used toxigenic C. difficile strains with different ribotypes for our study. We compared the sporicidal activities of Cavicide (Metrex Research Corporation, USA), Cidex OPA (Advanced Sterilization Products, USA), 1% Rely+On Virkon (Dupont, UK), 0.25% Surfanios (Laboratoires Anios, France), sodium hypochlorite (Yuhan Clorox, Korea), and 70% ethyl alcohol (Duksan, Korea) by using dilution-neutralization method. The sporicidal activity of the disinfecting agents was considered to be the inactivation factor (IF). The IF was calculated as the log10 colony forming unit (CFU) reduction of the viable count from the initial inoculums. Disinfectants were considered to be sporicidal if they showed an IF> or =4. RESULTS: Cavicide, 70% ethyl alcohol, Rely+On Virkon, and Surfanios showed no reduction in spore counts at all exposure time. Solutions of sodium hypochlorite diluted 1:100 (> or =400 ppm available chlorine), 1:50, and 1:20 were sporicidal after 5 min, 2 min, and 30 s, respectively. Cidex OPA showed sporicidal activity after 30 min. CONCLUSION: To prevent the transmission of CDI, at least 1,000 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution should be used to disinfect the hospital environment. Contaminated endoscopes should be disinfected with Cidex OPA for more than 30 minope

An Integrative Review of Job Stress and Mental Health Intervention Programs for Experienced Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review intervention programs for experienced nurses’ job stress and mental health. Methods: Searches of literature were conducted through four electronic databases (RISS, KISS, PubMed, and CINAHL), focusing on the recent 5-year publications in English or Korean. Thirteen studies were selected for the final analysis and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist was used to assess methodological rigor and quality. Results: Randomized controlled trials were used in five studies and quasi-experimental designs in eight studies. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and group approach were the most frequent types of interventions in six and nine studies respectively. On average, the intervention was required for eight weeks and 60~120 minutes per session. After evaluating the effects of CBT, complementary alternative therapy, informative training, simulation training and stimuli control, most of the tested interventions reduced experienced nurses’ job stress and improved mental health, but informative training did not. Conclusion: Despite the obvious importance of experienced nurses in quality of nursing care, it has not been well studied due to limited numbers of studies with less rigorous design. Study findings provide a basis for developing intervention programs to reduce job stress and improve mental health for experienced nurses.ope

Environmental Factors Related to Non-compliant Health Behaviors in Urban-Dwelling Elderly

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore non-compliant health behaviors among urban-dwelling elderly and identify related environmental factors. Methods This study analyzed integrated data from the 2017 Korean National Survey on the elderly and 2017 Annual Report of Air Quality in Korea (N=3,198). In this study, health behaviors included seven recommendations for promoting health. Social and physical environmental factors were selected based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecosystem theory, including air quality as an environmental factor. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data while controlling for general characteristics of the elderly. Results The average score for non-compliant health behaviors was 3.05±1.03 among seven health behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression showed the environmental factors related to non-compliant health behaviors were social activity participation (β=.15, p＜.001); interactions with friends, neighbors, and acquaintances (β=.06, p=.002); access to institutions and facilities (β=.06, p=.001); and particulate matter concentration (β=-.10, p＜.001). Conclusion Our study findings emphasized that social activity participation, interactions with significant others, access to institutions and facilities, and particulate matter concentration should be considered when developing ecological interventions to improve health behaviors among the urban-dwelling elderly.ope