Ergonomic risk assessment of maintenance job in a gas power station

Studija procjenjuje čimbenike ergonomskih rizika na poslovima održavanja plinske elektrane kapaciteta 8.4 MW (1.4 MW x 6 jedinica) u kojoj na održavanju radi 12 osoba. Čimbenici ergonomskih rizika mogu se podijeliti na one povezane sa zadatkom, te osobne i okolišne. Potencijalna ozbiljnost svih utvrđenih čimbenika rizika i vjerojatnost da se ostvare prikazana je na ljestvici 1-5. Indeks rizika izračunat je kao umnožak vjerojatnosti pojave rizika i potencijalne ozbiljnosti svih parametara rizika. Relativne težine parametara čimbenika rizika utvrđene su dijeljenjem svakog indeksa kumulativnog rizika s ukupnim indeksom kumulativnog rizika. Relativne težine čimbenika ergonomskih rizika utvrđene su dijeljenjem indeksa kumulativnih rizika svakog čimbenika s ukupnim indeksima kumulativnog rizika. Ukupan indeks rizika za svaki čimbenik izračunat je zbrajanjem umnoška relativnih težina i indeksa rizika parametara koji čine taj čimbenik. Indeks opasnosti na radu (WSI) utvrđen je zbrajanjem umnoška relativnih težina i indeksa rizika čimbenika ergonomskih čimbenika. Vrijednosti rizika kategorizirane su u tri razreda: nizak, srednji i visok rizik. Koristeći osobne i okolišne čimbenike, prosječne vrijednosti rizika iznosile su 3.03 ± 0.42 i 3.00 ± 0.00 iz čega proizlazi da je posao niskog rizika. Vrijednost indeksa opasnosti na radu (WSI) iznosila je 5.03 ± 1.62 što je pokazatelj da posao održavanja na način kako se obavlja u promatranoj elektrani predstavlja nizak rizik.This study conducted ergonomic risk factors assessment of maintenance job in a gas generating power station with a capacity of 8.4 MW (1.4 MW x 6 units) and 12 maintenance staff. The ergonomic risk factors present in the maintenance job were identified as task, personal and environmental. The potential severity of all the recognized risk factors and probability of occurrence were assessed on a scale of 1 to 5. The risk index was determined as the product of probability of occurrence and potential severity of all the risk parameters. The relative weights of the parameters of the risk factors were determined by dividing each cumulative risk index by the total cumulative risk index. The relative weights of the ergonomic risk factors were determined by dividing the cumulative risk index for each factor by the total of the cumulative risk indexes. The total risk index for each factor was calculated by summing up the product of the relative weights and the risk indexes of the parameters that make up the factor. The Work Severity Index (WSI) was determined by summing up the product of the relative weights and the risk indexes of the ergonomic risk factors. The risk values were categorized into three classes of low, medium and high risk. Using the personal and environmental factors, the average risk values were 3.03 ± 0.42 and 3.00 ± 0.00 respectively signifying that the job was a low risk one. The value of the average Work Severity Index was 5.03 ± 1. 62 which showed that the maintenance job as it was practised in the power station under study was of low risk

DEVELOPMENT OF QUICK RETURN MECHANISM FOR EXPERIMENTATION USING SOLIDWORKS

Quick Return Mechanisms (QRMs) are one of the essential accessories used in machine tools which involve reciprocating cutting action with a quick return stroke and a constant angular velocity of driving crank. The aim of this work was to simulate, design and construct a prototype of a QRM that can be used for demonstration and instrumentation. The QRM was simulated using Solidworks and a prototype was developed from the simulated results. The experiment was conducted using the prototype. The kinematic simulation of the Solidworks model was compared with the kinematics of motion of the prototype. The result showed that the Percentage Stroke Length error was 0.36%. It was observed that, there was no significant difference in the simulated and experimental results, hence, the prototype can be used for demonstration and experimentation to assist students in understanding basic principles of the machine operation

DEVELOPMENT OF QUICK RETURN MECHANISM FOR EXPERIMENTATION USING SOLIDWORKS

Quick Return Mechanisms (QRMs) are one of the essential accessories used in machine tools which involve reciprocating cutting action with a quick return stroke and a constant angular velocity of driving crank. The aim of this work was to simulate, design and construct a prototype of a QRM that can be used for demonstration and instrumentation. The QRM was simulated using Solidworks and a prototype was developed from the simulated results. The experiment was conducted using the prototype. The kinematic simulation of the Solidworks model was compared with the kinematics of motion of the prototype. The result showed that the Percentage Stroke Length error was 0.36%. It was observed that, there was no significant difference in the simulated and experimental results, hence, the prototype can be used for demonstration and experimentation to assist students in understanding basic principles of the machine operation

Awareness of warning signs among suburban Nigerians at high risk for stroke is poor: A cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, there is no information on awareness of its warning signs. This study was designed to assess awareness of stroke warning signs in Nigerians at increased risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, in southern Nigeria. Patients with a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes or both were interviewed for the warning signs of stroke in the outpatient clinic by trained interviewers. The main outcome measure was ability to identify at least one stroke warning sign.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 225 respondents with a mean age of 58.0 ± 11.7 years. Only 39.6% could identify at least one stroke warning sign while the commonest sign identified was sudden unilateral limb weakness (24.4%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex (β = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.14–0.39, p < 0.001) and 11 or more years of education (β = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03–0.29, p = 0.02) emerged the independent predictors of ability to identify at least one warning sign.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Awareness of stroke warning signs is poor among Nigerians at increased risk for the disease. Efforts should be made to improve on the level of awareness through aggressive health education.</p

Correction to: Emergence of knock-down resistance in the Anopheles gambiae complex in the Upper River Region, The Gambia, and its relationship with malaria infection in children.

Unfortunately, the original article [1] contained an error mistakenly carried forward by the Production department handling this article whereby some figures and their captions were interchanged. The correct figures (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and captions are presented in this erratum. The original article has also been updated to reflect this correction

The practice of hepatocellular cancer surveillance in Nigeria

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is a disease of global and public health importance due to the widespread distribution of risk factors and associated high case fatality. Hepatocellular Cancer (HCC) in Sub-Saharan Africa is commonly seen among the younger age groups (&lt;45 years) who present mostly in the terminal stage, when the disease is not amenable to any curative therapy. Hepatocellular Carcinoma surveillance employs the use of simple, cheap and readily available investigations, to detect early curable cancer in individuals with risk factors for HCC.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the practice of hepatocellular cancer screening among physicians.Methodolgy:This is a nationwide online survey carried out among physicians who care for patients with HCC. A questionnaire was sent out via a web link to all consenting doctors in Nigeria. The responses were collated in a cloud-based application and data was analysed using Epi-info version 20.Results:Atotal of 218 respondents, 142 were males (65.1 %) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 5.7 years. The modal age group was 31-40 years 153 (69.5%). The main factors considered as a hindrance to surveillance were; the cost of the tests (57.7%), failure of return of patients (50.5%) and not being aware of a surveillance program (45.2 %). The majority of the respondents were Gastroenterologists and Family Physicians. 54% of the gastroenterologists and 64% of the family physicians have never offered HCC surveillance to their patients.Conclusion:This survey highlights a knowledge gap in HCC surveillance among physicians. There is a need to make HCCsurveillance a daily routine among patients at risk by all physicians. Keywords: Surveillance, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HBV, HCV, Cancer screening

Remdesivir and three other drugs for hospitalised patients with COVID-19: final results of the WHO Solidarity randomised trial and updated meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND World Health Organization expert groups recommended mortality trials of four repurposed antiviral drugs - remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon beta-1a - in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). METHODS We randomly assigned inpatients with Covid-19 equally between one of the trial drug regimens that was locally available and open control (up to five options, four active and the local standard of care). The intention-to-treat primary analyses examined in-hospital mortality in the four pairwise comparisons of each trial drug and its control (drug available but patient assigned to the same care without that drug). Rate ratios for death were calculated with stratification according to age and status regarding mechanical ventilation at trial entry. RESULTS At 405 hospitals in 30 countries, 11,330 adults underwent randomization; 2750 were assigned to receive remdesivir, 954 to hydroxychloroquine, 1411 to lopinavir (without interferon), 2063 to interferon (including 651 to interferon plus lopinavir), and 4088 to no trial drug. Adherence was 94 to 96% midway through treatment, with 2 to 6% crossover. In total, 1253 deaths were reported (median day of death, day 8; interquartile range, 4 to 14). The Kaplan-Meier 28-day mortality was 11.8% (39.0% if the patient was already receiving ventilation at randomization and 9.5% otherwise). Death occurred in 301 of 2743 patients receiving remdesivir and in 303 of 2708 receiving its control (rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.11; P = 0.50), in 104 of 947 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine and in 84 of 906 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.59; P = 0.23), in 148 of 1399 patients receiving lopinavir and in 146 of 1372 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.25; P = 0.97), and in 243 of 2050 patients receiving interferon and in 216 of 2050 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.39; P = 0.11). No drug definitely reduced mortality, overall or in any subgroup, or reduced initiation of ventilation or hospitalization duration. CONCLUSIONS These remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon regimens had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay. (Funded by the World Health Organization; ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN83971151; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04315948.)

Safe Backpack Mass for Students in Tertiary Institutions

Abstract Load carrying using backpacks is common among students from primary schools to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Backpacks are used for carrying books and other school materials. The aim of this study is to determine the mass of backpack that students in tertiary institutions using strain energy principles of the spine. Ten students in a selected tertiary institution participated in the study. A model was developed using strain energy in terms of chest width, chest depth, Young Modulus of Elasticity of articular cartilage, maximum permissible spinal shrinkage, length of spine and body height of the students. The 5 th , 50 th, ands 95 th percentiles of the data obtained were computed using a SPSS 16.0 statistical package. The study confirmed that the model is valid and showed that the maximum backpack load limit for students in tertiary institutions should be 12% of body mass. Similar studies were recommended to be carried out in primary and secondary schools

DEVELOPMENT OF QUICK RETURN MECHANISM FOR EXPERIMENTATION USING SOLIDWORKS

Quick Return Mechanisms (QRMs) are one of the essential accessories used in machine tools which involve reciprocating cutting action with a quick return stroke and a constant angular velocity of driving crank. The aim of this work was to simulate, design and construct a prototype of a QRM that can be used for demonstration and instrumentation. The QRM was simulated using Solidworks and a prototype was developed from the simulated results. The experiment was conducted using the prototype. The kinematic simulation of the Solidworks model was compared with the kinematics of motion of the prototype. The result showed that the Percentage Stroke Length error was 0.36%. It was observed that, there was no significant difference in the simulated and experimental results, hence, the prototype can be used for demonstration and experimentation to assist students in understanding basic principles of the machine operation

A systematic scorecard-based approach to site assessment in preparation for Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials in affected countries

Background: We sought to develop and test an objective scorecard-based system for assessing and categorizing available research sites in Lassa fever-affected countries based on their preparedness and capability to host Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. Methods: We mapped available clinical research sites through interrogation of online clinical trial registries and relevant disease-based consortia. A structured online questionnaire was used to assess the capability of clinical trial sites to conduct Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. We developed a new scoring template by allocating scores to questionnaire parameters based on perceived importance to the conduct of clinical trials as described in the WHO/TDR Global Competency Framework for Clinical Research. Cutoff points of 75% and 50% were used to categorize sites into categories A, B, or C. Results: This study identified 44 clinical trial sites in 8 Lassa fever-affected countries. Out of these, 35 sites were characterized based on their capacity to hold Lassa fever vaccine clinical trials. A total of 14 sites in 4 countries were identified as ready to host Lassa fever vaccine trials immediately or with little support. Conclusion: It is feasible to hold Lassa fever vaccine trials in affected countries based on the outcome of the survey. However, the findings are to be validated through sites' visits. This experience with a standardized and objective method of the site assessment is encouraging, and the site selection method used can serve as an orientation to sponsors and researchers planning clinical trials in the region