ENTERPRISE STRESS TESTING WITH SYSTEM DYNAMICS: A STATE OF RESEARCH AND CHALLENGES

n/

IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING BIRTH WEIGHT, LENGTH, AND HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

Newborn size at birth is an important indicator of fetal health, neonatal health, infant survival and childhood morbidity. The aim of our study was to assess and identify factors that significantly influence birth weight, length, and head circumference by performing a post hoc analysis of the data collected during the retrospective-prospective observational cohort study which was conducted at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia. The influence of potential factors on birth weight, length, and head circumference was evaluated by multiple linear regression analysis. The study included 320 pregnant women and 332 newborns. Four factors had a significant negative effect on birth weight: smoking, twin pregnancy, use of methyldopa and corticosteroids during pregnancy. Smoking, twin pregnancy and corticosteroid use also had a significant negative effect on birth length. Negative effect on fetal head circumference at birth had smoking, use of corticosteroids and antibiotics during pregnancy. Maternal height and gestational age at birth showed a positive influence on fetal anthropometric measurements. Clinicians should pay attention to pregnant women with lower body height, twin pregnancy, who smoke and use corticosteroids, methyldopa and antibiotics

Assessment of the handcart pushing and pulling safety by using deep learning 3D pose estimation and IoT force sensors

Pushing and pulling (P&P) are common and repetitive tasks in industry, which non-ergonomic execution is among major causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The current safety management of P&P assumes restrictions of maximal weight, distance, height – while variable individual parameters (such as the P&P pose ergonomic) remain difficult to account for with the standardized guides. Since manual detection of unsafe P&P acts is subjective and inefficient, the aim of this study was to utilize IoT force sensors and IP cameras to detect unsafe P&P acts timely and objectively. Briefly, after the IoT module detects moments with increased P&P forces, the assessment of pose ergonomics was performed from the employee pose reconstructed with the VIBE algorithm. The experiments showed that turn-points correspond to the high torsion of torso, and that in such moments poses are commonly non ergonomic (although P&P forces are below values defined as critical in previous studies – their momentum cause serious load on the human body). Moreover, the analysis revealed that the loading/unloading of a cargo are also moments of frequent unsafe P&P acts – although they are commonly neglected when studying P&P. The experimental validation of the solution showed good agreement with motion sensors and high potential for monitoring and improving P&P workplace safety. Accordingly, future research will be directed towards: 1) acquisition of P&P data sets for direct recognition and classification of unsafe P&P acts; 2) incorporation of wearable sensors (EMG and EEG) for detecting fatigue and decrease of physical abilities

Digital Training and Advanced Learning in Occupational Safety and Health Based on Modern and Affordable Technologies

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a very important issue for both practical purposes in industry and business due to numerous reasons, so a number of software, educational and industrial solutions are available. In this paper, the cloud-based mobile application for digital training and advanced learning in the field of occupational safety was presented. The proposed framework architecture was based on a novel approach: Node.JS for the server backend and the React Native for the front-end development; while MongoDB was used for implementing the cloud data storage using sensors that are all available on the Android platform. In the development of this application, a number of options were developed (using open-source software) such as the reading of a QR code, usage of built-in sensors within android platforms, reporting, and voice messages. The developed SafeST solution is presented through a real industry example. It emphasizes two main possibilities of the solution, improving OHS reporting and significant empowerment of the students in the OHS field based on the learning-by-doing approach. In this way, the additional engagement (identification, recording and reporting of UA/UC) of OSH managers has been reduced to a minimum, taking into account requested reports from management and authorities, and the continual training of the employees and preparation of the students for future working activities. The system was tested for educational purposes with the initial idea to develop an application for smartphones which could be useful and well adopted among engineering students in the OSH field

Digital Training and Advanced Learning in Occupational Safety and Health Based on Modern and Affordable Technologies

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a very important issue for both practical purposes in industry and business due to numerous reasons, so a number of software, educational and industrial solutions are available. In this paper, the cloud-based mobile application for digital training and advanced learning in the field of occupational safety was presented. The proposed framework architecture was based on a novel approach: Node.JS for the server backend and the React Native for the front-end development; while MongoDB was used for implementing the cloud data storage using sensors that are all available on the Android platform. In the development of this application, a number of options were developed (using open-source software) such as the reading of a QR code, usage of built-in sensors within android platforms, reporting, and voice messages. The developed SafeST solution is presented through a real industry example. It emphasizes two main possibilities of the solution, improving OHS reporting and significant empowerment of the students in the OHS field based on the learning-by-doing approach. In this way, the additional engagement (identification, recording and reporting of UA/UC) of OSH managers has been reduced to a minimum, taking into account requested reports from management and authorities, and the continual training of the employees and preparation of the students for future working activities. The system was tested for educational purposes with the initial idea to develop an application for smartphones which could be useful and well adopted among engineering students in the OSH field

Treatment of subacute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with percutaneous vertebroplasty: A case report

Introduction. Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), as a mini-invasive approach in the treatment of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), provides stabilization of the spine and relives pain. The most commonly it is applied in the 3–6 weeks before bending of the spine. Complete cessation of pain is easier to achieve if you treat “less mature” fractures. The aim of the report is to show that PVP is effective and safe for old fractures too. Case report. A 77-old patient suffered from a stable compression fracture of 3th lumbar (L3) vertebral body after minor trauma. This fracture was clinically and radiologically diagnosed. The conservative treatment that included lumbo-sacral orthosis (LSO), analgesic drugs and physical therapy, was primarily applied due to permanent pain and type of fracture. After a period of two months, pain persisted, but it was localized in a thoracic spinal segment with radiologically diagnosed fractured bodies of 8th (Th8) and 10th (Th10), thoracic vertebra without neurological deficit. Thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (TLSO) was prescribed and after six months the indication for vertebroplasty of the Th8 and Th10 vertebral body was given. The pain relief had been achieved and the patient was discharged from the Clinic for Orthopedics on the postoperative day 2, and was symptom free during the follow-up period. Conclusion. In patients with stable OVCFs, PVP is an effective therapy for reducing pain and improving mobility of 6 months old fractures