The influence of physical properties on comfort performance of bedsheet fabrics

This paper analyzes the comfort performance of different types of bedsheet fabrics which are polyester, polyester blended with Tencel, cotton, Tencel and modal. The objectives of this study are to determine the physical and comfort properties of bedsheet fabrics as well as to evaluate the influence of physical properties on the comfort performance of bedsheet fabrics. The preparation of samples involved sourcing the fabrics that are commercially used. Physical properties such as thickness, mass per unit area and porosity were determined in order to evaluate their relationship on comfort properties such as thermal resistance, wicking area and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). It was found that Tencel fabric exhibited the lowest thermal resistance of 0.0037 m2 °C/W while polyester fabric showed the highest thermal resistance of 0.0084 m2 °C/W. For wicking area, polyester blended with Tencel fabric demonstrated the highest wicking area whereas Tencel fabric displayed the highest WVTR of 1069.21 g/24h.m2 . Based on findings, Tencel bedsheet could offer better comfort in hot environment as the heat and water vapour can pass through the fabric easily compared to other fabrics. Meanwhile, polyester bedsheet will offer better comfort in cold environment as it can retain the heat and this can help the users to feel warmer in cold environment

Development of a Survey Instrument for Measuring Firefighter Ergonomic Factors in Hose Rolling Activity A Pilot Study

The hose is an essential piece of equipment for firefighters on the job. Flaking, roll and coil, dutch roll, and figure eight are all methods of rolling the hose. Hose rolling requires a combination of uncomfortable postures, repetitive motions, and forceful exertion, which can be stressful on firefighters' bodies. Several firefighters' work duties include the application of high physical loads to the human body. High force demands require muscles to work harder, increasing tiredness and the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The main objective of this paper is to present the development and validation of a survey instrument for measuring firefighter ergonomic factors in rolling activity for a pilot study. A set of survey instruments was developed, which consisted of four sections: the demographic profile of the respondent, the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort survey (CMDQ), hose rolling activity among firefighters, and the design criteria for ergonomic hose rollers. The survey instruments's content was obtained from extensive literature research and expert input. A pilot study was conducted at Pagoh Fire Station. The reliability and validity of the instrument were determined through Cronbach’s alpha, face validity, and content validity. Cronbach’s alpha values for each section of the survey instruments range from 0.741 to 0.928, while the value for Cronbach’s alpha for all 26 standardized items is 0.854. Finally, the findings suggested that this instrument had appropriate reliability and validity to accomplish its aims. The survey instrument is now complete and ready for the distribution of larger amounts of data

Design of hose roller for firefighter: a fatigue study

In a working environment, worker’s safety and health are the most critical considerations. Previous study discovered that firefighters are exposed to a great deal of ergonomic risk factors (ERF). ERF exposure during hose rolling includes awkward posture and forceful exertion. Therefore, the primary goal of this research paper is to fabricate an ergonomic hose roller for firefighters and conduct a fatigue analysis to determine the efficiency of the tool designed to safeguard firefighters against the risk of low back disorder (LBD). Hose roller testing is necessary to guarantee that it can withstand the weight of fire hoses while still being comfortable for users’ bodies. Fatigue analysis was conducted using Industrial Lumbar Motion Monitor (i-LMM) equipment to evaluate LBD risk during hose rolling. Manual handling contributes 57.67% to the total average percentage value used to compute LBD risk results, while utilizing a roller tool, the hose rolling procedure yields a 27% LBD risk limit value. The design of experiment (DOE) method should be used in future studies to gather more information for the LBD risk assessmen

A design framework for the mass customisation of custom-fit bicycle helmet models

Mass customisation (MC) can provide significant benefits to the customers. For example, custom-fit design approaches can improve the users’ perceived comfort of products where the fit is an important feature. MC can also bring major value to the producers, where for instance, premium prices can be implemented to the products. Research show that MC can bring competitive advantages especially when the system is new. It is therefore surprising that MC of helmets has not been studied more extensively, especially given the advances in 3D scanning, computational analyses, parametric design, and additive manufacturing techniques. The purpose of this study was to present a novel MC framework for the design of custom-fit bicycle helmet models. In the proposed design framework, we first categorized a subset of the Australian population into four groups of individuals based on their similar head shapes. New customers were then classified inside one of these groups. The customisation took place inside these groups to ensure that only small variations of the helmet liner were implemented. During the design process, the inside surfaces of a generic helmet model was modified to match the customer's head shape. We demonstrated that all the customized models created complied with the relevant drop impact test standard if their liner thickness was between the worst and best case helmets of each group. Fit accuracy was verified using an objective evaluation method. Future work should include detailed description of the manufacturing methods engaged in our MC framework

The fit of safety helmet among female

Safety helmets are used in many fields of endeavour such as police work, fire fighting, construction work, and sports as well as by aircraft crew members. Safety helmets are protective equipment used to reduce or prevent the impact on the head when an object is hit or dropped. With the proper and right way of helmet used, it acts as a protection tool for workers and can help prevent and control collateral damage. This pilot research study the fit and comfort perception of safety helmet among women participants. The method used in this reseach was collecting data from questionnaires, scanning the participants head when wearing and not wearing a safety helmet, post-scanning data processing and data of gap analysis, proportion of head under helmet protection and HFI calculation. 5 out of ten participants were feeling discomfort when wearing safety helmets. The left, right, top and front regions of the head have a larger gap compared to the back region. The overall HFI score was middle fit

Global Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair

Importance Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a well-recognized complication of inguinal hernia repair (IHR). A variable incidence of POUR has previously been reported in this context, and contradictory evidence surrounds potential risk factors.Objective To ascertain the incidence of, explore risk factors for, and determine the health service outcomes of POUR following elective IHR.Design, Setting, and Participants The Retention of Urine After Inguinal Hernia Elective Repair (RETAINER I) study, an international, prospective cohort study, recruited participants between March 1 and October 31, 2021. This study was conducted across 209 centers in 32 countries in a consecutive sample of adult patients undergoing elective IHR.Exposure Open or minimally invasive IHR by any surgical technique, under local, neuraxial regional, or general anesthesia.Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the incidence of POUR following elective IHR. Secondary outcomes were perioperative risk factors, management, clinical consequences, and health service outcomes of POUR. A preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score was measured in male patients.Results In total, 4151 patients (3882 male and 269 female; median [IQR] age, 56 [43-68] years) were studied. Inguinal hernia repair was commenced via an open surgical approach in 82.2% of patients (n = 3414) and minimally invasive surgery in 17.8% (n = 737). The primary form of anesthesia was general in 40.9% of patients (n = 1696), neuraxial regional in 45.8% (n = 1902), and local in 10.7% (n = 446). Postoperative urinary retention occurred in 5.8% of male patients (n = 224), 2.97% of female patients (n = 8), and 9.5% (119 of 1252) of male patients aged 65 years or older. Risk factors for POUR after adjusted analyses included increasing age, anticholinergic medication, history of urinary retention, constipation, out-of-hours surgery, involvement of urinary bladder within the hernia, temporary intraoperative urethral catheterization, and increasing operative duration. Postoperative urinary retention was the primary reason for 27.8% of unplanned day-case surgery admissions (n = 74) and 51.8% of 30-day readmissions (n = 72).Conclusions The findings of this cohort study suggest that 1 in 17 male patients, 1 in 11 male patients aged 65 years or older, and 1 in 34 female patients may develop POUR following IHR. These findings could inform preoperative patient counseling. In addition, awareness of modifiable risk factors may help to identify patients at increased risk of POUR who may benefit from perioperative risk mitigation strategies