Tag: pubmed

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1040-1052. doi: 10.1177/10519815241290000. Epub 2024 Nov 27.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe recurrent incompatibility between manual tools and human users is a drawback normally associated with the physical capacity of the worker. Hence, the conception and design of comfortable tools should consider the user experience.ObjectiveThis work looks forward to identifying key descriptors influencing the comfort experience, through the usage assessment of a by-pass-type manual cutting tool (pruning scissors).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional research which was carried out in three stages: (i) Identification of the relevant descriptors using a documented review, (ii) Identification of the relevant descriptors through the user experience, which is documented using semi-structured interviews (n = 20), and (iii) Evaluation and grading of the identified descriptors through interviews and the semantic-differential-methodology application (n = 50).ResultsData were evaluated using descriptive-statistics tools, which allowed us to identify comfort descriptors not included in the literature. Similarly, data were treated using the principal component analysis technique (PCA).ConclusionsIt was found that comfort and discomfort behave like two opposites on a continuum scale and that perception changes according to the tool and the specific task in which the user is immersed. On the other hand, it was figured out that tool appearance or aesthetics are not related to comfort.

PMID:40297881 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241290000

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1053-1065. doi: 10.1177/10519815241289823. Epub 2024 Nov 13.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundWith an aging workforce becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, the intersection of older age and disability presents significant challenges for employment, particularly in the context of workplace accommodations.ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the psychosocial factors influencing older workers’ requests and receipts of job accommodations, focusing on the pivotal role of disability acceptance.MethodsEmploying a quantitative approach, we included 217 older workers (50 years and older) across various employment sectors, analyzing their experiences with accommodation requests, workplace support, knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and levels of disability acceptance.ResultsLogistic regression models revealed that perceived workplace support significantly predicted the likelihood of requesting and receiving accommodations, whereas disability acceptance, despite its hypothesized importance, did not emerge as a significant predictor in our models. Results highlight the critical role of workplace support in facilitating accommodation processes for older workers and suggest that interventions to increase ADA awareness and foster supportive work environments may enhance accommodation outcomes.ConclusionThis study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the dynamics surrounding accommodation requests among the aging workforce, emphasizing the need for inclusive workplace practices and policies.

PMID:40297879 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241289823

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1223-1230. doi: 10.1177/10519815241291417. Epub 2024 Nov 27.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe profession of a firefighter is classified as a profession with a very high level of risk. Serving in Rescue and Firefighting Unit (RFU) involves participating in intervention activities, including fighting fires, removing the effects of technical failures and natural disasters, rescuing people and animals, and specialized activities.ObjectiveThe analysis of zoonotic health hazards to firefighters during fire and rescue operations from 2020 to 2022.Materials and MethodsThe analysis covered the data from the Human Resources Office of the State Fire Service Headquarters, from the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Health Prevention. Data collected from all over Poland in the form of an annual analysis of the accident rate. For the purposes of further analysis and calculations, several definitions were adopted: animal evacuation, animal relocation, access to animals.ResultsIn the years 2020-2022, 67 firefighter injuries of animal origin were registered: animals, birds, as well as hymenopteran insects (stings), and ticks (bites). Interventions involving animals accounted for 8.8% of all firefighter operations. An analysis was conducted to identify the most common cause (species) and location (body area) of firefighter injuries in rescue and firefighting operations with animals. The most common cause of injuries was identified (species): dog (13%), cat (31%), hymenoptera (25%) and the location of injury to firefighters (body area): hand (55%), head (16%).ConclusionsThe overall number of injuries is small compared to the number of incidents with animals, which may be related to good firefighter protection and effective procedures. To avoid zoonotic injuries to the palm area, fire trucks should be provided with a set of general-use veterinary gloves + disposable nitrile gloves that will ensure hygiene when used by many people. The interventions towards animals throughout Poland are on a large scale, which creates a health risk for firefighters, as rescued animals under stress and towards strangers behave in an unpredictable manner, adequate to a given stress reaction.

PMID:40297875 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241291417

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1231-1243. doi: 10.1177/10519815241290607. Epub 2024 Nov 14.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundBurnout in physician and scientist faculty threatens professional satisfaction, mental health, and work quality while impacting women more than men. Women experience gender mistreatment more often than men, which may impact burnout.ObjectiveTo determine the differences in burnout, discrimination and harassment by gender, and whether these variables were associated with burnout in physician and scientist faculty.MethodsAn anonymous cross-sectional survey from November 2018 through February 2019 was conducted in physician and scientist faculty at a large urban hospital. Survey instruments included MaslachBurnout Inventory-2, gender-based discrimination and harassment questions, and demographic and professional characteristics.ResultsOf 4156 faculty, 1497 (36%) provided gender identification and were included in analyses. Women experienced burnout at higher rates than men (30.9% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.002). Women also experienced gender discrimination and gender harassment at 11 (25.0% vs 2.3%, p < 0.001) and 5.7 (13.0% vs 2.3%, p < 0.001) times the rate of men, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, gender-based discrimination and harassment was associated with burnout among women (OR 1.65, p = 0.035) and overall (OR 1.65, p = 0.017), but not among men. In men, those aged 40-60 experienced increased burnout compared to those aged >60 (OR 2.67, p = 0.017). For all participants, burnout was associated with depression symptoms, poor work life integration, and lower leadership scores.ConclusionBurnout is prevalent in both men and women physicians and scientists, but correlates vary by gender. Findings suggest that interventions to reduce burnout should account for gender differences, target leadership behaviors and address gender bias and mistreatment.

PMID:40297874 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241290607

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1415-1424. doi: 10.1177/10519815241290331. Epub 2024 Dec 14.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe Minnesota Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury and Illness Network (MN RETAIN) is a randomized controlled study designed to evaluate early interventions promoting workforce retention among workers in Minnesota. The study compares a cohort receiving increased support for stay at work and return to work (SAW/RTW) services from healthcare organizations and resources through workforce development to a control cohort provided solely a list of SAW/RTW resources within the state they can access on their own.ObjectiveThis manuscript aims to describe the design of the MN RETAIN Phase 2 study and experience to date including enrollment. Target enrollment for Phase 2 of MN RETAIN is 3200 workers with approximately half receiving SAW/RTW services from a Return-to-Work Case Manager (RWTCM) who is embedded within the healthcare team. MN RETAIN is structured to be accessible to all workers within the state, with a focus on equity and reaching historically underserved populations.MethodsPhase 2 of the RETAIN model expanded the focus from the southeast region of MN to state-wide coverage. Enrollment and services were designed to acquire a large enough cohort to reach adequate statistical power to detect differences in disability costs and rates of SAW/RTW in participating study subjects. Impact analysis of RETAIN will be performed by the federal evaluator at a future date.ResultsCharacteristics of enrolled participants to date are summarized as well as considerations for sustainability of the program upon study completion.ConclusionsTo date, the study has reached diverse workers from throughout the state of MN to provide assistance with SAW/RTW.

PMID:40297873 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241290331

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1380-1386. doi: 10.1177/10519815241291668. Epub 2024 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is transforming medical practices with rapidly developing technologies and the innovative solutions it provides. In order for this transformation to be successfully integrated into healthcare services, healthcare professionals must have positive attitudes towards this technology.ObjectiveThe present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the attitudes of nurses working in different provinces towards artificial intelligence.MethodsThe study was planned in a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of 1453 nurses working in 3 state hospitals (inpatient hospitals providing secondary health care services) located in the city centers of Muş, Bingöl and Adıyaman provinces in eastern Turkey. While the sample size was 698 nurses in total, the study was completed with 737 nurses. The data were collected through the Introductory Information Form and the General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS). ANOVA test and multiple regression were used to analyse the data.ResultsIt was found that the nurses had highly positive attitudes towards artificial intelligence. When the nurses’ scores from the Positive GAAIS sub-dimension were compared, it was determined that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the provinces. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the provinces in the Negative GAAIS sub-dimension, as well. Demographic characteristics were found to be effective on both Positive GAAIS and Negative GAAIS.ConclusionsAlthough there were differences between the provinces, the nurses generally had positive attitudes towards artificial intelligence technologies. The majority of the participants continue to use artificial intelligence technologies although they state that artificial intelligence will replace humans in the future. Longitudinal studies on the factors affecting attitudes towards artificial intelligence are recommended.

PMID:40297872 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241291668

Work. 2025 Mar;80(3):1319-1330. doi: 10.1177/10519815241290294. Epub 2024 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

Background: Increased cell phone use causes individuals to divide their attentional resources between dual tasks in daily life. It is emphasized that this divided attention negatively affects task performance and makes pedestrian cell phone use an increasing safety concern. There is a lack of research on how dual tasks involving cell phone use affect pedestrian movements in laboratory and real-world settings and the time saved by text messaging while walking. Objectıve: The main purpose of this study is to investigate how dual-tasking affects pedestrians by analyzing task completion time and texting performance, as well as investigating potential gender differences. Methods: 119 students were included in the study. Expanded-Timed Up and Go Test was applied as a single task 1. As a single task 2; text messaging was used on a mobile phone. Dual-task was defined as performing both tasks simultaneously. All evaluations were recorded both in the laboratory and outdoor environment. Results: Between all parameters, task completion times showed a significant difference in favor of dual-task in both environments (p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in texting performance when comparing the results of two environments (p ≥ 0.05). Performing texting and walking tasks simultaneously resulted in approximately 43-45% time savings. Conclusıons: However, dual-task increases events such as falling or hitting other pedestrians. We recommend that pedestrians do not endanger their health and the health of other pedestrians to save more or less time.

PMID:40297868 | DOI:10.1177/10519815241290294

Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.23822/EurAnnACI.1764-1489.393. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background. Understanding the reason for the decrease in atopic dermatitis risk in preterm patients may be crucial for the development of prophylaxis and therapeutic measures. The hypotheses include a change in T-helper1/T-helper2/T-helper17 balance, thymus development, and intestinal colonization. This study was designed to compare these parameters between preterm and term patients. Methods. The investigated population comprised 28 preterm and 19 term-born patients. On the 7^th day of life, T-helper1/T-helper2/T-helper17 cytokine concentrations were assessed, thymus ultrasonographic examination was performed, and the stool was examined for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. The last two procedures were repeated at 37 weeks of post-menstrual age in the preterm group. Results. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNFa), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, or IL-10 after mitogen stimulation between the preterm and term groups. A negative correlation was found between IL-2 and the week of gestation at birth (r_s= -0.466, p=0.038) and thymus/weight ratio and week of gestation at birth (r_s= -0.592, p=0.006). IL-6 was negatively correlated with birth weight in preterm group (r_s -0.694, p=0.008), whereas IL-10 positively with birth weight in term group (r_s 0.775, p=0.041). Correlations of other investigated cytokines were statistically insignificant. The levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ after phytohemagglutinin stimulation were greater in the subgroup with pathogenic bacteria in the stool at birth (381.38 (148.7-727.4) vs. 13.23 (7.98-197.8) pg/ml; p=0.049; 17.49 (6.53-30.54) vs. 3.37 (1.03-9.82) pg/ml; p=0.037), whereas no significant differences were found between the levels of IL-6, IL-10 or TNFa. Conclusions. The observed associations may indicate an altered pattern of immunological development in preterm and term children.

PMID:40297862 | DOI:10.23822/EurAnnACI.1764-1489.393

Front Neurol. 2025 Apr 14;16:1527434. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1527434. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Understanding how the brain processes color information from both the left and right eyes is a significant topic in neuroscience. Binocular color fusion and rivalry, which involve advanced cognitive functions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), provide a unique perspective for exploring brain activity.

METHODS: This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine PFC activity during binocular color fusion and rivalry conditions. The study included two fNIRS experiments: Experiment 1 employed long-duration (90 s) stimulation to assess brain functional connectivity, while Experiment 2 used short-duration (10 s) repeated stimulation (eight trials), analyzed with a generalized linear model to evaluate brain activation levels. Statistical tests were then conducted to compare the differences in brain functional connectivity strength and activation levels.

RESULTS: The results indicated that functional connectivity strength was significantly higher during the color fusion condition than the color rivalry condition, and the color rivalry condition was stronger than the Mid-Gray field condition. Additionally, brain activation levels during binocular color fusion were significantly greater, with significant differences concentrated in channel (CH) 12, CH13, and CH14. CH12 is located in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, while CH13 and CH14 are in the frontal eye fields, areas associated with higher cognitive functions and visual attention.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that binocular color fusion requires stronger brain integration and higher brain activation levels. Overall, this study demonstrates that color fusion is more cognitively challenging than color rivalry, engaging more attention and executive functions. These results provide theoretical support for the development of color-based brain-computer interfaces and offer new insights into future research on the brain’s color-visual information processing mechanisms.

PMID:40297854 | PMC:PMC12034530 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2025.1527434

Med Phys. 2025 Apr 28. doi: 10.1002/mp.17845. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The main task of deep learning (DL) based brain tumor segmentation is to get accurate projection from learned image features to their corresponding semantic labels (i.e., brain tumor sub-regions). To achieve this goal, segmentation networks are required to learn image features with high intra-class consistency. However, brain tumor are known to be heterogeneous, and it often causes high diversity in image gray values which further influences the learned image features. Therefore, projecting such diverse image features (i.e., low intra-class consistency) to the same semantic label is often difficult and inefficient.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to address the issue of low intra-class consistency of image features learned from heterogeneous brain tumor regions and ease the projection of image features to their corresponding semantic labels. In this way, accurate segmentation of brain tumor can be achieved.

METHODS: We propose a new DL-based method for brain tumor segmentation, where a semantic feature module (SFM) is introduced to consolidate image features with meaningful semantic information and enhance their intra-class consistency. Specifically, in the SFM, deep semantic vectors are derived and used as prototypes to re-encode image features learned in the segmentation network. Since the relatively consistent deep semantic vectors, diversity of the resulting image features can be reduced; moreover, semantic information in the resulting image features can also be enriched, both facilitating accurate projection to the final semantic labels.

RESULTS: In the experiment, a public brain tumor dataset, BraTS2022 containing, multi-sequence MR images of 1251 patients is used to evaluate our method in the task of brain tumor sub-region segmentation, and the experimental results demonstrate that, benefiting from the SFM, our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods with statistical significance ( using the Wilcoxon signed rank test). Further ablation study shows that the proposed SFM can yield an improvement in segmentation accuracy (Dice index) of up to 11% comparing with that without the SFM.

CONCLUSIONS: In DL-based segmentation, low intra-class consistency of learned image features degrades segmentation performance. The proposed SFM can effectively enhance the intra-class consistency with high-level semantic information, making the projection of image features to their corresponding semantic labels more accurate.

PMID:40296197 | DOI:10.1002/mp.17845