KDI: A wireless ECoG recording platform with impedance spectroscopy, electrical stimulation and real-time, lossless data compression.

A power-efficient modular wireless platform has been designed for prototyping and pre-clinical evaluations of neural recording implants. This Kit for Designing Implants (KDI) is separated in function specific modules of 34×34mm which can be assembled as needed. This paper presents the design of new modules for this existing wireless KDI platform. These modules cover the functionalities of electrical stimulation for BCI neurofeedback, impedance spectroscopy for monitoring tissue reaction around implanted electrodes and a real-time lossless data compression algorithm for ECoG signals. This algorithm has been implemented using two different hardware solutions and its performances compared. The design and evaluation of these modules are a first step towards the inclusion of these functionalities into the next generation of WIMAGINE(®) implants.

Roles of age, length of service and job in work-related injury: a prospective study of 446 120 person-years in railway workers.

OBJECTIVES: Because work-related injuries are common and yet the mechanisms through which various types of injuries relate to age, length of service and job remain unknown, this study assessed the role of age, length of service and job in work-related injury. METHODS: Prospective study of all 164,814 permanently employed male workers at the French national railway company during 1998-2000, based on the company's injury database: 446,120 person-years, 15,195 injuries with working days lost, coded using the company's injury classification, which is derived from that of the French health insurance scheme. We investigated the incidence of 10 types of injury: fall on same level, fall to lower level, handling materials/machine parts during assembly, handling objects, lifting/handling equipment, collision with/by moving objects, collision with/by vehicles, operating machines/equipment, using hand tools and other injuries. Data were analysed using negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Workers aged <25 years were subject to a higher injury risk from handling materials/machine parts during assembly, and collision with/by moving objects or vehicles. Older workers, especially those aged 50-55 years, were subject to a higher risk of fall and injury resulting from lifting/handling materials/equipment/objects or from collision with/by moving objects/vehicles. Using hand tools was a risky task for workers aged <30 or > or =40 years. The relative risk decreased steadily with increasing length of service with the company, from 2.6 for 1 year to 1.0 for > or =30 years, and the slope of the trend is stronger for fall to lower level, lifting/handling materials/equipment and collision with/by moving objects. CONCLUSION: Younger and older ages and shorter length of service are at risk for various types of injuries. Preventive measures should improve working conditions, especially for younger/older ages, provide knowledge through specific training during the first years in a job and help workers to be more aware of risks associated with their age, years of employment and job.

Determinants of accident proneness: a case-control study in railway workers.

BACKGROUND: Accident proneness or workers who have more frequent occupational injuries is common but the role of occupational and individual factors has rarely been studied. AIM: To assess the relationships of certain occupational and individual characteristics with frequency of occupational injuries. METHOD: This case-control study included 1305 male workers with occupational injuries during 1999-2000 and 1305 controls from a railway company. A standardized questionnaire was completed by the occupational physician in the presence of the subject. The data were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Having more than one injury was associated with short service in the present job, younger age, sleep disorders, smoking, requesting a job change, physical disability and lack of physical activity. Safety training was negatively related to injury frequency. Short service in the present job was the only significant factor for single injuries. CONCLUSION: This study identified a number of work and individual factors that predicted occupational injury frequency and may be useful in designing preventative measures. Occupational physicians could assist workers to be more aware of the risks and to find remedial measures.

Individual characteristics in occupational accidents due to imbalance: a case-control study of the employees of a railway company.

BACKGROUND: Falls are frequent occupational accidents, and are responsible for a significant amount of lost working time and, more importantly, for a high mortality. The factors involved in falling mechanisms can be of external or individual origin, the latter being less well identified. AIMS: To assess the relations between certain individual characteristics and occupational accidents due to imbalance. METHODS: A total of 427 male employees, who had been victims of at least one occupational accident with sick leave due to imbalance (cases) and 427 controls were recruited among the employees of a large French railway company. A standardised questionnaire on life conditions and professional factors, and a description of the accidents was filled in by an occupational physician for each subject. RESULTS: Some job categories were more affected by a specific release mechanism of work related falls. Certain individual characteristics such as smoking, alcohol consumption, inactivity, sleep disorders, and request for a job change were correlated with the occurrence of occupational accidents. Sick leaves of eight days or over were more frequent in older and overweight injured workers. Some lesions were linked with the specific fall released mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Individual characteristics can increase the risk of occupational accidents, especially falling. This study identified subjects most at risk on whom prevention related to working conditions and falls could be focused.