Evaluating the influential factors for life preserver donning tests.

Life preservers often play a vital role in ensuring passenger safety in water-related accidents, while the difficulty of donning life preservers has been repeatedly proved even in a donning test. To evaluate the influencing factors for life preserver donning tests, 109 college students and 42 villagers were chosen as subjects. A total of fourteen variables with seven categorical variables and seven continuous variables were considered as potential influencing factors. T-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA, for three or more categories) were used to judge whether grouping in categorical variables had a significant effect on the donning performance. Then all variables were offered into the stepwise linear regression (SLR) to evaluate the influential factors for life preserver donning tests. Results showed that four of fourteen variables, including gender, instruction condition, age group, and tool test time (representing the subject's flexibility), had a significant effect on the donning performance. To evaluate the relationship between the donning performance and influencing factors, models of the retrieving time, the opening time, and the donning time were built based on the SLR analysis. The paper also highlights recommendations for modification of the donning test procedure, which helps to improve the validation and reliability of life preserver donning tests.

Determining the optimum anatomical coverage of side plates for the VIRTUS body armour and load carriage system.

INTRODUCTION: Side plates are worn by UK Armed Forces as part of the VIRTUS body armour and load carriage systems to protect the thorax and abdomen from high-velocity threats. The VIRTUS project has provided the impetus to objectively demonstrate the anatomical coverage provided by side plates. METHOD: CT scans of 120 male UK Armed Forces personnel were analysed to ascertain the vertical distance between the anterior axillary fold and iliac crest, and horizontal distance between anterior and posterior borders of the liver, delineating the boundaries of essential medical coverage from the side aspects. The percentage of shot-lines intersected by the existing Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) plates as well as an optimised plate based on the maximum potential dimensions of essential coverage was determined in the Coverage of Armour Tool. RESULTS: ECBA plates were 101 mm shorter and 4 mm narrower than a plate with dimensions providing essential medical coverage for the 50th percentile subject (157×315 mm). Coverage increased by 35% when using two ECBA plates as side coverage in addition to using the front and rear OSPREY plates in the VIRTUS vest. Two side plates with dimensions providing essential medical coverage for the 50th percentile increased anatomical coverage by a further 16%. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis has provided strong evidence that ECBA plates are already optimised for side protection, despite not being originally designed for this purpose. They are correctly positioned within the VIRTUS soft body armour vest and the width of the ECBA plate is only 3% less than what would be optimum size for the 50th percentile. Although the height of the plate could be increased to further enhance the anatomical coverage, it is unlikely that this would be acceptable in terms of the human factors, equipment integration or additional mass.

Cooling intervention studies among outdoor occupational groups: A review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review is to examine cooling intervention research in outdoor occupations, evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions, and offer recommendations for future studies. This review focuses on outdoor occupational studies conducted at worksites or simulated occupational tasks in climatic chambers. METHODS: This systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify original research on intervention studies published in peer-reviewed journals that aimed at reducing heat stress or heat-related illness from January 2000 to August 2020. RESULTS: A systematic search yielded a total of 1042 articles, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Occupations with cooling intervention studies included agriculture (n = 5), construction (n = 5), industrial workers (n = 4), and firefighters (n = 7). The studies focused on multiple types of cooling interventions cooling gear (vest, bandanas, cooling shirts, or head-cooling gel pack), enhanced heat dissipation clothing, forearm or lower body immersion in cold water, water dousing, ingestion of a crushed ice slush drink, electrolyte liquid hydration, and modified Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommendations of drinking water and resting in the shade. CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that using multiple cooling gears along with rest cycles may be the most effective method to reduce heat-related illness. Occupational heat-related illnesses and death may be mitigated by targeted cooling intervention and workplace controls among workers of vulnerable occupational groups and industries.

Effect of ballistic impacts on batteries and the potential for injury.

INTRODUCTION: On military operations, ballistic impact damage is possible to lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries worn on the body by military personnel and the potential for exothermic reactions may result in injury. This paper investigated the effect of impact on batteries that might be worn in front or behind body armour. METHODS: Li-ion batteries were subjected to ballistic impact both without and in combination with body armour using 7.62×39 mm ammunition (mean velocity=769 m/s) at charge levels up to 40%. The effect of penetrating impacts on charged batteries was also investigated using an outdoor range. RESULTS: The backface signature due to ballistic impact was reduced by including a battery pack between fabric body armour and an armour plate, however the batteries were crushed and mechanically disrupted. Ballistic impacts on batteries mounted in front of an armour plate resulted in perforation of the batteries. Increases in temperature, fire and toxic gas emission were noted when batteries were penetrated by an impact. CONCLUSIONS: Batteries provided limited ballistic protection disproving the hypothesis that batteries could replace or enhance existing body armour solutions. Ballistic impact of charged batteries could lead to injury due to heat/flame and toxic discharge. It is recommended that batteries need to be carried in a position from which they can be rapidly removed from contact with the body.

Does using a high sun protection factor sunscreen on face, along with physical photoprotection advice, in patients with melasma, change serum vitamin D concentration in Indian conditions? A pragmatic pretest-posttest study.

BACKGROUND: Use of sunscreens on the face is becoming popular, and patients with melasma are prescribed sunscreen for use on the face. Results of a few Western studies on the effect of sunscreen use on serum vitamin D concentration are not applicable to Indian conditions. AIMS: To examine the effect of use of a high sun protection factor (SPF 50+, PA++++) sunscreen on face in patients with melasma on serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. METHODS: Forty-five Indian patients (Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) with melasma were advised to use a sunscreen with SPF 50 + for 3 months, 43 (33 female, 10 male; age 32.9 ± 8 years) completed the study. Patients staying outdoor for <4 hours applied sunscreen once daily after bath. Patients staying outdoors for >4 hours reapplied sunscreen 4 hours after first application. Patients were provided a container to measure the amount of sunscreen for use, which was approximately equal to recommended thickness. Compliance was tested by weighing the used tubes and tubes in use during monthly visits. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was tested before and after the study period. RESULTS: Amount of sunscreen advised (100.5 ± 29.2 ml) and the actual amount used (96.6 ± 27.9 ml) were similar (P = 0.53, t-test). The difference between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D at the baseline (19.20 ± 9.06 ng/ml) and at 3 months (18.91 ± 8.39 ng/ml) was not significant (P = 0.87, paired t-test, 95% confidence interval of difference -3.33 to 3.92). No correlation was found between the amount of sunscreen used and the percentage change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration at 3 months (rho = 0.099, P = 0.528, Spearman's rank correlation). LIMITATIONS: Longer duration of application and a larger sample size may detect minor differences in vitamin D concentration. CONCLUSION: Using a high SPF sunscreen on the face, along with physical photoprotection advice, in patients with melasma for 3 months does not influence serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in Indian conditions.

Thermal protection study of bladder compensatory suit using a heat transfer model.

BACKGROUND: The bladder compensatory suit (BCS) is important individual protective equipment for pilots' activities in a high-flying environment. The layout and thermal diffusion ability of the bladder directly affects the thermal comfort of pilots in flight. OBJECTIVE: (1) Established and verified a human-compensatory suit-environment heat transfer model; (2) Used the model to study the human thermal variation of each segment in hot conditions and clothing. METHODS: To verify the two-dimensional heat transfer model, simulated data of body temperature were compared with experimental results under the same conditions (AT: 40/45°C, ordinary clothing). The model could be used to calculate the temperature variation of each body segment in three environments temperature (28°C, 35°C and 40°C) and three types of clothing (naked, ordinary clothing, BCS). RESULTS: The results showed that: (1) the bladder significantly affected sweating speed and skin temperature, as well as core temperature; (2) the skin temperature of the area covered by the bladder was difficult to reduce by the thermal regulation system. It was because sweat secretion was inhibited, thus, to limit evaporation. CONCLUSIONS: The model could be used as a reference for the thermal protection design of bladder compensatory suit. SUMMARY: The bladder compensatory suit (BCS) is important individual protective equipment for pilots activities in a high-flying environment, and its layout directly affects the thermal comfort. Based on a two-dimensional thermal regulation system model, a body-clothing-environment heat transfer model was established. The model was used to calculate the temperature and sweat variation of each body segment in different environments and clothing.

Hat-wearing patterns in spectators attending baseball games: a 10-year retrospective comparison.

Spectators at baseball games may receive a considerable amount of exposure to solar UV radiation (UVR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if public education about sun protection over the last 10 years has impacted the use of hats at Major League Baseball (MLB) games. Photographs of seating sections during a 3-game series in New York, New York, were obtained and analyzed to evaluate the percentage of spectators wearing hats. Different seating sections were evaluated (sunny, shaded, bleachers) and assessed as well as compared to similar data reported 10 years prior. Given the limited change in hat use over the last decade, a knowledge and behavioral gap exists that may be exploitable to achieve better skin cancer prevention.

¿Prendas inteligentes para cuidar a las personas o personas inteligentes que utilizan prendas para cuidarse? / Smart clothes to take care of people or smart people who use clothes to take care of themselves?

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Population and age-group trends in weekend sun protection and sunburn over two decades of the SunSmart programme in Melbourne, Australia.

BACKGROUND: In response to the high skin cancer burden in Australia, the multicomponent, community-wide SunSmart programme has worked since 1988 to reduce excessive sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in key sun-protection behaviours and sunburn for the Melbourne population from 1987 to 2007, and examine for the first time patterns of change among age groups. METHODS: Representative cross-sectional weekly telephone surveys of weekend sun protection and sunburn were conducted over 11 of the summers in the period 1987-88 to 2006-07. Trends were analysed for the population and for age groups, adjusting for ambient temperature and ultraviolet radiation, which are environmental determinants of sun-related behaviour and sunburn. RESULTS: The general pattern of trends suggests two distinct periods, one with rapid improvement in behaviours (more sunscreen use, less unprotected body exposure and less sunburn) from 1987-88 to 1994-95, and the second from 1997-98 to 2006-07 with fewer changes in behaviours noted. The age-group analyses showed a similar pattern of change over time across groups, with a few notable exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: The similarity of the pattern of trends among age groups suggests that external influences including the SunSmart programme's activity had a relatively similar impact across the population. Sun-related behaviours continue to be amenable to change. More recent relative stability with some declines in sun protection suggests further intensive campaigns and other strategies may be needed to maintain previous successes and to achieve more universal use of sun protection.

[Calculation of heat-insulating parameters of clothes for comfortable work conditions].

The article covers basics of hypothesis that selecting clothes for workers should consider heat-insulation in accordance with energy expenditure for work in various ambient temperatures with preserved heat balance.

The emperor's new clothes: workwear and uniforms guidelines undressed.

This article summarizes patient and physician opinions of what constitutes appropriate attire in the clinical environment. It evaluates the Department of Health workwear and uniforms policy, including the evidence and inconsistencies which underlie these guidelines, and attempts to predict future trends.

An introductory characterization of a combat-casualty-care relevant swine model of closed head injury resulting from exposure to explosive blast.

Explosive blast has been extensively used as a tactical weapon in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and more recently in Operation Enduring Freedom(OEF). The polytraumatic nature of blast injuries is evidence of their effectiveness,and brain injury is a frequent and debilitating form of this trauma. In-theater clinical observations of brain-injured casualties have shown that edema, intracranial hemorrhage, and vasospasm are the most salient pathophysiological characteristics of blast injury to the brain. Unfortunately, little is known about exactly how an explosion produces these sequelae as well as others that are less well documented. Consequently, the principal objective of the current report is to present a swine model of explosive blast injury to the brain. This model was developed during Phase I of the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) PREVENT (Preventing Violent Explosive Neurotrauma) blast research program. A second objective is to present data that illustrate the capabilities of this model to study the proximal biomechanical causes and the resulting pathophysiological, biochemical,neuropathological, and neurological consequences of explosive blast injury to the swine brain. In the concluding section of this article, the advantages and limitations of the model are considered, explosive and air-overpressure models are compared, and the physical properties of an explosion are identified that potentially contributed to the in-theater closed head injuries resulting from explosions of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Portrayal of tanning, clothing fashion and shade use in Australian women's magazines, 1987-2005.

To examine modelling of outcomes relevant to sun protection in Australian women's magazines, content analysis was performed on 538 spring and summer issues of popular women's magazines from 1987 to 2005. A total of 4949 full-colour images of Caucasian females were coded for depth of tan, extent of clothing cover, use of shade and setting. Logistic regression using robust standard errors to adjust for clustering on magazine was used to assess the relationship between these outcomes and year, setting and model's physical characteristics. Most models portrayed outdoors did not wear hats (89%) and were not in shade (87%). Between 1987 and 2005, the proportion of models depicted wearing hats decreased and the proportion of models portrayed with moderate to dark tans declined and then later increased. Younger women were more likely to be portrayed with a darker tan and more of their body exposed. Models with more susceptible phenotypes (paler hair and eye colour) were less likely to be depicted with a darker tan. Darker tans and poor sun-protective behaviour were most common among models depicted at beaches/pools. Implicit messages about sun protection in popular Australian women's magazines contradict public health messages concerning skin cancer prevention.

Injuries in combat from 1982-2005 with particular reference to those to the head and neck: A review.

The aim of this review was to examine the range of combat injuries with particular reference to those of the head and neck. We evaluated 10 retrospective studies selected from the period 1982-2005 that covered war injuries from Vietnam, Lebanon, Slovenia, Croatia, Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan. We found differences in the causes of injuries. Injuries from fragments were more common during the 90s than during the Vietnam War, where shooting injuries predominated. Injuries to the trunk were reduced in conflicts from 1991 onwards as military personal armour systems including protective vests were used. However, the mortality of wounded soldiers in all conflicts was consistently between 10% and 14%. There was a high incidence of injuries to the head and neck (up to 40%) though they affected only 12% of the body surface area. Though the data from the different military conflicts are not totally comparable, there are trends in the type of injuries and mortality, which may lead to changes in existing systems of medical care.