A head-worn display ("smart glasses") has adverse impacts on the dynamics of lateral position control during gait.

BACKGROUND: Head-worn displays (e.g., "smart glasses") are an emerging technology to provide information, and in many situations they might be used while walking. However, little evidence exists regarding the effects of head-worn displays on walking performance. We found earlier that "smart glasses" had smaller adverse effects on measures of gait variability in the anterior-posterior direction vs. other types of information displays. Participants, however, complained about motion sickness and perceived instability while using smart glasses. RESEARCH QUESTION: Were the participants' complaints a result of adverse effects of the smart glasses on the dynamics of lateral stepping and gait stability? METHODS: Twenty individuals walked on a treadmill in four different conditions; single-task walking, and three dual-task walking conditions, the latter using smart glasses, smartphone, and a paper-based system to provide secondary cognitive tasks. We assessed the dynamics of lateral stepping and gait stability using the goal equivalent manifold and maximum Lyapunov exponent, respectively. RESULTS: The dynamics of the lateral stepping were more adversely affected using smart glasses compared to the other types of information displays. However, stability measures revealed that the participants were more unstable when they used the smartphone and paper-based system. SIGNIFICANCE: Promising results in terms of stability and adaptability suggest that head-worn display technology is a potentially useful alternative to smartphones and other types of information displays for reducing the risk of a fall. Results regarding perceptions of instability and a loss of control over lateral stepping, however, imply that this technology requires further development prior to real-work implementations.

Exploration of different classes of metrics to characterize motor variability during repetitive symmetric and asymmetric lifting tasks.

The substantial kinematic degrees-of-freedom available in human movement lead to inherent variations in a repetitive movement, or motor variability (MV). Growing evidence suggests that characterizing MV permits a better understanding of potential injury mechanisms. Several diverse methods, though, have been used to quantify MV, but limited evidence exists regarding the merits of these methods in the occupational context. In this work, we explored different classes of methods for characterizing MV during symmetric and asymmetric box lifting tasks. Kinematic MV of both the whole-body center-of-mass (COM) and the box were quantified, using metrics derived from a linear method (Standard Deviation), a non-linear method (Sample Entropy; an index of movement regularity), and a novel application of an equifinality method (Goal Equivalent Manifold; an index related to the set of effective motor solutions). Our results suggest that individuals manipulate regularity and the set of effective motor solutions to overcome unwanted motor noises related to the COM. These results, together with earlier evidence, imply that individuals may prioritize stability over variability with increasing task difficulty. Task performance also appeared to deteriorate with decreasing variability and regularity of the COM. We conclude that diverse metrics of MV may be complimentary to reveal differences in MV.

Information presentation through a head-worn display ("smart glasses") has a smaller influence on the temporal structure of gait variability during dual-task gait compared to handheld displays (paper-based system and smartphone).

The need to complete multiple tasks concurrently is a common occurrence both daily life and in occupational activities, which can often include simultaneous cognitive and physical demands. As one example, there is increasing availability of head-worn display technologies that can be employed when a user is mobile (e.g., while walking). This new method of information presentation may, however, introduce risks of adverse outcomes such as a decrement to gait performance. The goal of this study was thus to quantify the effects of a head-worn display (i.e., smart glasses) on motor variability during gait and to compare these effects with those of other common information displays (i.e., smartphone and paper-based system). Twenty participants completed four walking conditions, as a single task and in three dual-task conditions (three information displays). In the dual-task conditions, the information display was used to present several cognitive tasks. Three different measures were used to quantify variability in gait parameters for each walking condition (using the cycle-to-cycle standard deviation, sample entropy, and the "goal-equivalent manifold" approach). Our results indicated that participants used less adaptable gait strategies in dual-task walking using the paper-based system and smartphone conditions compared with single-task walking. Gait performance, however, was less affected during dual-task walking with the smart glasses. We conclude that the risk of an adverse gait event (e.g., a fall) in head-down walking conditions (i.e., the paper-based system and smartphone conditions) were higher than in single-task walking, and that head-worn displays might help reduce the risk of such events during dual-task gait conditions.

Temporal changes in motor variability during prolonged lifting/lowering and the influence of work experience.

Existing research indicates that repetitive motions are strongly correlated with the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Resulting from the redundant degrees-of-freedom in the human body, there are variations in motions that occur while performing a repetitive task. These variations are termed motor variability (MV), and may be beneficial for reducing WMSD risks. To better understand the potential role of MV in preventing injury risk, we evaluated the effects of fatigue on MV using data collected during a lab-based prolonged, repetitive lifting/lowering task. We also investigated whether experienced workers used different motor control strategies than novices to adapt to fatigue. MV of the whole-body center-of-mass (COM) and box trajectory were quantified using cycle-to-cycle standard deviation, sample entropy, and goal equivalent manifold (GEM) methods. In both groups, there were significantly increased variations of the COM with fatigue, and with a more substantial increase in a direction that did not affect task performance. Fatigue deteriorated the task goal and made it more difficult for participants to maintain their performance. Experienced workers also had higher MV than novices. Based on these results, we conclude that flexible motor control strategies are employed to reduce fatigue effects during a prolonged repetitive task.

Application of molecular imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a selective solid phase extraction for preconcentration and trace determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the human urine and different water samples.

A molecular-imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP-NP) for the selective preconcentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is described. It was obtained by precipitation polymerization from methacrylic acid (the functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linker), 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (the initiator) and 2,4-D (the template molecule) in acetonitrile solution. The MIP-NPs were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, and by scanning electron microscopy. Imprinted 2,4-D molecules were removed from the polymeric structure using acetic acid in methanol (15:85 v/v %) as the eluting solvent. The sorption and desorption process occur within 10 min and 15 min, respectively. The maximum sorbent capacity of the molecular imprinted polymer is 89.2 mg g(-1). The relative standard deviation and limit of detection for water samples by introduced selective solid phase extraction were 4.2% and 1.25 µg L(-1), and these data for urine samples were 4.7% and 1.80 µg L(-1), respectively. The method was applied to the determination of 2,4-D in the urine and different water samples.

Coupling of Molecular Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles by High Performance Liquid Chromatography as an Efficient Technique for Sensitive and Selective Trace Determination of 4-Chloro-2-Methylphenoxy Acetic Acid in Complex Matrices.

BACKGROUND: 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) is one of the most important pesticides which is extensively used to control weeds in arable farmland. Exposure to this compound occurs in general population and persons who occupationally handle it. The aim of this present work was the preparation of MCPA imprinting polymer and its application as a selective sample preparation technique for trace determination of MCPA in biological and environmental samples. METHODS: In this study, MCPA imprinting polymer was obtained by precipitation polymerization using methacrylic acid (the functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linker), 2, 2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (the initiator) and MCPA (the template molecule) in acetonitrile solution. The MIP-NPs were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The optimization process was carried out applying batch method. After optimization of the parameters, affecting the adsorption and desorption of analyte, urine and different water samples were used to determine MCPA. RESULTS: Imprinted MCPA molecules were removed from the polymeric structure using acetic acid in methanol (20:80 v/v %) as the eluting solvent. Both sorption and desorption process occur within 10 min. The maximum sorbent capacity of the molecular imprinted polymer is 87.4 mg g-1. The relative standard deviation and limit of detection for water samples by introduced selective solid phase extraction were 4.8% and 0.9 µg L-1, and these data for urine samples were 4.5% and 1.60 µg L-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The developed method was successfully applied to determine MCPA in urine and different water samples.

Induction of oxidative stress in paraquat formulating workers.

Paraquat as a bipyridyl compound is widely used as an effective herbicide worldwide. In this study, oxidative stress was investigated in blood samples of workers in a pesticide factory, formulating paraquat products for use in agriculture. Controls were age-matched workers with no history of pesticide exposure. They were measured for lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant power and total thiol (SH) groups in blood. The results expressed as mean+/-SD show induction of oxidative stress in workers as revealed by increased plasma LPO (11.46+/-0.99 vs 10.11+/-0.69, P<0.001), decreased plasma antioxidant capacity (1.35+/-0.03 vs 1.54+/-0.05, P<0.001) and plasma SH groups (0.16+/-0.01 vs 0.21+/-0.01, P<0.001) in comparison to those of controls. It is concluded that paraquat-formulating factory workers have elevated LPO and decreased antioxidant power, which may put them in further consequences of oxidative stress.