Total Workload Research Articles

Hybrid multi-criteria decision making approach proposal for evaluating workloads of aircraft maintenance technicians.

Aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) have the most difficulty in terms of total workload criteria working in line maintenance. This is a very important problem for the Aircraft Maintenance Organization. A systematic and scientific approach is required for its solution. This study proposes a new Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) based approach to evaluating the total workloads of AMTs to identify the most challenging AMT tasks in the aircraft maintenance organization. A new hybrid MCDM approach is proposed by integrating the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity (TOPSIS) methods to compare AMTs on the basis of workloads according to license categories. The hybrid method proposed in this study evaluates the total workload under three main titles: mental, physical, and environmental workload. Focusing on AMTs working in line maintenance of an aircraft maintenance organization, this study revealed that the most important workload criteria determined by the DEMATEL method are lower back strain, upper back strain, time pressure, and air temperature criteria. The results of the TOPSIS method showed that the license categories of AMTs are sorted according to the workloads as follows: A, B2, B1, and B1 + B2. The AMTs holding a "Category A" license have fewer workloads than the other categories. The findings of the study reveal some measures that might allow authorities to minimize the workload of AMTs. In addition, the study contributes to the literature because there are few studies that systematically analyze total workloads by using MCDM methods.

Design of a Convolutional Neural Network Accelerator Based on On-Chip Data Reordering

Convolutional neural networks have been widely applied in the field of computer vision. In convolutional neural networks, convolution operations account for more than 90% of the total computational workload. The current mainstream approach to achieving high energy-efficient convolution operations is through dedicated hardware accelerators. Convolution operations involve a significant amount of weights and input feature data. Due to limited on-chip cache space in accelerators, there is a significant amount of off-chip DRAM memory access involved in the computation process. The latency of DRAM access is 20 times higher than that of SRAM, and the energy consumption of DRAM access is 100 times higher than that of multiply–accumulate (MAC) units. It is evident that the “memory wall” and “power wall” issues in neural network computation remain challenging. This paper presents the design of a hardware accelerator for convolutional neural networks. It employs a dataflow optimization strategy based on on-chip data reordering. This strategy improves on-chip data utilization and reduces the frequency of data exchanges between on-chip cache and off-chip DRAM. The experimental results indicate that compared to the accelerator without this strategy, it can reduce data exchange frequency by up to 82.9%.

Comparison of cognitive workload and surgical outcomes between a three-dimensional and conventional microscope macular hole surgery

BackgroundPerforming a surgical task subjects the surgeon to multitudinal stressors, especially with the newer 3D technology. The quantum of cognitive workload using this modern surgical system in comparison to the Conventional microscope system remains unexplored. We evaluate the surgeon’s cognitive workload and the surgical outcomes of macular hole(MH) surgery performed on a 3D versus a Conventional microscope operating system.Methods50 eyes of 50 patients with MH undergoing surgery using the 3D or Conventional microscope visualization system. Cognitive workload assessment was done by real-time tools(Surgeons’ heart rate [HR] and oxygen saturation[SPO2]) and self-report tool(Surgery Task Load Index[SURG-TLX] questionnaire) of three Vitreoretinal surgeons. Based on the SURG-TLX questionnaire, an assessment of the workload was performed.ResultsOf the 50 eyes, 30 eyes and 20 eyes underwent surgery with the Conventional microscope and the 3D system, respectively. No difference was noted in the MH basal-diameter(p = 0.128), total surgical-duration(p = 0.299), internal-limiting membrane(ILM) peel time(p = 0.682), and the final visual acuity (VA; p = 0.515) between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in VA(p < 0.001) with a 90% closure rate at one-month post-surgery. Cognitive workload comparison, the intraoperative HR(p = 0.024), total workload score(P = 0.005), and temporal-demand dimension(p = 0.004) were significantly more in Conventional microscope group as compared to 3D group. In both the groups, the HR increased significantly from the baseline while performing ILM peeling and at the end.ConclusionThe surgeon’s cognitive workload is markedly reduced while performing macular hole surgery with a 3D viewing system. Moreover, duration of surgery including ILM peel time, MH closure rates, and visual outcomes remains unaffected irrespective of the operating microscope system.

Frontiers in Operations: Does Physician’s Choice of When to Perform EHR Tasks Influence Total EHR Workload?

Problem definition: Physicians spend more than five hours a day working on Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and more than an hour doing EHR tasks after the end of the workday. Numerous studies have identified the detrimental effects of excessive EHR use and after-hours work, including physician burnout, physician attrition, and appointment delays. However, EHR time is not purely an exogenous factor because it depends on physician usage behavior that could have important operational consequences. Interestingly, prior literature has not considered this topic rigorously. In this paper, we investigate how physicians’ workflow decisions on when to perform EHR tasks affect: (1) total time on EHR and (2) time spent after work. Methodology/results: Our data comprise around 150,000 appointments from 74 physicians from a large Academic Medical Center Family Medicine unit. Our data set contains detailed, process-level time stamps of appointment progression and EHR use. We find that the effect of working on EHR systems depends on whether the work is done before or after an appointment. Pre-appointment EHR work reduces total EHR workload and after-work hours spent on EHR. Post-appointment EHR work reduces after-work hours on EHR but increases total EHR time. We find that increasing idle time between appointments can encourage both pre- and post-appointment EHR work. Managerial implications: Our results not only help us understand the timing and structure of work on secondary tasks more generally but also will help healthcare administrators create EHR workflows and appointment schedules to reduce physician burnout associated with excessive EHR use. History: This paper has been accepted in the Manufacturing &amp; Service Operations Management Frontiers in Operations Initiative. Funding: The research conducted for this paper received partial funding from the Center of Business for Health at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2023.0028 .

Development of regional pharmacy intravenous admixture services data reporting and analysis platform for enhanced quality control ability

BackgroundPharmacy intravenous admixture service (PIVAS) center has emerged as an important department of hospitals as it can improve occupational protection and ensure the safety and effectiveness of intravenous infusions. However, there is little research on the standardized capability and risk evaluation of PIVAS by using modern information technology. In this research, we established Regional Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services Data Reporting and Analysis Platform (RPDRAP) to improve quality control ability for PIVAS management. RPDRAP including evaluation matrix for quality control monitoring. The construction of platform is based on guidelines for the Construction and Management of PIVAS and management specifications of PIVAS in China.MethodsRPDRAP was established in 2018. This platform comprises a data collection system and a data analysis system. The data collection system consists of 67 data items. Data collection relied on online platforms through data acquisition module. The collected data were analyzed using a model with 20 indicators within the data analysis system. Fifteen hospitals, public comprehensive healthcare facilities with more than 500 beds, participated in the platform’s application evaluation.ResultsThe study revealed significant differences in PIVAS total score, supervisors, and workload between 2020 and 2022. The platform’s application results demonstrated improvements in personnel management, work efficiency, and infection control within these PIVAS. Although statistical significance was observed in only 8 out of the 25 items, most of the scores showed an increase, with a small portion remaining unchanged and no decline in scores.ConclusionsThis platform can be recommended for PIVAS homogeneous and regional efficient management. The use of this platform not only improves the quality control ability of PIVAS but also enables the management department to quickly grasp the current situation and characteristics of each PIVAS through standardized data collection and analysis.

Heuristic for Railway Crew Scheduling With Connectivity of Schedules

This paper addresses the crew scheduling for long-distance passenger train services. A heuristic with bin packing features is developed to generate repeatable crew schedules that satisfy the operational and crew allocation rules. By ensuring the connectivity of crew duties that can be repeated over periodic train schedules, a better estimate of the crew requirement in a region is also obtained. Further, the heuristic ensures a fair division of the total workload and creates long duty cycles, which also makes the process of cyclic rostering easier. The paper also presents an exact approach for crew scheduling using a combination of constraint programming and set covering formulations. The exact approach is not computationally viable for practical scale problem instances, but the heuristic generates good quality solutions (often very close to optimal) even on large data sets. We illustrate the approach on data from the Mumbai Division in Indian Railways and the computational results show that there is potential to reduce the total number of crew duties in the region by around 12%. The heuristic approach provides an efficient way to generate improved crew schedules every time there is a change in the train timetable.

Examining workload variations among different surgical team roles, specialties, and techniques: a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study

BackgroundA high workload may negatively impact the surgical team's performance and jeopardize patient safety. The aim of this study was to measure the workload of the surgical team across different surgical roles, specialties, and techniques in several hospitals.MethodsThis cross-sectional multicenter study was performed in the operating rooms of eight teaching hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. At the conclusion of each surgical procedure, all members of the surgical team completed the Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) questionnaire to assess workload levels. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations, were performed to compare surgical roles, specialties, techniques, and surgical time on workload overall and by subscale.ResultsA total of 409 workload questionnaires were obtained from 76 surgical teams or cases, involving 346 surgical team members. The total workload among all participants was 32.41 ± 17.21. Surgical complexity, physical demands, and mental demands were the highest workload subscales and distraction was the lowest workload subscale. Cardiovascular specialty had a higher workload compared to other specialties. Open techniques resulted in a higher workload compared to minimally invasive techniques. Surgical technologists who act in both the role of circulating and scrub nurse (C&Ss) experienced the highest workload, followed by surgical residents and surgeons.ConclusionsThe results of the study showed that the workload for some members of the surgical team is disproportionately high and is influenced by factors such as specialty, technique, role, and surgical duration. By knowing the distribution of workload among the members of the surgical team, efforts can be made to optimize the team members’ workload.

Heavy as a rock or light as dust: a comparison between the perceived workload for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, ureterorenoscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

There are three common treatment options for kidney stones: extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). The choice of treatment is based on stone- and patient-related characteristics. However, some stones are eligible for several approaches and the decision is made based on patient and urologist's preferences. This study evaluates which approach has the highest workload. Between March and August 2022, five members of the Amsterdam Endourology Research Group collected data from 22 ESWL, 31 URS and 22 PNL procedures. After each procedure, the SURG-TLX questionnaire was completed by the surgeon to evaluate workload. Six dimensions were scored for each procedure, including: mental demands, physical demands, temporal demands, task complexity, situational stress, and distractions. The total workload, and the median for each dimension, was calculated and compared for the three treatments. ESWL scored significantly lower than URS for mental demands, physical demands, temporal demands, situational stress, distraction and total workload. However, task complexity did not differ significantly between the two techniques. Compared with PNL, ESWL scored significantly lower for all dimensions. Finally, PNL received significantly higher scores for mental demands, physical demands, temporal demands, situational stress, distractions and total workload than URS. Only task complexity showed no significant difference between both groups. Urologists perceive the highest workload during PNL, followed by URS and finally ESWL. A follow-up study is needed to identify stressors that increase perceived workload with the purpose to address these variables and as final objective to improve urologists' workload, patient safety and treatment outcomes.

Mental Fatigue Under the Thermoneutral Environment in Buildings: Effects of the Constant and Altered Workload Sequences

In order to explore the effects of constant and altered workload sequences on mental fatigue in a thermoneutral environment, experiments and surveys were carried out in this study. n‐back tasks were used to design different workload sequences. Fifteen healthy right‐handed males were required to experience three different workload sequences for 30 min, respectively, including a constant workload (2‐back task) and 2 altered workload sequences that contained an elevating workload sequence (1‐2‐3‐back tasks) and a reducing workload sequence (3‐2‐1‐back tasks). The PANAS, VAS‐F, and NASA‐TLX scales were selected to investigate changes in the mood, the perceived fatigue, and the perceived workload. Meanwhile, the skin temperature during these three workload sequences was continuously collected. Results from the NASA‐TLX scale indicated that no significant difference in total workload was observed among all three workload sequences. Meanwhile, results from the VAS‐F scale showed that no significant changes in self‐reported mental fatigue were observed among these three workload sequences, which meant that mental fatigue was only related to the total workload. However, self‐reported “energy” from the VAS‐F scale did not reduce significantly during the reducing workload sequence, which meant that the reducing workload sequence could conserve more “energy” than that of the elevating and constant workload sequences. Furthermore, both positive and negative moods changed significantly under the constant workload sequence (2‐back task), but they did not show much changes under altered workloads, which meant that the altered workload sequence could attenuate the mood deterioration. What is more, the mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, effort, and the total workload increased significantly after both the constant workload and elevating workload sequence, but no significant changes in all these six items of the NASA‐TLX scale were observed under the reducing workload sequence. Finally, the mean skin temperature under the constant workload sequence was lower than that under the altered workload sequences (p &gt; 0.05), but significant changes in skin temperature at the left hand and neck were only observed between the constant and reducing workload sequences. In conclusion, constant and altered workload sequences contributed equally to the mental fatigue in a thermoneutral environment, but the differences in workload sequence produced some differences in mood, energy, and mental demand, which would affect the working performance. Findings of this study provided implications for the proper planning, assignment, and management of tasks in real working settings.

ENSINO SUPERIOR E SOLIDARIEDADE: UMA VIRADA DA EXTENSÃO FACE À SOCIEDADE DO MÉRITO

ABSTRACT: This article analyzes the role of higher education, especially regarding its new guidelines on extension, to build a more supportive and less competitive society. Firstly, based on the methodology of the reconstruction of social processes, stemming from a bibliographical analysis and the proposition of ideal types, it shows the origins and contemporary influence of the “University Mode 2” model proposed by the sociologist Michael Gibbons, emphasizing his adherence to individual anthropology and an appreciation of meritocracy. Then, the article presents a critique of this paradigm whilst rescuing a solidarity-based anthropology, to think about a higher education project capable of reducing the perverse effects of a competitive society. In this sense, based on the inductive method, I propose a reflection on the ways of accessing higher education and the role and potential of extension activities, particularly from Resolution n. 7, of 2018, which stipulated that such activities should make up at least 10% of the total curricular workload of undergraduate courses. The article concludes that it is possible to reread the thesis of historian Burton J. Bledstein to think of higher education as one of the main mechanisms for transforming society, not in the sense of forming a “culture of merit”, as diagnosed in the 20th century, but in the perspective of an appreciation of the “culture of solidarity”.

Energy-efficient scheduling for a flexible job shop problem considering rework processes and new job arrival

Sustainable production is not limited to environmental concerns only; It also provides economic benefits for businesses. Businesses that adopt sustainability principles can gain advantages in matters such as cost savings, competitive advantage, risk management, legal compliance and corporate reputation. Therefore, sustainability is no longer an option but a strategic imperative for businesses. For this reason, studies on energy-sensitive scheduling have started to increase recently. Another important factor in sustainable manufacturing is the reduction of scrap. Rework operations are required to reduce scrap. In this study, the multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem (MO-FJSP) that considers energy efficiency is discussed. The created model aims to minimize the energy consumption, total machine workload and makespan. In this study, new job arrivals are considered as dynamic events. Another dynamic event added to the model is the addition of rework processes between operations to reduce the scrap rate when a scrap decision is made during the production stages. The enhanced NSGA II algorithm was applied to solve this problem. The enhanced NSGA II algorithm was applied to test instances and its performance was compared using some of the multi-objective performance indicators. These experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed solution method.

Does a training course on early childhood communication have an impact on the knowledge of early childhood education professionals?

To analyze whether a training course on communication development in early childhood has a positive impact on the knowledge of early childhood education professionals and to verify the participants' perception of the course. A longitudinal study conducted in a virtual environment between September 2021 and December 2022. A total of 91 early childhood education professionals took part and completed a training course. The course consisted of three modules on communication development in early childhood, offered through the Google Classroom platform, with a total workload of 50 hours spread over four months. Participants answered a questionnaire made up of 20 items related to the topics covered before starting the course, immediately after completing it and six months after finishing. For each question answered correctly, 1 point was awarded. The data was analyzed using a descriptive and inferential approach, and the total number of correct answers at the three moments was compared using Friedman's ANOVA, with a significance level of 5%. Both the analysis of the correct answers to each item in the questionnaire and the overall score showed a gradual increase between the three moments. The participants' perception of the course was highly satisfied. The participants showed an increase in the number of correct answers to the questionnaire before and after the training course, which suggests greater knowledge about the development of communication in early childhood both immediately after the course and after six months.

Analysis of Production Planning of Cocoa Products Using Workload Analysis and Operation Scheduling

The fluctuating demand levels each period is a significant challenge in the company’s production. Production scheduling stands out as a crucial process in the production system. PT XYZ, a privately-owned company specializing in cocoa plantations in Indonesia, faced problem in production planning, leading to delays in chocolate product output. This study delved into the workload experienced by the production operator and the production schedule using the workload analysis and the Campbell Dudek Smith (CDS). Data were collected through observations and interviews. The results revealed that the total workload for the current eight production operators in each production room was 988.1%. The existing production schedule was not optimal as indicated with an excessively high makespan of 170. Implementing the CDS method reduced the makespan to 151, enhancing performance by 19% and saving 12% of time. The findings suggest that introducing two additional workers could alleviate the overall workload for production operators. In addition, the proposed production schedule prioritizes chocolate powder, followed by chocolate butter, chocolate liquid, and chocolate bars. The implications of this research extend to potential benefits for the company, including improved work quality, enhanced production efficiency, and an overall enhancement of the company’s performance.

Importance and determinants of cooperation between fruit farms and the institutional environment

The development of farms requires support from the institutional environment of agriculture. Institutions help introduce innovations and adapt their functioning to the requirements of the European Union. The aim of the research was to determine the factors affecting the cooperation of orchard farms with the institutional environment and the economic effects of this cooperation. The article's novelty answers two questions: what factors on the farm affect cooperation with the institutional environment, and whether such cooperation affects the economic results of orchard farms? The study covered 45 farms from the Małopolska and Pogórze Region in Poland, specializing in cultivating fruit trees and shrubs, which in 2018 kept accounts under the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The descriptive method, chi-square test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used in the data analysis. An original relationship index was used to assess fruit producers' cooperation with agricultural organizations. A backward stepwise multiple regression model was used to identify the factors influencing its level. The research showed a statistically significant relationship between the relationship index with the organization and utilized agriculture area, total workload, the value of subsidies to operating activities, direct costs, and the farmer's age. The regression model shows that the value of subsidies to operating activities explains 28.09% of the variability of the relationship index (Ri). Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that the cooperation of fruit producers with the institutional environment positively impacts orchard farms' economic and financial results.

Analisis Beban Kerja untuk Mengoptimalkan Jumlah Tenaga Kerja dengan Menggunakan Metode Workload Analysis

This study aims to analyze the workload on the Primary &amp; Secondary Education Operation, Control and Evaluation (PSE OCE) division at Yayasan Pendidikan Telkom. Workload analysis in this study uses the FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) method to analyze workload. The Full-Time Equivalent method used found that there were 1 person with an FTE score &gt; 2.5. The final score for the total workload received by the permanent employees of the PSE OCE division is 7.555471124. So management should add 3 more people so that the existing workload can be optimal.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Full-Time Equivalent, Optimal Number of Employees, Workload, Workload Analysis

Workload analysis to determine the optimal number of workforce using the Work Load Analysis (WLA) method at PT. Harapan Jaya Multi Bisnis

Workload is something that arises due to excessive activity demands. The workload is not proportional to the number of available workers because of the high target of pipe production while the number of workers is lacking so that human resources cannot work productively, especially in the production department at PT. Harapan Jaya Multi Bisnis. The purpose of this study is to determine the workload of employees in pipe production and determine the optimal number of workers. This study uses the Work Load Analysis (WLA) method to analyze the workload in determining the optimal number of workers. The results of this study after calculating the workload, it is proposed that the fixed cutting section is 2 people with a workload of 62.65%. In Branding, in real terms there is 1 person with a total workload of 11.73% and an average workload of 11.73%. After calculating the workload, it is proposed that the shooting section still be 1 person with a workload of 11.73%, because if additional workers are added, the workload will be too low. The time needed to complete the activity is 7 hours per day. After calculating the workload, Quality Control is proposed to be 1 person, because if additional workers are added, the workload will be too low, namely 7 hours per day.

Grid-based artificial bee colony algorithm for multi-objective job shop scheduling with manual loading and unloading tasks

This paper investigates a multi-objective job shop scheduling problem with manual loading and unloading tasks (MOJSSPLU) aiming to minimize makespan and total workload simultaneously. Taking human factors into consideration achieves a better balance between production efficiency and resource utilization. To address this problem, we first establish a bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. Afterward, we combine the artificial bee colony algorithm with the grid technique to develop a grid-based artificial bee colony algorithm (GABC) for solving MOJSSPLU. The algorithm uses a decomposition approach with the earliest-shortest dispatching rule to reduce the complexity of MOJSSPLU. A grid coordinate system is constructed to divide the objective space into cells, facilitating individuals’ location and evaluation in the decision space. Moreover, we focus on improving the cooperation between the employed and onlooker bees and design a mathematical formula based on priority weights to generate onlooker bees to maximize information utilization and improve the exploration and exploitation capabilities of the algorithm. To ensure that the most promising individuals are retained and protected from being eliminated during the evolutionary, we propose an elitist non-dominated solutions reservation strategy for improving the diversity of the population. We further propose a dynamic adjustment of the grid-division method that focuses on improving the exploitation capacity of the algorithm in the objective space to enhance the diversity and convergence of the population. To test the performance of the GABC algorithm, we compare it to the MILP approach and other algorithms using modified benchmark instances. Furthermore, we conduct the Friedman and Wilcoxon nonparametric tests to validate the comparison results among the different algorithms. The computational results demonstrate that the algorithm GABC is efficient.

Effects of low-load blood flow restriction on the venous system in comparison to traditional low-load and high-load exercises.

Purpose: Blood-Flow-Restriction (BFR) training provides the ability to achieve hypertrophy effects even though only light mechanical loads are applied. However, its impact on venous pressures and function are still unknown. Therefore, the present study investigates the influence of BFR-training on intravascular venous pressure and venous function in comparison to control exercises with low or high mechanical loads. Methods: In a randomized cross-over design, ten healthy men (27.6 ± 6.4 years) underwent three trials of unilateral knee-extensor exercise with three different training protocols, low-load- (LL-RT, 30% of the individual 1-repetition-maximum, 1RM), low-load BFR- (LL-BFR-RT, 30% 1RM, 50% limb occlusion pressure, LOP) and high-load resistance exercise (HL-RT, 75% 1RM). Exercise protocols contain about four sets of knee extension exercise (Range-of-Motion: 0-0-95°), separated by 60s of rest. Each set was performed until volitional muscle failure. For analysis of changes in intravascular venous pressures and venous function, a venous catheter was placed at the exercising leg before each trial. Whereas venous pressures were recorded throughout the exercise trials, phlebodynamometric investigations were performed before and after each trial. Furthermore, subjective pain perception during and after exercise was accessed by visual analogue scale. One-way ANOVA was used to assess mean differences between training protocols, while two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (rANOVA; time x condition) was performed to compare changes in measures over time among conditions. Data were given as means ± standard deviation (SD). Results: In comparison to the exercise trials without venous occlusion, total workload was significantly lower in the LL-BFR-RT (LL-RT: 1745 ± 604kg vs LL-BFR-RT: 1274 ± 237kg vs HL-RT: 1847 ± 367kg, p = 0.004) without indicating statistical differences in venous pressures during the exercise sets (interaction: p = 0.140) or pain perception (interaction: p = 0.574). Similarly, phlebodynamometric assessment of venous function (e.g. refill-time of the venous system pre-vs. post exercise trials-LL-RT: 29.7 ± 11.0s vs 25.5 ± 9.6s, LL-BFR-RT: 26.6 ± 13.0s vs 27.3 ± 13.8s, HL-RT: 25.9 ± 10.9s vs 23.1 ± 8.2s) revealed no time (p = 0.156), condition effect (p = 0.802) or their interactions (p = 0.382). Conclusion: The present study is the first one describing the acute effects of LL-BFR-RT to muscle failure on venous pressures and function in comparison to a LL- and HL-RT in the lower limbs. In contrast to the existing literature, LL-BFR-RT does not elevate the venous pressures during exercise higher than a comparative exercise without BFR and does not show any adverse effects on venous function after the exercise.

Digital geographic information technologies for planning, organizing and monitoring practical work of a phthisiology service physician

Currently, the health care system of the Russian Federation is going through a stage of rapid development of information technologies. Digital technologies raise the activity of phthisiological service to a higher level and provide new tools to optimize medical care, improve analytical and organizational processes. One of the effective digital tools is geographic information systems (GIS). It provides a wide range of opportunities for 3-D visualization of objects, phenomena, analytical information about ongoing work processes on a map. GIS allow analyzing statistical data based on data threedimensional distribution and its changes over time. The possibility of displaying various indicators on separate maps allows to form thematic layers. Working with such data layers and layer stacking allows revealing regularities, to draw conclusions about mutual influence of indicators (such as population overcrowding and tuberculosis morbidity, influence of the number of active patients on the total workload of employees of the district phthisiological office, etc.). We proposed the use of GIS estimating package for management and control of the district TB dispensary office. We got a technical possibility to make a complex analysis of statistical and epidemic indicators on the territory of our district. The use of GIS made it possible to process large arrays of digital data associated with community outreach, forecasting changes in the workload of various units and control of resources of medical organization.

Physical workload and cardiopulmonary parameters in relation to individual capacity of bulk waste workers – a cross-sectional field-study

PurposeWaste collection is considered particularly heavy work, although no previous study has yet investigated the strain of bulk waste collection. The aim of this study is to determine the workload of bulk waste workers in practice.MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional field-study. Fourteen male volunteers from the bulk waste collection of the municipal sanitation department in Hamburg, Germany, were included. Performance was determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing under laboratory conditions. During the shift, each worker was accompanied by a researcher, and heart rate (HR) was recorded under field conditions using an HR watch with a belt system. We examined mean HR, relative heart rate (RHR), relative aerobic strain (RAS), calculated oxygen uptake (V.O2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mathrm{\\overset{.}{V}O}_2$$\\end{document}) and individual ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) as parameters of workload during their daily work.ResultsDuring the shift, HR was scaled: 102 bpm (SD 10.2), RHR: 36.9%, V.O2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mathrm{\\overset{.}{V}O}_2$$\\end{document}: 1267 ml/min (SD 161), RAS: 49.4% (SD 9.3), and V.O2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mathrm{\\overset{.}{V}O}_2$$\\end{document} in relation to VT1: 75% (SD 18.5). There was no significant difference between oxygen consumption during the main task of lifting and carrying bulky waste and the individual V.O2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mathrm{\\overset{.}{V}O}_2$$\\end{document} at VT1.ConclusionAlthough the burden of the main task of lifting and carrying bulky waste is very high (at VT1 for more than 3 h), interruptions from other tasks or formal breaks spread the burden over the entire shift. The total workload exceeded most recommendations in the literature across the different work periods. However, the total burden remains below VT1, the only parameter that takes individual endurance performance into account. We recommend again VT1 as an individual upper limit for prolonged occupational work.