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1 – 10 of 45Mohd Anwar Zawawi, Sinead O'Keffe and Elfed Lewis
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative review of intensity‐modulated fiber optic sensors with non‐optical sensors for health monitoring applications, from the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative review of intensity‐modulated fiber optic sensors with non‐optical sensors for health monitoring applications, from the current research activities in the area.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of published research work in sensor design for four different health monitoring applications, including, lumbar spine bending, upper and lower limb motion tracking, respiration and heart rate monitoring, are presented and discussed in terms of their respective advantages and limitations.
Findings
This paper provides information on the various types of sensors applied into the health monitoring area. The sensing techniques of the fiber optic sensor for the stated applications are focused and compared in details to highlight their contributions.
Originality/value
A comparative review of published work is illustrated in an informative table content, to allow a clear idea of the current sensing approaches for health monitoring applications.
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Hadith Tangestani, Maryam Ghaseminasab-Parizi, Seyed Mohammad Mazloomi, Mesbah Shams, Afsane Ahmadi and Mohammad Fararouei
Osteoporosis is increasingly affecting the young female adults of the Iranian population. The role of nutrition and physical activity on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone…
Abstract
Purpose
Osteoporosis is increasingly affecting the young female adults of the Iranian population. The role of nutrition and physical activity on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in young female students has not been fully examined. This study aims to assess the dietary intake of several nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus and protein; serum concentrations of vitamin D; and physical activity and their relationship with BMC and BMD in young female students.
Design/methodology/approach
Three-day dietary intakes of 67 female students were measured via duplicate portion sampling (DPS) method. Calcium and phosphorus content of the food samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Protein intake was determined by Kjeldahl method. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Findings
The mean ±SD dietary intake of protein, calcium and phosphorus was 58.8 ± 16.9 g/day, 388 ± 135 mg/day and 1884 ± 682 mg/day, respectively. Significant positive correlation was found between serum vitamin 25(OH) D concentrations and BMC of lumbar spine (r = 0.28, p = 0.016) and BMD of femoral neck (r = 0.29, p = 0.016). Moreover, the authors observed a significant positive correlation between physical activity and femoral neck BMC (r = 0.26, p = 0.03) and BMD (r = 0.28, p = 0.02). This study found no significant associations between dietary intakes of protein, calcium and phosphorus and bone density measurements.
Originality/value
In this study, the authors measured the dietary intake of protein, calcium and phosphorus using DPS method. This study highlights the role of physical activity and serum vitamin 25(OH) D concentrations in female students’ bone health.
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Lorraine M. Clapham and Julie Buckley
Outcome audits describe the current level of clinical performance and direct change in clinical practice. The outcome measures used should be not only relevant and easily…
Abstract
Outcome audits describe the current level of clinical performance and direct change in clinical practice. The outcome measures used should be not only relevant and easily understood but also available to all interested parties, e.g. patients, clinicians and commissioners of health. The results of audits can be used to set the standard from which clinical practice can be monitored and improved. An expectation of likely outcome also gives the patient the opportunity of being able to make a fully informed choice. This audit using prospective data examines and compares the outcome of surgery for degenerative lumbar spine disease over a two‐year period. The results allow more accurate information to be given to patients, areas of service development to be identified and changes in clinical practice to be made.
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This bibliography is offered as a practical guide to published papers, conference proceedings papers and theses/dissertations on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE…
Abstract
This bibliography is offered as a practical guide to published papers, conference proceedings papers and theses/dissertations on the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) applications in different fields of biomechanics between 1976 and 1991. The aim of this paper is to help the users of FE and BE techniques to get better value from a large collection of papers on the subjects. Categories in biomechanics included in this survey are: orthopaedic mechanics, dental mechanics, cardiovascular mechanics, soft tissue mechanics, biological flow, impact injury, and other fields of applications. More than 900 references are listed.
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Lu Lu, Kit-Lun Yick, Sun Pui Ng, Joanne Yip and Chi Yung Tse
The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess the three-dimensional (3D) geometry and symmetry of the torso for spinal deformity and the use of orthotic bracewear by using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess the three-dimensional (3D) geometry and symmetry of the torso for spinal deformity and the use of orthotic bracewear by using non-invasive 3D body scanning technology.
Design/methodology/approach
In pursuing greater accuracy of body anthropometric measurements to improve the fit and design of apparel, 3D body scanning technology and image analysis provide many more advantages over the traditional manual methods that use contact measurements. To measure the changes in the torso geometry and profile symmetry of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, five individuals are recruited to undergo body scanning both with and without wearing a rigid brace during a period of six months. The cross-sectional areas and profiles of the reconstructed 3D torso models are examined to evaluate the level of body symmetry.
Findings
Significant changes in the cross-sectional profile are found amongst four of the patients over the different visits for measurements (p < 0.05), which are consistent with the X-rays results. The 3D body scanning system can reliably evaluate changes in the body geometry of patients with scoliosis. Nevertheless, improvements in the symmetry of the torso are found to be somewhat inconsistent among the patients and across different visits.
Originality/value
This pilot study demonstrates a practical and safe means to measure and analyse the torso geometry and symmetry so as to allow for more frequent evaluations, which would result in effective and optimal treatment of spinal deformation.
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Two series of visits to practices in a district in north west England were undertaken to encourage significant event review. The first was to non‐participants in audit projects…
Abstract
Two series of visits to practices in a district in north west England were undertaken to encourage significant event review. The first was to non‐participants in audit projects who discussed lumbar‐sacral spine X‐rays and deaths with the GP facilitator. The second was to single‐handed GPs who discussed new diagnoses. Levels of participation and completion were high and there was a significant fall in the number of X‐rays requested compared with neighbouring controls. This method of influencing professional performance is compared with others. An evaluation questionnaire suggested that the method was acceptable and useful. It is suggested that academic detailing/practice visiting has a vital place in developing clinical governance in primary care, especially in recruiting those who have seldom been involved in audit activities in the past.
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Benjamin Jaeger and Dennis Kopf
– The purpose of this paper is to discover best practices for selling stem cell based biologics and ensuring proper sales force alignment in the biomedical device industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover best practices for selling stem cell based biologics and ensuring proper sales force alignment in the biomedical device industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on an immersion into the industry as well as several formal, semi-structured interviews and dozens of informal interviews of surgeons, medical staff and medical device salespersons and managers. Data were also collected and analyzed from wipricepoint.org. The factors analyzed were the number of discharges, average charge per procedure, median age, male/female patient ratio and total hospital charges per year.
Findings
Secondary data can augment primary data collection to determine the most lucrative markets for salespersons to target their efforts. In addition, the data when combined with sales force specific data can help optimize sales force alignment. Insights into the industry are also given such as how to overcome objections to the use of stem cell based biologics for spinal surgeries.
Research limitations/implications
Much of the findings are specific to only one industry (medical device sales). However, we do present a generalized process for analyzing a key source of secondary data that could be beneficial to any hospital-serving industry.
Originality/value
Within the medical equipment industries, approximately 58 per cent of sales territories were either too large or too small (Zoltners and Lorimer, 2000). This paper shows how secondary data sources can be obtained and analyzed to better focus sales force effort.
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Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari, Heng Li, David John Edwards, Erika Anneli Pärn, De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Joonoh Seo and Arnold Yu Lok Wong
Work-related low back disorders (LBDs) are prevalent among rebar workers although their causes remain uncertain. The purpose of this study is to examine the self-reported…
Abstract
Purpose
Work-related low back disorders (LBDs) are prevalent among rebar workers although their causes remain uncertain. The purpose of this study is to examine the self-reported discomfort and spinal biomechanics (muscle activity and spinal kinematics) experienced by rebar workers.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 20 healthy male participants performed simulated repetitive rebar lifting tasks with three different lifting weights, using either a stoop (n = 10) or a squat (n = 10) lifting posture, until subjective fatigue was reached. During these tasks, trunk muscle activity and spinal kinematics were recorded using surface electromyography and motion sensors, respectively.
Findings
A mixed-model, repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that an increase in lifting weight significantly increased lower back muscle activity at L3 level but decreased fatigue and time to fatigue (endurance time) (p < 0.05). Lifting postures had no significant effect on spinal biomechanics (p < 0.05). Test results revealed that lifting different weights causes disproportional loading upon muscles, which shortens the time to reach working endurance and increases the risk of developing LBDs among rebar workers.
Research limitations/implications
Future research is required to: broaden the research scope to include other trades; investigate the effects of using assistive lifting devices to reduce manual handling risks posed; and develop automated human condition-based solutions to monitor trunk muscle activity and spinal kinematics.
Originality/value
This study fulfils an identified need to study laboratory-based simulated task conducted to investigate the risk of developing LBDs among rebar workers primarily caused by repetitive rebar lifting.
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‘THE most interesting years of my industrial life’ is the way the writer of this column would describe the three and a half years of office as editor of Time and Motion Study.
Human skin temperature data can provide reference advice for diagnosing many diseases, but current wearable skin temperature monitoring systems have few points and may miss…
Abstract
Purpose
Human skin temperature data can provide reference advice for diagnosing many diseases, but current wearable skin temperature monitoring systems have few points and may miss temperature information in critical areas. This paper aims to develop a wearable system that can be used for local temperature monitoring and restore better the actual state of local human temperature by exploring ways to extend more temperature measurement points. This will provide better assistance in developing medical targeting and intelligent clothing.
Design/methodology/approach
The temperature measurement system contains modules for temperature monitoring, digital-to-analog conversion and regulated power supply, enabling fast reading of 12 channels of monitoring data. The microprocessor unit is the STM32F407. The instructions and control modes are written in C. The waist area was chosen as the monitoring area because it is susceptible to temperature, and many diseases are associated with skin temperature. Twelve points, including temperature-related acupuncture points and heat-sensitive points, were selected for testing and the data results agreed well with the infrared imaging results.
Findings
The waist is selected as the monitoring object, and an easy-to-wear waist temperature monitoring belt is designed to verify the application value of the system. The development of the system provides reference suggestions for the exploration of multi-point temperature monitoring systems and the integration capabilities of temperature measurement modules in wearable multifunctional systems.
Practical implications
In addition to waist temperature monitoring, the wearable temperature measurement system developed in this study can also be applied to other body parts. In addition, the system can be efficiently and effectively combined with various garments, making it a useful tool for researching human skin temperature.
Originality/value
The wearable temperature monitoring system designed in this paper extends the number of temperature test points to 12. The number of test points covers as many localized body areas as possible to indeed reproduce the temperature distribution of the human body. In addition, the selection of test points combines medically relevant body points with physiologically relevant heat-sensitive areas, which makes the temperature measurement data more valuable.
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