scholarly journals Simulation model for evaluation of ergonomic load in the use of exoskeletons

2021 ◽  
Vol 1199 (1) ◽  
pp. 012011
Author(s):  
D Onofrejová ◽  
M Balážiková
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Load Factor ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Ergonomic Analysis

Abstract For the analysis of musculoskeletal workload and associated potential hazardous working conditions as well as musculoskeletal symptoms in worker populations among various occupations different approaches are taken, and extensive data collection studies are being accomplished. Questions are targeted on musculoskeletal workload and associated potentially hazardous working conditions can be categorized into seven indices (force, dynamic and static load, repetitive load, climatic factors, vibration and ergonomic environmental factors). Evaluation focus on standing, sitting, walking and uncomfortable postures, the indices constitute a brief overview of the main findings on musculoskeletal workload and associated potentially hazardous working conditions. The validity of the findings is fair when compared with an index of psychosocial working conditions and discomfort during exposure to physical loads. Worker groups with contrasting musculoskeletal loads can be differentiated on the basis of the indices and other factors. It appears that most indices and factors show significant associations with low back and/or neck-shoulder symptoms. This simulation model NIOSH analysis can be used as a simple and quick approach to identify worker groups in which a more thorough ergonomic analysis indicates possible improvements in load factor using particular exoskeletons at work.

Working conditions and occupational pathology of coal miners in the Arctic

2019 ◽  
pp. 452-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Gorbanev ◽  
S. A. Syurin ◽  
N. M. Frolova
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Due to the impact of adverse working conditions and climate, workers in coal-mining enterprises in the Arctic are at increased risk of occupational diseases (OD).The aim of the study was to study the working conditions, causes, structure and prevalence of occupational diseases in miners of coal mines in the Arctic.Materials and methods. Th e data of social and hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity” of the population of Vorkuta and Chukotka Autonomous District in 2007–2017 are studied.Results. It was established that in 2007–2017 years, 2,296 ODs were diagnosed for the first time in 1851 coal mines, mainly in the drifters, clearing face miners, repairmen and machinists of mining excavating machines. Most often, the ODs occurred when exposed to the severity of labor, fibrogenic aerosols and hand-arm vibration. The development of professional pathology in 98% of cases was due to design flaws of machines and mechanisms, as well as imperfections of workplaces and technological processes. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (36.2%), respiratory organs (28.9%) and nervous system (22.5%) prevailed in the structure of professional pathology of miners of coal mines. Among the three most common nosological forms of OD were radiculopathy (32.1%), chronic bronchitis (27.7%) and mono-polyneuropathy (15.4%). In 2017, coal miners in the Arctic had a professional morbidity rate of 2.82 times higher than the national rates for coal mining.Conclusions. To preserve the health of miners of coal mining enterprises, technical measures to improve working conditions and medical interventions aimed at increasing the body’s resistance to the effects of harmful production and climatic factors are necessary.

Environmental influences on fish and shellfish production in the Northwest Atlantic

1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.H. Mann ◽  
K.F. Drinkwater
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Homarus Americanus ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Grand Banks ◽  
Fish And Shellfish

Evidence is reviewed, linking physical oceanographic processes in the marine environment to changes in fish and shellfish stocks in the Northwest Atlantic. A case history study of the cod (Gadus morhua) stock of the northern Grand Banks and Labrador Shelf indicates a long slow amelioration of the environment between about 1945 and 1965, followed by a deterioration in the period 1965–1992. The most important environmental factors for the cod stocks appear to have been salinity and temperature. The trends can be traced back to climatic factors involving the Icelandic Low and the Azores–Bermuda High. When the atmospheric pressure difference in winter tended to be high, there was a progressive increase in the area of sea ice off Labrador and in the volume of cold water at depth. These factors have been shown to affect temperature and salinity conditions on the Grand Banks in spring and summer and are associated with poor growth and recruitment in the cod stocks. A similar case study of lobster (Homarus americanus) stocks indicates that temperature and river discharge are important environmental correlates, but neither can be shown to fully account for the recent trends in the stocks. Evidence is reviewed to show that physical environmental processes also influence recruitment and distribution of stocks of haddock, capelin, and squid. Some of the problems with correlational analysis are also discussed. It is recognized that factors other than the environment are influencing the stocks. Fishing mortality (detailed consideration of which is not included in this review) has clearly been important. Interactions between environmental factors and fishing mortality are probably of major importance.Key words: ocean environment, fish production, recruitment, northern cod, American lobster.

Fault Detection for an Aileron Actuator under Variable Conditions Based on Bi-Step Neural Network

2015 ◽  
Vol 764-765 ◽  
pp. 740-746
Author(s):  
Hang Yuan ◽  
Chen Lu ◽  
Ze Tao Xiong ◽  
Hong Mei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Fault Detection ◽  
Simulation Model ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Fault Tolerant ◽  
Adaptive Threshold ◽  
Residual Error ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads

Fault detection for aileron actuators mainly involves the enhancement of reliability and fault tolerant capability. Considering the complexity of the working conditions of aileron actuators, a fault detection method for an aileron actuator under variable conditions is proposed in this study. A bi-step neural network is utilized for fault detection. The first neural network, which is employed as the observer, is established to monitor the aileron actuator and generate the residual error. The other neural network generates the corresponding adaptive threshold synchronously. Faults are detected by comparing the residual error and the threshold. In considering of the variable conditions, aerodynamic loads are introduced to the bi-step neural network. The training order spectrums are designed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by a simulation model with different faults.

scholarly journals REDUCING THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE BENDING DEFORMATION OF CURED CARBON FIBER BY MICROWAVE PROCESSING

2021 ◽  
pp. 56-58
Author(s):  
I. V. Zlobina
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Composite Materials ◽  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Flux Density ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Transverse Load ◽  
Bending Deformation ◽  
Energy Flux Density

The article discusses the results of a study of bending deformation and creep under transverse load of cured polymer composite materials (PCM), which were located for 8 months in full-scale environmental conditions in Saratov. It was found that being under the influence of natural climatic factors for the specified time leads to an increase in the bending deformation of samples from 13,5 to 25,4%, depending on the load. Processing in a microwave electromagnetic field with a frequency of 2450 MHz with an energy flux density of (17-18) x10 mW / cm for 2 minutes reduces bending deformation by (9-18)%, and creep - up to 4 times.

scholarly journals Optimizing management of low back pain through the pain and disability drivers management model: A feasibility trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245689
Author(s):  
Christian Longtin ◽  
Simon Décary ◽  
Chad E. Cook ◽  
Marc O. Martel ◽  
Sylvie Lafrenaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Pragmatic Trial ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Low Back

Introduction Self-reported levels of disability in individuals with low back pain (LBP) have not improved in the last decade. A broader perspective and a more comprehensive management framework may improve disability outcomes. We recently developed and validated the Low Back Pain and Disability Drivers Management (PDDM) model, which aims to identify the domains driving pain and disability to guide clinical decisions. The objectives of this study were to determine the applicability of the PDDM model to a LBP population and the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic trial, as well as to explore clinicians’ perceived acceptability of the PDDM model’s use in clinical settings. Methods This study was an one-arm prospective feasibility trial. Participants included physiotherapists working with a population suffering from LBP and their patients aged 18 years or older presenting with a primary complaint of LBP that sought a new referral and deemed fit for rehabilitation from private and public clinical settings. Clinicians participated in a one-day workshop on the integration of the PDDM model into their clinical practice, and were asked to report various LBP-related outcomes via self-reported questionnaires (i.e., impact of pain on physical function, nervous system dysfunctions, cognitive-emotional factors, work disabilities) at baseline and at six-week follow-up. Physiotherapists’ acceptability of the use of the PDDM model and appreciation of the training were assessed via semi-structured phone interviews. Analyses focused on a description of the model’s applicability to a LBP population, feasibility outcomes and acceptability measures. Results Applicablity of the PDDM model was confirmed since it successfully established the profile of patients according to the elements of each categories, and each of the 5 domains of the model was represented among the study sample. Trial was deemed feasible contingent upon few modifications as our predefined success criteria for the feasibility outcomes were met but feasibility issues pertaining to data collection were highlighted. Twenty-four (24) clinicians and 61 patients were recruited within the study’s timeframe. Patient’s attrition rate (29%) and clinicians’ compliance to the study protocol were adequate. Clinicians’ perceived acceptability of the use of the model in clinical settings and their appreciation of the training and online resources were both positive. Recommendations to improve the model’s integration in clinical practice, content of the workshop and feasibility of data collection methods were identified for future studies. A positive effect for all patients’ reported outcome measures were also observed. All outcome measures except for the PainDetect questionnaire showed a statistically significant reduction post-intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion These findings provide preliminary evidence of the potential of the PDDM model to optimize LBP management as well as conducting a future larger-scale pragmatic trial to determine its effectiveness. Trial registration Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT03949179.

scholarly journals Employee Turnover and Job Satisfaction: A synthesis of Factors influencing employee turnover in Institutions of Higher Learning in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alhassan Abdul Mumin ◽  
Adams Sulemana Achanso ◽  
Musah Ibrahim Mordzeh-Ekpampo ◽  
BismarkYeboah Boasu ◽  
David Dei
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Employee Turnover ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Development Studies ◽  
Employee Job Satisfaction ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The University

Abstract Turnover among teaching staff in our universities are mostly due to dissatisfaction with their jobs. Employee job satisfaction is of utmost importance to stimulating and sustaining the interest of the individual in order to prevent employee turnover. There are many factors influencing employee job satisfaction and preventing employee turnover. Factors such as salary, working conditions, cordial relationship with colleagues at work, opportunities for job progression among several other factors. The objective of this paper was to explore the extent to which these factors, affect employee job satisfaction and prevent turnover among lecturers in the University for Development Studies using the cross-sectional design and quantitative approach of data collection. Survey questionnaires were employed as data collection instruments to elicit information from 287 lecturers recruited from the University for Development Studies within the Tamale Metropolis. Multiple regression was used to establish the effect factors influencing job satisfaction had on employee turnover. Major findings from the study alluded to the fact that salary, working conditions, working environments, carrier advancement, relationship with co-workers have significant correlation with job satisfaction and employee turnover of lecturers in this institution. On account of these findings, this paper suggests yearly salary adjustments, creates a conducive working environment for lecturers, improve upon infrastructural facilities and facilitates carrier advancement issues for lecturers so as to prevent them from exiting the institution.

The Effects of a Digital Health Program Using Chatbot Through a Mobile Messaging App on Musculoskeletal Problems: Randomized Controlled Trial of the Self-Management Program in Workers with Neck/Shoulder Pain/Stiffness and Low Back Pain (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Anan ◽  
Shigeyuki Kajiki ◽  
Hiroyuki Oka ◽  
Tomoko Fujii ◽  
Kayo Kawamata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck and shoulder pain and stiffness and low back pain, are common health problems in the working population. They are the leading causes of presenteeism (employees being physically present at work but unable to be fully engaged). However, current medical systems do not spare sufficient resources for non-specific musculoskeletal problems. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the improvements in musculoskeletal symptoms after use of an exercise-based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted interactive health promotion system that operates through a mobile messaging app (the AI-assisted health program). METHODS We conducted a two-armed, randomized, controlled, and unblinded trial in workers with neck/shoulder stiffness and/or low back pain. We recruited participants with these symptoms through email notifications. We obtained 48 participants in the intervention group and 46 in the control group. The intervention group received the AI-assisted health program, in which the chatbot sent messages to users with the exercise instructions at a fixed time every day through the smart phone’s chatting app (LINE) for 12 weeks. The exercises could be performed within 1 minute. The control group continued with their usual care routines, which included exercising for 3 minutes at recess time provided by the company to prevent stiff shoulders and back pain. We assessed the subjective severities of the neck and shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain in participants using a scoring scale of 1 to 5 for both the intervention and the control group at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention using an online form. RESULTS We analyzed 47 patients in the intervention group and 40 in the control group. The participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in the severities of the neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain compared to those in the control group (OR 12.74, P <.001). Based on the subjective assessment of the improvement of the pain/stiffness at 12 weeks, 36 (77%) participants in the intervention group and 3 (8%) in the control group had improved (improved, slightly improved) (OR 54.23, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the short exercises provided by the AI-assisted health program improved both neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain in 12 weeks. Digital health programs are low cost and safe and can save experts’ working hours and labor costs. Further studies are needed to identify the elements of the AI-assisted health program that worked. CLINICALTRIAL University hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) 000033894; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000038307.

A questionnaire-based musculoskeletal disorder assessment for aircraft maintenance technicians

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebru Yazgan ◽  
Necmettin Firat Ozkan ◽  
Berna Haktanirlar Ulutas
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorder ◽  
Aircraft Maintenance ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Hand Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manual Material Handling ◽  
Fall Protection

Purpose Aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) is the most critical profession in the aircraft maintenance system. The tasks of a licensed AMT require expertise and involve repetitive physical tasks such as tightening or loosening aircraft parts, carrying or removing parts during long working hours under time pressure and day/night shifts. This study aims to attract attention to the difficult working conditions of AMTs and identify the body parts that are at risk of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire is developed by the authors to gather demographic information, use of hand tools, equipment, use of fall protection, manual material handling (lifting, pushing, pulling), load weight, environmental factors, and MSD discomfort level perceptions. The questionnaire is applied to 150 AMTs during six months period, and the obtained data are analyzed by sequential ordinal logistic regression (OLR) models. Findings The ORL results confirm that the use of equipment (lift platform, scissors lift), safety belt attached to the platform, manual material handling, environmental factors (humidity, vibration and illumination) and resting periods have a significant effect on MSD risks. On the contrary, age, experience level, use of small hand tools, temperature and noise are not identified as statistically significant. Originality/value The study is original for it considers the working conditions and perceived discomfort levels of AMTs. A questionnaire is introduced to assess the consequences of the use of tools, equipment, fall protection equipment, environmental conditions and work organization on various body parts (neck, shoulder, elbow, back, lower back, wrist-hand, hip, knee, and ankle-feet), and strain level is identified. The study contributes to the theoretical aircraft maintenance literature and managers in practice.

scholarly journals Public Status and Prevalence of Acupuncture in Japan

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoto Ishizaki ◽  
Tadashi Yano ◽  
Kenji Kawakita
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Shoulder Stiffness ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Public Status ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems

Acupuncture originated in China and is widespread throughout Asia. It is expected that a higher utilization of this remedy exists in these countries compared to Western countries. We conducted annual nationwide surveys from 2003 through 2006 on the utilization of acupuncture in Japan. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2000 individuals randomly chosen from the resident database. Annual utilization percentages, based on the number of respondents, from 2003 to 2006 were 6.5%, 4.8%, 6.4%, and 6.7%, respectively, while lifetime experiences determined in each surveys were estimated as 26.7, 19.4, 24.4 and 25.4, respectively. Respondents who had utilized acupuncture and/or moxibustion tended to be older than those who had no experience. Acupuncture was mainly used for musculoskeletal symptoms, and a detailed breakdown of the musculoskeletal symptoms identified in the 2005 survey showed 50.9% for low back pain, 35.9% for shoulder stiffness and 12.0% for knee pain. Reasons given for continuing therapy included the effective amelioration of symptoms, comfort of the procedure and low number of side-effects, while those who decided against continuing cited no improvement of symptoms, cost and lack of time for treatment. In conclusion, annual utilization of acupuncture and/or moxibustion was estimated at more than 6%, and the percentage of those with a lifetime experience was ∼25%, thus demonstrating the relatively higher utilization of the remedy in Japan over utilization in western countries. Application of the treatment for musculoskeletal problems and utilization by the older population were specific standouts of the use of acupuncture and/or moxibustion in Japan.

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