Inter-rater reliability of a video-analysis method measuring low-back load in a field situation

Valid and reliable low-back load assessment tools that can be used in field situations are needed for epidemiologic studies and for ergonomic practice. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability of a low-back load video-analysis method in a field setting.     

Relation between spinal load factors and the high-risk probability of occupational low-back disorder

Spinal compression is traditionally assumed the principal biomechanical mechanism associated with occupationally related low-back disorders (LBD). However, there is little conclusive evidence demonstrating that compression is related to occupational LBD. The objective of this research was to examine whether axial compression in the lumbar spine can predict the probability that a lifting task should be classified as high risk for LBD. Furthermore, the improvement in predictive ability was examined when analyses include 3-D, dynamic biomechanical factors. Ten experienced warehouse workers transferred 12 pallet loads of boxes in a simulation of warehouse working conditions. Biomechanical estimates of 2-D static and 3-D dynamic spinal compression, shear loads and tissue strains were achieved from the subjects during each lifting exertion. Each lift was also assessed for probability of high LBD risk classification. Regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between biomechanical and epidemiological factors. Results indicate 2-D static estimates of spinal compression describe ? 13% of the probability of high LBD risk variability. Dynamic estimates of spinal compression describe >44% of the variability. A multifactor regression model including 3-D spinal loads and tissue strains further improved the predictive ability, but the improvement was not statistically significant. This research demonstrates the biomechanical source of low-back pain is dynamic, multifaceted and multidimensional. Significant improvements in ergonomics assessments can be achieved by examining interactions of dynamic biomechanical factors. Unfortunately, this improved predictive ability is generated at the high cost of computational complexity. However, less realistic biomechanical representations may ignore the injury mechanisms associated with the greater number of workplace injuries. Thus, improved understanding of the dynamic biomechanical interactions influencing the tolerance and injury mechanisms of the spine may permit more accurate assessments of workplace injury factors associated with LBD and reduced incidence of occupationally related low-back pain.     

The effect of floor slope on sub-maximal lifting capacity and technique

Inclined surfaces, where both the lifter and load are on the slope, may be encountered in a jobsite situation. The purpose of this study was to determine if facing up or down a sloped surface (10 degrees and 20 degrees ) would affect maximal acceptable weights of lift (MAWL) using a 10 min psychophysical approach with symmetric freestyle technique at 4 lifts/min. Seventeen healthy men and 18 women determined floor to knuckle height MAWL while facing uphill, downhill, and on a level surface. Motion capture was also performed to examine sagittal plane joint angles and foot placement relative to a milk crate. Slope did not alter MAWL (p>0.05) with the men lifting more than the women in every condition (p<0.001) (25 kg vs. 15 kg, respectively). Foot placement relative to the box was altered by slope such that both horizontal position behind and vertical position below the box increased as slope changed from the downhill to uphill conditions (both p<0.001). Forward torso lean as well as hip, knee, and ankle (plantar) flexion generally decreased as slope changed from the downhill to uphill conditions (all p<0.001). Torso and knee motion appeared to be protected compared to the other joints, changing the least. Though trends were the same in both sexes, interactions did exist in vertical foot position and hip angle (both p0.001). In conclusion, the body is highly adaptive to floor slope, maintaining MAWL at least in the short term. However, while slight technique differences exist between men and women, care should be taken by all when facing uphill due to the tendency to stand further from the load horizontally and when facing downhill due to increased torso lean.     

An experimental evaluation of psychophysical criteria for repetitive lifting work

Two experiments were performed to test the reliability and validity of psychophysically determined maximum acceptable workloads for setting lifting standards. The perceived workload in a repetitive diagonal lifting task was found to be a positively accelerated function of the weight lifted and of the work pace respectively. A twofold increase in objective workload resulted in a four- to fivefold increase in perceived workload. This relation was independent of previous occupational experience of lifting work. The psychophysically assessed maximum acceptable workloads for this type of lifting task appeared to be satisfactorily reproducible when subjects had to adjust work pace or when they were left free to adjust both the weight and the work pace. However, the results raised several questions concerning the applicability of the psychophysical assessment of maximum acceptable lifting work. Slight changes in the instructions given to the subjects had a definite effect on the selection of workloads. Furthermore, the workloads selected by subjects with previous occupational experience of lifting work — i e, warehouse workers — were systematically lower than those selected by subjects without such previous experience — i e, office employees. At the same time, the warehouse workers rated perceived exertion higher than the office employees, indicating that previous occupational experience of lifting work enhanced the subjective assessment of physical effort. There were no consistent relations between the workloads found acceptable by the subjects and their physical characteristics and performance capacity.     

The effect of vibration on psychophysically derived work frequencies for a riveting task

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine maximum acceptable task frequencies (MAF) for males performing a simulated riveting task at different wrist postures and applied force levels using an operational rivet gun. Twelve healthy males from a university population served as subjects. Results indicated that MAF decreased significantly with a deviation in wrist posture and an increase in applied force. These results were supported by various physiological variables and ratings of perceived exertion. It was also determined that decrements in MAF due to vibration were 36% while decrements due to wrist posture were 19%. This would indicate that vibration, as a risk factor in the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, is of more concern than wrist posture. Implication of the findings are discussed in the body of the paper.Relevance to industry

Ergonomic intervention may decrease the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders thus reducing workers compensation costs and lost productivity of the worker.     

Lumbosacral compression in maximal lifting efforts in sagittal plane with varying mechanical disadvantage in isometric and isokinetic modes

Nine normal male subjects (mean age 28·2 years and mean weight 72·6 kg) performed 20 standardized maximal effort lifting tasks. They were asked to perform stoop and squat lifts at half, three-quarters and full individual horizontal reach distances in mid-sagittal plane in isometric and isokinetic modes (fixed velocity 60 cm/s). Both stoop and squat lifts were initiated at the floor level and terminated at the individual's knuckle height keeping the horizontal distance constant throughout the lift. The isometric stoop lifts were performed with hip at 60° and 90° of flexion with hands at preselected reach distances. The isometric squat lifts were performed with knees at 90° and 135° of flexion with hands at similarly preselected reach distances. The force was measured using a Static Dynamic Strength Tester with load cell (SM1000). The postures were recorded using a two-dimensional Peak Performance System with an event synchronizing unit. The load cell was sampled at 60 Hz and the video filming was done at 60 frames per second. The force and postural data were fed to a biomechanical model (Cheng and Kumar 1991) to extract external moment and lumbosacral compression. The strengths generated in different conditions were significantly different (p < 0·01). The strength variation ranged by up to 73% whereas the lumbosacral compression varied by only up to 15%. A high level of lumbosacral compression was maintained in all conditions.     

The psychophysical lifting capacities of Chinese subjects

The psychophysical lifting capacity (MAWL) of twelve subjects was determined in this study. The subjects were all young Chinese males who performed lifting tasks in three lifting ranges (floor to knuckle, floor to shoulder, and knuckle to shoulder) and four lifting frequencies (one-time maximum, 1 lift/min, 4 lifts/min, and 6 lifts/min). The oxygen uptake (1/min) and heart rate (beats/min) were recorded while subjects were lifting. Upon completion of each lifting task, the subjects were required to rate their perceived exertion levels. The statistical analyses results indicated the following. Chinese subjects have smaller body size and MAWLs compared with past studies using the US population. The MAWLs decreased with an increase in lifting frequencies. The decrements of MAWL due to lifting frequencies were in agreement with the results of past studies. However, there were larger decreases due to lifting ranges. The MAWLs of the floor to knuckle height lift were the largest, followed by the MAWLs of the floor to shoulder height lift, and the MAWLs of the knuckle to shoulder height lift. The measured physiological responses were considered similar to those obtained in past studies. Subjects' perceived stress levels increased with the lifting frequency and the upper extremities received the most stress for the total range of lifting tasks. The comparisons of the Chinese MAWLs with the NIOSH lifting guidelines for limits (AL and MPL) indicated that the vertical discounting factor in the guidelines should be modified before the NIOSH limits can be applied to non-Western populations.     

Minimal acceptable handling time intervals for lifting and lowering tasks

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the minimal acceptable handling time interval (MAHTI) for 4 h of endurance manual materials handling tasks using a psychophysical approach. Nine experienced male subjects were recruited to perform manual materials handling tasks with three load weights (10, 15, and 20 kg) and six ranges (floor to knuckle, FK; knuckle to floor, KF; knuckle to shoulder, KS; shoulder to knuckle, SK; floor to shoulder, FS; shoulder to floor, SF). Subjects were asked to adjust the handling time interval to the minimum that they could perform without becoming strained, uncomfortable, tired, weakened, overheated, or out-of-breath for 4 h of the endurance handling period. The results showed that the heavier load produced a larger MAHTI, and the overall descending sequence of MAHTI values for the six ranges was FS, KS, SF, FK, KF, and SK. The MAHTI for each lifting task was significantly higher than that of its corresponding lowering task (p<0.05). All MAHTI data were further verified by tests run on an additional nine subjects; this showed that the psychophysically determined MAHTIs were appropriate with no apparent underestimation.     

用提升格式构造二次平均插值小波

提升格式是小波研究的新热点，提升格式的运用有两个不同的层次，即用提升格式来实现已有的小波变换和构造新的小波，首先用提升格式构造了二次平均插值小波，并用构造出的小波对灰度图象做变换，然后对变换后的系数采用最优比特率分配的方法来做编码，取得了与JPEG2000推荐的D9/7双正交小波图象编码基本一致的结果，但是，二次平均插值小波的提升格式要比D9/7双正交小波的提升格式简单得多，这意味着消耗的计算资源也少得多。     

The influence of low frequency vibration on pilot performance (as measured in a fixed base simulator)

This report describes a study on the effects of low frequency vibration on pilot performance. Army pilots acted as subjects and flew simulated helicopter missions in a realistic fixed base simulator environment. While flying the two-hour missions pilots were exposed to vibration stimuli varying in frequency from 6 to 12 Hz and in amplitude from ±0·1 to ±0·3g (measured at the floor). Measurements were taken of the vibration tramsmissibility of the pilot's seat so that the vibration actually felt by the subject could be determined.

Missions involved transporting external loads in a simulated logistics environment. Performance was evaluated by measuring flight path deviations from prescribed en route, approach, and hover parameters.

The vibration stimuli used did not degrade performance. In fact, performance tended to improve with increased stress. It is hypothesized that this trend was due to motivation, i.e. as subjects felt the onset of fatigue they compensated by working harder and thus tended to improve their performance.

On about 6% of their scores pilots exhibited sudden lapses in their ability to respond to display indications. This resulted in poor scores in the midst of otherwise normal data. These lapses are probably of very short duration (seconds in length) and seem to occur randomly. This same effect was also observed in a previous study by the author. It may be possible that lapses of this type are related to so called ‘pilot error’ accidents. Further research is needed to verify this.     

基于提升方案的自适应小波变换

介绍了小波变换提升方法 ,并引入自适应理论和多层提升方案。讨论了一种新的自适应方案 ,并对研究结果进行了测试 ,取得了较好的效果。     

基于提升结构的自适应小波变换研究

对提升结构的更新算子U（Update）和预测算子P（Predict）都进行了自适应设计。在更新算子U的设计中,主要对现有算法进行了改进,使变换得到的近似信号更能表现原始信号的特点;在预测算子P的设计中,提出了一种新的变步长LMS算法,与现有方法相比,此算法具有更快的收敛速度。采用此方法能在不传递任何附加信息的情况下实现视频信号的完全重构,更好地满足视频压缩中渐进传输及多分辨率分析的要求。     

6000m深海扬矿系统仿真分析

深海多金属结核开采系统的扬矿系统主要由扬矿硬管、扬矿泵、中间仓、扬矿软管等组成的长管线系统构成,其水下的运动学行为,决定了深海采矿的成败.运用几何非线性有限元理论对6000m深海采矿系统的扬矿系统进行了力学分析;在扬矿系统受管道及管内流体重力,海水浮力以及水平液动力作用的情况下,用有限元方法分别对几种工况下的扬矿系统进行了仿真计算,其结果可作为扬矿系统的设计和操作控制的依据.     

自适应提升小波变换与信号去噪

文章引入了基于提升法的自适应离散小波变换,根据LMS自适应法使伯恩斯坦预测算子自适应匹配特定的数据序列,而且应用该方法于信号的软域值去噪,数值仿真实验表明自适应提升小波变换同经典的小波变换相比,去噪后信号的信噪比效率相近,提升方法的优点在于其设计上的灵活性和计算简单。     

提升小波算法的FPGA硬件实现

讨论了提升小波变换的原理及特点,并提出了一种基于现场可编程门阵列器件FPGA实现提升小波算法的方案,该方案与基于传统的卷积方法实现相比,可以减小硬件实现面积,并利用插入流水线寄存器的方法,缩短关键路径,提高运算速度.     

The use of turnover rate as a passive surveillance indicator for potential low back disorders

Passive surveillance techniques which rely only on injury reporting to locate ergonomic problems within a facility may not be sensitive enough to identify all jobs that place a worker at risk of low back disorder. The current study examines whether turnover rate data provide useful input to a passive surveillance approach. It is hypothesized that the turnover of employees through individual jobs, when not attributable to differential pay scales within a facility, is likely to indicate the presence of ergonomic hazards associated with low back cumulative trauma disorders. This study used the database and multiple logistic regression model developed by Marras et al. (1993) to evaluate this hypothesis. Two data sets were evaluated with the model to determine whether jobs with turnover resemble those with a high historical risk of LB-CTD. The first data set contained trunk motion and workplace data from jobs in which there had been turnover but there were no incidents of LB-CTD. When comparing these data to truly low risk jobs (no LB-CTD incidents or turnover), the model yielded an odds ratio of 5·2. This moderate odds ratio indicates that many of the jobs with turnover have characteristics similar to those found in high LB-CTD risk jobs. The second data set included jobs with turnover and moderate LB-CTD incident rates. The model's resulting odds ratio of 11·0 indicates that jobs with moderate incident rates and turnover are very similar to jobs with a high LB-CTD risk. These results suggest that passive surveillance programs would be more sensitive if turnover rates were determined for each job within a facility and were used to supplement incident rate data.     

The effects of container design and stair climbing on maximal acceptable lift weight, wrist posture, psychophysical, and physiological responses in wafer-handling tasks

Despite the high level of automation in semiconductor manufacturing processes, many manual operations are still involved in the workplace. Due to inadequate human–machine interface design, stairs are frequently used to help operators perform wafer-handling tasks. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of climbing stairs and carrying wafer containers (pods) on psychophysical responses (maximal acceptable weight of lift—MAWL, and ratings of perceived exertion—RPE), physiological responses (oxygen consumption—VO₂, and heart rate—HR), and wrist posture (ulnar and radial deviations). Each of 12 subjects (six males and six females) performed six sessions (3 climbing stairs×2 pods types). The results indicate that climbing stairs had a significant influence on MAWL and VO₂ (p<0.01). The type of pod effect on wrist posture was significant (p<0.01). Gender effect differences on MAWL, VO₂ and wrist posture were also significant (p<0.05). Job design implications are discussed.     

基于提升框架的非张量积小波图像融合方法

利用Geert Uytterhoeven提出的一种非张量积小波(Red-Black小波)来进行图像融合。首先基于提升框架的思想构造Red-Black小波,然后将其应用于两组图像融合实验:不同聚焦点图像融合与可见光—红外图像融合;并分别采用基于统计特性和信息量的评价指标,将本文方法与db4张量积小波的图像融合方法进行了比较。实验结果表明,本文的方法优于db4张量积小波的图像融合方法。     

基于提升小波的图像检索算法

提升小波具有高效性和多分辨率等优点,本文提出了基于提升小波的图像检索算法。该算法首先对图像进行提升小波变换,得到每层的低频子图像和高频子图像;然后分别提取低频子图像的形状特征和高频子图像的纹理特征;最后通过计算特征向量之间的欧式距离,检索出相似的图像。实验结果表明,此算法的检索效率高于其他算法,具有一定的优越性和通用性。