Examining kinematics and muscle activity of the upper extremity while performing cleaning tasks: A pre-post shift evaluation

Custodians engage in strenuous manual labour throughout their workday. Uncertainty exists on whether kinematics or muscle activation changes as workers progress through their shift. The purpose of this study was to examine muscle activation and upper extremity kinematics during typical custodial tasks performed at the start and end of the work shift. Electromyography (EMG) of 8 torso and upper extremity muscles and motion capture of the corresponding region were collected for 10 custodial participants while they completed garbage removal, dry mopping, and vacuuming tasks at the start and end of a work shift. The start of shift assessment demonstrated larger anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid and extensor digitorum activation by up to 12.6 %maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) (p < 0.001–0.023). Task affected mean and peak EMG in all muscles except flexor digitorum (p < 0.001–0.0293), and the greatest activation was found during vacuuming (peak <55%MVC in anterior and middle deltoid) and the heaviest garbage removal task (84% MVC peak in upper trapezius). Mopping created the lowest amounts of activation for almost all muscles. Joint range of motion (p < 0.001–0.031) in the shoulder was highest in vacuuming, while trunk flexion was largest in garbage removal tasks. This work replicated common custodial tasks in a laboratory, using actual custodial workers at times relevant to their typical work shifts. The information presented is useful for ergonomists, work tasks designers and custodial administration staff to develop guidelines for injury prevention.     

Stability and electronic properties of armchair boron nitride/carbon nanotubes

In this work are studied the electronic and structural properties of armchair boron nitride/carbon nanotubes using first principles calculations. The density functional within the generalized gradient approximation (HSEh1PBE-GGA) is used. For each composition, different bonding schemes for the construction of the hybrid systems were employed. Among them, structural stability with neutral charge was determined for the following compositions: T1: B₄₀N₃₅C₇₅H₂₀, T2: B₃₅N₄₀C₇₅H₂₀, T3: B₃₇N₃₈C₇₅H₂₀, T4 : B₃₇N₃₇C₇₆H₂₀, and T7: B₃₅N₃₅C₈₀H₂₀. All these hybrid nanotubes have high polarity; the T3, T4 and T7 are semiconductors: whereas T1 and T2 are conductor in character. The formers also have magnetic behavior. These properties together with a low-chemical potential suggest applications as nano-vehicle for drug delivery. These mixed nanotubes also have potential applications in the electronic devices based on the small work function.     

Comparative analysis of the performance of a novel U-shaped ‘chasing-overtaking’ production line

Fluctuations in market demands, increased mobility of workers and changing employment practices as well as companies’ increased respect for individual differences of workers have led to the phenomenon that workers with large efficiency differences work together in the same production line in manufacturing companies. In a traditional travelling production line (TrPL), low-efficiency workers can block the work of higher efficiency workers. To increase the production capacity of a travelling line composed of workers with different efficiencies, a chasing-overtaking mechanism was established and used to achieve line production capacity and efficiency improvement. A formula to calculate the production capacity of two workers with different efficiencies was derived and validated. A simulation performed to analyse the differences between the ‘chasing-overtaking’ production line (COPL), TrPL and the classic ‘bucket brigade’ production line (BBPL) with respect to production capacity, working time utilisation and equipment utilisation demonstrated that the COPL provides good production capacity and adaptability to worker differences. Finally, the statistical analysis verified that the COPL has a higher production capacity, average worker working hour utilisation rate and equipment utilisation rate than the BBPL and TrPL.     

园弧槽无相同直径刀具时的近似铣削

提出了一种在铣削开式园弧槽无相同直径铣刀时,用小直径铣刀代替的近似铣削方法,并给出了有关公式及误差估计式。     

The effects of different roster schedules on sleep in miners

Shiftwork involving early morning starts and night work can affect both sleep and fatigue. This study aimed to assess the impact of different rostering schedules at an Australian mine site on sleep and subjective sleep quality. Participants worked one of four rosters;

4 × 4 (n = 14) 4D4O4N4O

7 × 4 (n = 10) 7D4O7N40

10 × 5 (n = 17) 5D5N50

14 × 7 (n = 12) 7D7N70

Sleep (wrist actigraphy and sleep diaries) was monitored for a full roster cycle including days off. Total sleep time (TST) was longer on days off (7.0 ± 1.9) compared to sleep when on day (6.0 ± 1.0) and nightshifts (6.2 ± 1.6). Despite an increase in TST on days off, this may be insufficient to recover from the severe sleep restriction occurring during work times. Restricted sleep and quick shift-change periods may lead to long-term sleep loss and associated fatigue.     

电磁式爬壁机器人平台

本文介绍了一种新型电磁式爬壁机器人平台。机器人平台从客观需求出发,利用电磁铁可以吸附铁质物体的原理,实现机器人在铁质壁面上竖直攀爬。机器人平台以单片机为控制核心,控制四只仿生脚的行动和电磁铁的吸附,由无线控制器实现远程控制。平台搭载多种传感器,以检测机器人周围的环境状态,并应用无线传输技术,将传感器监测数据时时传回控制电脑。还可由电脑控制,利用机器人上加装的机械臂,完成简单操作。本项目作品可以应用于强热辐射、浓烟、污染气体等复杂环境的场所实施远程测控,也可以应用于船体、高炉检测等方面。     

浅谈无线局域网的安全与维护

随着无线网络技术的发展,无线局域网越来越多的应用到家庭和企业等各种场合,该文介绍了无线局域网安全技术,并对无线局域网的安全维护提出了相应的措施和建议。     

微博走进公安工作

微博这种新兴的网络交流方式越来越受到公众的关注,正在成为继博客之后网民们相互交流的新平台,这种集发布信息、互动交流于一体的网络工具也为公安机关所关注,各级公安机关纷纷对公安微博表现出了极大的热情,给新形势下的公安工作带来了新的契机。公安机关开设微博可以带来以下好处:首先,公安微博拉近了警民距离,提高了警察自身的公信力;其次,公安微博能使公安机关站在信息发布的制高点,及时消除谣言,还原真相;最后,公安微博能为侦查提供线索,为破案开辟新思路。总之,公安微博的开辟为公安工作带来了可喜的变化,小小的"微博110"正在为社会的稳定,人民的安居乐业贡献自己的力量。     

综合型实验室建设与教学探索

综合型实验室是高校培养学生创新能力和提高学生综合素质的重要场地。本文从综合型实验室的建设出发,结合实际教学情况,提出从思路、硬件的角度完善实验室建设工作,通过开放和合作来促进教学发展。只有辅以完善的建设体系,采用合理有效的教学方式,才能最终增强教学能效性,培养出具有竞争力的创新型人才。     

基于工作过程导向的“网页设计与制作”课程教学改革研究

本文阐述了基于工作过程的高职网页设计课程的改革思路,运用先进的教学理念,以行动体系为依托,以职业活动为主线。以项目任务驱动为教学形式的"基于工作过程导向"模式对课程教学改革进行了研究与实践。