Estimation of energy expenditure in a work environment: Comparison of accelerometry and oxygen consumption/heart rate regression

The aim of this study was to compare estimation of energy expenditure (EE) in working environments, either from accelerometry or from an individual oxygen consumption/heart rate ([Vdot]O₂/HR) regression curve. The study participants were 46 volunteer workers aged 27±6 years old. A significant correlation between EE predicted by the [Vdot]O₂/HR curve and the accelerometer was observed (r=0.78, p <0.01). However, more disparities were observed between the two methods when the mean job intensity was not within 16% and 23% higher than resting HR. The accelerometer overestimated by a mean of 34.4% the prediction by [Vdot]O₂/HR regression if the intensity of the task was lower than a total of 1000 kcal/shift and underestimated the prediction by a mean of –24.9% if EE estimation of the work shift was higher than a total of 1500 kcal/shift. Despite a high correlation between both methods in the whole group, EE evaluated by accelerometry does not correspond to EE predicted by the [Vdot]O₂/HR regression curves when evaluated individually.     

Standardized task strain and system response times in human-computer interaction

Abstract

Involuntary delays in human-computer interaction, for example, system response times (SRTs) can increase stress. In the present study, 40 college-age subjects were randomly divided into an “incentive” and a “non-incentive” group”. Subjects performed a computer task with SRTs of 0-5, 15, and 4-5 s. Physiological, subjective, and performance data were collected during the task. The computer task was designed to individually set difficulty level (i.e., mental strain), thus standardizing the task for all subjects. By using this procedure, changes resulting from SRT duration can be separated from the effects related to task difficulty. The results indicate that both short and long SRTs produced differential psychophysiological changes consistent with different types of stress responses. Short SRTs resulted in higher autonomic and somatic activity, increased positive self-reported emotional states but poorer performance. Long SRTs resulted in increased electrodermal activity, negative self-reported emotional states and better performance.     

实施流域水功能区限制纳污制度细部工作

文章就当前如何深入落实和有效实施流域水功能区限制纳污制度,在流域执行层面怎样做好谋划整体、做实载体和求真具体3个重要环节的细部工作,进行了深度分析思考,切合实际地提出了有针对性的思路对策和具体做法,有助于实践中的借鉴和运用。     

Physiological and cognitive responses when riding an electrically assisted bicycle versus a classical bicycle

The present study compared the physiological responses and the subsequent cognitive performance when riding an electrically assisted (EB) versus a classical (CB) bicycle. Oxygen uptake, heart rate and leg extensor muscles electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded in 10 subjects during a 30-min intermittent cycling exercise performed with EB versus CB. Cognitive performance was evaluated by a mail sorting test, performed at rest and after each cycling session. Averaged oxygen uptake and heat rate were significantly (P < 0.05) lower during EB cycling than during CB cycling. The EMG activities of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and gastrocnemius medialis muscles were significantly (P < 0.001) greater during CB cycling than during EB cycling. The time to complete the mail sorting test was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter after EB cycling than after CB cycling. Because EB cycling reduced muscle strains and physiological stress, it might offer benefits for those using bicycles in their work, such as postal workers and police officers. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: This study compared physiological and cognitive responses when riding an electrically assisted versus a classical bicycle. The results showed that the electrically assisted bicycle led to reduced muscle strains and physiological stress and, therefore, might offer benefits for those using bicycles in their work, such as postal workers and police officers.     

Infrared imaging of the anterior deltoid during overhead static exertions

Infrared imaging has been used to detect the presence of neuromuscular disorders of the cervical spine and upper extremities. Despite diagnostic uses, evaluative or prognostic uses of thermography are limited. The objective of this study was to quantify surface temperature changes over the anterior deltoid and evaluate efficacy of thermography as an assessment tool. Surface temperature, discomfort ratings and endurance time were quantified during overhead static exertions until exhaustion at two work loads (15 and 30% maximum voluntary contraction) and shoulder angles (90° and 115°). Ten participants free of confounding conditions participated in the study. The 90° shoulder angle and 30% exertion level resulted in significantly faster thermal image rates of change, shorter endurance times and faster perceived discomfort increases. Thermography readings were more sensitive to changes in shoulder posture than load changes. This study provides preliminary evidence that thermography may be a useful exposure assessment tool. There is a need for new evaluation tools to quantify risk factor exposure for injury. Thermography was sensitive to changes in task loadings, illustrating its potential use for risk assessment. Specifically, changes in observed blood flow patterns during task performance are likely to conform to known physiological responses to injury.     

Expert systems in ergonomics: requirements and an approach

Abstract

Industry currently fails to derive maximum benefit from ergonomics. This is mainly due to an imbalance between the large amount of ergonomie knowledge available and the limited amount actually applied. The use of the methodology of expert systems in ergonomics is one possibility for reducing this imbalance. This paper presents basic requirements for the development of expert systems. The particular requirements for the application of expert systems in ergonomics are also derived. Finally, the stage of development of an expert system for assessing lifting and carrying tasks is presented, and practical examples for the application of the system are discussed.     

The impact of night work on psychological well-being

This study tested the efficacy of selected personality, behavioural, and social/organizational variables as predictors of adaptation to night work. Sixty female student nurses were studied during their first IS months of shiftwork. Twenty-two worked on rotating day and afternoon shifts throughout, while the remaining 38 began regular night shifts after six months. Psychological symptoms were measured at baseline (Stage 1), six months (Stage 2) and 15 months (Stage 3). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant shift group x symptoms interaction (p < 0·05) between Stages 2 and 3. Only the night workers displayed a significant increase (Tukey HSD: p < 0·01) in symptoms between Stages 1 and 3. Multiple regression analysis revealed that neuroticism and perceived work/nonwork conflict predicted symptoms at Stage 2. Night work, social support from supervisors, and morningness were predictors at Stage 3. These results suggest that organisational, behavioural, and physiological factors moderate the impact of night work on psychological well-being, and personality factors do not.     

Low mean level sustained and intermittent grip exertions: Influence of age on fatigue and recovery

The goal of this study was to quantify localised muscle fatigue resulting from low mean levels of exertion in younger (< 40 years) and older (>50 years) adults. Fatigue, elicited in the finger flexor muscles by intermittent (10% mean maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)) and sustained (8% MVC) handgrip exercises, was quantified by a muscle twitch force response before, immediately after and during 3 h following exercise. Despite greater mean loads, recovery time was shorter following intermittent than sustained contractions, which suggests that recovery from fatigue is more sensitive to rest within the work cycle than mean work. The more pronounced effects for younger than older individuals following the sustained exertion indicate that changes in muscle fibre type composition might predispose older individuals to be more resistant to fatigue resulting from sustained contractions of low level. Performing hand exertion tasks requiring low mean force levels contributes to similar long-lasting fatigue effects regardless of gender and age. Intermittent periods of complete rest reduce muscle fatigue. Since fatigue was not perceived during recovery from the tested sustained and intermittent contractions, subjective evaluations may not be a reliable indicator of localised muscle fatigue.     

树立职业价值观 做好读者服务工作

明确图书馆读者服务工作的内涵以及图书馆读者服务工作存在的问题,了解正确职业价值观对图书馆工作的重要作用,探讨如何以正确的职业价值观来更好地为读者服务,这对图书馆馆员提高自身的读者服务工作水平具有重要的现实意义。     

基于虚拟实训基地（车间）的工学结合人才培养模式研究

为了寻求适合自身的人才培养模式,分析了当前国内高等职业教育人才培养模式的现状,提出了基于虚拟实训基地（车间）的工学结合人才培养模式;从校内实训基地建设、课程体系与学习领域开发、教学模式和＂双师型＂教师培养等四个方面阐述了该人才培养模式的具体内容和切实可行性。