Ergonomic interventions for commercial crab fishermen

Work tasks in the commercial fishing industry require strength, endurance and coordination and these tasks expose fishermen to many of the recognized risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The focus of the current study was the design, development and testing of two simple ergonomic interventions to reduce exposure to these risk factors in small-scale commercial crab fishermen. In a laboratory study of these interventions, EMG and motion analysis systems were used to quantify changes in muscle force and body postures. The results of laboratory evaluation of the intervention designed to reduce the low back stress associated with hoisting the crab pots onboard showed significant reductions in muscle force requirements (erector spinae activity reduced by 25%) and peak sagittal trunk angle (reduced by 34%), while the results of the intervention designed to reduce shoulder stress during the process of shaking the crabs from the pots showed significant reductions in peak deltoid activity (reduced by 24%). A field test of these interventions provided a more subjective “usability” evaluation of the interventions. These responses were cautiously positive, providing insights into when these interventions would be most appropriate and under what conditions they would be more of a hindrance than a help.

Relevance to industry

Engineering controls are recognized as the most effective methods of reducing exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal injury. Engineering controls were developed for small-scale commercial crab fishermen and these interventions were tested in the laboratory and in the field.     

基于干预规则挖掘因果关系与分段干预事件及对比不等式

为揭示亚复杂系统(SCS)在干预下的特殊行为,提出了对比不等式概念,提出并实现了分段干预规则的挖掘算法;通过在亚复杂系统中施加扰动式干预并分析其动力学效应,提出并实现了基于扰动因果关系挖掘算法。在真实数据上的实验表明,分段干预规则发现了传统挖掘方法难以发现的新干预事件,因果挖掘算法发现了传统方法难以发现的因果关系。     

Proteome alterations induced in human white blood cells by consumption of Brussels sprouts: Results of a pilot intervention study

Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation of cruciferous vegetables consumption with reduced incidence of cancer. This study was designed to investigate molecular mechanisms, which may help to understand the beneficial effects of Brussels sprout consumption. In order to avoid the limitations of in vitro model systems, we performed a dietary intervention study with five participants. We investigated, whether sprout consumption affects the proteome profile of primary white blood cells. In order to achieve maximal sensitivity in detecting specific adaptive proteome alterations, we metabolically labelled freshly isolated cells in the presence of ³⁵S‐methionine/cysteine and performed autoradiographic quantification of protein synthesis. Proteins were separated by 2‐DE and spots of interest were cut out, digested and identified by MS. After the intervention, we found a significant up‐regulation of the synthesis of manganese superoxide dismutase (1.56‐fold) and significant down‐regulation of the synthesis of heat shock 70 kDa protein (hsp70; 2.27‐fold). Both proteins play a role in malignant transformation of cells. Hsp‐70 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, which leads to elimination of cancer cells, while SOD plays a key role in protection against reactive oxygen species mediated effects. Our findings indicate that the alteration of the synthesis of these proteins may be involved in the anticarcinogenic effects of cruciferous vegetables, which was observed in earlier laboratory studies with animals.     

An intervention method for occupational safety in farming -- evaluation of the effect and process

In order to increase safety in Swedish farming an intervention methodology to influence attitudes and behaviour was tested. Eighty eight farmers and farm workers in nine groups gathered on seven occasions during 1 year. The basic concept was to create socially supportive networks and encourage discussions and reflection, focusing on risk manageability. Six of the groups made structured incident/accident analyses. Three of the latter groups also received information on risks and accident consequences. Effects were evaluated in a pre-post questionnaire using six-graded scales. A significant increase in safety activity and significant reduction in stress and risk acceptance was observed in the total sample. Risk perception and perceived risk manageability did not change. Analysing incidents/accidents, but not receiving information, showed a more positive outcome. Qualitative data indicated good feasibility and that the long duration of the intervention was perceived as necessary. The socially supportive network was reported as beneficial for the change process.     

Design and Testing of a Robotic System for mr Image-guided Interventions

The effective integration of robotics together with magnetic resonance (mr) technology is expected to facilitate the real-time guidance of various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Specially designed robotic manipulators are required for this purpose, the development of which is a challenging task given the strong magnetic fields and the space limitations that characterize the mr scanning environment. A prototype mr-compatible manipulator is presented, designed to operate inside cylindrical mr scanners. It was developed for the study of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the abdominal and thoracic area with real-time mr image guidance. Initial tests were performed inside a high-field clinical mr scanner and included mr-compatibility tests and phantom studies on image-guided targeting.     

基于指标权重的湖库营养状态识别

针对湖库营养状态识别未考虑指标权重及营养状态分级较少的不足,基于熵值法与概率神经网络（PNN）基本原理,提出熵值PNN湖库营养状态识别模型,以全国24个湖库营养状态识别为例进行分析。利用熵值法确定识别指标权重,依据我国湖库富营养化评价标准,将湖库营养状态划分为极贫营养一极重度富营养11个等级,提出基于改进的湖库营养状态识别等级标准,在等级标准域值间采用随机内插的方法生成样本对PNN模型进行训练和检验,利用正确识别率和运行时间对PNN模型性能进行评价。最后,基于两种方案对全国24个湖库营养状态进行识别。结果表明：@PNN模型对于随机生成的训练样本和检验样本的正确识别率分别达到98．9％、98．6％（5次平均）,模型用于湖库营养状态识别是合理可行的。②湖库识别结果存在差异。比较而言,基于指标权重考虑的识别结果更能科学、客观地反映湖库营养状态。     

主动干预模式心理咨询对大学生心理健康的影响

针对大学生在心理咨询中存在主动性差的问题,笔者以辽东学院2011级"问题大学生"为研究对象,运用文献法、实验法以及测量法研究与探讨了心理咨询主动干预实践对大学生心理健康产生的积极影响。研究结果表明,心理咨询主动干预与大学生心理健康水平存在着一定的正相关,因此,建议在大学中应采取主动干预的心理咨询模式,积极探求解决大学生心理健康问题的新方法与新思路,从而促进大学生心理健康水平的提高。     

Using digital technologies to redress inequities for English language learners in the English speaking mathematics classroom

This study examined the question, ‘What is the impact of a digital math intervention on secondary ELL students’ mathematical capabilities and perceptions of their future possibilities?’ The hypothesis was that through its direct effect on increasing students’ math ability and its indirect effect on increasing students’ perceived math self-efficacy, the digital intervention affects students’ perceptions of their functionings and future possibilities. A path analysis, with qualitative data nested into the design, was used to analyze the conceptualized relationships. The study was conducted with 50 ninth-and-10th-grade Hispanic students in a Colorado high school, over 6 months. The primary finding was that through its direct effect on increasing students’ math ability and its indirect effect on increasing students’ perceived math self-efficacy, the digital intervention improved students’ perceptions of their functionings and future possibilities. What this study specifically underscores is the importance of taking a coherent and purposeful approach toward the design of digital student-directed educational technology, especially for ELL students who may have specific learning needs.     

The Relevance of Laboratory Studies to Practical Situations

By their very nature laboratory experiments are at best only rough and approximate models of any real-life situation. First of all the possible independent variables that influence behaviour in any practical situation, a laboratory experiment selects only a. few for test. As a result, hidden or unsuspected interactions in real-life may easily nullify, or even reverse, conclusions arrived at in the laboratory. Second, variables always change when they are brought into the laboratory. Third, the effect of controlling extraneous or irrelevant variables in the laboratory is to increase the precision of an experiment but at the risk of discovering effects so small that they are of no practical importance. Fourth, the dependent variables (or criteria) used in laboratory experiments are variables of convenience. Rarely are they selected for their relevance to some practical situation. Last, the methods used to present variables in the laboratory are sometimes artificial and unrealistic. The safest and most honest conclusion to draw from all these considerations is that one should generalize with extreme caution from the results of laboratory experiments to the solution of practical problems.