An Intelligent Incentive Model Based on Environmental Ergonomics for Food SMEs

In this study, an intelligent incentive model based on environmental ergonomics in food small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was developed. Environmental ergonomics was defined as the impact of temperature and relative humidity within a certain range on a worker's heart rate during work. Optimum environmental ergonomics are highly required as a basic standard for food SMEs to provide fair incentives. Recommendable parameters from a genetic algorithm and fuzzy inference modeling were used to model customized incentives based on optimum heart rate, workplace temperature and relative humidity before and after working. The research hypothesis stated that industries should optimize their workload and workstation environment prior to customizing incentives. The research objectives were: 1) to recommend optimum environmental ergonomics parameters for customized incentives; 2) to determine the incentives at workstations of SMEs based on optimum environmental ergonomics parameters and fuzzy inference modeling. The optimum values for heart rate, workstation temperature and relative humidity used were based on recommendable values from the genetic algorithm. An inference model was developed to generate decisions whether a worker should receive an incentive based on a calculated index. The results indicated that 84.4% of workers should receive an incentive. The results of this research could be used to promote the concept of ergonomics-based customized incentives

An Optimization Model for Environmental Ergonomics Assessment in Bioproduction of Food SMEs

Environmental ergonomics in bioproduction of food Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) become a concern and need to be optimized. An optimization model was developed using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The weight of an Artificial Neural Network Model was used as a fitness function for GA. The research objectives were: 1) To design an environmental ergonomic assessment system for bioproduction of Food SMEs, 2) To develop an optimization model for environmental ergonomic assessment using a Genetic Algorithm. GA is utilized to search optimal set points of environmental ergonomics based on the predicted fitness values. Each chromosome of GA represents the environmental ergonomics value. The parameters were heart rate, bioproduction temperature, distribution of bioproduction relative humidity and light intensity. The target of the optimization model was the bioproduction temperature set points. The research result indicated the model generated optimum values of environmental ergonomics parameter in bioproduction of food SMEs. The parameters could be used to provide standard workplace environment for the sustainability of food SMEs

Development of Green-Affective Work System for Food SMEs

Work system of food Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is influenced by various factors as worker performance, characteristics of raw material, value-added process and workplace environmental ergonomics. Green-affective design analyzes properties of work systems and how these technical attributes could be sensible to the environment (Green) and worker (Affective). The research objectives were: 1) To explore the relationship between green and affective parameters in work systems of Food SMEs; 2) To design a green-affective work system for Food SMEs. Six (6) SMEs of different food products were used for the case studies as Crackers, Nuggets, Fish Chips, Bakpia, Tempe and Herbal Instant Beverages. Air conditioner was suggested to set the temperature set points for controlling environmental ergonomics. Green parameters were analyzed using calculation of air conditioner electricity cost at different workplace temperature set point. Affective parameters were analyzed using heart rate, worker energy consumption and rowan incentive plan. Research findings indicated air conditioner could be used to control environmental ergonomics based on the satisfied temperature set points and efficient electricity cost in work system of food SMEs. Keywords: Air Conditioner; Environmental Ergonomics; Heart Rate; Rowan Incentive Pla

Passive cooling strategies to optimise sustainability and environmental ergonomics in Mediterranean schools based on a critical review

This article identifies and compares the passive cooling strategies used and their relationship to optimising sustainability and environmental ergonomics based on 47 case studies. The analysis of the schools has resulted in the identification of 20 passive strategies, eight parameters related to sustainability and six related to environmental ergonomics. The results show that the most used passive strategies are natural ventilation, green roofs, low thermal transmittance windows and solar shading. In contrast, the least used strategies are ventilated façades and evaporative cooling systems. In terms of sustainability, energy efficiency is present in most case studies; in contrast, the circular economy is hardly considered in schools. In terms of environmental ergonomics, thermal comfort is present in most case studies, while acoustic comfort is not assessed. Furthermore, the results show an absence of optimisation of acoustic and visual comfort, climate change adaptation measures and involvement of the educational community. This work provides a detailed understanding of the status quo for researchers, practitioners and policymakers and predicts the dynamic directions of the field. It highlights the need to incorporate passive design protocols explicitly applied to schools to achieve a sustainable and climate-resilient educational building stock within the principles of the circular economy.Spanish Ministry of Universities - European UnionUniversity of GranadaAndalusian Government POST-DOC_21_00575 FEDER-US-15547Eco-efficiency in educational centres: Innovation, Rehabilitation and regeneration" within ERDF US.20-0

A Study on the Parametric Design Parameters That Influence Environmental Ergonomics and Sustainability

The parametric design applied to the built environment is critical to creating sustainable and resilient spaces. However, this research field involves a vast and complex amount of disconnected information. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse research trends in applying parametric design to optimise sustainability and environmental ergonomics parameters in built environments. The following specific objectives are identified to meet this objective: (i) a quantitative analysis based on a systematic literature review; (ii) a qualitative review based on a performance analysis and scientific mapping; and (iii) a comparative analysis of case studies applying parametric language for the optimisation of sustainability and environmental ergonomics parameters. The 1045 research records covering 1974 to 2021 illustrate a field in development that evolves from early digital advances to climate change adaptations, the circular economy and resilience. It highlights the importance of applying bioclimatic techniques in the built environment, identifying the most optimised measures and encouraging the creation of guidelines to serve as a protocol for future studies, contributing to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting trends, establishing research themes, outlining research networks and suggesting areas for further studiesPartial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Oral application of L-menthol in the heat: From pleasure to performance

When menthol is applied to the oral cavity it presents with a familiar refreshing sensation and cooling mint flavour. This may be deemed hedonic in some individuals, but may cause irritation in others. This variation in response is likely dependent upon trigeminal sensitivity toward cold stimuli, suggesting a need for a menthol solution that can be easily personalised. Menthol’s characteristics can also be enhanced by matching colour to qualitative outcomes; a factor which can easily be manipulated by practitioners working in athletic or occupational settings to potentially enhance intervention efficacy. This presentation will outline the efficacy of oral menthol application for improving time trial performance to date, either via swilling or via co-ingestion with other cooling strategies, with an emphasis upon how menthol can be applied in ecologically valid scenarios. Situations in which performance is not expected to be enhanced will also be discussed. An updated model by which menthol may prove hedonic, satiate thirst and affect ventilation will also be presented, with the potential performance implications of these findings discussed and modelled. Qualitative reflections from athletes that have implemented menthol mouth swilling in competition, training and maximal exercise will also be included

The effects of ice vest pre-cooling on skin blood flow at rest and during exercise in the heat

© 2015 The Authors. Published by BMC. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-7648-4-S1-A127Ice vest pre-cooling has been show to lower rectal temperature during intermittent exercise in hot conditions but only after 40 min of exercise [1]. The authors suggested that the ice vest may have initiated a strong local cutaneous vasoconstrictor response reducing skin blood flow [2] and thus the cooling potential, until increases in body temperature and skin blood flow occurred later in exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether ice vest pre-cooling reduces skin blood flow during intermittent exercise in the heat compared to a no cooling control.Published versio