Presenteeism and absenteeism in the manufacturing sector: A multilevel approach identifying underlying factors and relations to health

Presenteeism is problematic since it relates to lower health and productivity. Prior research examined many work and attitudinal variables relating to presenteeism at the individual level. Here, we conceptualize presenteeism as multilevel phenomenon also shaped by the overall attendance behavior (absenteeism and presenteeism) at the work unit. We surveyed employees at a manufacturing plant on presenteeism, health-related lost productive time (HLPT) and absenteeism (N = 911, 22 units) and collected preceding (past 12–7 and 6 months) objective absence data aggregating it at unit level. Considering the individual-level antecedents only higher physical demands predicted higher absence duration. Presenteeism related positively to physical demands, a burdensome social environment, and organizational identification and negatively to ease of replacement, and core self-evaluations. These relationships were similar for HLPT as outcome. Regarding unit-level factors, preceding unit-level absence frequency (but not duration) negatively related to presenteeism. The negative relationship between core self-evaluations and individual presenteeism decreased under a stronger presenteeism context supporting the hypothesized cross-level effect of unit-level presenteeism context strength. Moreover, individual and unit-level presenteeism correlated, as expected, more strongly with health complaints than absenteeism. Our study demonstrates the value of a contextual, multilevel approach for understanding antecedents and consequences of attendance behavior

Investigating gait-responsive somatosensory cueing from a wearable device to improve walking in Parkinson’s disease

Freezing-of-gait (FOG) and impaired walking are common features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Provision of external stimuli (cueing) can improve gait, however, many cueing methods are simplistic, increase task loading or have limited utility in a real-world setting. Closed-loop (automated) somatosensory cueing systems have the potential to deliver personalised, discrete cues at the appropriate time, without requiring user input. Further development of cue delivery methods and FOG-detection are required to achieve this. In this feasibility study, we aimed to test if FOG-initiated vibration cues applied to the lower-leg via wearable devices can improve gait in PD, and to develop real-time FOG-detection algorithms. 17 participants with Parkinson’s disease and daily FOG were recruited. During 1 h study sessions, participants undertook 4 complex walking circuits, each with a different intervention: continuous rhythmic vibration cueing (CC), responsive cueing (RC; cues initiated by the research team in response to FOG), device worn with no cueing (NC), or no device (ND). Study sessions were grouped into 3 stages/blocks (A-C), separated by a gap of several weeks, enabling improvements to circuit design and the cueing device to be implemented. Video and onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU) data were analyzed for FOG events and gait metrics. RC significantly improved circuit completion times demonstrating improved overall performance across a range of walking activities. Step frequency was significantly enhanced by RC during stages B and C. During stage C, > 10 FOG events were recorded in 45% of participants without cueing (NC), which was significantly reduced by RC. A machine learning framework achieved 83% sensitivity and 80% specificity for FOG detection using IMU data. Together, these data support the feasibility of closed-loop cueing approaches coupling real-time FOG detection with responsive somatosensory lower-leg cueing to improve gait in PD

Isolation and characterisation of κ-casein/whey protein particles from heated milk protein concentrate and role of κ-casein in whey protein aggregation

peer-reviewedMilk protein concentrate (79% protein) reconstituted at 13.5% (w/v) protein was heated (90 °C, 25 min, pH 7.2) with or without added calcium chloride. After fractionation of the casein and whey protein aggregates by fast protein liquid chromatography, the heat stability (90 °C, up to 1 h) of the fractions (0.25%, w/v, protein) was assessed. The heat-induced aggregates were composed of whey protein and casein, in whey protein:casein ratios ranging from 1:0.5 to 1:9. The heat stability was positively correlated with the casein concentration in the samples. The samples containing the highest proportion of caseins were the most heat-stable, and close to 100% (w/w) of the aggregates were recovered post-heat treatment in the supernatant of such samples (centrifugation for 30 min at 10,000 × g). κ-Casein appeared to act as a chaperone controlling the aggregation of whey proteins, and this effect was stronger in the presence of αS- and β-casein.This work was supported by Dairy Levy Research Trust (project MDDT6261 “ProPart”). S. J. Gaspard was funded under the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme (reference number 2012211

Digital Valuation: Lessons in relevance from the prototyping of a recommendation app

This article describes the use of a prototype recommendation app to explore how users are included and/or excluded in categories of various kinds of ‘People Like You’. In the study, interviews with users of the prototype app indicate that the experience of receiving personalized recommendations isroutinely evaluated in terms of relevance, that is, as either of interest to them or as beside the point, as accurate or inaccurate, with accuracy often understood as recognition of their context(s). We build on the interviews to develop an analysis which suggests that the capacity of recommendation systems to make relevant recommendations is a function of the parallel projections – from the app on one side and users on the other – that are made as part of an interaction order. In developing this analysis, we reflect on the implications of the interaction order for the inclusion and exclusion of users in categories or kinds of people. We highlight the importance of the temporal formatting of interaction as a continuous present for the relation between belonging and belongings, and thus for the creation of a datasset (Beauvisage and Mellett 2020)

Mullite coatings on ceramic substrates: Stabilisation of Al2O3-SiO2 suspensions for spray drying of composite granules suitable for reactive plasma spraying

The present work deals with the preparation of stable alumina + silica suspensions with high solid loading for the production of spray-dried composite powders. These composite powders are to be used for reactive plasma spraying whereby the formation of mullite and the coating on a ceramic substrate are achieved in a single step process. Electrostatic stabilisation of alumina and silica suspensions has been studied as a function of pH. Silica suspensions are most stable at basic pH whereas alumina suspensions are stable at acidic pH. The addition of ammonium polymethacrylate (APMA) makes it possible to stabilise alumina and prepare a stable 50 wt% alumina + silica suspension at pH 10. The optimum amounts of dispersant and binder have been determined by zeta potential, viscosity and sedimentation measurements. Spray drying of the suspension yields composite powders whose morphology, size distribution and flowability have been characterized before realizing reactive plasma spraying tests. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved

Über die Modellierung der Direktivität statistischer Strahler

Dieser Beitrag hat eine neue Methode vorgestellt um die Direktivität unbeabsichtigter statistischer Strahler mit Hilfe von Monte Carlo Simulationen zu beschreiben. Dafür wurden Hertzsche Dipole auf einer Kugeloberfläche verteilt und das Feld auf einem Ring, einer Zylinderoberfläche und einer Kugeloberfläche berechnet. Der Einfluss der elektrischen Größe, der Anzahl an Quellen und der Abtastrate wurde diskutiert. Wir haben die Gammaverteilung als passende Verteilungsfunktion vorgeschlagen und gezeigt wie simulierte und analytische Ergebnisse übereinstimmen. Mit Hilfe der Verteilungen können Konfidenzintervalle bei Umrechnung von Freifeldmessung, Voll- und Halbabsorberkammer Messergebnissen zu solchen von Modenverwirbelungskammer und Gigahertz Transversal ElektroMagnetisch-Zelle bzw. umgekehrt angegeben werden

Altered locus coeruleus–norepinephrine function following single prolonged stress

Data from preclinical and clinical studies have implicated the norepinephrine system in the development and maintenance of post‐traumatic stress disorder. The primary source of norepinephrine in the forebrain is the locus coeruleus ( LC ); however, LC activity cannot be directly measured in humans, and previous research has often relied upon peripheral measures of norepinephrine to infer changes in central LC –norepinephrine function. To directly assess LC –norepinephrine function, we measured single‐unit activity of LC neurons in a validated rat model of post‐traumatic stress disorder – single prolonged stress ( SPS ). We also examined tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in the LC of SPS and control rats as an index of norepinephrine utilisation. For electrophysiological recordings, 92 LC neurons were identified from 19 rats ( SPS , 12; control, 7), and spontaneous and evoked responses to a noxious event (paw compression) were recorded. Baseline and restraint stress‐evoked tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression levels were measured in SPS and control rats ( n  = 16 per group) in a separate experiment. SPS rats showed lower spontaneous activity but higher evoked responses, leading to an enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio of LC neurons, accompanied by impaired recovery from post‐stimulus inhibition. In concert, tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA expression in the LC of SPS rats tended to be lower at baseline, but was exaggerated following restraint stress. These data demonstrate persistent changes in LC function following stress/trauma in a rat model of post‐traumatic stress, as measured by differences in both the electrophysiological properties of LC neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA transcription. Single unit activity of LC neurons and TH mRNA levels were measured in the S ingle P rolonged S tress model of P ost‐traumatic stress disorder. SPS decreased rates of spontaneous discharge, exaggerated phasic responses of LC neurons and augmented stress‐enhanced TH mRNA expression. These data demonstrate sustained LC ‐ NE system abnormalities in SPS , providing an opportunity to study the interaction between LC ‐ NE system, and other PTSD ‐like physiological and behavioral changes seen in this model.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97273/1/ejn12095.pd

Unraveling the Stratification of an Iron-Oxidizing Microbial Mat by Metatranscriptomics

International audienceA metatranscriptomic approach was used to study community gene expression in a naturally occurring iron-rich microbial mat. Total microbial community RNA was reversely transcribed and sequenced by pyrosequencing. Characterization of expressed gene sequences provided accurate and detailed information of the composition of the transcriptionally active community and revealed phylogenetic and functional stratifications within the mat. Comparison of 16S rRNA reads and delineation of OTUs showed significantly lower values of metatranscriptomic-based richness and diversity in the upper parts of the mat than in the deeper regions. Taxonomic affiliation of rRNA sequences and mRNA genome recruitments indicated that iron-oxidizing bacteria affiliated to the genus Leptothrix, dominated the community in the upper layers of the mat. Surprisingly, type I methanotrophs contributed to the majority of the sequences in the deep layers of the mat. Analysis of mRNA expression patterns showed that genes encoding the three subunits of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoCAB) were the most highly expressed in our dataset. These results provide strong hints that iron-oxidation and methane-oxidation occur simultaneously in microbial mats and that both groups of microorganisms are major players in the functioning of this ecosystem

Fabrication of W-band TWT for 5G small cells backhaul

The W-band (92 - 95 GHz) Traveling Wave Tube enabling the first Point to multipoint millimeter wave backhaul wireless network is in final phase of fabrication. The challenge is to build a TWT suitable for large volume fabrication to satisfy the cost constraints of network operators. Performances are targeted to provide coverage on sectors up to 90° with 1 km range. Simulations demonstrate a bandwidth of operation in excess of 5 GHz with a saturated output power of 40 W. The TWT is directly connected to a sector horn antenna