Ergonomic reengineering of real-time human-machine interaction as a safety component of modern manufacturing technologies

PURPOSE: The aim of the research presented in the article is to validate the method of ergonomic reengineering (RE) of human-machine interaction in a new environment of real-time data implementation due to the safety of using modern manufacturing technologies. In the research process, a procedure analogous to the cyclical model of the chain reconfiguration of the use of automated devices, which is characteristic of Industry 4.0, was adopted.METHODOLOGY: Ergonomic reengineering of human-machine interaction enables the incorporation of knowledge about the symptoms of psychophysical overload into the area of technique design. Modelling the phenomena occurring in the environment of the employee is a source of information on the mechanisms regulating working conditions for maintaining the optimal level of the task load. In difficult and extremely difficult situations, the RE method can be used for system solutions, which consist in providing alternative workflows for performing specific tasks using the resources of the entire organization.FINDINGS: The results of experiments at workplaces confirm the correctness of the research assumption: the evaluation of the employee's functioning in real time with the use of devices monitoring the physiological state can be effectively used in the process of improving the safety of using modern manufacturing technologies.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The conducted experiments with the use of motion sensors and devices monitoring the physiological state of an employee in Industry 4.0 maL16de it possible to observe factors influencing his functioning at work. Among other things, those that potentially threaten human health or life, and result from various nuisance factors. During a shift, an employee, with increasing fatigue, may perform the same learned tasks in a less safe and different way, which is a potential cause of work safety hazards.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The added value of implementing ergonomic reengineering with the use of IT products is to obtain, concurrently to the production process without interference and interference, the profile of resource requirements for the optimal load in each workplace.peer-reviewe

Painful skin eruption in a professional auto mechanic — a quiz

-A 37-year-old man, auto mechanic by trade, presented with multiple facial skin lesions, accompanied by burning sensation and pain, eye redness, fever and fatigue. The symptoms occurred 4 days before admission. Two weeks earlier he was consulted dermatologically due to hand eczema treated subsequently with topical steroids; additionally, he reported presence of concomitant facial erythema with scaling. Besides, the personal and familial medical history was unremarkable. Clinical examination revealed multiple skin erosions covered with serosanguineous crust, disseminated on his face, hands and forearms (Fig. 1); increased body temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius, and conjunctival congestion. Laboratory tests revealed increased level of inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein 21.25 mg/L, leukocytosis 13.48 ×109/L)

The Risk for Fall and Functional Dependence in Polish Adults

The constantly rising percentage of the elderly (60+), who are particularly at risk of the dangerous consequence of falls, results not only in the loss of independence in daily life, but also in a serious threat to health and life. Therefore, many authors emphasize the necessity of conducting prophylaxis and prevention among senior citizens. The most important aspect of fall prophylaxis is care about the optimum level of agility. Exercise should focus on increasing muscular strength, balance and dexterity. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between functional fitness and the risk for falls of older people in the light of maintaining physical independence. The research group consisted of 522 persons: 142 males and 380 females aged 60-84 years from Wroclaw (a city in the south-west of Poland). All subjects provided written consent, and were measured and tested in 2009 through 2015, excluding the winter months. Body height and weight were measured. Body mass index was calculated. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional capacity and efficiency. The results of the Senior Fitness Test were used to estimate Maintaining Physical Independence in Older Adults. The differences in the means of the results of all the tests between the age and sex-specific groups were assessed by means of a two-way analysis of variance, where sex and age were factors and results of appropriate test dependent variables. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk for fall, based on the incidence of fall in the last year, for each test comparing the individuals met referenced criteria to maintain functionally dependence and independent, controlled for age and BMI. The risk for falls was more than twice greater in the case of the studied females, whose muscular strength of the upper part of the body was lower. The females in whose cases no fewer than two tests failed to ascertain functional independence, had a greater risk for falls. In the case of the males, no statistically-significant connections between functional independence and the risk for falls was found

Comparison of Functional Physical Fitness between Migrants and Non-Migrants in Poland

After the Second World War Polish borders were shifted into west and it forced large number of people to migrate from the east and central Poland to the western areas in the 1940s and 1950s. It dramatically changed the living condition. The aim of the study was to compare of functional physical fitness of migrants and non-migrants in older ages. Body height and weight were measured and 6 tests of the Senior Functional Fitness Test set were carried out in 785 men and women aged 60-80 during 2015-2016 years in two regions of Poland: the south-wester Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie) and south-eastern (Podkarpackie), regarded as a migrants and non-migrants. Sex and region differences were assessed by a nova, with NIR post hoc test. Additionally, Pearson’s χ2 test and t-Student tests for independent groups were also used. The seniors of south-western Poland are characterized by a significantly higher level of functional physical fitness compared to seniors from south-eastern Poland. It can be assumed that a higher level of education, more favourable socioeconomic conditions and more proactive approach to own health of Lower Silesians (migrants), allowed them to remain independent in everyday life and age with dignity

Influence of the endocannabinoid system on the antidepressant activity of bupropion and moclobemide in the behavioural tests in mice

Background Though there are several classes of antidepressant drugs available on the pharmaceutical market, depression that affects globally over 320 million people is still undertreated. Scientists have made attempts to develop novel therapeutical strategies to maximize effectiveness of therapy and minimize undesired reactions. One of the ideas is use of either dual-action agents or combined administration of two substances that affect diverse neurotransmissions. Thus, we investigated whether the selected CB receptor ligands (oleamide, AM251, JWH133, and AM630) can have an impact on the activity of bupropion and moclobemide. Bupropion belongs to the dual acting drugs, whereas moclobemide is an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase. Methods The mice forced swim test and the tail suspension test were applied in order to determine the potential antidepressant-like activity, whereas the HPLC method was used in order to assess the brain concentrations of the tested antidepressants. Results An intraperitoneal injection of sub-effective doses of oleamide (5 mg/kg), AM251 (0.25 mg/kg), and AM630 (0.25 mg/kg) increased activity of bupropion (10 mg/kg) in both behavioural tests. Effects of moclobemide (1.5 mg/kg) were potentiated only by AM251. These results were not influenced by the hypo- or hyperlocomotion of animals. Conclusion The outcomes of the present study revealed that particularly activation or inhibition of the CB1 receptor function may augment the antidepressant activity of bupropion, whereas only inhibition of the CB1 receptor function manages to increase activity of moclobemide. Most probably, an interplay between CB receptor ligands and bupropion or moclobemide takes place at the cellular level

Influence of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor ligands on the activity of atypical antidepressant drugs in the behavioural tests in mice

Available data support the notion that cannabinoids, whose therapeutic value is limited due to severe adverse reactions, could be beneficial as adjunctive agents in the management of mood disorders. Polytherapy, which is superior to monotherapy in the terms of effectiveness, usually requires lower doses of the individual components. Therefore, the main objective of our study was to determine whether administration of cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligands would enhance the antidepressant activity of atypical antidepressant drugs, i.e. agomelatine and tianeptine. To evaluate the antidepressant-like potential of the tested combinations, the mouse forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used. The HPLC method was applied to assess the brain levels of agomelatine and tianeptine. Both behavioural tests demonstrated that per se an ineffective intraperitoneal dose of oleamide (CB1 receptor agonist, 5 mg/kg) potentiated the anti-immobility activity of tianeptine (15 mg/kg), whereas AM251 (CB1 receptor inverse agonist/antagonist, 0.25 mg/kg) enhanced the antidepressant effects of tianeptine and agomelatine (20 mg/kg). Intraperitoneal co-administration of per se inactive doses of AM630 (CB2 receptor inverse agonist/antagonist) and agomelatine or tianeptine significantly reduced the immobility time of animals only in the FST. CB receptor ligands did not affect the brain levels of the tested atypical antidepressants. In summary, the outcomes of the present study showed that activation and inhibition of CB1 receptors as well as inhibition of CB2 receptors may increase the antidepressant activity of tianeptine, whereas only inhibition of CB1 and CB2 receptors has a potential to augment the antidepressant activity of agomelatine

Evaluation of somatic and functional parameters of cardiovascular and respiratory systems in rural women in Poland

AbstrAct: The aim of this study was the diagnosis of selected somatic parameters and functional parameters of cardiovascular and respiratory systems of rural women in Poland. The study involved a group of 95 rural women aged 35-60 years, staying in 3-week rehabilitation camps. The two groups of women were selected: younger (x=43 years), which did not exceed 50 years of age (n=48) and older (x=53 years) aged 50 years and older (n=47). The present study examines the measurement of the body height and weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and functional parameters of cardiovascular and respiratory systems. For the evaluation of cardiovascular parameters, a 6 minute walk test was selected. Before the commencement of the test and in the first minute after it, the pulse and the blood pressure were measured. To assess the functional parameters of the respiratory system, the pattern of flow -volume curve was used. The test was performed with a Jaeger Flowscreen spirometer. The following parameters were determined: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and Tiffeneau index (FEV1 in% VC). Examined rural women were likely to be similar to their urban counterparts. BMI of women was significantly higher than peers. Older rural women are particularly at risk of obesity. Heart rate and blood pressure, when at resting and after exercise, were normal and alike in both in young and older women. As expected, younger women had significantly higher levels of respiratory parameters. PEF values in younger women were slightly below the normal limit, and in their older peers, this value was significantly below the normal limit