A conceptual framework of cost/benefit justification for ergonomic projects to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace

A framework for justifying ergonomic projects to the overall cost savings is developed which estimates the extent of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) exposures to a specific industry. A cost structure is developed to estimate the investment needed for an ergonomics program and the costs related to MSDs problems including workers\u27 compensation costs, work-related costs, and labor turnover costs. Data was adopted from sources including Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP-3), and estimates suggested in OSHA\u27s former Ergonomics Standard. Top fifteen manufacturing industries with the highest MSDs rates were selected to apply the framework. Results showed that the overall cost savings among the fifteen selected industries come from ergonomics activities addressing the problem of overexertion (58%), bodily reaction (15%), and repetitive motion (27%). The study makes it possible to identify the proportion of exposure types that contribute to the overall costs of MSDs problems, so that managers can prioritize ergonomic analysis and control activities appropriately. Furthermore, based on the literature review, this is the first study to investigate the feasibility of using Real Options method to quantify ergonomic investment as well as an attempt to identify different types of real options in ergonomics program. Results showed that the value of ergonomics program could increase up to 2.43 times of the original value when real options are included

Observation of the Mollow Triplet from an optically confined single atom

Resonance fluorescence from atomic systems consists of a single spectral peak that evolves into a Mollow triplet for a strong excitation field. Photons from different peaks of the triplet show distinct photon correlation that make the fluorescence a useful light source for quantum information purpose. We characterize the fluorescence of a single optically trapped $^{87}$Rb atom that is excited resonantly at different power levels. Second-order correlation measurements reveal the single photon nature of the fluorescence concurrently with Rabi oscillations of a strongly excited atom. The asymmetry in correlations between photons from two sidebands of the fluorescence spectrum when the atom is exposed to an off-resonant field further indicates that there is a preferred time-ordering of the emitted photons from different sidebands.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Screening of Soil Microorganisms Antagonistic to Helminthosporium Sativum P., K. & B.

Plant Patholog

Foliar Fertilization of Soybeans - 1977

Field investigations on the effect of foliar fertilization were continued on soybeans during 1977. Results from our 1976 studies have previously been published. In 1976 we tested a material produced by TVA. We used the same TVA-material in 1977 and in addition, included a commercially available product (Foliantm, manufactured by Allied Chemical Corporation)

Data-driven surgical duration prediction model for surgery scheduling: A case-study for a practice-feasible model in a public hospital

Healthcare Automation Award Finalist</p