Designing wearables for use in the workplace: the role of solution developers

Wearables (such as data glasses and smartwatches) are a particularly visible element of Industrie 4.0 applications. They aim at providing situation-specific information to workers, but at the same time they can also be used for surveillance and control because they generate data on the work process and sometimes even on movement patterns and vital data of the employees. Wearables technology is at an early stage of development, in which the interests and perspectives of relevant stakeholders, especially technology developers and the management, are of particular importance. This article explores the role of solution developers and their understanding of work processes in which wearables are to be used. It is based on expert interviews with solution developers, academic and company experts. The analysis shows an ambivalent understanding of work: On the one hand, it is characterized by the perception of workers as potential sources of error. It focuses on the optimization of individual workplaces and their ergonomics, while broader questions of work design and work organization are ignored. On the other hand, the technology developers see and discuss the potentials and dangers of wearables technologies with regard to individualization, data protection and control in a differentiated manner

Measuring work and workers: Wearables and digital assistance systems in manufacturing and logistics

The smart glove or smart data glasses: Digitalization of work means that technology is moving closer to the bodies of employees. It can make movements, vital signs and even emotions visible. Technologies which many people use privately to monitor their sporting activities or health opens up a new dimension of control in the workplace, but also the possibility of supporting employees in complex work processes. Based on case studies of companies in manufacturing and logistics as well as a survey of employees, this study provides insights into operational use cases of wearables and the assessments of employees. It reveals contradictory experiences and a high importance of co-determination and co-design of new technologies by employees and works councils as a condition for using new technologies for improving work quality

Wearable Computing im Betrieb gestalten: Rolle und Perspektiven der Lösungsentwickler im Prozess der Arbeitsgestaltung

Wearables (beispielsweise Datenbrillen und Smartwatches) sind ein besonders sichtbares Element von Industrie-4.0-Anwendungen. Sie sollen situationsgerechte Informationen zur Verfügung stellen, können aber zugleich auch Daten über den Arbeitsprozess – und teils sogar über Bewegungsmuster und Vitalfunktionen der Beschäftigten – generieren. Die Wearable-Technologie ist in einem frühen Entwicklungsstadium, in dem die Interessen und Sichtweisen der relevanten Akteure, vor allem der Technikentwickler und des Managements möglicher Anwendungsunternehmen von besonderer Bedeutung sind. Der vorliegende Artikel untersucht die Rolle der Lösungsentwickler und ihr Verständnis von Arbeit und den Arbeitsprozessen, in denen Wearables eingesetzt werden sollen. Er beruht auf leitfadengestützten Interviews mit Lösungsentwicklern. Gezeigt wird ein ambivalentes Verständnis von Arbeit: Auf der einen Seite dominiert die Wahrnehmung menschlicher Arbeitskräfte als potenzielle Fehlerquellen und die Fokussierung auf die Optimierung einzelner Arbeitsplätze und ihrer Ergonomie, während übergreifende Fragen der Arbeitsgestaltung und Arbeitsorganisation ausgeblendet werden. Auf der anderen Seite werden die Potenziale und Gefahren der Wearable-Technologien im Hinblick auf Individualisierung, Datenschutz und Kontrolle differenziert gesehen und diskutiert

Control of human endometrial stromal cell motility by PDGF-BB, HB-EGF and trophoblast-secreted factors

Human implantation involves extensive tissue remodeling at the fetal-maternal interface. It is becoming increasingly evident that not only trophoblast, but also decidualizing endometrial stromal cells are inherently motile and invasive, and likely contribute to the highly dynamic processes at the implantation site. The present study was undertaken to further characterize the mechanisms involved in the regulation of endometrial stromal cell motility and to identify trophoblast-derived factors that modulate migration. Among local growth factors known to be present at the time of implantation, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) triggered chemotaxis (directed locomotion), whereas platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB elicited both chemotaxis and chemokinesis (non-directed locomotion) of endometrial stromal cells. Supernatants of the trophoblast cell line AC-1M88 and of first trimester villous explant cultures stimulated chemotaxis but not chemokinesis. Proteome profiling for cytokines and angiogenesis factors revealed neither PDGF-BB nor HB-EGF in conditioned media from trophoblast cells or villous explants, while placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and PDGF-AA were identified as prominent secretory products. Among these, only PDGF-AA triggered endometrial stromal cell chemotaxis. Neutralization of PDGF-AA in trophoblast conditioned media, however, did not diminish chemoattractant activity, suggesting the presence of additional trophoblast-derived chemotactic factors. Pathway inhibitor studies revealed ERK1/2, PI3 kinase/Akt and p38 signaling as relevant for chemotactic motility, whereas chemokinesis depended primarily on PI3 kinase/Akt activation. Both chemotaxis and chemokinesis were stimulated upon inhibition of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase. The chemotactic response to trophoblast secretions was not blunted by inhibition of isolated signaling cascades, indicating activation of overlapping pathways in trophoblast-endometrial communication. In conclusion, trophoblast signals attract endometrial stromal cells, while PDGF-BB and HB-EGF, although not identified as trophoblast-derived, are local growth factors that may serve to fine-tune directed and non-directed migration at the implantation site

Controversial shift work? A contribution to the debate about a stressful, but enduring form of working time organization

Schichtarbeit gilt als eine hochbelastende Form der Arbeitszeitgestaltung. Es gibt bestimmte Empfehlungen, wie man Schichtarbeitssysteme ergonomischer gestalten kann. Allerdings scheinen die Mitarbeiter im Schichtbetrieb Widerstand gegen Veränderungen ihres Schichtsystems zu leisten. Der Artikel untersucht die Gründe für dieses Verhalten aus arbeitssoziologischer Sicht.Shift work is considered as a highly stressful type of working time organization. There are certain recommendations on how to design shift work systems in a more ergonomic way. However, employees working in shifts seem to offer resistance to changes of their shift system. The article explores reasons for this behaviour from a labour sociology perspective

Neue Gestaltungsoptionen für humane Nacht- und Schichtarbeit?: Experteneinschätzungen am Beispiel Digitalisierung

Im Zuge der Debatte um Industrie 4.0 und Digitalisierung wurden von Seiten der Produktionstechnik erhebliche Versprechungen hinsichtlich einer Verbesserung von Arbeitsqualität geleistet. Auch für die Gestaltung von Nacht- und Schichtarbeit liegen Konzepte, wie z.B. ein Schicht-Doodle, vor. Der Beitrag fragt danach, inwiefern sich durch Digitalisierung wirklich Chancen für eine humane Gestaltung von Nacht- und Schichtarbeit ergeben. Ergebnisse aus 40 Expert*inneninterviews lassen darauf schließen, dass im Einsatz neuer Technologien kein hinreichender Lösungsansatz gesehen wird. Problemlagen wie Management-Defizite in der Gestaltung betrieblicher Abläufe und Fehlanreize durch monetären Belastungsausgleich bleiben grundlegende Hemmnisse, die es zu lösen gilt

"When I show a shift system like this, the employees turn away in horror" - Analysis of company conditions and employee resistance to the implementation of ergonomic recommendations for the design of night and shift work

Im Jahr 2019 arbeiteten in Deutschland 15.6 % der Beschäftigten in Nacht- und Schichtarbeit. Diese Arbeitszeitform geht mit erheblichen gesundheitlichen Risiken einher: Schlafstörungen, gastro-intestinale sowie kardiovaskuläre Beschwerden; diskutiert wird sogar ein Zusammenhang mit einem gesteigerten Krebsrisiko. Hintergrund ist das dauerhafte Zuwiderhandeln gegen den individuellen Biorhythmus. Um die gesundheitlichen Risiken zu reduzieren, gibt es einige anerkannte arbeitswissenschaftliche Empfehlungen zur Gestaltung von Schichtarbeitssystemen (z.B. nicht mehr als drei Nachtschichten hintereinander, ausreichende Ruhezeiten, etc.). Diese Empfehlungen sind zum Teil seit Jahrzehnten wissenschaftlicher Konsens. Ihre Implementierung ist auch Gegenstand einer Norm im Arbeitszeitgesetz. Dennoch deuten Befunde darauf hin, dass die Empfehlungen nicht flächendeckend umgesetzt sind. Auch wird von erheblichen beschäftigtenseitigen Widerständen gegen die Umstellung von Schichtsystemen und die Berücksichtigung der Empfehlungen berichtet. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es daher, die betrieblichen Rahmenbedingungen bei der Gestaltung von Schichtarbeitssystemen zu analysieren und die Frage zu beantworten, warum die Empfehlungen trotz arbeitswissenschaftlich unbestrittener Wirksamkeit nicht umgesetzt sind. Die Erkenntnisse aus der vorliegenden Arbeit lassen zum einen den Schluss zu, dass die Regulierung von Nacht- und Schichtarbeit nicht allein den betrieblichen Akteuren überlassen werden kann. Flankierende tarifvertragliche und gesetzliche Regelungen, zum Beispiel zu einer reduzierten Vollzeit für Nacht- und Schichtbeschäftigte, sowie Konzepte für den geregelten Übergang in die Rente sind vor dem Hintergrund der erheblichen Belastungen unabdingbar. Zum anderen können die subjektiven Belastungen der Beschäftigten und ihre Bewältigung derzeit nicht mit Hilfe der vorliegenden Belastungsanalyse abgebildet werden, da die arbeitswissenschaftlichen Konzepte diesen Faktor derzeit kaum berücksichtigen. Es bedarf in der Folge einer zu entwickelnden interdisziplinären Belastungsanalyse.In 2019, 15.6 % of employees in Germany worked night and shift work. This form of working time is associated with considerable health risks: sleep disorders, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complaints; a connection with an increased risk of cancer is even being discussed. The background to this is the permanent contravention of individual biorhythms. In order to reduce the health risks, there are some recognized recommendations from Ergonomics for the design of shift work systems (e.g., no more than three night shifts in a row, sufficient rest periods, …). Some of these recommendations have been the scientific consensus for decades. Their implementation is also the subject of a paragraph in the German Arbeitszeitgesetz (German Working Hours Act). Nevertheless, findings indicate that the recommendations have not been implemented across the board. There are also reports of considerable resistance on the part of employees to the conversion of shift systems and the consideration of the recommendations. The aim of this dissertation is therefore to analyze the general conditions in companies when designing shift work systems and to answer the question of why the recommendations have not been implemented despite their undisputed effectiveness in Ergonomics. The findings of this study lead to the conclusion that the regulation of night work and shift work cannot be left to the company actors alone. Accompanying collective bargaining and statutory regulations, for example on reduced full-time working hours for night and shift workers, as well as concepts for a regulated transition to retirement are indispensable against the background of the considerable burdens. On the other hand, the subjective strains and stresses of employees and how they are coped with cannot currently be mapped with the help of the present analysis as the concepts of Ergonomics and Labour Science hardly take this factor into account at present. As a result, an interdisciplinary analysis for including all shift work related stresses and strains needs to be developed

To Treat or Not to Treat? Cost-Effectiveness of Ace Inhibitors in Non-Diabetic Advanced Renal Disease - a Dutch Perspective

Background: Treating non-diabetic proteinuric patients with advanced renal disease with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is still subject to discussion. This study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of ACE inhibitor therapy in this patient population in the Netherlands. Methods: We compared two strategies: first, treating patients with advanced renal disease with an ACE inhibitor and no-treatment. A lifetime Markov decision model was developed simulating the progression of renal disease and using published data on costs and health outcomes. A health care perspective was adopted. Results: In the base-case analysis, treatment with ACE inhibitors leads to higher benefits and lower costs and dominates the no-treatment strategy. Sensitivity analysis shows that the probability of savings is 83%. Conclusion: ACE inhibitor treatment for non-diabetic patients with advanced renal disease in the Netherlands is highly cost-effective and should therefore be considered

Cost-effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for the prevention of diabetic nephropathy in The Netherlands : a Markov model

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Europe and the USA. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have a potential to slow down the progression of renal disease and therefore provide a renal-protective effect. The aim of our study was to assess the most cost-effective time to start an ACE inhibitor (or an angiotensin II receptor blocker [ARB] if coughing as a side effect occurs) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in The Netherlands. METHODS: A lifetime Markov decision model with simulated 50-year-old patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus was developed using published data on costs and health outcomes and simulating the progression of renal disease. A health insurance perspective was adopted. Three strategies were compared: treating all patients at the time of diagnosing type 2 diabetes, screening for microalbuminuria, and screening for macroalbuminuria. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, the treat-all strategy is associated with the lowest costs and highest benefit and therefore dominates screening both for macroalbuminuria and microalbuminuria. A multivariate sensitivity analysis shows that the probability of savings is 70%. CONCLUSIONS: In The Netherlands for patients with type 2 diabetes prescription of an ACE inhibitor immediately after diagnosis should be considered if they do not have contraindications. An ARB should be considered for those patients developing a dry cough under ACE inhibitor therapy. The potential for cost savings would be even larger if the prevention of cardiovascular events were considered