Low Cost Ergonomics Solution for Safe Work Posture at Conventional Milling Machine: A Case Study

Conventional milling machine has been recognized as one of the solutions for high productivity and economical machining processes. However, the existing design of conventional milling workstation leads to non-neutral work postures because of the machine operator has to bend downward his torso for better visualization in setting and machining the workpiece. The aim of this study is to redesign the existing milling workstation by focusing on operator’s visualization and work posture. This study applied Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to assess the work posture of the operator while performing milling operation. The existing milling workstation was redesigned by attaching a low cost LED light and a magnifying glass to improve operator’s visualization in setting and machining the workpiece. Results of work posture analysis revealed that RULA score reduced from 7 to 3 due to application of these tools. This study concluded that low cost intervention is meaningful in improving work postures of conventional milling machine operators

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Toward understanding the placebo effect: Investigating a possible retrocausal factor

ABSTRACT Objective: Conventional models of placebo effects assume that all mind-body responses associated with expectation can be explained by ordinary causal processes. This experiment tested whether some placebo effects may also involve retrocausal, or time-reversed, influences. Design: Slow cortical potentials in the brain were monitored while adult volunteers anticipated either a flash of light or no flash, selected with equal probability by a noise-based random number generator. Data were collected in individual sessions of 100 trials, contributed by 13 female and 7 male adult participants. Outcome measures: Ensemble median slow cortical potentials 1 second prior to a light flash were compared with the same measures prior to no flash. A nonparametric randomized permutation technique was used to statistically assess the observed difference. Electroencephalographic data were analyzed separately by gender. Results: Females' slow cortical potentials significantly differentiated before stimulus onset (z ϭ 2.72, p ϭ 0.007, two-tailed); males showed a suggestive effect in the opposite direction (z ϭ Ϫ1.64, p ϭ 0.10, two-tailed). Examination of alternative explanations indicated that the significant effect in females was not caused by anticipatory strategies, equipment or environmental artifacts, or violation of statistical assumptions. Conclusions: This experiment, in accordance with previous studies showing similar, unconscious "presentiment" effects in humans, suggests that comprehensive models seeking to explain placebo effects, and in general how expectation affects the mind and body, may require consideration of retrocausal influences. 73

ANALYTICAL MODEL OF PROCESS OF ACCELERATION OF A DRIVE OF END-EFFECTORS OF THE GRAIN COMBINE AT TURNING ON LENIX-TRANSMISSIONS

In the given paper equations of motion of a drive of end-effectors of a combine are gained at turning on lenix-transmissions which in this phase exhibits properties of a nonlinear nonholonomic constraint of the second order. It is displayed, that without essential lapses for practice the equation of a nonlinear nonholonomic constraint can be linearized and applied to build-up of analytical model of acceleration of a drive of a combine of equation Tsenov of the second stem