Tool and equipment purchasing decisions are constantly made by companies and workers, often with little objective information beyond word of mouth and marketing information. This study presents a pilot investigation of random orbital sanders using ergonomic and usability assessment techniques which can easily be applied in any industry. Three subjects performed a sanding task using three different tool configurations: 1) the current model sander, 2) current model with hose-swivel attachment, and 3) the new "ergonomically designed" model. Physical measurements were taken of muscle activity and wrist motion to complement think-aloud testing and a usability questionnaire. No significant differences were found in physical measurements between the three configurations. Participants strongly preferred the current model over the new model, reporting less perceived discomfort and vibration, despite what appeared to be improvements in the new design. Workplace changes intended to reduce the risk of injury sometimes may have no effect after significant capital investment, or in some cases even increase the risk of injury. Practical assessment of new tools or modifications can quickly determine whether the outcome is indeed an improvement. The results of this tool assessment highlight the need for objective information in tool and equipment design decisions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/104732201753214143 | DOI Listing |
Nutr Res
January 2025
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; IMDEA-Food, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:
l-Theanine is a unique non-protein amino acid found abundantly in tea leaves. Interest in its potential use as a dietary supplement has surged recently, especially claims related to promoting relaxation and cognitive enhancement. This review surveys the chemistry, metabolism, and purported biological activities of l-theanine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Med Food
January 2025
Department of Infectious Diseases and Liver Diseases, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Disturbances of the intestinal barrier enabling bacterial translocation exacerbate alcoholic liver disease (ALD). GG (LGG) has been shown to exert beneficial effects in gut dysbiosis and chronic liver disease. The current study assessed the combined effects of LGG and metformin, which play roles in anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes, in alcohol-induced liver disease mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Med Internet Res
January 2025
Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background: Sepsis, a critical global health challenge, accounted for approximately 20% of worldwide deaths in 2017. Although the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score standardizes the diagnosis of organ dysfunction, early sepsis detection remains challenging due to its insidious symptoms. Current diagnostic methods, including clinical assessments and laboratory tests, frequently lack the speed and specificity needed for timely intervention, particularly in vulnerable populations such as older adults, intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and those with compromised immune systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Oncol
January 2025
INSERM, IMRBU955, Univ Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France.
Purpose: Establishing an accurate prognosis remains challenging in older patients with cancer because of the population's heterogeneity and the current predictive models' reduced ability to capture the complex interactions between oncologic and geriatric predictors. We aim to develop and externally validate a new predictive score (the Geriatric Cancer Scoring System [GCSS]) to refine individualized prognosis for older patients with cancer during the first year after a geriatric assessment (GA).
Materials And Methods: Data were collected from two French prospective multicenter cohorts of patients with cancer 70 years and older, referred for GA: ELCAPA (training set January 2007-March 2016) and ONCODAGE (validation set August 2008-March 2010).
Environ Sci Technol
January 2025
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
Chlorine radicals (Cl) are highly reactive and affect the fate of air pollutants. Several field studies in China have revealed elevated levels of daytime molecular chlorine (Cl), which, upon photolysis, release substantial amounts of Cl but are poorly represented in current chemical transport models. Here, we implemented a parametrization for the formation of daytime Cl through the photodissociation of particulate nitrate in acidic environments into a regional model and assessed its impact on coastal air quality during autumn in South China.
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