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| 2. |
- Bergman, Åke, et al.
(författare)
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A novel abbreviation standard for organobromine, organochlorine and organophosphorus flame retardants and some characteristics of the chemicals
- 2012
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 49, s. 57-82
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ever since the interest in organic environmental contaminants first emerged 50 years ago, there has been a need to present discussion of such chemicals and their transformation products using simple abbreviations so as to avoid the repetitive use of long chemical names. As the number of chemicals of concern has increased, the number of abbreviations has also increased dramatically, sometimes resulting in the use of different abbreviations for the same chemical. In this article, we propose abbreviations for flame retardants (FRs) substituted with bromine or chlorine atoms or including a functional group containing phosphorus, i.e. BFRs, CFRs and PFRs, respectively. Due to the large number of halogenated and organophosphorus FRs, it has become increasingly important to develop a strategy for abbreviating the chemical names of FRs. In this paper, a two step procedure is proposed for deriving practical abbreviations (PRABs) for the chemicals discussed. In the first step, structural abbreviations (STABs) are developed using specific STAB criteria based on the FR structure. However, since several of the derived STABs are complicated and long, we propose instead the use of PRABs. These are, commonly, an extract of the most essential part of the STAB, while also considering abbreviations previously used in the literature. We indicate how these can be used to develop an abbreviation that can be generally accepted by scientists and other professionals involved in FR related work. Tables with PRABs and STABs for BFRs, CFRs and PERs are presented, including CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) numbers, notes of abbreviations that have been used previously, CA (Chemical Abstract) name, common names and trade names, as well as some fundamental physicochemical constants.
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| 3. |
- Ellinor, Patrick T., et al.
(författare)
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Meta-analysis identifies six new susceptibility loci for atrial fibrillation
- 2012
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 44:6, s. 88-670
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atrial fibrillation is a highly prevalent arrhythmia and a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure and death(1). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in individuals of European ancestry, including 6,707 with and 52,426 without atrial fibrillation. Six new atrial fibrillation susceptibility loci were identified and replicated in an additional sample of individuals of European ancestry, including 5,381 subjects with and 10,030 subjects without atrial fibrillation (P < 5 x 10(-8)). Four of the loci identified in Europeans were further replicated in silico in a GWAS of Japanese individuals, including 843 individuals with and 3,350 individuals without atrial fibrillation. The identified loci implicate candidate genes that encode transcription factors related to cardiopulmonary development, cardiac-expressed ion channels and cell signaling molecules.
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| 4. |
- Koettgen, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association analyses identify 18 new loci associated with serum urate concentrations
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:2, s. 145-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Elevated serum urate concentrations can cause gout, a prevalent and painful inflammatory arthritis. By combining data from >140,000 individuals of European ancestry within the Global Urate Genetics Consortium (GUGC), we identified and replicated 28 genome-wide significant loci in association with serum urate concentrations (18 new regions in or near TRIM46, INHBB, SEMBT1, TMEM171, VEGFA, BAZ1B, PRKAG2, STC1, HNF4G, A1CF, ATXN2, UBE2Q2, IGF1R, NFAT5, MAF, HLF, ACVR1B-ACVRL1 and B3GNT4). Associations for many of the loci were of similar magnitude in individuals of non-European ancestry. We further characterized these loci for associations with gout, transcript expression and the fractional excretion of urate. Network analyses implicate the inhibins-activins signaling pathways and glucose metabolism in systemic urate control. New candidate genes for serum urate concentration highlight the importance of metabolic control of urate production and excretion, which may have implications for the treatment and prevention of gout.
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| 5. |
- Lind, Carl, et al.
(författare)
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RAMP - Development of a risk assessment tool
- 2012
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Ingår i: NES2012 Ergonomics for sustainability and growth. - Stockholm. - 9789163711497 ; , s. 14s-
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- IntroductionManual Materials Handling (MMH) and working in awkward postures are still important causes of MSDs. Proper ergonomic conditions can contribute to reduce absence from work, and are important prerequisites to ensure high quality and productivity. Risk assessment can be used to improve the working conditions by identifying important risk factors and support communication between key stakeholders in order to improve the working conditions.This paper presents an ongoing project called RAMP (Risk management Assessment tool for Manual handling Proactively), reported e.g. at NES 2011. The aim of the project is to develop a freely accessible load ergonomic risk assessment tool and to gain knowledge of contributing factors for implementation and usability of such a tool. The RAMP-tool is developed for assessing risk of MSDs, support communication of the main risk factors among stakeholders and support effective interventions. The project, mainly financed by AFA Insurance, is conducted in collaboration between KTH and companies in the manufacturing industry, mainly Arla Foods and Scania CV.MethodsThis far an overview of risk assessment tools which can be used to assess MMH activities and potentially be used by companies or OSH personnel has been performed including e.g. KIM, QEC, ART Tool, SES and Washington State Checklist. Interviews with companies in the manufacturing industry have been performed to gain insight of the companies’ use of risk assessment tools and their perception of their usability.ResultsThe tool consists of two levels, RAMP I and RAMP II. The first level is intended for quick screening of work stations of occurrence (or not) of risk factors. If the screening indicates an occurrence of a risk factor, a more thorough analysis with the second level could be performed. RAMP II can be used for a more detailed analysis of the exposure to risk factors and point out the direction of possible improvements in order to reduce the exposure.A first prototype of the RAMP I has been evaluated by users, including managers, health and safety representatives, OSH personnel and workers.The tool will be further evaluated and refined after feedback from users. A preliminary version of the RAMP I will be presented at the conference and also preliminary results from the user tests.
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| 6. |
- Rose, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Development, Implementation and dissemination of RAMP : Risk management assessment tool for manual handling proactively
- 2011
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Ingår i: 43rd Annual Nordic Ergonomics Society Conference. ; , s. 255-260
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper describes an on-going project with the main objective to develop, implement, and disseminate a freely accessible computer-based assessment tool for physical ergonomics, the Risk Management Assessment Tool for Manual Handling Proactively, RAMP. The project is conducted in seven steps, in close co-operation between researchers and key company stakeholders, using an interactive research methodology. Results include a specification of requirements that the RAMP should meet. Difficulties of developing models of this kind and possible benefits of using such a tool are discussed.
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| 7. |
- Rose, Linda M, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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Designing Jobs in Manufacturing : Rest Allowances
- 2012
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The organization of work along a conventional production line layout has called for the consideration of both human (e.g., rest breaks, work pace) and technical factors, striving for the optimization of ergonomics and production. Linda Rose and Patrick Neumann discuss these issues in relation to muscle fatigue.
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| 8. |
- Rose, Linda M, 1963-
(författare)
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Ergo-IndexEtapp 2 : Vidareutveckling av metod föranalys av produktionsmetoder – sambandmellan belastningsfaktorer, återhämtning, risk och produktionstid
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This report describes the work with refinement of the Ergo-Index model, initially developed in the 1980’s by a group of researchers and practitioners. Ergo-Index is intended to enable comparison of different methods to perform a work task with the aim to support the choice of working methods to satisfy ergonomics requirements as well as requirements on time consumption and production economics. The outputs from the method are assessments of recovery need, production time and load level. The project has been carried out in two parts, of which this report deals with the second part.The objective has been to gain relevant information and to develop the Ergo-Index model further, especially regarding recovery, based on a literature review and an experimental study. In the experimental study maximum exerted forces as well as subjectively assessed Endurance and Resumption times for 15 different loading cases were determined with different load levels and loading times.The results revealed a previously unknown fatigue-load phenomenon, namely that the recovery need was found to be shortest, expressed in relative loading time, for a medium load level (30 % of max), compared to low (10 % of max) and high (50 % of max) load levels. This led to some unexpected difficulties in the project.After several rounds of modeling relations for endurance and recovery need, the new Ergo-Index was developed. This, partly performed by deriving at mathematical relationships via regression analysis and partly by using results from other published studies and also Swedish physical ergonomics legislation recommendations, is described in the report. Seven examples of applications of the model are also given. These form a start of a planned database where applied examples are gathered to facilitate the use of the method. These tasks were also evaluated with subjective methods by the participants, using Borg’s CR10 scale, a body map and interviews and photo- and video-documented. The new model should to be applied and evaluated more than has been done up until now, before it is spread to a large extent. Application and evaluation is planned with a couple of companies.The experimental results have also been used for developing a prediction model of perceived fatigue. Further, also based on the experimental study, where the working task was carried out with one repetition in two subsequent trials, a model for accumulation of fatigue is presented. Both these parts have not been tested or evaluated, but it is suggested to evaluate them in studies with applied repetitive working tasks. These results may also be used to form an enhanced recovery assessment model on occupational tasks for selection of working methods and job design from ergonomics and time perspectives for repetitive work.Issues regarding modeling, such as field of application and accuracy, are discussed. Dissemination of the results, to companies, in educations as well as in the research community, is also described.
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| 9. |
- Rose, Linda M., 1963-
(författare)
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Ergonomics and its Consequences for Businesses
- 2011
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- As ergonomists, for many of us, a driving force is to improve work environments to “do good”: to reduce risks for injury and human suffering, improve working conditions and support human well-being. This motivation is in accordance with the first of the two objectives of ergonomics as in the IEA definition – ‘…to optimize human well-being and overall system performance”. However, ‘doing good’ in this sense can be difficult. A challenging task we face as ergonomists is to motivate work site improvements within a business environment that is focused on the second objective of ergonomics, overall system performance. Thus, the art of ergonomics lies in balancing the two – in addressing individual wellbeing as well as the broader goals of system performance. As part of this balancing act, displaying financial impacts of ergonomics plays an important role and is therefore the focus of this key-note.In all business activity decision makers have to choose between different investment options. For investments that can improve ergonomics, the full economic benefits are often difficult to quantify. Such benefits are associated with reduced costs related to non-optimal work environment. Visible costs, such as direct costs for absenteeism, are quite easily measured while hidden costs, related to business key parameters, such as productivity and quality issues, are often complex, contextually dependent and difficult to estimate. However, these issues are vital for organizations and such costs, which directly affect the company’s competitiveness, are often many times greater than the visible costs. If decision makers only are aware of the direct financial impact of investments they may prioritize solutions that are not optimal neither for organizational performance and business results nor for the work environment and health of the employees. In extreme cases this can jeopardize the company’s future.So, what is needed for informed decision-making? First, awareness that ergonomics also influences core business parameters and organizational performance is needed. Second, there is a need for user-friendly assessment tools to estimate the financial effects associated with workplace ergonomics. In the presentation a survey of existing assessment tools and methods is presented. Reasons why these tools aren’t more widely used are discussed. There is an increased call from companies for assessment tools that companies can use in their operational management to motivate and carry out ergonomic improvements. This is partly due to the need to form business cases to motivate investments. There is also an increased awareness from company management, who recognize that improved working environments also lead to other positive effects for the company. Increasingly managers seek knowledge for informed decision making, for example when prioritizing between work environment improvements and strategic corporate decisions. The assessment tools can be used i) proactively in the design of production systems, which leads to advantages for the staff as well as for the company’s performance, ii) reactively to evaluate different scenarios to reduce work environment, productivity and quality problems and iii) strategically for promoting the company.So, what actions are needed to improve these assessment tools, increase their use of and make them a natural part in the company operational processes? In this presentation some research and development suggestions are given. These involve tool as well as organizational and process development.In summary, working towards improved tools and their usage in striving towards the twofold ergonomics objective involves many challenges, but strengthens the possibilities to be successful in “doing good”, for individuals and organizations, as well as for societies.
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