| 1. |
- Brolin, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Second cycle education program in virtual ergonomics and design
- 2018
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In: Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018). - Cham : Springer. - 9783319960708 - 9783319960715 ; , s. 1058-1065
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Current product and production development tends to become more complex where principal design decisions are made in very early development phases when product data only exist in virtual formats. To support this virtual product realisation process there exist a number of tools and technologies. Considering ergonomics and human factors in an increasingly complex process with often complex tools requires competent people able to handle multidisciplinary development challenges in a proactive manner. To answer the need for educational programs to cover these issues the School of Engineering Science at University of Skövde has developed a new master (second cycle) program Virtual Ergonomics and Design. The aim with the program is to give students and future product and production developers, necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use virtual tools for analysis, development, and verification of ergonomics and integrate ergonomics and user aspects into the product realisation process. This is achieved through a number of courses that partly forms a core within the subject Virtual product realisation but also provides in-depth knowledge in ergonomics. Students will in a possible future role as design or production engineers have a great influence on ergonomics in manufacturing departments but also better perception of ergonomics, higher motivation and knowledge of support tools and methods for ergonomics integration.
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| 2. |
- Hanson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Design concept evaluation in digital human modeling tools
- 2022
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In: Proceedings of the 7th International Digital Human Modeling Symposium (DHM 2022), August 29–30, 2022, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. - : University of Iowa Press. - 9780984037841 ; , s. 1-9
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the design process of products and production systems, the activity to systematically evaluate initial alternative design concepts is an important step. The digital human modeling (DHM) tools include several different types of assessment methods in order to evaluate product and production systems. Despite this, and due to the fact that a DHM tool in essence is a computer-supported design and analysis tool, none of the DHM tools provide the functionality to, in a systematic way, use the results generated in the DHM tool to compare design concepts between each other. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how a systematic concept evaluation method is integrated in a DHM tool, and to exemplify how it can be used to systematically assess design alternatives. Pugh´s method was integrated into the IPS software with LUA scripting to systematically compare design concepts. Four workstation layout concepts were generated by four engineers. The four concepts were systematically evaluated with two methods focusing on human well-being and two methods focusing on system performance and cost. The result is very promising. The demonstrator illustrates that it is possible to perform a systematic concept evaluation based on human well-being, overall system performance, and other parameters, where some of the data is automatically provided by the DHM tool and other data manually. The demonstrator can also be used to evaluate only one design concept, where it provides the software user and the decision maker with an objective and visible overview of the success of the design proposal from the perspective of several evaluation methods.
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| 3. |
- Hanson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Integrating Physical Load Exposure Calculations and Recommendations in Digitalized Ergonomics Assessment Processes
- 2022
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In: SPS2022. - Amsterdam; Berlin; Washington, DC : IOS Press. - 9781643682686 - 9781643682693 ; , s. 233-239
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The type of ergonomics assessment methods typically used in digital human modelling (DHM) tools and automated assessment processes were rather developed to be used by ergonomists to assess ergonomics by observing the characteristics of the work. Direct measurement methods complement observation methods. Direct measurement methods have a design that suits being implemented into DHM tools. A drawback of direct measurement methods is that they traditionally do not include action levels. However, action levels in direct measurement methods have recently been suggested. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how these recent physical load exposure calculations and recommendations can be integrated in a DHM tool and in an automated assessment process. A demonstrator solution was developed that inputs exposure data from simulations in the DHM tool IPS IMMA as well as exposure data that originate from tracking real workers’ motions, using the motion capture system Xsens MVN. The demonstrator was applied in two use cases: one based on predicted human motions and one based on captured human motions. In the demonstrator, head posture, upper left and right arm posture and velocity, as well as left and right wrist velocity were calculated. Exposure data were compared with action levels, and extreme action levels were indicated by colouring the information. The results are promising, and the demonstrator illustrates that it is possible to follow the trends in Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 to automate and digitalize ergonomics assessment processes in industry.
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| 4. |
- Jonsson, Anna, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Small constrained SP1-7 analogues bind to a unique site and promote anti-allodynic effects following systemic injection in mice
- 2015
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In: Neuroscience. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4522 .- 1873-7544. ; 298, s. 112-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous results have shown that the substance P (SP) N-terminal fragment SP1–7 may attenuate hyperalgesia and produce anti-allodynia in animals using various experimental models for neuropathic pain. The heptapeptide was found to induce its effects through binding to and activating specific sites apart from any known neurokinin or opioid receptor. Furthermore, we have applied a medicinal chemistry program to develop lead compounds mimicking the effect of SP1–7. The present study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effect of these compounds using the mouse spared nerve injury (SNI) model of chronic neuropathic pain. Also, as no comprehensive screen with the aim to identify the SP1–7 target has yet been performed we screened our lead compound H-Phe-Phe-NH2 toward a panel of drug targets. The extensive target screen, including 111 targets, did not reveal any hit for the binding site among a number of known receptors or enzymes involved in pain modulation. Our animal studies confirmed that SP1–7, but also synthetic analogs thereof, possesses anti-allodynic effects in the mouse SNI model of neuropathic pain. One of the lead compounds, a constrained H-Phe-Phe-NH2 analog, was shown to exhibit a significant anti-allodynic effect.
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| 5. |
- Sederholm Lawesson, Sofia, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Association Between History of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Coronary Artery Disease Assessed by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.
- 2023
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In: JAMA. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 1538-3598 .- 0098-7484. ; 329:5, s. 393-404
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes are recognized risk enhancers for cardiovascular disease, but the prevalence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis after these conditions is unknown.To assess associations between history of adverse pregnancy outcomes and coronary artery disease assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography screening.Cross-sectional study of a population-based cohort of women in Sweden (n=10528) with 1 or more deliveries in 1973 or later, ascertained via the Swedish National Medical Birth Register, who subsequently participated in the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study at age 50 to 65 (median, 57.3) years in 2013-2018. Delivery data were prospectively collected.Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm delivery, small-for-gestational-age infant, and gestational diabetes. The reference category included women with no history of these exposures.Coronary computed tomography angiography indexes, including any coronary atherosclerosis, significant stenosis, noncalcified plaque, segment involvement score of 4 or greater, and coronary artery calcium score greater than 100.A median 29.6 (IQR, 25.0-34.9) years after first registered delivery, 18.9% of women had a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, with specific pregnancy histories ranging from 1.4% (gestational diabetes) to 9.5% (preterm delivery). The prevalence of any coronary atherosclerosis in women with a history of any adverse pregnancy outcome was 32.1% (95% CI, 30.0%-34.2%), which was significantly higher (prevalence difference, 3.8% [95% CI, 1.6%-6.1%]; prevalence ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.06-1.22]) compared with reference women. History of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were both significantly associated with higher and similar prevalence of all outcome indexes. For preeclampsia, the highest prevalence difference was observed for any coronary atherosclerosis (prevalence difference, 8.0% [95% CI, 3.7%-12.3%]; prevalence ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.14-1.45]), and the highest prevalence ratio was observed for significant stenosis (prevalence difference, 3.1% [95% CI, 1.1%-5.1%]; prevalence ratio, 2.46 [95% CI, 1.65-3.67]). In adjusted models, odds ratios for preeclampsia ranged from 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07-1.61) for any coronary atherosclerosis to 2.21 (95% CI, 1.42-3.44) for significant stenosis. Similar associations were observed for history of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension among women with low predicted cardiovascular risk.Among Swedish women undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography screening, there was a statistically significant association between history of adverse pregnancy outcomes and image-identified coronary artery disease, including among women estimated to be at low cardiovascular disease risk. Further research is needed to understand the clinical importance of these associations.
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| 6. |
- Anund, Anna, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Hantverkares och omsorgspersonals resor i tjänsten : Fokus på arbetsmiljö och säkerhet
- 2024
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Syftet med föreliggande studie var att öka kunskapen om arbetsmiljö, hälsa och trafiksäkerhet för hantverkare och personal inom omsorgen (hemtjänst och hemsjukvård) i samband med resor till och från uppdrag inom tjänsten.I studien har den dagliga verksamheten kartlagts dels med objektiva mätningar av körsträckor, tid på dygnet, körtider, hastigheter, lastsäkring etcetera (delstudie A), dels utifrån subjektiva upplevelser (enkäter och djupintervjuer; delstudie B respektive C).Resultaten visar på att hantverkare och omsorgspersonal hade olika förutsättningar avseende säkra resor i samband med uppdrag inom tjänsten.Hantverkare reste längre, men hade färre resor per dag och överskred hastighetsgränserna oftare jämfört med omsorgspersonalen. Omsorgspersonalen hade högre subjektiv sömnighet och stress vid uppvaknandet än hantverkarna. Det var dock ingen skillnad i antal personer som rapporterade höga värden på sömnighet och stress under arbetsdagen. Av hantverkarna var det 30 procent som rapporterade att de led av måttliga eller stora besvär av värk och muskelspänningar, det var 30 procent som hade ont i nedre delen av ryggen. Bland omsorgspersonalen var det 49 procent som led av värk och muskelspänningar och 46 procent som led av värk i nedre delen av ryggen. Vidare var det 37 procent av hantverkarna som rapporterade att de fick otillräckligt med sömn, motsvarande siffra för omsorgen var 58 procent. Av hantverkarnas bilar var det totalt 64 procent som hade förutsättningar för säker förankring. De cyklar som användes i omsorgen hade brister avseende reflexer, bromsar etcetera. Det var endast 30 procent av de som cyklade som instämde i att de ganska eller mycket ofta använder hjälm.Med en utgångspunkt i resultaten från de tre delstudierna har vi formulerat ett antal rekommendationer. Dessa omfattar områden: Stärkt kompetens, Cyklar/el-cyklar; inköp och underhåll, Motorfordon; inköp och utrustning, Lastning/förankring samt Förtydligat arbetsmiljöansvar. Dessutom har några ytterligare områden för fortsatt forskning identifierats.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Brolin, Anna
(author)
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An investigation of cognitive aspects affecting human performance in manual assembly
- 2016
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Modern manufacturing systems seem to be shifting from mass production to mass customisation, which means that systems must be able to manage changes in customer demands and requirements, new technology as well as environmental demands. This in turn leads to an increase in product variants that need to be assembled. To handle this issue, well designed and presented information is vital for assembly workers to perform effective and accurate assembly tasks. In this thesis the main focus has been to find factors that affect human performance in manual assembly. A literature review was made on the subject of manufacturing and usability as well as basic cognitive abilities used to utilise information, such as memory. This investigation identified applicable factors for assessing human cognitive performance within the research field of manufacturing. The thesis further investigates how some of these factors are handled in manual assembly, using case studies as well as observational studies. The results show that how material and information are presented to the assembler needs to be considered in order to have a positive effect on the assembly operation. In addition, a full factorial experimental study was conducted to investigate different ways of presenting material and information at the workstation while using mixed assembly mode with product variants. The material presentation factor involved the use of a material rack compared to using an unstructured kit as well as a structured kit and the information presentation factor involved using a text and number instruction compared to a photograph instruction. The results showed that using a kit is favourable compared to the traditional material rack, especially when using a structured kit combined with photographic instruction. Furthermore, the use of unstructured kits can lead to better productivity and reduced perceived workload, compared to a material rack. Although they are perhaps not as good as using a structured kit, they most likely bring a lower cost, such as man-hour consumption and space requirements. However, the number of components in an unstructured kit needs to be considered in order to keep it on a manageable level. As a conclusion, several scenarios were developed in order to understand how different assembly settings can be used in order to improve human performance at the assembly workstation.
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| 9. |
- Brolin, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive Aspects Affecting Human Performance in Manual Assembly
- 2016
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In: Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXX. - : IOS Press. - 9781614996675 - 9781614996682 ; , s. 231-236
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper concerns the handling of information in assembly work environments. Several studies involving both literature reviews, case studies andobservations were conducted to find factors that affect human performance in manual assembly. The main experiment with 36 subjects used a mixed method design with a quantitative study, including time and errors as dependant measures,a qualitative study, including workload ratings, and a questionnaire. The experiment involved the assembly of a pedal car and the components werepresented using structured kits, unstructured kits and material racks. Assembly information was presented as text & component numbers or photographs, and situations with and without component variation were considered. Among theresults it was found that assembly times and workload ratings were lower when using a kit, whereas using a material rack resulted in perceived decreased workflow and increased stress and frustration. Assembly times and workload ratings were lower when using photographs, whereas using text and numbers increased mental workload.
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| 10. |
- Brolin, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Experimental study of cognitive aspects affecting human performance in manual assembly
- 2017
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In: Production & Manufacturing Research. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2169-3277. ; 5:1, s. 141-163
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigate different ways of presenting material and information at workstations while using mixed assembly mode with product variants. The experimental set up annotated an assembly line involving 36 subjects. The material presentation factor involved the use of a material rack compared to using an unstructured kit as well as a structured kit. The information presentation factor involved using a text and number instruction compared to a photograph instruction, and situations with and without component variation were considered. Results show that assembly times and workload ratings were lower when using a kit, whereas using a material rack resulted in perceived decreased workflow and increased stress and frustration. Moreover, assembly times and workload ratings were lower when using photographs, whereas using text and numbers increased mental workload. The results could be useful when planning work places and production systems in order to obtain a better workflow and an increased human performance.
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