The last 20 years have seen a tremendous growth in the field of computing with special ref-erence to mobile computing. Ergonomic issues pertaining to this theme remains unex-plored. With special reference to readability in mobile computing, an experimental research was conducted to study the gender effect on human performance under the impact of vibra-tion in a human computer interaction environment. Fourteen subjects (7 males and 7 females) participated in the study. Three independent variables, namely gender, level of vibration and screen text/background colour, were selected for the experimental investiga-tion while the dependent variable was the number of characters read per minute. The data collected were analyzed statistically through an experimental design for repeated measures. Results indicated that gender as an organismic variable, the level of vibration and screen text/background colour revealed statistically significant differences. However, the second order interaction was found to be statistically non-significant. These findings are discussed in light of the previous studies undertaken on the topic.

View full abstract

Factors which are likely to affect recommended workstation and notebook computer (NBC) adjustments to obtain ergonomic work posture during NBC operation are investigat-ed. They are: (1) body height, (2) NBC size, and (3) workstation height (i.e., seat and work surface heights). Six recommended adjustments which are evaluated include: (1) footrest height, (2) seat support height, (3) NBC base support height, (4) distance between the user's body and NBC (or user-NBC distance), (5) tilt angle of NBC base, and (6) screen angle. It is found that body height has a significant effect on footrest height and user-NBC distance while NBC size has a significant effect on user-NBC distance, tilt angle of NBC base, and screen angle. Workstation height, on the other hand, does not show any effect on the six recommended adjustments. However, the results suggest that there are interactions between body height and NBC size, and between body height and workstation height when evaluating their effects on footrest height, tilt angle of NBC base, and screen angle.

View full abstract

In India, particularly in Sunderban of West Bengal, collection of prawn seeds is one of the major earning resources among prawn seed collectors. They are compelled to carry out a considerable amount of hard, manual, rigorous tasks in the river of the Sunderban area for collecting prawn seeds. They have to adopt some undesirable postures that may lead to the development of musculo skeletal disorder (MSD). The main aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalent postures adopted by the prawn seed collectors during individual prawn seed collection and to analyze the causation of discomfort feeling related with those postures. For this study, 21 male and 25 female prawn seed collectors were selected ran-domly and a detailed posture analysis was performed among them by means of OWAS method. It was observed that these workers worked continuously in awkward postures dur-ing certain prawn seed collection activity and consequently they suffered from discomfort feeling (pain) in different parts of the body.

View full abstract

This study aimed to compare the center of foot pressure (CFP) during different ischemia periods by cuff compression. Ten healthy young adult males held their CFP for 1 min before and after cuff compression (250 mmHg) of lower limb blood vessels during two dif-ferent compression periods (10 min and 26 min). Two-point discrimination thresholds and electric stimulus perception thresholds of each subject's right foot sole were measured dur-ing cuff compression to examine changes in the perceived level of cutaneous and proprio-ceptive sensation by blood flow inhibition. In addition, oxygenation kinetics in the anterior tibial muscle tissue was examined by near-infrared spectroscopy during cuff compression. The CFP was evaluated by using 36 parameters. CFP deflection tended to increase after cuff compression and to be larger over a long ischemic time (26 min) as compared with a short ischemic time (10 min). The proprioceptive perception threshold using electric stimu-lation showed a significant interaction and was higher after 26 min ischemia than at the ini-tial timepoint and after 10 min ischemia. The Δ[Oxy Hb/Mb], Δ[Deoxy Hb/Mb] and Tissue oxygenation index (TOT) changed significantly after both ischemic conditions than at the initial condition. There was no significant difference in the Tissue oxygenation index and A[Deoxy Hb/Mb] between both ischemic conditions. Many parameters regarding the deflection velocity and anteroposterior and lateral deflection had significantly larger values after 26 min ischemia than at the initial time point and after 10 min ischemia. Postural deflection may not be affected by the oxygen deficiency of muscle tissues caused by the compression of blood vessels for 10 min, but strongly affected by the cutaneous and propri-oceptive sensation disturbances occurring from compression lasting over 10 min.

View full abstract

Employment relations in Japan becomes flexible and uncertain in recent years. Career-related terms were widely introduced to Japan. Recent Japanese studies on career argued the responsibility of career development between the organization and individuals. This article discusses the determination of occupational choice and latter career development based on the interviews of Takasaki City University of Economics (TCUE) alumni. First, their ideals of vocational life before entering the labour market as well as their latter modi-fication and development are examined. Second, their motivation for getting the first job is looked into. Finally, the ownership of individual career in Japanese firms is discussed by clarifying the way the interviewees become directors or leaders. The results show people engaged in a sole company have unclear career visions, but have stronger eagerness for being an ordinary salaried worker than others. Whatever one's dream is, getting a job for now would be a favourable attitude toward career development. The ownership of an employee's career still dominated by the organization could be confirmed.

View full abstract