Joseph T. Emanuel

Carpal tunnel syndrome: An ergonomics approach to its prevention

Abstract This paper provides a background about carpal tunnel structure and carpal tunnel syndrome. The common risk factors associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are identified. Ergonomic-based prevention methods to minimize the risk of this malady are presented.

Threefold versus fivefold cross-validation and individual versus average data in predictive regression modelling of machining experimental data

Model selection and validation are critical in predicting the performance of manufacturing processes. Proper selection of variables helps minimize the model mismatch error, proper selection of models helps reduce the model estimation error, and proper validation of models helps minimize the model prediction error. In the current paper, the literature is reviewed and a rigorous procedure is proposed for selection and cross-validation (CV) of predictive regression models. Experimental data from a turning surface roughness study are used to demonstrate how to select and validate predictive regression models. In particular, different data splitting methods are compared, such as fivefold CV versus threefold CV as well as the individual data versus the average data. This paper has revealed no statistical difference between the use of fivefold CV and threefold CV, and the use of the individual and the average data in subset selection and CV of predictive regression models. Consequently, threefold instead of fivefold or tenfold CV and either individual data or average data may be used to reduce the computational cost in predictive regression modelling of experimental data based on this and other similar empirical studies.

Experimental Design and Analysis Applied to Hydraulic Hose Wire Curl Formation

In the manufacturing of high-pressure hydraulic hose, controlling the hose wire curl has been a trial-and-error process because the important relationships were not understood. This article discusses the use of a 2k fractional factorial to determine sig..

Implementation of an ergonomics program: A case report

Abstract The objective of this case report is to identify the common factors associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among workers in a special-purpose truck manufacturing company and propose solutions to these problems. Over the past 2.5-year period, this company has had eleven cases in which its workers have had wrist surgery for median nerve decompression. After reviewing the companys injury records, systematically analyzing its work processes and interviewing workers who had undergone wrist surgery, the factors that potentially contribute to the development of CTS were identified. Tool changes and modifications together with some administrative controls for reducing cumulative trauma disorders, especially CTS, were proposed.

Performance assessment of health examination for freshmen

Purpose – A health examination is one of important events for freshmen when they enter a university. Consequently, the quality and time required for the examination are components in any index measuring the service performance of a university. However, performance measure for the health examination with a performance index is comparatively seldom. This paper aims to provide an index to measure health examination performance for freshmen.Design/methodology/approach – A health examination performance index (HEPI) is defined for a universitys health examination procedure. To make accurate use of the HEPI in assessing health examination performance, this paper constructs a uniformly minimum variance unbiased (UMVU) estimator of the HEPI using an exponential distribution to develop a hypothesis testing procedure.Findings – Since health examination time exhibits the smaller‐the‐better type quality characteristic of time orientation, the HEPI is appropriate for evaluating the hospitals performance in providing...