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The movement computerized analysis of upper limb is a valid support in the definition of residual functional capability and of specific work suitability in complex cases. This methodology of evaluation is able to correctly and objectively define the tridimensional ranges of motion of every patient's upper limb. This fact can be particularly useful for workers coming back to work after a work-related or a not work-related accident of for handicapped workers at the beginning of a new work activity. We report a research carried out using computerized analysis of motion of upper limbs in 20 engineering workers. © PI-ME, Pavia 2011.

Thermal comfort is of great importance in preserving body temperature homeostasis during thermal stress conditions. Although the thermal comfort of horses has been widely studied, there is no report of its relationship with surface temperature (TS). This study aimed to assess the potential of data mining techniques as a tool to associate surface temperature with thermal comfort of horses. TS was obtained using infrared thermography image processing. Physiological and environmental variables were used to defi ne the predicted class, which classifi ed thermal comfort as ?comfort? and ?discomfort?. The variables of armpit, croup, breast and groin TS of horses and the predicted classes were then subjected to a machine learning process. All variables in the dataset were considered relevant for the classifi cation problem and the decision-tree model yielded an accuracy rate of 74 %. The feature selection methods used to reduce computational cost and simplify predictive learning decreased model accuracy to 70 %; however, the model became simpler with easily interpretable rules. For both these selection methods and for the classifi cation using all attributes, armpit and breast TS had a higher power rating for predicting thermal comfort. Data mining techniques show promise in the discovery of new variables associated with the thermal comfort of horses.

This study compared three types of feeders for broilers: Fênix, Tube and Automatic feeders. Bird's feeding behavior and preference were considered in this the evaluation. Preference was assessed by examining birds' behavioral activities, such as eating, standing and lying around the equipments, and meal duration as function of the environmental variables. Data on the behavioral activities and meal size were collected in a broiler commercial farm using a portable video camera, and the direct footages were analyzed. The time spent in each activity, feeding bout duration and time spent near the trough were statistically analyzed using the test of means and medians. Pearson's correlation test was used to evaluate the relationship between ambient environmental data and the time of feeding. A prospective scenario was established and data were pair wised compared to it. There were interactions between environmental characteristics and feeding and lying down activities during the experiment. Eating behavior was more frequent in the area around the Tube feeder. The duration of feeding time was higher when the birds used the Tube feeder (214 ± 28s), followed by the use of the Fênix feeder (123 ± 17s) and the Automatic feeder (77 ± 29s). Birds preferred eating from the Tube feeder probably due to the absence of the partition grid above the feeder plate.

As reported by previous literature, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high in population of local police officers, due to several risk factors, including awkward posture, jolt/vibrations and stress. The results of our study reveal that the most common musculoskeletal symptoms among local police officers are cervicobrachial pain, low back pain and sciatica. Low-back pain is associated with tasks exposing to awkward posture of the spine (traffic policemen and policemen involved in office-based duties); cervical and upper extremity disorders are related to the exposure to vibrations and to the upper limb posture held by motorcycle police. Among postural parameters, anterior scapular plane, flat back and Barre's vertical resulted possible predictive tests of adaptation of the postural system to the symptom pain in subjects with low back pain. In conclusion, it is necessary to adopt organizational, protective and preventive measures in order to occupational health of local police officers. They include: decrease of time periods during which an awkward posture is held, breaks between duties, prescription of ergonomic shoes, use of low-weight and low-volume duty-packs, and planning of periodical osteopathic check-ups as part of the health program, aimed to uncover initial postural alterations related to musculoskeletal disorders.