Impact of rest-break interventions on the neck and shoulder posture of symptomatic VDU operators during prolonged computer work

There is limited research on the effects of different types of rest-break interventions for visual display unit (VDU) operators on neck and shoulder postures. This study examined the effect of rest-break interventions on the neck and shoulder postures of symptomatic VDU operators during prolonged computer work. Thirty subjects were randomly and equally assigned to breaks with stretching, breaks with dynamic movement and passive breaks. Subjects performed the typing task for 60 min and received 3-min breaks after 20 min of work. The craniovertebral and forward shoulder angles were obtained from a 3D motion analysis system. Results showed that there were no significant differences in the craniovertebral and forward shoulder angles among any types of rest breaks. It can be concluded that the three types of rest-break interventions had positive effects on neck and shoulder posture during prolonged computer terminal work.     

Role of age and injury mechanism on cervical spine injury tolerance from head contact loading

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of age and injury mechanism on cervical spine tolerance to injury from head contact loading using survival analysis.

Methods: This study analyzed data from previously conducted experiments using post mortem human subjects (PMHS). Group A tests used the upright intact head–cervical column experimental model. The inferior end of the specimen was fixed, the head was balanced by a mechanical system, and natural lordosis was removed. Specimens were placed on a testing device via a load cell. The piston applied loading at the vertex region. Spinal injuries were identified using medical images. Group B tests used the inverted head–cervical column experimental model. In one study, head–T1 specimens were fixed distally, and C7–T1 joints were oriented anteriorly, preserving lordosis. Torso mass of 16 kg was added to the specimen. In another inverted head–cervical column study, occiput–T2 columns were obtained, an artificial head was attached, T1–T2 was fixed, C4–C5 disc was maintained horizontal in the lordosis posture, and C7–T1 was unconstrained. The specimens were attached to the drop test carriage carrying a torso mass of 15 kg. A load cell at the inferior end measured neck loads in both studies. Axial neck force and age were used as the primary response variable and covariate to derive injury probability curves using survival analysis.

Results: Group A tests showed that age is a significant (P < .05) and negative covariate; that is, increasing age resulted in decreasing force for the same risk. Injuries were mainly vertebral body fractures and concentrated at one level, mid-to-lower cervical spine, and were attributed to compression-related mechanisms. However, age was not a significant covariate for the combined data from group B tests. Both group B tests produced many soft tissue injuries, at all levels, from C1 to T1. The injury mechanism was attributed to mainly extension. Multiple and noncontiguous injuries occurred. Injury probability curves, ±95% confidence intervals, and normalized confidence interval sizes representing the quality of the mean curve are given for different data sets.

Conclusions: For compression-related injuries, specimen age should be used as a covariate or individual specimen data may be prescaled to derive risk curves. For distraction- or extension-related injuries, however, specimen age need not be used as a covariate in the statistical analysis. The findings from these tests and survival analysis indicate that the age factor modulates human cervical spine tolerance to impact injury.     

Canopy slope effect on the performance of the solar chimney power plant

Solar chimney power plants constitute an impressive construction by its size and its output seems low for its dimensions. Although many works have been carried out on the subject, there is still much scientific and technical improvement to be done. In the present work, we consider the modeling of turbulent flow under the effect of natural convection within a solar chimney power plant (SCPP) by performing numerical simulation using the Saturne Code coupled with Syrthes code. The objective of the study is the analysis of the collector cover slope influence on the performance of the SCPP in two cases. In the first case, the storage system considered is composed solely of the ground under the collector. For the second case, the storage system is made, in addition to the ground, of a 10 cm thick tub filled with water, covering the entire surface of the collector. The concept of minimizing the entropy production is also studied with the objective of optimizing the geometric configuration as well as the effect of the collector cover slope on the efficiency of SCPP. The boundary conditions are defined according to the meteorological data for a typical day available on the site of Adrar, Algeria. The results allow us to focus on the storage system influence on the SCPP performance and the duration of its operation after sunset. This leads to the improvement of the global efficiency of the SCPP. Results show the positive impact of the extra storage media use and the configuration which improves the velocity at the chimney entrance.     

湿法烟气脱硫中烟囱腐蚀及其防腐材料研究现状

介绍了湿法烟气脱硫(WFGD)机理及烟气脱硫处理过程,分析了WFGD处理烟气后引起烟囱严重腐蚀的相关问题.同时,系统地介绍了目前解决烟囱腐蚀的相关防腐材料,并叙述了相关重防腐处理工艺.     

Effect of Different Types of Rest-Break Interventions on Neck and Shoulder Muscle Activity,Perceived Discomfort and Productivity in Symptomatic VDU Operators: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective. This study evaluated the effect of different types of activities during rest-break interventions on neck and shoulder muscle activity, muscle discomfort and productivity among symptomatic video display unit (VDU) operators performing prolonged computer terminal work. Study design and setting. Randomized controlled trial was used. Thirty symptomatic VDU operators were randomly assigned to 2 active break groups (stretching and dynamic movement) and a reference group. The subjects performed the same typing task for 60 min and received 3-min breaks after each 20 min of work. Root mean square and median frequency were calculated for neck and shoulder muscle activity. Muscle discomfort was measured with Borg’s CR-10 scale. Productivity was measured by counting words. Results. There were no significant differences between the types of activities during breaks on neck and shoulder muscle activity, muscle discomfort or productivity. However, there was a significant difference in the level of muscle discomfort over time. Conclusions. Three types of activity during breaks showed a favourable effect on neck and shoulder muscle activity and productivity, and a positive effect on muscle discomfort in symptomatic VDU operators.     

香港安山-英安质古火山颈群

香港中侏罗世屯门组火山岩主要由安山质熔岩、凝灰岩和凝灰角砾岩夹少量凝灰质砂岩组成。其中凝灰角砾岩初期曾误认为是沉积砾岩。1990年香港地质调查组重新研究后,确认是火山成因的凝灰角砾岩。按岩相分析,屯门组火山岩可分为火山通道相安山-英安质熔岩和爆发角砾岩,还有爆发空落相凝灰角砾岩。火山通道相又可分为火山颈相和岩墙相,分布在屯门组东西两侧。在青山东麓,出露一列NNW向呈断续、线状分布的火山颈群。近年来新出版的《香港地质考察指引》和《香港工程地质实践》等地质著作仍将该区爆发角砾岩误认为是沉积成因的砾岩,在地质勘探和工程设计上造成混乱,导致不应有的经济和时间上的损失。本文综合最新研究成果并与世界各地同类火山岩的特征进行对比,确证火山通道相爆发角砾岩的存在,并发现呈线状分布的古火山颈群。     

湿法脱硫系统设计无旁路相关问题的探讨

介绍国内电厂首次投运的无旁路脱硫系统,其具有无GGH、引风机和增压风机合并、"烟塔合一"的特点。通过与其他脱硫系统的比较,讨论了无旁路脱硫系统吸收塔、烟道、公用系统以及除尘器的设计和选型特点,总结了其易出现的问题及运行中的控制方法。根据调试经验,给出了无脱硫旁路系统的运行步序原则。     

泡沫玻璃砖在烟囱防腐中的应用

火电厂燃煤烟气中存在一定量的SO3,会显著降低烟气的酸露点。由于湿法脱硫后烟温低于酸露点,烟气中的SO3与水蒸汽形成的硫酸蒸汽会凝结下来,造成混凝土烟囱的低温腐蚀。以2×135MW机组烟气脱硫技改工程湿烟囱防腐为例,详细介绍了烟囱内衬泡沫玻璃砖防腐的施工工序、技术要求及注意事项。     

建筑物内人员安全疏散"性能化"评价方法的研究

安全疏散设计是建筑防火设计的重要方面,而建筑安全疏散评价对于确保火灾中人员的生命安全具有重要意义.本文基于"性能化"防火设计的思想,对影响建筑安全疏散的因素进行了分析,并对安全疏散的必要性能和评价程序进行较为全面的研究,其中包括烟气的评价、人员疏散能力的评价、疏散路线合理性的评价、疏散对策的评价等,最后以具体的案例进行了分析,目的在于为我国"性能化"防火设计提供理论及方法上的指导与帮助.