Effects of load carriage and work boots on lower limb kinematics of industrial workers

Load and footwear condition are two crucial elements varying the kinematic responses during walking, which probably lead to chronic injury. Fifteen healthy male individuals with no obvious gait abnormalities participated in this study. Apart from a no-load condition, four external load conditions with two load levels were investigated. Work boots were compared with running shoes to determine footwear effects. Significant impacts were found for lower limb range of motion at certain joints when carrying loads. A greater hip and ankle flexion–extension while wearing the work boots indicated that participants needed to lift the leg higher to complete toe clearance off the walking surface. Work boots also increased the vertical excursion of the center of body mass, which may impact body balance and induce falling. No significant influencing pattern of carrying modes was found, which was probably due to the light load and relatively stable mode of shoulder carrying.     

The influence of fatigue on muscle temperature

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared (IR) thermography for assessing muscle fatigue during low effort. Three tests at constant levels of load 5, 15 and 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) lasting 5 min each were performed on a group of 10 men. Temperature and electromyographic (EMG) signal were registered from biceps brachii (BB). Analysis focused on the influence of load on the values and changes in time of muscle temperature. Correlations between temperature and EMG parameters (RMS, MPF and MF) were also analysed. Constant load sustained during the tests resulted in an increase in the temperature of BB. There were statistically significant correlations between temperature and EMG parameters for most subjects. Results of the study suggest that IR thermography can be an alternative or supplementary method for assessing muscle fatigue at low levels of contraction.     

稀土元素(La3+)对厨余垃圾暗发酵产氢性能影响研究

通过在厨余垃圾暗发酵产氢过程中添加不同质量浓度的稀土元素La3+,考察稀土元素对产氢性能的影响。结果表明,添加一定质量浓度的La3+能促进厨余垃圾产氢效率,而高质量浓度则有抑制效应。添加La3+质量浓度为0.5 mg/L时效果最佳,产氢量和总有机酸量达到最大,分别为43.11 mL/gVS和11 871.7 mg/L,分别是对照组的1.45倍和1.24倍。添加一定量的稀土元素也能同时促进产氢污泥的胞外多聚物的生成。     

The effects of hand force variation on shoulder muscle activation during submaximal exertions

Upper limb injuries are highly prevalent in the workplace and new tools are needed to proactively design workstations to reduce injury risk. The objective was to characterize spatial, load and direction dependency of muscle activity for hand exertions in the upper limb workspace. Electromyographic signals were collected from 14 upper limb muscles during exertions for all combinations of 4 submaximal hand forces (20/30/50/60?N) in 6 cardinal (up/down/left/right/forward/backward) directions at 5 hand locations. Linear muscle activity increases accompanied increased hand forces. Total muscle activity increases between 20 and 60?N hand forces ranged by direction from 92% (downward) to 189% (right). Prediction equations for all muscles depended on hand force, and linear, quadratic and interaction permutations of hand location. Muscle activity associated with manual tasks is load, direction and spatially dependent. Equations developed to describe these complex relationships can be used to better design future and evaluate current occupational activities.     

Load Acceleration and Footstep Strategies in Asymmetrical Lifting and Lowering

Accelerated execution effects for lifting and lowering a 12-kg box using two footstep strategies associated with experienced workers were studied. Eight healthy male participants performed a normal and an accelerated execution of a lifting task and a lowering task, using a minimal feet displacement strategy (oblique-step) and a strategy with a step (crossed-step). It was hypothesized that the accelerated executions, as compared to the normal executions, would have a different effect on L5/S1 resultant moment, body posture, and other kinematic variables. A tridimensional dynamic rigid body model was used to compute L5/S1 resultant moments. Results showed that the accelerated condition did not reduce body asymmetry of posture, but it reduced the length of the path of the global center of gravity and the duration of the supporting phase of the box, and it did not significantly affect L5/S1 maximal resultant moments for lifting but increased them for lowering. These results indicate that the net work production for accelerated strategies might be smaller, which may represent an economy of energy. Furthermore, the results showed that the use of an accelerated strategy for lowering should be avoided.     

A Multilevel Approach to Manual Lifting in Manufacturing Industries

Musculoskeletal injuries are often the consequences of wrong postural configurations used during Manual Materials Handling (MMH). This eventually leads to a large payout of worker’s compensation and loss of production time. A simulated study of back injury risks has been carried out on seven selected manufacturing industries to identify and evaluate harmful working postures. For each MMH task, Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) codes have been identified with the help of motion study pictures. Also, Chaffin's biomechanical model was used to calculate L5/S1 load compression values on the spine during MMH activities. The multilevel approach adopted was a combination of OWAS and Chaffin’s biomechanical model. The application of a digitizer enabled us to identify the coordinates and it made a subsequent evaluation of the angles of each body link possible.     

Optimization of the levels of grip force,stroke rotation,frequency and grip span for a torqueing task

This study was to investigate the effects of grip force, frequency, stroke rotation and grip-span on discomfort and obtain best posture for hand tool users. Fifteen male participants volunteered in this study. Participants performed combined gripping with torqueing exertions for 5 min for two levels of frequency (10 and 20 exertions/min) at two levels of grip force (50 and 70 N), two levels of stroke rotation (30^○ and 60^○) and three levels of grip-span (4.7, 6 and 7.3 cm). Therefore, a 2×2×2×3 full factorial design was used. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that frequency, stroke rotation and grip-span were significant on discomfort score. Minimum discomfort and comfortable posture was found to be 90 N grip force with 10 exertions/min for 60° stroke rotation at 6-cm grip-span. The grip force, frequency and stroke rotation were found significant on EMG activity of forearm muscles using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The extensor muscles were found more activated than flexor muscles during the given task.     

基于OPMSE与BAT的啤酒行业排放限值仿真

以OPMSE仿真计算啤酒行业排放污水中COD,BOD,NH3-N质量浓度为研究对象,查询及调研清河流域典型啤酒行业产生污水中COD,BOD,NH3-N质量浓度范围,经BAT处理后通过OPMSE的仿真计算,得出排放污水中污染物质量浓度正态分布置信区间、最佳出水及最差出水质量浓度。结果表明:置信水平为99%时,COD,BOD,NH3-N的置信区间分别为(75.83,95.95),(19.30,25.88),(5.68,6.85);最佳出水质量浓度分别为4.14 mg/L,5.36 mg/L,2.71 mg/L;最差出水质量浓度分别为20.64 mg/L,20.70 mg/L,10.86mg/L。将仿真结果与现有排放标准对比,拟定啤酒行业的污染物直接排放限值为COD=100 mg/L,BOD=30mg/L,NH3-N=8 mg/L;间接排放限值为COD=400 mg/L,BOD=80 mg/L,NH3-N=25 mg/L。     

一株低温高效植物油降解菌的驯化筛选及固定化研究

为了解决因低温而导致的废水中油脂难以处理的问题,从冬季重庆大学餐厅排污管道的底泥中分离出1株可低温降解植物油的菌株DJ-1。将此菌株多次驯化培养后,在5℃条件下利用其对含20g/L菜籽油复筛培养基的模拟含油废水进行处理。经过3 d处理,可去除废水中70.63%的植物油。经16S rDNA测序分析,该菌株为假单胞菌的一个未定种属(相似度为99%)。使用泥炭和木屑作为固定化载体,按照m(泥炭)∶m(木屑)∶m(菌液)=1∶4∶20的比例将扩培后的DJ-1菌剂制作成细菌固定化菌粉。在5℃条件下利用菌粉对含20 g/L菜籽油复筛培养基的模拟含油废水进行处理,菌粉投加量为0.15 g/L。经过3 d处理,废水中植物油的降解率达到77.34%,5 d后达到85.22%。     

Computational modeling and analysis of thoracolumbar spine fractures in frontal crash reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to reconstruct 11 motor vehicle crashes (6 with thoracolumbar fractures and 5 without thoracolumbar fractures) and analyze the fracture mechanism, fracture predictors, and associated parameters affecting thoracolumbar spine response.

Methods: Eleven frontal crashes were reconstructed with a finite element simplified vehicle model (SVM). The SVM was tuned to each case vehicle and the Total HUman Model for Safety (THUMS) Ver. 4.01 was scaled and positioned in a baseline configuration to mimic the documented precrash driver posture. The event data recorder crash pulse was applied as a boundary condition. For the 6 thoracolumbar fracture cases, 120 simulations to quantify uncertainty and response variation were performed using a Latin hypercube design of experiments (DOE) to vary seat track position, seatback angle, steering column angle, steering column position, and D-ring height. Vertebral loads and bending moments were analyzed, and lumbar spine indices (unadjusted and age-adjusted) were developed to quantify the combined loading effect. Maximum principal strain and stress data were collected in the vertebral cortical and trabecular bone. DOE data were fit to regression models to examine occupant positioning and thoracolumbar response correlations.

Results: Of the 11 cases, both the vertebral compression force and bending moment progressively increased from superior to inferior vertebrae. Two thoracic spine fracture cases had higher average compression force and bending moment across all thoracic vertebral levels, compared to 9 cases without thoracic spine fractures (force: 1,200.6 vs. 640.8 N; moment: 13.7 vs. 9.2?Nm). Though there was no apparent difference in bending moment at the L1–L2 vertebrae, lumbar fracture cases exhibited higher vertebral bending moments in L3–L4 (fracture/nonfracture: 45.7 vs. 33.8?Nm). The unadjusted lumbar spine index correctly predicted thoracolumbar fracture occurrence for 9 of the 11 cases (sensitivity?=?1.0; specificity?=?0.6). The age-adjusted lumbar spine index correctly predicted thoracolumbar fracture occurrence for 10 of the 11 cases (sensitivity?=?1.0; specificity?=?0.8). The age-adjusted principal stress in the trabecular bone was an excellent indicator of fracture occurrence (sensitivity?=?1.0; specificity?=?1.0). A rearward seat track position and reclined seatback increased the thoracic spine bending moment by 111–329%. A more reclined seatback increased the lumbar force and bending moment by 16–165% and 67–172%, respectively.

Conclusions: This study provided a computational framework for assessing thoracolumbar fractures and also quantified the effect of precrash driver posture on thoracolumbar response. Results aid in the evaluation of motor vehicle crash–induced vertebral fractures and the understanding of factors contributing to fracture risk.     

滑索运动特性及关键部件受力分析

本文主要研究不同无荷拉力对滑索的运行速度以及承载索拉力变化的影响.首先建立承载索数学模型,获得承载索的静力线型;然后导入动力学分析软件ADAMS进行运动仿真分析,获得运行速度曲线,得到无荷拉力与进站速度之间的关系;最后提取滑具运行过程中对承载索施加的动载荷数据带入线型模型进行有限元分析,得到承载索的拉力变化规律,在此基...     

霉变对储存水稻燃烧行为影响的研究

储存水稻火灾危险性研究具有重要意义。通过研究霉变对储存水稻燃烧行为的影响,确定其火灾危险性。锥形量热燃烧实验(Cone Test)结果显示,霉变样品可以在更小的外加辐射下被点燃;在四种热辐射(25 kW/m2,35 kW/m2,45 kW/m2,55 kW/m2)下,霉变样品的着火时间(TTI)与火灾性能指数(FPI)均小于未霉变样品;而火灾蔓延指数(FGI)高于未霉变样品。Cone Test结果表明霉变显著提高了储存水稻的火灾危险性。差示扫描量热仪(DSC)测试发现在低温时霉变样品比未霉变时吸热焓值提高了3.6倍,表明其析出了更多的小分子挥发物。结合气相质谱联用(GC-MS)测试确定了霉变样品析出的挥发物中含有醇类, 酯类和醛类等易燃物。采用稳态管式炉(SSTF)进一步研究储存水稻的充分燃烧行为,结果显示热释放量及烟气毒性与样品质量(20 g,40 g)以及一次进气量(10 L/min,20 L/min,30 L/min)有关,霉变对于两者的影响较小。     

Snowblower injuries in Vermont, 1981–1984

The Vermont Department of Health carried out two studies of snowblower injuries in Vermont during the winters of 1982–1983 and 1983–1984. The first was a case-control study in which we assessed risk factors that predisposed operators to injury during snowblower use. We found 20 persons who had been injured by snowblowers and matched 28 controls to these by neighborhood. In this study, owning a snowblower for 1 year or less and having operated a snowblower for 10 days or less in one's lifetime were significantly associated with injury. The second study was population-based. We estimated that approximately 1.5% of Vermont residents owned snowblowers during the winter of 1982–1983 and that, among snowblower owners, injuries occurred at a rate of 1.3/1,000 person-years of ownership (0.1% chance of injury).     

饮用水中二级胺的气相色谱快速检测方法研究

以二甲胺、二乙胺、甲乙胺、吗啉和N-甲基苄胺5种二级胺代表物质为例,分别使用气相色谱-氢火焰(GC-FID)技术和气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)技术检测饮用水中二级胺质量浓度。结果表明,使用优化的预处理方法处理后进样分析,5种代表物质的线性范围在20~2 000μg/L,相对标准偏差(RSD)≤0.46%,最低检出限在3.18~24.19μg/L。FID比MSD具有较强优势。该方法对于直链脂肪类和杂环类的二级胺都有良好的检测效果,可用于对饮用水二级胺类物质的检测。     

镍对栅藻深度处理生活污水的影响研究

将栅藻包埋固定在海藻酸钙凝胶珠中,对人工污水进行深度净化,研究其在不同质量浓度Ni2+条件下对污水中氨氮和正磷酸盐的净化效率,以及净化过程中藻类叶绿素a质量浓度、过氧化物酶(POD)活性变化和去污过程中藻细胞富集Ni2+的情况。结果表明,低质量浓度Ni2+可引起藻细胞应激性反应,光合活性提高,解毒机制增强,未影响氨氮和正磷酸盐的净化效率;高质量浓度Ni2+会造成藻细胞伤害,光合活性减弱,POD活性下降,氨氮和正磷酸盐的净化效率减小。Ni2+对栅藻深度处理生活污水影响程度依据其在水体中的质量浓度。     

Handgrip and Box Tilting Strategies in Handling: Effect on Stability and Trunk and Knee Efforts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of four handgrip/box tilting strategies (right, left, backward, and no tilt of the box) on trunk and knee efforts, body posture, and the stability of 14 participants with limited experience in handling. The tasks consisted of transferring a low-lying box placed in front of the participant to a shelf of the same height at the participant’s left. It was hypothesized that tilting the box could reduce trunk and knee efforts as well as body asymmetry and improve stability. A tridimensional dynamic rigid body model was used to estimate the triaxial net muscular moment magnitudes at the trunk (L5/SI) and at the knees. An approach to quantify the participants’ dynamic stability was also included. Finally, five angles were computed to characterize body asymmetries. The results showed that tilting the box affected specific trunk efforts, but did not succeed in reducing trunk asymmetric efforts. However, the tilts were executed in a single direction, and it may be possible that combined tilts of the box could help reduce trunk asymmetric efforts. Tilting the box had little effect on knee loadings, and the left tilt strategy reduced participants’ stability. This study showed the importance of considering the position of the box when assessing the risks encountered in asymmetrical handling.     

内压、弯矩组合载荷作用下未焊透管道的安全评价方法研究

未焊透缺陷是压力管道焊接接头常见的一种缺陷,严重时可导致管道的承载能力明显降低,进而引发严重的安全事故。为了研究未焊透缺陷对管道安全性的影响,提出了采用非线性有限元分析方法,对含未焊透缺陷压力管道的影响因素进行简化,通过研究其极限内压和极限弯矩随未焊透深度、环向长度等影响因素的变化规律,进一步获得了单一载荷作用下的含未焊透缺陷压力管道的极限载荷估算公式和极限载荷曲线簇。最终在试验验证基础上建立一种未焊透管道的安全评价方法,并通过试验验证结果表明该方法可用于含缺陷工业管道的安全评定是可行的。     

黄单胞菌生物滴滤塔处理硫化氢能力及产物研究

以黄单胞菌为硫氧化菌种挂膜于生物滴滤塔,研究其去除能力及产物.通过测定压降、生物量确定挂膜时间,以进出气口浓度变化反映去除效率,测定营养液pH值变化,用SEM电镜扫描、能谱分析、X射线衍射对产物进行分析.结果表明,黄单胞菌挂膜时间为4 d,持续运行,菌种均匀地分布于填料表面;保持气体流量为1 L/min,H_2S气体质量浓度在2 000 mg/m~3以下时,去除率大于90.5%,单位体积最大生化去除量为43.23 g/(m~3·h);以10 d为周期添加营养,系统的pH值在5～7;自然沉降得到的黄色颗粒状沉淀粒径为3.161～31.90 μm;能谱分析表面主要成分为C、O、S,应该为微生物和S系物;X射线衍射分析表明干燥粉末的主要无机物质存在形态为S单质.塔在弱酸环境运行,能减少对装置的腐蚀,营养液中通过物理沉降、过滤、低速离心的简单手段,就能回收产物S单质.     

Method for Evaluating Germicidal Ultraviolet Inactivation of Biocontaminated Surfaces

Safety issues related to work-site conditions often deal with potential worker exposure to infectious airborne microorganisms due to their dissemination in indoor air and contamination of surfaces. Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) radiation is used in health-care settings and other occupational environments for microbial inactivation. In this study, a new methodology for determining the efficiency of GUV microbial inactivation of surfaces was developed and evaluated. The method utilizes identical chambers in which test microorganisms are irradiated on agar surfaces at different humidity and irradiation intensity levels. The effects of GUV intensity and exposure time on microbial inactivation were examined for Micrococcus luteus and Serratia marcescens. It was found that at low humidity levels (20–25%) both organisms can be inactivated with at least 95% efficiency if the GUV intensity exceeds 50 μW/cm² for at least 3-5 min (corresponding to a dose of ~ 10 mJ/cm²). The radiation dose needed for effective inactivation of S. marcescens, as measured by a UV meter near the microbial sample, was found not to be affected by the humidity level, whereas that of M. luteus increased at higher humidities. The findings of this study can be used to determine sufficient GUV inactivation doses for occupational environments with various microbial contaminations.     

重金属Cu2+抗性菌的筛选与吸附性能研究

采用富集培养方法从污水处理厂污泥中分离筛选出3株对Cu2+吸附能力较强的菌株,考察pH值、温度和Cu2+初始质量浓度对3株菌吸附能力的影响。结果表明,Z-1-4在pH值为5.0,30℃,Cu2+质量浓度为140 mg/L时吸附效果最好;Z-1-5在pH值为6.0,28℃,Cu2+质量浓度为170 mg/L时吸附效果最好;Z-1-6在pH值为6.0,28℃,Cu2+质量浓度为140 mg/L时吸附效果最好。其中菌株Z-1-5吸附能力最强,吸附容量可达13.68 mg/g。对Z-1-5进行16S rDNA序列分析,初步确定为鞘胺醇单胞菌(Sphingomonas sp.)。