Application of FT-Raman spectroscopy for in situ detection of microorganisms on the surface of textiles

In this work we present the usefulness of FT-Raman spectroscopy for microbiological analysis of textiles. This technique was used for non-destructive identification of Escherichia coli bacteria on cotton and polyester fabrics. It was possible to discriminate between infected and non-infected materials. Moreover, this technique allowed detection of detergent traces as well as investigation of the influence of microorganisms on different textiles. Raman analysis supported by chemometrics (cluster analysis and principal component analysis) was shown to be a method for identification of textiles with inoculum of microorganisms in a short time. The results can be potentially used in the fabric industry and related areas.     

Physiological Method of Evaluating Protective Clothing for Work in a Cold Environment

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of physiological studies in the evaluation of protective clothing for work in a cold environment. The study included the examination of the dynamics of changes in chosen physiological parameters (core and skin temperatures, heart rate, pulmonary minute ventilation) as well as physical ones (the temperature and relative humidity under the clothes) during work in protective clothing with unknown thermal insulation. The experiment was conducted in extreme environmental conditions (–10 and –15°C) at a work load defined by the clothing manufacturer as moderate. Results show that thermal equilibrium was achieved and maintained throughout the investigated work time (60 min) and that the protective clothing ensures safety on the time scale of a regular 8-hour work day. It was also shown that the dynamics of thermal stress physiological parameters can be used to determine the maximum duration of exposure for cold protective clothing with unknown thermal insulation.     

Body Heat Balance of a Man with Deficient Sweat Rate Subjected to Physical Work in a Hot Environment

The dynamics of physiological stress and thermal balance were investigated in men subjected to endogenous and exogenous heat loads. The study was conducted using the thermometric method. Substantial differences in the dynamics of the tested parameters and their quantitative characteristics were observed in 1 out of 8 participants. In this article, the observed differences are rationalized in terms of the deficient sweat rate mechanism. It is pointed out that it is indispensable to address these cases in work safety regulations.     

Dust Emission and Efficiency of Local Exhaust Ventilation During Cast Iron Grinding

A method of determining dust emission and efficiency of its removal by means of local exhaust ventilation from machinery has been described. It complies with Standard No. EN 1093-3:1996 (European Committee for Standardization, 1996) and consists in determining air pollution concentra-tions in the measurement duct used for air removal from the chamber incorporating devices to be tested. The air volume stream that is pumped is measured at the same time.

Test results are presented for dust emission and the efficiency of local exhaust ventilation for cast iron grinding by means of manual power tools and a bench-sander. It has been found that application of local exhaust ventilation contributes to a significant reduction of dust emission with efficiency greater than 90%.     

The Cytotoxicity of Some Organic Solvents on Isolated Hepatocytes in Monolayer Culture

The cytotoxic effects of volatile and water-insoluble organic solvents (ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene, n-hexane) were tested on isolated hepatocytes in monolayer culture by using the 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. All of the tested compounds inhibited metabolic activity of hepatocytes and this effect depended on the concentration of solvents in the incubatory medium. The presence of fetal calf serum in the medium did not change the cytotoxicity of xenobiotics. IC₅₀ values calculated on the basis of the MTT assay indicated that ethylbenzene was more cytotoxic than tetrachloroethylene and n-hexane. Using hepatocyte monolayer culture and the MTT assay to assess cytotoxicity of organic solvents causes many technical problems. It seems that it cannot be used as a rapid, cheap, and credible method.     

Test Method for Retractable Type Fall Arresters Designed for Horizontal Use

Retractable type fall arresters are designed to protect against falls from a height of people who need freedom of vertical movement. The practice of fall protection shows that the devices are also used to protect people who work on flat roofs. This application creates quite different operating conditions for the devices. In some situations those conditions can be dangerous for users. The article presents a theoretical analysis of phenomena occurring during a fall arrest with retractable type fall arresters arranged horizontally. The analysis was verified with laboratory tests. The article presents a proposal for the construction of a test stand and a test method for estimating retractable type fall arresters intended for horizontal use.     

Locking of Retractable Type Fall Arresters—Test Method and Stand

Retractable type fall arresters are very effective personal equipment protecting against falls from a height. These devices are used under different atmospheric conditions and in the presence of various types of industrial pollution. For this reason appropriate locking after conditioning simulating extreme conditions of a worksite is one of the essential characteristics of retractable type fall arresters. This article presents the requirements for locking of the devices. A previously used locking test method and its disadvantages are discussed. The article suggests an improved test method and test equipment. Measurement of the test mass acceleration is the most important improvement introduced into the test method. The article shows laboratory tests used to verify the method, which turned out to be a valuable source of information concerning the performance of retractable type fall arresters.     

Occupational safety and health as an element of a complex compensation system evaluation within an organization

Occupational safety and health (OSH) plays a significant role in today’s organizations, because it helps in attracting and retaining employees as well as molding their attitudes and behaviors at work. This is why the issue of OSH is stressed in a comprehensive approach to employee rewards: the total reward concept. This article explains how OSH may be included in a complex evaluation process of the compensation system. Although the literature on the effectiveness of employee compensation refers mainly to financial and non-financial components, there is a need for inclusion of working conditions in such analyses. An evaluation of the compensation system that incorporates OSH can drive many benefits for both the organization and employees. Obtaining such benefits, however, requires systematic evaluation of the reward system, including OSH. Incorporation of OSH issue within the comprehensive analysis of compensation systems promotes responsible behavior of all stakeholders.     

The complexity of nectar: secretion and resorption dynamically regulate nectar features

In this paper, we review the phenomenon of nectar resorption, focusing on its physiological and ecological meaning. Nectar resorption is a phenomenon that has long been known but was rarely reported until the1990s. It has more recently been demonstrated in several species by various direct and indirect methodologies. It has generally been demonstrated in senescent flowers as a phenomenon separate in time from, and independent of, nectar secretion. The significance of this type of resorption is generally recognized as a resource-recovery strategy, recycling at least some materials invested in nectar production. Nevertheless, nectar resorption can occur concomitantly with nectar secretion. Nectar production is therefore best considered as a unified process comprising nectar secretion and resorption. The modulation of these two opposite phases allows nectar concentration to be maintained in a range suitable for pollinators (nectar homeostasis). The mechanism of nectar resorption at the cell level has received little attention, and its molecular basis can only be hypothesized on the basis of recent studies concerning sugar sensing.     

Mechanical,Thermal and Microstructural Characteristic of 3D Printed Polylactide Composites with Natural Fibers: Wood,Bamboo and Cork

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In the study, polylactide-based (PLA) composites modified with natural particles (wood, bamboo, and cork) and with different levels of infilling (100%,...