Analysis of mechanics of side impact test defined in UN/ECE Regulation 129

Objective: This article discusses differences between a side impact procedure described in United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) Regulation 129 and scenarios observed in real-world cases.

Methods: Numerical simulations of side impact tests utilizing different boundary conditions are used to compare the severity of the Regulation 129 test and the other tests with different kinematics of child restraint systems (CRSs). In the simulations, the authors use a validated finite element (FE) model of real-world CRSs together with a fully deformable numerical model of the Q3 anthropomorphic test device (ATD) by Humanetics Innovative Solution, Inc.

Results: The comparison of 5 selected cases is based on the head injury criterion (HIC) index. Numerical investigations reveal that the presence of oblique velocity components or the way in which the CRS is mounted to the test bench seat fixture is among the significant factors influencing ATD kinematics. The results of analyses show that the side impact test procedure is very sensitive to these parameters. A side impact setup defined in Regulation 129 may minimize the effects of the impact.

Conclusions: It is demonstrated that an artificial anchorage in the Regulation 129 test does not account for a rotation of the CRS, which should appear in the case of a realistic anchorage. Therefore, the adopted procedure generates the smallest HIC value, which is at the level of the far-side impact scenario where there are no obstacles. It is also shown that the presence of nonlateral acceleration components challenges the quality of a CRS and its headrest much more than a pure lateral setup.     

Mine rescuers’ heat load during the expenditure of physical effort in a hot environment,using ventilated underwear and selected breathing apparatus

Mine rescuers’ heat load under the same physical effort load (25% of the maximal oxygen uptake), using three types of breathing apparatus, in newly developed heat-removing underwear and outerwear was assessed for typical work conditions of mine rescuers, under milder and harsher ambient conditions of 32 and 38?°C, respectively, both at relative humidity of 85% and air velocity of 1.0?m/s. Expending physical effort at the same load while using different kinds of breathing apparatus resulted in a similar heat load. Under both milder and harsher ambient conditions, heat storage and sweating intensity were greater than the average limit value recommended by hygienic standards, which indicates that the use of breathing apparatus significantly hinders heat exchange with the environment. The developed clothing for mine rescuers was highly rated, and was considered by most people to be better than that used currently.     

Mean annual (222)Rn concentration in homes located in different geological regions of Poland: first approach to whole country area

The paper presents the results of year-long measurements of radon (²²²Rn) concentration inside 129 buildings in Poland in relation to the geological conditions of their foundation. The authors took into account the division of the country into tectonic units, as well as the lithology of the rocks forming the bedrock of these buildings. As expected, the highest value of mean annual ²²²Rn concentration (845 Bq/m³) was recorded in a building situated in the area of the Sudetes, while the highest geometric mean (characteristic of the expected log-normal data distribution) was calculated based on measurements from buildings located within the East-European craton, in the area of Mazury-Podlasie monocline, where it reached 231 Bq/m³. Such results reflect geological conditions - the occurrence of crystalline rocks (especially U- and Ra-enriched granites and orthogneisses) on the surface in the Sudetes, and of young post-glacial sediments containing fragments of Scandinavian crystalline rocks, also enriched with U and Ra, in the area of Mazury-Podlasie monocline. However, the least expected result of the investigations was finding out that, contrary to the hitherto widespread belief, none of the major tectonic units of Poland can be excluded from the list of those containing buildings with mean annual ²²²Rn concentration exceeding 200 Bq/m³. The mean annual concentration of radon for all the buildings were much higher than the mean concentration value (49.1 Bq/m³) of indoor radon in Poland quoted so far. These results cast a completely new light on the necessity to perform measurements of radon concentration in residential buildings in Poland, no more with reference to small areas with outcrops of crystalline rocks (especially the Sudetes, being the Polish fragment of the European Variscan belt), but for all the major tectonic units within Poland.     

Identification of volatiles from Pinus silvestris attractive for Monochamus galloprovincialis using a SPME-GC/MS platform

Introduction

A myriad of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by terrestrial vegetation plays an important role in environmental sciences. A thorough chemical identification of these species at the molecular level is essential in various fields, ranging from atmospheric chemistry to ecology of forest ecosystems. In particular, the recognition of VOCs profiles in a context of plant?Cinsect communication is a key issue for the development of forest protection tools.

Purpose

This work was aimed at the development of a simple, robust and reliable method for the identification of volatiles emitted from plant materials, which can attract or deter pest insects. Specifically, volatiles emitted from the bark of Pinus sylvestris were studied, which might attract the black pine sawyer beetle Monochamus galloprovincialis??a serious pest of the tree and a vector of a parasitic nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophius.

Method

The volatiles from bark samples were collected using a solid-phase micro-extraction technique, and subsequently analysed by gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS). The characterisation of the volatile fraction was based on the comparison with data in mass spectral libraries, and in most cases, with the available authentic standards. The identified compounds were screened against the available entomological data to select insect attractors.

Results

The identified components included terpenes (??-pinene, ?-3-carene, and para-cymenene), oxygenated terpenes (??-terpineol and verbenone), sesquiterpenes (??-longipinene, longifolene, E-??-farnesene, ??-cadinene and pentadecane), and diterpenes (manoyl oxide and (+)-pimaral). Of these, longifolene and (+)-pimaral are of particular interest as plausible attractors for the M. galloprovincialis beetle that might find application in the construction of insect bait traps.     

Occupational risk from static magnetic fields of MRI scanners

The health care staff operating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are exposed to static magnetic field of significant spatial heterogenity and high level of flux density—usually existing permanently during the shift. The personnel can also be exposed to pulses of magnetic field of high rate of rise/fall, so-called gradient fields, which exist only during examination of patients. The level of workers’ exposure depends both on the type of the magnet and on the ergonomical characteristic of design of the particular MRI scanner. This paper presents the current state of the art on occupational exposure to static magnetic field health effects, gaps in scientific data, MRI workers’ exposure characteristics, research needs, and suggestions for the exposure assessment protocol for future investigations.     

Practical aspects of occupational EMF exposure assessment

Electromagnetic fields exposure assessment methodology is briefly presented. The basic problems defined for the practical use of electromagnetic fields measurements and numerical calculations carried out for workers exposure assessment in real occupational situations are discussed. The examples of data from real workplace are presented, focusing: spatial distribution of electromagnetic fields affecting worker’s body, complex characteristics of the frequency content, workers activities/moving in the workplace, field impedance, etc. The situation when the use of calculations is required is discussed. The basic requirements for workers exposure assessment protocols are presented. The possible range of the use of internal and external measures of exposure level is also discussed.     

Mercury in wild mushrooms and underlying soil substrate from Koszalin, North-central Poland

Concentrations of total mercury were determined by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) in 221 caps and 221 stalks of 15 species of wild growing higher fungi/mushrooms and 221 samples of corresponding soil substrate collected in 1997-98 in Manowo County, near the city of Koszalin in North-central Poland. Mean mercury concentrations in caps and stalks of the mushroom species examined and soils varied between 30+/-31 and 920+/-280, 17+/-11 and 560+/-220, and 10+/-9 and 170+/-110 ng/g dry matter, respectively. Cap to stalk mercury concentration quotients were from 1.0+/-0.4 in poison pax (Paxillus involutus) to 2.8+/-0.7 in slippery jack (Suillus luteus). Brown cort (Cortinarius malicorius), fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), orange-brown ringless amanita (A. fulva), red-aspen bolete (Leccinum rufum) and mutagen milk cap (Lactarius necator) contained the highest concentrations of mercury both in caps and stalks, and mean concentrations varied between 600+/-750 and 920+/-280 and 370+/-470 and 560+/-220 ng/g dry matter, respectively. An estimate of daily intake of mercury from mushroom consumption indicated that the flesh of edible species of mushrooms may not pose hazards to human health even at a maximum consumption rate of 28 g/day. However, it should be noted that mercury intake from other foods will augment the daily intake rates. Species such as the sickener (Russula emetica), Geranium-scented russula (R. fellea) and poison pax (P. involutus) did not concentrate mercury as evidenced from the bioconcentration factors (BCFs: concentrations in mushroom/concentration in soil substrate), which were less than 1. Similarly, red-hot milk cap (L. rufus), rickstone funnel cap (Clitocybe geotropa) and European cow bolete (S. bovinus) were observed to be weak accumulators of mercury. Fly agaric (A. muscaria) accumulated great concentrations of mercury with BCFs reaching 73+/-42 and 38+/-22 in caps and stalks, respectively. Mercury BCFs of between 4.0+/-2.3 and 23+/-25 (caps) and 2.6+/-1.9 and 14+/-12 (stalks) were noted for the other mushroom species. Relatively great concentrations of mercury in fly agaric (A. muscaria) were due to preferential uptake of this element by this species.     

Accumulation of metallic elements by Amanita muscaria from rural lowland and industrial upland regions

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on the accumulation and occurrence of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sr and Zn in the mushroom Amanita muscaria and forest topsoil from two lowland sites in the Tuchola Pinewoods in the north-central region and an upland site in the ?wietokrzyskie Mountains in the south-central region of Poland. Topsoil from the upland location showed Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Na and Zn at significantly higher concentration levels (pseudo-total fraction and often also the labile or extractable fraction) than at both lowland locations, where topsoil was richer in Mg, and similar in Rb. Amanita muscaria from the upland region differed from individuals collected in the lowland sites by higher concentration levels of Cd, Cu, Hg and Mn in caps. This could be related to higher concentration levels of the metallic elements in topsoil in the upland region. On other side, A. muscaria from the upland site was poorer in Co and Fe in caps, and in Ca, Co, Fe and Sr in stipes. In spite of the differences in content of the geogenic metallic elements in topsoil between the lowland and upland locations, A. muscaria from both regions was able to regulate uptake and accumulation of Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Na, Rb and Zn, which were at similar concentration levels in caps but not necessarily in stipes.     

Modelling of ecological status of Polish lakes using deep learning techniques

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Since 2000, after the Water Framework Directive came into force, aquatic ecosystems’ bioassessment has acquired immense practical importance for...     

Musculoskeletal Load Assessment of the Upper Limb Positions Subjectively Chosen as the Most Convenient

Work posture is determined by interdependence between work stand design, the necessity to perform given activities, and the anthropometric dimensions of the worker, but it also depends on individual preferences. The aim of the study was to compare the musculoskeletal load of the right upper extremity under conditions of imposed (standard) upper limb position and subjectively chosen ones, and to assess the influence of the changes in magnitude of the external force on the musculoskeletal load in the examined limb positions. Ten healthy male participants took part in the study. Muscular load associated with different upper extremity positions with and without external load were assessed. Musculoskeletal load for standard and subjectively chosen limb positions and two different values of external load were compared by means of theoretical and experimental methods. Results indicate that differences in musculoskeletal load between imposed and subjectively chosen limb positions were not high enough to show statistically significant differences, and the upper limb position chosen by the participant does not always cause the lowest musculoskeletal load.