Drinking water quality: An in vitro approach for the assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic load in water sampled along distribution system

An in vitro approach was performed to assess the quality of drinking water collected at two treatment/distribution networks located near the source (Plant #1) and the mouth of River Po (Plant #2). The water was sampled at different points of each distribution network, before (raw water) and after the chlorine dioxide disinfection, and in two points of the pipeline system to evaluate the influence of the distribution system on the amount and quality of the disinfection by-product. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water extracts were evaluated in human peripheral lymphocytes and Hep-G2 cells by the use of the micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. Raw water samples of both plants induced cytotoxic effects, but not the increases of MN frequency in Hep-G2 cells and in human lymphocytes. Increases of DNA damage in human leukocytes was detected by Comet assay for raw water of Plant #2 at concentration ≥ 0.25 Leq/mL. The disinfection process generally has reduced the toxicity of water samples, even if potential direct DNA-damaging compounds have been detectable in drinking water samples. The proposal approach, if currently used together with chemical analysis, can contribute to improve the monitoring drinking water.     

Dust storms: recent developments

Dust storms have a number of impacts upon the environment including radiative forcing, and biogeochemical cycling. They transport material over many thousands of kilometres. They also have a range of impacts on humans, not least on human health. In recent years the identification of source areas for dust storms has been an important area or research, with the Sahara (especially Bodélé) and western China being recognised as the strongest sources globally. Another major development has been the recognition of the degree to which dust storm activity has varied at a range of time scales, millennial, century, decadal, annual and seasonal.     

团体心理咨询技术与高职学生思想政治教育的有机结合

不断涌现的高职高专院校已经占据了高等教育的半壁江山。在新的历史形式下,高职院校学生的思想状况表现出价值观模糊、政治识别能力不强等问题。因此,探索一条符合时代要求,创新、高效的思想政治教育策略对于加强高职院校大学生的思想政治素质具有重要的意义。团体心理咨询既是一种有效的心理辅导与治疗技术,也是一种有效的教育活动。它通过团体内人际交互作用,促使个体在感受、认识、学习、训练的过程中形成新的态度与行为方式,实现自我成长与自我完善。团体心理咨询作为一种特殊的心理咨询方式可以与大学生的思想政治教育相互渗透,有机结合。     

论孟子的理想人格及其对大学生素质教育的启示

孟子教育思想中的理想人格,不仅对我国教育发展有重大影响,而且对当代大学生的素质教育也有深刻的启示。从理想人格的涵义入手,分析了孟子理想人格的重要内容及其实现方式,并研究了孟子理想人格对大学生素质教育的启示。     

浅议图书馆对继续教育的服务

继续教育是我院教育教学工作的重要组成部分。继续教育生具有"自学为主、限时多学、积极多研、追求速成",但利用图书馆较少的特点。图书馆应结合实际,以提高对继续教育的服务质量为宗旨,从转变思想观念,加强制度建设和馆藏建设,以及如何进行图书宣传等方面为继续教育服务。     

高职“订单式”培养模式实施路径——以市场营销专业为例

以人才市场需求为导向,建立“订单式”人才培养模式是高职院校彻底解决学生就业的理想培养模式。但目前国内很多院校在实施过程中存在着企业积极性不高、实习实践专业指导师资力量不足、缺乏特定的实践场所等种种问题。在建立“订单式”培养模式过程中,很多院校先从与企业签订“订单”着手,这给本身不愿意接收不具备任何实践经验学生的企业带来较重的负担,增加了完全实现“订单”式培养的难度。主要结合国内实际情况,以市场营销专业为例,论述高职院校应该从调研市场专业人才需求出发,首先调整自身培养方案,主动迎合企业需求,最终真正实现“订单式”培养模式的路径。     

Work environment risk factors for injuries in wood processing

Problem

The reported injury rate for wood product manufacturing in Maine, 1987-2004, was almost twice the state-wide average for all jobs. Method: A case-control study was conducted in wood processing plants to determine preventable risk factors for injury. A total of 157 cases with injuries reported to workers' compensation and 251 controls were interviewed. Results: In multivariable analyses, variables associated with injury risk were high physical workload, machine-paced work or inability to take a break, lack of training, absence of a lockout/tagout program, low seniority, and male gender. Different subsets of these variables were significant when acute incidents and overexertions were analyzed separately and when all injuries were stratified by industry sub-sector. Impact on industry: Generalizability may be limited somewhat by non-representative participation of workplaces and individuals. Nevertheless, these findings provide evidence that many workplace injuries occurring in wood processing could be prevented by application of ergonomics principles and improved work organization.     

Incorporating the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Protection into the J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems

The newly released findings by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) led to a review of the lifetime risk coefficients for fatal cancer used in J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems. The change in life expectancy a safety system brings about by averting a radiation exposure needs to be estimated in order to calculate the safety system's J-value, and this is done following the ICRP's practice of using risk coefficients that are uniform across both genders and all ages in the defined population group (either workers or the general population). The ICRP predicted uniformly lower radiation risks in 2007 than in 1990 on a like-for-like basis, but it was found that the ICRP's new risk coefficients needed to be multiplied by a compensating factor specific to each population when used in calculating the radiation-induced change in life expectancy. Incorporating the new compensating factor leads to a decrease in the J-value calculated of about 5% for workers and 15% for the general population compared with earlier, reported results. These adjustments are not large compared with the uncertainties associated with radiation harm and the economics of installing a safety system, but will strengthen slightly the case for spending on a nuclear safety measure.     

水电站建设工程农民工安全教育培训模式研究

主要介绍当前建筑业农民工的基本状况,大型水电建设工程安全特点以及存在的问题,结合建筑业和水利水电行业农民工安全教育培训的现状,通过对大型水电站伤亡事故原因的统计分析,探讨适合我国大型水电站建设工程的农民工安全培训模式.     

Air Quality Survey Carried Out by Schoolchildren: An Innovative Tool for Urban Planning

An educational project on biological monitoring of air quality was launched in 2004 to involve about 650 young students (age 6 to 16) from 21 schools of nine municipalities in Tuscany (Central Italy) in active detection of the crucial pollutant ozone with indicator sensitive tobacco seedlings. Results implied the reading of 9,300 raw biological figures and were fortified by the data captured by six photometric analysers. Under the guidance of their teachers, the students had several opportunities to practice with many basic and applied study areas and were initiated into the scientific method in a simple and absorbing manner. Curiosity and involvement were widespread; a sort of emotional and responsible relationship was developed by several pupils. Though primarily an educational exercise, the survey introduced a research element and the regional picture of air pollution that emerged has increased our knowledge of the air quality situation in the area. Biological monitoring of air quality is a powerful tool to improve the awareness and involvement in key topics of environmental education. In addition, it represents a crucial element for improving the awareness of problems and implies the active participation of citizens in the assessment of several indicators of the state of the environment. Its potential as a robust implement in landscape and urban planning is noteworthy.