Sensitivity to biologically relevant odours may exceed the sum of component thresholds

Summary In four fruit-eating bats sniff-rate analysis revealed the threshold value for natural banana odour to be 1 × 10^–4 vol% of head-space while the threshold values for its major components were found to be 3–6 orders of magnitude higher; even the total of molecules present at the threshold dilution of banana odour was 2 orders of magnitude below the lowest threshold values obtained for single components. Thus, the responsiveness of the bats to threshold concentration of natural banana odour is discussed as an example of synergism of stimuli.     

Exposure to Selected Heavy Metals Through Water Ingestion in an Area Under the Influence of Tanneries

This study evaluated the potential toxicological risk posed to human health due to the exposure to heavy metals by water ingestion in an area affected by tanneries – the Cadeia-Feitoria hydrographic basin (Brazil). River water was collected at 10 sites, every 3 months, from July 1999 to April 2000. After acid digestion, total metal concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn), flame atomic absorption (Al, Fe, Pb, Mn), or cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg). Cr(VI) was complexed with diphenyl-carbazide and detected by UV–vis spectrometry. In order to quantify the risk of exposure, the risk assessment methodology employed by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States was applied at a screening level. The assumed scenarios included extreme exposure patterns (ingestion of untreated water, conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), temporal peaks of pollution). Fe, Al, Cd, Hg, and Pb were not included in the risk analysis, since they showed a low toxicity potential or were undetected in the samples. The selected metals presented Hazard Quotients < 1, in the following order of increasing risk: Cu < Cr(III) < Zn < Ni < Mn < Cr(VI). Hazard indexes, representing the additive effect of contaminants, were also low in the basin (< 1), but comparatively increased in the lower reach of Feitoria and Cadeia Rivers. Although noncarcinogenic risk levels did not suggest possible adverse toxicological effects to the human population, a considerable deviation from background conditions was observed downstream the area where tanneries are mainly located.     

Systemic retention of ingested cantharidin by frogs

Summary Frogs(Rana pipiens) fed on blister beetles (Meloidae) or cantharidin, retain cantharidin systemically. After cessation of feeding, they void the compound relatively quickly. Systemic cantharidin does not protect frogs against ectoparasitic feeding by leeches(Hirudo medicinalis) or predation by snakes(Nerodia sipedon). As suggested by our data, and from reports in the early literature, ingestion of cantharidin-containing frogs can pose a health threat to humans.Paper no. 95 of the seriesDefense Mechanisms of Arthropods; no. 94 is LaMunyon & Eisner, Psyche (in press)     

西气东输—陕京二线联络线工程岩溶区岩土工程条件分析

针对西气东输—陕京二线联络线工程山东枣庄—济南段岩溶区,采用高密度电法、探地雷达、面波及探井、钻探等多种方法和手段对其进行了系统的野外勘察和分析评价,从岩溶区域分布特征阐述了管道沿线岩溶的基本环境类型,通过对其岩土工程条件的分析评价,提出了管道安全性评价结果及不同岩溶地质灾害管道宜采取的防治措施。     

Transformational leadership and employee voice behavior: A Pygmalion mechanism

We theorized and examined a Pygmalion perspective beyond those proposed in past studies in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee voice behavior. Specifically, we proposed that transformational leadership influences employee voice through leaders' voice expectation and employees' voice role perception (i.e., Pygmalion mechanism). We also theorized that personal identification with transformational leaders influences the extent to which employees internalize leaders' external voice expectation as their own voice role perception. In a time‐lagged field study, we found that leaders' voice expectation and employees' voice role perception (i.e., the Pygmalion process) mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and voice behavior. In addition, we found transformational leadership strengthens employees' personal identification with the leader, which in turn, as a moderator, amplifies the proposed Pygmalion process. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中原油田职业卫生现状及管理对策

对中原油田的职业卫生状况进行了调研,对存在的主要职业危害及防护措施进行了探讨。     

管道防腐行业的粉尘危害及安全评价

在简要介绍管道防腐过程中粉尘的产生及其危害的基础上,采用LEC评价法和马尔柯夫链预测法对粉尘危害进行了安全评价,并提出了具体的防治措施,以保护操作人员的身体健康,确保生产的正常运行。     

蒸汽锅炉爆炸危险性分析及预防措施

简要叙述了锅炉爆炸机理及爆炸冲击波的破坏、伤害作用,采用TNT当量法对中国石化胜利油田石化总厂动力蒸汽锅炉爆炸事故后果进行了预测计算,分析了导致锅炉爆炸事故发生的原因,并给出了应对措施。     

环境中苯并[a]芘的研究进展

苯并[a]芘(B[a]P)是国际公认的人类化学致癌物,在自然界中分布极广,卫生学中一般以它作为多环芳烃类致癌物的代表物.详细介绍了B[a]P的来源、理化性质、检测方法、毒性、致毒机理以及降解特性等方面最近的研究进展.展望了B[a]P今后重要的研究方向.