Assessing the performance of motorcyclists’ impact protectors in simulated ATD knee and shoulder impacts

Objective: Fractures are a common injury among motorcycle riders and can have serious health implications. Impact protection (IP) has been designed to help prevent fractures, yet there are conflicting opinions as to whether this IP does in fact help prevent fractures in real-world crashes. This work aimed to (1) use simulated dummy impacts to examine whether existing types of IP could reduce the force transferred to the underlying bone to below fracture tolerance levels and (2) investigate whether current European Standard (EN 1621-1) test procedures for impact protectors designed for motorcyclists are sufficient to ensure fracture protection.

Method: Twenty-three shoulder and 7 knee IP specimens were tested using a 23-kg impactor contacting axially along the clavicle and femur of an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) at an energy level corresponding to the fracture tolerance of these bones. Sixteen IP specimens were the same as those worn by motorcycle riders involved in crashes where injury outcome was known (knee: n?=?3; shoulder: n?=?13) and the IP had been previously tested to EN 1621-1. Other IP tested represented a wide range of IP available for purchase at a motorcycle accessory store. Double and triple layers of IP were also tested. Energy attenuated during the dummy impacts was compared to energy attenuated when tested to EN 1621-1.

Results: Of the 23 shoulder IP tested, the average percentage reduction of transferred force to the shoulder from the baseline test was 7.6?±?4.8%. The percentage reduction of transferred force to the knee from the baseline was 43.9?±?7.5%. The entire group of knee IP tested reduced the transferred force to the knee to below the 10-kN injury threshold for the femur. There was a positive but nonsignificant correlation between the ATD test and the EN 1621-1 impact test performance, suggesting that the European standard test method likely provides a good indication of IP performance. However, given the low correlation coefficient, the relationship between IP performance in the European standard test method and injury protection remains unclear.

Conclusion: Though the energy attenuation test method in the European standard may be an appropriate approach, distinct differences in injury protection performance observed between knee and shoulder IP indicate that there may be a need for different performance criteria for IP designated to protect different body regions.     

基于能量理论的煤与瓦斯突出机理探讨

为研究煤与瓦斯突出的力学机理和能量来源,根据理想气体状态方程,推导了采场围岩瓦斯突出过程中的瓦斯压力、瓦斯含量与对外做功的关系,基于弹塑性力学,阐明了岩体弹塑性状态转化前后应变能释放机理。研究结果表明:煤与瓦斯突出是瓦斯势能与煤岩体弹性能共同作用并转化为煤岩体动能的结果;瓦斯势能释放值与释放路径无关,而与瓦斯压力和瓦斯含量相关,与煤壁前方塑性区扩展规模相关;将其应用至1次特大型煤与瓦斯突出事故中,核算的突出煤量、瓦斯含量和煤体抛出速度基本吻合于实际结果;基于理论分析提出了煤与瓦斯突出的3项防治措施,一是通过钻孔卸压或瓦斯抽放减小瓦斯压力,二是增加极限平衡区距离或减小截深,三是避免高瓦斯巷道或工作面出现蝶形塑性破坏。     

Measurement of minimum ignition energies (MIEs) of dust clouds – History,present, future

Nearly 130 years ago Holtzwart and von Meyer (1891) demonstrated by experiments that explosible dust clouds could be ignited by inductive electric sparks. Then more than half a century passed before the publication of the important quantitative research of Boyle and Llewellyn (1950) and Line et al. (1959). They worked with capacitive electric sparks and found that the minimum capacitor energies ½CU² required for ignition of various dust clouds in air decreased substantially when a large series resistance, in the range 10⁴–10⁷ Ω, was introduced in the discharge circuit. When considering that the net energies of the sparks themselves were only of the order of 10% of the ½CU² discharged, the minimum net spark energies required for ignition with a large series resistance were only a few per cent of the net energies required without such a resistance.Line et al. observed that the essential effect of increasing the series resistance, and hence increasing the discharge time of the sparks, was to reduce the disturbance of the dust cloud by the blast wave from the spark. This phenomenon was explored further by Eckhoff (1970, 2017), and subsequently by some simple experiments by Eckhoff and Enstad (1976). Franke (1974, 1977) and Laar (1980) confirmed the additional finding of Line et al. (1959) that the minimum ½CU² for ignition is also substantially reduced by including a series inductance in the discharge circuit, rather than a series resistance. The basic reason is the same as with a large series resistance, viz. increased spark discharge time and hence decreased disturbance of the dust cloud by blast wave from the spark. For this reason inclusion of an appreciable series inductance in the spark discharge circuit is an essential element in current standard MIE test methods.In experiments with spark ignition of transient dust clouds produced by a blast of air in a closed vessel, it is necessary to synchronize the occurrence of the spark with the formation of the dust cloud. The precision required from this type of synchronization is typically of the order of 10 ms, which can be obtained even by mechanical arrangements, such as rapid change of spark gap length, or of the distance between two capacitor plates. The present paper reviews some methods that have been/are being used for achieving adequate synchronization of dust cloud appearance and spark discharge. Some current standard experimental methods for determining MIEs of dust clouds experimentally have also been reviewed. The same applies to some theories of electric-spark ignition of dust clouds.At the end of paper some suggestions for possible future modifications of current standard methods for measuring MIEs of explosible dust clouds are presented. With regard to justifying significant modifications of existing standard methods, the “bottom line” is, as quite often in many connections, that any modifications should be based on realistic cost/benefit evaluations.     

Assessment of energy balance against the nutritional status of women carriers in the brickfields of West Bengal

The Indian brick industry is an unorganized sector in which large numbers of migrant women workers are employed. A survey was conducted on 62 women workers working in different brickfields of West Bengal to assess their physiological workload, nutritional profile, total energy expenditure and energy balance. Energy intake was calculated using physiological fuel values of carbohydrate, fat and protein. From the results it is seen that 13% of the sample population falls under severe (grade III) chronic energy deficiency. The average daily consumption of the workers was comparatively lower than their daily energy expenditure, considering the nature of the job which falls under heavy to extremely heavy categories. This negative energy balance is effectively observed in the nutritional anthropometry data. Thus, an immediate ergonomics intervention with better nutrition should be implemented to improve the health status of the workers so they can safely continue to work for a longer period.     

多相流动状态下HCO_3~-对X70钢CO_2腐蚀的影响

自制实验装置,应用多种检测手段对挂片形貌、腐蚀速率以及挂片在线腐蚀情况进行分析,实验与数值仿真了多相流动状态下HCO_3~-对X70钢CO_2腐蚀速率的影响。结果表明:HCO_3~-浓度较低时,腐蚀介质中的H~+浓度升高,阴极析氢反应加快,X70钢腐蚀速度升高;HCO_3~-浓度较高时,碳酸根不溶盐优先附着在挂片表面,形成一层腐蚀产物膜,保护挂片。     

邯郸市PM_(1.0)、PM_(2.5)污染特征及在线水溶性离子分析

对2014年12月—2015年2月邯郸市大气中PM_(1.0)、PM_(2.5)以及PM_(2.5)中的硝酸根(NO-3)、水溶性有机碳(WSOC)和硫酸根(SO2-4)进行在线监测。结果表明,PM_(1.0)中干性成分(PM_(1.0)_DRY)和包含水分的PM_(1.0)(PM_(1.0)_WET)分别占PM_(2.5)的74.0%和81.4%,PM_(1.0)为PM_(2.5)中的主要组成。利用锯齿型方法估算本地源和区域源对PM_(1.0)、PM_(1.0)~2.5、PM_(2.5)的贡献,得出区域源对PM_(1.0)的贡献为40.6%,明显高于对PM_(1.0)~2.5与PM_(2.5)贡献的32.3%和37.7%,因为PM_(1.0)直径小,在大气中存在时间较长、传输距离远。根据NO-3、WSOC、SO2-4与PM_(1.0)、PM_(1.0)~2.5的相关系数,推断NO-3、WSOC可能在PM_(1.0)生成,而SO2-4可能在PM_(1.0)~2.5中生成。     

基于地域性的三种污泥干化工艺的经济性比较

随着城市污水排放量的增多和成分的复杂化,污泥处理已成为污水处理厂面临的最大难题。脱水污泥含水率高,不利于后续的处理与再利用。污泥热干化可将污泥含水率降至10%~40%,但该过程耗能大,会大幅增加污泥处理成本,不利于污泥处理技术的推广应用。以拉萨、上海、重庆为例,分别对带式干化、热泵-太阳能干化、热泵-太阳能-蓄热干化3种污泥干化工艺的经济性进行分析,阐明了不同干化方式的适用特点,为相变蓄热技术在污泥干化中的推广应用提供了技术参考。     

危险废物处理处置企业清洁生产案例研究

为了给危险废物处理处置企业开展清洁生产提供一些基础性引导,先对比分析了危险废物处理处置企业和常规企业开展清洁生产的异同,然后以采用水泥回转窑协同处置危险废物的R公司为例,从8个方面进行产排污和清洁生产潜力分析,并结合危险废物处理全过程开展物料平衡分析,提出可行的无/低费方案和中/高费方案共19项。研究结果表明,危险废物处理处置企业存在可观的清洁生产和节能减排潜力,通过开展清洁生产可有效从源头防治二次污染,实现节能减排。     

同时脱硫脱硝固态反应剂研究进展

针对于干法同时控制热力发电厂NO_x和SO_2的排放,综述了近年来研究较广泛的钙基吸收剂、改性活性炭吸收剂、γ-Al_2O_3吸收-催化剂、天然锰矿石反应剂等几种同时脱硫脱硝固态反应剂的结构特性,以及脱硫脱硝效率。根据这几种固态反应剂的研究现状指出了应更进一步对氮氧化物和硫氧化物在同时脱除时的相互影响进行研究,从而提高同时脱硫脱硝效率。     

Explosibility,flammability and the thermal decomposition of Bisphenol A,the main component of epoxy resin

Bisphenol A is one of the basic compounds used in a synthesis of polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Its dust can create an explosive mixture with air under specific circumstances. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to determine explosion characteristics and flammability behaviour of this compound. The complete flammability characteristic requires the determination of the basic parameters of Bisphenol A under fire conditions including Heat Release Rate, speed of combustion, ability to ignite and the temperature of the decomposition range. To establish those parameters, a cone calorimeter was used. The explosion characteristics were tested in a 20-L spherical vessel. Minimum Ignition Energy was tested on MINOR II Apparatus which is a modified Hartman's Tube. In order to identify hazardous substances generated during a fire involving Bisphenol A, a simultaneous thermal analysis that combines thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry was used. The substances obtained from the thermal degradation were analyzed by infrared spectroscope with Fourier transformation. Furthermore, the application of a Purser furnace and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry facilitated the identification of gaseous substances formed during the thermal degradation of Bisphenol A samples.