An Evaluation of the NIOSH Lifting Equation: A Psychophysical and Biomechanical Investigation

Using the results of psychophysical and biomechanical experiments, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Recommended Weight Limit (RWL), the Lifting Index (LI), the form of the asymmetry multiplier, and the criterion for compression force were investigated. Analysis of the results indicated a significant difference between the NIOSH RWL and the reported Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAWL). Contrary to the NIOSH lifting equation, the form of the asymmetry multiplier was found to be non-linear. The overall average of peak compression force on the L5/S1 was 3685 N. Fifty-eight percent of all compression forces reported in the biomechanical experiment were found to exceed the suggested 3400 N set by NIOSH guidelines. These results support previous research findings on the validity of NIOSH guidelines.     

Effects of ladder parameters on asymmetric patterns of force exertion during below-knee amputees climbing ladders

Different from walking, ladder climbing requires four-limb coordination and more energy exertion for below-knee amputees (BKAs). We hypothesized that functional deficiency of a disabled limb shall be compensated by the other three intact limbs, showing an asymmetry pattern among limbs. Hand and foot forces of six below-knee amputees and six able-bodied people were collected. Hand, foot and hand/foot sum force variances between groups (non-BKA, intact side and prosthetic side) were carefully examined. Our hypothesis was validated that there is asymmetry between prosthetic and intact side. Results further showed that the ipsilateral hand of the prosthetic leg is stronger than the hand on the intact side, compensating weakness of the prosthetic leg. Effects of ladder rung separations and ladder slant on asymmetric force distribution of BKAs were evaluated, indicating that rung separation has a more significant interactive effect on hand/foot force of BKAs than ladder slant.     

Testis size variation in the greenfinch Carduelis chloris : relevance for some recent models of sexual selection

Interspecific evidence that testis size responds to selection caused by sperm competition has been obtained from many taxa. However, little is known about the sources of intraspecific variation in testis size, although such variation may have functional significance. Variation in testis size and asymmetry was studied within and between eight geographically separated (and genetically differentiated) populations of greenfinches Carduelis chloris. The relationships between testis size and plumage brightness (degree of yellowness) and the prevalence of haematozoan infections were also investigated in three of these populations, as they related to the predictions of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis, and Møller's hypothesis relating directional testis asymmetry to phenotypic quality. There were large differences between populations in testis size, with males from northern populations having larger testes than those from southern populations. Within populations, large testes were associated with larger body size and greater age. When the influence of these factors was removed statistically, males with large testes were more likely to be infected with haematozoan parasites, and had brighter yellow plumage. No evidence was found that directional asymmetry in testis size was related to either of these measures of phenotypic quality. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that males with large testes, while signalling higher phenotypic quality as revealed by increased plumage brightness, also pay a cost in terms of reduced immunocompetence, revealed by the increased probability of infection in these males. That these patterns were similar in three different populations adds further strength to these conclusions. Our results suggest that studying the sources of variation in testis size among individuals can reveal interesting processes in sexual selection.     

Ethical Considerations of the Human–Animal-Relationship Under Conditions of Asymmetry and Ambivalence

Ethical reflection deals not only with the moral standing and handling of animals, it should also include a critical analysis of the underlying relationship. Anthropological, psychological, and sociological aspects of the human–animal-relationship should be taken into account. Two conditions, asymmetry and ambivalence, are taken as the historical and empirical basis for reflections on the human–animal-relationship in late modern societies. These conditions explain the variety of moral practice, apart from paradoxes, and provide a framework to systematize animal ethical problems in a broader field. This allows the development of ideal relationships as moral orientation across anthropocentric or sentientistic ethical theories. These ideal relationships are called the patronage-model, the friendship-model and the partnership-model. The ethical problem of creating transgenic animals is discussed in the light of these ideal relationships.     

Phenogenetic Analysis of Pygmy Wood Mouse (Apodemus uralensis Pall.) Populations in the Zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT)

Monitoring of A. uralensis populations in Kamenskii raion, Sverdlovsk oblast, in 1992–2002 and in Kaslinskii raion, Chelyabinsk oblast, in 2000–2001 revealed an increase in the proportion and diversity of minor morphogenetic aberrations and abnormalities in the structure of the cranium along the axis of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT). The samples from the southern and northern parts of the EURT (contaminated with ⁹⁰Sr to 500 and 4 Ci/km², respectively) were characterized by directed deviations from the control with respect to the frequencies of phenes of nonmetric cranial traits and an increase in the level of their fluctuating asymmetry in young females, which is indicative of epigenetic rearrangements in populations living in a radioactive environment.     

环境信息不对称对于循环经济的影响及其对策——兼谈环境信息服务业的发展与完善

指出循环经济背景下我国环境信息分布中的致命问题--环境信息的不对称分布,并指出不对称的表现,而后分析了环境信息对称对于循环经济的影响,在此基础上提出解决环境信息不对称的对策--发展环境信息服务业,并初步探讨了发展环境信息服务业的模式和步骤.     

三峡库区消落带土壤邻苯二甲酸二丁酯静态释放特征

为了解特大型水库消落带优先有机污染物迁移转化规律,以邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)为代表性优先污染物,采用静态淹水法研究了土壤中DBP浓度、上覆水离子强度、有机质含量等因素对三峡库区消落带土壤中DBP静态释放规律的影响.结果表明,消落带土壤中DBP在淹水前期由土壤向上覆水中迁移释放,该过程分为短暂但是释放速率较快的快速释放阶段和释放时间较长但释放速率较慢的慢速释放阶段,此过程可以很好地用二室一级动力模型拟合.随着土壤中添加的DBP浓度的增大,DBP向上覆水快速释放速率加快,而快速释放比例则减小;慢释放速率和慢速释放比例则正好相反.随着上覆水离子强度的增加,快速释放比例增加,使DBP向上覆水释放量增加.上覆水高浓度的DBP在淹水初期会抑制土壤DBP的释放而且使DBP释放达到最大值的时间延迟.上覆水添加腐殖酸后,快速释放速率、慢速释放速率和快速释放比例均增大,从而使DBP向上覆水的释放量也增加.     

南水北调对密云水库水位变幅带土壤磷释放量的影响

南水北调来水引起的水位上涨可能会导致密云水库水位变幅带土壤中磷的释放.过量的磷可能会引起水体富营养,因此,研究水库变幅带磷释放风险对密云水库水质安全保障具有科学指导意义.本研究采用连续浸提法测定密云水库变幅带土壤及沉积物中弱吸附态磷(NH_4ClP)、铁磷(BD-P)、铝磷(NaOH-P)及钙磷(HCl-P)等4种不同形态磷含量,探讨其分布特征;并在室内进行了磷释放模拟实验,估算了南水北调来水引起水库水位上升所致的易释放磷的释放量.结果表明,NH_4Cl-P、BD-P、NaOH-P、HCl-P广泛地分布于密云水库变幅带土壤及沉积物中.在白河、内湖及潮河3个库区,磷形态分布具有一致规律,即HCl-PNaOH-PBD-PNH_4Cl-P.因密云水库变幅带为中国典型的北方碱性土壤,变幅带无机磷主要为钙磷.NH_4Cl-P在3个库区变幅带土壤中含量相差不大,在受水动扰动力影响较小的内湖库区BD-P含量略高于其它2个库区.在3个不同库区中,潜在活性磷NH_4Cl-P和较稳定的NaOH-P在岸上和水陆交界面土壤及水下沉积物中含量相差不大,受氧化还原条件影响较大的BD-P在沉积物中的含量略高于岸上和水陆交界面土壤.磷释放模拟实验及释放量估算结果表明,水库水位上涨3 m的情况下,白河、潮河和内湖库区淹没变幅带土壤分别释放1.02、0.80、0.37 mg·m~(-2)易释放磷.白河和内湖库区变幅带被水淹没土壤中磷释放的风险可能更高,需加强防护.     

火箭测试平台多通道脉动压力的同步采集与数据回收

目的 实现火箭测试平台多通道脉动压力的同步采集与数据回收.方法 在多时钟的采样系统内,采用统一的同步触发信号作为各通道的采样使能,实现40通道脉动压力的同步采集.采用"采存分离"的设计方法 将存储电路从采样系统中分离,仅对存储电路进行抗冲击防护,通过火炮试验考核抗冲击性,通过回收存储电路实现数据回收.结果 40通道的采...     

干湿循环对三峡支流消落带沉积物中可转化态氮及其形态分布的影响

水体富营养化的形成与沉积物中氮素的"源-汇"关系密切,本研究选取三峡典型支流澎溪河消落带上、中、下这3个水文断面,160 m和170 m两个水位高程,0~20、20~40、40~60、60~80、80~100 cm共5个深度的沉积物样品,通过研究其总可转化态氮(TF-N)与各形态可转化态氮含量及分布特征,旨在揭示周期性水位变化对消落带沉积物氮释放的影响.结果表明,澎溪河消落带沉积物总氮含量在313.02~3 255.53 mg·kg-1之间,空间分布上呈上站位(渠口)中站位(高阳)下站位(双江)的趋势;总可转化态氮含量范围为288.54~1 123.27mg·kg-1,均值为639.40 mg·kg-1,空间分布趋势与总氮一致;TF-N中各形态氮的大小顺序为:OSF-N(有机态和硫化物结合态)IMOF-N(铁锰结合态)CF-N(碳酸盐结合态)IEF-N(离子交换态).沉积物中TF-N主要以OSF-N(50.9%)和IMOF-N(33.3%)形态存在.OSF-N很难释放,不易参与氮循环.IMOF-N受水文条件影响显著,表现为在低水位高程和下采样站位沉积物中含量更低.淹水胁迫、水体富营养化等情况下氧含量较低,相对还原条件下有利于其向水体释放.而TF-N及其形态分布在垂直深度上无显著差异.可见,三峡库区特殊调蓄水制度加速了澎溪河下游、低水位高程消落带沉积物中IMOF-N向水体的释放.