Cardiovascular Strain of Sawmill Workers in South-Western Nigeria

This study aimed to assess cardiovascular strain during sawmilling operations in terms of physical workload, based on heart rate changes. We measured resting and working heart rates and calculated cardiovascular load (%CVL), cardiovascular strain (%CVS) and relative heart rate (%RHR) in 35 sawmill workers. Based on heart rate only, the work in sawmills was classified as very heavy and extremely heavy. Similarly, a high-level category was recorded for %CVL and a very high range for %CVS. Thus, the workload in sawmill operations is usually very high and can lead to physiological strain of the workers. There is a need to redesign the work content of this occupation to prevent excessive strain in the workers, as this will increase their productivity and reduce their health risk.     

Comparison Between the Strain Indicator HRV of a Head-Based Virtual Retinal Display and LC-Head Mounted Displays for Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality uses Head Mounted Displays (HMD) to overlay the real word with additional virtual information. Virtual Retinal Displays (VRD), a new display technology, no longer requires Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). VRD technology addresses the retina directly with a single laser stream of pixels. There are no studies on the user’s informational strain in this new VRD technology. Various papers have shown that Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a valid indicator for the user’s informational strain. An empirical test revealed no difference in the user’s HRV between VRD technology and LCD technology. Consequently, there seems to be a comparable user informational strain regarding the display types.     

Effect of Subjective and Objective Workload on Asthenopia at VDU Workplaces

An ergophthalmological tool has been developed to investigate effects of subjective and objective workload on work-related visual complaints (asthenopia). In field studies on different visual display unit (VDU) workplaces effects of objective and subjective workload, work intensity, and work breaks (5-9 min/hour) could be found. It could be shown that during the first hours of VDU work, asthenopic complaints have the tendency to follow effective workload. With increasing working time the effect of a general and visual fatigue overlaps other reported visual complaints in the majority of cases.     

Thermal Strain in Fire Fighters While Wearing Task-Fitted Versus EN 469:2005 Protective Clothing During a Prolonged Rescue Drill

Fire fighters are normally overprotected during their working hours because of the tendency to keep the personal protection level sufficiently high in case of the worst possible scenarios. This study investigated the effects of task-fitted protective clothing on thermal strain in fire fighters as compared to EN 469:2005 protective clothing during a prolonged (2 1/2 hrs) job-related rescue drill under neutral and hot climates. The subjects were 23 healthy, physically fit professional male fire fighters aged 26–44 years. Measurements included cardiovascular and thermal responses and subjective assessments. Wearing task-fitted clothing during rescue tasks in a neutral climate considerably reduced total thermal and cardiovascular strain in prolonged rescue work. The fire fighters also perceived physical work as significantly harder on average, and reported more intense subjective discomfort while wearing EN 469:2005 as compared to task-fitted clothing.     

Ergonomics in Practice: Physical Workload and Heat Stress in Thailand

This study consists of assessments of the thermal environment and physio-logical strain in tasks associated with airport, construction, and metal jobs. The number of male and female participants was 108. Environmental heat stress was evaluated with the WBGT index. Physiological strain was evaluated by the relative cardiovascular load (%CVL) based on the measurements of heart rate. Also the increase of body temperature, weight loss, and perceived discomfort were determinated. At work sites the assessments lasted for 2 to 4 hrs for each participant. The mean physiological strain exceeded the level of 30%CVL. Severe peaks (over 60%CVL) were observed in specific tasks being in agreement with perceived discomfort ratings. The increase of body temperature and weight loss in most cases remained within acceptable limits. For the most strenuous tasks, various ergonomic improvements were developed in consultation with workers and managers.     

嗜热硫酸盐还原菌的分离及生长影响因素研究

从油田污水中分离得到一株嗜热硫酸盐还原菌,并研究了该菌株的形态生理特性,探讨了碳源、还原剂、pH和温度对该菌株的生长和硫酸盐还原能力影响。结果表明:该菌株为革兰氏阳性杆菌,最适合碳源为柠檬酸钠,在加入了硫代硫酸钠作为还原剂的培养基中生长较好,最适合生长pH为中性,最适生长温度为60℃。在最适条件下培养,2d后培养基变黑,菌株的生长在3d后达到最大值,硫化氢的生成在4d后达到最大值。     

彝良5．7级地震前钻孔应变观测到的前兆异常

使用滇黔地区钻孔应变观测台站的资料,对2012年9月7日彝良Ms5．7地震前异常现象进行分析,结果表明,震前昭通、贵阳台钻孔应变出现长趋势等异常,其他台站在震前几小时到5天出现曲线异常波动、固体潮变形等异常现象。     

光纤FBG传感器实施大应变标定方法的探讨

针对钢管封装的大应变光纤光栅布拉格传感器的标定问题,设计了大应变试验加载平台,通过光纤光栅布拉格传感器对试验平台标定,确定了平台载荷与应变的比例系数K,按照等比加载实现了对光纤光栅布拉格传感器大于5000με的大应变标定。     

Biodegradation of N,N-dimethylacetamide by Rhodococcus sp. strain B83 isolated from the rhizosphere of pagoda tree

The biodegradation characteristic and potential metabolic pathway for removal of environmental N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) by Rhodococcus sp. strain B83 was studied. Rhodococcus sp. strain B83 was isolated from the rhizosphere of a pagoda tree and proved capable of utilizing DMAC as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Batch culture studies showed that strain B83 could tolerate up to 25 g/L DMAC and showed distinct growth on possible catabolic intermediates except for acetate. The nitrogen balance analysis revealed that approximately 71% of the initial nitrogen was converted to organic nitrogen. DMAC degradation has led to accumulation of acetate and organic nitrogen, meanwhile traces of nitrate and ammonia was build-up but without nitrite. The growth of strain B83 could be inhibited by adding exogenous acetate. By means of the assay of enzymatic degradation of DMAC, several catabolic intermediates at different intervals were observed and identified. Based on the results obtained from culture solution and enzymatic degradation assay, a detailed pathway is proposed for DMAC biodegradation.     

一株中度嗜盐淀粉酶产生菌的分离鉴定及酶活测定

为开发极端环境工业用酶,从新疆盐碱土微生物中分离得到一株中度嗜盐高产淀粉酶活性菌株H3,其能耐受30%盐浓度和pH 11的极端环境.通过形态特征、生理生化实验及16S rRNA基因序列分析,确定H3属于Gracilibacillus属.该菌株能在盐浓度为0~30%的培养基上生长,最适生长盐浓度为5%~10%,最适pH值为8.5.在最适生长盐浓度、pH条件下,其淀粉酶活性可达到4 830个活力单位,可用于高盐高碱环境下淀粉的水解.