Handling Techniques: The Influence of Weight and Height for Experts and Novices

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the weight of the load (12 kg, 22 kg) and of the height of the grasp (high: 126 cm; middle: 64 cm and 95 cm; low: 33 cm) on the handling techniques adopted by six experienced handlers and six novices having only limited handling experience during a free box-handling task. Each subject had to transfer two sets of 16 boxes from a platform to a four-wheel cart. The observations dealt with the position of the subject at the beginning of transfer and at deposit (position of the back, knees and feet, pelvic orientation, position of the hands), his way of moving during the transfer (position of the feet), and his way of positioning and moving the box during handling (tilt of the box, impulse given to the box, grip change). The results show that the weight and the height of grasp/deposit had an influence on the techniques adopted by expert handlers and novices. Some of these variations are common to both groups but many of them are not, such as the position of the knees, the grips and the position of the box. This study suggests that there is not one method that is suitable for all situations, and that expert handlers may have learned how to adjust their methods to the working environment. A better understanding of the experts’ techniques could help in redesigning efficient training programs.     

钢渣膨胀性的实验

钢渣具有高碱度的特点,当碱度>2时转炉渣中的氧化钙将有一部分以游离氧化钙的形式存在。游离氧化钙是造成转炉渣膨胀的主要因素。本试验采用压蒸法测定了高炉渣和转炉渣的膨胀性,考虑了粒度和陈化时间对转炉渣膨胀性的影响,为高炉渣和转炉渣的应用提供依据。     

珠江三角洲4种代表性土壤/沉积物中自由态与结合态有机氯农药的含量与分布特征

有机氯农药在土壤/沉积物中主要以自由态和结合态存在.本研究选取珠江三角洲地区4种代表不同沉积环境的典型土壤/沉积物样品,先采用碱萃取、盐酸/氢氟酸去矿物等方法对样品进行了组分分离,再采用有机溶剂萃取法对不同组分中自由态和结合态有机氯农药进行了系统分析.结果显示,4种土壤/沉积物总有机氯农药含量为20.96～134.22 μg·kg^-1,其中HCHs总含量为5.66～22.87　μg·kg^-1,DDTs总含量为1.51～11.70　μg·kg^-1,β-HCH、七氯、艾氏剂、异狄氏剂、硫丹硫酸盐和甲氧滴滴涕等6种农药为主要成分,占总有机氯农药的53.56%～77.26%.自由态有机氯农药含量为8.46～88.45　μg·kg^-1,占总有机氯农药的40.37%～65.90%.结合态有机氯农药含量为11.46～45.77　μg·kg^-1,占总有机氯农药的34.10%～59.63%,主要存在于土壤/沉积物的腐殖酸和胡敏素组分,反映了环境中结合态有机氯农药的大量存在.自由态DDT和HCH类有机氯农药的分布情况表明,4种样品均没有新鲜HCH类农药输入而部分样品仍有新鲜DDT类农药输入.结合态有机氯农药在腐殖酸和胡敏素间的分布与有机质碳含量相关,占总有机碳57.71%～80.55%的胡敏素结合了94.78%～97.48%的结合态有机氯农药.风险评价结果表明,部分游离态有机氯农药如γ-HCH、艾氏剂、异狄氏剂、DDT类农药可能存在一定的生态风险.由于单个化合物的总量要比自由态高出约1～30倍,同时结合态农药在一定条件下有释放到环境的可能,因此有机氯农药的环境风险评价和环境标准建立均需考虑结合态有机氯农药.     

Modelling sulphate-enhanced cadmium uptake by Zea mays from nutrient solution under conditions of constant free Cd2+ ion activity

A controlled hydroponic experiment was undertaken to investigate Cd uptake in relation to the activity of Cd species in solution other than the free ion (Cd²⁺) by maintaining a constant Cd²⁺ activity under variable SO₄₂⁻ and Cl⁻ concentrations exposed to maize (Zea mays var. Cameron) plants. The objectives of these experiments were: (1) to distinguish and quantify the different uptake rates of free and inorganic-complexed Cd from nutrient solution, and (2) to model the uptake of Cd by maize with a Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) in a system which facilitates the close examination of root characteristics. Results of the current experiments suggest that, in addition to the free ion, CdSO₄⁰ complexes are important factors in determining Cd uptake in nutrient solution by maize plants. Higher nominal SO₄²⁻ concentrations in solution generally resulted in a greater Cd accumulation by maize plants than predicted by the Cd²⁺ activity. A better integration of the complete dataset for the 3 harvest times (6, 9 and 11 days after treatment) was achieved by including consideration of both the duration of Cd exposure and especially the root surface area to express Cd uptake. Similarly, the fit of the BLM was also improved when taking into account exposure time and expressing uptake in terms of root morphological parameters.     

Y chromosome detection by Real Time PCR and pyrophosphorolysis-activated polymerisation using free fetal DNA isolated from maternal plasma

Objectives To validate the use of Real Time PCR, a widely used technique that can detect very low levels of Y chromosomal sequence, and to assess the use of a highly sensitive PCR technique, pyrophosphorolysis-activated polymerisation (PAP), for fetal sex determination using free fetal DNA (ffDNA). Methods The fetal sex was determined by Real Time PCR in 58 pregnancies using ffDNA isolated from maternal plasma. In parallel with the Real Time PCR experiments, the presence of Y chromosome sequence was also determined using PAP on 54 isolated ffDNA samples. Results Both techniques detected Y chromosome sequence at very low levels with 98% specificity and 100% sensitivity (Real Time n = 44, PAP n = 54). Furthermore, the PAP technique was shown to be more robust than the Real Time PCR as none of the samples tested failed to meet the acceptance criteria. Combining the two techniques for male fetal sex detection from maternal blood plasma increases the sensitivity and specificity to 100% in this series. Conclusions This study shows that both Real Time PCR and PAP can be used for Y chromosome detection on ffDNA. Furthermore, by using PAP in combination with Real Time PCR more reliable early prenatal sexing can be performed using ffDNA. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

·OH的形成机理及在水处理中的应用

以产生大量·OH为特点的高级氧化水处理技术已逐渐成为各国水处理技术研究的热点。在讨论·OH氧化能力的同时 ,重点讨论了Fenton法、纳米光催化氧化法、电化学催化降解法以及超声降解法·OH的形成机理 ,介绍了它们在水处理中的工业化应用及进展情况 ,展望了今后在该领域中多种氧化降解方法协同作用的发展方向     

A first trimester trisomy 13/trisomy 18 risk algorithm combining fetal nuchal translucency thickness,maternal serum free β-hCG and PAPP-A

This study examines 45 cases of trisomy 13 and 59 cases of trisomy 18 and reports an algorithm to identify pregnancies with a fetus affected by trisomy 13 or 18 by a combination of maternal age fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, and maternal serum free β-hCG and PAPP-A at 11–14 weeks of gestation. In this mixed trisomy group the median MoM NT was increased at 2.819, whilst the median MoMs for free β-hCG and PAPP-A were reduced at 0.375 and 0.201 respectively. We predict that with the use of the combined trisomy 13 and 18 algorithm and a risk cut-off of 1 in 150 will for a 0.3% false positive rate allow 95% of these chromosomal defects to be identified at 11–14 weeks. Such algorithms will enhance existing first trimester screening algorithms for trisomy 21. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.