Assessment of Noise Exposure of Sawmill Workers in Southwest,Nigeria

Economic wood processing employs the use of industrial machines for cutting, shaping, milling, and sawing timber, thereby leading to the generation of high levels of noise. Published data from empirical studies have categorized noise as an environmental hazard of global significance. Furthermore, noise exposure limits for different industries and all the industrial machines available has not been formally established as it presently exists in developed nations around the world. Therefore, this study assessed the daily exposure of sawmills workers to noise in Southwestern Nigeria. Reconnaissance surveys were first carried out in Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, and Ogun States to select sawmills that were fully operational and fit for the study. Two fully functional sawmills in two cities of each State were eventually selected for data collection, making a total of 24 sawmills, while the Circular Machines (CM), Planer Machines (PM), and Band-saw Machines (BM) were the machines in each sawmill considered. Two machines each of CM, PM, and BM were considered in each sawmill, making a total of forty-eight (48) machines each of CM, PM, and BM. Sound data were collected between 7 am and 7 pm each day for six days (between Monday and Saturday) using Extech 407732 sound level meter and all stabilized measurements were taken three times at different intervals. The data collected were in three different periods: Machine No-work Period (NP_m), Machine Idle Period (IP_m), and Machine Working Period (WP_m). A two–way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out at P < 0.05 to determine whether there is a significant difference in the sound level average before and after the break, for both the idle and working periods of the three machines considered. This was also done to determine whether there is a significant difference between the sound level average of the results collected during idle and working periods of the three machines. Noise Pollution Levels (L_np) ranged from 83.20 dB (PM) to 107.65 (BM) and 93.42 (CM and PM) – 116.00 (BM) respectively, while IP_m also gave the least noise pollution level of 95.79 dB and WP_m gave the highest level of 102.88 dB. The results revealed that all the machines’ L_np values in the working period are more than the 90 dB acceptable limit the recommendation value of 90 dB while 89.6% of CMs, 75% of PMs, and 89.6% of BM had their L_np above 90 dB in the idle period respectively. The minimum and the maximum noise dose levels for IP_m, WP_m and overall are 0.09 (BM) and 2.37 (CM), 0.50 (CM), and 4.77 (PM) and 0.69 (BM) and 6.64 (PM) respectively. The study found out that the fundamental contributing factors to the high noise levels in sawmills are poor machine maintenance, use of old and obsolete machines, poor housekeeping strategy, limited space, workers’ negligence, lack of PPE, and lack of occupational safety training. The study recommends that proper workplace practices such as use of personal protective equipment, new and modern machines, training, and occupational safety programmes be implemented in the considered sawmills.     

Dose‐dependent exposure profile and metabolic characterization of notoginsenoside R1 in rat plasma by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry

Notoginsenoside R₁ (NGR₁), a diagnostic protopanaxatriol‐type (ppt‐type) saponin in Panax notoginseng, possesses potent biological activities including antithrombotic, anti‐inflammatory, neuron protection and improvement of microcirculation, yet its pharmacokinetics and metabolic characterization as an individual compound remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure profile of NGR₁ in rats after oral and intravenous administration and to explore the metabolic characterization of NGR₁. A simple and sensitive ultra‐fast liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of NGR₁ and its major metabolites, and for characterization of its metabolic profile in rat plasma. The blood samples were precipitated with methanol, quantified in a negative multiple reaction monitoring mode and analyzed within 6.0 min. Validation parameters (linearity, precision and accuracy, recovery and matrix effect, stability) were within acceptable ranges. After oral administration, NGR₁ exhibited dose‐independent exposure behaviors with t_1/2 over 8.0 h and oral bioavailability of 0.25–0.29%. A total of seven metabolites were characterized, including two pairs of epimers, 20(R)‐notoginsenoside R₂/20(S)‐notoginsenoside R₂ and 20(R)‐ginsenoside Rh₁/20(S)‐ginsenoside Rh₁, with the 20(R) form of saponins identified for the first time in rat plasma. Five deglycometabolites were quantitatively determined, among which 20(S)‐notoginsenoside R₂, ginsenoside Rg₁, ginsenoside F₁ and protopanaxatriol displayed relatively high exploration, which may partly explain the pharmacodynamic diversity of ginsenosides after oral dose.     

Evolution of weak noise and regular waves on dissipative shock fronts described by the Burgers model

The interaction of weak noise and regular signals with a shock wave having a finite width is studied in the framework of the Burgers equation model. The temporal realization of the random process located behind the front approaches it at supersonic speed. In the process of moving to the front, the intensity of noise decreases and the correlation time increases. In the central region of the shock front, noise reveals non-trivial behaviour. For large acoustic Reynolds numbers the average intensity can increase and reach a maximum value at a definite distance. The behaviour of statistical characteristics is studied using linearized Burgers equation with variable coefficients reducible to an autonomous equation. This model allows one to take into account not only the finite width of the front, but the attenuation and diverse character of initial profiles and spectra as well. Analytical solutions of this equation are derived. Interaction of regular signals of complex shape with the front is studied by numerical methods. Some illustrative examples of ongoing processes are given. Among possible applications, the controlling the spectra of signals, in particular, noise suppression by irradiating it with shocks or sawtooth waves can be mentioned.     

Singularities and spectral asymptotics of a random nonlinear wave in a nondispersive system

In this paper, we study the propagation of high-intensity acoustic noise in free space and in waveguide systems. A mathematical model generalizing the Burgers equation is used. It describes the nonlinear wave evolution inside tubes of variable cross-section, as well as in ray tubes, if the geometric approximation for heterogeneous media is used. The generalized equation transforms to the common Burgers equation with a dissipative parameter, known as the “Reynolds–Goldberg number”. In our model, this number depends on the distance travelled by the wave. With a zero “viscous” dissipative term, the model reduces to the Riemann (or Hopf) equation. Its solution presents the field by an implicit function. The spectral form of this solution makes it possible to derive explicit expressions for both dynamic and statistical characteristics of intense waves. The use of a spectral approach allowed us to describe the high-intensity noise in media with zero and finite viscosity. Applicability conditions of these solutions are defined. Since the phase matching is fulfilled for any triplet of interacting spectral components, there is an avalanche-like increase in the number of harmonics and the formation of shocks. The relationship between these discontinuities and other singularities and the high-frequency asymptotic of intense noise is studied. The possibility is shown to enhance nonlinear effects in waveguide systems during the evolution of noise.     

大口径石英基底衍射透镜的高精度制备方法

针对传统接触式曝光过程中掩模版因自身重力产生形变从而引入不可忽视的线宽误差和位置误差的问题,提出了一种大口径石英基底衍射透镜的高精度制备方法.采用背面具有真空道的高平面度、高强度金属校正工装吸附在掩模版上,利用掩模版上下表面的压强差使其与工装高度贴合,确保掩模版的高平面度.待石英基底所有区域均与掩模版结构面紧密贴合后取下工装.完成接触式曝光和显影后,采用反应离子刻蚀技术对大口径石英基底进行刻蚀,最终得到高精度微纳米结构.经有限元分析,使用该校正工装后,掩模版的形变量由28.85μm减小为0.88μm.实验结果表明,采用该方法制备的口径430mm两台阶石英基底菲涅尔衍射透镜波像差优于1/25λ,平均衍射效率为38.24%,达到理论值的94.35%,具有良好的聚焦和光学成像效果.     

Portable,Ambient PM2.5 Sensor for Human and/or Animal Exposure Studies

A field-portable device for logging PM_2.5 mass concentration data has been developed. The device combines the Arduino microprocessor with an SD card, a Sharp DN7C3CA006 optical dust monitor, and 10,000-mAh battery. The dust sensor uses a virtual impactor to size select particles <2.5 microns prior to illuminating the selected fraction with an LED. The LED is triggered by a circuit controlled with the Arduino. Nephelometric detection at 120° referenced to incidence is used. The voltage signal reported by the dust sensor is converted to PM_2.5 mass through calibration onboard the Arduino. Data points can be saved to the SD card as rapidly as 0.3?s, although averaging signals over 60?s produced more optimal detection limits. For a 60?s average, the PM_2.5 mass limit of detection was 9?µg?m^?3, indicating that the sensor will be useful for monitoring human exposure to fine particles. Portable exposure monitoring has been demonstrated with the sensing platform as several individuals carried the device with them during daily activities in Lubbock, TX and Atlanta, GA. For this group of test subjects, values of PM_2.5 exposure varied from 0 to 1000?µg?m^?3 during the sampling periods. It was observed that, by far, the highest levels of PM_2.5 occur during periods of cooking, or being near cooking operations. Other periods of high PM_2.5 occurred during ground transportation, use of personal care products, vacuuming, and visiting restrooms. When hourly personal exposure data were correlated with hourly average PM_2.5 for outdoor air for the Atlanta data set, a very weak correlation was found (R²?=?0.026). Only two out of eight sampling periods did the personal monitoring estimate of exposure agree with that predicted by outdoor monitoring to within 15%. Personal exposure was often affected by circumstantial, short-term, high exposure events that are difficult to model or predict effectively. The short-term exposure events generally cause true exposure to be higher than that predicted by using outdoor ambient PM_2.5 to generate estimates. This finding complicates interpretation of epidemiological studies that find links between ambient outdoor PM_2.5 levels and human health, while it buttresses the case for using personal ambient monitors.     

低浓度含铅细颗粒物暴露大鼠体内生物转运研究

食品接触性塑料制品、可再生资源、汽车尾气中含有低浓度铅。铅等重金属体内蓄积严重影响机体健康,但机体长期暴露于铅环境的代谢依然未知。以低剂量含铅细颗粒物暴露为场景,探讨其在大鼠体内的生物转运及体内分布。通过比较每日吸入染毒(7.05±0.83)μg/m~3及经口染毒0.42μg/d,连续染毒28d。结果显示含铅细颗粒物入血的速度比经口途径快,在肺内蓄积浓度达(4.2±0.67)μg/g,与经口染毒组比较有显著统计学差异(P0.01);排泄方面,吸入含铅细颗粒物以粪便、尿液形式排出为主,与经口染毒组比较具有体内蓄积量大、排泄慢、在股骨和肋骨内蓄积量大的特点。因此,吸入含铅细颗粒物暴露体内蓄积量大,代谢速度慢,暴露危害比经口途径更大。     

液电冲击波的实验研究

本文用水下电火花微爆炸产生重复性极佳的球形冲击波,用双曝光全息干涉法测量了液电冲击波的传播,并观察到冲击波与水下电极之间的相互作用.实验结果表明此法适用于液电冲击波的测量,特别适用于由冲击波波前位移来确定其峰值压力分布.     

Investigation of shrinkage-induced stresses in stereolithography photo-curable resins

An experimental study has been undertaken to investigate the shrinkage characteristics of acrylic-based and epoxy-based stereolithography (SL) photopolymer resin systems after they have been laser cured and post-cured under ultraviolet (UV), and thermal exposure. The induced residual stresses and strains were determined by the shadow moiré and the hole-drilling strain-gage methods. Out-of-plane displacements (warpage) of acrylic-based post-cured resin plates were recorded by means of the shadow moiré method and correlated to the shrinkage strains by theoretical analysis. The induced residual stresses in the epoxy-based cylindrical resin specimens were determined from strains of three-element strain-gage rosettes of the blind-hole drilling method. Results are presented for the shrinkage stresses and strains for both material systems as a function of the post-curing process (UV, thermal). It was found that the shrinkage strains in the acrylic-based photopolymer resin were of considerable magnitude, while thermal post-curing resulted in higher shrinkage stresses for both material systems. The values of the shrinkage stresses compare well with those of the existing literature.     

Determination of trans,trans‐muconic acid in workers' urine through ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the biological monitoring of benzene‐exposed workers has been developed through ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The method uses trans,trans‐muconic acid in urine as the benzene‐exposure biomarker. The method was developed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with enough sensitivity to facilitate diluting and injecting the urine samples directly, rather than performing a solid‐phase extraction procedure as is common in the available protocols. Moreover, compared with a conventional high‐pressure liquid chromatography system, the separation power provided by the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography system allows a 10‐fold reduction in run time. The method was adjusted to a dynamic range of between 198.9 and 4916.7 µg/L to cover the biological exposure index of trans,trans‐muconic acid in urine. Also, the method demonstrated intra‐day and inter‐day precision at 98%, and accuracy within an acceptable range of 101 ± 8%. The method has been used to quantify various types of urine samples, such as workers' urine and inter‐laboratory proficiency tests. Depending on the sample, the quantified levels ranged from less than the limit of quantitation to 3836.7 µg/L. No levels exceeding the calibration range were detected in the urine of workers, and the reported concentrations in urine for the proficiency tests were, as expected, based on known values. Moreover, the new method using sample dilution and faster chromatographic run was more effective, facilitating fast communication of results, as needed, to decision‐makers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.