Evaluation of occupational noise pollution and attitudes of exposed workers in two metal industries

The purpose of the present study was to determined noise levels and to show the annoyance reaction, hearing loss, hearing impairment by the workers due to the occupational noise exposure according to Iran development of Environment （IDE） and also awareness about effects of noise and use of hearing protective devices （HPD） in the two manufacturing electronic equipment （metal） industries. The present study was carried out among industrial workers and included a sample of lao workers, site 1 （n = 52） and site 2 （n = 78） from two metal industries located in south eastern Iran province of Kerman. In order to attend the objectives of the current study, noise levels evaluation was determined throughout all different work stations in both industries. The results of the study revealed that noise levels in 75% of the stations are higher than limits used for assessment of noise for community response. The result of the study indicated that noise levels in the workplace are （66%） very high, （28%） high and only 6% low. Workers having higher education are much aware of the health impact due to occupational noise. Chi-square analysis indicated that the difference in educational background and not wearing HPD was significant and also a significant relationship was also observed between the impact of occupational noise on the health and education status. This research has clearly demonstrated that the workers in both the metal industries included in this study are at high risk of developing noise induced hearing loss and other associated ailments due to excessive occupational exposure to noise. There is a need to develop and apply a well-defined, comprehensive and enforceable training programs and noise regulation. The study revealed that the workers having higher education （9-12 grades） are much aware of the health impact due to occupational noise exposure. There is a need to establish a hearing conservation programs in both industries, the components of such program include noise assessment, use of hearing protection devices, audiometric and increasing awareness among the workers about the adverse effects of noise.     

FeNH4(SO4)2·12H2O (alum)-catalyzed preparation of 1,4-dihydropyridines: improved conditions for the Hantzsch reaction

Abstract  

FeNH₄(SO₄)₂·12H₂O (alum) efficiently catalyzes the one-pot three-component reaction of dimedone, aldehydes, and 3-aminocrotonate to afford 1,4-dihydropyridines. The work-up is easy, and the products are obtained in good to excellent yields and high purity.     

Monitoring the effects of homogeneity methanol/water/monomer on the mode of polymerization of styrene: dispersion polymerization versus emulsion polymerization

The polymerization of styrene (St) was carried out with varying amounts of methanol in aqueous medium. As methanol content decreased (to 50 %), the phase of polymerization mixture (methanol/water/monomer) changed to a heterogeneous state; the homogeneous state was obtained in samples that contain 75 and 100 % methanol. In order to verify the mechanism of polymerization in heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures, the nucleus formation rate during polymerization, the stability equilibrium of the media and seeded particles, and the size of particles and their growth in polymerization were experimentally being monitored. With the homogeneous mixture in 75 wt% methanol, dumbbell, triangle, and peanut-like particles have been formed. On the other hand, the characteristics of the polymerization products were different from those typically obtained in the emulsion polymerization and in the sample with 100 wt% methanol dispersion polymerization. In the sample with 100 % methanol and in one with 50 % methanol, monodispersed spherical particles are formed in the final conversion. Thus, homogeneity in the aqueous methanol mixture can be a critical factor in determining the polymerization modes between dispersion and emulsion polymerization.     

Controlling morphology and structure of nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) by tailoring solvothermal processing parameters

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) with different morphologies was successfully prepared by solvothermal process by controlling the processing parameters, including nature of precursor and solvent, reaction temperature and process time. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that, in all cases highly pure and crystallized CdS with hexagonal structure were obtained. In addition, it was found that the processing parameters influence on preferable growth direction of CdS nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis showed that CdS nanowires with different aspect ratios were obtained (depending upon the reaction temperature and process time) in presence of sulfur powder and ethylenediamine, whereas CdS nanoparticles were produced by sulfur powder and ethanolamine. Moreover, CdS nanorods were prepared using thiourea and ethylenediamine. Transmission electron microscope image confirmed that CdS nanowire with one of the highest aspect ratio reported in the literature (i.e., 255) was achieved using sulfur powder and ethylenediamine at 200 °C reaction temperature for 72 h process time. UV–Vis absorption spectra of CdS nanostructures prepared under different conditions displayed a blue shift relative to that of bulk CdS due to the quantum size effect.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new lithium cyclohexaphosphate hydrate: Li6P6O18·10H2O

The synthesis and crystal structure of a novel hydrate of lithium cyclohexaphosphate are reported. Li₆P₆O₁₈·10H₂O crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a = 15.113(5), b = 12.006(2), c = 15.892(2) Å, = 122.85(2)°, and Z = 4. The structure consists of P₆O₁₈ ring layers stacked along the c direction in between which are located the lithiumions and water molecules. Two LiO₄ tetrahedra share common edges with LiO₅ pseudosquare pyramids to form two independant Li₃O₉ units. About 50% of the water molecules have fractional occupancy rates and form fragments of molecules. A linear relationship is established between the relative cell volume V/Z and the hydration degree, n, for all the known hydrates: Li₆P₆O₁₈·nH₂O.     

Design and development of a fiber-optic immunosensor utilizing near-infrared fluorophores

The design and application of a fluorescent fiber-optic immunosensor (FFOI) are reported. The FFOI is utilized for the detection of antibody/antigen binding within the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region. The technique is developed through the combined use of fiber-optic, semiconductor laser-excitation, fluorescence detection, NIR dye, and immunochemical techniques. The antibody is immobilized on the FFOI and utilized as a recognition component for trace amounts of specific antigen. The FFOI is constructed to utilize an antibody sandwich technique. The assay involves the immobilization of the capture antibody on the sensing tip of the FFOI followed by the exposure of the immobilized sensing tip to the antigen. The antigen-coated FFOI is then introduced to a second antibody previously labeled with the NIR dye. Typical measurements are performed in about 15 min. A semiconductor laser provides the excitation (780 nm) of the immune complex. The resulting emission is detected by a silicon photodiode detector (820 nm). The intensity of the resulting fluorescence is directly proportional to the concentration of the antigen. The sensitivity of the analysis reaches 10 ng/ml and the response time is 10–15 min.     

Development of the analytical methods and reference materials program for dietary supplements at the National Institutes of Health

The need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and measure constituents in dietary supplements is essential. Such methods allow for the documentation that products meet manufacturer's specifications and contain what their labels declare. In March 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule that would establish specific current good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements. This proposed rule requires that companies create a quality control unit to set specifications and ensure compliance with these specifications using scientifically valid procedures. This report provides insights and lessons learned from 3 meetings the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health helped organize. These meetings were structured to (1) educate individuals about the importance and need for validated analytical methods and reference materials to identify and quantify constituents of dietary supplements; (2) identify resources required to fulfill this need; and (3) serve as a platform to obtain input from interested parties to help frame the research agenda for the Dietary Supplements Methods and Reference Materials Program within ODS. Stakeholder's opinions and views expressed at these 3 meetings are outlined in this report.     

Synthesis of Some Novel γ-Spirolactones

Summary. We report on the addition of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate to 1-alkylisatins or tryptanthrine in the presence of triphenylphosphine which leads to highly functionalised novel unsaturated -spirolactones.     

A Calculation of the Culler-shalen Seminorms Associated to Small Seifert Dehn Fillings

We determine the relationship between the multiplicities ofthe zeros of certain rational functions defined on the SL₂(C)and PSL₂C character varieties of knot exteriors. This leadsto a formula for the Culler–Shalen seminorms associatedto small Seifert Dehn fillings of such manifolds. 2000 MathematicsSubject Classification: 57M05, 57M27, 57R65.