Spatial energy estimates in dynamical problems for a semi-infinite piezoelectric beam

The behaviour of the total energy for a semi-infinite piezoelectricbeam, with uniform or variable cross-section, in dynamical conditionsis investigated. Precisely, we obtain some estimates in termsof the data for the energy of the portion of the body at distancegreater than z from the base and for its norm in L¹(0,t) (wheret is an arbitrary positive time). We obtain some estimates whichdepend on the initial data if t z/V (where V is a computablepositive material constant); if t > z/V, by using also theKorn inequality, we show that the bounds depend on all the data.Under mild hypotheses on the initial data we derive the asymptoticbehaviour of the energy as z +. All possible combinations ofboundary conditions are examined and the kind of the estimateis formally the same for all the problems whether the beam isa cylinder or not.     

Electron beam radiation effects on UHMWPE: an EPR study

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique has been employed to detect and characterise a series of different radical species generated in ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) via electron beam irradiation. Three different radical species have been found and assigned on the basis of their EPR spectra and of the related computer simulations. A secondary alkyl species, the prevalent one, is present immediately after irradiation, an allyl species appears only 24 h after irradiation when the alkyl species disappears.The third species, clearly visible at high microwave power only, has been observed for the first time and assigned to a tertiary alkyl carbon radical, whose formation is strictly connected with a Y‐shape crosslink and a migration of the unpaired electron on a carbon atom localised in an adjacent position. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EPR study of the relationship between ultra high molecular weight polyethylene structure and radicals formed during irradiation with high energy sources

Three different samples of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene have been irradiated with a high energy source (electron beam), and radicals have been generated. Different radical species have been assigned on the basis of their electron paramagnetic resonance spectra. Electron paramagnetic resonance data have been used also to evaluate the amount of each kind of radical that has been generated on different starting materials. The structure of the polymer (number of double bonds or crystallinity) is strictly connected to the response of the sample itself to the irradiation. A rationalization between these different parameters has been performed in order to evaluate the stability of polymer samples toward high energy irradiation processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid chromatography time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry evaluation of fungicides reactivity in free chlorine containing water samples

Liquid chromatography (LC) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), based on the use of a hybrid quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass analyzer, was used to investigate the reactivity of nine fungicides in free chlorine‐containing water samples. Three of the selected compounds (fenhexamid, FEN; pyrimethanil, PYR; and cyprodinil, CYP) displayed a poor stability in presence of moderate chlorine levels; thus, the effects of different parameters on their half‐lives (t_1/2) were evaluated. Sample pH, bromide traces, and the water matrix affected their relative stabilities. Despite such variations, the three fungicides are degraded at significant rates not only in ultrapure, but also in surface water spiked with chlorine levels up to 2 µg ml^?1, and when mixed with chlorinated tap water, generating several transformation products (TPs). The time‐course of precursor species and their TPs was followed in the LC‐MS mode, using the information contained in accurate, full scan mass spectra (MS) to propose the empirical formulae of TPs. Thereafter, their ion product scan (MS/MS) spectra were considered to set their chemical structures; allowing, in some cases, to distinguish between isomeric TPs. The reaction pathway of FEN, the less stable fungicide, involved just an electrophilic substitution of hydrogen per chlorine, or bromine, and cleavage of the molecule to render an amide. PYR and CYP shared common reaction routes consisting of halogenation, hydroxylation, and condensation processes leading to complex mixtures of TPs, which were relatively stable to further transformations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generation and EPR characterization of color centers at the surface of ionic oxides

The activation of the surface of high surface area alkali-earth oxides to form surface color centers is described in detail. Two methods (the radiative coloring and the additive coloring by means of vapors of low ionization energy metals) have been adopted to form surface electron excess centers of various complexity. The EPR technique is essential to describe the nature and the structural features of the paramagnetic centers. The electron rich surface quickly reacts with a variety of adsorbed molecules forming adsorbed anions and radical anions. Two examples of such reactivity are illustrated in the final part of the paper.     

GUIDELINES FOR WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

There is strong epidemiological evidence that occupational exposure to WBV is associated with an increased risk of low back pain (LBP), sciatic pain, and degenerative changes in the spinal system, including lumbar intervertebral disc disorders. A prototype health surveillance scheme for WBV is presented in this paper. Surveillance is the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data for the purpose of prevention. The aims are to assess health status and diagnose vibration-induced disorders at an early stage, to inform the workers on the potential risk associated with vibration exposure, to give preventive advice to employers and employees and to control whether preventive measures which have been taken, were successful. It is suggested that a pre-placement health examination should be offered to each worker who will be exposed to WBV so as to make the worker aware of the hazards, to obtain baseline health data, and to identify medical conditions that may increase the risk due to WBV. The case history should focus on personal history, work history, and leisure activities involving driving of vehicles. The personal medical history should detail back pain complaints, disorders in the spine, any injuries or surgery to the musculoskeletal system. A physical examination on the lower back should be performed on workers who have experienced LBP symptoms over the past 12 months. The preplacement examination should be followed by periodic health reassessment with a regular interval according to the legislation of the country. It is suggested that periodic medical examination should be made available at least every 2 years to all workers who are exposed to WBV. Any change in vibration exposure at the workplace should be reported by the employer. If an increase in vibration exposure or a change in health status have occurred, the medical re-examination should be offered at shorter intervals at the discretion of the attending physician. There should be a periodic medical examination, which includes recording any change in exposure to WBV. The findings for the individual should be compared with previous examinations. Group data should also be compiled periodically. Medical removal may be considered along with re-placement in working practices without exposure to WBV. This paper presents opinions on health surveillance for whole-body vibration developed within a working group of partners funded on a European Community Network (BIOMED2 concerted action BMH4-CT98-3251: Research network on detection and prevention of injuries due to occupational vibration exposures). The health surveillance protocol and the draft questionnaire with explanation comments are presented for wider consideration by the science community and others before being considered appropriate for implementation.