Whole-body vibration: Evaluation of emission and exposure levels arising from agricultural tractors

A study was conducted to quantify whole-body vibration (WBV) emission and estimated exposure levels found upon a range of modern, state-of-the-art agricultural tractors, when operated in controlled conditions (traversing ISO ride vibration test tracks and performing selected agricultural operations) and whilst performing identical tasks during ‘on-farm’ use. The potential consequences of operator WBV exposure limitations, as prescribed by the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive:2002 (PA(V)D), upon tractor usage patterns were considered. Tractor WBV emission levels were found to be very dependent upon the nature of field operation performed, but largely independent of vehicle suspension system capability (due to the dominance of horizontal vibration). However, this trend was reversed during on-road transport. Few examples (9%) of tractor field operations approached or exceeded the PA(V)D Exposure Limit Value (ELV) during 8 h operation, but this figure increased (to 27%) during longer working days. However virtually all (95%) ‘on-farm’ vehicles exceeded the Exposure Action Value (EAV) during an 8-h day. The PA(V)D is not likely to restrict the operation of large, state-of-the-art tractors during an 8-h day, but will become a limitation if the working day lengthens significantly. Further ‘on-farm’ WBV data collection is required to enable creation of a robust, generic WBV emission database for agricultural tractor operations, to enable estimation of likely WBV exposure by employers.     

Diffusion Studies on Polystyrene in 1,4-Dioxane

The diffusion behavior of polystyrene with narrow molecular weight distribution at 20℃ in 1, 4-dioxane was investigated by the photon correlation spectroscopy. The cumulant method was employed for the analysis of the intensity-intensity autocorrelation function measured over a wide range of the scattering vector. The diffusion coefficient D was determined as the function of concentration C in the molecular weight range of 3. 0×104-1. 20×106. In a low concentration range, D was found to be linearly dependent on C, which has been found for some other systems. The dependence of D on molecular weight at infinite dilution can be written as an empirical formula D0 = kDM-γ M, the exponent γ(0. 576 ±0. 01) is in good agreement with the result of the scaling theory.     

碳和硼的笼状原子簇及其关系

碳笼烯C_(60)的发现及碳笼烷C-(60)H_(60)的制备,激励人们去探索合成新的碳元素类似物和其它元素的类似物。本文利用碳和硼的笼型烷烃的化学键和几何特征,讨论碳和硼的笼状原子簇骨架的共轭关系,推导其中一些高对称化合物的原子数和几何结构,并讨论其稳定性。 1 碳和硼的笼状原子簇骨架的共轭关系     

Evaluation of the risk of noise-induced hearing loss among unscreened male industrial workers

Variability in background risk and distribution of various risk factors for hearing loss may explain some of the diversity in excess risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This paper examines the impact of various risk factors on excess risk estimates of NIHL using data from the 1968-1972 NIOSH Occupational Noise and Hearing Survey (ONHS). Previous analyses of a subset of these data focused on 1172 highly "screened" workers. In the current analysis, an additional 894 white males (609 noise-exposed and 285 controls), who were excluded for various reasons (i.e., nonoccupational noise exposure, otologic or medical conditions affecting hearing, prior occupational noise exposure) have been added 2066) to assess excess risk of noise-induced material impairment in an unscreened population. Data are analyzed by age, duration of exposure, and sound level (8-h TWA) for four different definitions of noise-induced hearing impairment, defined as the binaural pure-tone average (PTA) hearing threshold level greater than 25 dB for the following frequencies: (a) 1-4 kHz (PTA1234), (b) 1-3 kHz (PTA123), (c) 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz (PTA512), and (d) 3, 4, and 6 kHz (PTA346). Results indicate that populations with higher background risks of hearing loss may show lower excess risks attributable to noise relative to highly screened populations. Estimates of lifetime excess risk of hearing impairment were found to be significantly different between screened and unscreened population for noise levels greater than 90 dBA. Predicted age-related risk of material hearing impairment in the ONHS unscreened population was similar to that predicted from Annex B and C of ANSI S3.44 for ages less than 60 years. Results underscore the importance of understanding differential risk patterns for hearing loss and the use of appropriate reference (control) populations when evaluating risk of noise-induced hearing impairment among contemporary industrial populations.