Real-time air monitoring of occupational exposures to particulate matter among hairdressers in Maryland: A pilot study

Hairdressers are exposed to particulate matter (PM), a known air pollutant linked to adverse health effects. Still, studies on occupational PM exposures in hair salons are sparse. We characterized indoor air PM concentrations in three salons primarily serving an African/African American (AA) clientele, and three Dominican salons primarily serving a Latino clientele. We also assessed the performance of low-cost sensors (uRAD, Flow, AirVisual) by comparing them to high-end sensors (DustTrak) to conduct air monitoring in each salon over 3 days to quantify work shift concentrations of PM_2.5, respirable PM (RPM), and PM₁₀. We observed high spatial and temporal variability in 30-min time-weighted average (TWA) RPM concentrations (0.18–5518 μg/m³). Readings for the uRAD and AirVisual sensors were highly correlated with the DustTrak (R² = 0.90–0.99). RPM 8-hour TWAs ranged from 18 to 383 µg/m³ for AA salons, and 9–2115 µg/m³ for Dominican salons. Upper 95th percentiles of daily RPM exposures ranged from 439 to 2669 µg/m³. The overall range of 30-min TWA PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations was 0.13–5497 and 0.36-,541 μg/m³, respectively. Findings suggest that hairdressers could be overexposed to RPM during an 8-hour shift. Additional comprehensive monitoring studies are warranted to further characterize temporal and spatial variability of PM exposures in this understudied occupational population.     

粗析2009—2014年年均增长率达到10%的杀虫剂品种

本文为江苏省农药研究所股份有限公司陈燕玲撰写的"2014年世界杀虫剂市场概况"(见《现代农药》Vol.15,No.2)一文的补充。并对2009—2014年年均增长率达到10%的杀虫剂较大品种予以粗浅的分析。     

Classroom ventilation and indoor air quality—results from the FRESH intervention study

Inadequate ventilation of classrooms may lead to increased concentrations of pollutants generated indoors in schools. The FRESH study, on the effects of increased classroom ventilation on indoor air quality, was performed in 18 naturally ventilated classrooms of 17 primary schools in the Netherlands during the heating seasons of 2010–2012. In 12 classrooms, ventilation was increased to targeted CO₂ concentrations of 800 or 1200 ppm, using a temporary CO₂ controlled mechanical ventilation system. Six classrooms were included as controls. In each classroom, data on endotoxin, β(1,3)‐glucans, and particles with diameters of <10 μm (PM₁₀) and <2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were collected during three consecutive weeks. Associations between the intervention and these measured indoor air pollution levels were assessed using mixed models, with random classroom effects. The intervention lowered endotoxin and β(1,3)‐glucan levels and PM₁₀ concentrations significantly. PM₁₀ for instance was reduced by 25 μg/m³ (95% confidence interval 13–38 μg/m³) from 54 μg/m³ at maximum ventilation rate. No significant differences were found between the two ventilation settings. Concentrations of PM_2.5 and NO₂ were not affected by the intervention. Our results provide evidence that increasing classroom ventilation is effective in decreasing the concentrations of some indoor‐generated pollutants.     

Modeling the dynamic properties of fibre-reinforced concrete with different coating technologies of multifilament yarns

The dynamic behaviour of fibre-reinforced, cementitious composite materials is gaining increasing interest. With respect to service life dynamic loading just under the elastic limit of the material at hand is relevant to practical applications, for the resulting (stress-)waves may be focused within regions of the heterogeneous composite material. This local overstraining of the material may lead to deterioration of the structural element. In this contribution, the effect of the set-up of the reinforcing fibres on the wave scattering behaviour is investigated. Special attention is paid to layered centric configurations of these fibres, as it occurs e. g. within textile-reinforced concrete (TRC). A mechanical model is developed and solved analytically providing an efficient and robust method to describe the dynamic behaviour of given fibre configurations. This method is needed for materials which have to be described mechanically before the manufacturing process – as it is the case for TRC. The proposed model also allows for planning experiments and thus is of additional value. It is shown that the inner structure of the fibres does influence the amplitude response spectra and consequently the proposed method also may be used for non-destructively detecting the inner structure of the multifilament yarns and other related objects.     

大气颗粒物及其组成研究进展(上)

颗粒物是空气中最重要的污染物之一,由于颗粒物表面的吸附作用,其组分非常复杂,其中含有多种有毒有害的化学成分,对大气环境造成不良影响,并危及人体健康。借助大气颗粒物及其组成成分的测定,通过污染源解析分析其来源及影响因素,控制大气颗粒物的排放,对于保证大气环境质量、改善人们的生存环境具有重大意义。本文对此进行综述。着重介绍大气颗粒物及其组成成分、源解析及测量技术的最新进展。     

Thermodynamic Analysis of Thermal Efficiency of HTR-10 Hydrogen Production System

This paper presents thermodynamic analysis of the thermal efficiency of the 10 MW high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTR-10) hydrogen production system. The global reaction for the equilibrium reaction model is introduced. An analytical expression for the thermal efficiency is developed using the global reaction. For the specified temperature and pressure the thermal efficiency can be computed with the solution of the equilibrium. The investigation provides a more realistic limit for the efficiency of the nuclear hydrogen production system. The influence of the temperature, latent heat, steam-to-carbon ratio and pressure on the thermal efficiency is analyzed. Varying the temperature there is a maximum thermal efficiency for the specified pressure and steam-to-carbon ratio. The latent heat influences the thermal efficiency significantly, especially at the high temperature condition. Also varying the steam-to-carbon ratio there is a maximum thermal efficiency for the specified pressure and temperature. The process should be operated with high steam-to-carbon ratio to obtain maximum thermal efficiency when the reforming temperature is low and pressure is high. The maximum value is 68.9% within the range of the pressure greater than 1 MPa and steam-to-carbon ratio greater than 2. Comparison of theoretical results to experimental data is carried out.     

Effects of temperature,pH and light on the stability of aloin A and characterisation of its major degradation products

This study explored the stability and degradation products of aloin A under varying pH, temperature and light conditions usually encountered in processing. The stability of aloin A was significantly affected by temperature and pH. The content of aloin A decreased by more than 90% within 12 h at 50 °C and within 6 h at 70 °C, respectively. A significant decrease in stability was also observed at higher pHs. At pH 8.0, less than 2% of aloin A remained within 12 h. However, aloin A exhibited good stability at acidic pH levels with 94% remaining at pH 2.0 for 14 days. Light exerted no influence on the stability during the experimental period (14 days). Aloe‐emodin, elgonica‐dimers A and B were characterised as major degradation products of aloin A at pH 5.0 or below, and elgonica‐dimers were mainly formed at 4 °C as well. 10‐hydroxyaloins A and B were found under any condition except at pH 2.0 and 3.0, and they were mainly formed under high temperature, neutral‐basic and any light conditions.     

Bioavailability Assessment of Oral Coenzyme Q10 Formulations in Dogs

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the bioavailability of three coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) formulations in dogs using an open, randomized, multiple-dose crossover design. The formulations included a powder-filled capsule (A, control) and two soft gelatin formulations (Q-Gel ® as the water-miscible form of CoQ10, B and Q-Nol?as the water-miscible form of ubiquinol, the reduced form of CoQ10, C). Formulations were evaluated in pairs, allowing a washout period of 14 days prior to crossing over. Blood samples were collected from each animal prior to dosing to determine the endogenous plasma CoQ10 concentrations. Serial blood samples were collected for 72 hr and plasma CoQ10 concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma concentration–time profiles were corrected for endogenous CoQ10 concentrations. Results showed that the relative bioavailabilities of formulations B and C were approximately 3.6 and 6.2-fold higher than that of control formulation A. The AUC(µg. hr/mL)±SD, C_max(µg/mL)±SD, and T_max(hr)± SD for formulations A, B, and C were 1.695±0.06, 6.097±0.08, and 10.510±0.10; 0.096±0.035, 0.169±0.038, and 0.402±0.102; and 4.2±1.48, 4.1±1.57, and 4.5±0.58, respectively. While no significant differences were observed between T_max values of the three formulations, the AUC and C_max values for formulations B and C were significantly higher than those of the control (p<0.05). The present investigation demonstrates that soft gelatin capsules containing water-miscible CoQ10 formulations B (Q-Gel®) and C (Q-Nol?) are superior to powder-filled formulations with regard to their biopharmaceutical characteristics.     

Broadband and knowledge intensive firm clusters: Essential link or auxiliary connection?

This study evaluates the relationship between the spatial distribution of broadband providers and the presence of knowledge intensive firm clusters in US counties. Results highlight this relationship is heterogeneous and localized. In some places, broadband appears to be an essential link that enables knowledge firms to strategically locate in lower cost counties and in close proximity to major knowledge centres. In other places, the availability of broadband Internet connections are unable the negative externalities associated with locations in more remote areas of the country. From a policy perspective, this suggests that broadband should be viewed as a key component, but not the only component, of comprehensive local economic development plans.