Evaluation of thermal environment and human thermal comfort in 8 types of public places from 2019 to 2021 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the thermal environment of different types of public places and the thermal comfort of employees, so as to provide scientific basis for the establishment of microclimate standards and health supervision requirements. Methods: From June 2019 to December 2021, 50 public places (178 times) of 8 categories in Wuxi were selected, including hotels, swimming pools (gymnasiums), bathing places, shopping malls (supermarkets), barber shops, beauty shops, waiting rooms (bus station) and gyms. In summer and winter, microclimate indicators such as temperature and wind speed were measured in all kinds of places, combined with the work attire and physical activity of employees in the places. Fanger thermal comfort equation and center for the built environment (CBE) thermal comfort calculation tool were used to evaluate the predicted mean vote (PMV), predicted percent dissatisfied (PPD) and standard effective temperature (SET) according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 55-2020. The modification effects of seasonal and temperature control conditions on thermal comfort were analyzed. The consistency of GB 37488-2019 "Hygienic Indicators and Limits in Public Places" and ASHRAE 55-2020 evaluation results on thermal environment was compared. Results: The thermal sensation of hotel, barber shop staff and the gym front-desk staff were moderate, while the thermal sensation of swimming place lifeguard, bathing place cleaning staff and gym trainer were slightly warm in summer and winter. Waiting room (bus station) cleaning and working staff, shopping mall staff felt slightly warm in summer and moderate in winter. Service staff in bathing places felt slightly warm in winter, while staff in beauty salons felt slightly cool in winter. The thermal comfort compliance of hotel cleaning staff and shopping mall staff in summer was lower than that in winter (χ(2)=7.01, 7.22, P=0.008, 0.007). The thermal comfort compliance of shopping mall staff in the condition of air conditioning off was higher than that in the condition of air conditioning on (χ(2)=7.01, P=0.008). The SET values of front-desk staff in hotels with different health supervision levels were significantly different (F=3.30, P=0.024). The PPD value and SET value of the front-desk staff, and the PPD value of cleaning staff of hotels above three stars were lower than those of hotels below three stars (P<0.05). The thermal comfort compliance of front-desk staff and cleaning staff in hotels above three stars was higher than that in hotels below three stars (χ(2)=8.33, 8.09, P=0.016, 0.018). The consistency of the two criteria was highest among waiting room (bus station) staff (100.0%, 1/1) and lowest among gym front-desk staff (0%, 0/2) and waiting room (bus station) cleaning staff (0%, 0/1) . Conclusion: There are different degrees of thermal discomfort in different seasons, under the condition of air conditioning and health supervision, and the microclimate indicators can not fully reflect the thermal comfort of human body. The health supervision of microclimate should be strengthened, the applicability of health standard limit value should be evaluated in many aspects, and the thermal comfort of occupational group should be improved.

Investigation on "Fengshi (GB 31) for treating wind disorders" / 中国针灸

From the perspective of academic history, the paper reviews systematically the background and evolution of the understanding of "Fengshi (GB 31) for treating wind disorders". In the ancient literature, there are no direct relevant statement for the indication of Fengshi (GB 31) associated with "wind", and the consensus on "Fengshi for treating wind disorders" has not been made yet. Under the influence of acupoint theory in recent era and the syndrome differentiation for acupuncture treatment in modern time, this statement becomes a conventional understanding and acceptable gradually. Meanwhile, the understanding for Fengshi (GB 31) treating wind disorders tends to be generalized. Practically, Fengshi (GB 31) is applicable for the various disorders in the local and adjacent areas. It is necessary for modern acupuncture researchers to systematically collate, investigate and identify the knowledge content with a sense of familiarity so that the contemporary inheritance, development and application of traditional theoretical knowledge of acupuncture can be enhanced.

Ingreso de nitrógeno y fósforo al lago Atitlán (Guatemala) vía deposición atmosférica / Input of Nitrogen and Phosphorus to Lake Atitlán (Guatemala) via atmospheric deposition

La deposición de nutrientes por vía atmosférica tiene graves impactos sobre la ecología de bosques y cuerpos de agua templados. Sin embargo, su importancia en cuerpos de agua neotropicales casi no ha sido estudiada. En este artículo se cuantifica la contribución de nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto (NID, [NO3--N + NH4+-N]) y fósforo inorgánico soluble (FIS, [PO4-3-P]) depositados en bulto sobre superficies húmedas por vía atmosférica hacia el lago Atitlán (Guatemala). Las cargas estimadas de NID y FIS consecuencia de la deposición atmosférica directa (depositada sobre la superficie del lago) fueron de 151.2 ton/año y 5.6 ton/año, respectivamente. Con estos resulta-dos, se estima que el aporte de FIS por deposición atmosférica al lago Atitlán es comparable al de sus principales ríos tributarios, y de casi el doble para el ingreso de NID. Las estimaciones para el lago Atitlán son mayores que lo reportado para otros lagos. Nuestro estudio proporciona información básica para entender la eutrofización del lago Atitlán, enfatizado en la importancia de la deposición atmosférica como contribuyente al deterioro de este cuerpo de agua. Además, demuestra la necesidad de extender este tipo de estudio a otras cuencas neotropicales y la importancia de minimizar este impacto.

Atmospheric nutrient deposition has serious impacts on the ecology of forests and temperate water bodies nevertheless its importance in Neotropical water bodies has hardly been studied. Here we quantify the contribution of bulk atmospheric deposition on wet surfaces of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN,[NO3--N + NH4+-N])and soluble inorganic phosphorus (SIP, [PO4-3-P])into Lake Atitlán (Guatemala). The estimated NID and SIP loads from this direct deposition on the lake surface were respectively, 151.2 tons/year and 5.6 tons/year. With these results, we estimated that the SIP input from atmospheric deposition to Lake Atitlán is comparable to that from the lake's main tributary rivers, whereas for DIN entry this is almost twice as much. Estimates for Lake Atitlán are higher than those reported for many lakes. Our study provides basic information towards understanding the eutrophication of Lake Atitlán, emphasizes the importance of atmospheric deposition in this process and the need for additional studies to document the process in neotropical watersheds.

Clinical observation on deep needling at Xiaguan (ST 7) with round sharp needle combined with plum-blossom needle for trigeminal neuralgia of wind and heat / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between deep needling at Xiaguan (ST 7) with round sharp needle combined with plum-blossom needle and conventional acupuncture in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) of wind and heat, and explore its mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with TN of wind and heat were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). In the observation group, deep needling with round sharp needle was applied at Xiaguan (ST 7), and tapping with plum-blossom needle was applied at Yangbai (GB 14), Quanliao (SI 18), Dicang (ST 4), Sibai (ST 2), etc. of affected side. In the control group, conventional acupuncture was applied at the same acupoints selected in the observation group. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks in the both groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), TCM syndrome, patient global impression of change (PGIC) and comprehensive symptom were observed, the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and β-endorphin (β-EP) were detected, and the adverse reaction was observed in the both groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of PRI, PPI, VAS, TCM syndrome, PGIC and comprehensive symptom and the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and VIP were decreased compared before treatment in the both groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Deep needling at Xiaguan (ST 7) with round sharp needle combined with plum-blossom needle can effectively treat the trigeminal neuralgia of wind and heat and relieve pain, its therapeutic effect is superior to conventional acupuncture. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of serum IL-6, TNF-α, VIP and β-EP.

The Long and Winding Road: To the Proper Understanding of High-density Lipoprotein

No abstract available.

Meta-analysis of Ganmao Qingre Granules in treatment of children with wind-cold syndrome / 中国中药杂志

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ganmao Qingre Granules in treatment of children with wind-cold syndrome. The study systematically retrieved CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library for children cases with wind-cold syndrome treated with RCT. The literature inclusion criteria provided by Cochrane was used to evaluate the litera-ture quality, and Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 6 literatures were included, with a total sample size of 492 cases, including 246 cases in the experimental group and 246 cases in the control group. According to the results of Meta-analysis, the experimental group recorded the hypothermia time(MD=-0.38, 95%CI[-0.53,-0.23], P<0.01), the total clinical effective rate(RR=1.25, 95%CI[1.15, 1.36], P<0.01), the cough relief time(MD=-2.75, 95%CI[-3.05,-2.46], P<0.01), the decrease nasal congestion relief time(MD=-1.45, 95%CI[-1.69,-1.22], P<0.01), traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score(MD=-8.35, 95%CI[-9.35,-7.36], P<0.01), all of them were superior to those of the control group(Aminophenol Huangnamin Granules), with statistically significant differences. Only 2 literatures mentioned no obvious adverse reaction, and the other 4 literatures did not mention any adverse reactions. Based on the results of this study, it was indicated that Ganmao Qingre Granules were effective in the treatment of children with wind-cold syndrome, but with unclear adverse reactions. Due to the insufficient quantity and low quality of included literatures, the efficacy and safety need to be further confirmed by more high-quality clinical studies.

Cold-associated skin disorders

The human capacity for physiologic adaptation to cold is minimal. A cold environment can be a threat to the skin, leading to a subsequent fall in core body temperature. Many physiologic, behavioral, and environmental factors predispose to the global effects of cold injuries. Physical injuries caused by cold have two forms: systemic forms such as hypothermia and localized forms such as frostbite. Reduced temperature directly damages the tissue, as in frostbite and cold immersion foot. Vasospasm of vessels perfusing the skin induces chilblain, acrocyanosis, and frostbite. The degree of damage caused by cold is related to four factors: temperature, exposure time, wind intensity (temperature sensation), and high altitude.

Influence of Fine Particulate Dust Particulate Matter 10 on Respiratory Virus Infection in the Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of fine dust concentrations in the air on the incidence of viral respiratory infections in the Republic of Korea.METHODS: A time series analysis using R statistics was performed to determine the relationship between weekly concentrations of fine dust in the air and the incidences of acute respiratory tract infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (HAdV), rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), and influenza virus (IFV), from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017. Correlations between various meteorological factors and the amount of fine dust were analyzed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. To analyze the relationship between viral infections and fine dust, a quasi-poisson analysis was performed.RESULTS: The incidence of the HAdV was proportional to fine dust and air temperature. The IFV was proportional to fine dust and relative humidity and was inversely proportional to temperature. The HMPV was proportional to fine dust, wind speed, and inversely proportional to relative humidity. The HCoV was proportional to micro dust, relative humidity, and inversely proportional to temperature. Both the HBoV and HPIV were directly proportional to fine dust, temperature, wind speed, and inversely proportional to relative humidity. The RSV was inversely proportional to fine dust, temperature, wind speed. A lag effect was observed for the influenza virus, in that its incidence increased 2–3 weeks later on the cumulative lag model.CONCLUSION: As the weekly average concentration of fine dust increases, the incidence of HAdV, HMPV, HCoV, HBoV, HPIV, and influenza increase.

Gone with the Wind

No abstract available.

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Symptoms and Quality of Life of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of auricular acupressure on symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis and their quality of life. METHODS: A quasi experimental was used with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest method involving 56 adult outpatients who were seen in the Allergy & Asthma clinic at a tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, Korea. The experimental group (n=28) received 2 weeks of auricular acupressure to the Shenmen, wind stream, endocrine, adrenal, and lung acupuncture points; no acupressure was provided to the control group (n=28). Outcome measures included Total Nasal Symptom Score used to assess nasal symptoms, and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire to assess the quality of life. Repeated measure ANOVA and independent t-test were used to calculate statistical significance. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant improvements in terms of allergic rhinitis symptoms (p < .001) and on the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (p < .001) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Finding in this study indicate that auricular acupressure can be used as a nursing intervention to alleviate nasal symptoms and improve rhinoconjuctivitis quality of life in allergic rhinitis patients.

Correlation of respiratory syncytial virus infection with climate parameters and air pollution levels in Korean children during 2005–2012

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and children. We investigated the association of meteorological conditions and air pollution with the prevalence of RSV infection. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 9,113 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from children under 3 years of age who were admitted to the hospital with acute LRTI were tested for RSV antigens using a direct immunofluorescence kit. Meteorological data (mean temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and relative humidity) and air pollutant levels including PM₁₀ (particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 µm in diameter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) in Seoul during the study period were collected from the national monitoring system. The correlations of the monthly incidence of RSV infection with climate factors and air pollutant levels were analyzed. RESULTS: RSV infection mainly occurred between October and February, and showed the peak in November. The prevalence of RSV infection had a moderate negative correlation with mean temperature (r=−0.60, P < 0.001), a weak negative correlation with relative humidity (r=−0.26, P=0.01), and precipitation (r=−0.34, P=0.001). Regarding air pollutants, RSV activity moderately correlated with NO₂ (r=0.40, P < 0.001), SO₂ (r=0.41, P < 0.001), and CO (r=0.58, P < 0.001). In the RSV peak season in Korea (between October and February), RSV epidemics showed a weak positive correlation with relative humidity (r=0.35, P=0.03) and precipitation (r=0.38, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors and air pollutant levels may be associated with RSV activity. Therefore, further nationwide large-scaled intensive evaluations to prove factors affecting RSV activity are warranted.

Simplified Methodology for Temperature Calculation of Operation and Photovoltaic Modules Yield in Non-Standardized Environmental Conditions

ABSTRACT This work proposes a simplified methodology to obtain the needed data to determine and investigate the variation of photovoltaic modules performance under non-standardized environmental conditions - Standard Test Conditions and Nominal Operating Cell Temperature. This methodology uses a previously developed mathematical model in association with environmental parameters as wind speed, air temperature and irradiance in different cities, located in different regions in Brazil. These data are obtained from both SWERA project and the National Institute of Meteorology of Brazil websites, both of them with free access on the internet. The result of this methodology is the operating temperature of a commercial polycrystalline module of 330 Wp and 1.95 m², and this methodology also results in the maximum power of the module and efficiency for each set of analyzed environmental parameters. As conclusion, from the the results, it is possible to suggest the investigated environmental parameters have a significant impact on the module performance and therefore cannot be neglected.

Simulación del flujo de viento sobre el territorio de Guatemala utilizando un modelo climático regional / Simulation of wind flux over the Guatemala territory usingaregional climate model

Se presenta un análisis de la circulación del viento en la vecindad de la superficie terreste, para una región centrada alrededor de Guatemala. Para tal fin se utilizó el modelo climático regional (RegCM), con el cual se simuló la dinámica atmosférica sobre dicha región durante todo el 2016. El propósito del estudio es obtener la variación de mesoescala (decenas de kilómetros) del campo de velocidad del viento. Se puede observar que a medida que la resolución se incrementa se obtiene una representación más precisa de los detalles y características de la topografía del terreno, la cual influye en los patrones de circulación del viento a escalas de pocos kilómetros. Con una resolución fina de2km es posible observar zonas de flujo intenso de viento sobre la superficie; como en Palín, Escuintla. También se logra ver la presencia de patrones de circulación diurna que son producto del ciclo diario de calentamiento del terreno debido al sol y el consecuente enfriamiento durante la noche. Este es el primer reporte de una línea de estudio en donde se planea analizar las características climáticas propias de la región guatemalteca.

We present an analysis of the wind circulation in the vecinity of the ground surface, for a region centered around Guatemala. We used the regional climate model RegCM to simulate the atmospheric dynamics above that region during the full year 2016. The purpose of the study is to obtain the mesoscale variation (tens of kilometers) of the wind velocity field. It can be seen that as resolution is increased, the details in topography are better represented, they in turn influence the wind circulation patterns on scales of a few kilometers. With a fine resolution of 2 km it is possible to confirm the existence of intense wind flux zones over the surface; such as Palín, Escuintla. We are also able to observe diurnally varying circulations, which are the product of the daily cycle of terrain heating due to the sun and the subsecuent cooling during the night. This is the first report in a line of studies where we plan to analyze the climatic features of the Guatemalan region.

Measurement and modeling of indoor radon concentrations in residential buildings

Radon, the primary constituent of natural radiation, is the second leading environmental cause of lung cancer after smoking. To confirm a relationship between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer, estimating cumulative levels of exposure to indoor radon for an individual or population is necessary. This study sought to develop a model for estimate indoor radon concentrations in Korea. Especially, our model and method may have wider application to other residences, not to specific site, and can be used in situations where actual measurements for input variables are lacking. In order to develop a model, indoor radon concentrations were measured at 196 ground floor residences using passive alpha-track detectors between January and April 2016. The arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) means of indoor radon concentrations were 117.86±72.03 and 95.13±2.02 Bq/m³, respectively. Questionnaires were administered to assess the characteristics of each residence, the environment around the measuring equipment, and lifestyles of the residents. Also, national data on indoor radon concentrations at 7643 detached houses for 2011-2014 were reviewed to determine radon concentrations in the soil, and meteorological data on temperature and wind speed were utilized to approximate ventilation rates. The estimated ventilation rates and radon exhalation rates from the soil varied from 0.18 to 0.98/hr (AM, 0.59±0.17/hr) and 326.33 to 1392.77 Bq/m²/hr (AM, 777.45±257.39; GM, 735.67±1.40 Bq/m²/hr), respectively. With these results, the developed model was applied to estimate indoor radon concentrations for 157 residences (80% of all 196 residences), which were randomly sampled. The results were in better agreement for Gyeonggi and Seoul than for other regions of Korea. Overall, the actual and estimated radon concentrations were in better agreement, except for a few low-concentration residences.

Analysis of Five Arboviruses and Culicoides Distribution on Cattle Farms in Jeollabuk-do, Korea

Arthropod-borne viruses (Arboviruses) are transmitted by arthropods such as Culicoides biting midges and cause abortion, stillbirth, and congenital malformation in ruminants, apparently leading to economic losses to farmers. To monitor the distribution of Culicoides and to determine their relationship with different environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, and altitude of the farms) on 5 cattle farms, Culicoides were collected during summer season (May-September) in 2016 and 2017, and analyzed for identification of species and detection of arboviruses. About 35% of the Culicoides were collected in July and the collection rate increased with increase in temperature and humidity. The higher altitude where the farms were located, the more Culicoides were collected on inside than outside. In antigen test of Culicoides against 5 arboviruses, only Chuzan virus (CHUV) (2.63%) was detected in 2016. The Akabane virus (AKAV), CHUV, Ibaraki virus and Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) had a positive rate of less than 1.8% in 2017. In antigen test of bovine whole blood, AKAV (12.96%) and BEFV (0.96%) were positive in only one of the farms. As a result of serum neutralization test, antibodies against AKAV were generally measured in all the farms. These results suggest that vaccination before the season in which the Culicoides are active is probably best to prevent arbovirus infections.

Feasibility of a New Desktop Motion Analysis System with a Video Game Console for Assessing Various Three-Dimensional Wrist Motions

BACKGROUND: The restriction of wrist motion results in limited hand function, and the evaluation of the range of wrist motion is related to the evaluation of wrist function. To analyze and compare the wrist motion during four selected tasks, we developed a new desktop motion analysis system using the motion controller for a home video game console. METHODS: Eighteen healthy, right-handed subjects performed 15 trials of selective tasks (dart throwing, hammering, circumduction, and winding thread on a reel) with both wrists. The signals of light-emitting diode markers attached to the hand and forearm were detected by the optic receptor in the motion controller. We compared the results between both wrists and between motions with similar motion paths. RESULTS: The parameters (range of motion, offset, coupling, and orientations of the oblique plane) for wrist motion were not significantly different between both wrists, except for radioulnar deviation for hammering and the orientation for thread winding. In each wrist, the ranges for hammering were larger than those for dart throwing. The offsets and the orientations of the oblique plane were not significantly different between circumduction and thread winding. CONCLUSIONS: The results for the parameters of dart throwing, hammering, and circumduction of our motion analysis system using the motion controller were considerably similar to those of the previous studies with three-dimensional reconstruction with computed tomography, electrogoniometer, and motion capture system. Therefore, our system may be a cost-effective and simple method for wrist motion analysis.

Measurement and modeling of indoor radon concentrations in residential buildings

Radon, the primary constituent of natural radiation, is the second leading environmental cause of lung cancer after smoking. To confirm a relationship between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer, estimating cumulative levels of exposure to indoor radon for an individual or population is necessary. This study sought to develop a model for estimate indoor radon concentrations in Korea. Especially, our model and method may have wider application to other residences, not to specific site, and can be used in situations where actual measurements for input variables are lacking. In order to develop a model, indoor radon concentrations were measured at 196 ground floor residences using passive alpha-track detectors between January and April 2016. The arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) means of indoor radon concentrations were 117.86±72.03 and 95.13±2.02 Bq/m³, respectively. Questionnaires were administered to assess the characteristics of each residence, the environment around the measuring equipment, and lifestyles of the residents. Also, national data on indoor radon concentrations at 7643 detached houses for 2011-2014 were reviewed to determine radon concentrations in the soil, and meteorological data on temperature and wind speed were utilized to approximate ventilation rates. The estimated ventilation rates and radon exhalation rates from the soil varied from 0.18 to 0.98/hr (AM, 0.59±0.17/hr) and 326.33 to 1392.77 Bq/m²/hr (AM, 777.45±257.39; GM, 735.67±1.40 Bq/m²/hr), respectively. With these results, the developed model was applied to estimate indoor radon concentrations for 157 residences (80% of all 196 residences), which were randomly sampled. The results were in better agreement for Gyeonggi and Seoul than for other regions of Korea. Overall, the actual and estimated radon concentrations were in better agreement, except for a few low-concentration residences.

Modelación de riesgos hacia los trabajadores y comunidad por emisiones de gas licuado de petróleo, utilizando software Slab View en la ciudad de Los Ángeles, Chile / Risks modeling to workers and the community for releases of petroleum liquid gas, using software slab view in los angeles city, Chile

RESUMEN: 21. Con el software SLAB VIEW se realizaron modelaciones para determi nar cuantitativamente los riesgos hacia los trabajadores y comunidad por emisiones accidentales de gas licuado de petróleo, desde fuentes de uso y almacenamiento, dentro del radio urbano de Los Ángeles (Chile). Se modelaron 23 fuentes con categoría de riesgo grave, clase "C" y las 3 fuentes con categoría muy grave, clase "D", identificadas con la meto dología APELL, aplicada en el estudio de Silva et. al (2016). 22. 23. Se evaluó el comportamiento espacial y temporal de las fugas de gas para estanques identificados con capacidades de 2 m3, 4 m3, 11 m3 y 49 m3 utilizando promedios estacionales de variables meteorológicas consideradas en un periodo de evaluación de cinco años. Se utiliza ron variables de tiempo de fuga evaluando su comportamiento en 1, 3 y 5 minutos, con el fin de identificar las condiciones del peor escenario. Como resultado se obtiene que el comportamiento de la nube depende de la estabilidad atmosférica, siendo la condición esta ble donde concentraciones de interés permanecen por más tiempo alcanzando mayores distancias y que el peor escenario para una fuga son las bajas temperaturas y las condiciones atmosféricas estables. Como conclusión, puede establecerse que en la zona de estudio exis ten estanques que son potencialmente peligrosos por deflagración para trabajadores y la comunidad; sin embargo, los tiempos de expo sición no generan peligros por exposición aguda.

ABSTRACT: 28. With the SLAB VIEW software, modeling wasperformed to determine quantitatively the risks to workers and the community from acciden tal releases of liquefied petroleum gas, from sources use and storage, within the urban radius of Los Angeles (Chile). 23 sources with a severe risk category class "C" and the 3 very severe risk category class "D" identified with the APELL methodology, applied in the study by Silva et al. (2016), were modeled. 29. 30. The spatial and temporal behavior of the gas leaking for tanks iden tified with capacities of 2m3, 4m3, 11m3 and 49m3 were evaluated using seasonal averages of meteorological variables considered in a five - year evaluation period. Leakage time variables were used evaluating their behavior in 1, 3 and 5 minutes in order to identify worst-case conditions. As a result it is obtained that the behavior of the cloud depends on the atmospheric stability, being the stable condition where concentrations of interest remain longer reaching greater distances and that the worst scenario for a leak is the low temperatures and the stable atmospheric conditions. As a conclusion, it can be established that in the study area, there are ponds that are potentially dangerous due to deflagration for workers and the com munity, however, exposure times do not generate hazards due to acute exposure.

Ant assemblage (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in three wind farms in the State of Paraná, Brazil / Assembleia de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de três parques eólicos do estado do Paraná, Brasil

Abstract The transformation of natural habitats into areas destined to agriculture or projects of energy production has generated a growing concern about the impact on biological diversity. Thus, this study evaluated the diversity of ants in agroecosystems in the area of direct influence of three wind farms in the municipality of Marmeleiro, State of Paraná and examined the association of occurrences with sampling periods. To this end, four samplings were conducted in 2013, one per season. Pitfalls, Malaise trap and Net sweep were used. The assemblages were characterized and compared using richness and number of occurrences of ants. Chao 2 estimates were calculated and a comparison (rarefaction analysis) of the assemblages was performed. The association of the species with the samples was evaluated by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Altogether, there were 1,576 occurrences of ants, totaling 55 species. The obtained estimate indicated that richness may be up to 35% higher. Our study adds important information about richness and occurrence of ants in a region poorly analyzed for this group. Most of all, it presents a survey of species occurring in agricultural ecosystems that may serve as a parameter for future evaluations when wind farms are installed.

Resumo A transformação de ambientes naturais em áreas agrícolas ou ocupadas por empreendimentos voltados à produção de energia tem gerado uma crescente preocupação com o impacto causado por estas atividades sobre a diversidade biológica. Por isso, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade de formigas em agroecosistemas, na área de influência direta de três parques eólicos no município de Marmeleiro, Paraná e analisou a associação das ocorrências com os períodos das amostras. Para tanto, foram realizadas quatro amostragens durante o ano de 2013, uma por estação. Foram empregados pitfall, armadilha Malaise e rede de varredura. As assembleias foram caracterizadas e comparadas através da riqueza e do número de ocorrências das formigas. Foram construídas estimativas (Chao 2) e um comparativo (análise de rarefação) para as assembleias. A associação das espécies com as amostras foi avaliada através de uma Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA). Ao todo foram registradas 1.576 ocorrências de formigas, totalizando 55 espécies. A estimativa obtida indica que a riqueza pode ser até 35% maior. O estudo acrescenta informações importantes sobre a riqueza e ocorrências de formigas para uma região com poucos estudos deste grupo. Apresenta, sobretudo, um inventário de espécies presentes em agroecossistemas que poderá servir de parâmetro para avaliações futuras quando os parques eólicos estiverem instalados.

Effects of Spray Surfactant and Particle Charge on Respirable Coal Dust Capture

BACKGROUND: Surfactant-containing water sprays are commonly used in coal mines to collect dust. This study investigates the dust collection performance of different surfactant types for a range of coal dust particle sizes and charges. METHODS: Bituminous coal dust aerosol was generated in a wind tunnel. The charge of the aerosol was either left unaltered, charge-neutralized with a neutralizer, or positively- or negatively-charged using a diffusion charger after the particles were neutralized. An anionic, cationic, or nonionic surfactant spray or a plain water spray was used to remove the particles from the air flow. Some particles were captured while passing through spray section, whereas remaining particles were charge-separated using an electrostatic classifier. Particle size and concentration of the charge-separated particles were measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer. Measurements were made with the spray on and off to calculate overall collection efficiencies (integrated across all charge levels) and efficiencies of particles with specific charge levels. RESULTS: The diameter of the tested coal dust aerosol was 0.89 μm ± 1.45 [geometric mean ± geometric standard deviations (SD)]. Respirable particle mass was collected with 75.5 ± 5.9% (mean ± SD) efficiency overall. Collection efficiency was correlated with particle size. Surfactant type significantly impacted collection efficiency: charged particle collection by nonionic surfactant sprays was greater than or equal to collection by other sprays, especially for weakly-charged aerosols. Particle charge strength was significantly correlated with collection efficiency. CONCLUSION: Surfactant type affects charged particle spray collection efficiency. Nonionic surfactant sprays performed well in coal dust capture in many of the tested conditions.