Search

Safety helmets, essential in industries like construction, mining, and sports activities, are designed to protect the head from impact and penetration injuries. However, the effectiveness of these helmets is often compromised by issues of poor fit, discomfort, and non-compliance with safety protocols. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the fit of safety helmets using the Helmet Fit Index (HFI) and 3D scanning. A sample group of 100 male participants aged between 20 and 50 is involved in this study. The methodology includes 3D scanning of participants’ heads with and without safety helmets, followed by post-processing. The HFI for safety helmets is typically expressed as a percentage which this index assigns a score ranging from 0 (indicating a very poor fit) to 100 (representing an ideal fit), indicating the proportion of users for whom the helmet adequately fits. The HFI results indicate a poor fit of safety helmet among the selected participants. The average HFI score of 18.62 observed across 100 participants, with scores varying between 7.94 and 47.79. The significant gap at the top for vertical clearance led to high measurements of Gap Uniformity (GU) and the Standoff Distance (SOD), reflecting inconsistencies in the fit. These high values contributed to a lower HFI score, indicating that the helmets were less secure and uncomfortable. Consequently, the helmets' overall performance and safety effectiveness were compromised, underscoring the need for proper internal cushioning and minimal gaps to ensure optimal protection and fit.

Safety helmets are essential for protecting individuals in high-risk industries such as construction, sports, and manufacturing, where head injuries are common. Despite their importance, poor helmet fit is widespread, primarily due to a lack of consideration for anthropometric diversity, which reduces their effectiveness and compromises safety. Anthropometry, the study of human body measurements, played a critical role in this research. Current helmet designs are predominantly based on Western anthropometric data, which fail to accommodate the unique head shapes of Malaysians. To bridge this gap, the study involved 3D scans of 100 Malaysian male participants at UTHM, capturing key anthropometric dimensions such as head circumference, width, and length. These measurements were taken with and without helmets to thoroughly analyze fit discrepancies. The findings highlighted significant anthropometric variations within the population, revealing that many existing helmets did not provide a proper fit. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating localized anthropometric data in helmet design, offering a solution that improves comfort, enhances safety, and reduces the likelihood of head injuries.

In a working environment, worker’s safety and health are the most critical considerations. Previous study discovered that firefighters are exposed to a great deal of ergonomic risk factors (ERF). ERF exposure during hose rolling includes awkward posture and forceful exertion. Therefore, the primary goal of this research paper is to fabricate an ergonomic hose roller for firefighters and conduct a fatigue analysis to determine the efficiency of the tool designed to safeguard firefighters against the risk of low back disorder (LBD). Hose roller testing is necessary to guarantee that it can withstand the weight of fire hoses while still being comfortable for users’ bodies. Fatigue analysis was conducted using Industrial Lumbar Motion Monitor (i-LMM) equipment to evaluate LBD risk during hose rolling. Manual handling contributes 57.67% to the total average percentage value used to compute LBD risk results, while utilizing a roller tool, the hose rolling procedure yields a 27% LBD risk limit value. The design of experiment (DOE) method should be used in future studies to gather more information for the LBD risk assessment

The hose is an essential piece of equipment for firefighters on the job. Flaking, roll and coil, dutch roll, and figure eight are all methods of rolling the hose. Hose rolling requires a combination of uncomfortable postures, repetitive motions, and forceful exertion, which can be stressful on firefighters' bodies. Several firefighters' work duties include the application of high physical loads to the human body. High force demands require muscles to work harder, increasing tiredness and the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The main objective of this paper is to present the development and validation of a survey instrument for measuring firefighter ergonomic factors in rolling activity for a pilot study. A set of survey instruments was developed, which consisted of four sections: the demographic profile of the respondent, the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort survey (CMDQ), hose rolling activity among firefighters, and the design criteria for ergonomic hose rollers. The survey instruments's content was obtained from extensive literature research and expert input. A pilot study was conducted at Pagoh Fire Station. The reliability and validity of the instrument were determined through Cronbach’s alpha, face validity, and content validity. Cronbach’s alpha values for each section of the survey instruments range from 0.741 to 0.928, while the value for Cronbach’s alpha for all 26 standardized items is 0.854. Finally, the findings suggested that this instrument had appropriate reliability and validity to accomplish its aims. The survey instrument is now complete and ready for the distribution of larger amounts of data.

In a working environment, worker’s safety and health are the most critical considerations. Previous study discovered that firefighters are exposed to a great deal of ergonomic risk factors (ERF). ERF exposure during hose rolling includes awkward posture and forceful exertion. Therefore, the primary goal of this research paper is to fabricate an ergonomic hose roller for firefighters and conduct a fatigue analysis to determine the efficiency of the tool designed to safeguard firefighters against the risk of low back disorder (LBD). Hose roller testing is necessary to guarantee that it can withstand the weight of fire hoses while still being comfortable for users’ bodies. Fatigue analysis was conducted using Industrial Lumbar Motion Monitor (i-LMM) equipment to evaluate LBD risk during hose rolling. Manual handling contributes 57.67% to the total average percentage value used to compute LBD risk results, while utilizing a roller tool, the hose rolling procedure yields a 27% LBD risk limit value. The design of experiment (DOE) method should be used in future studies to gather more information for the LBD risk assessment

In a working environment, worker’s safety and health are the most critical considerations. Previous study discovered that firefighters are exposed to a great deal of ergonomic risk factors (ERF). ERF exposure during hose rolling includes awkward posture and forceful exertion. Therefore, the primary goal of this research paper is to fabricate an ergonomic hose roller for firefighters and conduct a fatigue analysis to determine the efficiency of the tool designed to safeguard firefighters against the risk of low back disorder (LBD). Hose roller testing is necessary to guarantee that it can withstand the weight of fire hoses while still being comfortable for users’ bodies. Fatigue analysis was conducted using Industrial Lumbar Motion Monitor (i-LMM) equipment to evaluate LBD risk during hose rolling. Manual handling contributes 57.67% to the total average percentage value used to compute LBD risk results, while utilizing a roller tool, the hose rolling procedure yields a 27% LBD risk limit value. The design of experiment (DOE) method should be used in future studies to gather more information for the LBD risk assessment

An efficient pathway was disclosed for the synthesis of 3-chloro-6-nitro-1H-indazole derivatives by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition on dipolarophile compounds 2 and 3. Faced the problem of separation of two regioisomers, a click chemistry method has allowed us to obtain regioisomers of triazole-1,4 with good yields from 82 to 90% were employed. Also, the antileishmanial biological potency of the compounds was achieved using an MTT assay that reported compound 13 as a promising growth inhibitor of Leishmania major. Molecular docking demonstrated highly stable binding with the Leishmania trypanothione reductase enzyme and produced a network of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for TryR-13 complex to understand its structural and intermolecular affinity stability in a biological environment. The studied complex remained in good equilibrium with a structure deviation of ∼1–3 Å. MM/GBSA binding free energies illustrated the high stability of TryR-13 complex. The studied compounds are promising leads for structural optimisation to enhance the antileishmanial activity.

Der vorliegende Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung ausgewählter Schulbibliotheken an Österreichs Schulen am Beispiel unterschiedlicher Schultypen in Wien und Niederösterreich. Die Lesekompetenz stellt eine Schlüsselkompetenz für erfolgreiche Lebensperspektiven dar und muss das zentrale Interesse aller Lehrpersonen nicht nur im Deutschunterricht sein. Die folgende Darstellung will der Frage nachgehen, in wie weit Schulbibliotheken diese Kompetenz erweitern und verbessern können und am Beispiel dreier Bibliotheken die theoretischen Anforderungen mit dem praktischen Schulalltag vergleichen.

In diesem Artikel soll die Arbeit mit dem Europäischen Sprachenportfolio am germanistischen Lehrstuhl der Universität Ostrava/Tschechische Republik vorgestellt werden. Mithilfe einer Studie sollte festgestellt werden, inwiefern die selbständige Arbeit im Sprachenunterricht von den Studierenden angenommen und akzeptiert wird. Hauptergebnis der Untersuchung ist die positive Akzeptanz des Portfolios verbunden mit dem Wunsch der Ausweitung dieser Arbeitsweise auf die anderen Lehrfächer.

Der folgende Artikel soll eine kurze Darstellung einer Möglichkeit bieten, als muttersprachliche Lektorin den Prozess des Fremdsprachenlernens im Kleide alternativer Methoden vorzustellen. Der Ausgangspunkt der Überlegungen zum Seminar "Theater im Unterricht" war die Hypothese, dass dramapädagogischer Unterricht ein fehlendes Glied in der Kette der an der Universität erlernten Methoden im Fremdsprachenunterricht darstellt, die für eine spätere Berufsausübung als DeutschlehrerInnen von Nutzen sein wird. Weiters wird behauptet, dass durch diesen alternativen Zugang die mündliche Kommunikationsfähigkeit verbessert wird, die Studierenden werden mit einem ganzheitlichen, handlungsorientierten Unterricht konfrontiert, der sie selbst zu HauptakteurInnen im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens werden lässt.

Der Artikel soll am Beispiel der Autorin Marlene Streeruwitz untersuchen, ob ihre Werke als spezifisch österreichische Literatur nach linguistischen Kriterien zu identifizieren sind. Dabei soll aufgezeigt werden, dass alle sprachlichen Ebenen österreichische Varianten der nationalen Varietäten des Deutschen aufweisen.

Carbon steel is an important industrial material, but it usually suffers from serious corrosion in the service environment. Using corrosion inhibitors is an effective approach to mitigate corrosion. The synergistic inhibition behavior of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) and potassium iodide (KI) on carbon steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid medium was investigated by electrochemical test, surface morphology analysis, and molecular simulation approaches. Results show that the corrosion inhibition performance is significantly enhanced after the two substances are compounded, and the inhibition efficiency can reach approximately 96% at small doses. The Tafel polarization curves suggest that the mixtures can be classified as anodic corrosion inhibitors. Impedance tests indicate that the inhibitor molecules are adsorbed on the steel surface, resulting in an increase of charge transfer resistance but a decrease of electric double layer capacitance. The adsorption process follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Molecular simulation calculations further reveal the active sites of SDS and the stabilizing effect that I- plays in the inhibition process. The present research offers an economic, environmentally friendly and efficient measure of corrosion control, and provides theoretical guidance for the efficient use of carbon steels and the development of novel corrosion inhibitors. This journal is, QC 20200714

This paper analyzes the comfort performance of different types of bedsheet fabrics which are polyester, polyester blended with Tencel, cotton, Tencel and modal. The objectives of this study are to determine the physical and comfort properties of bedsheet fabrics as well as to evaluate the influence of physical properties on the comfort performance of bedsheet fabrics. The preparation of samples involved sourcing the fabrics that are commercially used. Physical properties such as thickness, mass per unit area and porosity were determined in order to evaluate their relationship on comfort properties such as thermal resistance, wicking area and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). It was found that Tencel fabric exhibited the lowest thermal resistance of 0.0037 m2 °C/W while polyester fabric showed the highest thermal resistance of 0.0084 m2 °C/W. For wicking area, polyester blended with Tencel fabric demonstrated the highest wicking area whereas Tencel fabric displayed the highest WVTR of 1069.21 g/24h.m2 . Based on findings, Tencel bedsheet could offer better comfort in hot environment as the heat and water vapour can pass through the fabric easily compared to other fabrics. Meanwhile, polyester bedsheet will offer better comfort in cold environment as it can retain the heat and this can help the users to feel warmer in cold environment.

The past decade has witnessed a growing interest in estrogens and their activity in the central nervous system, which extends beyond the reproductive functions. Estrogen is known to interact with different neurotransmitter systems. Ovariectomized rats were used in this thesis as a model to investigate the effect of ovarian hormones on the cholinergic system, the glutamate system and insulin-like growth factors with specific emphasis in the hippocampus. Using M4-toxin-1, a selective ligand for M4 muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtype, we observe that 17beta-estradiol but not progesterone reversed the ovariectomy-induced up regulation of the M4 subtype in the hippocampus of the rat brain (Paper I). Moreover, ovariectomy significantly reduced the exploratory activity of the rats but estradiol treatment reversed the activity back to normal. In order to investigate the levels of M4, and M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in estrogen receptors knockout (ERKO) mice hippocampus, we used ERalphaKO and ERbetaKO in Paper II. Significant decrease of M4 but not M1 receptors subtype was noticed in both ERalphaKO and ERbetaKO mice, which suggest a selective suppression of M4 receptor subtype by estrogen. Both estrogen and IGF-I have a regulatory role on the cholinergic system. Moreover, there is interdependence in their cumulative action in neuronal differentiation, plasticity and neurodegeneration. Paper III focuses on estrogen effect on the IGF-I receptors in the ovariectomized rat brain. Estrogen significantly increased the IGF-I receptor density in different brain areas compared to ovariectomized rats. Moreover, estradiol treatment reduced the plasma IGF-I levels. These effects showed dose dependent modulator effect of ovarian hormones on IGF-I activity. The glutamate system is well known for its effect on memory functions. To study the effect of estrogen on the glutamatergic system, NMDA receptor changes in ovariectomized rats were investigated in Paper IV. Morri