A baseline-free method for damage identification in pipes from local vibration mode pair frequencies

As structural systems approach their end of service life, integrity assessment and condition monitoring during late life becomes necessary in order to identify damage due to age-related issues such as corrosion and fatigue and hence prevent failure. In this paper, a novel method of level 3 damage identification (i.e. detection, localisation and quantification) from local vibration mode pair (LVMP) frequencies is introduced. Detection is achieved by observation of LVMP frequencies within any of the vibration modes investigated while the location of the damage is predicted based on the ranking order of the LVMP frequency ratios and the damage is quantified in terms of material volume loss from pre-established quantification relations. The proposed method which is baseline-free (in the sense that it does not require vibration-based assessment or modal data from the undamaged state of the pipe) and solely frequency-dependent was found to be more than 90% accurate in detecting, locating and quantifying damage through a numerical verification study. It was also successfully assessed using experimental modal data obtained from laboratory tests performed on an aluminium pipe with artificially inflicted corrosion-like damage underscoring a novel concept in vibration-based damage identification for pipes.

Vibration Disease: Exposure Level and Duration-Dependent Characteristics and Features of the Clinical Picture Following Local and Combined Local and Whole Body Vibration

Introduction: Vibration disease is induced by a long-term occupational exposure to vibration above the maximum permissible level and is manifested by damage to the peripheral vascular and nervous systems and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Objective: To study the exposure level and duration dependency and features of the clinical picture of vibration disease in workers exposed to local and combined local and whole body vibration. Materials and methods: The study included 136 male workers. Cohort I consisted of 60 patients (mean age: 49.5 ± 7.4 years) with vibration disease related to the local vibration exposure; cohort II included 76 patients (mean age: 55.7 ± 4.8 years) with vibration disease induced by the combined exposure to hand-arm and whole body vibration. Results: The examined subjects worked in harmful working conditions of classes 3.1–3.4. Measured vibration exceeded maximum permissible values at most workplaces. Levels of local vibration did not differ significantly between the cohorts and amounted to 115.0 and 118.0 dB; the level of whole body vibration in cohort II was 116.0 dB. Shorter work experience and younger age at the time of diagnosing the occupational disease were registered in people exposed to local vibration only compared to those with a combined exposure. The angiodystonic syndrome was twice as frequent in cohort I, while cohort II had a larger proportion of patients with concomitant diseases (low back pain, periarthrosis, etc.). Conclusion: Our findings indicate the necessity to reduce occupational exposures to vibration and take appropriate therapeutic and preventive measures in order to maintain health and work ability of employees.

Local Vibration Reduces Muscle Damage after Prolonged Exercise in Men

Prolonged exercise can lead to muscle damage, with soreness, swelling, and ultimately reduced strength as a consequence. It has been shown that whole-body vibration (WBV) improves recovery by reducing the levels of stress hormones and the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effect of local vibration treatment applied after exercise on the level of selected markers of muscle fiber damage. The study involved 12 untrained men, aged 21.7 ± 1.05 years, with a VO2peak of 46.12 ± 3.67 mL·kg−1·min−1. A maximal intensity test to volitional exhaustion was performed to determine VO2peak and individual exercise loads for prolonged exercise. The subjects were to perform 180 min of physical effort with an intensity of 50 ± 2% VO2peak. After exercise, they underwent a 60 min vibration treatment or placebo therapy using a mattress. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after the recovery procedure, and 24 h after the end of the exercise test. Myoglobin (Mb) levels as well as the activities of CK and LDH were recorded. Immediately after the hour-long recovery procedure (vibration or placebo), the mean concentrations of the determined indices were significantly different from baseline values. In the vibration group, significantly lower values of Mb (p = 0.005), CK (p = 0.030), and LDH (p = 0.005) were seen. Differences were also present 24 h after the end of the exercise test. The results of the vibration group compared to the control group differed in respect to Mb (p = 0.002), CK (p = 0.029), and LDH (p = 0.014). After prolonged physical effort, topical vibration improved post-workout recovery manifested by lower CK and LDH activity and lower Mb concentration compared to a control group.

Sanitary and hygienic assessment of working conditions of civil aviation pilots

Introduction. The analysis of working conditions of pilots of civil aviation aircraft has been carried out according to the data of sanitary and hygienic characteristics (SHC). The non-compliances with hygiene standards for several factors have been established at the same time in all SHC. Materials and methods. The 220 SHC of pilots, who had been examined in the clinic of FSBSI RIOH due to suspicion of occupation disease from 2015 to 2019, conducting flights by plane (49%) and helicopter (51%) were analyzed. The methods of account of acoustic load, hygiene assessment and classification of working conditions, peer review methods, and statistical treatment methods have been used. Results. The working conditions, according to the criteria of the Guide R 2.2.2006-05, are assigned to the following classes: 3.2 - in 26%; 3.3 - in 41%; 3.4 - in 33%. Exceeding the permissible equivalent noise levels was recorded at 92% of workplaces. According to SHC, the exceedances were from 1.2 dB to 34.5 dB (class 3.1-3.4). In assessing the work intensity in 83% of cases from 5 to 11 indicators of class 3.2 were recorded. It has determined class 3.3 of work intensity. The levels of general vibration exceeded hygiene standards in 48% of cases (class 3.1- 3.2), local vibration - in 8% (class 3.1-3.2), microclimate parameters - in 67% (class 3.1-3.2), labour severity - in 22% (class 3.1-3.3), less often there were discrepancies in light (6%) and chemical factor (2%). Conclusion. According to a combination of factors, the overall assessment of working conditions of the pilots of civil aviation aircraft in 74% of cases is assigned to classes 3.3-3.4. However, the disadvantages and errors in filling out the SHC can underestimate the degree of harmfulness of the work. To improve the procedure of establishing the connection between the disease, and the profession it is necessary to amend the legislative framework to obtain objective information about the levels of factors affecting pilots, develop a separate form of SHC of working conditions of pilots, detailed instructions about the rules of filling out SHC.

Effectiveness of Two Different Methods on the Perceived Pain and Satisfaction During Intramuscular Antibiotic Injection: ShotBlocker and Local Vibration

In this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of ShotBlocker and local vibration on the perceived pain and satisfaction during intramuscular antibiotic injection. The sample of the randomized controlled experimental study consisted of 100 patients (32 in vibration group, 35 in ShotBlocker group, 33 in control group) who applied to the adult emergency clinic for antibiotic (amoxicillin/cefuroxime sodium) injection between April and May 2021. The study data were collected using the Structured Information Form, VAS for Pain and VAS for Satisfaction. CONSORT statement was followed for reporting. After the intramuscular antibiotic injection, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the mean scores of VAS for Pain and VAS for Injection Satisfaction ( p < .001). It was determined that local vibration application was more effective in reducing the pain and in increasing satisfaction that occurs during intramuscular antibiotic injection according to ShotBlocker and control groups.

Hemodynamics disorders in vertebra-basilar region in patients with vibration disease, caused by local vibration (data of rheography and transcranial dopplerography)

Brain hemodynamics was studied in vertebra-basilar region in patients with vibration disease, resulting from local vibration. High percentage of clinical and roentgenologic manifestations of cervical octeochondrosis was revealed, as well as incidence increase of cephalgia syndrome while vibration disease progressing. Analysis of rheographic curves (deviation by E.Enin) and transcranial dopplerosonograms showed cerebral circulation dificiency in vertebrabasilar region. The highest level of hemodynamic disorders was marked in vertebral arteries. It is not excluded, that one of the factors, enfluencing hemodynamics disorders, is pathology of the vertebral column.

GENDER FEATURES OF OCCUPATIONAL MORBIDITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN

In modern conditions, improving the working conditions of the working population is a priority area of activity in the field of occupational safety and health. The purpose of the research was to study the gender characteristics of occupational pathology in the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2000-2019. Materials and methods. The analysis of the structure of occupational pathology and statistical processing using the Microsoft Excel application software package was carried out. Results. The performed study demonstrated the presence of pronounced features of working conditions and occupational pathology in men and women. Men are more likely than women to work in harmful working conditions with exposed to noise factor, general and local vibration, increased severity and intensity of the labor process, and their combined effect. Conclusion. Attention should be paid to the development of sanitary and hygienic measures aimed at eliminating the causes of occupational pathology or its risk.