Impact of Classical Counterconditioning (Quiet Kennel Exercise) on Barking in Kenneled Dogs—A Pilot Study

Excessive barking is a major source of noise pollution in dog kennels and negatively impacts welfare. Because resources are often limited, minimizing barking in the simplest and most easily implementable way is imperative. This pilot study implemented a Quiet Kennel Exercise (QKE) that utilized classical counterconditioning to change the dogs’ negative emotional state (which can lead to barking) to a more positive emotional state. Therefore, barking motivation is reduced, so barking should decrease. This study aims to show proof of concept that decreasing barking through classical counterconditioning is effective. It was conducted in one ward of day-time boarding kennels at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Data was collected three times per day and included decibel readings, number of dogs present, and number of dogs barking during a 5-day initial baseline and 10-day intervention period. During baseline, people passing through the ward acted as they normally would. During intervention, passersby were asked to simply toss each dog a treat regardless of the dogs’ behaviors in the kennel. Descriptive results show improvement in maximum level of barking after QKE, fewer dogs barking over time, dogs barking less each time, and the most improvement noted in the afternoon.

Octave Band Technique for Noise Measurement at the Source, Path, and Receiver of Gas Turbines in Oil and Gas Facilities

Noise measurement is essential for industrial usage. However, further attention to preventing noise pollution is needed, especially when working with equipment generating a high noise level, such as gas turbines. This study aims to determine the best way to perform noise measurement and analyze the octave band frequency generated by noise pollution caused by gas turbine equipment. Data from site measurements show that the gas turbines produce more than 85 dB of noise with a Z-weighted measurement. A noise measuring investigation was conducted to obtain the data for the 1/3 octave band. A frequency-domain was used to comprehend the properties of the noise measurement frequency band. The frequency band was classified into three different zones called low, medium, and high frequency, which is useful in noise measurement analysis to identify a viable solution to reduce the noise. On-site sampling was performed at the source, path, and receiver of three separate gas turbine locations within oil and gas operations. The 1/3 octave band data collection results at the sound source, path, and receiver demonstrate the noise level distribution at the perimeter of gas turbine installations in the low and medium frequency ranges. Most of the high noise frequency range is between 250 Hz and 2 kHz for source, path, and receiver. All acquired values are compared to the Department of Safety and Health (Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019 in Malaysia. As a result, oil and gas service operators can monitor and take countermeasures to limit noise exposure at oil and gas facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: EFFECT ON PEDESTRIANS WHILE WALKING IN URBAN STREET

Purpose: The reason for this study is because of observed difference in environmental condition in Lagos metropolis. The change is witnessed in environmental change arising from air, water and noise pollution mostly from increasing vehicle emissions in the State. This study has been conducted to analyze the environmental effects of pollution on pedestrians. Specific objectives are determine the air quality of the city at most populate headquarters of each of the 20 Local Government Areas of Lagos State, to examine the impact of pollution (air, water and noise) on pedestrians and assess various measures for reducing environmental pollution in the State. Methodology: The use of Thermo scientific MIE pDR-1500 instrument was used to measure air quality index of the selected locations and survey was carried out with well-structured questionnaire to elicit information with the aid of incidental sampling technique on impact of pollution on pedestrians from 177 respondents. Findings: Air Quality Index was shown with histogram chart where six out of 20 Local Government Areas are above the acceptable standard of pollution. There is rising cases of pollution in the State and very few Local governments were within acceptable range. One –Sample T-test showed that air pollution is majorly affecting pedestrians with t-value of 22.226 followed by noise with 19.643 and water with 5.529 respectively. Conclusion and recommendations: The research concluded that, there is need to control the rising cases of pollution in the state and policies to tame air and noise pollution in the state should be adopted. Emission control strategies to be adopted with the existing ones can be in form of restricting hours of movement of vehicles to late at night to avoid human pollutant contact, encourage tree planting and rapid evacuation of environmental waste.

Cement Dust Effect from Bokajan Cement Factory on Residents of Vicinity Area: A Study in Assam, India

Cement manufacturing industries are one of the most common reasons of air pollution, surface and ground water pollution and noise pollution and is also indirectly affecting the people residing near the cement plants. This study was carried out to quantify the cement dust emission from Bokajan Cement Corporation of India’s cement factory falling on the residences and to determine its effect on some selected household activities and general well-being of the people residing near it. An experimental method was carried out to estimate the accumulated cement dust in households. The findings showed that household activities performed by the residence were dependent upon the dust exposure, which means more the dusts are more are the cleaning and maintenance. It was also found that cement dust highly affected general wellbeing of the respondents living in southern direction and lowest affect was observed among the respondents of the east direction.

Optimized design research of fully enclosed noise barrier

Fully enclosed noise barrier has been used to prevent and control traffic noise pollution because of its effectiveness. It has become the best solution for controlling environmental noise of high-rise buildings from expressways, urban viaducts and railways that cross the crowded downtown area. However, its high cost has become an important retarding factor on its application and popularization, so reducing the cost become an urgent problem. The research theory, structure frame, sound absorbing and insulating materials are investigated for the fully enclosed noise barrier, so as to provide technical solutions for optimizing the design scheme and reducing the construction cost.

Investigation of Noise Pollution in an Educational Building – Case Study of Babylon University in Iraq

Acoustic conditions, considered an indicator of the level of comfort, are a major concern in educational facilities since they are linked to students’ well-being and learning capacity. In this study, measurements of the acoustical comfort conditions were performed using portable IEQ meter have been assessed in four selected areas of environmental engineering department building (The classroom for fourth year, student’s corridor, teacher’s corridor and reception area) in the University of Babylon in Hillah City. This was done by analyzing the data measured for 13 months from August (2020) to August (2021). Statistical analysis by using the linear regression test was performed to determine the relationship between the selected areas. Noise is the major parameter for the educational areas that can interfere with the students’ activities and eventually, this will have a detrimental effect on the students’ physical and psychological health. The acquired results were compared to the reference values specified in the handbook to international standards for noise compliance in academic educational facilities. The results show that all the studied areas in the Environmental Engineering Department had back-ground noise levels out of the recommended threshold limit values (>50 dB) revealed that the indoor environment of these areas was of poor quality, indicating the require for interventions. This study can be considered a pilot study for future comparable research on Iraqi universities.

Noise Pollution Monitoring at Some Indoor Environments in Basrah City, Iraq

Noise is an unavoidable stressor nowadays; it adversely affects human health and the ability to perform mental and complex tasks. Eight selected points representing home environment were sampled in urban zones, the indoor and outdoor noise levels in these residential areas were evaluated during the summer and winter seasons. Also, nine points in educational institute represented by the College of Science through its lecture halls, laboratories and corridors, to compare them with WHO limits of sound pressure levels, to assess the level of noise experienced by people in indoor closed environments. The current study results showed higher sound levels than required inside homes and educational places. For homes, the highest sound level was 73.9 dB during summer in the living room and the lowest was 42.1 in winter in the bedroom, while the highest sound level in the educational environment was 72.37 dB in summer and the lowest was 61.75 dB in winter. Exposure of individuals to high levels of noise in educational institutions and in their homes means longer hours of exposure to noise pollution, which will negatively affect their health. Thus there is a serious need nowadays to adopt suitable control to reduce noise pollution at indoor points.