O fenol é utilizado na indústria como agente desinfetante, no preparo de resinas fenólicas e pigmentos de tintas. Apresenta-se no estado sólido à temperatura ambiente, com coloração fracamente rósea, odor acre e é higroscópico. Na exposição ocupacional aguda o composto pode levar a lesões eritematosas e sensação de calor, cronicamente, afetar a maturação celular no compartimento medular ósseo devido à formação de 1,4-benzoquinona. Os monitoramentos ambiental e biológico possuem relevância nas situações de exposições ocupacionais. O objetivo do trabalho foi validar e aplicar métodos apropriados na determinação de fenol em amostras de ar do ambiente de trabalho e urinas provenientes de trabalhadores do setor de macharia de uma indústria de peças sanitárias. Amostras de urina e ar foram analisadas, permitindo-se verificar a aplicação dos métodos cromatográficos para determinação de fenol. / Phenol is used as an industrial disinfectant agent, in the preparation of phenolic resins and paint pigments. When in solid state, it shows a light pink color, ocre odor and is hygroscopic. In acute occupational exposure, the compound can produce erythemic injuries and burn sensation and, chronically, affect the cellular maturation of bone marrow due the 1,4-benzoquinone. Environmental and biological monitoring are important in occupational exposure situations. The aim of this work was to validate a method to be applied in the determination of phenol concentration in air samples originated from work environment and urines taken from molding area workers at a sanitary devices foundry. Urine and air samples were analyzed, showing application of chromatography methods in phenol quantification.

Os procedimentos utilizados para reprocessamento e reuso de artigos médicos de uso único não estão normalizados nem avaliados quanto a segurança. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (i) determinar o tempo de esterilização e aeração de cânulas de perfusão em ambiente industrial; (ii) avaliar os níveis de resíduos de óxido de etileno, concentração de endotoxinas e resistência a tração de cânulas de perfusão após reprocessamento e reuso em ambiente hospitalar. No ambiente industrial as cânulas foram submetidas á esterilização com 450mg/L de 10% de óxido de etileno e 90% de CO2 por um período de 2 horas a uma temperatura de 45 a 55° C, umidade entre 30 e 90% aeração com 26 trocas de ar por hora com temperatura de 35°C. No ambiente hospitalar a cânula aramada TF 36460 foi utilizada em procedimento cirúrgico com circulação extracorpórea; lavada com água potável, desinfecção com detergente enzimático, enxague com água potável, embalada em papel grau cirúrgico e reprocessada por óxido de etileno com concentração de 500mg/L de 12% de óxido de etileno e 88% de Freon com tempo de exposição de 240 minutos, temperatura de 53°C, umidade entre 40-60% e aeração em temperatura ambiente. No ambiente industrial o tempo necessário para redução de 12 ciclos logarítmicos (SAL 10-6), foi de 120 minutos, no ambiente hospitalar foi de 240 minutos. O tempo de aeração variou de 19 a 28 horas na área industrial; e no ambiente hospitalar foi de 28 horas. No segundo reuso a cânula apresentou residual de óxido de etileno de 83,09 ppm; acima do limite especificado (≤_25ppm). Os testes de resistência a tração e determinação da concentração de endotoxinas foram realizados até o quarto reuso não apresentando resultados fora dos limites especificados. O procedimento de reuso nas condições atuais realizado em ambiente hospitalar foi reprovado, pois não atendeu aos requisitos de residual de óxido de etileno descritos na portaria Brasileira Interministerial n° 482. / The procedures used during reprocessing of disposables have not been normalized, nor assessed for safety. The objective of this study is to assess sterility, residual rate of ethylene oxide, pyrogenicity and resistance to traction results observed in perfusion cannulas after the sterilization process in industrial environments and after reprocessing and reuse in the hospital environment. In the industrial environment, the cannulas were submitted to sterilization with 450mg/L of EtO and 90% of CO2 during a period of 2 hours and at a temperature of 45-55°C, humidity ranging from 30 to 90% and aeration of 26 air changes per hour at a temperature of 35°C. For the hospital environment, we selected the TF 36460 wired cannula, and after using it on a surgical procedure with extracorporeal circulation, it was washed with clean water, disinfected with enzymatic detergent, rinsed with clean water, wrapped in surgical paper and reprocessed in 500mg/L ethylene oxide of 12% EtO and 88% Freon and exposed for 240 minutes at a temperature of 53°C, humidity ranging from 40 to 60% and aeration at room temperature. In the industrial environment, the time needed for decreasing 12 logarithm cycles (10-6) was 120 minutes, while in the hospital environment it was 240 minutes. The aeration time ranged between 19 and 28 hours in the industrial area, while in the hospital environment it took 28 hours. In the second reuse the cannula presented residual of ethylene oxide of 83,09 ppm; above of the specified limit (≤25_ppm). The physical test and endotoxins concentration had been carried through until for reuse not presented results out of specified. The currently procedure of reuse in the hospital is disapproved therefore does not take care of the limits of ethylene oxide residues, recommended by Interministerial Brazilian regulation 482.

Os procedimentos utilizados para reprocessamento e reuso de artigos médicos de uso único não estão normalizados nem avaliados quanto a segurança. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (i) determinar o tempo de esterilização e aeração de cânulas de perfusão em ambiente industrial; (ii) avaliar os níveis de resíduos de óxido de etileno, concentração de endotoxinas e resistência a tração de cânulas de perfusão após reprocessamento e reuso em ambiente hospitalar. No ambiente industrial as cânulas foram submetidas á esterilização com 450mg/L de 10% de óxido de etileno e 90% de CO2 por um período de 2 horas a uma temperatura de 45 a 55° C, umidade entre 30 e 90% aeração com 26 trocas de ar por hora com temperatura de 35°C. No ambiente hospitalar a cânula aramada TF 36460 foi utilizada em procedimento cirúrgico com circulação extracorpórea; lavada com água potável, desinfecção com detergente enzimático, enxague com água potável, embalada em papel grau cirúrgico e reprocessada por óxido de etileno com concentração de 500mg/L de 12% de óxido de etileno e 88% de Freon com tempo de exposição de 240 minutos, temperatura de 53°C, umidade entre 40-60% e aeração em temperatura ambiente. No ambiente industrial o tempo necessário para redução de 12 ciclos logarítmicos (SAL 10-6), foi de 120 minutos, no ambiente hospitalar foi de 240 minutos. O tempo de aeração variou de 19 a 28 horas na área industrial; e no ambiente hospitalar foi de 28 horas. No segundo reuso a cânula apresentou residual de óxido de etileno de 83,09 ppm; acima do limite especificado (≤_25ppm). Os testes de resistência a tração e determinação da concentração de endotoxinas foram realizados até o quarto reuso não apresentando resultados fora dos limites especificados. O procedimento de reuso nas condições atuais realizado em ambiente hospitalar foi reprovado, pois não atendeu aos requisitos de residual de óxido de etileno descritos na portaria Brasileira Interministerial n° 482. / The procedures used during reprocessing of disposables have not been normalized, nor assessed for safety. The objective of this study is to assess sterility, residual rate of ethylene oxide, pyrogenicity and resistance to traction results observed in perfusion cannulas after the sterilization process in industrial environments and after reprocessing and reuse in the hospital environment. In the industrial environment, the cannulas were submitted to sterilization with 450mg/L of EtO and 90% of CO2 during a period of 2 hours and at a temperature of 45-55°C, humidity ranging from 30 to 90% and aeration of 26 air changes per hour at a temperature of 35°C. For the hospital environment, we selected the TF 36460 wired cannula, and after using it on a surgical procedure with extracorporeal circulation, it was washed with clean water, disinfected with enzymatic detergent, rinsed with clean water, wrapped in surgical paper and reprocessed in 500mg/L ethylene oxide of 12% EtO and 88% Freon and exposed for 240 minutes at a temperature of 53°C, humidity ranging from 40 to 60% and aeration at room temperature. In the industrial environment, the time needed for decreasing 12 logarithm cycles (10-6) was 120 minutes, while in the hospital environment it was 240 minutes. The aeration time ranged between 19 and 28 hours in the industrial area, while in the hospital environment it took 28 hours. In the second reuse the cannula presented residual of ethylene oxide of 83,09 ppm; above of the specified limit (≤25_ppm). The physical test and endotoxins concentration had been carried through until for reuse not presented results out of specified. The currently procedure of reuse in the hospital is disapproved therefore does not take care of the limits of ethylene oxide residues, recommended by Interministerial Brazilian regulation 482.

A 3-dimensional individual-based model, the ReefModel, was developed to simulate the interaction among six functional groups of coral reef organisms (tabular coral, foliaceous coral, massive coral, macroalga, corallivorous gastropod and herbivorous fish) using an object-oriented technique. The simulation results suggest that (i) fast-growing habit with overtopping competitive mechanism is effective for corals to gain dominance in a stable coral community; (ii) the integration of physical disturbance and the differential responses of corals play an important role in structuring coral communities; (iii) macroalgal influence can cause significant shift in coral community structure, but the influence can be mediated by herbivory; (iv) gastropod predation provides differential effects on different coral groups; (v) alternative stable states can occur in coral reef communities and result from the influence of small random spatial events that occur early on during the interactions among the reef organisms. / A two year (1997--1999) monitoring programme of the coral communities at two sites, A Ma Wan (AMW) and A Ye Wan (AYW), in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong was carried out. The study identified a total of 45 scleractinian coral species in the study areas, in which 40 species were recorded in AMW and 32 species were recorded in AYW. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) ordinations showed that distinct spatial variations occurred in the coral communities within and between sites and were probably due to the differential effects of the repeated severe cyclone impacts on the communities. The seasonal influence of corallivorous gastropods (Drupella rugosa and Cronia margariticola ) and macroalgae also caused substantial decrease in percent cover of various dominant species in the communities. / Another two year (1998--1999) monitoring programme on the reef fish communities in the study areas was also carried out. The study identified a total of 106 species in the study areas, in which 87 species were recorded in AMW and 78 species were recorded in AYW. A seasonal pattern was observed in the abundances and species richness of all fishes and of most of the frequently encountered families/trophic groups in both study areas. This pattern may be related to the seasonal fluctuation of macroalgae, the influence of recruitment and post-settlement of fish larvae, and the seasonal variation in the behaviour of fishes. MDS ordinations demonstrated that spatial variation in fish community structure existed within and between sites and were possibly related to the spatial variation of the coral community structure therein. The ordinations also showed that the fish community structures were not seasonally stable throughout the study period. / Coral reef communities have high ecological and economic values but are under increasing human-induced stress locally and worldwide. Long-term monitoring of the communities is thus essential to understand the natural variation of the communities in order to provide objective assessment on the impacts of human on them. Furthermore, anthropogenic disturbances are known to cause phase shifts of coral reef communities that suggests the potential existence of alternative stable states in these communities. Examining this diagnosis by modelling studies is important for their conservation. / In conclusion, the coral communities in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong may have low resilience towards severe disturbances. Preserving the coral resilience should be one of the main goals of any strategy aimed at conserving the coral communities around the island. Precautionary principle should also be adopted in their conservation as the alternative stable states may appear in the communities after exposure to human or naturally induced disturbances. / Tam Tze Wai. / "April 2006." / Adviser: Put O. Ang, Jr. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6168. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-211). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

O fenol é utilizado na indústria como agente desinfetante, no preparo de resinas fenólicas e pigmentos de tintas. Apresenta-se no estado sólido à temperatura ambiente, com coloração fracamente rósea, odor acre e é higroscópico. Na exposição ocupacional aguda o composto pode levar a lesões eritematosas e sensação de calor, cronicamente, afetar a maturação celular no compartimento medular ósseo devido à formação de 1,4-benzoquinona. Os monitoramentos ambiental e biológico possuem relevância nas situações de exposições ocupacionais. O objetivo do trabalho foi validar e aplicar métodos apropriados na determinação de fenol em amostras de ar do ambiente de trabalho e urinas provenientes de trabalhadores do setor de macharia de uma indústria de peças sanitárias. Amostras de urina e ar foram analisadas, permitindo-se verificar a aplicação dos métodos cromatográficos para determinação de fenol. / Phenol is used as an industrial disinfectant agent, in the preparation of phenolic resins and paint pigments. When in solid state, it shows a light pink color, ocre odor and is hygroscopic. In acute occupational exposure, the compound can produce erythemic injuries and burn sensation and, chronically, affect the cellular maturation of bone marrow due the 1,4-benzoquinone. Environmental and biological monitoring are important in occupational exposure situations. The aim of this work was to validate a method to be applied in the determination of phenol concentration in air samples originated from work environment and urines taken from molding area workers at a sanitary devices foundry. Urine and air samples were analyzed, showing application of chromatography methods in phenol quantification.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 2017 / This study presents the development of a potentially new biomarker for three different movement disorders: Huntington’s Disease (HD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Essential Tremors (ET). A Leap Motion® gaming device was used to record the trajectories of subjects’ forefinger as they trace simple patterns in the air. The patterns used were stepfunction, triangle and circle. The recorded signals were analysed using transform functions and Fourier analysis. Both analysis types yielded features from which differences between the four categories studied: PD, HD, ET and control subjects, were sought and displayed in both graphical and numerical forms. The X-axis and Y-axis of the signals were separately analysed and yielded different results. For the step-function pattern, no distinct differences between the four categories were found from the transfer function analysis whereas the Y-axis of the signal could distinguish between the categories. For the triangle pattern, the X-axis features provided a discrimination between the categories while the Y-axis feature did not. For the circle pattern, neither X-axis nor Y-axis features were able to distinguish between the categories. A Fourier analysis showed a better discrimination ability for both X- and Y- axis. This study is a preliminary one and all results indicate that more subjects of all categories are needed to develop a bio-marker for the diseases studied and that a higher order transfer function analysis is required. However, the methodology outlined in this work, comprising of both the experimental system and the analysis showed a potential to produce a biomarker for movement disorders. / MT2018

Understanding wetland responses to human perturbations is essential to the effective management of Florida's surface and ground water resources. Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Rules (Chapter 40D-2.301(c) FAC) prohibit adverse environmental effects to wetlands, fish and wildlife caused by groundwater withdrawal. Numerous studies have documented the responses of biological attributes across taxa and regions to human disturbance. Biological assessment can provide information about ecological condition. Based on long-term monitoring conducted by the SWFWMD, the anthropogenic changes observed on the Starkey Wellfield are attributed to groundwater withdrawal. Biological indicators are species, species assemblages, or communities whose presence, abundance, and condition are indicative of a particular set of environmental conditions. Monitoring early indicators of ecosystem stress may shorten response time by shifting attention to the relatively quick response of sensitive species. Species used to assess biological condition should be abundant and tractable elements of the system that provide an early, diagnosis. Regulatory requirements within 40D-2 F.A.C. dictate an extensive analysis be conducted twice yearly on wetlands within all wellfields. This quantitative analysis provides information on the wetland plant community through the collection of eighteen categorized vegetative and physical variables. Because of the size of the area in which monitoring is required and the large number of wetlands, a rapid qualitative monitoring method was developed using vegetation and physical variables to classify wetlands into one of three categories based on their perceived health. Wetland plants have many characteristics suited to assessments of biological condition including their diversity, taxonomy, distribution, relative immobility, well developed sampling protocols, and, for herbaceous species, their moderate sensitivity to disturbance (U.S. EPA 2002, Doherty et al. 2000). Because amphibians occupy both aquatic and terrestrial habitats in their life history, have physiological adaptations and specific microhabitat requirements, they are considered to be extremely sensitive to environmental perturbations and excellent barometers of the health of the aquatic and terrestrial habitats in which they reside (Vitt et al. 1990, Wake 1998, Blaustein 1994, Blaustein et al. 1994). The purpose of my study was to 1) compare a qualitative method of wetland vegetation monitoring to a quantitative method, 2) document the reproductive success of anurans, and 3) compare anuran reproductive success to the vegetation monitoring results on the J. B. Starkey Wellfield (SWF). The results are published in chapters, with each chapter addressing one of the topics stated above. The results show a rapid, qualitative measure of wetland health is useful for the determination of severely affected wetlands. The anuran reproductive success reflected similar results. The results show that wetlands can be categorized based solely on amphibian reproductive success variables. The anuran categorization, qualitative vegetative categorization, and quantitative vegetative categorization overlap on the high and low success wetlands. The low degree of overlap observed in the intermediate category could be attributed to fish predation in a wetland otherwise suited for amphibian reproduction, natural variability in the two years of anuran data collected or lag time inherent in vegetative monitoring. Strong correlative evidence suggests hydroperiod regulates anuran reproductive success on the J. B. Starkey Wellfield. The average length of inundation was correlated with the number of tadpoles captured per unit effort and the number of tadpole species captured per year (R=0.73, p<.01; R=0.70, p<.05). The average Julian date of inundation at which breeding attempts stopped and no tadpoles were observed was weeks within the published breeding season for many species. I detected a correlation between the number of species calling in each wetland and the number of tadpole species captured per year (R=0.87, p<.001) suggesting call censuses may be used at this site to estimate anuran reproductive success if enough well-timed observations are made. These findings will allow resource managers and regulators to evaluate and possibly refine land management practices, including existing monitoring methods, and water policy to meet the needs of resident amphibians at the J.B. Starkey Wellfield.

Fluorinated chemicals have the advantage of both lipophobic and hydrophobic behaviour, leading to broad industrial and commercial use. Fluorosurfactants, for example, are used in applications, such as grease-proofing food packaging, which result in human exposure. Human blood serum, in this work 100 German serum samples dating from 1982 to 2009, is a common matrix for detection of fluorochemicals. Here the most extensive temporal study to date of one class of fluorosurfactant (polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters, diPAPs) in human serum is presented. Additionally, another class of fluorosurfactant (sulfonamide-based PAPs, SAmPAPs) was detected in humans for the first time with temporal trends which echo industrial production. Metabolites of diPAPs and SAmPAPs were also quantified, showing temporal trends that relate to the diPAP and SAmPAP levels. Because diPAP and SAmPAP metabolites are environmentally persistent and raise human health concerns, it is important to understand these indirect sources of exposure.

Fluorinated chemicals have the advantage of both lipophobic and hydrophobic behaviour, leading to broad industrial and commercial use. Fluorosurfactants, for example, are used in applications, such as grease-proofing food packaging, which result in human exposure. Human blood serum, in this work 100 German serum samples dating from 1982 to 2009, is a common matrix for detection of fluorochemicals. Here the most extensive temporal study to date of one class of fluorosurfactant (polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters, diPAPs) in human serum is presented. Additionally, another class of fluorosurfactant (sulfonamide-based PAPs, SAmPAPs) was detected in humans for the first time with temporal trends which echo industrial production. Metabolites of diPAPs and SAmPAPs were also quantified, showing temporal trends that relate to the diPAP and SAmPAP levels. Because diPAP and SAmPAP metabolites are environmentally persistent and raise human health concerns, it is important to understand these indirect sources of exposure.

Bibliography : leaves i-xxiii. / vi, 95, xxiii, [170] leaves, [4] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, 1991