Article
Automation & Control Systems
ZuMing Liu, Fei Liu
Summary: Double-layer coaxial hybrid arcing technology is developed to improve the controllability of the weld pool thermal-force state in keyhole welding. The stable hybrid arcing process can be achieved when the outer arc current is lower than 30 A. This method shows promising results in improving the keyhole welding process window.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jairo Buitrago Cortes, Philippe Sarazin, Denis Dieme, Jonathan Cote, Capucine Ouellet, Naima El Majidi, Michele Bouchard
Summary: This research aimed to assess the actual dose of metal components absorbed by apprentice welders in a learning environment and establish the nature and level of exposure to welding fumes and their metallic components. The study found higher levels of manganese, iron, and nickel in urine and manganese in hair during the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) module, while there was no significant difference for the other elements.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling Zhang, Jia-Mian Yu, Xiao-Yue Shan, Ji Shao, Hai-Peng Ye
Summary: This study assessed the risk of occupational exposure to welding fume and airborne heavy metals in electronic manufacturing workshops in Hangzhou, China. The air samples collected showed that welding fume was the most abundant contaminant, followed by metals such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, and chromium. It was found that the levels of certain contaminants exceeded permissible limits, indicating a need for engineering controls and management strategies to reduce exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mayumi Tsuji, Hajime Hori, Chihaya Koriyama, Rie Tanaka, Toyohi Isse, Yasuhiro Ishihara, Tsunetoshi Ishizuka, Wataru Hasegawa, Motohide Goto, Kazuhiro Yatera, Naoki Kunugita, Mami Kuwamura, Toshihide Sakuragi, Yoshiko Yasumura, Megumi Yamamoto, Susumu Ueno
Summary: This study aimed to examine whether the results of the mask fit test affect the association between the concentration of metals in biological samples and the results of personal exposures. The study found a positive association between blood Mn concentrations and personal exposure results in the group that failed the mask fit test.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Rui Yu, Yue Cao, Jennifer Martin, Otto Chiang, YuMing Zhang
Summary: Double-electrode gas metal arc welding (DE-GMAW) is an improved method based on conventional GMAW. To ensure its proper operation, a robotized system with a follower robot is proposed, and deep learning is employed for process monitoring. The use of different voltages as labels for different modes of operation has been proven to be reliable.
WELDING IN THE WORLD
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
S. A. Egerland, M. Wiesinger, R. Sharma, B. Ebert
Summary: This study quantitatively evaluated the efficiency and interaction of technical measures for welding fume protection using advanced Metal-Active-Gas (MAG) process variants. The data derived from the study provides useful information for decision makers in selecting efficient protection measures, and emphasizes the impact of environmental background on measurement results.
WELDING IN THE WORLD
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Peter Brand, Benjamin Ebert, Andre Esser, Rahul Sharma
Summary: The study found that welding processes with low fume emission rates result in higher direct fume exposure for welders, while processes with high emission rates lead to lower exposure. This is believed to be due to the higher energy input of high emitting processes stabilizing the thermic column and eliminating fume particles from the welder's breathing zone. Exposure can be minimized by additionally optimizing workshop ventilation.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Klara Trydell, Kjell-Arne Persson, Nuria Fuertes, Erwan Siewert, Nakhleh Hussary, Michael Pfreuntner, Per Bengtsson, Paul Janiak, Ravi Vishnu, Mette Frodigh
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of achieving a microstructure with 30-70% ferrite in duplex stainless steel (1.4462, DX 2205) through autogenous welding with a novel plasma welding equipment. The effect of gas composition on the phase balance and joint quality was studied. It was found that high joint quality with a favorable ferrite/austenite phase balance can be achieved using the novel plasma torch.
WELDING IN THE WORLD
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alvin C. Alvarado, Bernardo Z. Predicala
Summary: The study found that a low crude protein diet can reduce worker exposure to ammonia, while oil sprinkling can control respirable dust levels in swine facilities. However, reductions in airborne levels did not result in decreased occupational exposure. Commercial ammonia monitors showed higher readings than the standard NIOSH 6015 method.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fangda Peng, Lijia Yu, Chunmin Zhang, Qicai Liu, Kai Yan, Kangfu Zhang, Yuqiao Zheng, Wubin Liu, Yan Li, Jingguang Fan, Chunguang Ding
Summary: The study aimed to screen serum differential metabolites of welding fume exposure using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The results showed significant changes in serum metabolism, and lysophosphatidylcholine (20:1/0:0) and phosphatidylglycerol (PGF1 alpha/16:0) may serve as potential biological mediators and biomarkers for laborers exposed to welding fume.
INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Xiaoliang Wang, Andrew Harrison, Yunlong Chang, Jian Liu
Summary: This research paper presents a study on the concentration of argon arc in a high-frequency alternating magnetic field and proposes a new approach to confine arc plasma.
PHYSICS OF PLASMAS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xianqiang Fu, Diana Hern, Dionna N. Attinson, Kale Z. Kponee, Debra Bartelli, Anna M. Gretz, Joshua N. Smith, Chunrong Jia
Summary: Monitoring 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) with thermal desorption tubes provides an easy and low-cost approach to measure exposure to domestic environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and biomass burning smoke (BBS). This method also has the potential to assess exposure to outdoor smoke from wildfires and agricultural burning.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying-Hsi Liou, Ying-Jen Chen, Wei-Liang Chen, Kuan-Ying Li, Ting-Yu Chou, Yung-Chi Huang, Chung-Ching Wang, Ching-Huang Lai
Summary: This study investigated the associations between metal exposure and dry eye metrics in shipyard welders. The results showed that certain metal concentrations in urinary and toenail samples were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the control group. After adjusting for confounding factors, urinary cadmium and toenail lead were significantly associated with dry eye metrics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Per Gustavsson, Pernilla Wiebert, Hakan Tinnerberg, Theo Bodin, Anette Linnersjo, Ida Hed Myrberg, Maria Albin, Jenny Selander
Summary: This study investigated time trends in occupational exposure to various chemicals in Sweden and found that exposure to chlorinated organic solvents and lead diminished, while exposure levels to RCS and welding fumes have changed little since 1990. The study suggests that increased efforts are needed to reduce exposure to RCS and welding fumes due to their serious negative health effects.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF WORK ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
K. Meszaros, A. Rana, H. Henein, M. Dias
Summary: Proprietary compositional blends were developed for hardfacing applications and were tested using industry performance indicators after heat treatment. The blends were designed for high-amperage, high-productivity deposition as a self-shielded FCAW wire. Mechanical testing and microstructural analysis, including hardness testing, abrasion mass loss testing, carbide volume fraction analysis, and rotary impact testing, supported the performance of the blends under different heat treatment conditions.
Article
Immunology
Ingrid Sander, Sabine Kespohl, Eva Zahradnik, Philipp Goecke, Ingolf Hosbach, Burkhard L. Herrmann, Thomas Bruening, Monika Raulf
Summary: This study successfully developed an ELISA method for the quantitative measurement of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which showed good repeatability and traceability. Compared to commercial assays, the ELISA method performed better in terms of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing infection and vaccine response.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
T. Gambichler, C. Finis, N. Abu Rached, C. H. Scheel, J. C. Becker, K. Lang, H. U. Kafferlein, T. Bruning, N. Abolmaali, L. Susok
Summary: The study investigated the protein expression of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tumor tissue of 50 patients, and reduced MMR protein expression was observed in 16% of patients. Baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and reduced intratumoral MMR protein expression were significantly associated with favorable treatment response. However, further validation is required in larger patient cohorts.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Thomas Behrens, Calvin Ge, Roel Vermeulen, Benjamin Kendzia, Ann Olsson, Joachim Schuez, Hans Kromhout, Beate Pesch, Susan Peters, Luetzen Portengen, Per Gustavsson, Dario Mirabelli, Pascal Guenel, Daniele Luce, Dario Consonni, Neil E. Caporaso, Maria Teresa Landi, John K. Field, Stefan Karrasch, Heinz-Erich Wichmann, Jack Siemiatycki, Marie-Elise Parent, Lorenzo Richiardi, Lorenzo Simonato, Karl-Heinz Joeckel, Wolfgang Ahrens, Hermann Pohlabeln, Guillermo Fernandez-Tardon, David Zaridze, John R. McLaughlin, Paul A. Demers, Beata Swiatkowska, Jolanta Lissowska, Tamas Pandics, Eleonora Fabianova, Dana Mates, Vladimir Bencko, Lenka Foretova, Vladimir Janout, Paolo Boffetta, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Francesco Forastiere, Kurt Straif, Thomas Bruening
Summary: Limited evidence exists regarding the exposure-effect relationship between lung-cancer risk and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or nickel. This study found that occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel was associated with lung-cancer risks, particularly in men. In men, the highest quartile of cumulative exposure to CR(VI) and nickel were both significantly associated with increased odds ratios for lung cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mehdi Manoochehri, Nasim Borhani, Clarissa Gerhaeuser, Yassen Assenov, Maximilian Schoenung, Thomas Hielscher, Brock C. Christensen, Min Kyung Lee, Hermann-Josef Grone, Daniel B. Lipka, Thomas Bruening, Hiltrud Brauch, Yon-Dschun Ko, Ute Hamann
Summary: Noninvasive detection of aberrant DNA methylation could provide invaluable biomarkers for earlier detection of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), aiding clinicians in easier and more efficient treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Swaantje Casjens, Anita Tisch, Frank Brenscheidt, Beate Beermann, Thomas Bruening, Thomas Behrens, Sylvia Rabstein
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the workload and affected the physical and mental health of employees. A study conducted in Germany found that hair cortisol concentration (HCC) doubled among non-healthcare night-shift workers during the first wave of the pandemic. Subjective measures of psychosomatic stress were not reliable predictors of HCC. There were no significant differences in HCC between different shift schedules, suggesting that working 12-hour shifts did not add additional stress in the already demanding COVID-19 pandemic.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sonja A. Wrobel, Daniel Bury, Vladimir N. Belov, Jan M. Klenk, Bernhard Hauer, Heiko Hayen, Anderson J. Martino-Andrade, Holger M. Koch, Thomas Bruening, Heiko U. Kaefferlein
Summary: We have developed a specific and robust analytical method to analyze the most important neonicotinoids and their metabolites in human urine. The method was successfully validated and applied to quantify these compounds in individuals from the general population in Germany and pregnant women from Brazil with no known occupational exposures to neonicotinoids.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Michal Gina, Katharina Wichert, Gerald Kutz, Thomas Bruening, Manige Fartasch
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of protective creams prior to wearing liquid-proof gloves can mitigate the occlusion effect and skin sensitivity. The results showed that the use of protective creams did not alleviate the occlusion effect, and some creams may have negative effects on the skin barrier function and increase sensitivity.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Michal Gina, Katharina Wichert, Birgit Pieper, Thomas Behrens, Thomas Bruening, Manige Fartasch
Summary: This study compared the effects of using a shorter duration of a grit-containing cleanser and a longer duration of a mild cleanser on skin damage. The results showed that the shorter duration of the grit-containing cleanser resulted in more significant damage to the skin barrier, while the longer duration of the mild cleanser caused less damage.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sonja A. Wrobel, Stephan Koslitz, Vladimir N. Belov, Daniel Bury, Heiko Hayen, Thomas Bruening, Holger M. Koch, Heiko U. Kaefferlein
Summary: This study developed and validated an analytical method to detect the metabolites of neonicotinoid insecticides in human urine. The results showed that the main metabolite in human urine was 6-chloronicotinic acid glycine, but the specific source of exposure remained unclear.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dirk Taeger, Stephan Koslitz, Heiko U. Kaefferlein, Tim Pelzl, Birgit Heinrich, Dietmar Breuer, Tobias Weiss, Volker Harth, Thomas Behrens, Thomas Bruening
Summary: This study assessed the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during firefighting operations in Germany using biomonitoring methods. The results showed that properly applied protective clothing and wearing of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) can significantly reduce PAH exposure levels. However, there might still be individual situations in which PAH are increasingly incorporated, and the possibility of an individual increased cancer risk cannot be completely ruled out.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eike-Maximillian Marek, Vera van Kampen, Birger Jettkant, Benjamin Kendzia, Bianca Strauss, Kirsten Sucker, Melanie Ulbrich, Anja Deckert, Hans Berresheim, Christian Eisenhawer, Frank Hoffmeyer, Simon Weidhaas, Thomas Behrens, Thomas Bruening, Juergen Buenger
Summary: The use of face masks became mandatory during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but wearing masks may cause complaints about labored breathing and stress. This study investigated the effects of different masks on cardiopulmonary performance. The results showed that wearing a mask increased breathing resistance and work of breathing, altered breathing patterns during exercise, and caused minimal changes in blood gases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vera van Kampen, Eike-Maximillian Marek, Kirsten Sucker, Birger Jettkant, Benjamin Kendzia, Bianca Strauss, Melanie Ulbrich, Anja Deckert, Hans Berresheim, Christian Eisenhawer, Frank Hoffmeyer, Simon Weidhaas, Thomas Behrens, Thomas Bruening, Juergen Buenger
Summary: In order to measure the subjective and cognitive impairment caused by wearing masks at work, a study was conducted on 20 men and 20 women of varying ages. The participants wore surgical masks, community masks, FFP2 respirators, or no masks during different workloads. The results showed that wearing masks led to increased discomfort, especially with physical exertion and longer wearing time. However, there was no significant impact on cognitive performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)