From films to thermoluminescence dosemeters: the Greek Atomic Energy Commission experience

The personnel dosimetry department of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) assures the individual monitoring of almost 8000 occupationally exposed workers. Thermoluminescence dosimetry systems will replace the existing photographic dosimetry system for the individual monitoring with the joint support of IAEA and GAEC. The thermoluminescence dosimetry system consists of two automated readers, one automated irradiator and about 20,000 dosemeters purchased from the Rados Co. The properties of two thermoluminescent materials have been compared: LiF has been chosen for the whole-body dosemeter configuration and Li2B4O7 for the extremities. The technical evaluation of the system has been performed according to the European and IEC standards. The overall uncertainty has been calculated. The existing database system, and the accounting and dispatching procedures have been adapted to the new demands. The system became operational on March 2000, and the official distribution of thermoluminescence dosemeters has begun.     

Fatal traffic accidents among trailer truck drivers and accident causes as viewed by other truck drivers

Causality factors, the responsibility of the driver and driver fatigue-related factors were studied in fatal two-vehicle accidents where a trailer truck driver was involved during the period of 1991-1997 (n = 337). In addition, 251 long-haul truck drivers were surveyed in order to study their views regarding contributing factors in accidents involving trucks and the development of possible countermeasure against driver fatigue. Trailer truck drivers were principally responsible for 16% of all the accidents. Younger driver age and driving during evening hours were significant predictors of being principally responsible. In addition, the probability of being principally responsible for the accident increased by a factor of over three if the driver had a chronic illness. Prolonged driving preceding the accident, accident history or traffic offence history did not have a significant effect. Only 2% of the drivers were estimated to have fallen asleep while driving just prior to the accident, and altogether 4% of the drivers had been tired prior to the accident. Of the drivers 13% had however, been driving over 10 h preceding the accident (which has been criminally punishably in Finland since 1995 under the EC regulation) but no individual factors had a significant effect in predicting prolonged driving. The surveyed views regarding causes of truck accidents correspond well with the accident analysis. Accidents were viewed as being most often caused by other road users and driver fatigue was viewed to be no more than the fifth (out of eight) common cause of accidents. The probability of viewing fatigue as a more common cause increased significantly if the driver had experienced fatigue-related problems while driving. However, nearly half of the surveyed truck drivers expressed a negative view towards developing a technological countermeasure against driver fatigue. The negative view was not related to personal experiences of fatigue-related problems while driving.     

Novel Test Approach for Evaluating and Modelling Barrier Properties of Food Contact Materials Against Mineral Oil Contaminants

A method for testing the mineral oil barrier properties of packaging materials has been developed as a response for the concerns on contamination of food by mineral oil compounds. The aim was to provide an efficient tool to evaluate packaging materials with respect to this. The method is a modification of the so‐called cup test using model compounds comparable with mineral oil components with different length and configuration of the hydrocarbon chain. The model compounds are introduced in the gas phase as penetrants. The absorbed amounts, which have migrated through the barrier, are analysed from a food simulant or powdered sugar. The method has been validated for coated and non‐coated boards. Compared with folding boxboard without polymer coating, polyethylene terephthalate‐coated board reduces the amount of the C16 compound in food simulant after 7‐day tests by a factor of 30. An extended migration model describing sorption mechanisms to both food simulant and fibres in the packing material has been developed. The model simulations for folding boxboard indicate that fibres absorb a significant proportion of the compounds when molecular weight increases. This retards the migration significantly compared with the speed expected by diffusion mechanism only. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of loading type on the fatigue strength of asymmetric and symmetric transverse non‐load carrying attachments

This study considers the effect of bending loading and the symmetry of joints on the fatigue strength of transverse non‐load carrying attachments. Conventionally, the fatigue strength of a welded joint has been determined without taking these factors into account. Experimental and finite element analyses were carried out and both methods showed that both loading type and symmetry have an influence on the fatigue resistance of a welded joint. Under tensile loading, the fatigue strength of asymmetric T‐joints was higher than that of symmetric X‐joints. Respectively, the fatigue resistance of tested joints improved explicitly when the external loading was bending. The finite element analysis was in good agreement with the test results in the joints subjected to tension but gave very conservative results in the joints subjected to bending.     

Astigmatic bessel laser beams

Abstract

The oblique incidence of a He-Ne laser beam onto a phase-only diffractive optical element (DOE) that simultaneously produces several unimode different-order Bessel beams propagating at various angles with respect to the optical axis is studied theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that, under obliquely incident illumination of a DOE that forms Bessel beams, the resulting astigmatic diffraction pattern can be used to unambiguously identify the direction of the Bessel beam's phase rotation and the order of the Bessel mode.     

Professionals' View of Consumers' Packaging Interactions – A Narrative Analysis

The consumer's role in the packaging value chain thinking has increased. This paper identifies the basic functions of packaging as well as the importance of the visual and structural elements from the consumer's view. However, it is unclear what packaging experts associate with consumers' packaging interactions. Professionals working in the field are still in the key position of defining directions in the packaging industry. The paper investigates how professionals perceive consumer interactions with packaging, and identifies challenges in consumer‐centred packaging development. The research materials were collected from 14 theme interviews with representatives of higher education, packaging research and packaging design agencies. As a result, five narratives and five challenges for consumer‐centred packaging development were constructed. The narratives describe the following: (a) the symbiotic product–packaging relationship; (b) the everyday context highlighted in purchase and use situations; (c) how consumers become aware of packages; (d) a fashion system of packaging; and (e) everyday routines and rituals involving packaging. The aims of the paper are to raise the awareness of how professionals perceive consumer interaction with packaging, to provide insight into factors relevant for consumer‐centred packaging development in industry and to identify the potential challenges, from the professionals' view, for adopting a consumer‐centred model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strategic Use of Colour in Brand Packaging

This paper explores the little‐known issue of the functions of packaging colours, specifically how colours help to capture consumers' attention and affect perceptions at the point of purchase. By surveying colour‐related research, the study makes a first attempt to highlight the multifarious nature and multiple functions of packaging colour. The study also develops a theoretical base and proposes a framework that incorporates the functions of packaging colours and their inter‐relationships. By having this approach, the study contributes to the field in terms of summarizing the existing knowledge and pointing out gaps in knowledge and avenues for future research. In addition, the study highlights aspects for marketers and managers to consider in their attempts to develop brand identity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methamphetamine causes lipid peroxidation and an increase in superoxide dismutase activity in the rat striatum

The administration of methamphetamine to experimental animals results in damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In the present study, we demonstrated that both the acute repeated and the chronic administration of methamphetamine causes an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, which are indicators of lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase activity in the rat striatum. The results of present study strengthen the notion that reactive oxygen species may play an important role in the methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity.