The Impact of Anthropometric Parameters on the Incidence of Low Back Pain

Endogenic factors as one of possible reasons for low back pain were investigated and discussed in this study. The study included 122 male bus drivers, average age 44.2 years, average period of active service 24.4 years. The following anthropometric indexes have been calculated: Quetelet’s index, percentage of body fat, relative body weight, Olivier’s typologic index, Lorenz’s constitution index and muscle index. According to inquiry form regarding history of low back pain the subjects were divided in two groups: 36 had no low back pain history and 76 had a history of recurrent low back pain. The results showed statistically nonsignificant differences in the anthropometric parameters and the calculated indexes between these two groups of subjects. The chosen subject sample showed that nutritional status, body build, constitution and muscular development are not associated with the incidence of low back pain

Farm and laboratory size biochar and heat coproduction in reducing atmosphere compact autothermal pyrolysis reactor

Local production of the biochar (BC) at the farm level remains unresolved regarding technology and operation/business model. A new patented technical solution of coproduction BC and heat in a Reducing Atmosphere (BC&H-RA) [1] as a compact autothermal pyrolysis reactor/boiler enters the market. The device covers a niche market of smaller size (5-50 kg/h of BC) [2, 4] production units offering fully automatic all day (24 h) operation with all ecological features of flue/exhaust gases. Fully automatic operation provides BC acc. to EBC quality standard from standard wood chips (BS-EN-ISO 17225) of wide particle sizes up to 45 mm of diameter. Under presented conditions, farm size reactor/boiler use 20 kg/h of BM (wood chips) or 1.7 m3 per day and produce 5 kg/h of BC or approx. 0.8 m3 per day at 26 kW continuous thermal output. A possible implementation of alternative biomasses (BM) needs to be tested to assure BC - EBC quality with some corrections of process parameters. Compact pyrolysis unit can be installed as a domestic boiler producing hot water (max 90/70 ºC regime) and BC in big bags. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Measurement of Spinal Sagittal Curvatures using the Laser Triangulation Method

The purpose of the first part of the study was to establish the variability of repeated measurements in different measuring conditions. In the second part, we performed in a large number of patients, a measurement of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis and compared them to age, gender, and level of nourishment. In the first part, measurements were performed on a plastic model of the back of a patient with a rigid and a normal spine. In the second part, 250 patients participated in the study (126 men and 124 women). For measuring spinal curvatures we used an apparatus for laser triangulation constructed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. A comparison of 30 repeated measurements was shown as the average value±2 SD which included 95% of the results. Thirty repeated readings of one 3D measurement: thoracic kyphosis 41.2°±0.6°, lumbar lordosis 4.4°±1.2°; 30 measurements on a plastic model: thoracic kyphosis 36.8°±1.2°, lumbar lordosis 30.9°±2.0°; 30 measurements on a patient with a rigid spine: thoracic kyphosis 41.5°±2.4°, lumbar lordosis 4.0°±1.8°; 30 measurements on a patient with a normal spine: thoracic kyphosis 48.8°±7.4°, lumbar lordosis 21.1°±4.4°. The average size of thoracic kyphosis in 250 patients was 46.8° (SD 10.1°) and lumbar lordosis 31.7° (SD 12.5°). The angle size was statistically significantly correlated to gender (increased thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in women) and body mass index (increased thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in more nourished patients). Age was not significantly correlated to the observed angles. During measurements of the spinal angles it was important to pay attention to relaxation and the patient’s position as well as to perform more measurements providing the average value. The age and the level of nourishment influence the size of the sagittal spinal angles. In the observed sample the effect of age was not confirmed