Background and objective: Occupational asthma is responsible for 5 to 20% of adult asthma cases globally, and car painters are among the most at-risk workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalenc...Background and objective: Occupational asthma is responsible for 5 to 20% of adult asthma cases globally, and car painters are among the most at-risk workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of car painters with probable occupational asthma in Parakou, Benin. Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out between April and September 2023 in Parakou, the third most important city in Benin. Results: Overall, 116 workers in 22 car painting shops were included, 64 (55.17%) masters and 52 (44.83%) apprentices. Their mean age was 30.59 (±11.30) years, and their male-female ratio was 28:1. A past history of asthma was reported in 3 (2.59%). There were 113 (97.41%) who used gun spray;49 (42.24%) worked in a confined environment;100 (86.21%) reported breathing discomfort during painting;and 2 (1.72%) used air-filtered masks. The overall prevalence of probable occupational asthma was 10.34% (12/116;95% CI, 6.02 - 17.21), 12.50% (8/64) in masters and 7.69% (4/52) in apprentices (p = 0.398). Preceding occupational rhinitis occurred in 6 (50%). Asthma symptoms were partially controlled in 8 (66.67%) and uncontrolled in one (8.33%). Being a daily smoker (aOR = 4.59;95%CI, 1.01 - 22.00;p = 0.048) was associated with probable occupational asthma, after adjustment for age and permanent residence. Following Peak Expiratory Flow monitoring, four painters provided interpretable records, of whom three were confirmed with occupational asthma based on the Oasys scoring system. Of the 12 with probable occupational asthma, none was followed-up at occupational health departments;3 (25%) were prescribed a short-acting β-2-agonist, and no worker was treated with inhaled corticosteroids. These workers considered the impact of the disease on their productivity at work to be moderate. Conclusion: occupational asthma was common among car painters in Parakou. This calls for raising awareness on this condition, and for actions to improve the prevention and management of the disease among professionals.展开更多
Dunhuang painters are a subgroup within the category of artisans.Although they represent only one type of artisan,their significance in Dunhuang is undeniable.The work of these painters goes beyond mere artistry;the h...Dunhuang painters are a subgroup within the category of artisans.Although they represent only one type of artisan,their significance in Dunhuang is undeniable.The work of these painters goes beyond mere artistry;the historical materials they have left behind are of great importance.Through their images,they tell the story of the development of ancient civilization.Every mural and every sculpture not only represents the manifestation of Dunhuang civilization but also serves as a vital addition to the larger narrative of Chinese history.Dunhuang painters are both ancient and contemporary figures.The ancient Dunhuang painters left us with inexhaustible spiritual and material wealth.Contemporary Dunhuang painters continue to provide us with a spirit of innovation and an unbroken legacy that evolves with the times.展开更多
Agroup of little painters, aged three to twelve, paint actively in the study office for children’s paintings of the Children’s and Women’s Activity Center of Hunan Province. They come from ordinary families, and al...Agroup of little painters, aged three to twelve, paint actively in the study office for children’s paintings of the Children’s and Women’s Activity Center of Hunan Province. They come from ordinary families, and all of them have gone through a period of scrawling, but they have become extraordinary artists. Children here never imitate other people’s paintings; nor would I want them to. As their teacher, I encourage them to observe the world展开更多
Jiang Bibo’s self-portrait is unique. When painters do self-portraits they often use a photo, a mirror, a portrait done by someone else, or a memory of their own image. Photos are commonly used, and while they make i...Jiang Bibo’s self-portrait is unique. When painters do self-portraits they often use a photo, a mirror, a portrait done by someone else, or a memory of their own image. Photos are commonly used, and while they make it possible to get the broad outlines, it is difficult to imbue the portrait with life. Jiang’s self-展开更多
Over the past two years,Chinese and Russian women paintershave exchanged visits introducing each other to the typicalcharacteristics of their art.They have exchanged ideas andestablished friendships.
AT the Auction of Selected Contemporary Calligraphic Works and Paintings held on June 6, 1993 female painter Deng Lin’s Plum Blossom was bought by the French company Pierre Cardin for 130,000 yuan (about US$ 2,300). ...AT the Auction of Selected Contemporary Calligraphic Works and Paintings held on June 6, 1993 female painter Deng Lin’s Plum Blossom was bought by the French company Pierre Cardin for 130,000 yuan (about US$ 2,300). At the auction of Masterpieces of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting held展开更多
Hong Kong’s return to China is another supreme symbol of peace and dignity. Celebrating this historical occasion, Beijing Women Painters’ Association and Hong Kong Contemporary Women Painters’ Association held a jo...Hong Kong’s return to China is another supreme symbol of peace and dignity. Celebrating this historical occasion, Beijing Women Painters’ Association and Hong Kong Contemporary Women Painters’ Association held a joint exhibition in Beijing, providing women painters from Hong Kong and the mainland an opportunity to learn from each other. Over more than a century time has brought great changes to the world. The Chinese women’s profound love and pursuit of a unified culture for the Chinese nation makes their arts all the more splendid.展开更多
Located in Miyun District, northeastern suburb of Beijing, Gubei Water Town possesses old-fashioned simplicity and elegance. The rows of houses, old quartzite streets and long hutongs that feature historical architect...Located in Miyun District, northeastern suburb of Beijing, Gubei Water Town possesses old-fashioned simplicity and elegance. The rows of houses, old quartzite streets and long hutongs that feature historical architecture surround the Yuanyanghu Reservoir with a backdrop of the Simatai section of the Great Wall. When night falls, Gubei Water Town＇s tranquil setting is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.展开更多
To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by ...To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by two contractors from two bridge painting projects for total lead using method ASTM E-1979-17/EPA SW846 7000B. Exposures resulted from the removal of lead-based paint from the structure and trace elements of lead found in the abrasive blast media. In total, six work tasks were evaluated and sixty unique hand wipe samples were evaluated. Thirty samples were collected during the worker’s lunch break, after they had reportedly washed their hands with a further 30 collected at the end of the workday following the same protocol. To be included in this evaluation, the contractors were required to follow NIOSH Method 9105 (Lead in Dust Wipes-Dermal Surfaces) with subsequent analysis of samples for total lead by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. All 60 samples contained detectable lead. The lead exposures ranged from 19.5 μg to 3420 μg. The geometric mean for the samples collected was 337 μg. These results indicate that current personal hygiene practices at the evaluated sites are not effective at removing lead from worker’s hands during and after the workday. They also suggest that the residual lead measured on the workers’ hands, at the end of the shift, is likely contributing to the elevated blood lead levels in this population.展开更多
文摘Background and objective: Occupational asthma is responsible for 5 to 20% of adult asthma cases globally, and car painters are among the most at-risk workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of car painters with probable occupational asthma in Parakou, Benin. Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out between April and September 2023 in Parakou, the third most important city in Benin. Results: Overall, 116 workers in 22 car painting shops were included, 64 (55.17%) masters and 52 (44.83%) apprentices. Their mean age was 30.59 (±11.30) years, and their male-female ratio was 28:1. A past history of asthma was reported in 3 (2.59%). There were 113 (97.41%) who used gun spray;49 (42.24%) worked in a confined environment;100 (86.21%) reported breathing discomfort during painting;and 2 (1.72%) used air-filtered masks. The overall prevalence of probable occupational asthma was 10.34% (12/116;95% CI, 6.02 - 17.21), 12.50% (8/64) in masters and 7.69% (4/52) in apprentices (p = 0.398). Preceding occupational rhinitis occurred in 6 (50%). Asthma symptoms were partially controlled in 8 (66.67%) and uncontrolled in one (8.33%). Being a daily smoker (aOR = 4.59;95%CI, 1.01 - 22.00;p = 0.048) was associated with probable occupational asthma, after adjustment for age and permanent residence. Following Peak Expiratory Flow monitoring, four painters provided interpretable records, of whom three were confirmed with occupational asthma based on the Oasys scoring system. Of the 12 with probable occupational asthma, none was followed-up at occupational health departments;3 (25%) were prescribed a short-acting β-2-agonist, and no worker was treated with inhaled corticosteroids. These workers considered the impact of the disease on their productivity at work to be moderate. Conclusion: occupational asthma was common among car painters in Parakou. This calls for raising awareness on this condition, and for actions to improve the prevention and management of the disease among professionals.
文摘Dunhuang painters are a subgroup within the category of artisans.Although they represent only one type of artisan,their significance in Dunhuang is undeniable.The work of these painters goes beyond mere artistry;the historical materials they have left behind are of great importance.Through their images,they tell the story of the development of ancient civilization.Every mural and every sculpture not only represents the manifestation of Dunhuang civilization but also serves as a vital addition to the larger narrative of Chinese history.Dunhuang painters are both ancient and contemporary figures.The ancient Dunhuang painters left us with inexhaustible spiritual and material wealth.Contemporary Dunhuang painters continue to provide us with a spirit of innovation and an unbroken legacy that evolves with the times.
文摘Agroup of little painters, aged three to twelve, paint actively in the study office for children’s paintings of the Children’s and Women’s Activity Center of Hunan Province. They come from ordinary families, and all of them have gone through a period of scrawling, but they have become extraordinary artists. Children here never imitate other people’s paintings; nor would I want them to. As their teacher, I encourage them to observe the world
文摘Jiang Bibo’s self-portrait is unique. When painters do self-portraits they often use a photo, a mirror, a portrait done by someone else, or a memory of their own image. Photos are commonly used, and while they make it possible to get the broad outlines, it is difficult to imbue the portrait with life. Jiang’s self-
文摘Over the past two years,Chinese and Russian women paintershave exchanged visits introducing each other to the typicalcharacteristics of their art.They have exchanged ideas andestablished friendships.
文摘AT the Auction of Selected Contemporary Calligraphic Works and Paintings held on June 6, 1993 female painter Deng Lin’s Plum Blossom was bought by the French company Pierre Cardin for 130,000 yuan (about US$ 2,300). At the auction of Masterpieces of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting held
文摘Hong Kong’s return to China is another supreme symbol of peace and dignity. Celebrating this historical occasion, Beijing Women Painters’ Association and Hong Kong Contemporary Women Painters’ Association held a joint exhibition in Beijing, providing women painters from Hong Kong and the mainland an opportunity to learn from each other. Over more than a century time has brought great changes to the world. The Chinese women’s profound love and pursuit of a unified culture for the Chinese nation makes their arts all the more splendid.
文摘Located in Miyun District, northeastern suburb of Beijing, Gubei Water Town possesses old-fashioned simplicity and elegance. The rows of houses, old quartzite streets and long hutongs that feature historical architecture surround the Yuanyanghu Reservoir with a backdrop of the Simatai section of the Great Wall. When night falls, Gubei Water Town＇s tranquil setting is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
文摘To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by two contractors from two bridge painting projects for total lead using method ASTM E-1979-17/EPA SW846 7000B. Exposures resulted from the removal of lead-based paint from the structure and trace elements of lead found in the abrasive blast media. In total, six work tasks were evaluated and sixty unique hand wipe samples were evaluated. Thirty samples were collected during the worker’s lunch break, after they had reportedly washed their hands with a further 30 collected at the end of the workday following the same protocol. To be included in this evaluation, the contractors were required to follow NIOSH Method 9105 (Lead in Dust Wipes-Dermal Surfaces) with subsequent analysis of samples for total lead by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. All 60 samples contained detectable lead. The lead exposures ranged from 19.5 μg to 3420 μg. The geometric mean for the samples collected was 337 μg. These results indicate that current personal hygiene practices at the evaluated sites are not effective at removing lead from worker’s hands during and after the workday. They also suggest that the residual lead measured on the workers’ hands, at the end of the shift, is likely contributing to the elevated blood lead levels in this population.
