Unintentional non-traffic injury and fatal events: Threats to children in and around vehicles

Objective: There have been substantial reductions in motor vehicle crash–related child fatalities due to advances in legislation, public safety campaigns, and engineering. Less is known about non-traffic injuries and fatalities to children in and around motor vehicles. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of various non-traffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities to children using a unique surveillance system and database.

Methods: Instances of non-traffic injuries and fatalities in the United States to children 0–14 years were tracked from January 1990 to December 2014 using a compilation of sources including media reports, individual accounts from families of affected children, medical examiner reports, police reports, child death review teams, coroner reports, medical professionals, legal professionals, and other various modes of publication.

Results: Over the 25-year period, there were at least 11,759 events resulting in 3,396 deaths. The median age of the affected child was 3.7 years. The incident types included 3,115 children unattended in hot vehicles resulting in 729 deaths, 2,251 backovers resulting in 1,232 deaths, 1,439 frontovers resulting in 692 deaths, 777 vehicles knocked into motion resulting in 227 deaths, 415 underage drivers resulting in 203 deaths, 172 power window incidents resulting in 61 deaths, 134 falls resulting in 54 deaths, 79 fires resulting in 41 deaths, and 3,377 other incidents resulting in 157 deaths.

Conclusions: Non-traffic injuries and fatalities present an important threat to the safety and lives of very young children. Future efforts should consider complementary surveillance mechanisms to systematically and comprehensively capture all non-traffic incidents. Continued education, engineering modifications, advocacy, and legislation can help continue to prevent these incidents and must be incorporated in overall child vehicle safety initiatives.     

Heat dissipation characteristic in the intake grille and radiator of a fuel cell vehicle

ABSTRACT

In this study, a three-dimension (3D) computational model was proposed to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the intake grilles of two different fuel cell vehicles. The models of the intake grilles were constructed according to the actual sizes of two vehicles, namely, Roewe 950 and Toyota Mirai, considering the heat dissipation unit to simplify the heat transfer model of the vehicle. The results showed that relative to Roewe 950, Mirai intake air flow rate was approximately 10% higher, the heat transfer capacity was approximately 7% higher, and the intake grille area was larger. The coolant outlet temperature of Mirai was lower than that of Roewe 950, which was beneficial for the long term and stable operation of a fuel cell. This comparative study provided guidance for the intake grille and radiator design of fuel cell vehicles. The only difference between fuel cell vehicles on the market and conventional vehicles was that in the former, the internal combustion engine was replaced with a fuel cell stack, which had insufficient heat transfer capacity because of the reducing temperature difference. Increasing the intake grille area and the heat exchange capacity of the radiator were the key issues for the development of fuel cell vehicles. In this study, an optimal window opening angle of the radiator fin of 23° provided a maximal heat transfer coefficient.     

密相塔半干法烟气脱硫塔内加湿降温及其对脱硫效率的影响

为了实现密相塔半干法脱硫工艺的精确加湿进一步提高系统脱硫效率,利用推导出的传热传质计算方法,得到烟气温度降低和加水量的关系.结合3组密相塔半干法工程实际数据,发现理论计算值和实测值误差区间仅为2.9％ ～5.4％.通过选取河北某钢厂210 m2烧结烟气密相塔半干法脱硫项目实际在线检测数据,发现循环脱硫灰含湿量为3％的系统脱硫效率整体高于含湿量为5％和4％的样品,最大值达93.56％.通过粒度分析、扫描电镜、X射线衍射及差热-热重对2种不同含湿量的循环脱硫灰进行表征,结果表明,含湿量为3％的循环脱硫灰较含湿量为5％的样品粒径小、比表面积大,无团聚现象,物相分析还证实相对于含湿量为5％样品,其Ca(OH)2和结晶水含量少,几乎都是CaSO4和CaS03干态物质,因此脱硫反应进行彻底,脱硫效率较高.     

内饰材料发射率对密封舱室热防护效率的影响

目的探究密封舱室热防护效率与其内饰材料表面发射率的关系,分析内饰材料发射率对其表面温度、舱室内温度的影响规律。方法采用自行设计的小型密封舱室和加热测量装置,对内饰材料表面及舱室内温度进行测量。结果当内饰材料发射率为0.09时,内饰表面温度为141.2℃,舱室内平均温度仅为90.8℃;内饰材料发射率为0.91时,内饰表面温度为124.4℃,舱室内平均温度为109.1℃。结论试样表面温度随材料发射率的提高而降低,舱室内部空气平均温度随材料发射率的提高而升高;试样表面温度与舱室空气平均温度的温度差随材料发射率的提高而减小;同时,相同试样表面温度与舱室平均温度的温度差随加热温度的提高而增加。     

Sulphate, Nitrogen and Base Cation Budgets at 21 Forested Catchments in Canada, the United States and Europe

To assess the concern over declining base cation levels in forest soils caused by acid deposition, input-output budgets (1990s average) for sulphate (SO₄), inorganic nitrogen (NO₃-N; NH₄-N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were synthesised for 21 forested catchments from 17 regions in Canada, the United States and Europe. Trend analysis was conducted on monthly ion concentrations in deposition and runoff when more than 9 years of data were available (14 regions, 17 sites). Annual average SO₄ deposition during the 1990s ranged between 7.3 and 28.4 kg ha⁻¹ per year, and inorganic nitrogen (N) deposition was between 2.8 and 13.8 kg ha⁻¹ per year, of which 41–67% was nitrate (NO₃-N). Over the period of record, SO₄ concentration in deposition decreased in 13/14 (13 out of 14 total) regions and SO₄ in runoff decreased at 14/17 catchments. In contrast, NO₃-N concentrations in deposition decreased in only 1/14 regions, while NH₄-N concentration patterns varied; increasing at 3/14 regions and decreasing at 2/14 regions. Nitrate concentrations in runoff decreased at 4/17 catchments and increased at only 1 site, whereas runoff levels of NH₄-N increased at 5/17 catchments. Decreasing trends in deposition were also recorded for Ca, Mg, and K at many of the catchments and on an equivalent basis, accounted for up to 131% (median 22%) of the decrease in acid anion deposition. Base cation concentrations in streams generally declined over time, with significant decreases in Ca, Mg and K occurring at 8, 9 and 7 of 17 sites respectively, which accounted for up to 133% (median 48%) of the decrease in acid anion concentration. Sulphate export exceeded input at 18/21 catchments, likely due to dry deposition and/or internal sources. The majority of N in deposition (31–100%; median 94%) was retained in the catchments, although there was a tendency for greater NO₃-N leaching at sites receiving higher (<7 kg ha^-1 per year) bulk inorganic N deposition. Mass balance calculations show that export of Ca and Mg in runoff exceeds input at all 21 catchments, but K export only exceeds input at 16/21 sites. Estimates of base cation weathering were available for 18 sites. When included in the mass balance calculation, Ca, Mg and K exports exceeded inputs at 14, 10 and 2 sites respectively. Annual Ca and Mg losses represent appreciable proportions of the current exchangeable soil Ca and Mg pools, although losses at some of the sites likely occur from weathering reactions beneath the rooting zone and there is considerable uncertainty associated with mineral weathering estimates. Critical loads for sulphur (S) and N, using a critical base cation to aluminium ratio of 10 in soil solution, are currently exceeded at 7 of the 18 sites with base cation weathering estimates. Despite reductions in SO₄ and H⁺ deposition, mass balance estimates indicate that acid deposition continues to acidify soils in many regions with losses of Ca and Mg of primary concern. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged. The Canadian Crown reserves the right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright.     

Air Pollution and Heat Exposure Study in the Workplace in a Glass Manufacturing Unit in India

Air pollution in the workplace environment due to industrial operation have been found to cause serious occupational health hazard. Similarly, heat stress is still most neglected occupational hazard in the tropical and subtropical countries like India. The hot climate augments the heat exposure close to sources like furnaces. In this study an attempt is made to assess air pollution and heat exposure levels to workers in the workplace environment in glass manufacturing unit located in the State of Gujarat, India. Samples for workplace air quality were collected for SPM, SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂ at eight locations. Results of workplace air quality showed 8-hourly average concentrations of SPM: 165–9118 μg/m³, SO₂: 6–9 μg/m³ and NO₂: 5–42 μg/m³, which were below the threshold limit values of workplace environment. The level of CO₂ in workplace air of the plant was found to be in the range 827–2886 μg/m³, which was below TLV but much higher than the normal concentration for CO₂ in the air (585 mg/m³). Indoor heat exposure was studied near the furnace and at various locations in an industrial complex for glass manufacturing. The heat exposure parameters including the air temperature, the wet bulb temperature, and the globe parameters were measured. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an indicator of heat, exceeded ACGIH TLVs limits most of the time at all the locations in workplace areas. The recommended duration of work and rest have also been estimated.     

Monitoring of diazinon concentrations and loadings,and identification of geographic origins consequent to stormwater runoff from orchards in the Sacramento River watershed,U.S.A

Diazinon contamination of California's rivers has resulted in placing several rivers on the federal Clean Water Act § 303d list of impaired waterways. Impaired water body listing requiresthe development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL). Previous studies identified stormwater related diazinon pulses in California rivers. This study was conducted to monitor diazinonconcentrations in the Sacramento River watershed after rainfallevents, to ascertain whether pulses could be identified and, ifconcentrations of concern were observed, to estimate loadings anddetermine geographic origins of the insecticide. TMDL developmentrequires knowledge of contaminant sources, loadings, and geographic origins. Flow and diazinon concentrations peaked in the Sacramento River at Sacramento after the three largest stormsduring January and February 1994. Diazinon concentrations peakedconsequent to each of three storms. Diazinon concentrationsmeasured in the Sacramento River at Sacramento exceeded theCalifornia Department of Fish and Game acute and chroniccriteria for protection of aquatic life during January andFebruary for nine and nineteen days, respectively. Multipleexceedances were observed throughout the watershed. Diazinon loading and geographic origin differed with each of the three storms. The design of this study provides a useful template for others attempting to identify loadings and sources of contaminants in surface waters and to rectify aquatic ecosystemcontamination from various land use practices.     

汕头港水域温排水热扩散的三维数值模拟

本文建立了汕头港水域温排水扩散的三维数学模型，并采用特征差分方法求其解，对该法在三维情况下的稳定作了推导，给出了判断公式，上述模型被应用于汕头热电厂废热水排放的环境影响评价中，实例计算表明，该模型算法程序简单，计算结果合理。     

车用锂离子电池组冷却系统传热仿真分析

目的解决电动汽车锂离子电池组在高温下的安全性和热失控问题。方法建立锂离子电池组冷却系统的三维分析模型,应用计算流体动力学(Computational Fluid Dynamics,CFD)方法,结合热传导和热对流理论,对电池组进行仿真分析。结果锂离子电池组的温度场分布基本相同,呈现出中间低、两侧高的分布特点,且层次变化。冷却液温度越低,电池组最高温度也越低;增大冷却液入口流速,电池组内部最高温度略微降低;冷却板材料对电池组的冷却效果影响很小。采用铝合金冷却板,冷却液温度20℃,入口流速2 m/s时,电池组的冷却效果最好。结论对于本文所设计的冷却系统,冷却液入口流速和冷却板材料的变化对电池组散热效果的影响较小,冷却液入口温度的变化对电池组散热效果的影响较大。应当选择铝合金为冷却板材料,以及合理的冷却液入口温度和流速,以满足轻量化要求,防止电池组过度冷却,减小流道内的阻力损失,提高冷却系统的散热效率。     

确定不同保证率下的中国酸沉降临界负荷

在进行中国酸沉降临界负荷区划时 ,通常以 1°× 1°(经纬度 )的网格为单位进行计算 ,难以反映网格内不同生态系统对酸沉降敏感性的差异 .为了便于决策者根据临界负荷确定酸沉降控制对策 ,也为了使 1°× 1°的结果更具代表性和实用性 ,本研究确定了 0 1°× 0 1°网格为单位计算的中国酸沉降临界负荷 ,并在此基础上通过引入保证率的概念 ,得到了一系列与一定的经济技术水平相适应的、允许有一定损失的 1°× 1°的中国酸沉降临界负荷图 .利用累积分布函数 ,本研究还确定了不同保证率下的中国酸沉降超临界负荷分布和各省、市、自治区的酸沉降临界负荷 .