Nighttime pedestrian fatalities: A comprehensive examination of infrastructure,user, vehicle,and situational factors

Introduction: Pedestrian fatalities in the United States increased 45.5% between 2009 and 2017. More than 85% of those additional pedestrian fatalities occurred at night. Method: We examine Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for fatal pedestrian crashes that occurred in the dark between 2002 and 2017. Within-variable and before/after examinations of crashes in terms of infrastructure, user, vehicle, and situational characteristics are performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and two-sample t-tests. We model changes in crash characteristic proportions between 2002–2009 and 2010–2017 using linear regressions and test for autocorrelation with Breusch-Godfrey tests. Results: The increase in fatal nighttime pedestrian crashes is most strongly correlated with infrastructure factors: non-intersection unmarked locations (saw 80.8% of additional fatalities); 40–45 mph roads (54.6%); five-lane roads (40.7%); urban (99.7%); and arterials (81.1%). In addition, SUVs were involved in 39.7% of additional fatalities, overrepresenting their share of the fleet. Increased pedestrian alcohol and drug involvement warrant further investigation. The age of pedestrians killed increased more (18.1%) than the national average (3.2%). Conclusions: By identifying factors related to the increase in nighttime pedestrian fatalities, this work constitutes a vital first step in making our streets safer for pedestrians. Practical Applications: More research is needed to understand the efficacy of different solutions, but this paper provides guidance for such future research. Engineering solutions such as road diets or traffic calming may be used to improve identified infrastructure issues by reducing vehicle speeds and road widths. Rethinking vehicle design, especially high front profiles, may improve vehicle issues. However, the problems giving rise to these pedestrian fatalities are likely a result of not only engineering issues but also interrelated social and political factors. Solutions may be correspondingly comprehensive, employing non-linear, systems-based approaches such as Safe Systems.     

Factors associated with concussion symptom knowledge and attitudes towards concussion care-seeking among parents of children aged 5–10 years

Background: Understanding parents’ concussion-related knowledge and attitudes will contribute to the development of strategies that aim to improve concussion prevention and sport safety for elementary school children. This study investigated the association between parent- and child-related factors and concussion symptom knowledge and care-seeking attitudes among parents of elementary school children (aged 5–10 years). Methods: Four hundred parents of elementary school children completed an online questionnaire capturing parental and child characteristics; concussion symptom knowledge (25 items, range = 0–50; higher = better knowledge); and concussion care-seeking attitudes (five 7-point scale items, range = 5–35; higher = more positive attitudes). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models identified predictors of higher score levels. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) excluding 1.00 were deemed statistically significant. Results: Select parent and child characteristics were associated with higher score levels for both outcomes. For example, odds of better knowledge level in parents were higher with increased age (10-year increase aOR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.10–2.28), among females (aOR = 3.90; 95% CI = 2.27–6.70), and among white/non-Hispanics (aOR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.07–2.99). Odds of more positive concussion care-seeking attitude levels were higher among parents with a college degree (aOR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.09–3.60). Child sports participation was not associated with higher score levels for either outcome. Conclusions: Certain elementary school parent characteristics were associated with parents’ concussion symptom knowledge and care-seeking attitudes. While the findings suggest providing parents with culturally and demographically relevant concussion education might be helpful, they also emphasize the importance of ensuring education/prevention regardless of their children’s sports participation. Practical Applications: Pediatric healthcare providers and elementary schools offer an optimal community-centered location to reach parents with this information within various communities.     

Sport participation and injury rates in high school students: A Canadian survey of 2029 adolescents

Introduction: The objective of this study is to examine sport and recreational (S&R) activity participation and injury rates (IR) in high school students (ages 14–19). Methods: High school students (N = 24 schools, n = 2,029; 958 male, 1,048 female, 23 identified ‘other’ or missing; ages 14–19) in Alberta completed a web-based survey during class (October 2018–March 2019). Students identified their top three sports for participation in the past year. Primary outcome measures included IR for (a) any S&R-related injury, (b) most serious S&R-related injury resulting in medical attention, and (c) most serious injury resulting in restriction from S&R for at least one day. Results: In total, 1763/2029 (86.89%) respondents [861/958 (89.87%) male, 886/1048 (84.54%) female, 16/23 (69.57%) identifying as ‘other’ or missing] participated in an S&R activity in the past year. Top sports for male participation were basketball (33.08%; 95% CI 27.67–39.00), ice hockey (20.46%; 95% CI 14.87–27.47), and soccer (19.42%; 95% CI 15.67–23.80). Top sports for female participation were dance (22.52%; 95% CI 17.98–27.82), basketball (18.32%; 95% CI 14.32–23.14), and badminton (17.84%; 95% CI 13.35–23.43). Of the 1,971 students completing the S&R injury question, 889 reported at least one injury during the past year [(IR = 45.10 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 39.72–50.61)]. The medical attention IR was 29.09 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 24.49–34.17) and time loss IR was 36.00 injuries/100 students/year (95% CI 30.47–41.93). Conclusions: High school student S&R IRs are high with 29% of adolescents reporting at least one medical attention injury within the past year. Injury prevention strategies targeting youth are necessary. Practical Application: Participation in S&R activities has multiple physical, psychological, and health benefits for adolescents, but some S&R activities also have greater risks of injury. This study informs the next sports to target for implementation of optimal prospective surveillance and injury prevention strategies among high school aged students.     

典型水环境因素对聚酯微塑料沉降的影响机制研究

以聚酯（聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯,简称PET）微塑料为主要对象,研究电解质浓度,电解质类型及pH值等典型水环境因素对其沉降行为的影响机制.结果表明：水环境中PET微塑料的沉降随电解质浓度的升高而不断增强,其悬液标准化浓度（C/C₀）最低可降至0.64;同一类型电解质对水环境中PET微塑料沉降行为的影响程度相似,而与1-1型电解质（NaCl及KCl）相比,水环境中1-2型电解质（CaCl₂及MgCl₂）的存在能够显著促进PET微塑料的沉降;水环境中PET微塑料的沉降随pH值的增加而降低,随着pH值由10降至4,PET微塑料悬液的C/C₀由最高0.98下降至最高0.76.一阶动力学沉降模型能够较好的拟合水环境中PET微塑料的沉降行为.此外,DLVO （Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek）理论能够反映出PET微塑料沉降行为的变化趋势,其计算结果与实验结果吻合度较高.本研究结果有助于提高对微塑料环境行为的认识程度,同时能够为评估微塑料环境风险提供理论依据.     

我国臭氧污染控制分区及其控制类型识别

基于卫星遥感指示剂法,以2017~2019年为基准年份,通过对比臭氧在线监测数据、VOCs和氮氧化物排放强度数据以及卫星遥感数据,在PM_2.5重点监管区域的基础上,重新修订大气污染臭氧重点管控区,将我国臭氧年均浓度超标区（高于160μg/m³）划分为不同重点区域,识别每一个重点区域臭氧前体物敏感类型,即VOCs控制区、NO_x控制区以及VOCs和NO_x协同控制区,针对每种类型进一步细化为本地污染控制区和联防联控控制区,这种结合地面监测、统计调查数据和遥感观测数据的臭氧分区分类方法可以为大气污染的宏观分区分类管控提供一种新的思路,为国家出台全国层面臭氧污染防治及PM_2.5和O₃协同控制相关政策提供决策参考.     

基于“潜力—支持力—恢复力”框架的村镇可持续发展能力及其类型甄别

科学判断村镇可持续发展能力,精准定位村镇发展类型,对于实现乡村振兴多元目标具有重要价值。以重庆市江津区为研究区,2017年为研究时点,从潜力、支持力与恢复力三个维度解析村镇可持续发展能力,从而构建评价指标体系与评价模型,分析村镇可持续发展能力空间分异特征及其类型。研究表明：（1）村镇可持续发展能力的强弱是潜力、支持力与恢复力三者共同作用的结果。（2）江津区村镇潜力呈现“北高南低”;支持力呈现“北高南低”;恢复力呈现“南高北低”;可持续发展能力呈现“西南高东北低,组团状分布”。（3）江津区村镇可划分为发展潜力挖潜型、城乡融合促进型、安全质量提升型与能力全面发展型四种可持续发展类型,进而提出差异化调控策略,以引导村镇可持续发展、增强县域综合实力。     

Case-control study of risk factors for fatal and non-fatal injury in crashes of rotary-wing aircraft

INTRODUCTION: There have been few studies of the risk factors for fatal injury in air crashes of rotary-wing aircraft, and none of risk factors for all serious injury (fatal and non-fatal) in these aircraft. The aim of the study was to identify the potentially modifiable risk factors for injury in civil rotary-wing aircraft crashes in New Zealand. METHOD: We analyzed records from all reported civil rotary-wing aircraft crashes in New Zealand between 1988 and 1994. Air crash data from the official databases were merged with nationwide injury records and information obtained from Coroner's files. Crashes where the pilot-in-command was fatally injured were compared with crashes where the pilot-in-command was not fatally injured on 50 variables, covering pilot, aircraft, environmental, and operational characteristics. A second analysis compared crashes where the pilot-in-command was seriously injured (either fatally or non-fatally) with crashes where the pilot-in-command was not hospitalized with an injury. A series of multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds associated with each of the factors identified by the univariate analyses. RESULTS: The most significant risk factors for all serious injury were: (a) not obtaining a weather briefing, (b) off-airport location of the crash site, (c) flights carried out for air transport purposes, and (d) non-solo flights. Other risk factors, significant for fatal injury only, included post-crash fire and the nature of the crash terrain. Factors within the control of the pilot, environmental, and flight characteristics are the key determinants of the injury outcome of civil rotary-wing aircraft crashes.     

Ecology of player-to-player contact in boys' youth soccer play

INTRODUCTION: Youth soccer (football) injuries occur for a wide range of reasons, but the most frequent cause of injury is via player-to-player contact. This study was designed to study the ecology of collisions between players during youth soccer play. METHOD: Six teams of 11- and 12-year-old male players were followed over the course of a full season. Games were videotaped and reviewed to address three primary questions: how frequently do player-to-player collisions occur; when and where on the field do those collisions occur; and what is the rate of falls and injuries as a result of player-to-player contact. RESULTS: A total of 1,279 player-to-player collisions was observed, or an average of 65.59 collisions per game. Nearly half of the observed collisions resulted in one or both players falling to the ground, and about one-tenth resulted in the referee calling a foul, but very few of the collisions (less than 1%) resulted in an injury. Collisions occurred relatively consistently throughout the games, no matter what the score was. They occurred most frequently in the midfield area, when the ball was on or near the ground, and when players were attempting to retrieve a loose, uncontrolled ball. CONCLUSIONS: Results are discussed with respect to implications for injury prevention.     

Work-related deaths in Washington State, 1998-2002

INTRODUCTION: In Washington State, 87 workers are killed each year, on average, while in work status. To understand these incidents and to assist in focusing on and development of potential prevention measures, they must be well characterized. METHODS: Work-related fatalities between the years 1998 and 2002 are described by the demographics of the victims, types of incidents, the victims' occupations, and industries and location in which they worked. RESULTS: Motor vehicle- and machinery-related incidents accounted for nearly 33% and 14% of the incidents, respectively. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining (n=87), and construction (n=83) had the most fatalities. Fatality rates per 100,000 workers for these industries were 25.7 and 8.7, respectively, compared to the state-wide average of 3.1 fatalities/100,000 workers. DISCUSSION: These data indicate numerous areas for prevention of work-related traumatic injuries and fatalities.     

杂交水稻对Cd的吸收与籽粒积累:土壤和品种的交互影响

土壤-作物-食物是人类摄取Cd的主要途径,而水稻是籽粒Cd积累最强的粮食作物.选择2种杂交水稻(普通杂交稻“汕优63”和超级稻“Ⅱ优明86”)与乌栅土和红沙泥田2种水稻土为材料,采用添加Cd(2.5 mg/kg)和不添加Cd处理进行盆栽试验,研究了水稻在成熟期对土壤中Cd的吸收及籽粒积累特点.结果表明,杂交水稻对Cd的吸收及籽粒积累依土壤、品种及两者的交互作用而变化.杂交稻对土壤中原有Cd的吸收与积累,基因型影响高于土壤类型的影响,但对外源Cd的吸收与籽粒积累,土壤类型的影响强于品种基因型,而土壤与品种间的正交互作用(Cd吸收强的超级稻种植于土壤Cd化学有效性高的红沙泥田)可使水稻籽粒Cd积累成倍提高.说明在未污染条件下,杂交稻对Cd的吸收与籽粒积累主要受品种的吸收能力控制,而在污染条件下,土壤化学性质对Cd有效性的影响成为土壤-水稻系统Cd迁移的主要控制因素.本实验显示,在酸性土壤或污染条件下,超级稻对Cd的吸收与籽粒积累十分强烈,就地消费人群的籽粒Cd暴露风险水平达到数倍于临界摄入剂量水平.加Cd处理下,汕优63中Cd滞留于根部,而Ⅱ优明86有较强的将Cd向上运输的能力,Ⅱ优明86籽粒Cd积累的不利效应远远超过其产量的增加效应.因此,在高产水稻育种中必须考虑水稻对Cd吸收的基因型差异与籽粒Cd的暴露风险,推广高产杂交水稻根据其Cd的吸收特性考虑土壤-品种的合理布局.