Risky behaviors and helmet use among young adolescent motorcyclists in Southern Thailand

Background: In Thailand, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for youth ages 15–19 years, with 80% of the injuries and deaths from motorcycle accidents. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of child and young adolescent motorcyclists in Hat Yai municipality and their risk behaviors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2011 and March 2012 in which 2,471 students, ages 8 to 18 years, were recruited from 9 primary and secondary schools in Hat Yai municipality. The questionnaire included questions on being a motorcycle rider or passenger, risky behaviors, and helmet use while riding. Results: Of the total, 1,573 (63.7%) were riders and 898 (36.3%) were pillion passengers. The majority of the riders younger than 15 years rode their motorcycle mainly only in narrow streets for a short trip. Only 30% of the riders wore a helmet every time they rode a motorcycle. About 10% of the participants riding or a passenger on a motorcycle had consumed alcohol at least once before riding their motorcycle. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that motorcycle injuries were significantly associated with speeds greater than 60 km/h, not wearing a helmet while riding, and alcohol consumption before riding (odds ratios 1.63, 1.59, and 3.09, respectively). Conclusion: Nearly two thirds of young adolescents in Hat Yai municipality were motorcycle riders. These young adolescents were at risk of traffic injuries because more than 50% of them had ridden at high speed or not worn a helmet while riding, and some of them had consumed alcohol before riding.     

Characteristics of bicycle crashes among children and the effect of bicycle helmets

Abstract

Objective: Focusing on children (0–17?years), this study aimed to investigate injury and accident characteristics for bicyclists and to evaluate the use and protective effect of bicycle helmets.

Method: This nationwide Swedish study included children who had visited an emergency care center due to injuries from a bicycle crash. In order to investigate the causes of bicycle crashes, data from 2014 to 2016 were analyzed thoroughly (n?=?7967). The causes of the crashes were analyzed and categorized, focusing on 3 subgroups: children 0–6, 7–12, and 13–17?years of age. To assess helmet effectiveness, the induced exposure approach was applied using data from 2006 to 2016 (n?=?24,623). In order to control for crash severity, only bicyclists who had sustained at least one Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ injury (moderate injury or more severe) in body regions other than the head were included.

Results: In 82% of the cases the children were injured in a single-bicycle crash, and the proportion decreased with age (0–6: 91%, 7–12: 84%, 13–17: 77%). Of AIS 2+ injuries, 8% were head injuries and 85% were injuries to the extremities (73% upper extremities and 13% lower extremities). Helmet use was relatively high up to the age of 10 (90%), after which it dropped. Helmets were much less frequently used by teenagers (14%), especially girls. Consistently, the share of head injuries increased as the children got older. Bicycle helmets were found to reduce all head injuries by 61% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10: +/? 10%) and AIS 2+ head injuries by 68% (95% CI, 12: +/? 12%). The effectiveness in reducing face injuries was lower (45% CI +/? 10% for all injuries and 54% CI +/? 32% for AIS2+ injuries).

Conclusions: This study indicated that bicycle helmets effectively reduce injuries to the head and face. The results thus point to the need for actions aimed at increasing helmet use, especially among teenagers. Protective measures are necessary to further reduce injuries, especially to the upper extremities.     

Public Investment and Environmental Sustainability of Agricultural Production in China

Abstract

The excessive application of fertilizer and pesticides in grain production in China has posed a threat to the environmental sustainability of agricultural production. One of the major reasons of the increasing usage of chemical inputs by farmers is their trying to reach higher yields, especially In absence of adequate public inputs, such as development and extension of appropriate technology and necessary production infrastructure, etc. Based on the crop-specific data of the past 20 years, this paper examines how the public Investments in agricultural researches could impact on the reduction of farmers' private material inputs of major grain crops in China. It manifests that the increased investments in public sector, especially in agricultural researches, is a favorable and effective way to reduce farmers' private material inputs and should be given a priority consideration in the policy emendation to increase yields and improve production sustainability.     

Design of a novel comfort liner for a motorcycle helmet

Natural fibres are nowadays increasingly being employed for producing protective clothing and sportswear. Due to economic and/or environmental considerations they are replacing synthetic materials. The present work provides an insight into the design and development of a novel comfort liner for a motorcycle helmet. The liner is produced from wool and Tunisian alfa fibre. The plant of the alfa fibre is abundantly available in Tunisia. Furthermore, we describe a design concept for a liner that uses these natural fibres and phase change material to improve sweat absorption and perception of thermal comfort. The raw material, the processes involved and the solution to use the phase change material are analysed. The novel comfort liner can facilitate breathability and evaporative transfer of heat in the safety helmet. In addition, it increases comfort, well-being, and provides an indirect message to use natural fibres for textile support to preserve our environment.     

不同回用用途下典型城市污水再生处理工艺的生命周期评价分析

对3种典型城市污水再生处理工艺(微絮凝+砂滤+消毒(MSD)、混凝+转盘过滤+消毒(CRD)和混凝沉淀+超滤+消毒(CUD))进行生命周期环境影响定量评价,探讨了不同工艺在不同回用用途下的环境表现。结果表明:MSD工艺在富营养化(EP)方面的影响略高,归一化结果为9.32E-15,其他方面环境影响均小于CRD和CUD工艺;不同回用用途的污水再生可在某些方面抵消原需水产生的环境影响,有一定环境效益,不同出水用途的替代抵消作用可影响环境表现。以砂滤为主的典型城市污水再生处理工艺在出水用于工业冷却水时,归一化加权结果为其他两种工艺的25%和7.5%,具有较好的应用前景。     

LFT-G注塑工艺在玻璃钢安全帽生产中的应用

玻璃钢安全帽因具有强度高、耐高温,耐水、酸、碱、油、化学腐蚀及良好的绝缘性等特点,被广泛应用于石油化工、矿山、电力、冶炼等多个行业。目前,玻璃钢安全帽的生产工艺仅有两种,一是手糊,二是模压。但这两种生产工艺不仅存在粉尘、噪声、有毒物质等多种职业危害因素,而且由于部分关键工序采用手工制作,因而造成玻璃钢安全帽的质量性能的不稳定。使用LFT-G（长纤维增强热塑性塑料颗粒）作为原材料,将注塑工艺引进玻璃钢安全帽的生产中,实现了玻璃钢安全帽的注塑生产。这种工艺,不仅职业危害因素大大减少,而且也因关键工序中不存在手工作业,从而大大增加了玻璃钢安全帽质量的稳定性,同时,由于LFT-G粒料的长度增加,经过加工后,安全帽成品中的纤维长度也会增加,使得安全帽的抗冲击性能等满足标准要求。为此,以LFT-G为基础的玻璃钢安全帽的注塑工艺具有广阔的应用前景。     

自动变光面罩亟待成为中国焊工防护标配

本文阐述了电弧焊弧光所造成的危害种类及其严重程度,并围绕自动变光焊接面罩的基本结构、工作原理、性能指标、防护效果等,重点介绍了防治电弧焊弧光危害的这种专门利器,明确提出了应该让自动变光焊接面罩尽快成为中国焊工防护用具的标准配置的观点。     

消防员地震救援防护头盔的研制

本文通过对消防员地震救援过程中防护头盔的功能分析,提出了救援头盔的设计思路和需要实现的技术指标,从而为研制地震救援用防护头盔提供依据。     

硫化罐齿块啮合强度校核及使用缺陷分析

针对硫化罐齿块在使用过程中出现裂纹等使用缺陷甚至导致失效的问题,采用有限元方法,对一台硫化罐的齿块啮合强度进行了校核和 应力分析,基于各个危险截面的应力水平计算结果对该设备快开门结构强度进行了评价。并结合该设备在定期检验过程中发现的缺陷形式,对 缺陷产生原因进行了分析,结果表明在满足啮合强度计算的条件下,该设备的齿块在非危险截面的齿块根部出现了疲劳裂纹,该缺陷的产生和 扩展与制造环节和设备使用过程中的疲劳有关。基于分析结果提出在役硫化罐定期检验的关键位置和检验周期,为该类容器的制造和定期检验 提供参考。     

盘龙河流域空间信息分析

利用2008年SPOT卫星影像结合野外调查,运用3S技术对盘龙河流域的植被、土地利用和环境质量情况进行调查。结果表明,流域内的土地资源内部结构不合理,与自然环境不协调,其环境质量以中等偏上为主,差的质量面积较大。提出了对盘龙河流域加强法制建设,提高森林覆盖率,做好土地利用总体规划,优化农业产业结构的生态保护对策建议。