Validation of the Polish version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in an elderly population (60–70 years old)

Purpose. To assess the reliability and validity of the Polish version of the 36-point World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in an elderly population. Method. One thousand randomly selected individuals, aged 60–70 years, living in south-eastern Poland were assessed using the Polish version of the WHODAS 2.0. Results. The analysis confirmed the high reliability and validity of the tool. Cronbach’s α index was 0.89. The tool had high stability, and the correlation between test and retest results was high. The relevance of the domain selection was high or very high. A factor analysis confirmed the relevance of assigning questions to domains. High theoretical relevance was also demonstrated. Statistically significant differences between those who were and were not suffering from health problems were observed. An analysis of the internal structure of the WHODAS 2.0 revealed strong correlations between the components of each domain and the final result. Conclusion. The Polish version of the WHODAS 2.0 showed high reliability and validity; thus, it can be used to assess health, functioning and disability in the elderly population of Poland.     

The effect of moisture content within multilayer protective clothing on protection from radiation and steam

The moisture from skin sweat and atmospheric water affects the thermal protective performance provided by multilayer protective clothing. Four levels of moisture content were selected to evaluate the impact of moisture on thermal protection under dry (thermal radiation) and wet (thermal radiation and low-pressure steam) heat exposure. Also, the role of moisture and its relationship with exposure time were analyzed based on skin heat flux and Henriques integral value. The addition of moisture to a fabric system was found to result in differences in second-degree and third-degree skin burn times. When moisture is added to a fabric system, it both acts as a thermal conductor to present a negative effect and provides a positive effect owing to thermal storage of water and evaporative heat loss. The positive or negative effects of moisture are mainly dependent on the thermal exposure time, the moisture content and the presence of hot steam.     

Effects of physical exercise on musculoskeletal disorders,stress and quality of life in workers

Background. The effect of physical exercise in the workplace (PEW) on health promotion of workers is contradictory. Objective. To evaluate the effects of the PEW in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), perception of stress and quality of life in workers. Methods. The participants were divided into two groups: control group (n?=?46) including non-participant workers of the PEW program, and PEW group (n?=?50) including workers who regularly participate in the exercise program. All workers answered the Nordic general questionnaire, the perceived stress scale and the quality-of-life questionnaire. Results. The PEW group reported a lower prevalence of MSDs for the trunk in the last 7 days and 12 months (p?=?0.021 and p?=?0.001, respectively), and for the upper limbs in the last 12 months (p?=?0.001) compared with the control group. The results for the perception of stress and quality of life showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion. PEW is a potential method to reduce MSDs in workers, but it was not efficient in reducing stress levels or improving the quality of life of the workers.     

Safe speed limits for a safe system: The relationship between speed limit and fatal crash rate for different crash types

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide empirical evidence for safe speed limits that will meet the objectives of the Safe System by examining the relationship between speed limit and injury severity for different crash types, using police-reported crash data.

Method: Police-reported crashes from 2 Australian jurisdictions were used to calculate a fatal crash rate by speed limit and crash type. Example safe speed limits were defined using threshold risk levels.

Results: A positive exponential relationship between speed limit and fatality rate was found. For an example fatality rate threshold of 1 in 100 crashes it was found that safe speed limits are 40 km/h for pedestrian crashes; 50 km/h for head-on crashes; 60 km/h for hit fixed object crashes; 80 km/h for right angle, right turn, and left road/rollover crashes; and 110 km/h or more for rear-end crashes.

Conclusions: The positive exponential relationship between speed limit and fatal crash rate is consistent with prior research into speed and crash risk. The results indicate that speed zones of 100 km/h or more only meet the objectives of the Safe System, with regard to fatal crashes, where all crash types except rear-end crashes are exceedingly rare, such as on a high standard restricted access highway with a safe roadside design.     

Field effectiveness evaluation of advanced driver assistance systems

Abstract

Objective: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are a class of vehicle technologies designed to increase safety by providing drivers with timely warnings and autonomously intervening to avoid hazardous situations. Though laboratory testing suggests that ADAS technologies will greatly impact crash involvement rates, real-world evidence that characterizes their effectiveness is still limited. This study evaluates and quantifies the association of ADAS technologies with the likelihood of a moderate or severe crash for new-model BMWs in the United States.

Methods: Vehicle ADAS option information for the cohort of model year 2014 and later BMW passenger vehicles sold after January 1, 2014 (n?=?1,063,503), was coded using VIN-identified options data. ADAS technologies of interest include frontal collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection. BMW Automated Crash Notification system data (from January 2014 to November 2017) were merged with vehicle data by VIN to identify crashed vehicles (n?=?15,507), including date, crash severity (delta V), and area of impact. Using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, the study calculates the adjusted hazard ratio for crashing among BMW passenger vehicles with versus without ADAS technologies. The adjusted percentage reduction in moderate and severe crashes associated with ADAS is interpreted as one minus the hazard ratio.

Results: Vehicles equipped with both autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning were 23% less likely to crash than those not equipped (hazard ratio [HR]?=?0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.81), controlling for model year, vehicle size and body type. Autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning generally occur together, making it difficult to tease apart their individual effects. Blind spot detection was associated with a 14% reduction in crashes after controlling for the presence of autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning (HR =0.86; 95% CI, 0.744–0.99). Differences were observed by vehicle type and crash type. The combined effect of autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning was greater in newer model vehicles: Equipped vehicles were 13% less likely to crash (HR =0.87; 95% CI, 0.79–0.95) among 2014 model year vehicles versus 34% less likely to crash (HR =0.66; 95% CI, 0.57–0.77) among 2017 model year vehicles.

Conclusion: This robust cohort study contributes to the growing evidence on the effectiveness of ADAS technologies.     

供水管网震后流量监测点的动态分级优化布局研究

为了提高管网地震监测点布局的准确性和合理性,基于管网微观水力计算模型和动态分级法,提出供水管网震后流量监测点的动态分级优化布局模型。首先,利用管网微观水力计算模型计算管段流量的影响系数,构建管段的影响系数矩阵,并利用信息熵确定管段权重;其次,标准化处理影响系数矩阵,通过聚类迭代提出供水管网地震流量监测点优化布局的动态分级方法,对供水管网震后流量监测点进行优化布置分级评定;最后,根据工程实例进行方法实践,结果表明:供水管网中的管线分类较为科学合理,地震监测点在供水管网上分布也比较均匀,而且该模型在一定程度上消除了人为因素的影响,保障了震时管网的监控效果和日常建设的合理性。     

单轴应力对煤自燃特性参数和导热系数的影响研究

为探究单轴应力作用下煤氧化和传热特性,利用自制荷载加压煤自燃特性参数测定装置对炉体内长焰煤煤样进行程序升温。结合程序升温过程中煤临界温度Tc和Tg,对其进行阶段划分:阶段1为30℃~Tc;阶段2为Tc~Tg。计算了不同单轴应力下2个阶段煤表观活化能和平均耗氧速率。根据能量守恒得出程序升温过程煤导热系数随温度的变化,进一步分析煤导热系数与单轴应力的关系。结果表明:阶段1单轴应力为4 MPa时为临界轴压,煤表观活化能最大,平均耗氧速率最小;阶段2煤表观活化能和平均耗氧速率随单轴应力增大均呈抛物线变化,单轴应力为2.7 MPa时为临界轴压,煤表观活化能最大,平均耗氧速率最小;阶段1和2煤导热系数随温度升高均先减小后增大,并且煤导热系数随单轴应力增大呈三次函数变化。     

基于SVM的矿井通风阻力系数影响因素分析与预测

矿井通风阻力系数是通风安全最重要的基础参数之一,为了实现矿井通风阻力系数简单准确地预测,提出了利用支持向量机（SVM）来预测矿井通风阻力系数的方法。通过分析影响因子与矿井通风阻力系数的相关性关系,并利用MATLAB逐步建立单影响因素与矿井通风阻力系数、多影响因素与矿井通风阻力系数之间的SVM预测模型,对比分析各预测模型的相对误差,确定最佳矿井通风阻力系数预测模型,即当输入模型影响因素为巷道断面积、周长和支护方式时,预测相对误差小于10%的样本数占测试样本的76%,相对误差小于20%的样本数占测试样本的90%。结果表明:该预测方法在矿井通风阻力系数预测中是可行的,并具较高的准确性。     

化学环境下的应力-渗流耦合对尾 矿库稳定性影响试验

通过扫描电镜（FE-SEM）、能谱分析（EDX）、X射线衍射（XRD）、LMS-30激光粒度分析等室内试验探究了尾矿库内存在的酸、碱离子对尾矿颗粒的沉降、微观形貌、物质组成以及粒径级配的影响;建立酸、碱影响下的孔隙比与渗透系数的数学关系模型,并将建立的模型用来表征尾矿库内的应力渗-流场两场耦合机制,实现代入有限元计算软件的目的。结果表明:化学因素的存在影响着尾矿颗粒的多项性状,酸性环境下尾矿颗粒发生溶蚀,部分金属元素流失;碱性环境下尾矿颗粒间生成胶结物质,孔隙出现以含氢氧化铁为主的絮状、团簇状堵塞物,改变了渗流速度;尾矿库内浸润线高度在碱性、中性、酸性环境下依次降低,而渗流速度依次升高。     

非柔性连接石化储罐配管温差应力分析与对策

储罐配管在温差作用下产生热位移会导致管壁产生热应力,未采用柔性连接的配管由于热应力集中作用可能发生破漏。针对与石油化工储罐非柔性连接的配管的安全问题,应用ANSYS有限元分析软件模拟计算石化企业典型配管的热应力分布;根据不同类型配管的分析结果,提出了工程技术与管理方面的针对性安全措施。研究结果表明:温差效应对石化储罐配管热应力影响显著,随内外温差的增加,配管应力集中的区域增大,最大热应力值增大;补偿措施能够改善配管的柔性,降低配管应力;约束载荷限制配管热膨胀从而增大配管应力;三通管是多根配管接合的区域,这种复杂管道交汇处会形成明显应力集中。研究结果对于提高石油化工非柔性连接配管安全性有一定的指导意义。