The estimated reduction in the odds of loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles equipped with electronic stability control

INTRODUCTION: Using data from the NASS General Estimates System (GES), the method of induced exposure was used to assess the effects of electronic stability control (ESC) on loss-of-control type crashes for sport utility vehicles. METHOD: Sport utility vehicles were classified into crash types generally associated with loss of control and crash types most likely not associated with loss of control. Vehicles were then compared as to whether ESC technology was present or absent in the vehicles. A generalized additive model was fit to assess the effects of ESC, driver age, and driver gender on the odds of loss of control. In addition, the effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were compared to effects on roads that were dry. RESULTS: Overall, the estimated percentage reduction in the odds of a loss-of-control crash for sport utility vehicles equipped with ESC was 70.3%. Both genders and all age groups showed reduced odds of loss-of-control crashes, but there was no significant difference between males and females. With respect to driver age, the maximum percentage reduction of 73.6% occurred at age 27. The positive effects of ESC on roads that were not dry were significantly greater than on roads that were dry.     

Demography and disappearing merchandise: How older workforces influence retail shrinkage

Prior research on retail shrinkage has taken a largely individual‐level approach to theorizing about why it occurs, showing that older employees are less prone to theft and more vigilant in preventing customer shoplifting than younger personnel. However, given the influence of organizational contexts on organizational behavior, theorizing about shrinkage may be enhanced by the consideration of business‐unit level contextual variables. The present study addressed this concern by examining the relationship between store‐level age composition, whistle‐blowing (WB) climate, and shrinkage in 726 retail stores. Results indicated that the negative mean age–shrinkage relationship was stronger when there was less age diversity or a climate more supportive of WB. Moreover, the negative WB climate–shrinkage linkage was stronger when the mean age was higher. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variations of monoterpene emissions from coniferous trees of different ages in Korea

Seasonal variations of emission rates and compositions from coniferous species were measured under controlled conditions using a vegetation enclosure method. Total emission rates and compositions of monoterpene compounds from young and adult trees in different seasons were compared.

It was found that the total emission rates and the components of monoterpene varied significantly with tree species, age, and season. Total emissions from C. japonica and P. koraiensis were higher for older trees than for younger trees; however, significantly higher emissions were found from younger trees for C. obtusa. Higher monoterpene emission rates from each plant were found in spring and summer compared with autumn and winter emissions.     

Concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in needles of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) growing nearby di erent industrial sources

Emissions from industrial activities pose a serious threat to human health and impose the need for monitoring both inorganic and organic pollutants in industrial areas.We selected Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) as potential biomonitor and collected the current (C) and previous year (C+1) needles from three industrial sites dominated by petrochemical, ceramics manufacturing, and iron and steel smelting plants and one remote site to determine heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni and Co) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in unwashed and water-washed needles. Both unwashed and washed C+1 needles showed generally higher concentrations of heavy metals and PAHs than C needles, although the washed needles more clearly spotlighted the accumulation e ect of PAHs over exposure time. Water-washing resulted in a significant decrease in needle PAH concentrations with more significant e ects shown in C needles. By contrast, needle heavy metal concentrations were much less a ected by washing. Although heavy metals and PAHs might di er in adsorption and uptake strategies, their higher concentrations in the needles at the industrial sites indicated conspicuous contamination due to industrial emissions there. The PAH distribution patterns in pine needles accorded with the real types of energy consumption in the study sites and were e ciently used for pinpointing local pollutant sources.     

两级SBR工艺去除磷、氮及有机物效能分析

以模拟生活污水为处理对象,在常温条件下,采用对比试验与机制分析方法,研究了两级SBR工艺分级除磷、去除有机物及脱氮的特性,分析了工艺的效能优势.结果表明,通过控制泥龄(除磷级5~7 d,脱氮级约50 d),可以将异养的PAOs与硝化菌分别控制在2个反应器中优势生长,在出水水质更优的情况下,系统的处理效率可比单级SBR提高1倍以上;两级SBR系统可以有效地缓解有机负荷对硝化过程的冲击影响,在进水COD浓度较高的情况下,能够保持其脱氮级(SBS2)具有稳定的硝化速率,且系统的最终出水可以容易并稳定地达到TP≤0.5 mg.L-1的国家标准;另外,两级SBR的脱氮级(SBS2)除具有优势的硝化菌种外,还能培养出适合降解难降解有机物的异养菌,使其好氧硝化结束时COD浓度较单级SBR系统更低.     

Age group differences in collision risk

Introduction

The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in factors associated with self-reported collision involvement of three age groups of drivers based on a large representative sample of Ontario adults. Method: This study was based on data from the CAMH Monitor, an ongoing cross-sectional telephone survey of Ontario adults 18 years and older from 2002 to 2005. Three age groups were examined: 18-34 (n = 1,294), 35-54 (n = 2,428), and 55+ (n = 1,576). For each age group sample, a logistic regression analysis was conducted of self-reported collision involvement in the last 12 months by risk factor measures of driving exposure (kilometers driven in a typical week, driving is stressful, and driving on busy roads), consuming five or more drinks of alcohol on one occasion (past 12 months), cannabis use (lifetime, and past 12 months), and driving after drinking among drinkers (past 12 months), controlling for demographics (gender, region, income, and marital status). Results: The study identified differences in factors associated with self-reported collision involvement of the three age groups of adult drivers. The logistic regression model for the youngest group revealed that drivers who reported that driving was stressful at least some of the time, drank five or more drinks on an occasion, and drove after drinking had an increased risk of collision involvement. For the middle age group, those who reported using cannabis in the last 12 months had significantly increased odds of reporting collision involvement. None of the risk factor measures showed significant associations with collision risk for older drivers (aged 55+). Impact: The results suggest potential areas for intervention and new directions for future research.     

The effects of minimum legal drinking age 21 laws on alcohol-related driving in the United States

Objective

To examine trends in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related crashes among people younger than 21 in the United States and to review evidence on the effects of minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) laws.

Methods

Trends in alcohol-related crashes and alcohol consumption among young people were examined, and studies on the effects of lowering and raising the drinking age were reviewed.

Results

MLDA laws underwent many changes during the 20th century in the United States. Since July 1988, the MLDA has been 21 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Surveys tracking alcohol consumption among high school students and young adults found that drinking declined since the late 1970 s, and most of the decline occurred by the early 1990 s. These were the years when states were establishing, or reinstating, a MLDA-21. Among fatally injured drivers ages 16-20, the percentage with positive BACs declined from 61% in 1982 to 31% in 1995, a bigger decline than for older age groups; declines occurred among the ages directly affected by raising MLDAs (ages 18-20) and among young teenagers not directly affected (ages 16-17). Almost all studies designed specifically to gauge the effects of drinking age changes show MLDAs of 21 reduce drinking, problematic drinking, drinking and driving, and alcohol-related crashes among young people. Yet many underage people still drink, many drink and drive, and alcohol remains an important risk factor in serious crashes of young drivers, especially as they progress through the teenage years. Stepped-up enforcement of MLDA and drinking and driving laws can reduce underage drinking. Recent efforts to lower MLDAs to 18 and issue licenses to drink upon completion of alcohol education have gained local and national media attention. There is no evidence that alcohol education can even partially replace the effect of MLDA-21.

Conclusions

The cause and effect relationship between MLDAs of 21 and reductions in highway crashes is clear. Initiatives to lower the drinking age to 18 ignore the demonstrated public health benefits of MLDAs of 21.

Impact on Industry

Lowering the drinking age to 18 will increase highway crash deaths among young people.     

大连市居民头发典型重金属富集特征研究

测定了大连市居民102份头发样品中Pb、Cd、Hg、As等重金属含量,评估了其暴露风险,并对头发中重金属的含量与年龄、性别的关系进行了分析.结果表明,大连市居民头发中Pb、Cd、Hg、As含量均低于中国居民头发中重金属的建议正常值上限,4种重金属暴露风险较低.男性头发中Cd、Pb和As的平均含量明显高于女性(p0.05),其中As平均含量差异达到极显著水平(p0.01).PCA分析显示样本分布集中在第一排序轴和第二排序轴中间,表明性别并不是影响头发中重金属含量的主要因素.19～35岁年龄组居民头发中Cd和Pb含量最高,且均与56～75岁年龄组呈现显著差异(p0.05);As和Hg在56～75岁年龄组居民头发中含量最高,与其它组比较均达到了显著水平(p0.05).PCA和Pearson分析表明4种重金属间相关性较好,大连市居民对4种重金属暴露途径基本相同.     

地下水年龄在地下水研究中的应用研究进展

近些阜,同位素和示踪技术广泛地应用于地下水研究中,其中以对地下水定年的研究尤为突出.本文通过研究国内外大量的研究实例,分析得出地下水年龄在评价地下水更新能力,正确认识地下水运动和溶质迁移规律,以及约束地下水模型参数等方面具有重要作用;同对指出地下永定年不仅受到地下水混合作用、气-水-岩作用等自然因素的影响,还受到人类活...