Using data linkage to assess the impact of motorized recreational vehicle-related injuries in Ohio

Problem

Motorized recreational vehicle (MRV)-related injuries can result in severe medical and financial consequences. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology, and clinical and financial impact of MRV-related injuries in Ohio.

Method

Probabilistically linked statewide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and hospital (inpatient and emergency department) data for 2003 and 2004 were examined. Record pairs with a MRV-related E-code (E821-E823, E825) were included in this study.

Results

There were 2,893 patients with MRV-related injuries, who had linked EMS and hospital records, resulting in more than $15 million in hospital charges and 1,921 inpatient days of hospitalization. The male-to-female ratio was nearly 4:1, and 19% were younger than 16. Almost 82% of cases were not wearing a helmet; there was a trend of decreasing helmet use with increasing age. Mean (SE) inpatient hospital charges and length of stay (LOS) were $22,218 ($1,290) and 3.8 (0.2) days, respectively. The mean (SE) Injury Severity Score (ISS) for inpatients was 9.2 (0.4). Individuals injured on a street/highway were 3.20 times more likely to sustain an ISS ≥ 16 (95% CI: 1.03, 9.88; p = 0.044) and 3.05 times more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) (95% CI: 1.17, 7.94; p = 0.024) than those who were injured at a place designated for sport or recreation. Children aged 12 to 15 and young adults aged 16 to 25 were 2.47 and 2.14 times more likely, respectively, to sustain a TBI than adults aged 36 or older (aged 12 to 15: 95% CI: 1.13, 5.38; p = 0.024; aged 16 to 25: 95% CI: 1.26, 3.64; p = 0.005). Higher ISS was associated with both higher total charges (p < 0.001) and longer LOS (p < 0.001).

Discussion

This study demonstrates that MRV-related injuries are an important public health problem in Ohio, with a substantial clinical and financial impact.

Impact on Industry

Enactment and enforcement of statewide MRV safety legislation and training of MRV users offer valuable opportunities to prevent these costly injuries.     

Anticipated Performance Index of some tree species considered for green belt development in and around an urban area: a case study of Varanasi city, India

It is well established that trees help to reduce air pollution, and there is a growing impetus for green belt expansion in urban areas. Identification of suitable plant species for green belts is very important. In the present study, the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of many plant species has been evaluated by analyzing important biochemical parameters. The Anticipated Performance Index (API) of these plant species was also calculated by considering their APTI values together with other socio-economic and biological parameters. Based on these two indices, the most suitable plant species for green belt development in urban areas were identified and recommended for long-term air pollution management.     

区域红壤资源信息系统的建立

将GIS技术与数学模型相结合,探讨区域红壤资源信息系统的建立与应用.在明确红壤资源信息系统研制的目的、任务与基本原则的基础上,进行系统的总体设计.划分系统的模块和确定系统的各个组成部分,并确定系统的软硬件配置、设计系统界面.建立空间数据库及多种分析与应用模型.     

基于神经网络方法的城市空气质量日报技术

运用神经网络方法,将城市空气质量状况与大气污染物对空气质量的损害程度相关联,采用了"基于大气污染损害率的API法"评价概念,模拟发布长春市空气质量日报,同时公布次要污染物,并与API法进行同时段比对实验与综合分析。     

黄浦江水系水质变化及原因分析

根据1986—2010年的水质监测数据,研究了黄浦江水系水质变化,并对影响水质的主要因素进行了探讨。结果表明,近25年的黄浦江水系水质变化基本可分为3个阶段:1986—1996年,上海市的畜牧业高速发展,生活污水量逐年上升,工业废水量较大而处理率低,水环境压力加大,水质持续恶化;1996—2002年,上游来水水质、生活污水量和畜牧业污染量均基本稳定,为水质改善创造必要条件,随着工业废水量的下降及废水处理能力的加强,水质持续改善;2002—2010年,上游来水水质在2002—2004年明显恶化,生活污水量再次进入快速上升期,加大了水环境改善的难度,水质改善趋势放缓并渐趋稳定。     

秦淮河上游水体大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构及水质生物评价

2009年4月用D形网半定量采样法调查秦淮河上游25个点位的大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性,共获得63个大型底栖无脊椎动物分类单元;其中,水生昆虫5目12科30属,软体动物9科11属19种,寡毛纲2科7属9种。结果表明,生物指数(Biotic Index,BI)比Shannon-Wiener多样性指数的评价结果更接近实际情况,BI与ρ(TN)(r=0.44,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.40,p0.05)之间显著相关,Shannon-Wiene多样性指数与ρ(TN)(r=-0.19,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.44,p0.05)无显著性相关。生物评价表明秦淮河上游水质受到严重污染,句容地区的水质要优于南京。     

完善突发环境事件应急管理体系的几点建议

分析了我国突发环境事件中以预案、法制、体制和机制为核心的应急管理体系现状,分析了在"一案三制"体系建设中存在的问题,并对"一案三制"的应急管理体系建设提出了相关建议。     

松花江流域水生态环境质量评价研究

采用生物完整性指数(IBI)法评价松花江流域的水生态环境质量。对25个候选生物参数进行敏感度分析、Pearson相关性分析,最终筛选出由总分类单元数、EPT分类单元数、EPT密度、敏感种分类单元比例、敏感物种数量、Hilsenhoff生物指数(HBI)6个核心参数构成的IBI评价指标。采用95%分位数法建立了IBI评价标准,将IBI评价结果划分为5个等级:大于35.84为优,26.88~35.84为良好,17.92~26.88为一般,8.96~17.92为较差,小于8.96为很差。结果表明,建立的IBI评价方法适用于松花江流域水生态环境质量评价,松花江流域各位点30.0%生物状况为优和良好,23.3%为一般;46.7%为较差和很差,说明流域内近一半区域的水生态质量存在不同程度的受损。流域生境质量主要处于一般-良好的状态;水质处于轻度污染。     

A Two-Stage Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for MPPT of Partially Shaded PV Arrays

The power-voltage (P-V) characteristic curves of a PV array are nonlinear and have multiple peaks under partially shaded conditions (PSCs). This paper proposes a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for a PV system with reduced steady-state oscillation based on a two-stage particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The grouping method of the shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) is incorporated in the basic PSO algorithm (PSO-SFLA), ensuring fast and accurate searching of the global extremum. An adaptive speed factor is also introduced into the improved PSO to further enhance its convergence speed. Test results show that the proposed method converges in less than half the time taken by the conventional PSO method, and the power is improved by 33% under the worst PSCs, which confirms the superiority of the proposed method over the standard PSO algorithm in terms of tracking speed and steady-state oscillations under different PSCs.     

运用灰色GM（1,1）系统模型预测北京市污水排放量

北京市水资源开发利用已经超过了水资源承载能力范围,由此引发的水资源短缺问题日益严重.对污水的综合利用进行研究可以达到持续利用水资源的目的,解决水资源短缺问题.以北京市2005-2012年污水排放量资料为基础,运用灰色系统模型,对工业、生活污水排放量及总污水排放量进行了预测,分析北京市污水排放量走势及存在的问题,提出未来北京市污水综合利用的对策措施.