Impact of improving vehicle front design on the burden of pedestrian injuries in Germany,the United States,and India

Objective: European car design regulations and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings have led to reductions in pedestrian injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of improving vehicle front design on mortality and morbidity due to pedestrian injuries in a European country (Germany) and 2 countries (the United States and India) that do not have pedestrian-focused NCAP testing or design regulations.

Methods: We used data from the International Road Traffic and Accident Database and the Global Burden of Disease project to estimate baseline pedestrian deaths and nonfatal injuries in each country in 2013. The effect of improved passenger car star ratings on probability of pedestrian injury was based on recent evaluations of pedestrian crash data from Germany. The effect of improved heavy motor vehicle (HMV) front end design on pedestrian injuries was based on estimates reported by simulation studies. We used burden of disease methods to estimate population health loss by combining the burden of morbidity and mortality in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost.

Results: Extrapolating from evaluations in Germany suggests that improving front end design of cars can potentially reduce the burden of pedestrian injuries due to cars by up to 24% in the United States and 41% in India. In Germany, where cars comply with the United Nations regulation on pedestrian safety, additional improvements would have led to a 1% reduction. Similarly, improved HMV design would reduce DALYs lost by pedestrian victims hit by HMVs by 20% in each country. Overall, improved vehicle design would reduce DALYs lost to road traffic injuries (RTIs) by 0.8% in Germany, 4.1% in the United States, and 6.7% in India.

Conclusions: Recent evaluations show a strong correlation between Euro NCAP pedestrian scores and real-life pedestrian injuries, suggesting that improved car front end design in Europe has led to substantial reductions in pedestrian injuries. Although the United States has fewer pedestrian crashes, it would nevertheless benefit substantially by adopting similar regulations and instituting pedestrian NCAP testing. The maximum benefit would be realized in low- and middle-income countries like India that have a high proportion of pedestrian crashes. Though crash avoidance technologies are being developed to protect pedestrians, supplemental protection through design regulations may significantly improve injury countermeasures for vulnerable road users.     

Positive perceptions of green and open space as predictors of neighbourhood quality of life: implications for urban planning across the city region

The provision of green and open space in the face of wider development pressure is a key urban challenge. Despite this, few studies have critically investigated the quality of life implications of such provision. This paper focuses on perceptions of built environment factors and their influence on neighbourhood quality of life. Data are drawn from a household survey questionnaire completed by 483 residents living in three neighbourhoods in Dublin, Ireland – an inner city neighbourhood, a suburb and a peri-urban settlement. Positive perceptions of green and open space were identified as important predictors of high levels of neighbourhood satisfaction, surpassed only by dwelling characteristics. This suggests that development strategies which fail to provide for properly planned green and open spaces may be detrimental to neighbourhood quality of life. Furthermore, the results suggest a need for design solutions which consider neighbourhood typology in achieving improved neighbourhood quality of life.     

A framework for sustainable supply chain in emerging economies

Sustainable supply chains (SSC) are an essential topic in emerging economies for achieving sustainable development. Because of their rapid economic growth, emerging economies are experiencing both sides of this development: the well‐being enhancement and the environmental impact. However, decision makers and practitioners do not have robust models for managing supply networks that consider the sustainability complexities. This study aims to provide a better understanding of SSC in emerging economies and proposes a generic framework to improve the decision‐making process. Based on a review of the literature, a decision framework for sustainability is proposed. A green sustainable decision concept is also discussed in the SSC literature. This study has implications for scholars, decision makers, and practitioners interested in advancing the SSC field based on an extension of the framework.     

市场导向的绿色技术创新机理与对策研究

基于对绿色技术创新的特殊属性、企业绿色技术创新环境和驱动力的转变分析,给出了市场导向对企业绿色技术创新的驱动机理。研究发现,企业绿色技术创新具有进度紧迫性、社会实用性、市场导向性及双重外部性等特殊属性,需借助市场机制来驱动企业绿色技术创新投入。市场导向下的企业绿色技术创新,就是要借助市场机制来优化企业绿色技术创新要素的配置效率。其中,市场供求机制有利于释放绿色技术创新要素的供需信号,市场竞争机制有利于提高绿色技术创新企业的市场竞争力;市场的价格机制有利于绿色技术创新企业的价值实现。最后,结合我国绿色技术创新发展实践提出6点建议:以解决突出矛盾为导向,精准设计市场规制措施;以优化顶层设计为起点,实现多主体协同发力;强化知识产权保护,制定绿色产业专利战略;多管齐下促进绿色消费,引导企业绿色技术创新;完善绿色标准和标识制度,倒逼绿色技术升级;建立绿色技术创新发展评估体系,有针对性地提高市场规制效率。     

全绿吊兰茎叶系统净化室内甲醛及其生理指标变化

为了对全绿吊兰盆栽茎叶系统净化室内空气甲醛污染的效率及其叶片各生理指标的变化特征进行全面研究,采用动态熏蒸系统在甲醛环境下对全绿吊兰进行长达7 d的熏蒸处理,分析盆栽茎叶系统在不同时间段内对空气中甲醛的去除率及熏蒸后叶片的生理变化特性.结果表明,全绿吊兰盆栽茎叶系统在φ（甲醛）为1×10-6、5×10-6及8×10-6时对空气中甲醛的平均去除率分别为54.4%、48.2%和30.7%,并且白天的去除率（71.1%±0.2%）明显高于夜间（36.2%±0.2%）,下午的去除率（60.0%±0.0%）高于上午（50.7%±0.1%）,熏蒸后期的去除率（57.0%±0.2%）高于前期（51.9%±0.3%）.对熏蒸后全绿吊兰盆栽叶片的生理指标测定结果表明,与对照组相比,除了叶片中w（叶绿素）和CAT活性下降外,其余生理指标均表现为上升,其中,电导率和H₂O₂含量的变化最大,φ（甲醛）为8×10-6时分别提高了165.8%和522.2%,而抗氧化酶总活性的增强有效地清除了积累的氧化物,维持了全绿吊兰盆栽的正常生长.另外,经过8×10-6的甲醛熏蒸后,与对照组相比,叶片表面气孔形态变得更加细小狭长甚至完全闭合,但是全绿吊兰盆栽的茎叶外观并无明显受损症状,而且叶片中MDA含量与T-AOC活性在熏蒸后15 d时基本能恢复至正常水平.研究显示,全绿吊兰盆栽对甲醛具有较高的去除能力且有较强的抗耐性及自愈能力,其叶片中各项生理指标的变化则反映了全绿吊兰盆栽与甲醛之间的相互反应机制.      

2007—2016年嘉峪关市城市绿地生态评价及障碍因子分析

对城市绿地进行科学评价有助于人们正确认识和改造城市绿地建设,为城市绿地规划和管理提供参考。以2007—2016年嘉峪关市城市绿地为研究对象,从数量、结构、功能三个方面构建评价指标体系,通过障碍度模型,识别影响城市绿地生态水平的障碍因子。结果表明：（1）10 a来嘉峪关市城市绿地生态水平整体呈波动上升趋势,级别由较低等级提高到高等级,但目前城市绿地生态水平属于低层次、不稳定的高等级阶段,城市绿地建设工作压力还很大。（2）从准则层看,嘉峪关市城市绿地生态水平的主要威胁变化较为明显,数量指标和结构指标是主要障碍因子;从指标层看,各年份主要障碍因子不尽相同,最大障碍因子历经了从人均公园绿地面积、树种丰富度到净化空气能力的演变。     

漆酶改性玉米秸秆髓的制备及其吸油特性

采用绿色生物酶技术改性玉米秸秆髓（CSP）,在CSP表面由漆酶催化接枝十八胺,以提高材料的亲油疏水性能,制得高效吸油剂LCSP.研究了改性温度、改性时间、TEMPO浓度、漆酶用量及十八胺浓度等因素对LCSP亲油疏水性能的影响,同时采用SEM、BET、XRD、接触角、FTIR、XPS等分析技术对改性前后CSP理化特性进行表征,并进行了吸油研究.结果表明,在35℃下,投加100U/g的漆酶、4.48mmol/LTEMPO、8.91mmol/L十八胺,改性CSP6h,制得的材料吸油量最大、吸水量最小,油吸附量从13.24g/g提升至40.82g/g,水吸附量从13.76g/g降至3.83g/g.吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,吸附剂的重复利用实验表明本方法制备的材料具有良好回收再利用能力.     

飞机典型液压管路系统减振优化计算方法研究

目的研究管道走向和卡箍位置对管道应力的影响。方法以飞机典型液压管路系统为优化对象,对管路系统及支持结构进行动力学参数化建模,使用MATLAB和MSC.NASTRAN构筑基于遗传算法的自动减振优化计算平台,以管壁结构和飞机支持结构的动态应力响应最小为优化目标,对管路走向(包括拐折位置、曲率半径)、卡箍位置进行优化计算,从而建立一种飞机管路系统设计中的自动减振优化计算方法。结果使用建立的减振优化计算平台优化计算设计后,飞机典型液压管路系统最大动态应力值降低了50%。结论提供的优化方法能够有效地通过优化管道布置参数降低应力水平。     

生物膜法光发酵制氢的研究现状与展望

21世纪被誉为氢能世纪.光发酵制氢作为绿色可持续生物制氢方式的一种,可以利用独特的光合系统固定太阳能,并利用有机物产生清洁能源氢气,因而受到广泛关注.但光发酵细菌凝集力差、底物转化效率和光能利用率低导致产氢效能下降,从而阻碍了光发酵制氢的发展.光发酵细菌可以通过形成生物膜而被有效固定,进而增加反应器内光发酵细菌的生物持有量,提高光发酵细菌对不利环境的抵抗力;同时,光发酵细菌形成生物膜后可以调控产氢细菌新陈代谢和生理活性使其更利于产氢.其中,光发酵生物膜反应器的设计尤为重要,尤其是反应器内光源的均匀分配对于光发酵制氢是一项关键因素,需要对光源设计、空间摆放和遮光性进行综合分析和设计;其次,需要考虑载体性质和载体安装以充分吸附光发酵细菌并形成生物膜;同时,结合未来可持续绿色发展的需求,光发酵生物膜反应器设计需要逐步过渡到以室外环境作为常规环境和太阳作为光源.尽管光发酵生物膜制氢前景良好,但目前对于光发酵生物膜反应器和制氢机制的研究仍然不够充分,需要更加深入地探索和优化以突破光发酵制氢的瓶颈,推动氢能行业的发展.     

某机载设备隔振安装设计分析与试验研究

目的提高机载设备典型U型谱环境下的抗振性能。方法采用数值法分析典型U型谱的隔振响应分析,确定隔振系统参数,设计隔振系统的刚度和阻尼,最后通过试验验证隔振器的性能及使用寿命。结果通过分析确定了给定典型U型谱的隔振设计最佳固有频率段为70~130 Hz,完成了某机载设备用隔振器的载荷计算,刚度和阻尼设计,并用试验验证了隔振器的性能及耐久性能。结论所设计的隔振系统满足该机载设备隔振安装的性能和振动耐久性要求,有效地提高了机载设备在U型振动谱环境下的抗振性能。