Experiences and Interventions by Botswana police officers in providing emergency care in road traffic collisions in the greater Gaborone region

Background Close to 500 people die annually from Road Traffic Collisions in Botswana. The country's Emergency Medical Service is limited in capacity and coverage and greatest in the region of the capital city, Gaborone. Botswana Police Service officers are often first responders to the incidents and provide first aid, however the extent of their interventions and their experiences has not been studied. Methods A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2016 on a sample of 99 officers on past pre-hospital care training, attitudes towards providing pre-hospital care for accident victims, the number of road traffic collision related deaths and injuries encountered in the last 6 months, their interventions to the victims and limitations encountered in providing care. Results The officers self-reported attending to a median of 10 injured victims (IQR = 5 ­ 20) and a median of 2 deaths (IQR = 0 ­ 4) in the preceding 6 months. The officers generally acknowledged their role and responsibility to provide pre-hospital care to the victims. Officers frequently secured accident scenes and transported injured victims to health facilities. They rarely performed haemorrhage control on victims, performed any airway manoeuvres or splint injured limbs. The major limitations to providing care were lack of first aid supplies and personal protective equipment, lack of knowledge and skills to provide care and interference from onlookers at accident scenes. Conclusion Botswana Police officers in the greater Gaborone area attend to a considerable number of traffic related injuries and fatalities. These results support many opportunities for educational interventions to add value to pre-hospital care.

Experiences and Interventions by Botswana police officers in providing emergency care in road traffic collisions in the greater Gaborone region

Background: Life expectancy in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continues to rise, resulting in a growing geriatric population. In Rwanda, a sub-Saharan LMIC, traumatic injuries are a common cause of mortality and morbidity. However, little is known about the frequency and type of traumatic injuries among geriatric populations in Rwanda. Objective: We explored the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma for geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the center Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) in Rwanda. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 at the ED of CHUK. Trauma patients aged 65 and above and alive at the time of evaluation were eligible for inclusion. Demographic characteristics were collected along with triage category, mechanism of injury, transfer status, transport method to CHUK, time spent at the ED, complications, and mortality predictors. Results: For the 100 patients enrolled, the most common injury mechanism was falls (63%), followed by road traffic accidents (28%). The majority of patients spent less than 48 h in the ED (63%). The mortality rate was 14%, with most deaths resulting from injury-related complications. Triage category, Kampala Trauma Score, and Glasgow Coma Scale were significant predictors of mortality, with p-values of 0.002, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively. Conclusions: The epidemiology of geriatric trauma found in this study can inform public health and clinical guidelines. Interventions targeting falls and road traffic accidents would target the most common geriatric trauma mechanisms, and clinical protocols that take into account predictors of mortality could improve outcomes and increase life expectancy for this population.

Computational classification of animals for a highway detection system / Classificação computacional de animais para sistema de detecção nas rodovias

Vehicle-animal collisions represent a serious problem in roadway infrastructure. To avoid these roadway collisions, different mitigation systems have been applied in various regions of the world. In this article, a system for detecting animals on highways is presented using computer vision and machine learning algorithms. The models were trained to classify two groups of animals: capybaras and donkeys. Two variants of the convolutional neural network called Yolo (You only look once) were used, Yolov4 and Yolov4-tiny (a lighter version of the network). The training was carried out using pre-trained models. Detection tests were performed on 147 images. The accuracy results obtained were 84.87% and 79.87% for Yolov4 and Yolov4-tiny, respectively. The proposed system has the potential to improve road safety by reducing or preventing accidents with animals.(AU)

As colisões entre veículos e animais representam um sério problema na infraestrutura rodoviária. Para evitar tais acidentes, medidas mitigatórias têm sido aplicadas em diferentes regiões do mundo. Neste projeto é apresentado um sistema de detecção de animais em rodovias utilizando visão computacional e algoritmo de aprendizado de máquina. Os modelos foram treinados para classificar dois grupos de animais: capivaras e equídeos. Foram utilizadas duas variantes da rede neural convolucional chamada Yolo (você só vê uma vez) ­ Yolov4 e Yolov4-tiny (versão mais leve da rede) ­ e o treinamento foi realizado a partir de modelos pré-treinados. Testes de detecção foram realizados em 147 imagens e os resultados de precisão obtidos foram de 84,87% e 79,87% para Yolov4 e Yolov4-tiny, respectivamente. O sistema proposto tem o potencial de melhorar a segurança rodoviária reduzindo ou prevenindo acidentes com animais.(AU)

Effectiveness of seatbelts in mitigating traumatic brain injury severity / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#Over the past few decades, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have become one of the leading causes of death and the leading cause of injury-related death in the USA.[1,2] It is estimated that 1.70 million people are subject to TBIs each year.[2] Males are more likely to sustain TBIs (59%); the most common age groups are 0-5 years, 15-19 years, and >65 years.[2] Approximately 1.36 million people present to the emergency department (ED), 275,000 are admitted to the hospital, and 52,000 people die from TBIs.[2] The leading causes of TBIs are falling (35.2%), motor vehicle collisions (MVCs, 17.3%), struck by/against an object (16.5%), and assault (10.0%).[2] These statistics combine to make TBIs the leading cause of injury-related death in the USA at 30.5%.[2] It has been estimated that, with specific guidelines from the Brain Trauma Foundation, up to 50.0% of the 52,000 TBI-related deaths may be prevented.[3]

Mortandad de vertebrados por atropellos en carreteras en Tambogrande, Piura, Perú / Vertebrates road-killed in Tambogrande, Piura, Peru

Resumen Entre los impactos negativos sobre la biodiversidad que causan las obras viales, como las carreteras, se tiene la mortandad de fauna por atropello. En el presente estudio se determina la mortandad de anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos por atropello, en tres carreteras que confluyen en el distrito de Tambogrande (Piura en el norte de Perú) y establecer los sitios de mayor incidencia. Los datos se colectaron entre enero y junio de 2018 en 24 recorridos una vez por semana entre las 7:00 y 14:00 horas. Los recorridos se realizaron sobre una moto lineal a 25 km/h, los datos registrados fueron coordenadas geográficas del punto de atropello principalmente. La mortandad de vertebrados en los transectos se analizó usando el Índice Kilométrico de Abundancia. Los sitios de alta incidencia de atropellos se determinaron con un análisis de densidad de Kernel. Se hallaron 437 animales atropellados pertenecientes a 29 especies. Los animales atropellados más abundantes fueron los mamíferos seguidos de aves, reptiles y anfibios. El IKA promedio fue de 0.2 (IC 95% 0.1 - 0.3) N° de atropellos/Km. Se presentaron 24 puntos de alta incidencia en el área de estudio cercanos entre sí. Utilizando la información de este trabajo se sugiere construir ocho pasos de fauna para vertebrados según estándares internacionales y complementados con señalética adecuada.

Abstract Among the negative impacts on biodiversity caused by road works, such as road and highways, are the killed caused by collisions with vehicles. In this study, the mortality of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals by collision with vehicles is determined, on three roads that converge in the Tambogrande district (Piura in northern Peru), and the places with the highest incidence are established. Observations were between January and June of 2018 with a frequency of 24 trips once a week between the hours of 7.00 and 14.00. The trips were taken on a motorcycle at 25 km/h. Geographical coordinates of the point of collisions were recorded. The vertebrates mortality in transects lines was analyzed using the Kilometric Abundance Index (KAI). High incidence places were determined with a Kernel Density Analysis. 437 animals were found dead corresponding to 29 species. The animal group most affected was mammals followed by birds, reptiles and amphibians in that order. The mean KAI was 0.2 (95% CI 0.1 - 0.3) N° of incidences/km. We determinate 24 points of high incidence, they were close to each other. Based in our results, we propose to build eight animal crossing structures for vertebrates complemented with appropriate transit signals.

Characterization of hadron production in γ−A photonuclear interactions of ultra-peripheral collisions / Caracterización de la producción de hadrones en interacciones fotonucleares γ−A de colisiones ultraperiféricas

Abstract A methodology for the simulation of ultra-peripheral collisions, specifically ultra-relativistic heavy ion 197Au-197Au and p-208Pb collisions, is developed. First, the fluxes of virtual photons as a function of the photon energy and the impact parameter are obtained using the Method of Weizsäcker-Williams. Then, the processes induced by photons in photon-hadron collisions γ+Au, γ+p and γ+Pb are simulated, neglecting the photon-photon contribution. The model is implemented in the code CRISP (Collaboration Rio-Sao Paulo), specifically designed for simulations of the nuclear environment. Cross-section, differential cross-section, multiplicity, invariant mass spectrum, angular distribution and p T distribution in 197Au-197Au and p-208Pb collisions are obtained, and a comparison with experimental data is accomplished in order to validate the model.

Resumen Una metodología para la simulación de colisiones ultraperiféricas, específicamente colisiones ultrarelativistas de iones pesados 197Au-197Au y p-208Pb es desarrollada. Primero, los flujos de fotones virtuales como función de la energía del fotón y el parámetro de impacto son obtenidos, usando el Método de Weizsäcker-Williams. Luego, los procesos inducidos por fotones en colisiones fotón-hadrón γ+Au, γ+p y γ+Pb son simulados, despreciando la contribución fotón-fotón. El modelo es implementado en el código CRISP (Colaboración Rio-Sao Paulo), específicamente diseñado para simulaciones del ambiente nuclear. La sección eficaz, sección eficaz diferencial, multiplicidad, espectro de masa invariante y distribución de p T son obtenidas, y se realiza una comparación con resultados experimentales, con el objetivo de validar el modelo.

Spatiotemporal variation of roadkills show mass mortality events for amphibians in a highly trafficked road adjacent to a national park, Costa Rica / Variación espacio-temporal de atropellos de vertebrados muestra eventos de mortalidad masiva de anfibios en una carretera altamente transitada adyacente a un parque nacional, Costa Rica

Abstract Roads have detrimental impacts on wildlife populations around the world. Specifically, roads pose direct and indirect threats to wildlife by limiting dispersal movements or through vehicle-related mortality. The rate of wildlife mortality varies both in time and space depending on the landscape composition and the type and use of road infrastructure. The objective of this study was to investigate spatiotemporal variation of vertebrate mortality in a 4 km segment of the 34 national road, adjacent to Carara National Park, Costa Rica. We conducted 81 roadkill surveys by car and bicycle from June 2010 to May 2011, georeferenced the locations of the kills and identified them to the lowest possible taxonomic level. We recorded a total of 4 709 road-killed animals of at least 58 species of vertebrates during the whole study. Amphibians accounted for 93.5 % of all the vertebrate losses and showed strong spatiotemporal variation of mass mortality events. Reptiles, especially snakes, were the second most affected taxon followed by mammals and birds. Relative mortality per day in the 4 km segment was 125.4 amphibians, 4.6 reptiles, 2.7 mammals, 1 bird and 0.46 undetermined. Road proximity to the border of the park, traffic volumes and lack of enforcement of speed limits may influence the high rate of roadkills found. We suggest the reinforcement of speed limits, wildlife crossing signage and the retrofitting of the existing culverts as under passes for animals to minimize vertebrate mortality at the road adjacent to Carara National Park.

Resumen Las carreteras tienen impactos perjudiciales en las poblaciones de vida silvestre en todo el mundo. Específicamente, los caminos representan amenazas directas e indirectas a la vida silvestre limitando los movimientos de dispersión, o debido a la mortalidad por atropellos por vehículos. La tasa de mortalidad de la fauna varía tanto en el tiempo como en el espacio, dependiendo de la composición del paisaje y del tipo y uso de la infraestructura vial. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la variación espaciotemporal de la mortalidad de vertebrados en un tramo de 4 km de la carretera nacional 34, adyacente al Parque Nacional Carara, Costa Rica. Llevamos a cabo 81 censos de vertebrados atropellados utilizando un vehículo y una bicicleta entre junio 2010 y mayo 2011, georreferenciamos las ubicaciones de los cuerpos y los identificamos al nivel taxonómico más bajo posible. Registramos un total de 4 709 animales muertos por carretera de al menos 58 especies de vertebrados durante todo el estudio. Los anfibios representaron el 93.5 % de todos los vertebrados y mostraron una fuerte variación espaciotemporal en eventos de mortalidad masiva. Los reptiles, especialmente las serpientes, fueron el segundo taxón más afectado seguido por los mamíferos y las aves. La mortalidad relativa por día en el segmento de 4 km fue de 125.4 anfibios, 4.6 reptiles, 2.7 mamíferos, 1 ave y 0.46 indeterminado. La proximidad de la carretera al límite del parque, los volúmenes de tránsito y la falta de cumplimiento de los límites de velocidad pueden influir en la alta tasa de mortalidad registrada. Sugerimos la reducción en los límites de velocidad, la señalización de cruce de vida silvestre y la readecuación de las alcantarillas existentes como pasos para los animales para minimizar la mortalidad de los vertebrados en la carretera adyacente al Parque Nacional Carara.

Comparisons of Traffic Collisions between Expressways and Rural Roads in Truck Drivers

BACKGROUND: Truck driving is known as one of the occupations with the highest accident rate. This study investigates the characteristics of traffic collisions according to road types (expressway and rural road). METHODS: Classifying 267 accidents into expressway and rural road, we analyzed them based on driver characteristics (age, working experience, size of employment), time characteristics (day of accident, time, weather), and accident characteristics (accident causes, accident locations, accident types, driving conditions). RESULTS: When we compared the accidents by road conditions, no differences were found between the driver characteristics. However, from the accident characteristics, the injured person distributions were different by the road conditions. In particular, driving while drowsy is shown to be highly related with the accident characteristics. CONCLUSION: This study can be used as a guideline and a base line to develop a plan of action to prevent traffic accidents. It can also help to prepare formal regulations about a truck driver's vehicle maintenance and driving attitude for a precaution on road accidents.

Evolución de la mortalidad por atropellos y colisiones de tránsito en Argentina entre 2001 y 2010 / Mortality trends by run-over accidents and traffic collisions in Argentina between 2000-2002 and 2009-2011 / Tendências da mortalidade por atropelamentos e colisões de trânsito na Argentina entre 2000-2002 e 2009-2011

En este artículo se analiza la mortalidad vial con el objetivo de medir el impacto que tuvieron los decesos por atropellos y colisiones de tránsito sobre la esperanza de vida de los argentinos entre los trienios 2000-2002 y 2009-2011. Se aplicó el índice de años de esperanza de vida perdidos (AEVP), que sirvió para establecer la cantidad de años que deberían haber vivido las personas que fallecieron por lesiones causadas al transitar por la vía pública, ya sea como peatones, ciclistas, motociclistas u ocupantes de vehículos a motor. Los registros sobre la población segmentada por edad y sexo se tomaron de los dos últimos censos nacionales de población, correspondientes a los años 2001 y 2010. La información sobre las causas de muerte, sexo y edad de los fallecidos se obtuvo de las bases de datos de la Dirección de Estadísticas e Investigación en Salud. Los principales resultados indican que en el trienio 2000-2002 la población argentina perdió 0,59 años (siete meses) de esperanza de vida entre el nacimiento y los 80 años como consecuencia de las muertes en el espacio vial, y 0,66 años (ocho meses) en el trienio 2009-2011...

Road mortality was analyzed with the aim to measure the impact that deaths by run-over accidents and traffic collisions had on Argentineans' life expectancy, comparing the 2000-2002 and the 2009-2011 triennia. The index of lost years of life expectancy was used, which made it possible to establish the number of years that people would have lived if they had not died in accidents, either as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or occupants of motor vehicles. Information of population by sex and age were obtained from the two past national population censuses of 2001 and 2010. Information on causes of death, by sex and age of the deceased were obtained from Argentina's Statistical Office and Health Information (DEIS). The main results indicate that in 2000-2002 period, the Argentine population lost 0.59 years (seven months) of life expectancy – from birth to the age of 80 – as a consequence of deaths on the roads, while this number suffered a loss of 0.66 years (eight months) for the 2009-2011 period...

O artigo analisa a mortalidade viária, com o objetivo de medir o impacto que tiveram as mortes por atropelamentos e colisões de trânsito na esperança de vida dos argentinos, entre os triênios 2000-2002 e 2009-2011. Foi utilizado o índice de anos de vida perdidos, que serviu para estabelecer o número de anos que deveriam ter vivido as pessoas que morreram devido a lesões causadas ao transitar nas vias públicas, seja como pedestres, ciclistas, motociclistas ou ocupantes de veículos a motor. Os registros da população por idade e sexo foram obtidos dos dois últimos censos nacionais correspondentes a 2001 e 2010. As informações sobre as causas de morte, sexo e idade dos falecidos foram obtidas a partir dos bancos de dados do Dirección de Estadísticas e Información en Salud (DEIS). Os principais resultados indicam que, no período 2000-2002, a população Argentina perdeu 0,59 ano (sete meses) de esperança de vida – entre o nascimento e os 80 anos – como consequência de resultado de mortes no espaço viário, enquanto este número alcançou uma perda de 0,66 ano (oito meses) para o triênio 2009-2011...

Epidemiology and Regional Distribution of Pediatric Unintentional Emergency Injury in Korea from 2010 to 2011

Injury is a leading cause of death and disability in children and adolescents worldwide. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of the pediatric unintentional injuries presenting to the Korean emergency department (ED). We included unintentional injuries in patients aged < 20 yr. Data collected from January 2010 to December 2011 was extracted from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) of Korea. The NEDIS data included information on patient's age and gender, geographic location of the ED visits, mechanism of injuries; and clinical outcomes. Most (94.1%) injuries were unintentional while 5.9% were intentional. The rate of ED visit for pediatric unintentional injury was 6,097 per 100,000 and critical injury was 59.8 per 100,000 (< 20 yr habitants). The mortality rate was 5.4 per 100,000. The mortality rate of pediatric unintentional injuries was 0.1% including the prehospital death and ED death. Unintentional pediatric injuries occurred most commonly in those age 0-4 boys and girls and were predominantly caused by collisions. Male motorcyclists aged 15-19 yr formed a critical injury high-risk group. The rates of critical injury and mortality were highest in Jeju, Gangwon, Gwangju, and Jeonbuk than those in other regions. High-risk groups by age, gender, mechanism and region should be targeted to prevent pediatric injuries in Korea.

Jet quenching at alice

Los resultados de RHIC en cuanto a la supresión de los principales hadrones energéticos indican que los jets producidos en procesos duros están fuertemente modificados por el medio denso creado en colisiones de iones pesados. Diversos aspectos acerca de las modificaciones de la estructura del jet por el medio no han sido todavía bien investigadas. Estos temas serán mejor estudiados en el LHC por ALICE a mayor pT y con reconstrucción completa del jet. Los resultados de ALICE para partículas de alto pT y jets pueden ser mejorados significativamente si se completa la actual configuración del experimento con un calorímetro electromagnético grande.

RHIC results on leading hadron suppression indicate that jets produced in hard processes are strongly quenched by the dense medium created in heavy ion collisions. Several questions on the medium modification of the jet structure have not been yet well addressed. These topics will be better studied at LHC by ALICE at higher pt and with full jet reconstruction. The performances of ALICE on high pt particles and jets can be significantly improved by completing the present set-up with a large electromagnetic calorimeter.