A tree-structured crash surrogate measure for freeways

In this paper, we propose a novel methodology to define and estimate a surrogate measure. By imposing a hypothetical disturbance to the leading vehicle, the following vehicle’s action is represented as a probabilistic causal model. After that, a tree is built to describe the eight possible conflict types under the model. The surrogate measure, named Aggregated Crash Index (ACI), is thus proposed to measure the crash risk. This index reflects the accommodability of freeway traffic state to a traffic disturbance. We further apply this measure to evaluate the crash risks in a freeway section of Pacific Motorway, Australia. The results show that the proposed indicator outperforms the three traditional crash surrogate measures (i.e., Time to Collision, Proportion of Stopping Distance, and Crash Potential Index) in representing rear-end crash risks. The applications of this measure are also discussed.     

Removal of heavy metals from storm and surface water by slow sand filtration: the importance of speciation

The removal of heavy metals from storm and surface waters by slow sand filtration is described. The importance of speciation as a technique for exploring and improving the mechanisms of removal is identified. Laboratory-scale slow sand filters operating at conventional flow rate and depth were shown to be able to reduce concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd) found in road runoff, surface water and sewage effluents to drinking water standard. Nitrogen, volatile solids and modified Stover speciation were used to differentiate between the potential mechanisms of removal, i.e. active biomass, organic adsorption and simple adsorption or precipitation on the surface of the sand. The data presented show that adsorption via organic ligands was the predominant mechanism for metal removal at the surface of the filter but chemical adsorption was the more important deeper in the filter. In the lower layers the adsorbed metals were more easily exchanged than the organically bound metals. The precise chemical ligands were not identified and varied from metal to metal. The most important operational factors affecting performance were therefore the concentration of organic matter, filter depth and the flow velocity.     

Japan Flavour and Fragrance Materials Association’s (JFFMA) safety assessment of food-flavouring substances uniquely used in Japan that belong to the class of aliphatic primary alcohols,aldehydes, carboxylic acids,acetals and esters containing additional oxygenated functional groups

ABSTRACT

We performed a safety evaluation using the procedure devised by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the following four flavouring substances that belong to the class of ‘aliphatic primary alcohols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, acetals, and esters containing additional oxygenated functional groups’ and are uniquely used in Japan: butyl butyrylacetate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoate, 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid and methyl hydroxyacetate. Although no genotoxicity study data were found in the published literature, none of the four substances had chemical structural alerts predicting genotoxicity. All four substances were categorised as class I by using Cramer’s classification. The estimated daily intake of each of the four substances was determined to be 0.007–2.9 μg/person/day by using the maximised survey-derived intake method and based on the annual production data in Japan in 2001, 2005 and 2010, and was determined to be 0.250–600.0 μg/person/day by using the single-portion exposure technique and based on average-use levels in standard portion sizes of flavoured foods. Both of these estimated daily intake ranges were below the threshold of toxicological concern for class I substances, which is 1800 μg/person/day. Although no information from in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies for the four substances was available, these substances were judged to raise no safety concerns at the current levels of intake.     

Comparison of glycemic index of spelt and wheat bread in human volunteers

The assessment of the glycemic index (GI) seems to be an important parameter to take into account in order to better understand the physiologic effects of foods with high carbohydrate levels. Among cereals, which are major sources of carbohydrates, spelt (Triticum spelta L.) has been considered as particularly interesting from a nutritional point of view. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the GI of white spelt bread in healthy subjects. The wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) white bread was used as reference food. To avoid differences in the production of both breads, spelt and wheat breads were baked under the same controlled conditions. Results showed that the glycemic profile of spelt white bread was not different from that of wheat white bread (GI of 93 ± 9). The area under the glycemic curve significantly and negatively correlated to fasting glycemia and carbohydrate intake during evening meals preceding the test. In conclusion, the glycemic response to spelt bread was similar to that of wheat bread. However, in order to avoid more inter-individual variability, our data supports the importance to propose standardised carbohydrate content for the last meal before evaluating the GI of food.     

The Indoor Air Quality Programme of the WHO Regional Office for Europe

The indoor air quality (IAQ) programme of the World Health Organization Regional office for Europe was initiated in the mid-seventies when it was realized that over 70% of the general population spends its time indoors in homes, office buildings, schools, hospitals, transportation means, etc. The first meting of experts on health aspects related to IAQ was convened in 1979, being probably the first international meeting on IAQ with participation from eastern and western Europe as well as from North America. Seven meetings followed between 1982 and 1990, at which the “sick building” syndrome, IAQ research, formaldehyde and radon, organic pollutants, biological contaminants, combustion products, and mineral fibres were discussed. A ninth meeting on sources, control and mitigation is planned for 1991.     

论公共健康问题的国际合作

在全球化进程中公共健康问题不仅是个别国家的问题,而与地区安全乃至全球安全休戚相关,研究公共健康领域中的国际合作,将为解决这一全球性问题提供现实有效的途径.世界卫生组织在应对公共健康问题的威胁方面逐渐形成了一系列规则、制度,使它在公共健康问题中具有主导作用,其他国际组织或与之相互协助、配合,或与其成员国制定相关协议,在公共健康领域有着重要作用.各主权国家进行双边、多边的合作与非政府组织在此领域积极活跃的渗透,共同推动着公共健康领域的国际合作不断加强.     

家用净水器的选择

本文分析了我国城市自来水用户对自来水水质不满意的原因,并提出通过选择家用净水器来解决该问题,同时对几种不同类型家用净水器的功能作了介绍.     

Assessment of Algerian sorghum protein quality [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] using amino acid analysis and in vitro pepsin digestibility

To assess the protein quality and the nutritive value of seven Algerian local sorghum cultivars, the in vitro pepsin digestibility was determined, which ranged from 25.0% to 65.0%, and the amino acid composition of each cultivar was compared with other sorghum cultivars. In addition, the amino acid scores (AAS) and the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores (PDCAAS) were calculated. Relative to the WHO protein standard, most of the sorghum cultivars tested, scored very high AAS, with values ranging between 0.9 and 2.6 except for lysine, methionine and cysteine. The PDCAAS were high for Ain Salah cultivars AS1 and AS3, however, all other cultivars showed low values except for leucine. This study confirmed that in terms of both quantity and quality, sorghum proteins could serve as a source of essential amino acids and as a potential source of proteins in the future.     

注射用水储存与配送-WHO验证项目实例分析

本文以世界卫生组织(WHO)验证的成都生物制品研究所乙脑疫苗项目为实例,分析注射用水储存与配送系统的设计、采购、安装、验证。重点分析注射用水环路以及冷环路的设计,以及项目采购材料的分析,安装时的焊接控制,试车与安装操作验证整合方法。     

IoMT-Based Smart Monitoring Hierarchical Fuzzy Inference System for Diagnosis of COVID-19

The prediction of human diseases, particularly COVID-19, is an extremely challenging task not only for medical experts but also for the technologists supporting them in diagnosis and treatment. To deal with the prediction and diagnosis of COVID-19, we propose an Internet of Medical Things-based Smart Monitoring Hierarchical Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System (IoMTSM-HMFIS). The proposed system determines the various factors like fever, cough, complete blood count, respiratory rate, Ct-chest, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, family history, and antibody detection (lgG) that are directly involved in COVID-19. The expert system has two input variables in layer 1, and seven input variables in layer 2. In layer 1, the initial identification for COVID-19 is considered, whereas in layer 2, the different factors involved are studied. Finally, advanced lab tests are conducted to identify the actual current status of the disease. The major focus of this study is to build an IoMT-based smart monitoring system that can be used by anyone exposed to COVID-19; the system would evaluate the user’s health condition and inform them if they need consultation with a specialist for quarantining. MATLAB-2019a tool is used to conduct the simulation. The COVID-19 IoMTSM-HMFIS system has an overall accuracy of approximately 83%. Finally, to achieve improved performance, the analysis results of the system were shared with experts of the Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.