Trends in alcohol-impaired driving in Canada

While a general decreasing trend in the number of persons killed in a traffic crash involving a drinking driver has occurred in Canada since the 1980s, it is evident that much of this decrease occurred in the 1990s. Since 2002, less progress has been made as the number of persons killed in crashes involving drinking drivers remains high. To better understand the current situation, this paper describes trends in drinking and driving in Canada from 1998 to 2011 using multiple indicators based on data collected for the Traffic Injury Research Foundation's (TIRF) Road Safety Monitor (RSM), the National Opinion Poll on Drinking and Driving, and trends in alcohol-related crashes based on data collected for TIRF's national Fatality Database in Canada. There has been a continued and consistent decrease in the number of fatalities involving a drinking driver in Canada. This remains true when looking at the number of fatalities involving a drinking driver per 100,000 population and per 100,000 licensed drivers. This decreasing trend is also still apparent when considering the percentage of persons killed in a traffic crash in Canada involving a drinking driver although less pronounced. Data from the RSM further show that the percentage of those who reported driving after they thought they were over the legal limit has also declined. However, regardless of the apparent decreasing trend in drinking driving fatalities and behaviour, reductions have been relatively modest, and fatalities in crashes involving drivers who have consumed alcohol remain high at unacceptable levels.     

Natural radioactivity in drinking water in private wells in Finland

Natural radioactivity in drinking water was determined in population-based random study of 472 private wells. The mean concentrations of (222)Rn, (226)Ra, (234)U, (238)U, (210)Pb and (210)Po in drilled wells were 460, 0.05, 0.35, 0.26, 0.04 and 0.05 Bq l(-1), and in wells dug in the soil were 50, 0.016, 0.02, 0.015, 0.013 and 0.007 Bq l(-1), respectively. Approximately 10% of the drilled wells exceeded a radon concentration of 1000 Bq l(-1) and 18% a uranium concentration of 15 microg l(-1). The mean annual effective dose from natural radionuclides for a drilled well user was 0.4 mSv and 0.05 mSv for a user of a well dug in the soil. The effective dose arising from (222)Rn was 75% of the total of all natural radionuclides for drilled well users. As regards long-lived radionuclides, (210)Po and (210)Pb caused the largest portion of the effective dose. The dose arising from (238)U, (234)U and (226)Ra was only 8% of the total of all natural radionuclides.     

Fixation in finite populations evolving in fluctuating environments

The environment in which a population evolves can have a crucial impact on selection. We study evolutionary dynamics in finite populations of fixed size in a changing environment. The population dynamics are driven by birth and death events. The rates of these events may vary in time depending on the state of the environment, which follows an independent Markov process. We develop a general theory for the fixation probability of a mutant in a population of wild-types, and for mean unconditional and conditional fixation times. We apply our theory to evolutionary games for which the payoff structure varies in time. The mutant can exploit the environmental noise; a dynamic environment that switches between two states can lead to a probability of fixation that is higher than in any of the individual environmental states. We provide an intuitive interpretation of this surprising effect. We also investigate stationary distributions when mutations are present in the dynamics. In this regime, we find two approximations of the stationary measure. One works well for rapid switching, the other for slowly fluctuating environments.     

Parallelism in interactive operations in finite-element simulation

The parallelizing of interactive operations that are part of the finite-element simulation of electromagnetic fields is examined. The total solution time in finite-element analysis is the time assigned to (1) preprocessing, (2) assembling and solving the matrix equation, and (3) postprocessing the solution. In the analysis the tasks of pre- and postprocessing are interactive, with the user sitting at a terminal and specifying various parameters. Two computer routines are identified as the most frequently used in an interactive setting: one identifies a triangle pointed out by a user, and the other identifies a node pointed out by a user. Procedures for parallelizing them are given. A way of parallelizing the plotting of equipotentials and drawing the device, which are frequently required in interactive use, is also presented. It is shown that this method may have more to offer in reducing the nuisance of waiting for certain computer responses compared with the more commonly adopted approach of parallelizing the solver section of a finite-element program     

Structural changes in S&T research in India

Before India became an independent country, its scientists and policy makers could foreseethe importance of science in its development, and accordingly a number of research anddevelopment (R&D) institutions were established. However during these five decades ofindependence, the choice between basic sciences and technology was always a subject of debate.It will be appropriate now to examine the changing patterns of Science and Technology (S&T)manpower growth to find out the ground truth reality. The present study pertains to the analysis ofS&T outturn data in various fields of scientific research that can provide a base for S&T planningand policy making. These S&T indicators will be helpful in estimating future requirements, whichin turn can be useful to a great extent in science and technology policy formulation. Theseestimates and future projections are based on mathematical modelling of the data pertaining to theoutturn of highly qualified Scientific and Technical (S&T) personnel in India from differentfaculties over the period 1990-1998. From the trend analysis it is evident that research is no moreperceived as an interesting career except in the field of engineering and medicine. The findingsfurther suggest that there is a noticeable shift from basic sciences to technology.     

Radon survey in schools in north-east Italy

During the year 2000 the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) of Friuli Venezia Giulia together with the Pordenone Province carried out a survey to determine the radon concentration in the schools. About 900 measurements have been carried out in 300 schools located both in the mountainous and in the flat territory. Moreover, geological information was gathered. both on a regional scale and, where possible, on a small detailed scale. The purpose of this study is to consider the possibility of using all the data collected to discover some radon prone areas. The first results of this study seem to locate some radon prone areas where the cover consists of very permeable gravelly deposits.     

Thermodynamics of phase transitions in liquids in external fields

We examine the conditions of phase equilibrium and transformations in a liquid located in an inhomogeneous external potential force field. If the force acting on the mass unit depends on the phase state, then a field-induced shift in phase equilibrium arises. As a result, at the phase interface at equal temperatures, the chemical potentials of the substance of phases do not coincide, although the full chemical potential is constant over the system. As well, one of the phases is located in a state which, in the absence of field, would be metastable. Such a field-induced phase equilibrium becomes impossible when one of the phases reaches the limiting state (spinodal). In this case, the system passes jumpwise into a new disperse state. We show that the above-mentioned features of phase equilibria in liquids and external fields manifest themselves in various physical systems and processes. These are electrical explosion of conductors, electrical explosion of micropoints on a cathode surface, and destruction of the surface of dielectrics by fast multicharged ions. Electric field also fosters the formation of nuclei of the competing phase in a supersaturated vapor and facilitates boiling of liquids on inhomogeneous heated surfaces. We discuss the possibility of achieving unusual states of substances, such as deeply supercooled hydrogen and ice at room temperature under the action of external fields.     

Thermal effects in compressible viscous flow in a capillary

The thermal effects for a compressible viscous flow in a capillary have been calculated by solving the equation of energy, where a parabolic profile is assumed for the axial flow velocity. It is shown that, in general, the temperature changes are small (a few millikelvins), consistent with the current assumption of an isothermal flow, except in the case of a critical, i.e., very compressible, fluid where the cooling can be substantial. This effect is demonstrated numerically on the basis of a flow of ethylene in nearly critical circumstances.Paper dedicated to Professor Joseph Kestin.     

Radiation spectrum of an electron moving in a spiral in magnetic field in transparent media and in vacuum

Using the exact integral relationship for the spectral distribution of radiation power of an electron moving along a spiral in vacuum, the fine structure of synchrotron radiation spectrum at the first harmonics was investigated. The variation of the power spectral distribution of synchrotron-Cherenkov radiation for an electron moving in magnetic field in a transparent medium is studied.     

Optische in situ Schichtdickenmessung in Bedampfungsanlagen. Optical in situ film thickness monitoring in coating systems

Optical film thickness monitoring is more precise than crystal monitoring. The optical measurement makes use of the fact that the intensity of a monochromatic light beam which is reflected on a film will change periodically with increasing film thickness. The measurement is performed at an exchangeable test glass that is positioned beside the substrates and is therefore coated in the same way as the substrates. The accuracy of cut‐off is achieved by a “fit” of a theoretical curve shape to the measured values. Order filters are used to ensure that, at a certain wavelength, higher deflection orders do not influence the measurement when a monochromator grating is used.     

Risk Evaluation in Decision Making in Risk Situations

We analyze the components of uncertainty in decision making and consider a risk evaluation model in decision making in a risk situation in economic activities. A modified cost-benefit criterion is proposed for decision making for implementing a project, taking into account the average losses due to wrong decisions. __________ Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 9, pp. 27–29, September, 2005.     

Langsames Ermüdungsrisswachstum in Aluminium‐ und Magnesiumgusslegierungen in Raumluft und in Vakuum

Slow fatigue crack growth in aluminium and magnesium cast alloys in ambient air and in a vacuum The influence of ambient air on near threshold fatigue crack growth in the magnesium cast alloys AZ91 hp, AM60 hp and AS21 hp and in the aluminium cast alloy AlSi9Cu3 has been investigated. Fatigue crack growth properties at a cycling frequency of 20 kHz in ambient air and in a vacuum are significantly different. In a vacuum, the threshold stress intensity amplitude of the aluminium alloy is 30% higher than in ambient air, and the threshold values of the magnesium alloys in a vacuum are up to 85% higher than in ambient air. Moisture of ambient air is responsible for accelerated crack growth at growth rates below 1–3 × 10⁻⁹ m/cycle (AlSi9Cu3) and 2–5 × 10⁻⁸ m/cycle (magnesium alloys), respectively. In ambient air a minimum crack growth rate of 5 × 10⁻¹¹ − 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/cycle was observed, whereas far lower minimum growth rates were found in a vacuum.     

Alpha-gamma transition in RF capacitive discharge in low-pressure oxygen

We report the recorded current-voltage characteristics of a RF capacitive discharge in oxygen. Low-frequency oscillations of the plasma potential in a kilohertz frequency range are observed to accompany the transition of the discharge from a weak- (α-) to a strong-current (γ-) regime in the low-pressure range. The weak-current regime of the RF capacitive discharge is observed within the pressure range limited not only from the medium pressure side but also from the lower-pressure one. Electron temperature and plasma density are registered with a probe technique.     

Improvements in medical care and technology and reductions in traffic-related fatalities in Great Britain

Great Britain has one of the lowest levels of traffic-related fatalities in the industrialized world with a current total of about 3500 fatalities per year. Large reductions have occurred over the last 20-30 years and the government has targets of achieving another 40% reduction by 2010. This paper analyzes some of the factors that have been statistically significant in helping to achieve those reductions with a focus on improvements in medical care and technology. Using a cross-sectional time-series of regional data a fixed effects negative binomial (NB) model is estimated which includes three proxies of medical care and technology changes. These are the average length of inpatient stay in the hospital, the per-capita level of National Health Service (NHS) staff, and number of people per-capita waiting for hospital treatment. All are statistically significant with the expected sign showing that improvements in medical technology have reduced total fatalities with less of an impact from changes in medical care. Other variables are also found to be significant, including the percent of elderly people in the population, per-capita expenditure on alcohol, motorway capacity, and average vehicle age. The latter shows a surprisingly unexpected effect, with more older vehicles in a region leading to fewer fatalities. Models evaluating effects on serious and slight injuries are also estimated and serve to confirm the expected effects of medical care and technology.     

Recent developments in representation in the science of design

A recent goal in computer-aided design is the representation of a design artifact in a form sufficient to support all analyses and to determine that the design is realizable. Some aspects of a theory of design representations are presented. The benefits of developing such a theory are discussed.     

Damage quantification in aluminium alloys using in situ tensile tests in X-ray tomography

This paper presents results obtained using in situ tensile experiments allowing the observation of damage nucleation, growth and coalescence. Three different aluminium alloys (2024, 7449 and 5754) exhibiting various mechanical properties were chosen to produce a wide data base. Smooth and notched axisymetric samples were cut out of the raw materials to introduce different levels of initial stress triaxiality using the geometry of the samples. In the different cases, the damage steps (initiation, growth and coalescence) were clearly visualised during interrupted and continuous in situ tensile tests in synchrotron X-ray tomography. The imaging was performed with a voxel size of 1.6 μm. The X-ray tomography method also gives a precise image of the outer shape of the sample and its change during deformation can then be analysed. This allows to calculate precisely the true strain vs true stress curve and also an approximation of the stress triaxiality using the Bridgman formula. The results show that damage can be visualised but also quantified precisely in the different cases in terms of nucleation and growth, coalescence being also evident in the results but still hard to quantify so far. Finally, a previously developed model for damage growth during ductile straining based on the Rice and Tracey approach can be fitted to the results.     

Heat Transfer in Shaped Channels in Transpiration Cooling

The combined effect of a change in the coolant flow rate and account for heat transfer before entry into a shaped channel on the enhancement of the thermal mode in transpiration is analyzed.     

The roles of technology in al-Quran exegesis in Indonesia

This article views that technology plays an integral role in the social impacts of religious information, instead of being a threat to the religion itself. That is, technology is present in religious life, and is increasingly giving social impacts. Technology offers a new nuance in today's modern life in almost every aspect of human life. Sometimes, technology serves as a primary tool that assists us in our daily lives, and in some other time, it only serves as a supporting tool. As an important part of people's lives, al-Qur'an exegesis in its development is in separable from technology. This article provides evidences on religion's presence in the society, illustrated through the important roles of technology in al-Quran exegesis. Technology supports the presence of religion in millennial periods and not vice versa. This role of technology still serves only as a supporting system or secondary role. This can be seen in the Tafsir Ilmi Kementrian Agama (Tafsir Ilmi compiled by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs). Furthermore, this argument is a valid proof of the novelty of technology's roles in the development of religious materials in millennial era.     

Behavior of bubbles in welding for repairs in space

In order to investigate the difference in the behavior of bubbles between in a microgravity environment and in a terrestrial environment, gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding was performed in both environments. The microgravity environment was produced for 10 seconds with less than 10⁻⁵ G with a drop-shaft type system at the Japan Microgravity Center (JAMIC). The materials used were an aluminum alloy and pure silver. It has become clear that more pores are left in the weld in the microgravity environment than in the terrestrial environment. The bubbles cannot easily be released from the weld pool before solidification due to the lack of buoyancy in the microgravity environment. In the microgravity environment, blowholes are distributed uniformly in the weld and are smaller than those in a terrestrial environment. In the microgravity environment, the weld bead is formed flatly though the weld shape is significantly affected by gravity in the terrestrial environment. This indicates that in the microgravity environment, a larger amount of metal can be welded at once and in any welding position.