Identifying crash “black-spots”, “hot-spots” or “high-risk” locations is one of the most important and prevalent concerns in traffic safety and various methods have been devised and presented for ...solving this issue until now. In this paper, a new method based on the reliability analysis is presented to identify black-spots. Reliability analysis has an ordered framework to consider the probabilistic nature of engineering problems, so crashes with their probabilistic na -ture can be applied. In this study, the application of this new method was compared with the commonly implemented Frequency and Empirical Bayesian methods using simulated data. The results indicated that the traditional methods can lead to an inconsistent prediction due to their inconsider -ation of the variance of the number of crashes in each site and their dependence on the mean of the data.
This paper developed a GIS-based traffic management and analysis platform designed to enable accident analysis process is fast, convenient and intuitive analysis and comprehensive; while black spots ...investigation aspect, there is provided a certain basis for the conclusion of the investigation for the black spots, governance provide supplementary information. Based on the above analysis, combined with the actual situation, the system uses the scan of thematic maps, vector maps as baseline. Based on this development system, mainly the following functions: map management functions, basic map operation, information inquiry, the accident entry, statistical function, black spot investigation model.
Four samples of Trisopterus luscus exhibiting unusual black spots on their musculature were obtained from catches made on different days and were rejected as unsuitable for consumption. Bipolar eggs ...somewhat resembling those of the nematode genus Huffmanela (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) were identified as the cause of these black spots. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of dark-shelled trichinelloid embryonated eggs dispersed throughout the muscle tissue, 73 to 94 x 40 to 59 microm in size, with large polar plugs 14 to 22 microm wide. However, the morphology and distribution of the observed eggs were not compatible with any previously described Huffmanela species. Intracellular nematodes were also observed in muscle cells. In 2 samples, sectioned nematode specimens were observed in other locations as well: the lymphatic vessel of intestine submucosa and the dermal lymphatic vessel. This could be due to nematode migration inside the infected fish. The presumed identification of Huffmanela sp. in a new host (Trisopterus luscus), and in a new location (Atlantic Ocean) supports the belief that these parasites could be widely distributed, particularly in marine fishes. In view of these factors, together with the observed egg morphology, it is possible that these specimens represent a new, unidentified Huffmanela species.
Unidentified black spots (or stains) appeared on the plaster walls of the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora Tumuli in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Public attention was drawn to the ...biodeterioration of the colorful 1,300-year-old murals. A total of 46 isolates of Acremonium sect. Gliomastix were obtained from various samples (mainly black spots) of the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus (TT) (sampling period, May 2004–December 2006) and the Kitora Tumulus (KT) (June 2004–May 2007). These isolates were assignable to four known taxa and a new species in the ‘series Murorum’ sensu W. Gams as inferred from the integrated analysis of phenotypic and genotypic (i.e., ITS and 28S rDNA-D1/D2 sequences) characters: these were Acremonium masseei, A. murorum, A. felinum comb. nov. with the neotype designation, A. polychromum, and A. tumulicola sp. nov., which have been accommodated in the validated series Murorum in the section Gliomastix. The black spots on the murals of the TT and KT were caused mainly by A. masseei and A. murorum, respectively.
The driving effects of algal cells settlement in the water-sediment interface on Fe, Mn, S biogeochemistry in laboratory through static cultivation device. Results showed that dissolved oxygen would ...be exhausted by algae cells in 50 min after the cyanobacteria cells settled to the sediment surface. Soon the water-sediment interface formed the severe anoxia and Fe-Mn oxides and sulfides were deoxidized quickly in the strong reducing environment. The Fe2+, Mn2+ content in interface increased to the summit at the 4th day and their concentrations were 4.40 mg/L and 2.35 mg/L, respectively. When it comes to the end of the experiment, the Fe2+ content had a little reduction and Mn2+ reduced quickly, their concentrations were 3.37 mg/L and 0.97 mg/L at the end of experiment. However, S2- concentration in interface reached the highest at the 2nd day and its content was 0.63 mg/L, and its concentration was only 0.12 mg/L at the end since it has been reduced. The ORP was--150 mV in the sediment surface and indicated th
A composite material of poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) doped by dye aggregates was prepared. A very efficient and temperature activated energy transfer (ET) from the PPV to the dye aggregates was ...attributed to Förster ET accompanied by exciton diffusion. A clear complementary relation between the photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminscence (EL) images was observed for thin (15
nm) PPV-based OLEDs. So-called “black spots” in EL become bright ones when the photoluminescence of the same area was excited. This effect was attributed to the presence of an insulating layer between the polymer and aluminium.
The impact and driving effect of deposited algal cells in the water-sediment interface on the N, P changes were studied through continuous extracted pore water with home-made static experiment. ...Results showed that dissolved oxygen in water-sediment interface was depleted in 50 min after algal cells settled. Soon the dead algal cells formed the anoxia and strong reducing environment and the dead cells had a severe anaerobic mineralization in the water-sediment interface, also the water bodies had a intense black and stink phenomenon. PO4(-3) -P, NH4(+) -N concentration in water-sediment interface increased from the 2nd day after added the algal cells to the sediment interface, and its concentration was 4.00 mg/L and 39.45 mg/L, respectively. Its concentration was the 10 fold and 241 fold higher than that the control experiments at the same time (PO4(-3) -P, NH4(+) -N concentration in control experiments was 0.42 mg/L and 0.16 mg/L, respectively). Anaerobic mineralization of dead cells in sediment surface drove
Interurban roads account for a significant proportion of traffic deaths in developing countries. In this pilot study, hazard perceptions of interurban road sites involved in ≥3 injury road traffic ...crashes were compared with those not involved in road traffic crashes on the same road sections.
Karachi-Hala (Pakistan) and Yaoundé-Douala (Cameroon) road sections were the main study settings.
Videos of 26 high-risk sites and 26 low-risk sites from Karachi-Hala (Pakistan) and Yaoundé-Douala (Cameroon) roads, matched for the road section, were shown to 100 voluntary Pakistani drivers. Variations in perceived site hazardousness and preferred speed for each site pair were assessed. Analyses Factors associated with incorrect hazard perception of high-risk sites (perceived as safe) were assessed by multinomial logistic regression analyses.
Drivers reported a higher hazard perception and a lower preferred speed for high-risk sites than for their matched low-risk sites in less than half of pairs (n=12, p≤0.02). Factors associated with increased likelihood of identifying a high-risk site as safe were as follows: flat road profile (adjusted OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.57), intersections (OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.68), irregular road surface (OR=3.56, 95% CI 2.68 to 4.71), nearby road obstacles (OR=2.57, 95% CI 1.96 to 3.39) and visible rain (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.32).
The methods used in this study might be useful in prioritising cost-effective improvements at high-risk sites.
Patients hospitalised in intensive care units are more likely to suffer an adverse event than those treated in other hospital wards. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of identifying ...the events (the so-called 'black spots') that constitute a significant threat to life and health of patients and/or financing of the hospital.
We retrospectively analysed 30 medical records and other documents relating to the stay of patients hospitalised in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at the Regional Hospital in Swidnica in 2010. To determine the 'black spots', the authors used their own methods.
We identified 31 adverse events (12 types of events) that occurred during the provision of healthcare in the intensive care unit. Six black spots were determined based on the model adopted in the study.
Identifying black spots can help to substantially reduce morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients. It also allows optimisation of therapeutic entities, particularly in intensive care units.