scholarly journals Evaluation of Raised Safety Platforms (RSP) On-Road Safety Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Brendan Lawrence ◽  
Brian Fildes ◽  
Peter Cairney ◽  
Stephanie Davy ◽  
Amir Sobhani

A Raised Safety Platform (RSP) is a relatively new physical road safety intervention at major intersections. They aim to enhance road user safety by reducing vehicle speeds at intersections using an acute vertical deflection to the vehicle path. This study measured the change in speed at selected high-volume intersections treated with an RSP. It was a 12-month study based on a controlled before-and-after-treatment design, with speed and other measures assessed at six treated and five control intersections. Statistically significant and meaningful reductions in speeds were observed given the treatment and adjusted for the control group. A 15.6% reduction in the central tendency of speed was found overall. The odds of a vehicle exceeding nominal Safe System speeds of 30 km/h, 40 km/h, and 50 km/h also reduced markedly, with greater reductions observed at the higher speed thresholds (46%, 69%, and 80%, respectively). The change in speed corresponded to an estimated aggregate-level injurious crash-reduction benefit of around 26% and a reduction in the likelihood of a serious injury given a crash of between 38% to 57% depending on the crash type. It was concluded that RSP is an effective Safe System treatment to reduce speeds at major intersections to levels similar that at roundabouts. The results suggest that well designed RSPs at signalised intersections are an effective and sustainable Safe System treatment.

Author(s):  
Mounir M El-safty ◽  
Hala Mahmoud ◽  
Eman Sa Zaki ◽  
Howaida I Abd-alla

  Objective: Salmonella enteritidis ghosts (SEGs) is a non-living empty bacterial cell envelopes which were generated using a different concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 6.4 mg/mL and evaluated as a vaccine candidate in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken. SEGs have been produced by chemical-mediated lysis and evaluated the potential efficacy of chemically induced SEG vaccine and its ability to induce protective immune responses against virulent S. enteritidis challenge in SPF chickens.Methods: SPF chickens were divided into three groups: Group A (non-vaccinated control), Group B (vaccinated with prepared vaccine), and Group C (vaccinated with commercial vaccine).Results: Vaccination of SPF chicken with SEGs induced higher immune responses before and after virulent challenge. SPF chicken vaccinated with SEGs showed increasing in serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies. During the vaccination period, Groups B and C showed higher serum antibody titer compared to Group A. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NaOH was capable of inducing non-living SEGs, and it has successfully generated non-living SEGs by MIC of NaOH.Conclusion: It is a one-step process which means easy manufacturing and low production cost compared to protein E-mediated lysis method. Chemically induced SEG vaccine is a highly effective method for inducing protective immunity. This study strongly suggests that SEGs will be a permissive vaccine, as the method of inhibition of S. enteritidis was safe and cheaper than other methods, and it gave a good protection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parastoo Alizadeh Oghyanous

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of brain-based teaching on the self-efficacy of young EFL learners. The initial participants of the study were 90 learners within the age range of 13-16 who were selected based on convenience sampling. Theses 90 young EFL learners were given a Flyers test the scores of which were used to choose 60 homogeneous learners whose scores fell within the range of +/- one standard deviation from the mean. The 60 selected learners were then divided into an experimental and a control group. A Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), developed by Muris (2001) was administered to the participants in both groups before and after the treatment after being translated into Persian and piloted for reliability check. To implement brain-based teaching in the experimental group, the researcher taught the lessons based on the three techniques of Brain Based Teaching Approach (BBTA). The three techniques used were Relaxed Alertness (RA), Orchestrated Immersion (OI) and Active Processing (AP) in line with Thomas and Swamy (2014). The results of statistical analyses indicated that brain-based teaching approach had a significant effect on students’ self-efficacy. The findings of the study can have implications for both students and EFL teachers in the realm of foreign language learning and teaching.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 94-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Macroui Sonikian ◽  
Artemisia Dona ◽  
Jacob Skarakis ◽  
Sophia Trompouki ◽  
Theodora Miha ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Dialysis membrane has been implicated in selenium (Se) deficiency in hemodialysis (HD). Intradialytic Se removal into dialysate through different membranes was investigated. Methods: We studied 19 patients on standard HD with low-flux polysulfone membrane (group A), 10 patients on standard HD with ethylene vinyl alcohol membrane (group B), 12 patients on hemodiafiltration (HDF; group C) and 16 healthy subjects (control group D). Se was measured in blood before and after dialysis session and in effluent dialysate every hour during session. Results: In all patients together, pre-dialysis serum Se levels were lower than those in control group, but, in a separate analysis, only in standard HD. In all patient groups, there was a net Se removal into dialysate but it was greater in HDF patients who, however, had similar pre-dialysis serum Se levels to those in healthy controls. Conclusion: An intradialytic Se loss was found with all 3 membrane types, but it is not the principal factor for Se depletion in HD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michihiro Nakayama ◽  
Atsutaka Okizaki ◽  
Koji Takahashi

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of aromatherapy in decreasing salivary gland damage for patients undergoing radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Materials and Methods. The subjects were 71 patients with DTC. They were divided into aromatherapy group (group A, n=35) and a control group (group B, n=36). We blended 1.0 mL of lemon and 0.5 mL of ginger essential oils. The patients in the inhalation aromatherapy group inhaled this blend oil and those in the control group inhaled distilled water as placebo for 10 min during admission. We statistically compared salivary gland function before and after treatment between groups A and B. Results. In comparison with group B, the rate of change of the accumulation rate was significantly higher in the parotid glands and submandibular glands of group A (P<0.05). In comparison with group B, a significant increase in rate of secretion change before and after treatment was noted in the bilateral parotid glands in group A (P<0.05). Conclusion. Because an amelioration of salivary gland function was observed in the present study, our results suggest the efficacy of aromatherapy in the prevention of treatment-related salivary gland disorder. This trial is registered with UMIN Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000013968.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. E210-E220 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pecie ◽  
I Onisor ◽  
I Krejci ◽  
T Bortolotto

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate how cavity linings with different elastic modulus can influence the marginal adaptation (MA) of Class II composite restorations before and after thermo-mechanical loading. Materials and Methods: Forty Class II cavities with margins extending 1 mm below the cement-enamel junction were prepared in extracted human third molars. In each group except the control group, a lining material of 1-mm thickness was applied to the bottom of the cavity and polymerized before placing the resin composite Herculite XRV Ultra (group A: control; group B: Premise Flowable lining; group C: Herculite XRV Ultra lining; and group D: Optibond FL lining). MA was evaluated (with a scanning electron microscope) before and after loading (200,000 loading cycles). Statistical analysis was done using the Shapiro-Wilks test, the analysis of variance test, and Duncan post hoc test at p&lt;0.05. Results: Before loading, the percentages of continuous margins in dentin were superior (p&lt;0.05) for groups C and D (71.1% and 87.2%, respectively) compared to groups A and B (55.7% and 48.3%, respectively). After loading, group D (79.8%) was statistically superior in dentin compared to all of the other groups (43.6%, 35.9%, and 54.4%, respectively). In occlusal enamel, no significant difference was found between groups. The percentage of enamel fractures and the percentage of noncontinuous margins in proximal enamel were high, with no significant difference between liners. It can be concluded that for the materials used in this study, a 1-mm-thick lining with an extremely low elastic modulus (2-3 GPa) could redistribute shrinkage stress. The use of a flowable composite did not significantly improve MA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-321
Author(s):  
Anantkumar V Shekokar ◽  
Vijay P Ukhalkar

Vrana ( wound and ulcer) & process of healing is the soul of Shalyatantra Chikitsa (Surgical treatment ). Dushta Vrana means getting vitiated by Dosha & hence Dushta Vrana or infected wound is characterized by bad smell, abnormal color with profuse discharge, severe pain and longer healing time. The severity of infected wounds and their vast range of etiologies, The treatment is cleaning & dressing the wound or it can be more extensive. It may require surgical intervention to close the wound and stabilize the patient. Acharya Sushruta defines Kshara as the substance possessing Ksharana and Kshanan properties. Ksharaplota formulation was selected and applied over the affected infected wound with the help of gauze piece. During the preparation of Ksharaplota, it is coated with Snuhi kshira, Apamarga kshara & Haridra. All these drugs are Shodhana & Ropana. It was observed that Ksharaplota has the properties as sustained release of drug, absorbs discharges, less painful & easily acceptable by the patient with excellent Sodhana & Ropana Karma. The clinical study has been done on 438 patients, selected randomly and divided in two groups. Group A 220 patients i.e. trial group, were treated with local application of Ksharaplota. The Group B 218 patients i.e. control group, were treated with Gold standard. The clinical assessment was done on the basis of clinical presentation of Dushta Vrana, (Infected wound) before and after the treatment. As grading used for assessment of parameters which were ordinal in nature, “Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test” was used for within the group assessment (i.e. before and after treatment of a group). For between the group assessment of parameters, Mann Whitney – U test was applied. We had tested hypothesis for each parameter and result was interpreted accordingly. The level of significance was kept at 5% (P=0.05). And the result of the present study found significant.


Author(s):  
Ashvini Dineshrao Pardhekar ◽  
Sadhana Misar(Wajpeyi) ◽  
Vinod Ade

Background: Sthoulya is Medovaha Strotodushtijanya vyadhi, which includes abnormal and excessive accumulation of Medodhatu in the body. This is caused by lack of physical and mental activity, daytime sleep, excessive intake of madhur (sweet), snigdha ahar (oily diet) results in  increase Kaphadosha and meda which results in Sthoulya (overweight) having symptoms of mild dysponea, thirst, drowsiness, excess sleep, appetite, offensive smell from the body, incapability to work and incapability to participate in sexual intercourse. Aim: Comparative clinical efficacy of Tryushanadi Guggul and Navaka Guggul in Sthoulya (overweight). Materials and methods: Total 60 patients of Sthoulya will enrolled and will divided into two groups (each group contains 30). Patients in group A (experimental group) will be given 1 gram Tryushanadi Guggul two times a day after meal with honey and in group B (control group)1 gram Navaka Guggul will administered two times a day after meal with honey for 30 days. Dietary changes and walking (30 minutes) will be advised to patients of both groups. Follow up will be taken on 15th day and 30th day. Assessment of subjective parameters like kshudrashwasa (exertional dyspnoea), swedadhikya (perspiration), atikshudha (increased appetite), nidradhikya (increased sleep) and objective parameters like body weight, B.M.I., mid arm circumference, waist-hip ratio and lipid profile will be done before and after treatment. Results: Subjective and objectives outcomes will be assessed by statistical analysis. Conclusion: It will be drawn from the result obtained.


Author(s):  
Chi-Cheng Chang ◽  
Pao-Nan Chou ◽  
Chaoyan Liang

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the ePortfolio-based learning approach (ePBLA) on knowledge sharing and creation with 92 college students majoring in electrical engineering as the participants. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with a covariance of pretest on knowledge sharing and creation was conducted for examining differences in knowledge sharing and creation between an experimental group (a total of 47 participants using ePBLA) and a control group (a total of 45 participants not using ePBLA or creating eportfolio). A t-test was also performed for examining the differences in knowledge sharing and creation of the experimental group before and after using ePBLA. The results showed that: a) the experimental group had significantly better knowledge sharing and creation than the control group; and b) the experimental group had significantly better knowledge sharing and creation after using ePBLA. The results implied that ePBLA facilitated knowledge sharing and creation. Furthermore, relationships between knowledge sharing and creation were also enhanced by the use of ePBLA


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 424-428
Author(s):  
Xuhui Li ◽  
Xiaomei Fan

Purpose: Discuss on combination of long-term aerobics and resistance training to obesity university student serum visfatin level and blood lipid metabolism influence, and reveal potential mechanism of losing weight through exercises. Method: Divide 30 obesity university students into 3 groups, control group (group C), aerobics group (group A as well as aerobics and resistance training combinative group (group A+R), take in 16 periods’ training, before and after intervention respectively test the three groups’ weight (W), body mass index (BMI),fat mass (FM), fat percentage (%F); serum TG,TCH,HDL-C,LDL-C content and visfatin level, result:16 after 16 weeks sports intervention, compare group A and group A+R with group C, W,BMI,FM,%F obvious drop (P<0.05); serum TG,TCH,LDL-C content obvious drop (P<0.05), serum HDL-C obvious rises (P<0.05), serum visfatin content obvious drops (P<0.05), compare group A+R with group A, the FM,%F and serum visfatin content obvious drop, other indicators have no significant differences. Relevant analysis finds that serum visfatin content is positive correlated to W, BMI, FM, F%, TG, TCH and LDL-C(P<0.05), and is negative correlated to HDL-C. Conclusion: Both 16 weeks’ aerobics as well as combination of aerobics and resistance training have good improvements to obesity university students’ weight and body composition, and have good adjustment on blood lipid metabolic disorder, and reduce serum visfatin level. Combination of aerobics and resistance training has more obvious impacts on FM, % F and serum visfatin content, and meanwhile, serum visfatin level is positive correlated to weight, BMI, %F, FM, TG, TCH, LDL-C, while is negative correlated to HDL-C.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 309-313
Author(s):  
Dafda Renuka H ◽  
Shah Shreya R

Background: Stroke is a condition in which Spasticity in the body musculature greatly affect the functional independence of the patients. Hold- Relax and Static Stretching is one of the useful treatment to reduce Spasticity. Aim: To find out the effect of Hold – Relax V/S Static Stretching on Elbow flexors muscle Spasticity in Stroke Patient Materials and Methods: 20 subjects were randomly allocated into two groups (Group A and Group B). For 10 subjects in Group A Control group was given Static Stretching with conventional rehab and Group B Experimental group was given Hold- Relax with conventional rehab. Treatment were given to 3 weeks 3 sets per sessions. The outcome measure used to assess the Spasticity before and after the intervention was Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Results and Discussion: The Hold-Relax group showed a significant reduction in Spasticity of Elbow flexors muscle, compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hold- Relax is more effective than Static Stretching. Key words: Stroke, Spasticity, Hold- Relax, Static Stretching, MAS.


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