Validation of the urgency algorithm for near-side crashes.

The URGENCY algorithm uses vehicle crash sensor data in Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) systems to assist in instantly identifying crashes that are most likely to have time critical injuries. The algorithm also provides the capability of improving injury identification, using data obtained from the scene. The prime purpose of the algorithm is to automatically provide emergency medical responders with objective information on crash severity to assist in detecting the approximately 1% of crashes with serious injuries needing the most urgent medical care. The algorithm calculates the risk of a MAIS 3+ injury being present in the crashed vehicle, instantly at the time of the crash. The prediction can be subsequently updated as more information becomes available. The algorithm was based on a multiple regression analysis using data from the National Accident Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System, (NASS/CDS) years 1988-95. In this paper, the accuracy of the algorithm was evaluated for near side crashes by applying it retrospectively to the population of injured occupants in NASS 1997-2000. URGENCY was applied to the population of injured occupants in near side crashes. Using an injury risk criterion of 50%, URGENCY identified 69% of the crashes with MAIS 3+ injuries. By lowering injury risk criterion to 40%, URGENCY identified 78% of the crashes with MAIS 3+ injuries. Vehicle side intrusion was found to be a highly influential variable. By changing side intrusion from a binary to a continuous variable, the correctly identified crashes increased from 69% to 81%. Examination of the consequence of missing variables found that unknown values of occupant height and weight had a negligible effect on the ability to capture the MAIS 3+ injured. However, lack of knowledge of these variables did increase the magnitude of the false positives.

Dummy measurement of chest injuries induced by two-point shoulder belts.

The University of Miami's William Lehman Injury Research Center at the Jackson Memorial Medical Center conducts interdisciplinary investigations to study seriously injured restrained occupants in frontal automobile collisions. Engineering analysis of these crashes is conducted in conjunction with the National Crash Analysis Center at the George Washington University. The multidisciplinary research team includes expertise in crash investigation, crash reconstruction, computer graphics, biomechanics of injuries, crash data analysis, trauma care, and all of the medical specialties associated with the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. More than 350 injured occupants and their crashes have been studied in depth. The purpose of this paper is to report on an observed pattern of liver lacerations suffered by drivers wearing shoulder belts, without the lap belt fastened and to assess the ability of existing crash test dummies to measure the potential for these injuries. During the initial years of the study, 48 cases of drivers protected by shoulder belts but without the lap belt fastened met the criteria for the study. Fifty percent of these drivers suffered liver lacerations. Further study showed that 22 of the crashes involved damage to the right front of the vehicle. Among the drivers in vehicles with right front damage, 92% sustained injuries to the liver. This observation indicated that 2-point belts were most likely to produce liver injuries in low severity frontal collisions when the crash direction is 1 to 2 o'clock. An analysis of the National Accident Sampling System for the years 1988-95 indicated that liver injuries constitute about 0.5% of the injuries suffered by drivers who are in tow-away crashes. NASS data showed that the risk of chest injury is more likely among drivers with automatic shoulder belts than drivers with 3-point manual belts. The crash test dummies showed no difference in chest injury measures. Finite element computer modeling demonstrated that the high deflection of the right lower rib on the Hybrid III dummy predicts the liver injuries in the 1 o'clock crashes. These higher deflections were less apparent at the location of the center chest deflection measurement device on the Hybrid III.

Injuries to restrained occupants in far-side crashes.

Occupants exposed to far-side crashes are those seated on the side of the vehicle opposite the struck side. This study uses the NASS/CDS 1988-98 to determine distributions of AIS 3+ injuries among occupants exposed to far-side crashes and the sources of the injuries. The William Lehman Injury Research Center (WLIRC) data from 1994-98 is used to assess injury mechanisms among seriously injured crash exposed far-side occupants. The NASS/CDS indicated that injury patterns for far-side restrained drivers were different from far-side restrained front passengers. For the driver, the head accounted for 40% of the AIS 3+ injuries in far-side collisions and the chest/abdomen accounted for 45.5%. For the right front passengers, head injuries contributed 27.2%, while chest and abdominal injuries accounted for 64.5%. The opposite-side interior was the most frequent contact associated with driver AIS 3+ injuries (30.5%). The seat belt was second, accounting for 22.6%. Among thirteen WLIRC cases of far-side belted occupants with MAIS 3+ injuries, five of the most serious injuries were attributed to the seat belt. The liver or the spleen was the most seriously injured body organ in all five cases. The seat was the most frequent source of passenger AIS 3+ injuries for the NASS/CDS weighted cases. However, non-contacts, contacts with other occupants, and the seat belt contacts were more frequent sources when considering the raw number of injuries. Overall, contacts with the opposite side of the car interior and with safety belts were the most frequent causes of AIS 3+ injuries in far-side crashes. The presence of an occupant on the near-side changed the injury pattern of the far-side occupant, mitigating injuries from contacts with the opposite side interior of the vehicle.

[Studies on the local defense reactions of the nasal mucosa in employees in Rostock harbor exposed to large amounts of dust]. / Untersuchungen zur lokalen Abwehrleistung der Nasenschleimhäute bei extrem staubexponierten Werktätigen im Seehafen Rostock (SHR).

Defense mechanisms of the nasal mucosa are characterised by resistance and immunity processes. Secretory IgA seems to be very important for immune response. The aim of our work was to clarify whether the concentration of S-IgA in nasal secretion was influenced by extreme exposure of dock workers to dust. We investigated the nasal fluid of both the septum and the turbinate mucosa of 75 dock workers compared with 12 controls. A decrease of S-IgA concentration in the nasal fluid was seen after the work. This decrease differed for the various types kinds of dust and was significant (p less than 0.05) for apatite, urea and potash. A reduction of S-IgA was also seen after exposure for a longer time (several years). Dockers with repeated infections do not have decreased S-IgA values. These investigations make a contribution to the immune response in the nasal mucosa.