High Number Of Fatalities Research Articles

Investigation on Factors Affecting Cognitive Skills in Detection of Driving Fatigue

Road safety is a worldwide concern where a high number of fatalities and injuries are caused by traffic accidents. One major issue contributing to these incidents is driving while fatigued, which has been recognized as a contributing factor to accidents in many countries. Being tired while driving is a state that encompasses both physical and mental exhaustion and can greatly impair a person's ability to drive safely. Fatigue negatively affects a driver's cognitive abilities, resulting in decreased performance behind the wheel. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of driving duration, body mass index (BMI), types of roads and gender factor in causing fatigue while driving. Cognitive skills of drivers while driving was measured through the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal gathered from Emotiv EPOC device to measure brain activity. Relationship between cognitive skills and fatigue signalling is then analysed using regression analysis in Design-Expert software. Results indicated that as mental fatigue increases, there is a noticeable decrease in the relative power of beta rhythm, supporting previous research findings. Results on correlation show that the longer the drivers drove, the wearier they become. Obese people experience more fatigue when driving than those with a normal or overweight BMI. Driving on straight roads resulted in greater fatigue compared to driving on winding ones, with female participants indicating higher levels of tiredness than male participants. These insights are crucial for road safety authorities to tailor their supervision methods based on individual characteristics and to design effective driver fatigue warnings.

Inventory of aqueous and sediment-associated organic pollutants released by the 2021 flood in the Vicht–Inde catchment, Germany

BackgroundThe European flood that occurred between July 13th and 16th 2021, was a natural disaster that caused significant damage in Central European countries, including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This disaster resulted in the highest number of fatalities from a natural disaster in Germany during the twenty-first century, with over 180 people losing their lives and causing damages exceeding 30 bn€. The flood caused severe destruction in small mountainous river systems such as the Vicht and Inde rivers, particularly in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition, the flood caused a significant release of pollutants, including old burdens from the former mining area of Stolberg.ResultsTo assess the extent of pollution caused by the flood in the affected floodplains and urban areas, this study was conducted to inventorize organic contaminants identified through a non-target screening in water and sediment samples taken immediately after the disastrous flood event. In total, 56 individual contaminants were identified from the water samples, including substances derived from urban effluents, such as personal care products, cosmetics, odors, technical additives, pharmaceuticals and surfactants. The analysis of sediment samples revealed different types of environmentally hazardous contaminants, such as petrogenics, urban effluent and wastewater indicators, chlorinated industrial compounds, and pesticides. This diverse range of pollutants and their broad dispersion across various environments in the catchment is attributed to the dynamic nature of the flood.ConclusionThe inventory of identified organic contaminants raises long-term environmental concerns and potential health implications for the flood-affected Vicht–Inde region.

Social capital of disaster-affected communities in post-disaster conditions: A case study of the Cianjur Earthquake, West Java, Indonesia, 2022

This study explores the conditions of social capital on the survivors of the 2022 earthquake in Cianjur, Indonesia. Cibulakan Village, Cugenang Sub-district, Cianjur was chosen for this study because it was one of the most severely affected villages by the earthquake with the highest number of fatalities in Cianjur Regency. This study discusses three forms of social capital: bonding, bridging and linking and their conditions in Cibulakan Village after the earthquake. The research used a qualitative approach and method. The data analysis process uses an interactive analysis model by Miles which divides the steps of data analysis into several parts: data collection, data condensation through open coding, axial coding and selective coding, data display and conclusion. The results showed that the earthquake triggered changes in bonding, bridging and linking social capital in both positive and negative directions. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition and role of social capital in post-disaster communities, given that some forms of social capital lead to positive post-disaster and can be utilized after a disaster. The government and other stakeholders should consider the role of social capital in disaster-affected communities during the emergency response and recovery process to support more sustainable recovery in communities.

The influences of human factors on road accidents in Romania in the period 2013 – 2022.

The main objective of the study is to establish a correlation between the main causes of road traffic accidents in Romania and “human factors”. The aim of the study is to show that accidents are attributed exclusively to human mistakes in a higher percentage than. The data used in the research are taken from the database of the Traffic Police-for Road traffic accidents during 2013-2022 and from the database of the Romanian Road Authority - ARR - for road safety inspections during 2018-2021. From the perspective of human factors, the research will give answers on the nature of the causes that lead to the production / favouring of road accidents in Romania and will propose solutions to address road risks to improve road infrastructure safety. As a case study, the research will focus on the human factors that contribute to road accidents on National Road 2. Compared to other national roads, on DN 2 road accidents occur with the highest number of fatalities, approximately 8.28% of all road deaths nationwide. The analysis of findings from road safety inspection reports carried out on DN2 shows that there is a correlation between road infrastructure non-conformities and causes of road traffic accidents.

The Frequency of Death Associated with Burn Injury in General Population of Peshawar City

Background: Burn injuries represent a significant public health issue worldwide, with a notably higher incidence and mortality rate in low and middle-income countries. These injuries are characterized by their devastating physical, psychological, and economic impacts on victims and their families. In Peshawar city, the lack of comprehensive data on burn-related deaths has hindered effective prevention and management strategies. Objective: This study aims to provide a demographic profile of burn-related deaths in Peshawar city, focusing on the factors influencing these fatalities and the manner of death, to inform better clinical practices and preventive measures. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the burn and trauma unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from May 1, 2021, to May 1, 2022. Data on 80 cases of death due to burns were collected and analyzed, categorizing by age, sex, cause of injury, nature and extent of burns, total body surface area (TBSA) affected, toxicological findings, location of the incident, duration of survival post-injury, and mechanism of death. The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki principles, with ethical approval obtained from the institutional review board. Results: The study found that out of 80 burn-related deaths, 70% (56 cases) were females and 30% (24 cases) were males. The highest number of fatalities was observed in individuals under 12 years, comprising 28.75% of the cases. Accidental burns were the leading cause of death, with more than 60% of incidents falling into this category. The average TBSA affected in fatal cases was significant, emphasizing the severity of injuries leading to mortality. Conclusion: Burn-related fatalities in Peshawar city predominantly affect females and young children, with accidental burns being the most common cause. This underscores the necessity for targeted preventive strategies, public awareness campaigns, and improvements in burn care facilities to address the high incidence and mortality rates of burn injuries in the region.

Smart personal protective equipment for intelligent construction safety monitoring

Purpose The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous industries worldwide, with a higher number of fatalities and injuries each year. The safety and well-being of workers at a job site are paramount as they face both immediate and long-term risks such as falls and musculoskeletal disorders. To mitigate these dangers, sensor-based technologies have emerged as a crucial tool to promote the safety and well-being of workers on site. The implementation of real-time sensor data-driven monitoring tools can greatly benefit the construction industry by enabling the early identification and prevention of potential construction accidents. This study aims to explore the innovative method of prototype development regarding a safety monitoring system in the form of smart personal protective equipment (PPE) by taking advantage of the recent advances in wearable technology and cloud computing.Design/methodology/approach The proposed smart construction safety system has been meticulously crafted to seamlessly integrate with conventional safety gear, such as gloves and vests, to continuously monitor construction sites for potential hazards. This state-of-the-art system is primarily geared towards mitigating musculoskeletal disorders and preventing workers from inadvertently entering high-risk zones where falls or exposure to extreme temperatures could occur. The wearables were introduced through the proposed system in a non-intrusive manner where the safety vest and gloves were chosen as the base for the PPE as almost every construction worker would be required to wear them on site. Sensors were integrated into the PPE, and a smartphone application which is called SOTER was developed to view and interact with collected data. This study discusses the method and process of smart PPE system design and development process in software and hardware aspects.Findings This research study posits a smart system for PPE that utilises real-time sensor data collection to improve worksite safety and promote worker well-being. The study outlines the development process of a prototype that records crucial real-time data such as worker location, altitude, temperature and hand pressure while handling various construction objects. The collected data are automatically uploaded to a cloud service, allowing supervisors to monitor it through a user-friendly smartphone application. The worker tracking ability with the smart PPE can help to alleviate the identified issues by functioning as an active warning system to the construction safety management team. It is steadily evident that the proposed smart PPE system can be utilised by the respective industry practitioners to ensure the workers' safety and well-being at construction sites through monitoring of the workers with real-time sensor data.Originality/valueThe proposed smart PPE system assists in reducing the safety risks posed by hazardous environments as well as preventing a certain degree of musculoskeletal problems for workers. Ultimately, the current study unveils that the construction industry can utilise cloud computing services in conjunction with smart PPE to take advantage of the recent advances in novel technological avenues and bring construction safety management to a new level. The study significantly contributes to the prevailing knowledge of construction safety management in terms of applying sensor-based technologies in upskilling construction workers' safety in terms of real-time safety monitoring and safety knowledge sharing.

Foodborne disease in Brazil from 2015 to 2021: an exploratory study

For food to be considered healthy, among other aspects, it must be free of contamination that could lead to the development of foodborne diseases (FBDs). The hygienic and sanitary aspects of food consumed by the population as well as its incorrect handling procedures can cause FBDs. Many contaminated foods seem to have normal sensory characteristics, without changes in texture, flavor, and odor, so often those who consume it do not have the perception and understanding that food that appears to be perfect visibly brings risk internally when consumed, which can cause an FBD. Given these considerations, this study aimed to characterize, report, and quantify the occurrence of outbreaks of FBD affected in the North, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and South regions of Brazil between 2015 and 2021 using as a source of data those notified via the Data Sheet Research in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). A total of 60,907 cases of food poisoning were recorded across the country due to FBD outbreaks, resulting in 71 fatalities. While the highest number of cases of foodborne outbreaks occurred in the southeast, the highest number of fatalities from FBD occurred in the north of the country. The highest percentage of FBD outbreaks occurred in homes (probably due to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic), although the causative food and the responsible microorganism remained unknown. In this way, it is possible to perceive that in addition to the underreporting that may exist and has already been reported by other articles on the subject, the numbers reported in the Brazilian health system may also demonstrate a lack of investigation into the cause of FBD.

Applying the heteroskedastic ordered probit model on injury severity for improved age and gender estimation

Objective Driver characteristics have been linked to the frequency and severity of car crashes. Among these, age and gender have been shown to impact both the possibility and severity of a crash. Previous studies have used standard ordered probit (OP) models to analyze crash data, and some research has suggested heteroskedastic ordered probit (HETOP) could provide improved model fit. The objective of this paper is to evaluate potential improvements of the heteroskedastic ordered probit (HETOP) model compared to the standard ordered probit (OP) model in crash analysis, by examining the effect of gender across age on injury severity among drivers. This paper hypothesizes that the HETOP model can provide a better fit to crash data, by allowing heteroskedasticity in the distribution of injury severity across driver age and gender. Methods Data for 20,222 crashes were analyzed for North Carolina from 2016 to 2018, which represents the state with the highest number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled amongst available crash data from the Highway Safety Information System. Results Darker lighting conditions, severe road surface conditions, and less severe weather were associated with increased injury severity. For driver demographics, the probability of severe injuries increased with age and for male drivers. Moreover, the variance of severity increased with age disproportionately within and across genders, and the HETOP was able to account for this. Conclusions The results of the two applied approaches revealed that HETOP model outperformed the standard OP model when measuring the effects of age and gender together in injury severity analysis, due to the heteroskedasticity in injury severity within gender and age. The HETOP statistical method presented in this paper can be more broadly applied across other contexts and combinations of independent variables for improved model prediction and accuracy of causal variables in traffic safety.

Image-based preliminary emergency assessment of damaged buildings after earthquake: Taiwan case studies

Structural collapses that occur during earthquake disasters and subsequent aftershock periods often result in high numbers of fatalities. Rapid preliminary building evaluations are necessary to determine whether buildings are safe for continued occupation. Currently, structural damage is evaluated manually in on-site, expert inspections that are time-intensive, uncertain, inconsistent, and heavily reliant on the experience of the expert team. Therefore, TL-EfficientNet, which combines EfficientNet and Transfer Learning, was used in this research to create an image recognition system for use in an Emergency Assessment Damaged Building Model (EADBM). The integration of hybrid models and building safety assessments presents a pioneering approach to replace manual damage assessments. This system classifies images of structural members into four damage levels based on Taiwan's emergency assessment code, then calculates a structural damage index (SDI) based on the assessed level of damage to columns and structural walls. The accuracy and overall F1 score obtained by the proposed model were both high, with the accuracy of validation results reaching 97% and 91% for columns and structural walls, respectively. Furthermore, the model was applied to two actual damaged building case studies, with the highest accuracy and overall F1 score for columns reaching 90% and 95%, respectively. The SDI value indicates that the first case study was correctly classified as dangerous, while the second case study was categorized as restricted. This model has been proven to overcome subjective and inconsistent results associated with manual assessment, achieving rapid and accurate preliminary assessment in post-earthquake building inspections and safety evaluations.

AWARENESS AMONG THE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA (UUM) TOWARD CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS HAPPENING IN MALAYSIA

Construction contributes considerably to the country's economic prosperity, despite the high number of fatalities in the construction industry. Occupational accidents in construction industry at 3958 cases in 2020. Compared to other industries, the construction sector has a higher injury rate. The aim is to study the awareness among Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students towards construction accidents happen in Malaysia which focused on students who are taking Bachelor of Technology Management course (MOT). Objective of the study is to analyze the causes and impacts of the construction accidents and analyze the level of awareness of students towards the construction accidents happen in Malaysia. Quantitative method was used which is online questionnaire. 256 respondents have answered the online questionnaire. The finding of the study shows that students are aware of the causes and impacts of the construction accidents. This indicates that students have high awareness on the occupational accidents happen in the construction industry.

ANALISA LIFEBOAT PLACEMENT EFFECTIVENESS TERHADAP PROSES EVAKUASI KAPAL PENUMPANG MENGGUNAKAN METODE AGENT BASED MODELLING SIMULATION

The study of “Lifeboat placement effectiveness” which was applied to the evacuation process of passenger ships should be based on the regulation of IMO MSC.1/Circ.1533. The analysis of the evacuation duration was important considering the high number of fatalities in shipping accidents based on KNKT data, as many as 686 people died in the last 7 years. This study analyzed the duration of evacuation using a simulation method based on “Agent Based Modelling Simulation” with the purpose to obtain a modeling framework to simulate the evacuation process to the lifeboat in 3 dimensions. Simulations were applied to 4 cases with 2 different lifeboat positions. The results of the analysis showed that the total value of the evacuation duration for lifeboats placement on the navigation deck which was placed close to the main stair of the exit route was leading than the placement in the existing position, which as case 1 lead by 1 minute, case 2 lead by 1 minute 2 seconds, case 3 lead by 23 seconds, and case 4 a lead by 17 seconds. The calculation also showed that the total evacuation duration in each case was valued at 60 minutes, which met the IMO MSC.1/Circ.1533 standard.

An in-depth analysis of head-on crash severity and fatalities in Ghana

Head-on collisions are often linked to more serious injuries compared to other types of crashes, due to the intense impact they cause. In low- and middle-income countries, these collisions frequently involve high occupancy public transportation vehicles, leading to higher fatality rates per crash. Given the high risk of injury and potential for multiple casualties, this study delves into the factors influencing the outcomes of head-on crashes and the number of fatalities in Ghana. The study analyzed six years of historical head-on collision data from Ghana and developed two models to address the issue. The injury-severity analysis was performed using a random parameter multinomial logit with heterogeneity in means and variances approach and aimed to identify the factors that have a significant impact on the severity of injuries sustained in head-on collisions, while the random parameters negative binomial fatality count model was designed to examine the factors that contribute to the number of fatalities in these crashes in the country. Results showed that head-on collisions with drivers over 65, buses, motorcycles, and those between 25 and 65 years of age were more likely to result in fatalities. Speeding and vehicle malfunctions were also found to be significant contributing factors to fatal head-on collisions. Head-on crashes involving minibuses and incidents where the driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle were found to be more likely to result in a higher number of fatalities. The results of this study uncover an intriguing interaction between human-related elements and socioeconomic factors, which pose obstacles to the Government's endeavor to upgrade the major highways in the country. Additionally, the increasing need for transportation has led to the presence of vehicles on the roads that may not meet safety standards. Consequently, it is no surprise that several of the study's findings align with expectations. Nevertheless, within the specific context of Ghana, these findings furnish compelling data-driven evidence supporting the adoption and implementation of the safe systems approach as a means to tackle fatal head-on collisions in the country.

Current attitudes toward drug checking services and a comparison of expected with actual drugs present in street drug samples collected from opioid users

BackgroundThe opioid epidemic continues to be associated with high numbers of fatalities in the USA and other countries, driven mainly by the inclusion of potent synthetic opioids in street drugs. Drug checking by means of various technologies is being increasingly implemented as a harm reduction strategy to inform users about constituent drugs in their street samples. We assessed how valued drug checking services (DCS) would be for opioid street drug users given the ubiquity of fentanyl and related analogs in the drug supply, the information they would most value from drug checking, and compared expected versus actual constituent drugs in collected samples.MethodsA convenience sample of opioid street drug users (N = 118) was recruited from two syringe service exchange programs in Chicago between 2021 and 2022. We administered brief surveys asking about overdose history, whether fentanyl was their preferred opioid, and interest in DCS. We also collected drug samples and asked participants what drug(s) they expected were in the sample. Provided samples were analyzed using LC–MS technology and the results compared to their expected drugs.ResultsParticipants reported an average of 4.4 lifetime overdoses (SD = 4.8, range = 0–20) and 1.1 (SD = 1.8, range = 0–10) past-year overdoses. A majority (92.1%) believed they had recently used drugs containing fentanyl whether intentionally or unintentionally. Opinions about the desirability of fentanyl were mixed with 56.1% indicating they did not and 38.0% indicating they did prefer fentanyl over other opioids, mainly heroin. Attitudes toward DCS indicated a general but not uniform receptiveness with a majority indicating interest in DCS though sizeable minorities believed DCS was “too much trouble” (25.2%) or there was “no point” in testing (35.4%). Participants were especially inaccurate identifying common cutting agents and potentiating drugs such as diphenhydramine in their samples (sensitivity = .17).ConclusionsResults affirmed street drug users remain interested in using DCS to monitor their drugs and such services should be more widely available. Advanced checking technologies that provide information on the relative quantities and the different drugs present in a given sample available at point-of-care, would be most valuable but remain challenging to implement.

Terrorism on the rise – What can WCA countries do to combat difficulties with international trade?

In the last 5 years, the center of gravity of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to sub-Saharan Africa. As of 2018, this region had the highest number of fatalities and the greatest material damage. This paper assesses the situation of the countries most affected by terrorism in the WCA (West and Central-Africa) region by examining economic complexity, the costs of cross-border trade and corruption. The AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) program is a means of ensuring the security of international supply chains while simultaneously facilitating the cross-border flow of goods. By 2020, 97 countries in the world had operational AEO programs, but only one country in the WCO (World Customs Organization) WCA region had implemented one. The threat of terrorism is very high in seven countries of the region: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Chad and Mali. As a result of the evaluation, it can be concluded that these countries need mechanisms to facilitate international trade and would benefit from the implementation of the AEO program.

First data about movements and threats of Rüppell's Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) tagged in Morocco: an international and multi-institutional study.

The Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ at the global and regional levels in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A multi-institutional collaboration to fit 13 vultures with GPS transmitters in northern Morocco was launched to get information on their movements and threats along the flyway, both to the north and the south of the Sahara. Preliminary results from individuals released in November 2021 indicate a low survival rate during the wintering period in Morocco and on the return journey to the Sahel, which is usually attempted by Rüppell's Vultures with large groups of migratory birds, especially Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus). Of the group of tagged individuals, only four birds travelled definitely in a southwards direction, apparently migrating. Two of those have died, with one presumed to have starved in the Algerian desert, and another one presumed to have been killed by human persecution in The Gambia. A third individual was captured by local people in Mauritania and it is unknown what happened thereafter. One bird remains alive in Senegal at the time of writing. For the birds that did not disperse far after being fitted with transmitters, a relatively high number of fatalities seems to confirm that threats to the species are prevalent in Morocco: one bird died after being struck by a wind turbine; one was electrocuted by a power line; and two suffered from starvation and weakness. Birds remaining close to the release area fed mainly at a vulture feeding station or at rubbish dumps, which may indicate that there is a lack of food available in the wider surroundings. Five vultures originally fitted with transmitters are still alive in North Africa at the time of writing.

Parvovirus-Infektionen bei Katzen in Tierheimen

Due to widespread vaccination programs against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), the disease associated with this virus infection, feline panleukopenia, is rarely seen in privately owned cats in Germany. In contrast, the situation in animal shelters differs due to the constant intake of new cats that are often unprotected. In such facilities, panleukopenia outbreaks are common and often accompanied by a high number of fatalities. Due to the high contagiosity of the virus, some shelters do not accept cats with clinical signs suspicious for panleukopenia, since these animals can pose a risk to the shelter population. However, not only cats with panleukopenia shed parvovirus, but also healthy, asymptomatic cats can and thus contribute to risk of infection. Nevertheless, the risk for panleukopenia outbreaks in animal shelters can be reduced by rigorous outbreak management. This includes hygiene measures using correctly applied cleaning and disinfection protocols, quarantine measures, separate isolation units, as well as specific prophylactic measures, such as identification of infected animals and immunization of susceptible groups.

Implementation of Town and School Watching for Disaster Education to the Communities in Sidomulyo Village, Pronojiwo, Lumajang

The eruption of Mount Semeru on December 4, 2021, caused a fairly high death toll of up to 50 people. The high number of fatalities is caused by the lack of mitigation capacity and the absence of community involvement in mitigation efforts. Increased mitigation capacity can be done by presenting disaster education to the communities. Thus, we applied the concepts of school watching and town watching in Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency. School watching was implemented in eight schools located at Sidomulyo Village. We also carried out town watching in Sidomulyo Village and brought out ±33 residents to the Sidomulyo village hall. The implementation of school watching and town watching in Pronojiwo District can increase community involvement in disaster mitigation efforts and public awareness of mitigation efforts.

Thalidomide for the Treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Coronavirus disease 2019 has become a public health concern with a high number of fatalities. Thalidomide can target inflammatory mediators and decrease inflammation in SARS-CoV-2. An open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients with compatible lung high-resolution computed tomography scan for COVID-19 pneumonia and moderate involvement. Childbearing-age women were excluded. A total of 20 patients in the control group receiving usual treatment were compared with 26 patients in the case group who in addition to the same regimen also received thalidomide. The primary outcome was time for clinical recovery (TTCR) and intensive-care unit (ICU) admission. From April 25 to August 8, 2020, based on the inclusion criteria, 47 patients were assigned to the study. Patients receiving thalidomide had a mean TTCR of days 5.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-10.3), as compared with days 5.3 (95% CI, 1.7-8.9) with control (odds ratio 0.01; 95% CI, -1.58-1.59, P = 0.807). The incidence of ICU admission was 27% in the thalidomide group compared with 20% in the control group (odds ratio 3.89; 95% CI, 0.55-27.4, P = 0.425). The mean length of stay in hospital in both groups was 10 days. Progressive improvement in respiratory rate, fever, and O2 saturation during the study was seen in both groups without a significant difference between the thalidomide and control group (P > 0.05). This study investigated the effects of thalidomide to treat moderate COVID-19 clinical outcomes. The results established that this drug regimen did not add more effect to usual treatment for moderate COVID-19 pneumonia.

Identification of victims of the collapse of a mine tailing dam in Brumadinho

The collapse of the B1 Dam of VALE SA mining company in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil was the largest humanitarian disaster and occupational accident in the country’s history, and it posed challenges regarding the management and identification of multiple victims. We evaluated the impact of the iron ore tailings on the victims’ bodies. We examined the scientific identification of the victims and the dynamics of the disaster over the 1st year after it occurred. We also determined the socio-demographic profiles of the victims. In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we investigated the expert reports of the victims’ biological remains from 25 January 2019 to 25 January 2020. We analysed the socio-demographic data, identification methods, identification status, identification time, and necroscopic information. During the study period, 259 of 270 victims were identified, and 603 biological materials were analysed; among them, 86.2% were body parts and 13.8% were whole bodies. Of the total cases registered that year, 476 (78.9%) were submitted during the first 10 weeks after the disaster. Friction ridge analysis accounted for 67.9% of primary identifications and DNA analysis did so for 91.6% of re-identification cases. Body dismemberment was 3.4 times greater among mine workers than among community victims. Adult males accounted for the greatest number of victims (P < 0.001). Polytraumatic injury was the prevalent single cause of death. Necropsy examination revealed the occurrence of asphyxia in 7% of cases. The higher number of fatalities and greater dismemberment among employees than with community residents underlines the occupational dangers in the mining industry and clarifies the dynamics of the disaster. In the initial weeks after the dam collapsed, friction ridge analysis was the most appropriate method for identification. Subsequently, DNA analysis became the most-used technique for identification and re-identification owing to the great volume of body parts and decomposed biological tissue. Autopsy allowed diagnosis of the causes of death to be clarified according to the Brazilian criminal legal system.

Driver Behavioral Classification on Curves Based on the Relationship between Speed, Trajectories, and Eye Movements: A Driving Simulator Study

Horizontal curves of rural highways are prone to a considerably high number of fatalities because an erroneous perception can lead to unsafe driving. This generally occurs when a driver fails to notice the highway geometry or changes in the driving environment, particularly curved segments. This study aimed to understand the geometric characteristics of curved segments, such as radius and approach tangents, on the driving performance towards minimizing vehicle crashes. Speed profiles and lateral position, the most common indicators of successful negotiation in curves, and eye movements were recorded during an experiment conducted in a fixed-base driving simulator equipped with an eye-tracking system with a road infrastructure (a three-lane highway) and its surroundings. A driving simulator can faithfully reproduce any situation and enable sustainable research because it is a high-tech and cost-effective tool allowing repeatability in a laboratory. The experiment was conducted with 28 drivers who covered approximately 500 test kilometers with 90 horizontal curves comprising nine different combinations of radii and approach tangent lengths. The drivers’ behavior on each curve was classified as ideal, normal, intermediate, cutting, or correcting according to their trajectories and speed changes for analyses of the performance parameters and their correlation conducted by factorial ANOVA and Pearson chi-square tests. The cross-tabulation results indicated that the safest behavior significantly increased when the curve radius increased, and the performance measures of curve radii were greatly affected. However, the driving behavior was not affected by the approach tangent length. The results revealed segments of the road that require a driver’s closer attention for essential vehicle control, critical information, and vehicle control in different parts of the task.