Validation of the dynamic direct exposure method for toxicity testing of diesel exhaust in vitro.

Diesel exhaust emission is a major health concern because of the complex nature of its gaseous content (e.g., NO2, NO, CO, and CO2) and high concentration of particulate matter (PM) less than 2.

The consequences of noise-induced hearing loss on dairy farm communities in New Zealand.

The objective of this study was to investigate how noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) or noise injury (NI) affects individuals and others of dairy farm communities in New Zealand. Using "grab" or opportunistic sampling at DairyNZ discussion groups and a recreational function, a survey questionnaire was completed by 74 participants from two dairy farming communities in New Zealand. Self-reported hearing difficulties were highlighted by 48% (42) of the 74 participants.

The effects of low arched feet on lower limb gait kinematics in children.

Background: The effects of foot posture on the dynamic function of the lower limb during gait remains relatively unknown.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate lower limb kinematics between the normal and low arched foot during the gait cycle, particularly in the transverse plane.

Method: Twenty-four children, twelve with normal and twelve with low arched feet, aged 11-12 years underwent a lower limb three dimensional gait analysis.

Characteristics of single vehicle rollover fatalities in three Australian states (2000-2007).

An analysis of 2000-2007 single vehicle rollover fatalities in three Australian states was carried out using data from the Australian National Coroners Information System. In this paper, successive selection criteria were applied to the initial dataset to analyse:overall, rollovers accounted for 35% of all occupant fatalities in a single vehicle transport injury event. For these fatalities, the occupant was ejected or stayed contained in equal proportions.

A reliability and usability study of TRACEr-RAV: the technique for the retrospective analysis of cognitive errors--for rail, Australian version.

The aim of this study was to compare the usability and reliability of two human error identification tools: TRACEr-Rail (developed by the Rail Safety and Standards Board in the UK) and TRACEr-RAV (an Australian specific version of the tool). Following an attempt to modify TRACEr-Rail to more appropriately suit the Australian rail context, it was predicted that TRACEr-RAV would be rated as more usable and be applied more consistently by Australian users than TRACEr-Rail. In Experiment 1, twenty-five rail employees used either TRACEr-Rail or TRACEr-RAV1 to extract and classify errors from six Australian rail incident reports.

On the integration and standardization of medication error data: taxonomies, terminologies, causes and contributing factors.

Objective: A reliable database on the causes and contributing factors of medication errors can inform strategies for their prevention. To form a single database from multiple databases requires a process of integration that both maximizes the utility of the new data and minimizes the loss of information. Unfortunately, the terminologies used by different studies and databases may limit integration; therefore, terminologies must be standardized prior to integration.

Inhalation toxicology.

Inhalation of gases, vapors and aerosols can cause a wide range of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation to systemic diseases. The large number of chemicals and complex mixtures present in indoor and outdoor air coupled with the introduction of new materials such as nanoparticles and nanofibers, is an area of growing concern for human health. Animal-based assays have been used to study the toxic effects of chemicals for many years.

Troubleshooting methods for toxicity testing of airborne chemicals in vitro.

Toxicology studies of adverse effects induced by inhaled chemicals are technically challenging, due to the requirement of highly controlled experimental conditions needed to achieve reproducible and comparable results. Therefore, many considerations must be fulfilled before adopting in vitro bioassay test systems for toxicity screening of airborne materials. However, recent methodological and technical breakthroughs of in vitro methods have the potential to fulfil the essential requirements of toxicity testing for airborne chemicals.

Tackle characteristics and injury in a cross section of rugby union football.

Background: The tackle is the game event in rugby union most associated with injury. This study's main aims were to measure tackle characteristics from video using a qualitative protocol, to assess whether the characteristics differed by level of play, and to measure the associations between tackle characteristics and injury.

Methods: A cohort study was undertaken.

Hybrid III ATD in inverted impacts: influence of impact angle on neck injury risk assessment.

The purpose of this paper is to present a protocol of inverted drop-tests using a 50th percentile Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) and investigate the influence of angle and velocity at impact on neck injury risk assessment. The tests were based on existing cadaveric experimental protocols for inverted seated positions. In this study selected ATD impact orientations were also assessed in both the sagittal and coronal planes.

Does padded headgear prevent head injury in rugby union football?

Background: Concussion is a serious problem in many contact sports, including rugby union football. The study's primary aim was to measure the efficacy of padded headgear in reducing the rates of head injury or concussion.

Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial with three arms was conducted with rugby union football teams as the unit of randomization.

Numerical reconstruction of real-life concussive football impacts.

Purpose: To present a protocol of numerical reconstructions of concussive events in football using MADYMO. To refine the knowledge of the dynamics associated with these events.

Methods: Twenty-seven cases of concussive head impacts involving unhelmeted Australian football and rugby players were simulated using MADYMO.

Head and neck injury risks in heavy metal: head bangers stuck between rock and a hard bass.

Objective: To investigate the risks of mild traumatic brain injury and neck injury associated with head banging, a popular dance form accompanying heavy metal music.

Design: Observational studies, focus group, and biomechanical analysis.

Participants: Head bangers.