The Driver Behaviour and Impact of Speed on Road Safety on the Motorways in Croatia

The paper presents the current research related to the speed of traffic flow on the roads of high serviceability. It analyses the speed of vehicle as one of the main causes of traffic accidents. A flat four-lane motorway section, motorway section in the tunnel and a city bypass section were chosen for this research, and several speed limit scenarios for the vehicles have been applied with the aid of variable signalling. The survey results show that few vehicles respect the speed limits in traffic in the case of a straight section of motorway or city stretch of the motorway which has good geometric elements; however, speed limits are exceptionally well respected in tunnels. Although a large number of drivers do not respect the signs, a certain group of drivers can be influenced by variable signs of limitations, and thus positive changes can be achieved in traffic flow which will result in increasing the traffic safety on the motorways. Thus, increasing the degree of respect for speed limits on the motorways directly affects the increase in the level of traffic safety. It is necessary to influence the group of drivers who do not respect the speed limits with other measures, including repressive ones.</p

Effects of Driving Style and Vehicle Maintenance on Vehicle Roadworthiness

Vehicles that are non-roadworthy pose a hazard for all road users and can be one of the main causes of traffic accidents. Previous studies have analysed the impact of the driving style on environmental sustainability and road safety. Starting from this, there was a need to further investigate the relationship between the driving style and vehicle roadworthiness as well. Vehicles that do not comply with the prescribed requirements should be excluded from traffic at a periodic technical inspection. However, the causes of detected vehicle defects cannot be established at a periodic technical inspection. The paper therefore, examines the factors affecting vehicle roadworthiness. First, the failure rate and mileage of vehicles at periodic technical inspection regarding the type of ownership was examined. In addition, a questionnaire was conducted to collect data about the driving style and maintenance habits of different types of car owners. The paper argues that vehicles owned by legal entities were generally in a worse condition than the vehicles owned by natural persons, due to the increased vehicle exploitation, but also due to a more aggressive driving style. Finally, it was found that by modifying their driving style, the drivers can affect the condition of their vehicles, considering the same mileage and maintenance habits.</p

Otpust iz bolnice nakon elektivne nekomplicirane laparoskopske kolecistektomije: može li se skratiti poslijeoperacijski boravak u bolnici?

The aim of the study was to reevaluate the safety and feasibility of discharge 24 h after elective uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital, the minimum postoperative stay was considered to be two days based on surgeons’ experience. The study included 337 operations performed by 21 surgeons during 2016 in the Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre. Conversion to open technique and cases of acute cholecystitis were excluded, while 15 patients had insufficient postoperative data. The mean length of stay was 2.38 (range 1 to 6) postoperative days, median two postoperative days. Serious complications involving suspected drain bile leakage and postoperative hemorrhage occurred in two (0.59%) patients, both in the first 24 h following surgery. One patient required emergency laparotomy on the first postoperative day. Readmission rate was 1.2%. The postoperative minor complication rate was 42 of 337 (12.46%); these included wound infections, urinary tract infections, symptoms included in postcholecystectomy syndrome, etc. The onset of these complications was mostly after postoperative day 3. The data obtained suggest that discharge on the first postoperative day after elective uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be considered safe and can be practiced in our hospital.Cilj studije bio je reevaluirati sigurnost i izvodljivost otpusta bolesnika u prva 24 sata nakon elektivnih laparoskopskih kolecistektomija. Od uvođenja laparoskopske metode u našoj ustanovi, prema iskustvu kirurga smatralo se kako je minimalni poslijeoperacijski boravak 2 dana. Studija je obuhvatila 337 operacija koje je proveo 21 kirurg u 2016. godini u KBC “Sestre milosrdnice”. Isključeni su slučajevi konverzije u otvorene operacije kao i slučajevi akutnog kolecistitisa. Kod 15 bolesnika nije bilo dovoljno podataka o poslijeoperacijskom tijeku. Prosjek poslijeoperacijskog boravka bio je 2,38 (1 do 6) dana, medijan je bio 2 dana. Ozbiljne komplikacije u vidu suspektnog curenja žuči i poslijeoperacijskog krvarenja pojavile su se kod dvoje (0,59%) bolesnika; oba slučaja dogodila su se unutar 24 sata od operacije. Kod jednog bolesnika indicirana je hitna reoperacija prvog poslijeoperacijskog dana. Stopa ponovnog prijma u bolnicu bila je 1,2%. Manje poslijeoperacijske komplikacije dogodile su se kod 42 (12,46% operiranih) bolesnika; ove komplikacije uključivale su infekcije rane, uroinfekcije, simptome postkolecistektomijskog sindroma itd. Ove komplikacije događale su se uglavnom nakon 3. poslijeoperacijskog dana. Prikupljeni podaci ukazuju na to da se otpust prvog poslijeoperacijskog dana nakon elektivne nekomplicirane laparoskopske kolecistektomije može smatrati sigurnim i provoditi tu praksu u našoj ustanovi

Model for Calculating Average Vehicle Mileage for Different Vehicle Classes Based on Real Data: A Case Study of Croatia

Mileage data collected via surveys based on self-estimation, reports from garages and other sources which use estimations are rough estimates and differ greatly from the actual mileage. Vehicle mileage is a major factor in emission calculations and needs to be as accurate as possible to obtain reliable emission models. Odometer readings are collected annually at the periodic technical inspection in Croatia. Average mileage data were analyzed for vehicles up to 20 years of age in 2017. Vehicles were classified by curb weight and fuel type. Such classification proved to follow driver behavior and the intended purpose of the vehicle. For each vehicle class, the model was applied using the vehicle age and its population size as inputs for calculating average mileage. Real data shows that vehicles in Croatia considerably exceed the estimated mileage in the years following the first registration of the vehicle and that they cannot be compared to data collected in other studies based on estimations. The difference lies in the covered mileage after vehicles reach ten years of age. The outcome of this study has resulted in a model for calculating average vehicle mileage. The model is suitable for use in various analyses for Croatia or for countries with similar driving habits and economic status now and for years to come

Road Infrastructure Challenges Faced by Automated Driving: A Review

Automated driving can no longer be referred to as hype or science fiction but rather a technology that has been gradually introduced to the market. The recent activities of regulatory bodies and the market penetration of automated driving systems (ADS) demonstrate that society is exhibiting increasing interest in this field and gradually accepting new methods of transport. Automated driving, however, does not depend solely on the advances of onboard sensor technology or artificial intelligence (AI). One of the essential factors in achieving trust and safety in automated driving is road infrastructure, which requires careful consideration. Historically, the development of road infrastructure has been guided by human perception, but today we are at a turning point at which this perspective is not sufficient. In this study, we review the limitations and advances made in the state of the art of automated driving technology with respect to road infrastructure in order to identify gaps that are essential for bridging the transition from human control to self-driving. The main findings of this study are grouped into the following five clusters, characterised according to challenges that must be faced in order to cope with future mobility: international harmonisation of traffic signs and road markings, revision of the maintenance of the road infrastructure, review of common design patterns, digitalisation of road networks, and interdisciplinarity. The main contribution of this study is the provision of a clear and concise overview of the interaction between road infrastructure and ADS as well as the support of international activities to define the requirements of road infrastructure for the successful deployment of ADS

Klatskin Tumor – Results of Surgical Therapy

Between January 1st 1990 and December 31st 1999, 24 patients affected by Klatskin tumor underwent operation in our department of surgery. According to Bismuth’s classification, there were 0 (0%) type I, 5 (21%) type II, 6 (25%) type IIIa, 4 (17%) type IIIb and 9 (37%) type IV tumors. Five patients (21%) were treated by curative resection (group I) while in 14 patients (58%) palliative surgical procedure was performed (group II). In 5 cases (21%) the extension of malignancy did not allowed any procedure (group III). Curative resection for malignant tumors of the hepatic duct bifurcation included wide tumor excision and bile duct resection at the liver hilum (with »wedge« hepatic resection in one patient) and creation of biliary-enteric anastomosis. Palliative surgical procedure included stent insertion. Jaundice was completely relieved in all patients undergoing resection, since 3 patients (21%) after stenting hadn’t satisfactory biliary drainage. There was 1 (20%) perioperative death in the group 1, while in group 2, 5 patients (36%) died postoperatively. In this series, the mean postoperative survival of all patients was 16 months. The mean postoperative survival of patients undergoing localized tumor resection with curative intent was 38 months, in contrast to 10 months for those undergoing operative stent insertion. In addition, only 1 patient from group III, in whom only exploratory surgery were performed survived 7 months, while other 4 patients died in the hospital. This retrospective review suggests that aggressive surgical treatment could improve survival and quality of life in patients suffering from Klatskin tumor

Višestruka endokrina neoplazija tipa 1 (MEN 1): prikaz slučaja

Hypoglycemia may occur as a component of type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Insulinomas are rare tumors that often present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. The presence of inappropriately high plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations at the time of symptomatic fasting hypoglycemia confirms the diagnosis of insulinoma. A. B., a 21-year-old girl, presented for evaluation of recurrent episodes of hyperhidrosis, confusion, and weakness with tremor, which was suggestive of hypoglycemia. Her body mass increased by 90 kg, with persistent symptoms of hypoglycemia. Because of her extremely excess sive body weight of 158 kg, the only diagnostic method available was upper abdomen ultrasonography, which revealed a tumor mass of 26 mm in size, located at the tail of the pancreas. Hemipancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed in one act. After the surgery, clinical symptoms disappeared but the patient developed diabetes, postoperatively, which required introduction of insulin therapy. Her body weight gradually normalized, she lost 54 kg, and postoperative magnetic resonance and computed tomography controls produced normal findings.Hipoglikemija se može pojaviti u sklopu sindroma višestruke endokrine neoplazije tipa 1. Inzulinom je rijedak tumor koji često predstavlja dijagnostički problem za kliničara. Neuobičajeno visoke koncentracije inzulina i C-peptida iz plazme za vrijeme hipoglikemije potvrđuju dijagnozu inzulinoma. A. B., 21-godišnja bolesnica je primljena na kliniku zbog opetovanih epizoda slabosti, psihičke konfuznosti i umora s tremorom, što je ukazivalo na hipoglikemiju. Četiri godine ranije operirala je prolaktinom hipofize i otada nije imala kontrolnih pregleda. Iste godine javili su se simptomi hipoglikemije, uza značajan porast tjelesne težine od 90 kg zbog velikih količina ugljikohidrata koje joj je obitelj davala zbog čestih hipoglikemija. Jedina dostupna dijagnostička tehnika s obzirom na njezinu prekomjernu tjelesnu težinu od 158 kg, koja bi potvrdila dijagnozu inzulinoma, bio je ultrazvuk gornjeg abdomena. Ultrazvuk je pokazao tumorsku tvorbu veličine 26 mm u području repa gušterače. Izvedena je hemipankreatektomija uz splenektomiju. Klinički znaci hipoglikemije povukli su se nakon operacijskog zahvata, ali je tada u bolesnice nastupila šećerna bolest, pa je uvedeno u terapiju inzulin. Tijekom prve godine nakon operacije tjelesna se masa približno normalizirala, bolesnica je izgubila 54 kg. Na zadnjoj kontroli su magnetska rezonanca i kompjutorizirana tomografija pokazale uredan nalaz abdomena

Ultrazvuk probavnoga sustava u pedijatriji: revijalni rad

Modern sonography techniques are increasingly used for the evaluation of gastrointestinal tract in pediatric age. High-resolution real-time scanners, graded compression technique, along with color-flow and power Doppler, represent non-invasive, accurate and reliable diagnostic methods. Sonography can easily be performed for the diagnostic evaluation of acute abdominal pain, gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases and congenital anomalies. Current applications of modern sonography techniques in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric gastrointestinal diseases are presented.Ultrazvučna dijagnostika sve se više rabi u dijagnostici probavnoga trakta u dječjoj dobi. Ultrazvuk visoke razlučivosti, tehnika dozirane kompresije, uz obojeni i Power Dopler, neinvazivna je i pouzdana dijagnostička metoda. Pretraga je tehnički jednostavna za izvođenje, te se najčešće izvodi pri evaluaciji akutne abdominalne boli, upalnih bolesti probavnoga trakta i urođenih anomalija. U radu je prikazan današnji doseg ultrazvuka u dijagnostici i terapiji bolesti probavnog trakta u dječjoj dobi

A Restitution Model of Two-car Collinear Collisions

In the paper two-car collinear collisions are discussed usingNewton's law of mechanics, conservation of energy and linearconstitutive law connecting impact force and crush. Two waysof calculating the mutual restitution coefficient are given: onebased on car masses and one based on car stiffness. A numericalexample of an actual test is provided

Analysis of Reconstruction of a Dangerous Spot at 390 km of A3 Motorway Zagreb- Lipovac

Traffic accidents in road traffic are becoming an increasingproblem regardless of whether there is only material damage orserious injuries and fatalities. There are various causes resultingin traffic accidents, and this paper describes the reconstructionwork on a section of the motorway in order to improve thetraffic safety. Also, the results of the given reconstruction havebeen analysed