Effect of peripheral refractive errors on driving performance

The effect of peripheral refractive errors on driving while performing secondary tasks at 40° of eccentricity was studied in thirty-one young drivers. They drove a driving simulator under 7 different induced peripheral refractive errors (baseline (0D), spherical lenses of +/- 2D, +/- 4D and cylindrical lenses of +2D and +4D). Peripheral visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were also evaluated at 40°. Driving performance was significantly impaired by the addition of myopic defocus (4D) and astigmatism (4D). Worse driving significantly correlated with worse contrast sensitivity for the route in general, but also with worse visual acuity when participants interacted with the secondary task. Induced peripheral refractive errors may negatively impact driving when performing secondary tasks.FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 PID2020-115184RB-I00Agencia Estatal de Investigacion A-FQM-532-UGR20Fundacion Seneca PID2019-105684RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 19897/GERM/1

Effects of cannabis on visual function and self-perceived visual quality

Cannabis is one of the most used drugs of abuse in the world. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of smoking cannabis on vision and to relate these to those perceived by the user. Thirty-one cannabis users participated in this study. Visual function assessment was carried out in a baseline session as well as after smoking cannabis. We evaluated static visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, accommodative response, straylight, night-vision disturbances (halos) and pupil size. The participants were also divided into two groups depending on whether they perceived their vision to have worsened after smoking cannabis. A logistic regression analysis was employed to identify which visual test could best predict self-perceived visual effects. The study found that smoking cannabis has significant adverse effects on all the visual parameters analyzed (p < 0.05). Self-perceived visual quality results revealed that about two thirds of the sample think that smoking cannabis impairs their vision. Contrast sensitivity, specifically for the spatial frequency 18 cpd, was identified as the only visual parameter significantly associated with self-perceived visual quality (Odds Ratio: 1.135; p = 0.040). Smoking cannabis is associated with negative effects on visual function. Self-perceived visual quality after smoking cannabis could be related to impaired contrast sensitivity

Análise de ftalatos em detergentes e produtos de limpeza utilizando dois métodos analíticos

Some phthalates are classified in the hazard class reproductive toxicity category 1B and they are subject to authorisation or they have restrictions according to the REACH Regulation. The presence of six phthalates in detergents and cleaning products was determined using two different methods. The phthalates determined were dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP). Method 1 consisted of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and method 2 consisted of reverse-phase liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Using method 1 phthalates were determined in 14 out of the 27 samples, and 4 out of the 6 analysed phthalates were found. Using method 2 phthalates were determined in all samples, and all analysed phthalates were detected. Liquid chromatography detected greater number of phthalates than gas chromatography. All the concentrations obtained were less than the critical allowed phthalates concentration according to the REACH Regulation.Se han determinado y cuantificado ftalatos en detergentes y limpiadores al encontrarse algunos de ellos sujetos a autorización o restricción por el Reglamento REACH al estar clasificados como tóxicos para la reproducción humana categoría 1B. Se determinaron seis ftalatos: dimetilftalato (DMP), dietilftalato (DEP), di-n-butilftalato (DBP), bis (2-etilhexil) ftalato (DEHP), bencilbutilftalato (BBP) y di-n-octilftalato (DOP), desarrollando para ello dos métodos de análisis diferentes. El método 1 consiste en una cromatografía de gases para la separación y espectrometría de masas para la detección y el método 2 en una cromatografía líquida en fase reversa para la separación y espectrometría de masas para la detección. Por el método 1 se detectaron ftalatos en 14 de las 27 muestras y solo 4 sustancias de las 6 analizadas. Por el método 2 se detectaron ftalatos en todas las muestras y los 6 ftalatos fueron determinados. La cromatografía líquida nos ha permitido detectar más sustancias de este grupo que la cromatografía de gases. Todas las concentraciones obtenidas estaban por debajo de las concentraciones límite más desfavorable para ftalatos establecidas en la normativa.Foram determinados e quantificados ftalatos em detergentes e produtos de limpeza, encontrando-se alguns deles sujeitos a autorização e/ou restrição pelo Regulamento REACH por estarem classificados como tóxicos para a reprodução humana (categoria 1B). Foram determinados seis ftalatos: dimetilftalato (DMP), dietilftalato (DEP), di-n-butilftalato (DBP), bis (2-etilhexil) ftalato (DEHP), benzilbutilftalato (BBP) e di-n-octilftalato (DOP), através de 2 métodos de análises distintos. O método 1 consiste em cromatografia de gases para a separação e em espectrometria de massa para a deteção, e o método 2 consiste em cromatografia líquida em fase invertida para a separação e espectrometria de massa para a deteção. Através do método 1 foram detetados ftalatos em 14 das 27 amostras e apenas 4 substâncias das 6 analisadas. Através do método 2 foram detetados ftalatos em todas as amostras e foram detetados todos os ftalatos analisados. A cromatografia líquida permitiu detetar mais substâncias deste grupo que a cromatografia de gases. Todas as concentrações obtidas estão abaixo das concentrações limite mais desfavoráveis para ftalatos estabelecidas em normativa

Avaliação da instrução técnica de vigilância e controlo da reutilização da água na área de intervenção geográfica do serviço de saúde ambiental da Região de Múrcia

One of the basic activities of the Water Reuse Monitoring and Control Program is the supervision of self-control programs–which should be put into practice by the concessionaires that reuse the water provided by the River Basin Organization, in the Health Areas managed by the Environmental Health Service–to check compliance with Annex I of Royal Decree 1620/2007. To facilitate these tasks, this Service issued a Water Reuse Monitoring and Control Technical Instruction in June 2012.In order to test the e effectiveness of monitoring activities concerning water reuse after the issuance of the Technical Instruction, the results obtained from the inspection activities carried out in 2012 were compared with those obtained after the 2014 inspections.The results obtained show that the performance of inspections and the sending of reports to the Basin Organization have led to an increase in compliance with R.D. 1620/2007. All of the inspected plants have a self-control program in place. Furthermore, the number of inspected plants that perform analytical determinations with a frequency below that set by current regulations has decreased drastically.Una de las actividades básicas del Programa de Vigilancia y Control de Reutilización del Agua es la supervisión de los programas de autocontrol, que deben realizar los concesionarios que reutilizan el agua otorgada por el Organismo de Cuenca, en las Áreas de Salud gestionadas por el Servicio de Sanidad Ambiental, para comprobar el cumplimiento del anexo I del R.D. 1620/2007. Para facilitar estas tareas, este servicio elaboró en junio de 2012 una Instrucción Técnica para la Vigilancia y Control de la Reutilización del Agua.Con el fin de comprobar la eficacia de las actividades de vigilancia en materia de reutilización de aguas tras la elaboración de la instrucción técnica, se compararon los resultados obtenidos tras las actuaciones de inspección en 2012, con los obtenidos tras la inspecciones de 2014.Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la realización de inspecciones y remisión de informes al Organismo de Cuenca, ha incrementado el cumplimiento del R.D. 1620/2007. Todos los inspeccionados disponen de programa de autocontrol; el número de inspeccionados que realizan controles analíticos con frecuencia inferior a la normativa ha disminuido drásticamente.Uma das atividades básicas do Programa de Vigilância e Controlo de Reutilização da Água, da área de intervenção geográfica do Serviço de Saúde Ambiental da Região de Múrcia, é a supervisão do autocontrolo, para verificar a conformidade com o anexo I do R.D. 1620/2007, que devem realizar os concessionários que reutilizam água fornecida pela entidade gestora da bacia hidrográfica. Para facilitar estas tarefas, este serviço elaborou em junho de 2012 uma Instrução Técnica para a Vigilância e Controlo da Reutilização da Água.A fim de testar a eficácia das atividades de vigilância relativas à reutilização da água após o desenvolvimento da instrução técnica, compararam-se os resultados obtidos através das atividades de inspeção de 2012 com os obtidos através das actividades inspeção de 2014.Os resultados obtidos mostram que a realização de inspeções e envio de relatórios para a entidade gestora da bacia hidrográfica aumentou o cumprimento do R.D. 1620/2007. Todos os inspecionados dispõem de programa de autocontrolo; o número de inspecionados que realizam controlos analíticos com uma frequência inferior à legalmente estabelecida diminuiu drasticamente

Contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight after alcohol consumption: effects on driving performance

El objetivo de este estudio es investigar los efectos del consumo de alcohol en la función visual y en el rendimiento en la conducción, así como la relación entre ambas funciones. Un total de 40 participantes sanos participaron en las tres sesiones experimentales llevadas a cabo en el estudio: una sesión de control (sin consumo de alcohol), y otras dos sesiones más tras consumir alcohol (una tras consumir 300ml de vino tino y otra tras consumo de 450ml del mismo vino). Se midió el contenido de alcohol en aire espirado (BrAC, en mg/l) usando un etilómetro. Para caracterizar la función visual se midieron la sensibilidad al contraste así como el velo luminoso o luz difundida hacia la retina (retinal straylight), debido este último a la difusión luminosa intraocular. El rendimiento en la conducción fue evaluado en tres escenarios (autovía, carretera de montaña y entorno urbano) usando un simulador de conducción. Los resultados mostraron un deterioro tras consumo de alcohol en la sensibilidad al contraste y en el velo luminoso retiniano (aumento del retinal straylight), además de una deteriorada habilidad para conducir, especialmente para la ingesta mayor de alcohol. También se observó que, bajo los efectos del consumo de alcohol, el rendimiento deteriorado en la conducción dependía de la sensibilidad al contraste y del velo luminoso retiniano, indicando que estas variables visuales pueden parcialmente predecir el rendimiento en la conducción en estas condiciones.In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of alcohol intake on visual function and driving performance, as well as on the relationship between these. A total of 40 healthy participants took part in three experimental sessions: one baseline session and two further sessions after consuming two different quantities of alcohol (300 ml and 450 ml of red wine). The breath alcohol content (BrAC) was measured using a breath analyzer. The contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight due to the forward intraocular scattering were measured to characterize visual function, and driving performance was assessed in three different scenarios using a driving simulator. The results showed a deterioration in contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight after drinking alcohol, in addition to an impaired ability to drive, especially for the highest alcohol intake. We also observed that the deteriorated driving performance was a function of the contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight under the effects of alcohol, indicating that these visual variables can partially predict driving performance in these conditions.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (referencia FIS2017-85058-R

Impact of Age-Related Vision Changes on Driving

Aging leads to impaired visual function, which can affect driving—a very visually demanding task—and has a direct impact on an individual’s quality of life if their license is withdrawn. This study examined the associations between age-related vision changes and simulated driving performance. To this end, we attempted to determine the most significant visual parameters in terms of evaluating elderly drivers’ eyesight. Twenty-one younger drivers (aged 25–40) were compared to 21 older drivers (aged 56–71). Study participants were assessed for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, halos, and intraocular straylight, which causes veiling luminance on the retina and degrades vision. Driving performance was evaluated using a driving simulator. The relationships between simulated driving performance and the visual parameters tested were examined with correlation analyses and linear regression models. Older drivers presented impairment in most visual parameters (p < 0.05), with straylight being the most significantly affected (we also measured the associated effect size). Older drivers performed significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the simulator test, with a markedly lower performance in lane stability. The results of the multiple linear regression model evidenced that intraocular straylight is the best visual parameter for predicting simulated driving performance (R2 = 0.513). Older drivers have shown significantly poorer results in several aspects of visual function, as well as difficulties in driving simulator performance. Our results suggest that the non-standardized straylight evaluation could be significant in driver assessments, especially at the onset of age-related vision changes.ministry of economy and competitiveness (spain)European Union (EU) FIS2017-85058-Rministry of science, innovation and universities (spain) FPU15/0557

Emergency Crisis Resource Management course: a tool for transforming attitudes within emergency service teams

[ES] OBJETIVO. Conocer la percepción sobre la influencia del factor humano en urgencias que adquieren los alumnos trasla realización de un curso E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) de la Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES) basado en simula ción clínica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO. Se analizaron las respuestas a un cuestionario ad hoc administrado a los 3 meses de las ediciones de los cursos E-CRM SEMES realizados entre 2017-19. El cuestionario valoraba la autopercepción sobre la influencia que ha tenido el curso en su desarrollo personal y profesional. RESULTADOS. Se recogieron las encuestas de 147 participantes (73,5% médicos, 20,4% enfermeras, 5,4% TES (Técnico en Emergencias Sanitarias) y 1,4% otras profesiones. El 65% de los profesionales tenía una antigüedad de más de 10 años. Existieron diferencias significativas entre las diferentes profesiones y servicios en los 5 ejes E-CRM (petición de ayuda, claridad de papeles, comunicación eficaz, uso de recursos y evaluación global). Se destacó el uso de ayudas cognitivas, la escucha activa y la planificación previa al inicio del turno. CONCLUSIONES. Tras la realización de un curso E-CRM basado en simulación, los participantes son conscientes de cómo el factor humano influye en el desempeño de su trabajo en los servicios de urgencias y emergencias, lo que pueder llevar a introducir cambios en su quehacer profesional y personal.[EN] OBJECTIVE. To know the perception of the influence of the human factor in emergencies, acquired by students after completing an E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) course of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine (SEMES) based on clinical simulation. E-CRM (Emergency Crisis Resource Management) course of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) based on clinical simulation. METHODS. We analyzed responses to an ad hoc survey sent to participants 3 months after they completed the E-CRM course between 2017 and 2019. We analyzed their views of the influence the course had on their personal and professional development. RESULTS. Responses were received from 147 course participants (73.5%, physicians; 20.4%, nurses; 5.4%, emergency medical technicians; and 1.4%, other). Sixty-five percent had more than 10 years of experience. The different groups of participants gave significantly different responses for the 5 question categories: seeking help, role clarification, effective communication, resource use, and overall evaluation. Respondents emphasized their use of cognitive aids, active listening, and team planning prior to starting a shift. CONCLUSIONS. After the E-CRM clinical simulation course, respondents reported being more aware of how human factors influence their personal and professional approaches to carrying out their emergency service work.S