Secondary analysis of time of day on simulated driving performance

PROBLEM: Age and gender are frequently controlled for in studies of driving performance, but the effects of time of day or circadian cycles on performance are often not considered. Previous research on time of day effects of simulated driving is contradictory and provides little guidance for understanding the impact of these variables on results. METHODS: Using driving simulator data from 79 subjects ages 18 to 65, this paper focuses on the impact of age, gender, and time of day on the simulated driving performance of subjects who self-selected the time of participation. RESULTS: Time of day effects were consistently evident for drivers' speed overall and across different simulated environments. Drivers in the late afternoon period consistently drove significantly slower than drivers in other time periods. Age and gender affected speed such that women and those participants 50 and older tended to drive more slowly. Time of day also had an effect on reaction time and on speed variability measures. Gender did not have significant effects on reaction time or variability measures, but age effects were present. SUMMARY: Taken together, the results suggest that time of day effects should be considered as part of simulated driving performance, and that interactions between time of day and other variables, notably age, should be controlled for as part of future research. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Implications of these findings on current efforts for older driver testing are discussed.     

Biodiversity Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Forests: Meta-Analysis of Species Richness in Europe

Abstract: Past and present pressures on forest resources have led to a drastic decrease in the surface area of unmanaged forests in Europe. Changes in forest structure, composition, and dynamics inevitably lead to changes in the biodiversity of forest‐dwelling species. The possible biodiversity gains and losses due to forest management (i.e., anthropogenic pressures related to direct forest resource use), however, have never been assessed at a pan‐European scale. We used meta‐analysis to review 49 published papers containing 120 individual comparisons of species richness between unmanaged and managed forests throughout Europe. We explored the response of different taxonomic groups and the variability of their response with respect to time since abandonment and intensity of forest management. Species richness was slightly higher in unmanaged than in managed forests. Species dependent on forest cover continuity, deadwood, and large trees (bryophytes, lichens, fungi, saproxylic beetles) and carabids were negatively affected by forest management. In contrast, vascular plant species were favored. The response for birds was heterogeneous and probably depended more on factors such as landscape patterns. The global difference in species richness between unmanaged and managed forests increased with time since abandonment and indicated a gradual recovery of biodiversity. Clearcut forests in which the composition of tree species changed had the strongest effect on species richness, but the effects of different types of management on taxa could not be assessed in a robust way because of low numbers of replications in the management‐intensity classes. Our results show that some taxa are more affected by forestry than others, but there is a need for research into poorly studied species groups in Europe and in particular locations. Our meta‐analysis supports the need for a coordinated European research network to study and monitor the biodiversity of different taxa in managed and unmanaged forests.     

The Evolution and Role of Non-OPEC Production in the International Oil Market

In 1982, for the first time since OPEC was founded in 1961, its production was surpassed by the non-OPEC countries in the world excluding the centrally planned economies. In that year, for the world as a whole, OPEC provided 35% of the oil consumed. The decline was brought about by a decrease in consumption and by a marked increase in production from non-OPEC sources. It is expected that non-OPEC producers will have the capacity to meet more than half of the world's oil requirements until the early 1990s, at which time OPEC producers will again assume the role of providing over 50% of the world's oil.     

渤海湾两条河流及其近岸海域水体中DOM的光谱特征及影响因素

应用三维荧光光谱结合吸收光谱分析,研究了2019年夏季天津市大清河-独流减河水系和河北省黄骅市捷地减河及其河口区水体中溶解有机物（DOM）的空间分布特征、来源及其影响因素。紫外-可见光谱结果表明,研究区水体的SUVA₂₅₄与盐度有显著正相关关系;两条河流的下游水体中S_275-295均值均大于上游和中游。平行因子分析结果表明,两条河流均检测到两种类腐殖质组分C1（240,300/390 nm）和C3（260,335/477 nm）以及一种类蛋白质组分C2（225,275/339 nm）。在大清河-独流减河水系及其近岸海域水体中,这三种组分与盐度呈显著负相关关系,其中由于人为输入（TN和TP含量高,工业排污）影响导致C2与盐度的相关性弱于C1和C3。该水系水体在低盐度时C2的占比高于捷地减河,主要受到工农业废水输入与其支流子牙河汇入的共同影响,而捷地减河主要受农业废污水输入的影响。此外,自然因素（盐度、海水混合）和人为因素（人为输入、筑坝拦截）的不同导致渤海湾两条入海河流中有色溶解有机质（CDOM）的光学特性和混合行为出现显著差异。其中筑坝拦截导致独流减河坝前水体的CDOM平均分子量低于下游水体,并且增强了河口区陆源类腐殖质的去除作用。综上,三维荧光光谱结合平行因子分析能判别河流局部条件的差异对整体CDOM空间分布特征的影响,研究结果可为渤海湾地区河流及河口水体CDOM生物地球化学过程研究提供基础数据。     

Health, safety, self-regulation and the older driver: It's not just a matter of age

Problem

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of age and health on patterns of driving and self-regulation among older adults who still drive.

Method

This analysis presents the results of a nationwide survey of drivers who are 50 + (N = 3,824, 53.11% response rate), focusing on questions about the impact of their self-reported health on attitudes toward and self-regulation of driving.

Results

The data indicate that as age increases, so too does reported self-regulation of driving, increasing sharply among those ages 70 and older. The data also indicate that respondent's reported confidence in driving and their enjoyment of driving decline as they age. Health status bears a significant relationship with all three of these variables, positively related to confidence in driving skills and to enjoyment in driving, but negatively related to self-regulation reports. As self-reported health declines, respondent's report engages in greater voluntary restrictions of their driving.

Discussion

All too often, the driving decision is linked primarily to chronological age. Analysis done here indicates that age alone is not the best indicator of self-regulation and how older adults change their driving behaviors.

Summary

This research presents the results of a nationwide survey of 50+ drivers and their self-reported driving, self-regulation behaviors, and health status. Strong support was found for the argument that chronological age is not an adequate measure of self-regulating behaviors and driver safety among those 50+. In particular, it was found that a person's health status and the interaction between age and health are essential considerations in the decisions around self-regulation and driving. People tend to self-regulate more with age, but the effect becomes much more pronounced as health status declines.

Impact on industry

In the coming years, if older adults can't get to where they want to go and continue to be viable consumers in our national fabric, all industries will eventually suffer. Transportation is a key component to the nation's social contract with older individuals and their families.     

基于游客视角的红色旅游资源开发价值共创机制

以井冈山风景名胜区作为案例地,基于价值共创理论,运用大数据分析与内容分析方法,收集并分析马蜂窝网站上井冈山景区的游记文本,构建红色旅游资源开发的价值共创机制：以历史文化遗产、自然景观资源和标志性景观符号为资源基础,游客通过红色文化体验、学习培训活动、解说服务体验和自然景观体验等实践活动,获得对红色历史文化的认知、情感的联结和价值观的塑造。另外,红色旅游景区现有的价值共创实践仍旧有限,红色旅游资源开发价值共创机制整合了游客需求、景区支持以及可能存在的价值共创实践,对创新红色旅游资源开发利用手段与产业转型升级具有实践意义。     

Evaluating Geomorphic Change in Constructed Two‐Stage Ditches

Straight, trapezoidal‐shaped surface drainage channels efficiently drain the soil profile, but their deviations from natural fluvial conditions drive the need for frequent maintenance. Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of drainage ditch maintenance activities can be significant, leading to harmful algal blooms and increased sedimentation. We developed a two‐stage ditch design that is more consistent with fluvial form and process. The approach has potential to enhance ecological services while meeting drainage needs essential for agricultural production. We studied geomorphic change of the inset channel, benches and banks of seven two‐stage ditches in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Three to 10 years after construction, inset channel changes reflected natural adjustments, but not all ditches had reached their quasi‐equilibrium state. Ditches had experienced both degradation and aggradation on the benches at a rate of 0.5‐13 mm/yr. Aggradation on the benches was not likely to threaten tile drain outlets. Localized scour was observed on the banks at some sites, but at all but one site changes were not statistically significant. Except for the removal of woody vegetation, none of the ditches required routine maintenance since construction. Two‐stage ditches can be a stable, viable option for drainage ditch management if designed and installed properly on the landscape.