Driving performance comparing older versus younger drivers

Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Touro University California campus to compare differences in reaction times and driving performance of younger adult drivers (18–40 years) and older adult drivers (60 years and older). Each test group consisted of 38 participants.

Methods: A Simple Visual Reaction Test (SVRT) tool was used to measure reaction times. The STISIM Drive M100 driving simulator was used to assess driving parameters. Driving performance parameters included mean lane position, standard deviation of mean lane position measured, mean speed, standard deviation of mean speed, car-following delay, car-following modulus, car-following coherence, off-road accidents, collisions, pedestrians hit, and traffic light tickets.

Results: Compared to younger participants, older drivers experienced significantly slower reaction times (510.0 ± 208.8 vs. 372.4 ± 96.1 ms, P =.0004), had more collisions (0.18 ± 0.39 vs. none, P =.0044), drove slower (44.6 ± 6.6 vs. 54.9 ± 11.7 mph, P <.0001), deviated less in speed (12.6 ± 4.3 vs. 16.8 ± 6.3, P =.0011), and were less able to maintain a constant distance behind a pace car (0.42 ± 0.23 vs. 0.59 ± 0.24; P =.0025).

Conclusions: Differences exist in driving patterns of older and younger drivers as measured by reaction times and driving simulator outcomes. These results are the first to compare these 2 specific adult age groups' driving performance as measured by a standardized driving simulator scenario. Identifying these differences is essential in addressing them and preventing future traffic injuries.     

CaO2投加量及投加方式对剩余污泥厌氧发酵产生短链脂肪酸的影响

以污水处理厂剩余活性污泥作为研究对象,在中温条件下,按照不同投加量和投加方式投加过氧化钙（CaO₂）进行预处理,考察其对污泥发酵产酸和产甲烷的影响,以期确定CaO₂最佳投加量和投加方式.结果表明,在（35±1）℃条件下,投加CaO₂可提高剩余污泥发酵液pH值,从而促进有机物的快速溶出.在同样投加剂量条件下,一次性投加比多次投加更有利于污泥的溶解以及短链脂肪酸的积累.当一次性投加0.2g CaO₂/g VSS时,发酵液中乙酸浓度在第7d达到最高值（169mg COD/g VSS）,同时乙酸在6种主要酸中所占比例达到最大（71.0%）.与一次性投加方式相比较,多次投加CaO₂对产甲烷的抑制作用较小,不利于SCFAs的积累.     

Benefits of kin association: related and familiar zebrafish larvae (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>) show improved growth

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae prefer the olfactory cues of kin to non-kin. We examined the potential benefits of kin preference by comparing growth rate, shoaling, and aggressive behavior in juvenile zebrafish housed in groups of either familiar kin or unfamiliar non-kin. Over an observation period of 5 days, the animals grew 33% more in kin groups; however, neither shoaling nor the frequency of aggressive interactions was different in groups of related versus unrelated individuals. Shoaling behavior increased with increasing observation time and increasing age, while aggressive behavior remained the same. We conclude that associating with kin probably creates a less stressful environment that allows for higher growth rates, which can lead to higher direct fitness based on increased survival and earlier reproduction. Kin recognition leading to kin-structured groups may therefore be under positive selection.     

区域可持续发展与水资源优化配置研究——以西北干旱区柴达木盆地为例

西北干旱区水资源的合理开发利用与优化配置是实现干旱区可持续发展目标的首要前提。论文依据可持续发展的基本原理,以柴达木盆地为例,设计了水资源优化配置的总体思路,对水资源优化配置的多目标进行竞争辨识,采用以投入产出模型、AHP法等定性为主的决策方法和以系统动力学模型、生产函数模型等定量为主的决策方法生成水资源优化配置基准方案,进而采用多目标决策方案优选的密切值模型求出了柴达木盆地宏观经济发展与水资源优化配置的最佳方案。     

矿井通风热阻力数值模拟研究

矿井风流流经井下热水、干热岩、火灾地点等局部高温区域时,风流吸收热量使其内能增加,高温风流在巷道内流动时会产生热阻力。针对如何确定井下风流加热流动时巷道内热阻力的实测范围这一问题,通过理论推导与数值模拟的方法对巷道内热阻力分布情况进行分析。由压力场的模拟结果得出风流加热流动时,所产生的热阻力不仅存在于加热区,高温风流向加热区下风侧流动时热阻力仍然存在。模拟结果表明:对于水平等截面管道,风流流经加热区时,风流速压增加,加热区内风流的静压降幅大于全压降幅;流出加热区的风流向管道出口处流动时,高温风流不断克服阻力做功,并与管道内的新鲜风流、壁面进行热交换,风流温度逐渐下降,当测定区间为加热区入口至模拟管道出口时,风流的静压降幅与全压降幅近似相等。研究结果对井下巷道、隧道及实际工程应用中热阻力的分析与研究都具有重要价值。     

When “It depends” amounts to more than simple contingent relationships: Three canonical forms of inversions

Organizational behavior theories can be subject to potential inversions in the nature of the effects expected or described (i.e. an effect inverts from positive to negative or vice versa). Yet, inversions are rarely considered or assessed. We explore three possible canonical inversions: the maximum or minimum point in a quadratic regression model, the point of intersection in disordinal interactions, and the change of slope in a moderated regression model. We describe both the motivation for, and the theoretical and empirical importance of, considering such inversions in theory‐building and testing. We consider common situations in which inversions are misinterpreted empirically and present methods to conduct explorations for potential inversions. Two different cases of errors concerning inversions can occur. In the first case entailing omission, an inversion is occurring but is not observed in the sample. In the second case, researchers wrongly assume an inversion is occurring in their model, yet the prospective inversion would actually occur out of the range of possible values on the focal variable(s), and is thus not significant. We illustrate different types of inversions using simulated examples. Ultimately, we seek to encourage and equip management researchers to identify important theoretical boundary conditions imposed by inversions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlates of group size in a cooperatively breeding cichlid fish (Neolamprologus pulcher)

Neolamprologus pulcher, a cooperatively breeding cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika, lives in permanent social groups comprising one breeding pair and helpers of both sexes. Variation in group size (1-14 helpers) provides an opportunity to investigate factors that affect how many helpers remain in a group and in turn how group size affects reproductive success. This field study showed that larger groups live in larger territories with more shelter. Group size was more strongly correlated with territory quality than with breeder size. Experimental enhancement of territory quality did not affect group size but group size decreased when territory quality was reduced. Breeders living in a large group benefit because such individuals feed more often and have lower workloads and greater reproductive success. Helpers in larger groups also fed more frequently but did not have lower workloads. This is one of the first experimental studies to examine the factors influencing group size in cooperative breeders.     

Impact of laboratory-imposed physical disturbance on the abundance of four isolates of marine gymnamoebae

Four species of gymnamoebae isolated from a sandy shore were subjected to physical disturbance within sand microcosms containing either 250 or 125 μm sand. Firstly, the effect of two different strengths of physical disturbance on amoebae populations within sand was investigated. Secondly, whether the size of sand grains occupied by amoebae populations changed their response to disturbance events was assessed. Highest abundances of amoebae were recorded in control flasks containing 125 μm sand. Increasing the strength of disturbance decreased the abundance of all four species. Abundances of the two smallest isolates (Platyamoeba sp. and a limax amoeba) were least affected by increasing disturbance. The greatest decrease in abundance was observed in populations of two larger (>15 μm) Mayorella sp. and Vannella sp. The greatest impact of physical disturbance was seen on populations within 250 μm sand. This study shows that physical disturbance may be an important community structuring force within natural marine gymnamoebae communities.     

应用环境应力分类的加速贮存退化试验评估方法

目的解决加速试验在估计产品贮存寿命中误差较大、未考虑结合实际贮存中的退化信息等问题。方法基于加速退化试验中广泛接受的基本假设,并将其应用到实际贮存中,把加速试验与实际贮存中的信息综合起来进行处理。结果得出了一种使用实际贮存信息修正试验预计结果、估计剩余寿命的方法。结论应用该方法在贮存过程中只需对少量性能参数进行测量,即可估计产品的剩余寿命。