Sensitivity evaluation of the visual,tactile, and auditory detection response task method while driving

Objectives: In this article, we evaluate the sensitivity to cognitive load of 3 versions of the Detection Response Task method (DRT), proposed in ISO Draft Standard DIS-17488.

Methods: We present a user study with 30 participants in which we compared the sensitivity to cognitive load of visual, audio, and tactile DRT in a simulated driving environment. The amount of cognitive load was manipulated with secondary n-back tasks at 2 levels of difficulty (0-back and 1-back). We also explored whether the DRT method is least sensitive to cognitive load when the stimuli and secondary task are of the same modality. For this purpose, we used 3 forms to present the n-back task stimuli: visual, audio, and tactile. Responses to the task were always vocal. The experiment was based on a between-subject design (the DRT modalities) with 2 levels of within-subject design study (modalities and difficulty of the secondary n-back tasks). The participants' primary task in the study was to drive safely, and a second priority was to answer to DRT stimuli and perform secondary tasks.

Results: The results indicate that all 3 versions of the DRT tested were sensitive to detecting the difference in cognitive load between the reference driving period and driving and engaging in the secondary tasks. Only the visual DRT discriminated between the 0-back and 1-back conditions on mean response time. Contrary to expectations, no interaction was observed between DRT modality and the stimuli modality used for presentation of the secondary tasks.

Conclusions: None of the 3 methods of presenting DRT stimuli showed a consistent advantage in sensitivity in differentiating multiple levels of cognitive load if all response times, hit rates, and secondary task performance are considered. If only response time is considered, the visual presentation of the DRT stimulus used in this study showed some advantages. In interpreting these data, it should be noted that the methods of DRT stimulus presentation varied somewhat from the currently proposed draft ISO standard and it is possible that the relative salience level of the visual DRT stimulus influenced the findings. It is further suggested that more than 2 levels of difficulty of the n-back task should be considered for further investigation of the relative sensitivity of different DRT stimuli modalities. Parameters that indicate change in cognitive load (response time, hit rate, task performance) should be analyzed together in assessing the overall impact on the driver and not individually, in order to obtain a fuller insight of the assessed cognitive load.     

Representativity and univocity of traffic signs and their effect on trajectory movement in a driving simulation task: Warning signs

Objective: The effect of traffic signs on the behavior of drivers is not completely understood. Knowing about how humans process the meaning of signs (not just by learning but instinctively) will improve reaction time and decision making when traveling. The economic, social, and psychological consequences of car accidents are well known.

Methods: This study sounds out which traffic signs are more ergonomic for participants, from a cognitive point of view, and determines, at the same time, their effect in participants' movement trajectories in a driving simulation task.

Results: Results point out that the signs least representative of their meaning produce a greater deviation from the center of the road than the most representative ones.

Conclusions: This study encourages both an in-depth analysis of the effect on movement of roadside signs and the study of how this effect can be modified by the context in which these signs are presented (with the aim to move the research closer to and analyze the data in real contexts). The goal is to achieve clarity of meaning and lack of counterproductive effects on the trajectory of representative signs (those that provoke fewer mistakes in the decision task).     

Are you okay to drive? Commuting behavior and blood alcohol concentrations among restaurant diners

Objective: Drink driving is widely recognized as a major road safety problem. In Australia, health promotion messages encourage monitoring the number of standard drinks consumed prior to driving. This pilot research aimed to investigate commuting behavior and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of diners, including intended drivers, at Sunshine Coast restaurants.

Methods: Five hundred and forty-four diners (n = 260 males) consented to participate in a brief interview and to use a breathalyzer device to measure their BAC.

Results: Forty percent of participants advised they don't drink and drive (34% of males, 45% of females; 67.25% of <17–20 years, 30.5% of 50–59 years), and of the remaining participants, 75% advised they count the number of their drinks (69% of males, 84% of females; 32% of <17–20 years, 82% of 50–59 years), while 10% of participants monitored their BAC by how they were feeling (12% of males, 6% of females). Thirty-seven percent of participants said it was easy/very easy to estimate their BAC (41% of males; 33% of females; 21% of <17–20 years, 43% of 50–59 years). The actual BAC was less than expected for 56% of participants, with one-third underestimating BAC and some intended drivers having an actual BAC in excess of the 0.05 limit.

Conclusions: Given the proportion of diners who reported they count the number of drinks, or use feelings as a way to gauge BAC, coupled with the considerable proportion who underestimated their BAC, a safer public health message is to avoid driving if you intend to drink. In addition, targeted intervention for experienced drivers (and, arguably, drinkers) appears warranted, as every participant aged less than 21 years who stated he or she would drive home indeed had a zero BAC. Interestingly every female driver who stated she would be driving home also had a legal BAC, suggesting gender-specific intervention.     

河流湿地氮循环修复过程中的新型功能微生物

自然生态系统中厌氧氨氧化菌和氨氧化古菌的发现,改变了人们对传统氮循环过程的认识.通过氨氧化古菌和厌氧氨氧化菌在缺氧/厌氧的条件下完成硝化反应和封闭的氮循环,对于河流氮循环生态修复意义显著.通过PCR聚合酶链反应结合水体沉积物理化指标,研究典型河流湿地中厌氧氨氧化菌和氨氧化古菌及其在循环中的作用.结果表明,在海河支流北运河湿地中存在厌氧氨氧化菌和氨氧化古菌,它们对于水体和底泥沉积物的氮转化有较重要作用.通过构建16S rRNA克隆文库生物多样性分析比较,发现湿地中厌氧氨氧化菌的生物多样性相对较低,96个克隆序列只分为3个OTUs;其与基因库(GenBank)中已探明的厌氧氨氧化菌Candidatus"Kuenenia stuttgartiensis"和Candidatus"Brocadia fulgida"的相似度分别为98%和95%.通过建立氨氧化古菌克隆文库发现,96个克隆子共得到5个OTUs,其与GenBank中关系最近序列(土壤/沉积物中)的相似度均大于95%;对本实验样本和水相、土壤/沉积物相中不同氨氧化古菌进行进化谱系分析,发现北运河河流湿地的古菌amoA基因属于土壤/沉积物进化分支.     

好氧硝化颗粒污泥搁置后活性恢复研究

利用气提式内循环间歇反应器(SBAR)考察好氧硝化颗粒污泥搁置2个月后重新投入运行, 其物理性状和微生物活性的恢复情况. 结果表明, 搁置后颗粒由棕黄色转为灰黑色, 粒径及沉降速率无明显变化. 颗粒重新投入反应器, 2周后颜色基本恢复; 污泥浓度、颗粒粒径以及沉降速率迅速增加; 颗粒中异养菌活性在1 d内即可恢复至原水平的86％, COD去除活性5 d后完全恢复, 去除率稳定在80%以上. 活性恢复阶段采用较高的曝气量和较长的循环时间有利于硝化菌的活性恢复, 第41 d曝气量由0.05 m³·h^-1提高到0.10 m³·h^-1后, 亚硝酸菌和硝酸菌活性分别由原水平的88%和82%提高到122%和92%, 氨氮去除率由之前的80% ～ 90%迅速提高到96%以上; 第65 d循环时间由4 h延长至6 h使硝酸菌的活性得到了完全恢复.     

电路板环境应力筛选方法效能分析

论述了对设计、工艺成熟电路板组件的环境应力筛选方法,对比恒定高温、温度循环、温度冲击、振动及其组合筛选的筛选度,并进行效能比分析。通过对比各种应力对有较大共性的电路板组件筛选的分析,对GJB 1032进行适当裁减,提出了不少于10个温度循环加随机振动的筛选组合,以适应电路板板级筛选要求,提高效能比。     

贵州近50年来的径流过程时空演变特征及驱动因素诊断

本文以贵州10个径流站覆盖近50年的实测月径流资料(1956~2000)及19个气象站同期实测资料为基础,结合Mann-Kendall趋势分析和流量历时曲线FDCs等方法,分析了时间变异点(1986年)前后贵州8大主要流域的径流过程的年度和季节变化、洪枯水变化规律及其演变的空间特征。结果表明:(1)从时间规律上看,贵州主要江河近50年间径流变化大部分测站呈现小幅增加趋势,个别下游水文站径流呈明显增加趋势;(2)1987~2000年期间贵州的汛期径流和1956~1986年期间相比更加集中了;(3)贵州大多数水文站月径流洪水指标(Q5)在1986年后有不同幅度增加,而枯水指标(Q95)1986年后涨跌互现。与之对应的洪水指数(Q5/Q50)及枯水指数(Q95/Q50)也存在类似规律;(4)从空间规律上看,贵州西北部地区和东南部地区径流减少,其它地方(主要集中在乌江上游)增加。贵州1986年前后近50年时期内的降水及蒸发的空间规律与其径流变化空间规律是基本吻合的,说明贵州过去近50年来的径流过程变化主要是由气候变化引起的。本文的研究结果对保证并促进贵州地区区域水资源、生态与环境和谐健康的可持续发展具有非常重要的战略意义和科学价值。     

污水管道中硫循环三阶段模型研究综述

污水在管道输送的过程中很容易出现厌氧环境,产生的硫化氢常引起恶臭、中毒和腐蚀等一系列问题。这些问题可归结为因硫元素在管道中不同相态间的迁移转化所致,该过程主要包括三个阶段：污水中硫化物的产生和扩散、硫化氢由液相到气相的逸散以及管壁上硫化氢的氧化进而引起混凝土等管道腐蚀。对这三阶段机理模型进行了归纳总结,最后在三阶段模型的基础上阐述了控制和预防硫化氢问题的方法,从而为污水输送系统的运行、管理和设计提供参考。     

电子信息产品的生命周期评价

电子信息产品的大量生产与使用造成严重的环境污染,影响着人类健康和生态安全。利用生命周期评价技术对电子信息产品的原材料获取、生产、销售运输和使用阶段进行环境影响分析,并得出电子产品在使用阶段的环境影响最为重要。生产商不但要关注生产过程中的环境影响,更应该注重生产低能耗产品。     

济南市泉城公园生态环境需水量初步研究

以生态优先原则、兼容性原则、最大值原则和水质为重点的原则,采用生态环境需水量计算法中的直接计算法、功能法及换水周期法,从林地生态需水量、草地生态需水量、人工河湖蒸发需水量、人工河湖净化需水量、生物栖息地需水量、人工河湖渗漏需水量、景观与娱乐需水量和公园内设施用水等八个方面,对济南市泉城公园的生态环境需水量进行了初步研究。结果表明,在2005年气候条件下,济南泉城公园的生态环境需水量大约为1．0467×10^6m^3。在此基础上对提高泉城公园水资源利用价值及节约用水等方面提出了建议。