Crash risk perception of sleepy driving and its comparisons with drink driving and speeding: Which behavior is perceived as the riskiest?

- Objective Driver sleepiness is a major crash risk factor, but may be under-recognized as a risky driving behavior. Sleepy driving is usually rated as less of a road safety issue than more well-known risky driving behaviors, such as drink driving and speeding. The objective of this study was to compare perception of crash risk of sleepy driving, drink driving, and speeding. - Methods In total, 300 Australian drivers completed a questionnaire that assessed crash risk perceptions for sleepy driving, drink driving, and speeding. Additionally, the participants perception of crash risk was assessed for five different contextual scenarios that included different levels of sleepiness (low, high), driving duration (short, long), and time of day/circadian influences (afternoon, night-time) of driving. - Results The analysis confirmed that sleepy driving was considered a risky driving behavior, but not as risky as high levels of speeding (p < .05). Yet, the risk of crashing at 4 am was considered as equally risky as low levels of speeding (10 km over the limit). The comparisons of the contextual scenarios revealed driving scenarios that would arguably be perceived as quite risky due to time of day/circadian influences were not reported as high risk. - Conclusions The results suggest a lack of awareness or appreciation of circadian rhythm functioning, particularly the descending phase of circadian rhythm that promotes increased sleepiness in the afternoon and during the early hours of the morning. Yet, the results suggested an appreciation of the danger associated with long distance driving and driver sleepiness. Further efforts are required to improve the community’s awareness of the impairing effects from sleepiness and in particular, knowledge regarding the human circadian rhythm and the increased sleep propensity during the circadian nadir.

The effect of ball milling on the melting behavior of Sn-Cu-Ag eutectic alloy

Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solder alloys are the best Pb free alternative for electronic industry. Since their introduction, efforts are made to improve their efficacies by tuning the processing and composition to achieve lower melting point and better wettability. Nanostructured alloys with large boundary content are known to depress the melting points of metals and alloys. In this article we explore this possibility by processing prealloyed SAC alloys close to SAC305 composition (Sn-3wt%Ag-0.5wt%Cu) by mechanical milling which results in the formation of nanostructured alloys. Pulverisette ball mill (P7) and Vibratory ball mills are used to carry out the milling of the powders at room temperature and at lower temperatures (-104 A degrees C), respectively. We report a relatively smaller depression of melting point ranging up to 5 A degrees C with respect to original alloys. The minimum grain sizes achieved and the depression of melting point are similar for both room temperature and low-temperature processed samples. An attempt has been made to rationalize the observations in terms of the basic processes occurring during the milling.

Study on the elastic-plastic behavior of a porous hierarchical bioscaffold used for bone regeneration

A perfectly plastic von Mises model is proposed to study the elastic-plastic behavior of a porous hierarchical scaffold used for bone regeneration. The proposed constitutive model is implemented in a finite element (FE) routine to obtain the stress-strain relationship of a uniaxially loaded cube of the scaffold, whose constituent is considered to be composed of cortical bone. The results agree well with experimental data for uniaxial loading case of a cancellous bone. We find that the unhomogenized stress distribution results in different mechanical properties from but still comparable to our previous theory. The scaffold is a promising candidate for bone regeneration.

Synergy between tribo-oxidation and strain rate response on governing the dry sliding wear behavior of titanium.

The present work provides an insight into the dry sliding wear behavior of titanium based on synergy between tribo-oxidation and strain rate response. Pin-on-disc tribometer was used to characterize the friction and wear behavior of titanium pin in sliding contact with polycrystalline alumina disk under ambient and vacuum condition. The sliding speed was varied from 0.01 to 1.4 ms(-1), normal load was varied from 15.3 to 76 N and with a sliding distance of 1500 m. It was seen that dry sliding wear behavior of titanium was governed by combination of tribo-oxidation and strain rate response in near surface region of titanium. Strain rate response of titanium was recorded by conducting uni-axial compression tests at constant true strain rate of 100 s(-1) in the temperature range from 298 to 873 K. Coefficient of friction and wear rate were reduced with increased sliding speed from 0.01 to 1.0 ms(-1). This is attributed to the formation of in situ self lubricating oxide film (TiO) and reduction in the intensity of adiabatic shear band cracking in the near surface region. This trend was confirmed by performing series of dry sliding tests under vacuum condition of 2 x 10(-4) Torr. Characterization tools such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometer provided evidence of such processes. These experimental findings can be applied to enhance the dry sliding wear behavior of titanium with proper choice of operating conditions such as sliding speed, normal load, and environment.

Effects of tempered structure on the near threshold fatigue crack growth behavior of a coarse grained high strength steel

Near threshold fatigue crack growth behavior of a high strength steel under different temper levels was investigated. It is found that the observed variations in ΔKth could predominantly be attributed to roughness induced crack closure. The closure-free component of the threshold stress intensity range, ΔKeff,th showed a systematic variation with monotonic yield strength.

Dialkyl (3-Aryl- 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phosphonates: Synthesis and Thermal Behavior-Evidence for Monomeric Alkyl Metaphosphate

Dialkyl (3-aryl-l,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phosphonate6sa -h have been obtained by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of arenenitrile oxides 5a-f to dialkyl phosphorocyanidates (4a and 4b) in yields ranging between 30% and 58%. A standardized method for obtaining cyanidates 4a and 4b has been established. The diethyl thiophosphorocyanidate (4c) is less reactive than 4a and 4b, only the 3-(4'-nitrophenyl) derivative 6i being obtainable. While the IR and NMFt spectra of 6a-i were unexceptional, their UV spectra showed evidence of conjugative interaction in high degrees between the phosphonate and heterocyclic moieties as well as a varying conjugative interaction between the heterocyclic and aryl moieties. The oxadiazoles 6a-h are thermally labile and yield trialkyl phosphates 7 as the only identifiable products. A mechanism based on the intermediacy of monomeric alkyl metaphosphate 11 in the formation of trialkyl phosphate was postulated, and supportive evidence in the form of trapping the metaphosphate with acetophenone has been obtained.

Critical-Behavior Of The Diameters Of Liquid-Liquid Coexistence Curves

We have analyzed the diameters of the liquid–liquid coexistence curves of several binary liquid mixtures in search of the critical anomaly predicted by current theories. We find that while the data are consistent with the predicted functional form, the evidence for such an anomaly is not compelling.

Fluidity, Permeability And Antioxidant Behavior Of Model Membranes Incorporated With Alpha-Tocopherol And Vitamin-E Acetate

Magnetic resonance studies reveal a marked difference between the binding of α-tocopherol and that of the corresponding acetate (vitamin E acetate) with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles. This is reflected in differences in the phase-transition curves of the DPPC vesicles incorporated with the two compounds, as well as in the 13C relaxation times and line widths. A model for the incorporation of these molecules in lipid bilayers has been suggested. α-Tocopherol binds strongly with the lipids, possibly through a hydrogen bond formation between the hydroxyl group of the former and one of the oxygen atoms of the latter. The possibility of such a hydrogen bond formation is excluded in vitamin E acetate, which binds loosely through the normal hydrophobic interaction. The model for lipid-vitamin interaction explains the in vitro decomposition of H2O2 by α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol in conjuction with H2O2 can also act as a free-radical scavenger in the lipid phase. The incorporation of α-tocopherol and vitamin E acetate in DPPC vesicles enhances the permeability of lipid bilayers for small molecules such as sodium ascorbate.

The Homeless Etiquette : Social Interaction and Behavior Among the Homeless in Taito Ward, Tokyo

The thesis focuses on the social interaction and behavior of the homeless living in Tokyo's Taito Ward. The study is based on the author's own ethnographic field research carried out in the autumn 2003. The chosen methodologies were based on the methodology called "participant observation", and they were used depending on the context. The ethnographic field research was carried out from the mid-August to the beginning of the October in 2003. The most important targets of the research were three separate loosely knit groups placed in certain parts of Taito Ward. One of these groups was based in proximity to the Ueno train station, one group gathered every morning around a homeless support organization called San'yûkai, and one was based in Tamahime Park located in the old San'ya area of Tokyo. The analysis is based on the aspects of Takie Sugiyama Lebra's theory of "social relativism". Lebra's theory consists of the following, arguably universal aspects: belongingness, empathy, dependence, place in the society, and reciprocity. In addition, all the interaction and behavior is tied to the context and the situation. According to Lebra, ritual and intimate situations produce similar action, which is socially relative. Of these, the norms of the ritual behavior are more regulated, while the intimate bahavior is less spontaneous. On the contrary, an anomic situation produces anomic behavior, which is not socially relative. Lebra's theory is critically reviewed by the author of the thesis, and the author has attempted to modify the theory to make it more adaptable to the present-day society and to the analysis. Erving Goffman's views of the social interaction and Anthony Giddens' theories about the social structures have been used as complementary thoretical basis. The aim of the thesis is to clarify, how and why the interaction and the behavior of some homeless individuals in some situations follow the aspects of Lebra's "social relativism", and on the other hand, why in some situations they do not. In the latter cases the answers can be sought from regional and individual differences, or from the inaptness of the theory to analyze the presented situation. Here, a significant factor is the major finding of the field study: the so called "homeless etiquette", which is an abstract set of norms and values that influences the social interaction and behavior of the homeless, and with which many homeless individuals presented in the study complied. The fundamental goal of the thesis is to reach profound understanding about the daily life of the homeless, whose lives were studied. The author argues that this kind of profound understanding is necessary in looking for sustainable solutions in the areas of social and housing policy to improve the position of the homeless and the qualitative functioning of the society.

Asymptotic behavior of a hierarchical system of learning automata

Learning automata arranged in a two-level hierarchy are considered. The automata operate in a stationary random environment and update their action probabilities according to the linear-reward- -penalty algorithm at each level. Unlike some hierarchical systems previously proposed, no information transfer exists from one level to another, and yet the hierarchy possesses good convergence properties. Using weak-convergence concepts it is shown that for large time and small values of parameters in the algorithm, the evolution of the optimal path probability can be represented by a diffusion whose parameters can be computed explicitly.

Analysis Of The Dielectric Behavior Of Castor Oil Impregnated All-Paper Capacitors

Several new liquids impregnants for capacitors have been suggested as possible alternatives to PCB'S which are being replaced in view of their harmful effects.The application of castor oil, a vegetable product, has been studied in the authors laboratary with the same obejective.

Modeling of dynamic material behavior in hot deformation: Forging of Ti-6242

A new method of modeling material behavior which accounts for the dynamic metallurgical processes occurring during hot deformation is presented. The approach in this method is to consider the workpiece as a dissipator of power in the total processing system and to evaluate the dissipated power co-contentJ = ∫o σ ε ⋅dσ from the constitutive equation relating the strain rate (ε) to the flow stress (σ). The optimum processing conditions of temperature and strain rate are those corresponding to the maximum or peak inJ. It is shown thatJ is related to the strain-rate sensitivity (m) of the material and reaches a maximum value(J max) whenm = 1. The efficiency of the power dissipation(J/J max) through metallurgical processes is shown to be an index of the dynamic behavior of the material and is useful in obtaining a unique combination of temperature and strain rate for processing and also in delineating the regions of internal fracture. In this method of modeling, noa priori knowledge or evaluation of the atomistic mechanisms is required, and the method is effective even when more than one dissipation process occurs, which is particularly advantageous in the hot processing of commercial alloys having complex microstructures. This method has been applied to modeling of the behavior of Ti-6242 during hot forging. The behavior of α+ β andβ preform microstructures has been exam-ined, and the results show that the optimum condition for hot forging of these preforms is obtained at 927 °C (1200 K) and a strain rate of 1CT•3 s•1. Variations in the efficiency of dissipation with temperature and strain rate are correlated with the dynamic microstructural changes occurring in the material.

Discrepancy Between Antennal and Behavioral Responses for Enantiomers of a-Pinene: Electrophysiology and Behavior of Helicoverpa Armigera (Lepidoptera)

The ability of adult cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), to distinguish and respond to enantiomers of α-pinene was investigated with electrophysiological and behavioral methods. Electroantennogram recordings using mixtures of the enantiomers at saturating dose levels, and single unit electrophysiology, indicated that the two forms were detected by the same receptor neurons. The relative size of the electroantennogram response was higher for the (−) compared to the (+) form, indicating greater affinity for the (−) form at the level of the dendrites. Behavioral assays investigated the ability of moths to discriminate between, and respond to the (+) and (−) forms of α pinene. Moths with no odor conditioning showed an innate preference for (+)-α-pinene. This preference displayed by naıve moths was not significantly different from the preferences of moths conditioned on (+)-α-pinene. However, we found a significant difference in preference between moths conditioned on the (−) enantiomer compared to naıve moths and moths conditioned on (+)-α-pinene, showing that learning plays an important role in the behavioral response. Moths are less able to distinguish between enantiomers of α-pinene than different odors (e.g., phenylacetaldehyde versus (−)-α-pinene) in learning experiments. The relevance of receptor discrimination of enantiomers and learning ability of the moths in host plant choice is discussed.

Volumetric behavior of ethylene and ethylene-hydrogen mixtures

A Burnett apparatus deslgned and fabrlcated was used to collect volumetric data for ethylene and ethylene-hydrogen mixtures. Measurements were made In the temperature range 298.15-423.15 K at Intervals of 25 K and In the pressure range 0.3-7.0 MPa. Vlrlal coefflclents derlved from the compresslblllty data are tabulated. The data are fltted to different equations of state.

Risk assessment of wandering behavior in mild dementia

Objective This prospective longitudinal study aims to determine the risk factors of wandering-related adverse consequences in community-dwelling persons with mild dementia. These adverse consequences include negative outcomes of wandering (falls, fractures, and injuries) and eloping behavior. Methods We recruited 143 dyads of persons with mild dementia and their caregivers from a veteran's hospital and memory clinic in Florida. Wandering-related adverse consequences were measured using the Revised Algase Wandering Scale – Community Version. Variables such as personality (Big Five Inventory), behavioral response to stress, gait, and balance (Tinetti Gait and Balance), wayfinding ability (Wayfinding Effectiveness Scale), and neurocognitive abilities (attention, cognition, memory, language/verbal skills, and executive functioning) were also measured. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the predictors of these wandering-related adverse consequences. Results A total of 49% of the study participants had falls, fractures, and injuries due to wandering behavior, and 43.7% demonstrated eloping behaviors. Persistent walking (OR = 2.6) and poor gait (OR = 0.9) were significant predictors of negative outcomes of wandering, while persistent walking (OR = 13.2) and passivity (OR = 2.55) predicted eloping behavior. However, there were no correlations between wandering-related adverse consequences and participants' characteristics (age, gender, race, ethnicity, and education), health status (Charlson comorbidity index), or neurocognitive abilities. Conclusion Our results highlight the importance of identifying at-risk individuals so that effective interventions can be developed to reduce or prevent the adverse consequences of wandering.