scholarly journals Supporting Drivers of Partially Automated Cars through an Adaptive Digital In-Car Tutor

Information ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anika Boelhouwer ◽  
Arie Paul van den Beukel ◽  
Mascha C. van der Voort ◽  
Willem B. Verwey ◽  
Marieke H. Martens
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Guided Learning ◽  
Information Brochure ◽  
Simulator Study

Drivers struggle to understand how, and when, to safely use their cars’ complex automated functions. Training is necessary but costly and time consuming. A Digital In-Car Tutor (DIT) is proposed to support drivers in learning about, and trying out, their car automation during regular drives. During this driving simulator study, we investigated the effects of a DIT prototype on appropriate automation use and take-over quality. The study had three sessions, each containing multiple driving scenarios. Participants needed to use the automation when they thought that it was safe, and turn it off if it was not. The control group read an information brochure before driving, while the experiment group received the DIT during the first driving session. DIT users showed more correct automation use and a better take-over quality during the first driving session. The DIT especially reduced inappropriate reliance behaviour throughout all sessions. Users of the DIT did show some under-trust during the last driving session. Overall, the concept of a DIT shows potential as a low-cost and time-saving solution for safe guided learning in partially automated cars.

scholarly journals Analysis of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and AFP-L3 levels by protein microarray

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 4297-4305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Wu ◽  
Haidong Liu ◽  
Zhaobo Liu ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Aiying Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Protein Microarray ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Kappa Test ◽  
Spin Column ◽  
Serum Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Convenient Technique

Objectives This study aimed to examine a simple, effective, time-saving, and low-cost protein microarray method for detecting serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and AFP-L3 levels. Methods Serum samples from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 33) and control subjects (n = 39) were collected and evaluated for the presence of AFP using a novel protein microarray. Glycoprotein (including AFP-L3) was enriched from crude samples by a Hotgen Biotech glycosyl capture spin column and then detected by protein microarray. An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) was used to validate the measured values. Results Neither AFP levels lower than 20 ng/mL in the HCC group nor AFP levels higher than 20 ng/mL in the control group were found when tested by the ECLIA and protein microarray. The kappa test showed good consistency in the diagnostic performance of measuring serum AFP levels and the percentage of AFP-L3 in total AFP by the ECLIA and protein microarray. Protein microarray had advantages of smaller sample size required, low cost, and convenience compared with the ECLIA. Conclusion The protein microarray assay that was developed in the present study shows potential as an economic and convenient technique for detecting AFP and AFP-L3 levels in serum samples from patients with HCC.

scholarly journals Generation of High-Yield, Functional Oligodendrocytes from a c-myc Immortalized Neural Cell Line, Endowed with Staminal Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1124
Author(s):  
Mafalda Giovanna Reccia ◽  
Floriana Volpicelli ◽  
Eirkiur Benedikz ◽  
Åsa Fex Svenningsen ◽  
Luca Colucci-D’Amato
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Neural Cell ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Neuronal Marker ◽  
Differentiation Status

Neural stem cells represent a powerful tool to study molecules involved in pathophysiology of Nervous System and to discover new drugs. Although they can be cultured and expanded in vitro as a primary culture, their use is hampered by their heterogeneity and by the cost and time needed for their preparation. Here we report that mes-c-myc A1 cells (A1), a neural cell line, is endowed with staminal properties. Undifferentiated/proliferating and differentiated/non-proliferating A1 cells are able to generate neurospheres (Ns) in which gene expression parallels the original differentiation status. In fact, Ns derived from undifferentiated A1 cells express higher levels of Nestin, Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and glial fibrillary protein (GFAP), markers of stemness, while those obtained from differentiated A1 cells show higher levels of the neuronal marker beta III tubulin. Interestingly, Ns differentiation, by Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (bFGF) withdrawal, generates oligodendrocytes at high-yield as shown by the expression of markers, Galactosylceramidase (Gal-C) Neuron-Glial antigen 2 (NG2), Receptor-Interacting Protein (RIP) and Myelin Basic Protein (MBP). Finally, upon co-culture, Ns-A1-derived oligodendrocytes cause a redistribution of contactin-associated protein (Caspr/paranodin) protein on neuronal cells, as primary oligodendrocytes cultures, suggesting that they are able to form compact myelin. Thus, Ns-A1-derived oligodendrocytes may represent a time-saving and low-cost tool to study the pathophysiology of oligodendrocytes and to test new drugs.

scholarly journals TeleNeurological evaluation and Support for the Emergency Department (TeleNS-ED): protocol for an open-label clinical trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e048293
Author(s):  
Jessica Mandrioli ◽  
Mario Santangelo ◽  
Antonio Luciani ◽  
Stefano Toscani ◽  
Elisabetta Zucchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Control Group ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Hospital Networks

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic compelled health systems to protect patients and medical personnel during transit in hospitals by minimising transfers, prompting the use of telehealth systems. In the field of neurology, telemedicine has been used in emergency settings for acute stroke management between spoke and hub hospital networks, where good outcomes have been achieved. However, data on the use of telemedicine in non-stroke acute neurological conditions accessing the emergency department (ED) are currently missing.Methods and analysesThis is an interventional, open-label trial on the use of teleconsultation in the ED for neurological diseases other than stroke. The study aims to develop a remote consultancy system (TeleNeurological Evaluation and Support, TeleNS) for patients with acute neurological symptoms referred to hospital facilities without a 24-hour availability of a neurologist consultant (spoke hospitals). The study population will include 100 ED patients referred to two spoke hospitals in 6 months, who will be asked to perform teleconsultation instead of inperson visits. As a control group, retrospectively available data from patients admitted to the ED of spoke hospitals during the same time period over the last 2 years will be evaluated. The primary objective is to assess whether a TeleNS for the ED guarantees a faster but qualitatively non-inferior diagnostic/therapeutic work-up if compared with inperson examination, assuring the availability of all the necessary examinations and treatments with consistent time-saving.Ethics and disseminationThe trial was designed following the national guidelines on clinical investigation on telemedicine provided by the Italian Ministry of Health and according to the Standard Protocol Items for Randomized Trials statement guidelines. This research protocol was approved by Comitato Etico Area Vasta Emilia Nord in September 2020 (number/identification: 942/2020/DISP/AOUMO SIRER ID 805) and was written without patient involvement. Patients’ associations will be involved in the dissemination of study design and results. The results of the study will be presented during scientific symposia or published in scientific journals.Trial registration numberNCT04611295.

A Driving Simulator Study of the Performance Effects of Low Blood Alcohol Concentration

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (18) ◽  
pp. 943-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wade Allen ◽  
Zareh Parseghian ◽  
Anthony C. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Divided Attention ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Performance Effects ◽  
Driving Task ◽  
Simulator Study ◽  
And Performance

There is a large body of research that documents the impairing effect of alcohol on driving behavior and performance. Some of the most significant alcohol influence seems to occur in divided attention situations when the driver must simultaneously attend to several aspects of the driving task. This paper describes a driving simulator study of the effect of a low alcohol dose, .055 BAC (blood alcohol concentration %/wt), on divided attention performance. The simulation was mechanized on a PC and presented visual and auditory feedback in a truck cab surround. Subjects were required to control speed and steering on a rural two lane road while attending to a peripheral secondary task. The subject population was composed of 33 heavy equipment operators who were tested during both placebo and drinking sessions. Multivariate Analysis of Variance showed a significant and practical alcohol effect on a range of variables in the divided attention driving task.

RETRACTED: Impact of Information Bandwidth of In-Vehicle Technologies on Young Drivers’ Attention Maintenance Performance: A Driving Simulator Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1639-1643
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Young Drivers ◽  
Simulator Study ◽  
Vehicle Technologies ◽  
Maintenance Performance

This proceedings paper was inadvertently published after the authors notified the journal of their desire to withdraw the paper from the conference. The paper was not actually presented at the conference. This retraction is being issued at the authors’ request. The Journal, Human Factors, and SAGE apologize to the authors and readers for the inadvertent publication.

scholarly journals Viability of Biofertilizer Produced by an Indian Biodigester Prototype Applied to Sunflower Plants

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Luciano Fernandes Moura ◽  
Pedro Felipe Sousa Teixeira ◽  
Franklin Aragão Gondim ◽  
Francisco Holanda Nunes Junior ◽  
Rifandreo Monteiro Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Sunflower Crop ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Relative Chlorophyll Content

Biodigesters have been used to convert biomass into biogas and biofertilizers. This energy use has been important for the reduction of solid waste pollution in the environment. This work aims to analyse the viability of the use of pig biofertilizer produced by an Indian biodigester prototype, monitored by a data acquisition system. The biodigester used was an Indian prototype built on a low cost material that is easy to acquire (polyvinyl chloride-PVC). After the biofertilizer production, we tested its efficiency and viability under conditions of vegetation house in the cultivation of sunflower plants. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement with 4 concentrations of biofertilizer (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1) × 4 harvest periods (14, 21, 25 and 29 days after sowing). We evaluated biometric and vigor parameters by measurements of stem diameter, height of the aerial part, number of leaves and production of fresh and dry matter of roots, aerial and total parts, as well as the relative chlorophyll content. We performed the experiment with five repetitions using two plants each and we submitted the data to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and polynomial regression using the statistical software Sisvar 5.4. The functional Indian biodigester prototype produced a biofertilizer of excellent quality and viability as a biofertilizer for the initial growth of sunflower plants. The biofertilizer served as a nutritional source in the sunflower crop, since it provided increases in all the growth parameters analyzed in relation to the control group (plants in the absence of biofertilizer), especially in the concentration of 120 kg N ha-1.

Advance Information on the Road: A Simulator Study of the Effect of Road Markings

1976 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 521-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Witt ◽  
Carl G. Hoyos
Keyword(s):  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Driving Behavior ◽  
Speed Profile ◽  
The Road ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Road Signs ◽  
Advance Information ◽  
Simulator Study ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Accident Statistics

Accident statistics and studies of driving behavior have shown repeatedly that curved roads are hazardous. It was hypothesized that the safety of curves could be improved by indicating in advance the course of the road in a more effective way than do traditional road signs. A code of sequences of stripes put on right edge of the pavement was developed to indicate to the driver the radius of the curve ahead. The main characteristic of this code was the frequency of transitions from code elements to gaps between elements. The effect of these markings was investigated on a driving simulator. Twelve subjects drove on simulated roads of different curvature and with different placement of the code in the approach zone. Some positive effects of the advance information could be observed. The subjects drove more steadily, more precisely, and with a more suitable speed profile.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document