Monotonous Conditions Research Articles

Room Steering Temperature Determination with Variable Concerned of Driver Conditions Who are Sleep Deprived and Road Condition

Among the main reasons for the high death rate worldwide are traffic accidents. The most common cause of road accidents is driver fatigue. Not getting enough sleep is one thing that makes people tired. A study on how sleep-deprived sleep-deprived drivers felt about themselves was conducted, and the results showed that they were tired. A potential preventive measure against the driver's extreme weariness is the room steering temperature. The goal of this research is to find the room temperature range that produces the most minor drowsiness is this research's goal. The research used six treatments in a 40-minute driving simulator: hot, cold, pleasant room temperature steering, and monotonous and non-monotonous road conditions. With the Electroencephalogram, one may measure one's state of sleepiness by monitoring brain wave activity. Six treatments were administered to each of the study's four young adult male participants. Teta, alpha, and beta wave powers are derived by processing data from brain wave activity using Matlab R2009A. An ANOVA test is used to discover which factors affect the degree of drowsiness by using the ratio of sleepiness level, which is determined using the equation (θ + α) /β. ANOVA test results indicated that while road conditions and room steering temperature impacted sleepiness, their interaction had no effect. Just the hot-cold level is found to be significantly different by the Tukey and Newman Keuls tests. For sleep-deprived drivers, the temperature differences between hot and cold conditions result in varying drowsiness. The research's practical conclusion is that, for sleep-deprived drivers, a hot temperature range (>26°C–29°C) can result in the lowest level of tiredness.

Towards a task to assess boredom-like states in pigs-Stimulus validation as a basis.

Animal boredom is a potentially prevalent, but underresearched animal welfare concern. To study the characteristics of boredom and its welfare consequences, we need to be sure that animals are actually bored and do not suffer from other negatively valenced states like apathy and depression. Animals' responses towards stimuli of different valence (positive, ambiguous, negative) have been suggested to help differentiating between these states. Apathetic animals are hypothesised to show a decreased interest in stimuli of all valences, whereas depressed animals are thought to be less interested in positive stimuli only, due to anhedonia, a key symptom of depression. In contrast, bored animals are hypothesised to show an increased interest in all types of stimuli, including negative ones. To ensure that the applied stimuli are indeed judged as positive, ambiguous or negative by the animals, we aimed to validate the valence of a range of stimuli in domesticated pigs, a species commonly kept under barren and monotonous conditions likely to induce boredom, as a basis for developing a task to distinguish between different negative states. Applying a within-subject design, 39 pigs (20 weaned piglets, 19 gilts) were individually exposed to twelve stimuli pre-classified as positive, ambiguous or negative in an approach-avoidance paradigm. The effects of stimulus, age (piglet, gilt) and their interaction on various approach and avoidance measures were analysed. Stimulus had a statistically significant effect on all measures and the observed pattern was according to pre-classification for many stimuli, but not all, resulting in a re-classification of the valence of five stimuli. The significant interaction between stimulus and age for some outcome measures indicates that age differences should be considered. Our study paves the ground for the selection of stimuli as well as outcome measures of future tasks aiming to differentiate between boredom, depression and apathy in pigs.

A systematic mapping framework for backpack mobile mapping system in common monotonous environments

A mobile mapping system (MMS) is a widely-used platform to collect geospatial information. However, in the monotonous environment, current methods have inadequate performance in mapping accuracy because of lacking geometric features and constraints for point cloud alignment. We propose a systematic pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) augmentation mapping framework for backpack MMS. The framework starts with data acquisition, followed by our proposed lightweight monotonous scene recognition method based on statistical features. An indicator is also proposed to measure monotonous degrees. Then, a step detection of PDR based on four-layer long short-term memory (LSTM) networks is implemented. Lastly, the PDR information is fused with the LiDAR odometry by a factor graph (FG). Experiments are conducted in two common monotonous environments, a tunnel and a long narrow alley. The results show that adding the PDR information can improve the mapping accuracy from meter-level to decimeter-lever or even centimeter-level in less serious monotonous conditions.

Character Education Oriented Discovery Model in Description Text Learning in Smp/Mts

The monotonous and boring learning conditions for students occur because there is no proper learning approach. Then, it was found that students had difficulties in learning descriptive text, because they had little vocabulary, and limited ideas to write about. In addition, one thing that is very important in the learning process is the growth of character values. A nation will fall down if its young generation has low morale, easily gives up, almost lost honesty, lacks discipline, lacks responsibility, and thins out the sense of Nationalism. Of the existing problems, of course, must find a solution, that's why research is done. This study aims to determine the design of the discovery model that is oriented towards character education in learning description texts in SMP/MTs. In this study we used the Research and Development (R&D) method with a Design Based Research (DBR) approach. This study involved 2 experts as validators, and 4 teachers as model users, namely Indonesian language teachers. The teachers came from State Junior High Schools, Private Junior High Schools, State MTs, and Private MTs. The results showed that the design of the discovery model oriented to character education in descriptive text learning is a new learning model that combines discovery learning models with character education, as well as descriptive text teaching materials containing character values. Based on the model syntax validation data, in general the assessment of the two validators concluded that the syntax of the character education-oriented discovery learning model obtained is a very feasible category. Furthermore, the feasibility test on the learning objectives of the descriptive text, the teachers gave an assessment that it is above the minimum completeness criteria, which means that it is very feasible to use. The results of the study indicate that the teacher of the discovery model oriented to character education in learning description texts in SMP/MTs is very much needed.

Performance Prediction Model on Driving Train Simulator Based on Alertness and Sleepiness Level Result

alertness and sleepiness level. Fatigue is also caused by boredom due to monotonous road conditions. One way to prevent accidents is to predict one's driving performance when carrying out their duties. This study aims to build a performance prediction model based on the results of the level of alertness and sleepiness test in monotonous road conditions. This study uses a Train Simulator for 120 minutes to describe a driving activity. This study involved 5 male and 3 female participants aged 22-38 years. Each participant will receive the same treatment based on sleep duration (4 and 8 hours) and sleep quality (good and poor) the night before. Performance prediction models are built using multiple regression analysis based on the highest adjusted coefficient of determination (R2). The results of a performance prediction model with an adjusted R2 of 61.2% and with the final variable entered into the model based on Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) measurement tools is mean reaction time (MRTPVT), Sustained Attention Test (SAT) measurement tools are % number of missed targets (NMTSAT), and SOFI measurement tools are physical exertion (PE).

Positive solution of Hilfer fractional differential equations with integral boundary conditions

In this article, we have interested the study of the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions of the first-order nonlinear Hilfer fractional differential equation $$D_{0^{+}}^{\alpha ,\beta }y(t)=f(t,y(t)),\text{ }0<t\leq 1,$$ with the integral boundary condition $$I_{0^{+}}^{1-\gamma }y(0)=\lambda \int_{0}^{1}y(s)ds+d,$$ where $0<\alpha \leq 1,$ $0\leq \beta \leq 1,$ $\lambda \geq 0,$ $d\in \mathbb{R}^{+},$ and $D_{0^{+}}^{\alpha ,\beta }$, $I_{0^{+}}^{1-\gamma }$ are fractional ope\-rators in the Hilfer, Riemann-Liouville concepts, respectively. In this approach, we transform the given fractional differential equation into an equivalent integral equation. Then we establish sufficient conditions and employ the Schauder fixed point theorem and the method of upper and lower solutions to obtain the existence of a positive solution of a given problem. We also use the Banach contraction principle theorem to show the existence of a unique positive solution. The result of existence obtained by structure the upper and lower control functions of the nonlinear term is without any monotonous conditions. Finally, an example is presented to show the effectiveness of our main results.

It’s so boring – or is it? Examining the role of mindfulness for work performance and attitudes in monotonous jobs

We examine the role of employee mindfulness in the context of highly monotonous work conditions. Integrating research on task monotony with theorizing on mindfulness, we hypothesized that mindfulness is negatively associated with the extent to which employees feel generally bored by their jobs. We further hypothesized that this lower employee boredom would relate to downstream outcomes in the form of job attitudes (job satisfaction and turnover intentions) and task performance. We examined both objective task performance quality and quantity to shed light on the complexity of the mindfulness–task performance relation, which has so far mostly been investigated using subjective supervisor ratings. In a sample of 174 blue‐collar workers in a Mexican company, results showed that employee mindfulness was negatively related to boredom. Further, mindfulness was positively related to job satisfaction and negatively to turnover intentions, partly mediated through boredom. Mindfulness turned out to be a double‐edged sword for task performance in monotonous jobs: Mindfulness was positively related to task performance quality but negatively related to quantity.Practitioner points In repetitive, monotonous jobs held by millions of people worldwide, more mindful employees perceive their job as less boring. Furthermore, mindful employees have higher job satisfaction and are less likely to quit. With regard to objective job performance, mindfulness can be a double‐edged sword: It positively affects objective performance quality via boredom, but negatively affects objective performance quantity directly.

Natural behaviours, their drivers and their implications for laying hen welfare

Some believe that farm animals need to be kept in conditions that provide ‘natural’ aspects in the animal’s environment and, thus, provide the opportunity for the animals to perform their full ‘behavioural repertoire’. Captivity may restrict either behaviours that animals have instinctive, intrinsic propensities to perform whatever the environment or behaviours that are elicited by deficits in the animals’ environment. Behavioural restriction may also thwart general motivation to seek variety and/or avoid monotonous conditions. Appreciating whether an animal suffers if deprived of the opportunity to perform natural behaviour requires, first, an understanding of how the behaviour in question is elicited and controlled, the effects of early experience and genetics on the behaviour and the behaviour of the species in the wild, and, second, the behavioural, physiological and fitness effects of deprivation of the behaviour. Housing laying hens in conventional cages compromises their behavioural repertoire, such as nesting in a nest box, dust bathing, perching and foraging, and the present review focuses on the welfare implications if these natural behaviours are thwarted in modern poultry production. A floor space of <561 cm2/hen increases physiological stress, reduces egg production and increases mortality in laying hens. There is also evidence of behavioural restriction in terms of reduced wing stretching, leg stretching, tail wagging, locomotion, floor and object pecking and preening with floor space in the range of 542–750 cm2/hen. Preference and motivation research has indicated that laying hens value resources such as nest boxes for oviposition, substrates for foraging and dust bathing, and perches for roosting. However, there is no convincing evidence that deprivation of these resources results in physiological stress. Furthermore, apart from adverse effects of the absence of perches on bone strength, there is no evidence that deprivation of nest boxes, perches, and foraging and dust-bathing substrates results in reduction in fitness such as reduced egg production or health. Nevertheless, preference research has indicated that the opportunity to utilise these resources, particularly nest boxes, may elicit positive emotional states in laying hens. Therefore, it is important to understand both how motivated the animal is to choose an option or perform a behaviour as well as the consequences of depriving the animal of this opportunity.

0225 Can Caffeine Sustain Attention and Vigilance Under Prolonged Monotonous Conditions During 77 Hours of Total Sleep Deprivation?

0225 Can Caffeine Sustain Attention and Vigilance Under Prolonged Monotonous Conditions During 77 Hours of Total Sleep Deprivation?

Primary insomnia patients’ performances during simulated car following and urban driving in the afternoon

According to epidemiological studies, insomnia is associated with an increase in risk of traffic accidents. Recent investigations revealed that patients with insomnia had driving performance impairment under monotonous conditions. However, it is unclear whether other driving abilities may be impacted by insomnia, especially those needing more attentional resources than those involved in monotonous driving. Other findings revealed that impaired performances are more likely to occur with the increase of cognitive demands. However, such tests did not reflect difficulties in situations of everyday life expressed by patients with insomnia, such as driving in an urban environment with traffic and critical situations. Therefore, behaviour in situations encountered in everyday life has to be explored. The aim of the present study was to assess driving performances of patients with insomnia in daily routine tasks such as urban and car-following tests. For this purpose, 15 patients with insomnia and 16 good sleepers performed an urban test of driving with original risk scenarios and a car-following test during the middle afternoon. No significant behavioural difference between patients with insomnia and good sleepers has been found in both the urban test and the car-following test, showing that patients with insomnia have no impairment in behaviour implicated in daily contexts driving tasks of short period of time performed in the late afternoon. Although our results provide a first step towards knowledge of behavioural performance during daily routine driving tasks in patients with insomnia, future studies are needed using on-the-road driving tests and/or different population of patients with insomnia before generalisation.

Effects of Prolonged Tasks and Rest Patterns on Driver's Visual Behaviors, Driving Performance, and Sleepiness Awareness in Tunnel Environments: A Simulator Study

Driving sleepiness is one of the most important potential causes of traffic accidents, especially for long-distance drivers under monotonous conditions. In this study, 68 professional, male coach drivers were recruited to participate in 2-, 3-, and 4-h driving tasks on a simulated mountainous expressway and then were given a 15- or 30-min rest with or without music stimulus to recover. At the end of each driving task and rest period, the driver’s eye movement indicators, driving performance measures, and subjective sleepiness level were examined via eye tracking device, performance testers, and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the variation of each variable at different stages. The statistical analysis revealed that the driving duration and rest patterns have significant impacts on the driver’s visual behaviors and driving performance. The participants’ blink duration, eye closure duration, reaction time, number of incorrect action judgments, and subjective level of sleepiness significantly changed as driving time increased. Drivers recovered sufficiently after a general 30-min rest or a 15-min rest with music after 2- and 3-h driving tasks, but required a 30-min rest with music as stimulus after 4-h driving task. These results provide insight into potential strategies for traffic safety improvements among long-distance drivers.

Study on the Bearing Mode and Force Transfer Path of Composite Bucket Foundations

This paper elaborates on a new composite bucket foundation (CBF) structural system for offshore wind turbines. The proposed CBF consists of a special force transition section, a beam system structure upper steel bucket cover and a large-scale steel bucket with honeycomb structure rooms. It can be prefabricated onshore, self-floated on the sea and then towed to the appointed sea area before sinking to the sea soil under negative pressure. This is called the “one-step” installation technology. Arc- and line-type bucket foundations are calculated by both theory and the finite element method to discuss their force transfer paths and bearing modes. Owning to the special structural form, the transition section can effectively convert the huge load and bending moment into controllable tension and compressive stress, as well as adjust the structure balance. The bearing model and percentage of each part of the composite foundation under monotonous and ultimate load conditions are also calculated. Results indicate that the bearing mode of CBF is a typical top cover mode. In addition, the curvature impact of arc-type is studied and the results reveal that the structure type of the transition section is more important than the diameter ratio between the bottom transition section and the bucket.

Drivers' Attitude Towards Caffeine Chewing Gum As Countermeasure To Driver Task-Related Fatigue

Abstract: Driver fatigue is one of the major contributors to road accidents. In this study, we refer to task-related fatigue, in contrast to sleep-related fatigue. Sleep-related fatigue decrements in driving performance are related to the circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, and sleep deprivation or restriction. Task-related fatigue depends on driving conditions: active and passive task-related fatigue may arise according to the combination of driving task and driving environment. Active task-related fatigue is related to overload driving conditions, and passive task-related fatigue with underload ones. Several countermeasures have been proposed to face the problem of driver fatigue, such as taking a nap or caffeine beverages. The intake of caffeine has shown the enhancement of vigilance and choice reaction time. Those enhancements have an effect within 5-10 min in a caffeine chewing gum compared with 30 to 45 min in coffee. The enhancement in alertness within 5 min is crucial and potentially can reduce sleep related car accidents. Recent study showed that the caffeine effect is directly related to driving performance in monotonous conditions. In this study, two groups of drivers were asked to provide their preferences on several products that might positively affect their driving performance on long and monotonous conditions. The first group composed of participants that drove a driving simulator and actually consumed the products. The second group was composed of questionnaire responders that were presented with animations replicating the first group's actual driving. Both groups’ participants preferred to consume coffee or regular chewing-gum over caffeine chewing gum when asked at the beginning of the experiment (or survey). Drivers that actually consumed the products changed their attitude in favour of caffeine chewing-gum. On the other hand, the drivers that participated in the survey did not change their attitude, but rather changed their attitude with regards to the safety in using caffeine chewing-gum.

Structural dynamics of the breeding population of larks (Alaudidae, Aves) in the semidesert of the Saratov Trans-Volga region

According to our data on the density of breeding pairs of five lark species obtained from route censuses, the dynamics of their population in the Mezhuzenskii and Uzensko-Dyurinskii landscapes of the semidesert in the Caspian lowland is considered. Our five-year census work was carried out on key sites 25 km2 in area, with mapping and description of the soils and vegetation using remote sensing techniques. Our comprehensive studies of these key areas have revealed the dynamics of the individual lark species characteristic of the northwestern part of the Trans-Volga region of the Caspian lowland and the changes in the level of vegetation of the plant component of individual landscape tracts depending on the moisture level in certain years. It is shown that, in the monotonous plain conditions, an important role in the distribution of the specific population of larks is played by the meso- and micro-relief, which determines the soil salinity, and the distribution of moisture and vegetation groups (which predetermine the features of bird habitats). The interannual variability of the population structure of larks is shown, which, in the modern conditions of consistently low anthropogenic pressure, is determined by the weather in specific years, which determines the level of vegetation and, therefore, changes in the nesting conditions of birds in specific habitats.

On the modelling of strength differential and anisotropy exhibited by titanium

Modelling the response of titanium alloys under plastic deformation is challenging. In addition to strong anisotropy, these materials exhibit tension-compression asymmetry as well as anisotropic hardening even under monotonous loading conditions. The present contribution aims to propose a new modelling approach for titanium materials, by a homogeneous introduction of asymmetry into existing symmetric yield functions. Furthermore, anisotropic hardening effects are tracked describing the strain dependant yield surface evolution. The results are validated using the earing profile of deep drawn cups.

The impact of having a 15-minute break with and without consuming an energy drink on prolonged simulated highway driving

Introduction: Driving a car may be negatively affected by driver sleepiness. This is especially seen under monotonous conditions such as prolonged highway driving. This study examined the effects of energy drink (ED) on simulated highway driving. Materials and methods: In a double blind crossover study, N = 21 healthy volunteers performed a 4-hour driving test in the STISIM driving simulator. After 2 hours driving, a 15-minute break was scheduled in two of the three conditions. During the break subjects consumed either 250 ml ED (Red Bull) or a placebo drink (Red Bull without caffeine (80 mg), glucuronolactone, taurine and B-vitamins). Subjects were instructed to drive with a steady lateral position while maintaining a constant speed of 95 km/h. The primary outcome measure was the number of lapses. A lapse is considered to be a short period of inattention and is defined by a deviation from the mean lateral position for >100 cm for 8 seconds or more. Results: No significant differences were observed between the ED, placebo, and continuous driving (9.2, 9.9, 12.5 lapses) in hour 2. In hour 3, significantly fewer lapses were observed after consuming ED versus continued driving (4.3 versus 9.5 lapses, p = 0.020), and having a break and a placebo drink produced a non-significant reduction in the number of lapses (7.4 lapses, p = 0.365). In hour 4 after consuming ED, again significantly fewer lapses were observed when compared with continued driving (6.2 versus 9.4 lapses, p = 0.014). After placebo, the number of lapses in the 4th hour were similar to those observed in the 2nd hour of driving (9.9 versus 9.9 lapses, p = 0.456). In hour 3, the improvement by consuming ED relative to placebo did not reach significance (p = 0.097). In hour 4, consuming ED was significantly more effective in reducing the number of lapses than having a break only (p = 0.034). Conclusion: A 15-minute break in combination with consuming an energy drink significantly reduces the number of lapses during prolonged simulated highway driving.

CHANGES IN SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL CLIMATE, TEAM’S MOOD AND EXPEDITION MEMBERS’ STATUS IN DYNAMICS OF AN ARCTIC VOYAGE

Objective: To study the dynamics of socio-psychological climate and mood of the team, a functional status of an expedition members during an Arctic voyage. Methods: psychological testing, observation. Type of study: observational, descriptive. Sample: members of the expedition "Arctic Floating University 2013", 38 people. Statistical methods: descriptive statistics, ANOVA with repeated measurements, the Friedman χ 2- criterion. Conclusions: 1. Knowledge of the features of the expedition team members composing the group formed for the first time increased from the beginning to the end of the voyage. 2. The expedition duration (25 days) was not sufficient for the team to reach the stage of functional-role correlation. Development of the group unity did not significantly affect the team mood due to the onset of fatigue because of communication and work in monotonous conditions. 3. The features of the change of the expedition members' functional status were as follows: the delayed lowering of self-rating of the states (initially human condition itself worsened); the phase of reversing trends preceded the phase of resource use optimization; the phase of "waiting for the voyage end" was separated; during the voyage, specially arranged emotional events affected the participants' self-rating of the functional states; the changes in the states during the voyage did not have a large amplitude, in their manifestation was not extreme.

An analysis on driver drowsiness based on reaction time and EEG band power.

Falling asleep during driving is a serious problem that has resulted in fatal accidents worldwide. Thus, there is a need to detect driver drowsiness to counter it. This study analyzes the changes in the electroencephalography (EEG) collected from 4 subjects driving under monotonous road conditions using a driving simulator. The drowsiness level of the subjects is inferred from the time taken to react to events. The results from the analysis of the reaction time shows that drowsiness occurs in cycles, which correspond to short sleep cycles known as `microsleeps'. The results from a time-frequency analysis of the four frequency bands' power reveals differences between trials with fast and slow reaction times; greater beta band power is present in all subjects, greater alpha power in 2 subjects, greater theta power in 2 subjects, and greater delta power in 3 subjects, for fast reaction trials. Overall, this study shows that reaction time can be used to infer the drowsiness, and subject-specific changes in the EEG band power may be used to infer drowsiness. Thus the study shows a promising prospect of developing Brain-Computer Interface to detect driver drowsiness.

A New Simple Shear Apparatus and Testing Method for Unsaturated Sands

This paper deals with a new simple shear apparatus for the investigation of mechanical soil behavior of unsaturated coarse-grained soils under monotonous and cyclic loading conditions. Non-cohesive soils, such as sands, typically encounter low capillary effects, and little research has been dedicated to them so far. This holds true especially for effects of repeated loading. The presented test setup allows control of small matric suction up to 85 kPa within the soil specimens with the help of a vacuum control method. Although the pore water pressures are negative as occurring in nature, the pore air pressure is kept at an atmospheric level. Depending on the pore water drainage condition of the specimen boundaries, either drained constant suction tests (CS-tests) or undrained constant water content tests (CW-tests) can be performed. The focus of the research is placed on the interaction of loading and volume change with matric suction and degree of saturation, i.e., the hydraulic-mechanical coupling, during monotonous and cyclic shear. Central questions are the impact of matric suction and degree of saturation on the densification behavior as well as, vice versa, the effect of cyclic loading on a change of matric suction and degree of saturation. The new simple shear apparatus and testing method will be explained, their benefits and shortcomings will be discussed, and selected results of a series of tests will be presented.

Improving Driver Alertness through Music Selection Using a Mobile EEG to Detect Brainwaves

Driving safety has become a global topic of discussion with the recent development of the Smart Car concept. Many of the current car safety monitoring systems are based on image discrimination techniques, such as sensing the vehicle drifting from the main road, or changes in the driver's facial expressions. However, these techniques are either too simplistic or have a low success rate as image processing is easily affected by external factors, such as weather and illumination. We developed a drowsiness detection mechanism based on an electroencephalogram (EEG) reading collected from the driver with an off-the-shelf mobile sensor. This sensor employs wireless transmission technology and is suitable for wear by the driver of a vehicle. The following classification techniques were incorporated: Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector Machine, and k Nearest Neighbor. These classifiers were integrated with integration functions after a genetic algorithm was first used to adjust the weighting for each classifier in the integration function. In addition, since past studies have shown effects of music on a person's state-of-mind, we propose a personalized music recommendation mechanism as a part of our system. Through the in-car stereo system, this music recommendation mechanism can help prevent a driver from becoming drowsy due to monotonous road conditions. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed drowsiness detection method to determine a driver's state of mind, and the music recommendation system is therefore able to reduce drowsiness.