Pedro García-Fernández

Development and Validation of the Spanish Hazard Perception Test

Objective: The aim of the current study is to develop and obtain valid evidence for a hazard perception test suitable for the Spanish driving population. To obtain valid evidence to support the use of the test, the effect of hazardous and quasi-hazardous situations on the participants’ hazard prediction is analyzed and the pattern of results for drivers with different driving experience—that is, learner, novice, and expert drivers and reoffender vs. nonoffender drivers—is compared. Potentially hazardous situations are those that develop without involving any real hazard (i.e., the driver did not actually have to decelerate or make any evasive maneuver to avoid a potential collision). The current study analyzed repeat offender drivers attending compulsory reeducation programs as a result of reaching the maximum number of penalty points on their driving license due to repeated violations of traffic laws. Method: A new video-based hazard perception test was developed, using a total of 20 hazardous situation videos plus 8 quasi-hazardous situation videos. They were selected from 167 recordings of natural hazards in real Spanish driving settings. Results: The test showed adequate psychometric properties and evidence of validity, distinguishing between different types of drivers. Psychometric results confirm a final version of the hazard perception test composed of 11 video clips of hazards and 6 video clips of quasi-hazards, for which an overall Cronbachs alpha coefficient of.77 was obtained. A lack of ability to detect quasi-hazards and distinguish them from hazardous situations was also found for learner, novice, and reoffender drivers. Learner drivers obtained lower average scores than novice and experienced drivers with the hazardous situation videos, and learner drivers obtained lower average scores than experienced drivers with the quasi-hazardous situation videos, suggesting that the ability to correctly identify hazardous traffic situations may develop early by accumulating initial driving experience. However, the ability to correctly identify quasi-hazardous situations may develop later with the accumulation of further driving experience. Developing this ability is also difficult for reoffender drivers. Conclusion: The test has adequate psychometric properties and is useful in distinguishing between learner, novice, and expert drivers. In addition, it is useful in that it analyzes the performance of both safe and unsafe drivers (reoffenders who have already lost their driving license).

Effects of the extension of conductive filaments, a simulation approach

A simulation study to characterize the influence of an elongation of the conductive filament in resistive switching devices is presented. A previously developed simulation tool has been used for this purpose. This simulator accounts for ohmic conduction through conductive filaments and for quantum conduction through a barrier (the last resulting in a nonlinear I–V curve, that it is the case of the samples studied in this work). For modeling the quantum conduction, the quantum point contact model is used. The conductive filament length has been swept from a reference value to a value increased in 20%. The influence of the elongation on the reset current and voltage depends on the relative value of the quantum and ohmic resistances, and, therefore, it is not too high in most of the cases studied here. That is because the quantum resistance predominates over the ohmic resistance (the only resistive component affected by the elongation of the filament when the quantum point contact parameters are maintained)....

Web Browser-Based Forecasting of Economic Time-Series

This paper presents the implementation of a time series forecasting algorithm, jsEvRBF, that uses genetic algorithm and neural nets in a way that can be run in must modern web browsers. Using browsers to run forecasting algorithms is a challenge, since language support and performance varies across implementations of the JavaScript virtual machine and vendor. However, their use will provide a boost in the number of platforms available for scientists. jsEvRBF is written in JavaScript, so that it can be easily delivered to and executed by any device containing a web-browser just accessing an URL. The experiments show the results yielded by the algorithm over a data set related to currencies exchange. Best results achieved can be effectively compared against previous results in literature, though robustness of the new algorithm has to be improved.

Multivariate analysis and extraction of parameters in resistive RAMs using the Quantum Point Contact model

A multivariate analysis of the parameters that characterize the reset process in Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) has been performed. The different correlations obtained can help to shed light on the current components that contribute in the Low Resistance State (LRS) of the technology considered. In addition, a screening method for the Quantum Point Contact (QPC) current component is presented. For this purpose, the second derivative of the current has been obtained using a novel numerical method which allows determining the QPC model parameters. Once the procedure is completed, a whole Resistive Switching (RS) series of thousands of curves is studied by means of a genetic algorithm. The extracted QPC parameter distributions are characterized in depth to get information about the filamentary pathways associated with LRS in the low voltage conduction regime.

Oviposition pattern and egg production efficiency of Rhipicephalus pusillus Gil Collado, 1938 in laboratory conditions (Acarina: Ixodidae)

Abstract A study was carried out on the oviposition pattern and efficiency in egg production of Rhipicephalus pusillus Gil Collado, 1938 under controlled laboratory conditions (26 ± 1 °C, 80 ± 5 % R.H. and a 12/12 photoperiod). A total of 47 females of different sizes, grouped in order of weight, were used to measure their reproductive efficiency and 28 females to study their oviposition. The average period of preoviposition (± SE) was 1.8 ± 0.1 days and the average period of oviposition, 13.6 ± 0.5 days. The average total number of eggs per female was 1,362 ± 209 (min. 149, max. 4,598). There was a highly significant linear correlation (r = 0.992, P < 0.001) between female weight and number of eggs produced by them. However, the relationship between female weight and the efficiency of ticks in converting body weight to eggs weight (calculated by the Conversion Efficiency Index and Nutrient Index) was not linear but curvilinear. The daily efficiency of R. pusillus females with regard to egg production was...

The moderating effects of vigilance on other components of attentional functioning

BACKGROUND Previous research suggested that vigilance may moderate the functioning of other attentional components. However, vigilance is usually neglected when comparing the attentional functioning between groups of clinical and/or healthy participants. NEW METHOD We combined data from several studies using the Attention Network Test for Interactions and Vigilance (ANTI-V), which includes a vigilance measure plus phasic alertness, orienting, and executive control scores. We estimated, for the first time, the reliability of the vigilance performance indices in the ANTI-V, by analyzing split-half correlations of 10,000 permutations of the trials. In addition, we tested whether a different attentional functioning would be found across the group of healthy participants varying in their vigilance performance, by using a considerably larger sample size (226 participants) than previous studies. RESULTS Vigilance indices were the most reliable among the different attentional scores. Regression models show an inverse relationship between vigilance and phasic alertness and executive control. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS No previous study has analysed the reliability of the vigilance performance indices in the ANTI-V. In comparison with other ANT variations, the ANTI-V provides a reliable measure of vigilance together with the typical phasic alertness, orienting and executive control scores. In addition, we provide estimates, based on a large sample size, of the magnitude of the link between vigilance and other attentional functions. CONCLUSIONS When assessing the multiple functions of attention, the current study highlights the importance of measuring vigilance, which may modulate the functioning of other attentional components, such as phasic alertness or executive control.

An in-depth description of bipolar resistive switching in Cu/HfOx/Pt devices, a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo simulation approach

A simulation tool based on a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm has been employed to analyse bipolar conductive bridge RAMs fabricated with Cu/HfOx/Pt stacks. Resistive switching mechanisms are described accounting for the electric field and temperature distributions within the dielectric. The formation and destruction of conductive filaments (CFs) are analysed taking into consideration redox reactions and the joint action of metal ion thermal diffusion and electric field induced drift. Filamentary conduction is considered when different percolation paths are formed in addition to other conventional transport mechanisms in dielectrics. The simulator was tuned by using the experimental data for Cu/HfOx/Pt bipolar devices that were fabricated. Our simulation tool allows for the study of different experimental results, in particular, the current variations due to the electric field changes between the filament tip and the electrode in the High Resistance State. In addition, the density of metallic atoms within the CF can also be characterized along with the corresponding CF resistance description.A simulation tool based on a 3D kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm has been employed to analyse bipolar conductive bridge RAMs fabricated with Cu/HfOx/Pt stacks. Resistive switching mechanisms are described accounting for the electric field and temperature distributions within the dielectric. The formation and destruction of conductive filaments (CFs) are analysed taking into consideration redox reactions and the joint action of metal ion thermal diffusion and electric field induced drift. Filamentary conduction is considered when different percolation paths are formed in addition to other conventional transport mechanisms in dielectrics. The simulator was tuned by using the experimental data for Cu/HfOx/Pt bipolar devices that were fabricated. Our simulation tool allows for the study of different experimental results, in particular, the current variations due to the electric field changes between the filament tip and the electrode in the High Resistance State. In addition, the density of metallic atoms within...

Time series forecasting using evolutionary neural nets implemented in a volunteer computing system

Summary jsEvRBF is a time-series forecasting method based on genetic algorithm and neural nets. Written in JavaScript language, can be executed in most web browsers. Consequently, everybody can participate in the experiments, and scientists can take advantage of nowadays available browsers and devices as computation environments. This is also a great challenge as the language support and performance varies from one browser to another. In this paper, jsEvRBF has been tested in a volunteer computing experiment, and also in a single-browser one. Both experiments are related to forecasting currencies exchange, and the results show the viability of the proposal.

614 Can users’ opinions help to improve traffic calming interventions?

Background Traffic calming interventions attempt to reduce accidents, improve mobility of users and enhance the liveability of the local environment. Speed limit reductions and adaptation of the infrastructure are some actions frequently implemented. Results of these types of interventions can be explored by analysing users’ opinions, such as their needs and preferences before, during and after the intervention. Methods A survey was performed to explore the effects on infrastructure remodelling of the Cartuja Campus at the University of Granada in Spain. Habits, opinions and attitudes from a total population of 21,892 users were collected. A total of 393 users from a stratified random sample took part in this study. The user groups included were: “residents on campus”, “workers of nearby shops”, “students”, “teaching and research staff”, “administration and service workers”, and “parents and teachers of a school located on the campus”. A questionnaire was used to collect the users’ opinions in four basic areas: mobility, environment, safety and informing users about the objectives of the engineering works. Results Results found that the following issues were considered to be very important and necessary for the user: an improvement of fluidity and functionality of public transport, accessibility to the campus for both pedestrians and vehicles, perceived road safety conditions and usability of the campus. However, users considered themselves to be poorly or not informed regarding the aims, planning and developing of the engineering works, and during the implementation of works, 22.1% of them reported to have changed their mean of transportation as a result of that engineering activity. The key groups affected by the changes were students, campus workers and users of the school. Conclusions This current survey, taking place during the engineering interventions, will subsequently serve as baseline for the second phase once the infrastructure remodelling work in completed. In particular it will analyse the impact on mobility of the Campus Cartuja remodelling, evaluate the success of the “traffic calming” measures, and investigate if healthy mobility has been successfully encouraged. From these combined results, implications about road design and planning will be derived, as well as additional suggestions for improving traffic calming: these will be reported back to the infrastructure designers and used to further refine the infrastructure changes.

887 Analysing the offender driver behaviour: recidivism, just the tip of the Iceberg?

Background The Subjective Risk Estimation (SER) depends on the own driving skills self- assessment and the calibration made between the benefits and cost involved in this risk at the moment of driving. Offender drivers’ assumption of higher risk could be related with a more general factor that also involves the assumption of higher risk in other facets of their lives that could derive in drugs taking or other kind of additions. Deficient SER could be considered as a TRAIT, a higher proneness or disposition that only some drivers could show as another characteristic of their personality (measured with the DOSPERT (Domain-Specific Risk Taking). It could also be possible to establish a relation with other personality measures related to Anger or Aggressive Driving, measured with DAS (Driving Anger Scale). Methods The Subjective Risk Estimation (SER) is measured with the DOSPERT (Domain-Specific Risk Taking Scale). The Anger to Aggressive Driving is measured with DAS (Driving Anger Scale). Results In this work we would like to find out if could deficient SER be considered as a TRAIT of personality and some drivers could show a higher proneness to it (i.e. offender drivers) and if does deficient SER take part of a more general pattern of behaviour related with risk behaviour (drugs taking, alcohol consumption, and addiction to food or sex) that should be also trait to sort the problem out. Results are in progress. Conclusions This knowledge could be useful to better understand the different profiles of drivers. To plan prevention and to settle better strategies of intervention and treatment of the specific lacks for each group of drivers, for instance, reducing aggressive driving or helping to be aware of the problem and dealing with the Anger in offender drivers.