What does the driver look at? The influence of intersection characteristics on attention allocation and driving behavior

One of the main contributing factors with intersection accidents is lack of information due to attention allocation. In many cases, drivers fail to yield right of way to other traffic participants. One reason is that drivers have inappropriate expectations about a traffic situation. They allocate their attention primarily to certain areas of the intersection but neglect others. In a driving simulator study, the influence of intersection complexity on drivers’ expectations and their driving behavior was examined. In two T-intersections, the complexity was varied by the traffic density (low and high) using either one or two important objects: vehicles (left) with or without pedestrians (right). Additionally, the reaction to two critical incidents in close proximity of the intersections was examined. Gaze behavior, vehicle reactions, and subjective data were recorded. 40 subjects (26 male, 14 female, M = 31.0 years, SD = 11.9 years) participated in the study. Interestingly, the least complex intersections showed the most accidents which was interpreted as the result of inadequate attention allocation. It was shown that both the drivers’ attention allocation and vehicle velocity when turning off were responsible for this effect. The results contribute to a better understanding of the role of drivers’ expectation and attention allocation in the causation of intersection accidents.     

Is driving under the influence of cannabis becoming a greater risk to driver safety than drink driving? Findings from a longitudinal study

The present study examined the associations driving under the influence of (a) cannabis and (b) alcohol, and motor vehicle collisions during, in a longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort (n=936). Participants reported significantly (p<.0001) greater rates of driving under the influence of cannabis than driving under the influence of alcohol during ages 21-25. Also, there were statistically significant bivariate associations between increasing levels of both: (a) driving under the influence of cannabis and (b) self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol, and increased risks of active motor vehicle collisions (p<.0001). These associations were adjusted for potentially confounding factors including average distance driven and self-reported risky driving behaviours. After adjustment, the associations between driving under the influence of cannabis and motor vehicle collisions remained marginally significant (p=.064), whereas adjustment for confounding factors reduced the association between driving under the influence of alcohol and motor vehicle collisions to statistical non-significance (p>.70). The results of the present study suggest that, for some populations, the risks of driving under the influence of cannabis may now be greater than the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol.     

The impact of third-party remanufacturing on the forward supply chain: a blessing or a curse?

It is widely agreed that the entry of third-party remanufacturers (TPRs) hurts original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) because remanufacturing cannibalises the new product sales. In this paper, motivated by the practice of mobile phone remanufacturing, we develop a game theoretical model to revisit the impact of third-party remanufacturing on a forward supply chain in which one OEM purchases critical components from one dominant supplier. The OEM may operate the remanufacturing business as cost-efficient as the TPR. Our analytical results show that regardless of the OEM’s remanufacturing capability, third-party remanufacturing could be beneficial to the OEM in that the supplier would lower the wholesale price as a response to the entry of the TPR; in addition, compared with the case without remanufacturing, third-party remanufacturing is always detrimental to the supplier, but the supplier should not always attempt to deter the entry of the TPR because third-party remanufacturing could be less detrimental than the OEM’s in-house remanufacturing. Under certain conditions, the two players in the forward supply chain both prefer third-party remanufacturing over in-house remanufacturing. The key intuition driving this finding is that third-party remanufacturing makes the OEM and the supplier allied; while in-house remanufacturing makes them against each other.     

The alleged citation advantage of video abstracts may be a matter of self-citations and self-selection bias. Comment on “The impact of video abstract on citation counts” by Zong et al.

Scientometrics - The paper authored by Zong et al. (Scientometrics, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-019-03108-w) claims that equipping articles with a video abstract provides them a citation...     

Are automated accounts driving scholarly communication on Twitter? a case study of dissemination of COVID-19 publications

Scientometrics - From a network perspective, this study analyzes 659 users mentioning sampled COVID-19 articles 10 or more times on Twitter with a focus on their roles in facilitating the process...     

Are aggressive people aggressive drivers? A study of the relationship between self-reported general aggressiveness, driver anger and aggressive driving

In this study the relationships among self-reported general aggressiveness, impulsiveness, driver anger, and aggressive responses to anger-provoking situations on the road were studied. The British version of a driver anger scale (UK DAS), aggression questionnaire (AQ), and an impulsiveness questionnaire (I7) together with background questions (gender, age, annual mileage) were administered to a sample of 270 British drivers. Variation in strength of correlations between anger and aggressive reactions in the 21 UK DAS items showed that the relationship between driver anger and aggression depends in part on the characteristics of the situation. In addition, three path models for describing the relationships among the measures were constructed separately for women and men. The models suggested that the effects of verbal aggressiveness on self-reported driver aggression were mediated by driver anger whereas physical aggressiveness was directly related to aggressive behaviour. Age was negatively related to both driver anger and aggression among men whereas annual mileage was negatively related to aggression among women. The models constructed indicate that aggressive driver behaviour is a complex phenomenon with a range of psychological causes.     

The impact of collaboration on the technological performance of regions: time invariant or driven by life cycle dynamics?

Increasingly, collaboration between firms as well as science-industry interactions are being considered as important for technology development. Yet, few attempts have been made to analyze the contribution of collaboration, taking into account different stages of the technology life cycle. Our analysis, based on a panel of 197 regions in the EU-15 and Switzerland (time period 1978–2001), provides evidence that, in the field of biotechnology, science-industry collaboration contributes to better technological performance of regions both during the emerging phases (1978–1990) and the growth stages (1991–1999) of the life cycle. Collaboration between industrial partners also contributes to the technological performance of regions during the first phase but is less pronounced during later phases of the technology life cycle. Moreover, the analysis reveals that, as technologies develop over time, the impact of local collaboration is mitigated in favor of collaboration that has an international dimension. This holds true for both science-industry interactions and for collaboration between firms. In consequence, our findings underscore the relevance of incorporating life cycle dynamics (of technologies) when studying the nature and impact of collaboration on the technological performance of regions.     

The Impact of a Radical Innovation on Business Models: Incremental Adjustments or Big Bang?

In this paper we study the impact of a radical technological innovation on business models. Do firms react by adjusting their business models incrementally, through iterative steps? Or do such innovations lead, instead, to a big bang of new innovative business models that are all adopted and experimented with by the industry? To answer these questions, we analyze the impact of digitization—a radical innovation—on business models in the recorded music industry. Using an economic analysis of the effects of digitization, we begin by building five potential digital business models for the music industry. Then, using data from a survey on a sample of French record companies, we map these record labels on our digital business models. Our analysis suggests that digitization has led to a big bang of business models in the music industry, rather than to incremental adjustments of the existing business model.     

The effectiveness of enforcement and publicity campaigns on serious crashes involving young male drivers: Are drink driving and speeding similar?

This study re-evaluated the effectiveness of the anti-drink driving and anti-speeding enforcement and publicity campaigns implemented in the Australian State of Victoria which have thus far yielded mixed results in several evaluations. As opposed to previous evaluations, this study focused on the effects of these campaigns on young male drivers who formed the primary target and examined the combined effects of the campaigns on the total number of serious crashes. Our results showed that the anti-drink driving enforcement and publicity campaigns had a significant independent effect in reducing crashes but their interactive effect was anti-complementary. Conversely, the anti-speeding enforcement and publicity campaigns had no independent effect but their interactive effect was significant in reducing serious crashes involving young male drivers.     

The impact of alcohol and road traffic policies on crash rates in Botswana, 2004–2011: A time-series analysis

In Botswana, increased development and motorization have brought increased road traffic-related death rates. Between 1981 and 2001, the road traffic-related death rate in Botswana more than tripled. The country has taken several steps over the last several years to address the growing burden of road traffic crashes and particularly to address the burden of alcohol-related crashes. This study examines the impact of the implementation of alcohol and road safety-related policies on crash rates, including overall crash rates, fatal crash rates, and single-vehicle nighttime fatal (SVNF) crash rates, in Botswana from 2004 to 2011. The overall crash rate declined significantly in June 2009 and June 2010, such that the overall crash rate from June 2010 to December 2011 was 22% lower than the overall crash rate from January 2004 to May 2009. Additionally, there were significant declines in average fatal crash and SVNF crash rates in early 2010. Botswana's recent crash rate reductions occurred during a time when aggressive policies and other activities (e.g., education, enforcement) were implemented to reduce alcohol consumption and improve road safety. While it is unclear which of the policies or activities contributed to these declines and to what extent, these reductions are likely the result of several, combined efforts.     

The formation of β′-sialon from a montmorillonite-polyacrylonitrile composite by carbothermal reduction: an NMR,TGA, XRD and EM study

The products of carbothermal reduction in N₂ of a nanocomposite between dodecylammonium-exchanged montmorillonite and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) have been studied by solid-state ²⁷Al and ²⁹SiNMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetry. Comparison with analogous reactions involving sodium-exchanged montmorillonite and dodecylammonium-exchanged montmorillonite (without PAN) shows that in the presence of PAN, the formation of silica, cordierite or mullite is almost completely suppressed. The only crystalline phase detected between 1000 and 1300 °C was a -sialon, having a much higher SiAl ratio (7.051) than that of the precursor clay (2.441). Reduction of the octahedral AlO₆ begins near 1200 °C, forming increasing amounts of Al(N,O)₄ tetrahedra with temperature, so that by 1600 °C, complete reduction to AlN₄ (i.e. bulk AlN) has occurred. In contrast, reduction of the tetrahedral SiO₄ is appreciable at 1100 °C, and is almost complete (SiN₄ tetrahedra only) by 1200 °C. No intermediate Si(N,0)₄ environments are found. By 1600 °C, only the SiC₄ environment (i.e. bulk SiC) remains. A mechanism is suggested, involving the formation of alternating slabs of an amorphous aluminosilicate and carbon at 1000 °C, followed by diffusion of silicon from the outer regions of the aluminosilicate band towards the centre, and sequential reduction of Si(OSi)₄ and Si(OSi)₃ (OAl) groups.     

Hot deformation behavior of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy: a study using processing maps,activation energy map,and Zener–Hollomon parameter map

The hot deformation behavior of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy was investigated by hot compression tests conducted in the temperature range 850–1150 °C and strain rate range 0.001–10 s⁻¹. Using the flow stress data corrected for deformation heating, the activation energy map, processing maps and Zener–Hollomon parameter map were developed to determine the optimum hot-working parameters and to investigate the effects of strain rate and temperature on microstructural evolution of this material. The results show that the safe region for hot deformation occurs in the strain rate range 0.001–0.1 s⁻¹ over the entire temperature range investigated. In this region, the activation energy is ~240 ± 5 kJ/mol and the ln Z values vary in range of 13.9–21 s⁻¹. Stable flow is associated with dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization. Also, flow instabilities are observed in the form of localized slip bands and flow localization at strain rates higher than 0.1 s⁻¹ over a wide temperature range. The corresponding ln Z values are larger than 21 s⁻¹. The hot deformation characteristic of Ti-15-3 alloy predicted from the processing maps, activation energy map, and Zener–Hollomon parameter map agrees well with the results of microstructural observations.     

The microstructure, stability, and elastic properties of 14H long-period stacking-ordered phase in Mg–Zn–Y alloys: a first-principles study

The long-period stacking-ordered (LPSO) phases were demonstrated to be the predominant strengthening phases that can significantly improve the mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Y alloys. However, the mechanism underlying this improvement has not been satisfyingly understood yet due to unclear characterization of the microstructures of these LPSO phases. We proposed the reliable structural model of Mg₁₄₂Zn₁₂Y₁₆ for 14H LPSO phase formed in Mg–Zn–Y alloys with first-principles calculations in this study. The space group of Mg₁₄₂Zn₁₂Y₁₆ is P6₃/mcm, with lattice dimensions a = b = 11.168 Å, c = 36.408 Å, α = β = 90°, and γ = 120°. And the atomic sites were given in this work. In contrast to other structural models proposed in previous studies, 14H LPSO phase was predicted to be thermodynamically stable on the basis of the present structural model, which can well account for the stability of 14H LPSO phases at higher temperature. Furthermore, the elastic constants and elastic moduli of 14H LPSO phase were also evaluated based on the present structural model. The calculated Young’s modulus of 14H LPSO phase agrees well with the available experimental values. The characteristics of 14H LPSO phase observed in experiments were successfully reproduced using the present structural model. The good match between the calculations and the experiments validates the reliability of the structural model proposed for 14H LPSO phase.     

Journal peer review: a bar or bridge? An analysis of a paper’s revision history and turnaround time,and the effect on citation

Journal peer review lies at the heart of academic quality control. This article explores the journal peer review process and seeks to examine how the reviewing process might itself contribute to papers, leading them to be more highly cited and to achieve greater recognition. Our work builds on previous observations and views expressed in the literature about (a) the role of actors involved in the research and publication process that suggest that peer review is inherent in the research process and (b) on the contribution reviewers themselves might make to the content and increased citation of papers. Using data from the journal peer review process of a single journal in the Social Sciences field (Business, Management and Accounting), we examine the effects of peer review on papers submitted to that journal including the effect upon citation, a novel step in the study of the outcome of peer review. Our detailed analysis suggests, contrary to initial assumptions, that it is not the time taken to revise papers but the actual number of revisions that leads to greater recognition for papers in terms of citation impact. Our study provides evidence, albeit limited to the case of a single journal, that the peer review process may constitute a form of knowledge production and is not the simple correction of errors contained in submitted papers.     

Correction to: Do Energy Resources matter for Growth Level? The dynamic effects of different strategies of renewable energy,carbon emissions on sustainable economic growth

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy -     

The influence of Pd on growth behavior of a quaternary (Cu,Ni,Pd)6Sn5 compound in Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu/Au/Pd/Ni–P solder joint during a liquid state reaction

This study investigated the liquid state reaction of a Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu solder jointed with electroless Ni–P/immersion Au (ENIG) and electroless Ni–P/electroless Pd/immersion Au (ENEPIG) surface finishes. Treatments with various soldering temperatures (240, 250, and 260 °C) and times (60, 180, 300, and 600 s) were performed to study the microstructure evolution. Detailed interfacial images revealed that the morphology of (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ affects the formation of Ni₃P and the curvature of the interface between them. In addition, the growth kinetics of (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ and (Cu,Ni,Pd)₆Sn₅ were studied and compared. The effect of grain coarsening during extended reflow modified the diffusion transport mechanism. However, because of the refinement of Pd on the grain structure, reduced IMC growth and a lower degree of transition from grain boundary diffusion to volume diffusion could be observed in the growth kinetics of (Cu,Ni,Pd)₆Sn₅. Moreover, the activation energy of IMC growth was evaluated using the Arrhenius equation. Pd may act as heterogeneous nucleation sites in the initial stage of soldering and lower the activation energy of (Cu,Ni,Pd)₆Sn₅, compared to (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅. The lower activation energy of (Cu,Ni,Pd)₆Sn₅ growth ensured that no phase transformation occurred in the SAC305/ENEPIG joints, which may benefit the solder joint reliability. Finally, the detailed influence of Pd on the growth kinetics of IMC formation was investigated and discussed.