Decision processes and risk taking in traffic: Driver response to the onset of yellow light.

Examined the relationship between the drivers' distance from an intersection (0-100 yds) when the light changed from green to yellow and the probability that the drivers would proceed through the intersection. 100 men and 44 women comprised the experiment sample; 77 men and 29 women formed a control group. The function relating the 2 variables approximated a normal ogive, but there was additional evidence that drivers took both distance and speed into account in deciding whether to proceed or stop. Among the drivers who were at intermediate distances (40-60 yds) when the light changed, younger males (estimated to be under 30) were more likely both to proceed and to violate the red light than were other drivers. The latter finding could be attributed to the younger males' faster driving and the related tendency to ignore the consequences of the decision conflict induced by the yellow light. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterisation of hydrogels and aerogels as carriers for sea buckthorn pomace extract

In this study, aerogels were prepared from kognac glucomannan (KG) or whey proteins loaded with bioactive sea buckthorn pomace extract. KG was diacetylated with Na₂CO₃ (0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4 m ) resulting hydrogel formation that were further freeze-dried to obtain an aerogel structure. Whey protein aerogels were prepared by removing pore fluid from alcogels using supercritical CO₂ drying. Produced aerogels evaluated for microstructure, porosity, specific surface area, absorption capacity, encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant capacity of the extract. It was found that higher concentration of alkali induced higher hardness, resilience and elastic modulus values. It was also obtained that pores in the konjac glucomannan aerogels were irregular in shape and a decrease in total pore volume (0.026 to 0.019 cc/g) and surface area (12.39 to 11.40 m²/g) after increasing the carbonate concentration was observed. These aerogels were found to have better encapsulation efficiency properties for sea buckthorn pomace extract (17 to 20%) in comparison to whey protein aerogels (0.05 to 0.36%). Overall, the KG aerogels show potential for applications in the food industry as a carrier of bioactive sea buckthorn pomace extract, while whey proteins must be used in combination with other biopolymers to enhance their bioactive compound loading capacity.