Effects of fiber-optic probe design and probe-to-target distance on diffuse reflectance measurements of turbid media: an experimental and computational study at 337 nm

Fiber-optic probes are widely used in optical spectroscopy of biological tissues and other turbid media. Only limited information exists, however, on the ways in which the illumination-collection geometry and the overall probe design influence the interrogation of media. We have investigated both experimentally and computationally the effect of probe-to-target distance (PTD) on the diffuse reflectance collected from an isotropically (Lambertian) scattering target and an agar-based tissue phantom. Studies were conducted with three probes characterized by either common (single-fiber) or separate (two bifurcated multifiber probes) illumination and collection channels. This study demonstrates that PTD, probe design, and tissue scattering anisotropy influence the extent of the transport of light into the medium, the light-collection efficiency, and the sampling volume of collected light. The findings can be applied toward optimization of fiber-optic probe designs for quantitative optical spectroscopy of turbid media including biological tissues.     

Mitigating driver distraction with retrospective and concurrent feedback

OBJECTIVES: An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of retrospective and combined retrospective and concurrent feedback on driver performance and engagement in distracting activities. BACKGROUND: A previous study conducted by the authors showed that concurrent (or real time) feedback can help drivers better modulate their distracting activities. However, research also shows that concurrent feedback can pose additional distractions due to the limited time and resources available during driving. Retrospective feedback, which is presented at the end of a trip (i.e., post-drive), can include additional information on safety critical situations during a trip and help the driver learn safe driving habits. METHOD: A driving simulator study was conducted with 48 participants and 3 conditions: retrospective feedback, combined feedback (both retrospective and concurrent), and no feedback (baseline case). RESULTS: The feedback conditions (retrospective and combined) resulted in faster response to lead vehicle braking events as depicted by shorter accelerator release times. Moreover, combined feedback also resulted in longer glances to the road. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both feedback types have potential to improve immediate driving performance and driver engagement in distractions. APPLICATION: Combined feedback holds the most promise for mitigating the effects of distraction from in-vehicle information systems.     

Influence of Soil Texture on Rate-Limited Micellar Solubilization

Observations from 1D soil column experiments are used to explore the factors influencing surfactant-enhanced solubilization of entrapped non-aqueous-phase liquids in sandy porous media. These experiments were designed to quantify the influence of porous medium properties and flow system parameters on the rate of contaminant removal. A 1% flushing solution of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Witconol 2722) was employed to recover residual phase decane from a range of Ottawa sands. Deviations from local equilibrium conditions were observed in all experiments. For solution phase Darcy velocities ranging from 0.83 to 8.3 cm∕h, maximum column effluent concentration levels were consistently <55% of the batch-measured equilibrium value. Column data were used to develop an empirical modified Sherwood correlation for the prediction of initial, pseudo steady-state, solubilization rates assuming a linear driving force mass transfer expression. This correlation incorporates the Reynolds number, the mean grain size, and the sand uniformity index. The adequacy of this correlation for the prediction of initial steady-state solubilization rates in other sandy media is demonstrated for a natural aquifer material. Results of this study suggest a similar dependence of mass transfer rates on system hydrodynamics and soil properties for both micellar solubilization and dissolution.