Differential sensitization, retention, and generalization of habituation in two response systems in the blowfly (Calliphora vomitoira).

Conducted 3 experiments with 95 blowflies to elicit a cardiac disturbance and a motor response by the same moving visual stimulus. In Exp I, the habituation of these responses developed at an equal rate during stimulus repetition. After a rest period, whereas habituation of motor responses was completely retained, a substantial recovery of cardiac responses was observed. The use of distributed trials in Exp II helped to dissociate the influence of sensitization and habituation processes on the behavioral outcome. Habituation of motor responses, in addition to a longer retention, appeared to be more easily generalized after a spatial displacement of the stimulus in Exp III. Data support the hypothesis that habituation processes develop independently in different response systems, even if they have the same sensory input. The faster reversibility of habituation of cardiac responses is discussed, with reference to a preparatory function for locomotor behavior. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A method to assess the driver mental workload: The driving activity load index (DALI)

Intelligent transport system (ITS) can induce improvement in road safety, as long as acceptability by user?s population and adequacy with driving task demands have been checked. The Human-Centred Design process allows taking into account the diversified driver?s population needs and functional abilities in addition to the complexity of the driving context, for setting up design recommendations and for the development of methodologies for safety assessment. Evaluation of the driver?s mental workload is an important parameter, complementary to objective ones such as control of the vehicle and driver?s visual strategies. This paper describes experiments conducted in the framework of the European project AIDE aiming at validating the DALI (Driving Activity Load Index), a tool set up to allow the evaluation of driver?s mental workload while driving, with or without the support of in-vehicle systems. The main results and conclusion from the conducted analysis are presented.