Analysis on the Correlation Degree between the Driver’s Reaction Ability and Physiological Parameters

In this paper, the correlation degree between driver’s reaction time and the physiological signal is analyzed. For this purpose, a large number of road experiments are performed using the biopac and the reaction time test systems to collect data. First, the electroencephalograph (EEG) signal is processed by using the fast Fourier and the inverse Fourier transforms. Then, the power spectrum densities (PSD) of α, β, δ, and EEG wave are calculated by Welch procedure. The average power of the power spectrum of α, β, and θ is calculated by the biopac software and two ratio formulas, (α+θ)/β and α/β, are selected to be the impact factors. After that the heart rate and the standard deviation of RR interval are calculated from the electrocardiograph (ECG) signal. Lastly, the correlation degree between the eight impact factors and the reaction time are analyzed based on the grey correlation analysis. The results demonstrate that α/β has the greatest correlation to the reaction time except EEG-PSD. Furthermore, two mathematical models for the reaction time-driving time and the α/β-driving time are developed based on the Gaussian function. These mathematical models are then finally used to establish the functional relation of α/β-the reaction time

Research on the Relationship between Reaction Ability and Mental State for Online Assessment of Driving Fatigue

Background: Driving fatigue affects the reaction ability of a driver. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between driving fatigue, physiological signals and driver’s reaction time. Methods: Twenty subjects were tested during driving. Data pertaining to reaction time and physiological signals including electroencephalograph (EEG) were collected from twenty simulation experiments. Grey correlation analysis was used to select the input variable of the classification model. A support vector machine was used to divide the mental state into three levels. The penalty factor for the model was optimized using a genetic algorithm. Results: The results show that α/β has the greatest correlation to reaction time. The classification results show an accuracy of 86%, a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 85.53%. The average increase of reaction time is 16.72% from alert state to fatigued state. Females have a faster decrease in reaction ability than males as driving fatigue accumulates. Elderly drivers have longer reaction times than the young. Conclusions: A grey correlation analysis can be used to improve the classification accuracy of the support vector machine (SVM) model. This paper provides basic research that online detection of fatigue can be performed using only a simple device, which is more comfortable for users

Use of edah improves maize morphological and mechanical traits related to lodging

Lodging in maize (Zea mays L.) is a major constraint to crop yield and quality, especially at high plant densities. A novel growth regulator EDAH, which contains ethephon and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6), has been recently introduced in maize cultivation in China to alleviate lodging and yield loss. In this study, we aimed to identify how lodging-relevant morphological and mechanical traits of two maize genotypes respond to EDAH at different plant densities. Two maize hybrids (Zhengdan 958 and Pioneer 335) were compared in treatments with or without EDAH at plant densities of 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 plants m -2 . Lodging percentage was increased at higher plant density in both varieties due to weaker stems and taller plants. The use of EDAH significantly decreased lodging by increasing stem breaking strength, associated with larger stem diameter and higher stem cellulose and lignin contents compared with untreated check. The moment of the wind force on the plant was reduced by the use of EDAH as a result of lower ear positions, more erect leaves, smaller top leaf areas, and shorter internodes. At low plant density, the reduction of lodging by EDAH was mainly due to morphological changes, while at high plant density, the reduction in lodging was mainly due to improved stem breaking strength. We conclude that EDAH reduces lodging risk through the improvement of both morphological and mechanical plant traits and that these effects are expressed across a range of plant densities. The results help to better understand the mechanism of lodging-yield relationships. </p

Use of edah improves maize morphological and mechanical traits related to lodging

Lodging in maize (Zea mays L.) is a major constraint to crop yield and quality, especially at high plant densities. A novel growth regulator EDAH, which contains ethephon and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6), has been recently introduced in maize cultivation in China to alleviate lodging and yield loss. In this study, we aimed to identify how lodging-relevant morphological and mechanical traits of two maize genotypes respond to EDAH at different plant densities. Two maize hybrids (Zhengdan 958 and Pioneer 335) were compared in treatments with or without EDAH at plant densities of 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 plants m -2 . Lodging percentage was increased at higher plant density in both varieties due to weaker stems and taller plants. The use of EDAH significantly decreased lodging by increasing stem breaking strength, associated with larger stem diameter and higher stem cellulose and lignin contents compared with untreated check. The moment of the wind force on the plant was reduced by the use of EDAH as a result of lower ear positions, more erect leaves, smaller top leaf areas, and shorter internodes. At low plant density, the reduction of lodging by EDAH was mainly due to morphological changes, while at high plant density, the reduction in lodging was mainly due to improved stem breaking strength. We conclude that EDAH reduces lodging risk through the improvement of both morphological and mechanical plant traits and that these effects are expressed across a range of plant densities. The results help to better understand the mechanism of lodging-yield relationships. </p

The N-Terminal α-Helix of Potato Virus X-Encoded RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Is Required for Membrane Association and Multimerization

Positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses replicate in virus-induced membranous organelles for maximum efficiency and immune escaping. The replication of potato virus X (PVX) takes place on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER); however, how PVX-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is associated with the ER is still unknown. A proline-kinked amphipathic α-helix was recently found in the MET domain of RdRp. In this study, we further illustrate that the first α-helix of the MET domain is also required for ER association. Moreover, we found that the MET domain forms multimers on ER and the first α-helix is essential for multimerization. These results suggest that the RdRp of PVX adopts more than one hydrophobic motif for membrane association and for multimerization