On drivers’ reasoning about traffic signs: The case of qualitative location

This article explores the most appropriate arrangement (vertical, horizontal) and the frame of reference adopted by drivers (intrinsic, relative) as determinants of the comprehension of new traffic messages (e.g., congestion before arriving to Milan). Two specific cases for location (event-before-city, event-after-city) were tested following two layouts: H (horizontal, left-right) and V (vertical, bottom-up). Four comprehension tests carried out between 2006 and 2013 with 10, 099 drivers in four countries (Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) were analyzed in a 2 (case: Before vs. After) x 2 (disposition: H, V) x 4 (Country) between-subject design. The comprehension of the V variants (78.1%) exceeded the comprehension of the H variants (54.1%) in all the countries in the "before" case. In no country did the V or H variants come close to functional understanding in the "after" case. The results provided evidence of the preferred model and relative frame of reference as determinants of message understanding. General Audience Summary A controversial aspect that arises from the use of different traffic signaling devices is that drivers often have to understand messages they are seeing for the very first time. This article analyzes the results of a series of empirical studies carried out with the aim of internationalizing variable message signs (VMS) by substituting keywords (e.g., prepositions) for abstract graphic signs (e.g., an arrow). Faced with novel elements in a traffic message about which drivers must conclude something in real time, they have no choice but to reason. This article explores the most appropriate arrangement (vertical, horizontal) and the frame of reference adopted by drivers (intrinsic, relative) as determinants of the comprehension of novel and complex VMS (e.g., congestion before arriving to Milan). Our study focuses on the design variants tested to inform drivers about two cases for location (event-before-city and event-after-city), following two basic layouts: H (horizontal, left-right) and V (vertical, bottom-up). Four comprehension tests carried out between 2006 and 2013 with 10, 099 drivers in four countries (Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden) were analyzed in a 2 (case: Before vs. After) x 2 (disposition: H, V) x 4 (Country) between-subject design. The comprehension of the V variants (78.1%) exceeded the comprehension of the H variants (54.1%) in all the countries in the "before" case. However, in no country did the V or H variants come close to functional understanding in the "after" case. The results provided evidence of the preferred model and relative frame of reference as determinants of message understanding. Although it is not realistic to expect national or international drivers to memorize all possible traffic messages, it is feasible to understand how their prior knowledge and preferences modulate their conclusions to design more functional traffic messages

Albumin Replacement in Patients with Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock.

Although previous studies have suggested the potential advantages of albumin administration in patients with severe sepsis, its efficacy has not been fully established