I Smell Trouble: Using Multiple Scents To Convey Driving-Relevant Information

Cars provide drivers with task-related information (e.g. "Fill gas") mainly using visual and auditory stimuli. However, those stimuli may distract or overwhelm the driver, causing unnecessary stress. Here, we propose olfactory stimulation as a novel feedback modality to support the perception of visual notifications, reducing the visual demand of the driver. Based on previous research, we explore the application of the scents of lavender, peppermint, and lemon to convey three driving-relevant messages (i.e. "Slow down", "Short inter-vehicle distance", "Lane departure"). Our paper is the first to demonstrate the application of olfactory conditioning in the context of driving and to explore how multiple olfactory notifications change the driving behaviour. Our findings demonstrate that olfactory notifications are perceived as less distracting, more comfortable, and more helpful than visual notifications. Drivers also make less driving mistakes when exposed to olfactory notifications. We discuss how these findings inform the design of future in-car user interfaces

1H, 19F, and 15N NMR study of the interaction between bis(pentafluorophenyl)borinic acid and nitrogen bases

Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borinic acid ((ArF)2BOH, ArF = C6F5, 1) is a molecule that, due to its multiple reactivity, can behave in different and not always straightforward ways in the presence of nucleophiles. It has been already shown its behaviour in dicloromethane solution in the presence of water, THF and methanol. Briefly, it exists as monomer and trimer (1m and 1t, see Chart 1), and the presence of nucleophiles strongly influence the thermodynamic and the kinetic of the monomer-trimer interconversion. Moreover, according to the nature of the nucleophile, 1 shows a camaleonic nature by forming several, sometimes unexpected, species.2,3 We have studied now the reaction of 1 in the presence of nitrogen bases, that can act as Lewis and Br\uf8nsted bases. Two nitrogen bases were studied, namely 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN), which can act as Br\uf8nsted base only, and pyridine, which is a good Lewis base but weak Br\uf8nsted base. First of all, the Br\uf8nsted base DMAN has been proved to be more efficient than oxygenated Lewis bases in catalyzing the trimerization process. Indeed it is enough a catalytic amount of base to cause the complete trimerization of 1. The so obtained trimeric deprotonated anion 2 (Chart 2) is unstable with respect to dearylation reactions, leading eventually (in the presence of more than 0.33 equiv of DMAN and at higher temperatures) to the tetrarylic species 3 (Chart 2). On the other hand, the behaviour of pyridine is quite different, since 0.33 equiv of base are requested to complete the trimerization of 1, and also in this case the obtained trimer is anionic. Moreover, the presence of 1 equivalent of pyridine does not cause the dearylation process but gives rise to the monomeric neutral 1:1 adduct 4 (Chart 2). Both the identification and the characterization of the involved species were performed by multiparametric and multinuclear low temperature NMR spectroscopy

1H NMR Characterization of Organic and Inorganic Nanoparticles

Drug delivery employing nano-object as liposomes, polymer conjugates, and nanoparticles suspended in solution is a subject of high current interest [1]. The characterization of the size and the surface functionalization of these nanoparticles is of primary importance. Microscopy techniques give information on deposited colloidal samples, after solvent evaporation, so that the correspondence with the nature of the species in solution is not granted. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), which is usually used to estimate the size of a colloidal sample in solution, can overestimate the radii of very small nanoparticles [2]. Diffusion NMR, and in particular Pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) technique, has recently emerged as a valuable tool for colloids characterization [3], complementary to DLS from the point of view of the size evaluation, being highly reliable for the measurement of the smallest particles. Moreover, NMR provide information not only on the size, but also on the interaction between the capping ligands and the nanoparticle surface. In this work, we present the characterization through 1H PGSE NMR measurements of the size of spherical and rod-like TiO2/oleic acid nanoparticles and of conjugates between Re complexes and polyamidoamine nanoparticles. Moreover, by 1H NMR experiments the interaction between TiO2 and the capping oleic acid (OA) has been characterized. [1] a) A. H. Faraji, P. Wipf, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 2009, 17, 2950-2962; b) S. M. Garg, A. V. Deshmukh, Nano Science and Nano Technology 2007, 1(2), 45-58; c) C. Khemtong, C. W. Kessinger, J. Gao, Chem. Commun. 2009, 3497-3510. [2] C. Sanna, C. La Mesa, L. Mannina, P. Stano, S. Viel, A. Segre, Langmuir 2006, 22, 6031-6041. [3] a) F. Ribot, V. Escax, C. Roiland, C. Sanchez, J. C. Martins, M. Biesemans, I. Verbruggen, R. Willem, Chem. Commun. 2005, 1019-1021; b) M. Valentini, A. Vaccaro, A. Rehor, A. Napoli, J. A. Hubbell, N. Tirelli, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 2142-2147

A new experimental snow avalanche test site at Seehore peak in Aosta Valley (NW Italian Alps) - Part II: Engineering aspects

The estimate of the effects produced by the impact of a snow avalanche against an obstacle is of the utmost importance in designing safe mountain constructions. For this purpose, an ad-hoc instrumented obstacle was designed and built in order to measure impact forces of small and medium snow avalanches at Seehore peak (NW Italian Alps). The structural design had to consider several specific and unusual demands dictated by the difficult environment. In this article, the new test facility is described from the engineering point of view, discussing the most important aspects of the analyzed problems which were solved before and after the construction. The performance of the instrumented obstacle in the first two operating seasons, and some proposals for future upgrading are eventually illustrate

The Power of Odor Persuasion: The Incorporation of Olfactory Cues in Virtual Environments for Personalized Relaxation

Olfaction is the most ancient sense and is directly connected with emotional areas in the brain. It gives rise to perception linked to emotion both in everyday life and in memory-recall activities. Despite its emotional primacy in perception and its role in sampling the real physical world, olfaction is rarely used in clinical psychological settings because it relies on stimuli that are difficult to deliver. However, recent developments in virtual-reality tools are creating novel possibilities for the engagement of the sense of smell in this field. In this article, we present the relevant features of olfaction for relaxation purposes and then discuss possible future applications of involving olfaction in virtual-reality interventions for relaxation. We also discuss clinical applications, the potential of new tools, and current obstacles and limitations

Associação de silicato de potássio a diferentes fungicidas no controle mancha alvo na cultura da soja.

MAYER, M. C.: grafia correta MEYER, M. C

CARoma Therapy: Pleasant Scents Promote Safer Driving, Better Mood, and Improved Well-Being in Angry Drivers

Driving is a task that is often affected by emotions. The effect of emotions on driving has been extensively studied. Anger is an emotion that dominates in such investigations. Despite the knowledge on strong links between scents and emotions, few studies have explored the effect of olfactory stimulation in a context of driving. Such an outcome provides HCI practitioners very little knowledge on how to design for emotions using olfactory stimulation in the car. We carried out three studies to select scents of different valence and arousal levels (i.e. rose, peppermint, and civet) and anger eliciting stimuli (i.e. affective pictures and on-road events). We used this knowledge to conduct the fourth user study investigating how the selected scents change the emotional state, well-being, and driving behaviour of drivers in an induced angry state. Our findings enable better decisions on what scents to choose when designing interactions for angry drivers

Communicating cosmology with multisensory metaphorical experiences

We present a novel approach to communicating abstract concepts in cosmology and astrophysics in a more accessible and inclusive manner. We describe an exhibit aiming at creating an immersive, multisensory metaphorical experience of an otherwise imperceptible physical phenomenon-dark matter. Human-Computer Interaction experts and physicists co-created a multisensory journey through dark matter by exploiting the latest advances in haptic and olfactory technology. We present the concept design of a pilot and a second, improved event, both held at the London Science Museum, including the practical setup of the multisensory dark matter experience, the delivery of sensory stimulation and preliminary insights from users' feedback