| 1. |
- Anund, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Driver impairment at night and its relation to physiological sleepiness.
- 2008
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In: Scand J Work Environ Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 34:2, s. 142-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Driver impairment at night and its relation to physiological sleepiness.Anund A, Kecklund G, Peters B, Forsman A, Lowden A, Akerstedt T.VTI, S-581 95 Linköping, Sweden. anna.anund@vti.se.OBJECTIVES: Studies of devices detecting sleepiness need reference points of physiological sleepiness. The present study sought to validate the Karolinska drowsiness score (KDS) as an indicator of physiological sleepiness against driving impairment and eye blink duration during a 45-minute drive in an advanced moving-base driving simulator. METHODS: Data from 19 persons were used in the analysis. Electrooculography, electroencephalography, and electromyography were administered continuously. Physiological sleepiness was quantified by scoring the percentage (0-100%) of the scoring epoch with alpha and theta activity and slow eye movements (KDS). Lateral position and speed were used as measures of driving behavior. Lane departure was defined as two wheels touching the lane markers. Blink duration was used as a secondary indicator of sleepiness. RESULTS: The results showed that, for young drivers, sleepiness increased with time in the task with higher levels. The variability of the lateral position and the mean and variability of the blink duration significantly changed when sleepiness increased to KDS >/=20%. Furthermore, there was an increase in the risk of lane departure for KDS >/=30%. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that KDS scoring is a reasonable procedure for estimating physiological sleepiness under conditions of driving. The results also indicate that a younger age is associated with greater sensitivity to sleepiness at the wheel.
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| 2. |
- Anund, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Driver sleepiness and individual differences in preferences for countermeasures.
- 2008
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In: J Sleep Res. - : Wiley. - 1365-2869 .- 0962-1105. ; 17:1, s. 16-22
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- 1: J Sleep Res. 2008 Mar;17(1):16-22. LinksDriver sleepiness and individual differences in preferences for countermeasures.Anund A, Kecklund G, Peters B, Akerstedt T.Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Linköping, Sweden. anna.anund@vti.seThe aim of the present national questionnaire study was to relate the use of sleepiness countermeasures among drivers to possible explanatory factors such as age, sex, education, professional driving, being a shift worker, having experience of sleepy driving, sleep-related crashes, problems with sleep and sleepiness in general and sleep length during working days. Also the attitude to countermeasures related to information or driver support system was studied. A random sample of 3041 persons was drawn from the national register of vehicle owners. The response rate was 62%. The most common countermeasures were to stop to take a walk (54%), turn on the radio/stereo (52%), open a window (47%), drink coffee (45%) and to ask passengers to engage in conversation (35%). Logistic regression analysis showed that counteracting sleepiness with a nap (a presumably efficient method) was practiced by those with experience of sleep-related crashes or of driving during severe sleepiness, as well as by professional drivers, males and drivers aged 46-64 years. The most endorsed means of information to the driver about sleepiness was in-car monitoring of driving performance providing drivers with information on bad or unsafe driving. This preference was related to experience of sleepy driving, not being a professional driver and male gender. Four clusters of behaviours were identified: alertness-enhancing activity while driving (A), stopping the car (S), taking a nap (N) and ingesting coffee or other sources of caffeine (C) (energy drinks, caffeine tablets). The participants were grouped according to their use of any of the four categories of countermeasures. The most common cluster was those who used activity, as well as stopping and drinking caffeine.PMID: 18275551 [PubMed - in process]
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| 3. |
- Anund, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Utvärdering av Mobilitetscenter.se
- 2005
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Det har i flera sammanhang påtalats att processen från körkortsansökan tillanpassad bil och körkort för personer med funktionshinder är alldeles förkomplex och svår att ta sig igenom. Det har under en längre tid funnits ettbehov av oberoende stöd och rådgivning. Som ett svar på detta behov ansökterörelsehinder-förbunden (NHR, RTP, RBU, RF och DHR) om medel från Allmännaarvsfonden för att starta ett mobilitetscenter i Göteborg. Projektet somkallas Mobilitetscenter.se (MC.se) kom igång med sin verksamhet så att dekunde ta emot personer som sökt och beviljats bilstöd under 2004. Syftet medföreliggande studie har varit att utvärdera verksamheten vid MC.se
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Koos, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression and activation in choroid plexus tumors
- 2009
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In: American Journal of Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9440 .- 1525-2191. ; 175:4, s. 1631-1637
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Choroid plexus tumors are intraventricular neoplasms predominantly affecting young children. In contrast to choroid plexus papillomas, choroid plexus carcinomas progress frequently, necessitating the development of adjuvant treatment concepts. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling has been shown to support growth in a variety of tumors. The finding of PDGF receptor expression in choroid plexus tumors prompted us to elucidate PDGF receptor activation state using a novel method, in situ proximity ligation assay, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, archival samples of 19 choroid plexus tumors. As assessed by in situ proximity ligation assay, the proportion of phosphorylated PDGF receptor alpha was low in choroid plexus papillomas and choroid plexus carcinomas, whereas phosphorylated PDGF receptor beta was found to be significantly higher in choroid plexus carcinomas. In the immortalized choroid plexus epithelial cell line Z310 expressing PDGF receptor beta, PDGF-BB exhibited a time- and dose-dependent proliferative response, which was significantly attenuated by imatinib (gleevec). In conclusion, our findings suggest that PDGF receptor beta is functionally involved in the biology of choroid plexus tumors and may represent a molecular target for therapy. In addition, this study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of in situ proximity ligation assay for monitoring receptor tyrosine kinase activation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, archival tissues.
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| 6. |
- Levin, Lena, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Äldre i transportsystemet : mobilitet, design och träningsproblematik
- 2007
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Generally, more elderly will be travelling and be out on the roads as active road-users in the future. Research exists on the travelling habits of the elderly; but more in-depth knowledge on the elderly's preferences as license-holders, drivers, road-users and actors in public transport is required. The aim of this report is to give an overview of previous research as well as to indicate a number of directions for future research on the mobility of the elderly as actors within the transport system. The work has a clear multidisciplinary approach, with knowledge from social science, behavioural science and technical research on transport and the elderly. However, the main weight lays on social science and behavioural science issues. The report is divided into eleven chapters: 1) contains a short background, purpose and method questions; 2) discusses the project's scientific and social relevance; 3) provides theoretical background and theoretical concepts; 4) mentions previous research on the elderly as car drivers; 5) is a chapter on license-less vehicles; 6) discusses traffic and road design for the elderly; 7) discusses the elderly as pedestrians and bicycle road-users; 8) is about the elderly in public transport and 9) is about the training of elderly drivers. Chapter 10) consists of a final discussion and chapter 11) summarises point by point the need for research on issues which have come to light in the report
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| 7. |
- Lowden, Arne, et al.
(author)
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Wakefulness in young and elderly subjects driving at night in a car simulator.
- 2009
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In: Accident; analysis and prevention. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2057 .- 0001-4575. ; 41:5, s. 1001-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Young drivers are over-represented in nighttime traffic accidents and several studies have suggested that many accidents are associated with elevated sleepiness levels. It has been suggested that there may be a connection between lowered wake capacity and functional sensory motor skills on the one hand and sleep deprivation at the circadian low in young drivers on the other. Performance during a 45/min evening and night drive among young (n=10, age range 18-24 years) and elderly (n=10, age range 55-64 years) subjects was studied using a moving base driving simulator. EEG was measured continuously. Every 5 min, subjects were rated on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Saliva cortisol was assessed before and after each drive. The results showed that sleepiness increased across each drive and was higher among young drivers at night. Relative EEG power increased among older drivers for frequencies of 10-16Hz. The sigma 1 frequency band (12-14Hz) proved particularly sensitive to sustained driving, and was elevated among subjects in the elderly group. Cortisol levels before and after the evening and night drive showed higher mean levels for elderly subjects. The present study has demonstrated that young drivers were more sleepy while driving at night. The effects could represent a mobilization of effort and a reorganization of brain firing pattern among older subjects, possibly reflecting better ability and effort to resist sleepiness.
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| 8. |
- Nyberg, Jonna, et al.
(author)
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Vidareutbildning för äldre bilförare : en översikt
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In the future the number of the older people, and older car drivers, will increase markedly. It is of great importance that older people have the possibility to retain their idenpendent mobility for as long as possible. However, old people have an increased risk to get severely injured or killed in a traffic accident because they are frailer due to their age. Getting older may also mean for example impaired hearing, eyesight and ability to react, something that might create problems for older car drivers in complex traffic situations. Degrading ablities often develop slowly and changes can be diffcult to embrace. Thus, mobility demands could be in conflict with traffic safety. Extensive experience can to some extent compensate high performance and refresher courses might be the way to both sustained mobility and traffic safety. The aim of this study was to make a survey of existing refresher courses for older car drivers in Sweden: Which further education possibilities do exist and which teaching material is used? Are the needs recognized? How is the education managed? What does it include and how is it organized? Who are the teachers? Who are the participants? How do the experiences look like and how is the education evaluated? How extensive is the education? What are the plans for the future? Telephone interviews have been performed with eleven experts, active in motor organizations and organizations of retired people. Furthermore, a survey of the course material, used according to the interviewees, has been performed. The most frequent refresher course according to the interviewees is called "65+". The purpose of the course 65+ is to give a better insight into which impact getting older has on car driving and by which means it is possible to continue to drive safely for as long as possible. The refresher course materials used are based on research results, accident statistics and the knowledge of traffic expertise. 65+ is designed in cooperation with a motor club, a traffic safety association and retired people's associations. The results of this study show that the design and performance of the refresher course is made locally, often in cooperation with an educational association. The course content and execution often depend on the individual leader's commitment, knowledge and interest, locally within an organization. Despite the course 65+, the organizations have mentioned a course called 'Older and wiser', which has its focus on influencing the public opinion concerning the elderly, their mobility and traffic safety. 'Correct and sensible in traffic' is another refresher course that includes advice and regulations to avoid traffic accidents. This latter material is, however, directed towards all road user groups and not only for older car drivers. There is, further, the book 'Confident Senior' (Swedish Road Administration), but this material has not been mentioned by the interviewees.
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| 9. |
- Peters, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Joystick controlled driving for drivers with disabilities : A driving simulator experiment
- 2005
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- A driving simulator experiment was conducted to investigate two design features of four-way joystick systems used for vehicle control (accelerator, brake and steering). Effects of active force feedback and decoupled speed and steering control were investigated. These were features expected tofacilitate driving with joystick systems. Time lags were made similar to what is found in conventional primary car controls, as those found in existing joystick systems seems to complicate usage and prolong learning. The joystick was designed for drivers with severe locomotor disabilities. Sixteen drivers with spinal cord injuries at a cervical level participated, all inexperienced with joystick driving. All participants drove on a rural road and performed a double lane change manoeuvre task. It was found that the decoupling provided better control and less workload, especially for those eight drivers with better hand and arm function. Active force feedback together with decoupled control was found positive for the same subgroup and provided better control in the lane change manoeuvre. However, drivers with less arm and hand function preferred passive feedback, and active feedback was even found disturbing. In general, the tested joystick was found to be very easy to learn which was attributed to the short in time lags.
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| 10. |
- Wang, Z, et al.
(author)
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Human TIEG2/KLF11 induces oligodendroglial cell death by downregulation of Bcl-XL expression.
- 2007
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In: Journal of neural transmission. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-9564 .- 1435-1463. ; 114:7, s. 867-75
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- TGF-beta-induced apoptosis is essential for embryonic development and mainteanance of adult tissues. Impairment of the apoptotic pathway, regulated by TGF-beta, plays a center role in tumorigenesis and manifestations of different diseases. TIEG2/KLF11 is a recently identified human TGF-beta-inducible zinc finger protein belonging to the family of Sp1/KLF-like transcription factors. In human and murine tissues it has been shown that TIEG1 and TIEG2 induce apoptosis and inhibit cell growth. Since TGF-beta and Tieg1 are able to induce apoptosis in the oligodendroglial cell line OLI-neu, we analysed the ability of TIEG2 to mimic the effects observed after treatment with TGF-beta and overexpression of Tieg1. Herein we report that TIEG2 induces Caspase3-dependent apoptosis in murine OLI-neu cells. Furthermore, we could demonstrate that TIEG2 decreases the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L) and inhibits transcription driven by the Bcl-X(L) promoter. These data suggest that TIEG2 serves as a downstream mediator of TGF-beta, bridging TGF-beta-dependent signaling to the intracellular pathway of apoptosis.
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