To keep older drivers safe, it is necessary to assess their fitness to drive. We developed a touch screen-based digital Clock Drawing Test (dCDT) and examined the relationship between the dCDT scores ...and on-road driving performance of older drivers in a community-setting.
One hundred and forty-one community-dwelling older drivers (range; 64-88 years old) who participated in this study were included in the analysis. Participants completed the dCDT, the Mini-Mental State Examination-Japanese (MMSE-J), and an on-road driving assessment. We examined the relationship between dCDT scores using the method by Rouleau et al. (maximum 10 points) and the on-road driving performance based on a driving assessment system originally developed by Nagoya University.
Multiple regression analyses showed that errors in the driving test were associated with dCDT score for the items "confirmation," "turning left" and "maintains driving lane position".
This study confirmed the relationship between the dCDT score and driving errors, such as confirmation, turning left and maintaining driving lane position. The increase in these errors indicates a decline in visuospatial ability while driving. The dCDT score may reflect older drivers' visuospatial abilities while driving.
Although the current evaluation of human blastocysts is based on the Gardner criteria, there may be other notable parameters. The purpose of our study was to clarify whether the morphology of ...blastocysts has notable indicators other than the Gardner criteria.
To find such indicators, we compared blastocysts that showed elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels after transplantation (hCG-positive group;
= 129) and those that did not (hCG-negative group;
= 105) using principal component analysis of pixel brightness of the images.
The comparison revealed that the hCG-positive group had grainy morphology and the hCG-negative group had non-grainy morphology. Classification of the blastocysts by this indicator did not make a difference in Gardner score. Interestingly, all embryos with ≥20% fragmentation were non-grainy. The visual classification based on this analysis was significantly more accurate than the prediction of implantation using the Gardner score ≥3BB. As graininess can be used in combination with the Gardner score, this indicator will enhance current reproductive technologies.
Purpose
To assess the appropriateness of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) re‐trigger in poor responders to gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger in controlled ovarian stimulation ...(COS) cycles.
Methods
The 2251 cycles in 2251 patients triggered with GnRHa for oocyte stimulation, with or without requiring hCG re‐trigger between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively analyzed to compare gonadotropin levels at the start of COS and the rate of normal fertilization between the re‐trigger and non–re‐trigger group. Furthermore, patients in the re‐trigger group were stratified by the rate of normal fertilization (good: ≥60% or poor: <60%) to compare patient demographics, hormone profiles, and clinical outcome between the subgroups.
Results
In the re‐trigger group, FSH and LH levels at the start of COS were significantly lower in the good fertilization group than in the poor fertilization group (P < .01). Receiver operating characteristic curves identified cutoff values of the FSH and LH levels of 1.30 and 0.35 mIU/mL, respectively, for predicting ≥60% normal fertilization.
Conclusion
Gonadotropin levels at the start of COS are predictors of response to GnRHa trigger and hCG re‐trigger necessity, and may serve as indicators to help clinicians appropriately choose hCG re‐trigger rather than abandoning the cycles or continuing the first oocyte aspiration attempt.
When FSH and LH levels at the start of controlled ovarian stimulation were higher than the cutoff levels derived from ROC curve, oocytes obtained by re‐triggering with hCG frequently resulted in abnormal fertilization.
The 38-item Workload Sensitivity Questionnaire (WSQ38) was originally designed for general drivers. In this study, we attempted to create a shortened version for senior drivers. As a result of ...analysis using latent rank theory, we were able to classify the items into three groups of ranks according to the degree of subjective workload. A shortened form was proposed and validated using the top items with the highest item discriminancy. It became clear that about 10 to 9 items were sufficient to measure the degree of driving workload (WSQ9 or WSQ10).
Sixty-five elderly drivers participated in an experiment to develop a risk estimation test that can measure self-monitoring ability. The test consisted to point hazards, blind spots, signals and road ...sign by touching display in a Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics (3DCG) image from the driver's viewpoint on a 21-inch touch panel display. After the test, participants were asked to self-evaluate the rate of the total objects they could touch for safety, and to select a velocity for their next driving. The results were compared with those of non-elderly drivers. And the relationship with cognitive function measured by the TMT-B was also examined. In addition, the variables affecting velocity selection were analyzed. The results revealed the following points. The hazard pointing rate of elderly drivers was significantly lower than that of non-elderly drivers. There were many elderly drivers whose self-estimation of the hazard pointing rate was high, even though the actual rate was low. There was a significant correlation between the decline in cognitive function and the decline in the potential hazard like blind spots at intersections pointing rate. There was no relationship between cognitive function or self-estimation of hazard pointing rate and selection velocity.
Many studies on driving behaviour and human characteristics often use multiple questionnaires, that is burdensome for older drivers. It works efficiently if only valid items are used to adequately ...represent differences among older drivers. The aim of the present report is to develop an exhaustive questionnaire incorporating several driving-related scales. The analysis was conducted using the latent rank theory. As a result, the 121 items of the existing questionnaire could be reduced to 45 items without significant loss of information. With the new questionnaire, it is possible to measure 8 different subjective assessments, such as safe driving orientation and awareness of change.
In order to collect fundamental data for preventing accidents caused by pedal misapplication of the elderly drivers, we measure the pedal operation in actual driving scenes on the same vehicle. We ...use motion capture system and on-dash cams, and analyze the foot movement and the heel position, in the various driving scenes such as stopped, backed up and parked. The heel fixation group showed a greater distance from the center of the brake pedal and a smaller foot travel distance compared to the heel shift group.
In the present study, we conducted a questionnaire survey to clarify the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the physical and mental health of elderly people and the changes in the feelings of ...elderly drivers toward driving. The number of outings, which decreased during the period of emergency declaration, gradually recovered to the level before COVID-19 epidemic. However, the number of outings for leisure and social activities did not recover. The number of times they used public transportation decreased, and the number of times they used cars driven by others increased. In addition, the number of times they drove by themselves decreased slightly, and their anxiety about driving by themselves increased. Furthermore, communication with others was association with mental health in the elderly. There is concern that the COVID-19 epidemic may cause a decline in quality of life in the elderly.
To clarify the elderly drivers’ usage situation of Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV), and their characteristics, we analyzed the result of the questionnaire survey of elderly drivers nationwide (N = ...1,657). The major findings are as follows. 1) The indifferent group, which had experienced a minor collision in the past 10 years and had no intention to change to ASV, accounted for 11%. 2) The indifferent group tended to think their driving was unsafe and did not follow traffic rules. 3) Result of the characterize elderly drivers by using CCDC, we confirmed that the indifferent group has the characteristics of risk-taking.
To ensure traffic safety for elderly drivers, effective measures that promote the use of advanced safety vehicles (ASVs) are required in Japan's aging society. This study was aimed at clarifying the ...attitudes of elderly drivers toward the use of ASVs. A survey was conducted targeting elderly drivers (N = 1657). The results classified the respondents into four groups, and the characteristics of each group were analyzed using a chi-square test and residual analysis of the cross-tabulation results of the respondents groups. The results revealed the following: (1) those who were interested in ASVs were more likely to intend to change to a safer vehicle. (2) Those who did not follow traffic rules were more likely to not use ASVs and not intend to change. (3) Those who had discussed car use with anyone were more likely to use ASVs. (4) The influence of the public transportation environment and the experience of minor collisions on ASV usage could not be confirmed. (5) To promote ASV usage, publicity and other measures are required to inspire interest in discussions regarding car usage and the merits of ASVs.
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