Search

Multiple regression analyses of data from 143 public transportation drivers in Kenya indicated that driver experience and hours worked were significantly related to rates of traffic accidents. Educational level, training, salary, and average speed were not related. (Contains 45 references.) (SK)

A study investigated 171 mass transit operators' beliefs about blindness and the factors that may influence their beliefs. There were statistically significant differences among transit operators' beliefs on the basis of the operators' ethnicity. White participants had significantly fewer irrational beliefs about blindness than Hispanic and African American participants. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Describes the pros and cons involved in elevating bus drivers to professional status. Under current federal regulations, bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license (CDL). The CDL test, however, does not require certain abilities pertaining to student transportation, particularly student-management skills. Describes strategies for attracting and retaining qualified drivers. (LMI)

A booming economy and low unemployment make it harder than ever before to lure and retain good school-bus drivers. Lack of money for good wages has prompted some innovative recruitment and retention tactics. Chicago has turned to the rolls of people going off welfare as a source of bus-driver candidates. The Trans Group, headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York, offers safety and attendance bonuses. (MLF)

The important role of special education bus drivers is highlighted, and parents are offered suggestions for making their child's transportation to and from school a positive experience. Suggestions include following proper procedures, informing the driver of any special concerns, solving problems with compromise, and treating the driver in a positive manner. (DB)

Background: In developing countries, driving long-distance buses presents substantial road-traffic challenges. These are intensified by demanding job conditions and job insecurity, potentially leading to increased safety incidents linked to driver fatigue. This study sought to investigate how driving fatigue mediates the relationship between job demands, job security, and safety incidents among long-distance bus drivers in Ghana. Methods: This survey sampled 7315 long-distance commercial bus drivers using a convenient sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS version 4. Findings: Both job demands and job security showed significant positive associations with safety incidents among the drivers. Driving fatigue produced a partial mediation effect of job demands and job security on safety incidents of the drivers. This highlights crucial link between job stressors and driving performance. Conclusion: The study indicates critical impact of job demands and job security on driving fatigue and subsequent safety incidents among bus these drivers in Ghana. Thus, addressing these stressors through targeted interventions, such as improved working conditions and fatigue management programmes, become essential for enhancing driver well-being and road safety in Ghana. Importantly, addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts among transport authorities, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders to enforce regulations and promote supportive work environments for the drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the current shortage of school bus drivers in many states, access to education is at risk for the many students who get to and from school by bus. Despite the critical role drivers play, little is known about why they stay in their jobs, and what can be done to keep them. To learn more about school bus driver retention, 301 drivers in 32 districts in New York were surveyed. Drawing on an overarching model of person-environment fit, perspectives of job satisfaction, meaningful work and public service motivation were used to explore what aspects of the driver role relate to turnover intention. Findings indicated lower turnover intention when drivers reported higher extrinsic satisfaction, when they found their work to hold personal significance, and when they saw their work as a source of broader meaning for their lives. Drivers also viewed themselves as making a difference in the lives of students and considered themselves a significant part of their education. They also indicated that pay and benefits were important in their decision to stay or leave. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for school leadership practice and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPublic buses and taxis play crucial roles in urban transportation. Ensuring their safety is of paramount importance to develop sustainable communities. This study investigated the significant factors contributing to the injury severity of bus–taxi crashes, using the crash data recorded by the police in Hong Kong from 2009 to 2019. To account for the unobserved heterogeneity, the random parameters logistic model with heterogeneity in means was elaborately developed. The results revealed that taxi driver age, bus age, traffic congestion, and taxi driver behavior had significantly heterogeneous effects on the injury severity of bus–taxi crashes and that the mean value of the random parameter for severe traffic congestion was likely to increase if the taxi’s age was <5 years. Taxi driver gender, rainfall, time of day, crash location, bus driver behavior, and collision type were found to significantly affect the bus–taxi crash severity. Specifically, female taxi drivers, old taxis, rainfall, midnight, improper manipulation of bus and taxi drivers, head-on and sideswipe collision types, and non-intersections were associated with a higher likelihood of fatal and severe crashes. Based on our findings, targeted countermeasures were proposed to mitigate the injury severity of bus–taxi crashes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the dynamics of leave-taking and thanking on buses in rural versus urban settings. Employing a mixed-methods approach, Study A involved an online survey with 1000 participants from 125 locations in German-speaking Switzerland, while Study B observed 236 passengers' behaviors in urban and rural contexts whereby contextual factors such as location of exiting, time of day, and passenger demographics were systematically varied. Results revealed an urban-rural divide, with rural areas demonstrating more frequent leave-taking and thanking. Factors like door location on the bus, number of exiting passengers, and passenger age influenced the realization of these speech acts, with front-door, solo exits and older passengers displaying more leave-taking and thanking. Furthermore, in rural areas, bus drivers often initiated the interactions. Subsequent qualitative interviews after the conduction of Study B revealed several possible reasons for the urban vs. rural divide: in the rural countryside, bus lines can be geographically more exposed. Roads can be dangerous, particularly in wintertime. This could increase the probability of wanting to bid farewell to the bus driver and to express gratitude for bringing them home 'safely'. This research sheds light on the subtleties governing social exchanges within public transportation contexts. • This is the first study to examine sub-national variation in leave-taking and thanking between bus drivers and passengers. • Findings reveal a rural vs urban divide in these speech acts: countryside people use more leave-taking and thank you. • In the countryside, behavior is influenced by factors like place of exiting and passengers' age. • Qualitative interviews show differences in social networks and bus line make-up to affect realization of these speech acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of the seat suspension on the comfort level, and stability of the bus driver are analyzed using a three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) quarter-vehicle model. The influences are analyzed through the effects of seat suspension damping ratio ξ se on driver frequency weighted acceleration a w (m/s2) (comfort level) according to ISO 2631:1-1997 standard, the ratio of driver acceleration and gravitational acceleration a / g (vertical stability). With random excitation according to ISO 8608, considering the same vehicle speed value v (km/h) (in the region of 10 – 20 (km/h)), the decrease of ξ se increases the a w value, this result leads to the reduction of comfort level; Considering the same ξ se value, a w value decreases as increasing v value. With transient excitation according to IRC 99 – 1988, considering the same v value, the smaller ξ se creates the larger a / g value; Considering the same ξ se , the value of a / g increases and reaches the extreme in the vehicle speed range 20 – 30 (km/h), outside this speed range the value of a / g decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new, highly complex, and far‐reaching technology, autonomous driving can be associated with various fears and uncertainties. However, recent findings show that high trait anxiety can positively contribute to the intention to use (ITU) autonomous vehicles (AVs). An explanation for this is that the possibility of handing over one's driving control to artificial intelligence (AI) is even more relieving for more anxious people. Our study aimed to test whether this explanation can be supported by investigating to what extent this relationship can be applied to buses in which control is handed over per se–in the conventional bus to a driver, and in the autonomous bus to the AI. We also analyzed how the fear of giving up control mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and ITU. In a quasi‐experimental study, 253 subjects were surveyed while riding an autonomous or conventional electric bus. The results confirmed a positive association between trait anxiety and ITU in the overall sample but not in the autonomous and conventional subsamples. Contrary to our assumptions, fear of giving up control served as a slightly suppressive but not significant mediator. The results were independent of whether control was handed over to a human driver in the conventional electric bus or to AI in the autonomous bus. Our study thus provides fundamental new insights into the acceptance of AVs and buses in general and opens the door for subsequent research based on these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses the relationship between perceived stress and emotional eating based on shiftwork in city bus drivers. It was conducted with 1403 male city bus drivers working in Istanbul. Questions about the drivers' physical activity and dietary habits, the Healthy Diet Index (HDI), Emotional Appetite Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-10 data were collected and evaluated in two groups: shift and non-shift employees. It was found that the shift workers (SWs) have lower perceived stress, physical activity, HDI and positive emotional appetite averages. In addition, for SWs, a positive correlation was found between negative emotional appetite scores and physical activity and HDI scores. In conclusion, the drivers working in shifts were found to be slightly overweight and had lower physical activity levels, had lower HDI scores, and their nutritional status was more negatively impacted than their counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Despite the critical role of bus drivers in the Ghanaian economy, research on their safety is limited, hindering progress towards reducing road traffic crashes (RTCs) in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6. This study aimed to investigate the rate of RTCs and near misses among long-distance bus drivers, identifying key predictors. Method This cross-sectionl survey sampled 7,315 long-distance bus drivers operating from Accra and Tema to other parts of Ghana and sub-region. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were condcuted using Jamovi software version 2.5.3. Results The study found that 53.7% and 96.9% of bus drivers had at least one RTC and one near-miss two years prior to data collection respectively. Older age, higher education, and extensive driving experience (≥ 21 years) reduced RTC risk, while factors like 6–20 years of experience, individual bus ownership, irregular shifts, long driving hours, sleepiness, job security, low decision authority, and skill discretion increased RTC risk. Near-misses were more likely with public bus ownership, not driving alone, low decision authority, skill discretion, and supervisor support, while high work-family conflict reduced near-miss likelihood. Conclusion Concerted efforts are needed to implement targeted interventions aimed at regulating working hours, enhancing job security and integrating occupationl health and safety standards in the Ghanaian bus transport industry. By prioritizing evidence-based policies and practices, stakeholders can work towards creating safer roads and healthier work environments for bus drivers.

ObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionAberrant driving behaviours among bus drivers cause serious concerns to safety on the road. The present study aimed to measure the effects of driver characteristics on aberrant and positive driving behaviours among bus drivers and to group drivers accordingly. The study was carried out among bus drivers of the government-owned road transport corporation in Kerala, India.A total of 1120 drivers took part in the survey, out of which 617 drivers returned the forms with all questions answered (response rate = 55.1%). SPSS version 27.0 was used for analysis.Structural equation modelling proved the predictive nature of driver characteristics on driving behaviours. K-means cluster analysis revealed clusters such as violating and angry drivers (cluster 1), knowledgeable drivers with positive driving behaviours (cluster 2), healthy and stress-free drivers (cluster 3), erroneous and stressed drivers (cluster 4) and calm drivers with positive driving behaviours (cluster 5).Positive relationships of anger and stress on aberrant driving behaviours and higher number of drivers in clusters 1 and 4 reveal concerns of safety. The study points towards the necessity of organizational commitment for improving driver characteristics for better driver behaviours and safer roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bus drivers have an important role in ensuring road safety, as their driving circumstances fluctuate due to the combined influence of physiological, psychological, and environmental dynamics, which can cause complex and varied driving dangers. Quantifying and assessing drivers' risk characteristics under various scenarios, as well as finding the best fit with their work schedules, is critical for enhancing bus safety. This research first uses the entropy weight method, which is based on historical warning data, to examine the risk characteristics of bus drivers in various complicated contexts. It then creates an objective function targeted at minimizing the operational risk for a specific bus route. This function uses the quasi-Vogel approach and an improved simulated annealing algorithm to optimize and restructure the scheduling table, taking individual driver risk characteristics into account. Finally, the analysis is confirmed and examined with actual operational data from the Zhenjiang Bus Line 3. The data show that enhanced bus operations resulted in a 7.22% gain in overall safety and a 33.76% improvement in balancing levels. These insights provide valuable theoretical guidance as well as practical references for the safe operation and administration of public buses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to analyze the meanings attributed to work by urban bus drivers who work in large cities. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research was conducted with the participation of 22 drivers from the same bus company in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Data were obtained from semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis, with the support of Atlas.ti software. Results: The results showed that remuneration, considered relatively high for the level of education required, and the pleasure of driving were the main aspects that give meaning to the drivers' work. Furthermore, it was found that work has high centrality, but is less important than family for most participants. Differences were also identified between mature and younger drivers. Although everyone seems to enjoy their profession, mature drivers show that they like the work more and feel more recognized when compared to their younger colleagues. Practical implications: As a practical contribution, the results may guide the development of human resource management policies and practices that foster a more positive work experience. Theoretical implications: The research contributes to the national literature on the meaning of work, by bringing the perspectives of bus drivers, a group that have received relatively little attention. Limitations: The research involved bus drivers from the same company, which may have limited a greater diversity of perspectives. Originality/value: The present study fills a gap in the national literature on the meaning of work, usually focused on professions with higher social status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Dil Araştırmaları is the property of Journal of Dil Arastirmalari and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research introduces a new approach for detecting mobile phone use by drivers, exploiting the capabilities of Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KAN) to improve road safety and comply with regulations prohibiting phone use while driving. To address the lack of available data for this specific task, a unique dataset was constructed consisting of images of bus drivers in two scenarios: driving without phone interaction and driving while on a phone call. This dataset provides the basis for the current research. Different KAN-based networks were developed for custom action recognition tailored to the nuanced task of identifying drivers holding phones. The system's performance was evaluated against convolutional neural network-based solutions, and differences in accuracy and robustness were observed. The aim was to propose an appropriate solution for professional Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) in research and development and to investigate the efficiency of KAN solutions for this specific sub-task. The implications of this work extend beyond enforcement, providing a foundational technology for automating monitoring and improving safety protocols in the commercial and public transport sectors. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the efficacy of KAN network layers in neural network designs for driver monitoring applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency weighted acceleration, relative displacement, and Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility (SEAT) of a bus driver's seat are investigated by a 4 degrees of freedom (4DOF) vertical dynamic model, including a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA). The Root Mean Squared (RMS) values of the gain responses in the frequency domain are analyzed in the DVA damping ratio domain to help determine the optimal value of the DVA' s suspension. The obtained results show that the comfort evaluation index, in the case of a bus driver's seat with DVA, can be improved by more than 15% and nearly 10%, respectively, with the seat suspension natural frequency of 1 Hz and 4 Hz respectively. The comfort is better with the lower seat suspension natural frequency and vice versa. Especially in the case of both the seat and the DVA suspensions with low natural frequencies, all the three mean of evaluation indexes in the whole damping ratio domain of the DVA, have improved by more than 12%. This is the case with all three evaluation indexes which are the best when the damping ratio of the DVA is greater than 0.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bus driver anger due to passenger misbehavior may lead to serious bus accidents, yet there are no mature tools available to capture bus driver reactions during driver–passenger conflicts. The bus driver anger scale (BDAS) and the bus driver anger expression inventory (BDAX) were developed to measure the anger levels and expressions of drivers in such conflicts. A bus driver anger model was developed based on 400 questionnaires in Changsha, China. The findings indicate that drivers are most likely to be angered by passenger violations and quarrels among passengers. Drivers irritated by passenger irregularities tend to employ personal aggressive expression or adaptive/constructive expression. Disputes among passengers may lead drivers to resort to unreasonable methods of venting their emotions. Moreover, passengers’ rude behaviors can trigger bus drivers’ aggressive personal expressions. Therefore, it is necessary to establish passenger regulations and encourage drivers to express their anger reasonably in driver–passenger conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To understand the prevalence and characteristics of cervical spondylosis among bus drivers and analyze its possible influencing factors, providing the scientific basis for improving the health status of bus drivers. Methods In January 2024, a cross -sectional survey was conducted among 551 bus drivers in a certain region, and the basic information on the drivers, information on the prevalence of cervical spondylosis diagnosed by hospitals, driving characteristics, and lifestyle characteristics of these drivers were collected using the electronic questionnaire titled“Survey on the Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Cervical Spondylosis Among Bus Drivers.” The Pearson χ² test was used for univariate analysis of the prevalence of cervical spondylosis among different characteristic groups, and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the main influencing factors of cervical spondylosis. Results The prevalence of cervical spondylosis among these 551 bus drivers was 16.3% . Univariate analysis found that the prevalence of cervical spondylosis was higher in males than in females (P < 0.05); drivers with 16 to 20 years of service had a higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis than those with 10 to 15 years of service (P < 0.05); those who maintained the same neck posture for long periods and those with insufficient break time had the higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis (both P < 0.01); drivers who often felt tense during driving operations and those who often felt work pressure had the higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis (both P < 0.01); drinkers had a higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis than non - drinkers (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to drivers with 10 to 15 years of service, no work pressure, and non-drinkers, drivers with 16 to 20 years of service (OR = 2.014, P = 0.008), those who often felt work pressure (OR = 3.851, P < 0.001), and drinkers (OR = 1.700, P = 0.047) had a higher risk of cervical spondylosis. Conclusions The prevalence of cervical spondylosis among bus drivers was higher than that of the general adult population in China. Attention should be paid to drivers with longer service years, and a series of intervention measures should be formulated to reduce their work pressure, encourage good lifestyle habits, and protect cervical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The network scale-up method (NSUM) is a survey-based method for estimating the number of individuals in a hidden or hard-to-reach subgroup of a general population. In NSUM surveys, sampled individuals report how many others they know in the subpopulation of interest (e.g. "How many sex workers do you know?") and how many others they know in subpopulations of the general population (e.g. "How many bus drivers do you know?"). NSUM is widely used to estimate the size of important sociological and epidemiological risk groups, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, HIV+ individuals, and drug users. Unlike several other methods for population size estimation, NSUM requires only a single random sample and the estimator has a conveniently simple form. Despite its popularity, there are no published guidelines for the minimum sample size calculation to achieve a desired statistical precision. Here, we provide a sample size formula that can be employed in any NSUM survey. We show analytically and by simulation that the sample size controls error at the nominal rate and is robust to some forms of network model mis-specification. We apply this methodology to study the minimum sample size and relative error properties of several published NSUM surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Driving behaviors of bus drivers between the in-vehicle monitoring data and the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) were compared. • Eighty-eight types of real-world aberrant driving behaviors were extracted observed in the in-vehicle monitoring data. • Aberrant driving behavior rate was calculated, and DBQ factor rates were calculated for comparison with DBQ scores. • The new driver behavior questionnaire for Chinese bus drivers is composed of 26 items. Among surface transportation systems. bus crashes contribute to particularly high rates of death, injury, and property damage. The driving behaviors of bus drivers regularly appear as contributing factors in these negative safety outcomes. The Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) is a validated self-reporting instrument, used to measure driver behavior, that is influenced by driver type, region, and time. Little research has used objective measurements to adjust DBQ items, and researchers using this method have entirely ignored bus drivers as a potential population of interest. Instead, adjustments to DBQ items have typically relied on interviews and subjective judgment. Naturalistic driving data offers widespread and quantitative insights into real-world driving behaviors. Using the 25-item DBQ developed by Maslać et al. in 2018 as a basis, this study adjusted the DBQ items by comparison with the actual driving behaviors of bus drivers. In-vehicle monitoring data was used to identify and code 88 types of actual driving behaviors. Actual driving behavior rate and DBQ factor rate were calculated for individual characteristics (age and bus driving experience) and the DBQ's five factors (ordinary violation, aggressive violation, error, lapse, and positive behaviors). Results showed that (a) bus drivers across all demographic groups demonstrated positive behaviors and errors, but were less likely to commit ordinary and aggressive violations; and (b) there were weak correlations between factor rates and DBQ scores, and only minor variances between divided factor groups. Based on these findings, a new 26-item questionnaire was created for Chinese bus drivers, adding 15 actual behaviors, modifying five previous DBQ items, and leaving six DBQ items unchanged from the Maslać's DBQ. This study's method for revising the DBQ based on actual driving behavior can be applied to other types of drivers in various regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Pain and disabilities in the musculoskeletal system can lead to reduced productivity and job turnover. The present study aimed to assess the role of posture, as well as job satisfaction and individual factors, in causing musculoskeletal pain and disabilities among urban bus drivers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 bus drivers from Hamadan were investigated using a census method. Standardized questionnaires were employed to assess musculoskeletal disorders and job satisfaction. In addition, posture evaluation was conducted using the RULA. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using T-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. Results: The highest and lowest frequencies of pain in the past year were related to the back (72.3%; n=94) and ankle (3.8%; n=5), respectively. The mean body posture scores for the left and right sides of drivers’ bodies were 5.85±1.14 and 6.06±1.05, respectively. The intensity of pain and disability in the musculoskeletal system had a direct relationship with age, work history, body mass index, and posture score, and an inverse relationship with the mean of sleep hours, exercise, and job satisfaction (P

Abstract Background There have been few longitudinal studies on Chinese bus drivers and the individual differences in the relationships between organizational justice and job satisfaction. This study examined the organizational justice and job satisfaction in bus drivers and the individual differences in this relationship. Methods A two-wave longitudinal study design was employed. A first survey was conducted on 513 Chinese bus drivers in October 2021 that collected socio-demographic information and asked about their perceptions of organizational fairness. A second survey was conducted six months later that asked about role overload and job satisfaction and assessed their proactive personality type. An effect model was then used to explore the moderating effects of role overload and proactive personality type on the relationships between organizational justice and job satisfaction. Results Both procedural and interactive justice predicted the bus drivers’ job satisfaction. Proactive personalities and role overload were found to enhance this relationship. Conclusions Organizations could benefit from screening at the recruitment stage for drivers with highly proactive personalities. Relevant training for drivers with low proactive personalities could partially improve employee job satisfaction. When viewed from a Chinese collectivist cultural frame, role overload could reflect trust and a sense of belonging, which could enhance job satisfaction. Finally, to improve employee job satisfaction, organizations need to ensure procedural and interactive justice.

The article analyzes the spectacularization of intimacy in the iconographies of buses in the Colombian Caribbean between 2013 and 2023, investigating whether these representations constitute power, territory, history, and cultural identity of the subjects through iconological communication. More than 1000 photographs were reviewed to select 15 iconographies and conduct interviews with bus drivers and owners. It is revealed that in some cities, cultural signs are being replaced by icons of commercial and institutional power. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Skin microbiota is essential for health maintenance. Photoaging is the primary environmental factor that affects skin homeostasis, but whether it influences the skin microbiota remains unclear. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between photoaging and skin microbiome. Methods: A cohort of senior bus drivers was considered as a long‐term unilateral ultraviolet (UV) irradiated population. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was conducted to assess skin microbial composition variations on different sides of their faces. The microbiome characteristics of the photoaged population were further examined by photoaging guinea pig models, and the correlations between microbial metabolites and aging‐related cytokines were analyzed by high‐throughput sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Photoaging decreased the relative abundance of microorganisms including Georgenia and Thermobifida in human skin and downregulated the generation of skin microbe‐derived antioxidative metabolites such as ectoin. In animal models, Lactobacillus and Streptobacillus abundance in both the epidermis and dermis dropped after UV irradiation, resulting in low levels of skin antioxidative molecules and leading to elevated expressions of the collagen degradation factors matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and MMP‐2 and inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6. Conclusions: Skin microbial characteristics have an impact in photoaging and the loss of microbe‐derived antioxidative metabolites impairs skin cells and accelerates the aging process. Therefore, microbiome‐based therapeutics may have potential in delaying skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Driver drowsiness is a significant factor contributing to road accidents and the overall increase in road mortality rates. This study investigates the relationship between number of lane crossing (LC), the amount of lateral position deviations and driver drowsiness. The proposed method, due to precision and convenience, has great potential for developing driver-assistant systems. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, 34 sub-urban bus drivers participated in a 2-h driving session in a simulator designed based on visual reality. Sensors attached to the steering recorded right and left deviations and relevant information was matched with the receded videos and the amount of the standard deviation of lane position (SDLP). The number of LC was determined with the designed indicator on the road software. Then, the association between SDLP and the number of LC was compared with the results of the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) and observer rating of drowsiness (ORD), which determined the level of drowsiness, by facial features. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the time variable has a significant effect on both ORD and SDLP (P<0.05). These two variables provided over 99% of the variance. The same results were obtained for KSS and SDLP (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the linear combination of these two dependent variables over 12 periods of the research has significant variations. In addition, the results show the progression of KSS and ORD (P<0.05) and an increase in SDLP and LC (P<0.05). In the same manner, LC has a tight association with the level of drowsiness and other factors (P<0.05). Conclusion: Drowsiness increases the variation in line tracking. However, it is not an appropriate signal for drowsiness detection. The SDLP and the number of line crossings is an. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding which aspects can have the greatest influence on the performance, comfort and safety of a public transport system can be of great help in improving its operation and promoting more sustainable mobility. To find out more about these aspects, a survey was carried out among more than 180 drivers of urban bus transport systems in seven medium-sized cities in Spain. The drivers' perspective has been insufficiently taken into account in previous research, despite the fact that these workers have a high and direct knowledge of the operation and problems directly affecting the service. The data collected through this survey have been analysed using descriptive statistics and an Ordered Probit model. The results have allowed us to detect specific aspects to improve the performance and comfort of users and drivers such as the correct location and length of bus stops and enforcing regulation to ensure that buses have priority in traffic and that illegal parking does not interfere with their operations. In addition, bus lanes were seen as important by drivers to improve the comfort and safety of the service. Other factors related to safety were generally highly rated and there was little dispersion in the responses about their importance, although aspects such as proper visibility, avoiding illegal parking, and campaigns to encourage bus users to be aware of their surroundings stood out in the answers. Finally, the payment system was highlighted as very relevant to ensure the performance and comfort of users and drivers during the operation at bus stops. Improving this system was identified as the measure that could have the greatest impact on the performance of the service as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]