Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

About: Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is a archive organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Poison control & Reading (process). The organization has 38 authors who have published 55 publications receiving 1028 citations.

Driver workload and eye blink duration

Abstract: The use of standardized methods in driver distraction research is essential for comparing results across studies. This work examined the effects of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) usage on eye blinks in a simulated Lane Change Test (LCT), a simple driving task specifically designed by the International Organization for Standardization. Fifteen participants performed the LCT in a driving simulator in both single- and dual-task conditions, the latter manipulated by introducing an IVIS task in the car cockpit. Results suggest that blink duration (BD), with respect to blink rate (BR), is a more sensitive and reliable indicator of driver visual workload. Besides considering mean BD values, a detailed analysis revealed that the distribution of BD follows a Gaussian-like curve in normal driving conditions: three duration classes (short, medium, long) were extracted from such distribution, and changes happening to each class were analyzed within the dual-task conditions. Short and long blinks reflect, respectively, the effects of visual workload and time on task: more short blinks occur with an IVIS interaction during driving, while more long blinks arise as time spent driving increases. These results may have practical implications for system design in automotive.

Large changes in Pluto's atmosphere as revealed by recent stellar occultations

Abstract: Pluto's tenuous nitrogen atmosphere was first detected by the imprint left on the light curve of a star that was occulted by the planet in 1985 (ref. 1), and studied more extensively during a second occultation event in 1988 (refs 2-6). These events are, however, quite rare and Pluto's atmosphere remains poorly understood, as in particular the planet has not yet been visited by a spacecraft. Here we report data from the first occultations by Pluto since 1988. We find that, during the intervening 14 years, there seems to have been a doubling of the atmospheric pressure, a probable seasonal effect on Pluto.