Many college students struggle to perform well on exams in the early morning. Although students drink caffeinated beverages to feel more awake, it is unclear whether these actually improve performance. After consuming coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated), college-age adults completed implicit and explicit memory tasks in the early morning and late afternoon (Experiment 1). During the morning, participants ingesting caffeine demonstrated a striking improvement in explicit memory, but not implicit memory. Caffeine did not alter memory performance in the afternoon. In Experiment 2, participants engaged in cardiovascular exercise in order to examine whether increases in physiological arousal similarly improved memory. Despite clear increases in physiological arousal, exercise did not improve memory performance compared to a stretching control condition. These results suggest that caffeine has a specific benefit for memory during students' non-optimal time of day-early morning. These findings have real-world implications for students taking morning exams.

Dementia is a serious disease affecting a growing number of people. With the onset of dementia comes a decline in social activity engagement which can negatively impact multiple aspects of a person’s life. Research suggests that time of day may influence activity engagement of a person with dementia, but such research is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of time of day on engagement in activities in persons diagnosed with dementia. The secondary purpose of this study was to assess the validity of preference assessments in individuals diagnosed with dementia and determine if low preference is correlated with low engagement in group activities. An alternating treatments design was used with three participants to compare activity engagement during two times of day, morning and afternoon, and during two activities, a moderately preferred and a low preferred. Results showed no differentiation in engagement between morning and afternoon activities for all three participants, with high levels of engagement during both times of day. For two participants, results showed no differentiation in engagement between moderately preferred and low preferred activities. For one participant, levels of engagement were higher during moderately preferred activities than during low preferred activities.

Trait neuroticism, time of day, and day of the week were assessed as predictors of state fatigue. After completing an in-lab questionnaire, 176 participants (N = 176) reported their state subjective fatigue three times a day for 8 days. Trait neuroticism was shown to be a predictor of subjective fatigue states in the morning, early evening, at bedtime, and over the course of the 8-day study period. Additionally, results indicated statistically significant differences in subjective fatigue at different points in the day. A statistically significant Neuroticism X Day of the Week interaction indicated that the neuroticism -fatigue relationship was strongest on Tuesday and weakest on Sunday. The relative contribution of personality, time of day, and day of the week variables to state subjective fatigue are discussed.

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Yes / We report that performance on neuropsychological tests used in the diagnosis of dementia can be influenced by external factors such as time of day (TOD) and caffeine. This study investigates TOD effects on cognitive performance in the elderly. The optimal TOD at which an individual is at their maximal arousal alters with age and in the elderly typically occurs in the morning. Neuropsychological test scores from healthy elderly participants were analysed to determine whether TOD affected performance. Interactions between caffeine and TOD were also investigated. Across two data sets that were analysed, significant TOD effects were noted for Pattern Comparison Speed (PCS), Letter Comparison Speed (LCS), Trail Making Test Part A, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Graded Naming Test (GNT), revealing a decline in test scores as TOD increases. Significant interactions between TOD, age and the PCS, LCS and Trail Making part A were noted in data set one. In data set two, where caffeine intake had been controlled for, significant interactions between caffeine, TOD and scores on the MMSE and GNT were found. The TOD and caffeine effects highlight the need to control for these external factors when scoring the assessments. This conclusion has implications for the clinical procedure of diagnosis and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Previous research suggests that the optimal time of day (TOD) for cognitive function for young adults occurs in the afternoon and evening times (Allen, et al. 2008; May, et al. 1993). The implication is college students may be more successful if they schedule classes and tests in the afternoon and evening times, but in asynchronous learning environments, “class” and tests take place at any TOD (or night) a student might choose. The problem is that there may be a disadvantage for students choosing to take tests at certain TOD. As educators, we need to be aware of potential barriers to student success and be prepared to offer guidance to students. This research study found a significant negative correlation between TOD and assessment scores on tests taken between 16:01 and 22:00 hours as measured in military time. While this study shows that academic performance on asynchronous assessments was high at 16:00 hours, student performance diminished significantly by 22:00 hours. When efforts were taken to mitigate the extraneous variables related to test complexity and individual academic achievement, the effect TOD had on assessment achievement during this time period was comparable to the effect of test complexity on that achievement. However, when analyzed using a small sub-set of the data neither GPA nor TOD could be used to predict student scores on tests taken between 16:01 and 22:00 hours. Finally, individual circadian arousal types (evening, morning and neutral) (Horne & Ostberg, 1976) and actual TOD students took tests were analyzed to determine if synchrony, the match between circadian arousal type and peak cognitive performance, existed. The synchrony effect could not be confirmed among morning type students taking this asynchronous online course, but evidence suggests that synchrony could have contributed to student success for evening types taking this asynchronous online courses. The implication of this study is that online instructors, instructional designers and students should consider TOD as a factor affecting achievement in asynchronous online courses. Results of this research are intended to propose further research into TOD effects in asynchronous online settings, and to offer guidance to online students as well as online instructors and instructional designers faced with setting deadlines and advising students on how to be successful when learning online.

Chronotype describes the daily rhythm of an individual’s performance capability as it changes through the day. It is defined using the Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) which assesses time-of-day preference; or the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) which indicates sleep timing parameters. My hypothesis was that chronotype predominantly reflects an individual’s perceived daily rhythm in executive function. We tested this by comparing MEQ and MCTQ with the University of Toronto Inventory of Morningness and Eveningness (UTIME) Questionnaire which examines performance on scenarios requiring cognitive, physical, and/or emotional responses. Highest correlations were found between MEQ and UTIME tasks with high executive demand. The same UTIME tasks were also correlated with MCTQ (mid-sleep, free days), although the correlations were consistently lower than UTIME versus MEQ. Correlations among UTIME tasks and MCTQ (mid-sleep, workdays) were not linked to executive demand. Chronotype appears to reflect the perception of peak executive ability independently of sleep pattern.

Chronotype describes the daily rhythm of an individual’s performance capability as it changes through the day. It is defined using the Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) which assesses time-of-day preference; or the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) which indicates sleep timing parameters. My hypothesis was that chronotype predominantly reflects an individual’s perceived daily rhythm in executive function. We tested this by comparing MEQ and MCTQ with the University of Toronto Inventory of Morningness and Eveningness (UTIME) Questionnaire which examines performance on scenarios requiring cognitive, physical, and/or emotional responses. Highest correlations were found between MEQ and UTIME tasks with high executive demand. The same UTIME tasks were also correlated with MCTQ (mid-sleep, free days), although the correlations were consistently lower than UTIME versus MEQ. Correlations among UTIME tasks and MCTQ (mid-sleep, workdays) were not linked to executive demand. Chronotype appears to reflect the perception of peak executive ability independently of sleep pattern.

Spatial transferability of travel forecasting models, or the ability to transfer models from one geographical region to another, can potentially help in significant cost and time savings for regions that cannot invest in extensive data-collection and model-development procedures. This issue is particularly important in the context of tour-based/activity-based models whose development typically involves significant data inputs, skilled staff, and long production times. However, most literature on model transferability has been in the context of traditionally used trip-based models, particularly for linear regression-based trip generation and logit-based mode choice models, with little evidence on the transferability of activity-based models and that of emerging model structures. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to assess the spatial transferability of activity-based travel demand models. To this end, the specific objectives are to: 1. Survey the literature to synthesize: (a) the approaches used to transfer models, (b) the metrics used to assess model transferability, (c) the available evidence on spatial transferability of travel models, and (d) notable gaps in literature; 2. Lay out a framework for assessing the spatial transferability of activity-based travel forecasting model systems, and evaluate alternative methods/metrics used for assessing the transferability of specific model components and their parameters; 3. Conduct empirical assessments of spatial transferability of the following two model components used in today's activity-based model systems: (a) daily activity participation and time-use models, and (b) tour-based time-of-day choice models. Data from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) and the 2000 San Francisco Bay Area Travel Survey (BATS) were used for these empirical assessments; 4. Conduct empirical assessments of model transferability using emerging model structures that have begun to be used in activity-based model systems - specifically the multiple discrete-continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model; 5. Investigate alternate ways of enhancing model transferability; specifically: (a) pooling data from different geographical regions, and (b) improvements to the model structure. The dissertation provides a framework for assessing the transferability of activity-based models systems, along with empirical evidence on the pros and cons of alternative methods and metrics of transferability assessment. The results suggest the need to consider model sensitivity to changes in explanatory variables as opposed to relying solely on the ability to predict aggregate distributions. Updating the constants of a transferred model using local data (a widely used method to transfer models) was found to help in increasing the model's ability to predict aggregate patterns but not necessarily in enhancing its sensitivity to changes in explanatory variables. Also, transferability assessments ought to consider sampling variance in parameter estimates as opposed to only the point estimates. Empirical analysis with the daily activity participation and time-use model shed new light on the prediction properties of the MDCEV model structure that have implications for model transferability. This led to the development of a new model structure called the multiple discrete continuous heteroscedastic extreme value (MDCHEV) model that incorporates heteroscedasticity in the model's stochastic distributions and helps in enhancing model transferability. Transferability assessment of the time-of-day choice models show encouraging evidence of transferability of a large proportion of the model coefficients, albeit except important parameters such as the travel time coefficients. Collectively, there is evidence that pooling data from multiple regions may help in building better transferable models than those transferred from a single region.

Tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti paros laiko įtaką trumpųjų nuotolių bėgikų reakcijos trukmei. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti ir palyginti 2009 m. Universiados vyrų 100 m. bėgimo rezultatų ir reakcijos trukmių kaitą nuo parengiamojo iki finalinio bėgimų. 2. Ištirti ir palyginti 2011 m. Universiados vyrų 100 m. bėgimo rezultatų ir reakcijos trukmių kaitą nuo parengiamojo iki finalinio bėgimų. 3. Ištirti ir palyginti 2009 m. ir 2011 m. Universiadų vyrų 100 m. bėgimo rezultatų ir reakcijos trukmių kaitą nuo parengiamojo iki finalinio bėgimų. 4. Ištirti ir palyginti kaip kinta trumpųjų nuotolių bėgikų bei nesportuojančių asmenų reakcijos trukmės, atliekant ranka skirtingu paros laiku (ryte, diena, vakare). 5. Ištirti ir palyginti kaip kinta trumpųjų nuotolių bėgikų bei nesportuojančių asmenų reakcijos trukmės, atliekant koja skirtingu paros laiku (ryte, diena, vakare). Tyrimo organizavimas: Reakcijos trukmė nustatoma naudojant reakciometrą RA-1. Reakcijos trukmės nustatymui tiriamasis atliko po 10 judesių dešine ranka, po to dešine koja. Trumpųjų nuotolių bėgikai buvo testuojami poilsio dieną, ryte (8:00 – 9:00) per pietus (14:00 – 15:00) ir vakare (21:00 – 22:00). Rezultatai: Išanalizavus 2009 m. pasaulio universiados vyrų 100 m bėgimo rezultatus, pastebėjome, kad prasčiausi rezultatai demonstruojami parengiamuosiuose bėgimuose. Taip pat nustatėme, kad statistiškai reikšmingai rezultatai skyrėsi tik iki pusfinalio (p < 0,05), o finale sportininkų vidutinis bėgimo rezultatas nesiskyrė... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: to establish the effects of time of day on reaction times in short distance runners. The goals of the study: 1. To examine and compare men’s 100 meters running performance and reaction times from race preparation to final race in Universiade 2009. 2. To examine and compare men’s 100 meters running performance and reaction times from race preparation to final race in Universiade 2011. 3. To examine and compare men’s 100 meters running performance and reaction times from race preparation to final race in Universiade 2009 and 2011. 4. To examine reaction times in short distance runners and compare the results with reaction times in non-athletes, in the hand test during the different times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening). 5. To examine reaction times in short distance runners and compare the results with reaction times in non-athletes, in the foot test during the different times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening). The organization of research: Reaction time measurement device RA-1 was used to measure reaction time. The subjects had to do 10 hand movements, then 10 foot movements. The sprinters were tested on their day-off, in the morning (8:00-9:00), in the afternoon (14:00-15:00) and in the evening (21:00-22:00). Results: After the analysis of men‘s race results in the Universiade, 2009 it was obvious that the worst results were in race preparation stage. We also found out that the differences according to statistics were significant only... [to full text]