bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Cognitive Readiness of Deploying Military Medical Teams
Authors: Bolstad Cheryl A. , Cuevas Haydee M. , Costello Anthony M. , Babbitt Bettina
Published: January 2012

Cognitive readiness can be defined as “possessing the psychological (mental) and sociological (social) knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) that individuals and team members need to sustain competent professional performance and mental wellbeing in the dynamic, complex, and unpredictable environments of military operations.” Determining if medical personnel are cognitively ready to perform their job poses a considerable challenge to the research community both in terms of understanding what is meant by being cognitively ready and in terms of developing methods to actually assess it. Accordingly, as part of a government-sponsored research program, we set out to gain a better understanding of what is meant by being “cognitively ready” for military medical teams as well as develop a tool for predicting cognitive readiness. In this paper, we describe the design, development, and initial user testing of our Medical Cognitive REadiness Survey Tool (M-CREST).
Interactive Effects of Backup Behavior and Spatial Abilities in the Prediction of Teammate Workload Using Multiple Unmanned Vehicles
Authors: Fincannon Thomas D. , Evans A William , Jentsch Florian , Keebler Joseph
Published: January 2012

This study examined the interactive effects of spatial ability and team process on operator workload, while using multiple unmanned vehicles. The hypotheses also focused on how these effects might change when using different measures of spatial ability. In order to examine this, the Guilford-Zimmerman Spatial Visualization and Spatial Orientation scores of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator and navigation support provided by this UAV operator to an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) operator were used as variables predicting UGV operator workload while performing a reconnaissance task. Results indicated that the interaction of the “guider's” spatial visualization and navigation support and the interaction between spatial orientation and navigation support not only accounted for unique variances in the prediction of his/her teammate's workload, but they also produced qualitatively different patterns of results. In identifying these unique contributions, the importance of using multiple spatial ability measures in (unmanned vehicle) research is highlighted.
Effect of a Manual Screwdriver with a Pistol-Grip Handle on Maximum Torque and Muscle Activity
Authors: Sanchez Hector J. , Marklin Richard W.
Published: January 2012

Electric utility power plant electricians use a conventional manual screwdriver to loosen and tighten small fasteners on a day-to-day basis, which may expose them to risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affecting the wrist and upper extremity. Using a screwdriver handle that requires less muscle activity to exert the same level of torque can reduce the risk of MSDs. Maximal forearm torque in both supinating and pronating directions and at 3 forearm positions (supinated, neutral and pronated) were tested with 2 screwdrivers, a conventional straight-handled tool and pistol-grip screwdriver. Electromyography (EMG) of the finger flexor and extensor muscles and the biceps were monitored while performing maximal forearm torque exertions in the pronating and supinating directions at 3 forearm positions. The torque exerted while using the pistol-grip screwdriver was twice as great as with the straight handle (8.47 and 4.24 Nm, respectively). The turning direction affected maximal torque and interacted with position of the forearm. Normalizing maximal torque data to the muscle activity (Nm / %MVC EMG) revealed that the pistol-grip tool was much more efficient than the straight handle tool.
Where and How College Students Use Their Laptop Computers
Authors: Chang Che-Hsu (Joe) , Amick Benjamin C , Menendez Cammie Chaumont , Robertson Michelle , del Pino Rosa J. , Dennerlein Jack Tigh
Published: January 2012

A pilot study classified the locations, furniture, input devices and postures associated with using laptop computers in a small cohort of college students. Data were collected from digital photographs of the students posing as using laptop computers in their usual workstation configurations. The observed configurations were assigned to descriptive categories and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) assessed the postural risk factors observed on the participants. We observed that 75% of the participants used the laptop computer in the traditional table and chair configuration; 25% of the participants used the laptop computer in untraditional configurations where they placed the computer on their laps while sitting on a lounge type couch or in their bed. Excessive shoulder flexion (61% of all configurations) and neck flexion (35%) were the postural risk factors observed commonly. RULA scores suggested the need for further postural investigation.
Effects of the Seat Armrest and Assistive Devices on Trunk Kinematics during Dependent Transfers on an Aircraft
Authors: Kipp Kristof , Pavol Michael J.
Published: January 2012

A concern related to air travel by people with disabilities is the risk of low-back injuries to persons transferring the traveler to or from the aircraft seat. Two possible approaches to lessening this risk of injury is the removal of spatial obstructions or the use of assistive devices. This study investigated the effects of a fixed seat armrest and of using a transfer board and slide or a transfer sling on the trunk kinematics of the rear transferor as 25 pairs of participants transferred a dummy between a wheelchair and an aircraft seat. The armrest, board-and-slide, and sling conditions each influenced multiple trunk kinematic variables relative to the control condition. For the armrest and board-and-slide conditions, some effects were consistent with increased low-back injury risk and others with decreased risk. All effects of the transfer sling were consistent with a decreased risk of low-back injury, supporting its use during dependent transfers on board an aircraft.
Navigation Efficiency of Two Dimensional Auditory Menus Using Spearcon Enhancements
Authors: Palladino Dianne K. , Walker Bruce N.
Published: January 2012

A total of 28 undergraduates navigated to specific items in a two dimensional menu that was displayed using only sound. The auditory menu consisted of either text-to-speech (TTS) only, or TTS enhanced with spearcons. Spearcons are brief sound cues created by compressing the original TTS sound file. Speed of navigation to target items in the auditory menu was found to be significantly faster in the spearcon condition than in the condition using only TTS. There was also a smaller per-item cost in terms of speed for the spearcon-enhanced menu, leading to increasingly better performance as menu length increased. These results provide further evidence that spearcon enhancements can lead to faster navigational performance in auditory menus, when compared to text-to-speech alone.
The Perception of Multiple Affordances: A Multidimensional Scaling Approach
Authors: Ye Lin , Thomas Robin D. , Gardner Douglas L.
Published: January 2012

The previous study showed that if a person identifies an object as having one function, or affordance, they will tend not to later classify it as having a different affordance. The present study shows that this decreased likelihood of identifying a second function of a multi-affordance object also appears in the perception of the affordance, as assessed by a scaling analysis of similarity judgments. The MDS analysis of similarity judgments showed objects with both affordances became worse examples of one of the affordances if their similarity, in terms of the other affordance, to other objects had been previously evaluated. It appears that the inhibition of a second action property is perceptual in nature and the degree of inhibition is sensitive to the initial similarity relations.
The Effect of Low-Pass Filtering on Target Detection in Simulated Ultrasound Images
Authors: Portnoy Felix , Milgram Paul
Published: January 2012

This study investigates the potential benefits of a novel image processing filter, based on introducing persistence to an image to increase visual sensitivity for ultrasound-guided nerve block procedures. The effectiveness of the filter was examined for multiple levels of target velocity and filter persistence, using simulated ultrasound-like images. Subjects were asked to detect a covert target in twelve experimental conditions. The experimental results show that the persistence filter augments the target's saliency and consequently contributes to an effective increase in visual sensitivity. In addition, the results show that the filter is most effective for mid-range target velocities combined with high levels of visual persistence. The study concludes that the filter has the potential to improve present ultrasound-guided nerve block procedures and provides recommendations for implementing the filter in real-world settings.
A Multivariate Method for Analysing Time and Space Components of Highly Disparate Movement Trajectories
Authors: Yee Anthony Soung , Milgram Paul
Published: January 2012

The difficulties in performing manual control tasks under visual-motor mismatch are well documented. For example, laparoscopic surgeons must operate in an environment where a motor movement and the visual feedback of that same movement are ordinarily misaligned with respect to each other, increasing the risk of control errors. To complement conventional global measures of motor performance, which provide insight into spatial and/or temporal performance averaged over several trials, a bivariate dynamic measure encompassing joint time and space components is proposed. These two components are the instantaneous velocity and movement efficiency, derived from recorded movement trajectories. The dynamic measure consists of a graphical representation of the bivariate data, in conjunction with a non-parametric statistical analysis. An example is given of the dynamic measure applied to movement trajectories from an investigation involving simulated laparoscopic pointing under visual-motor mismatch. Results from both global and dynamic measures are discussed, along with limitations of the multivariate dynamic measure.
Results from Pilot Testing a System for Tactile Reception of Advanced Patterns (STRAP)
Authors: Fuchs Sven , Johnston Matthew , Hale Kelly S. , Axelsson Pär
Published: January 2012

This paper presents pilot study results on the learnability and effectiveness of the System for Tactile Reception of Advanced Patterns (STRAP) that is capable of displaying complex information through tactile actuators on the user's torso. Information requirements from dismounted soldier communications and tactile design guidelines resulted in 56 distinct tactile symbols. To facilitate cognitive demands for decoding, information presentation was formalized by developing construction rules for tactile symbols and a context-free grammar for compilation of tactile sentences. The pilot study outlined trained two participants on the tactile language. Results showed they were able to reach 90% criterion in less than 3.5 hours. Furthermore, once learned, participants were able to receive and comprehend complex commands comprised of multiple tactile symbols under varying levels of workload with some success.
Automation Dependency and Performance Gains under Time Pressure
Authors: Rice Stephen , Hughes Jamie , McCarley Jason S. , Keller David
Published: January 2012

Objective: An experiment tested a technique for encouraging appropriate human-automation interaction. Background: Operators often fail to make optimal use of automated aids, particularly when the aids are highly reliable. One way to discourage automation disuse might be to encourage automation dependence through time pressure. Methods: Fifty-two participants performed a simulated security screening task, searching for knives hidden in cluttered baggage x-rays. Participants were assisted by a diagnostic aid that was either 95%, 80% or 65% reliable, and were given instructions that asked them to make speeded or unspeeded decisions. Results: Participants showed higher levels of automation dependence under time pressure. This benefited overall performance in the 95% reliable condition. Conclusion: Time pressure encouraged heuristic dependence on automation aids, and benefited overall human-automation performance when the automation was highly reliable. Application: Data suggest a method for mitigating automation disuse.
Misuse of Diagnostic Aids in Process Control: The Effects of Automation Misses on Complacency and Automation Bias
Authors: Bahner J. Elin , Elepfandt Monika F. , Manzey Dietrich
Published: January 2012

The effects of misses of an automated alarm and fault diagnosis system on different manifestations of automation misuse were examined. 24 participants operated a complex multi-task process control simulation. During training, they either experienced automation misses or were only informed that failures might occur. The experience of misses reduced complacency towards the alarm function of the decision aid as well as omission errors but did neither affect complacency towards the aid's diagnostic function nor commission errors. Implications of this specific effect of automation misses for the design of training measures as well as the theoretical understanding of automation misuse are discussed.
Feedback, Subjective Time Estimates, and User Satisfaction
Authors: Branaghan Russell J. , Sanchez Christopher A.
Published: January 2012

This experiment investigates the effects of three types of feedback, static, dynamic and cumulative progress, designed to keep the user apprised while a computer completes a transaction. Using a simulated online movie store, participants chose movies for various audiences and then were required to wait 15 or 30 seconds for the computer to process their order. Participants perceived the transactions using the dynamic feedback indicators and cumulative progress bars to be more reasonable than transactions using the static feedback display, even though the transaction times were identical. However, there was no difference in the perception of processing time reasonableness between the dynamic display and the cumulative progress indicator. Despite this, cumulative progress bars were preferred to both dynamic and static feedback indicators.
Applying the Contextual Control Model (COCOM) to the Identification of Situation Awareness Requirements for Tactical Army Commanders
Authors: Banbury Simon , Tremblay Sébastien , Rousseau Robert , Forbes Kelly , Breton Richard
Published: January 2012

Tactical command and control (C2) operations under conditions of complexity, uncertainty, stress, and time pressure impose significant cognitive demands on the Tactical Army Commanders' (TAC) ability to successfully prosecute their missions. The objective of the present study was to apply Hollnagel's (1998) Contextual Control Model (COCOM) to the identification of time-critical Situation Awareness (SA) requirements for TACs engaged in time-critical tactical C2 operations. SA requirements relevant to the successful completion of a broad range of tactical C2 missions – convoy escort, checkpoint security, combat, and cordon and search – were identified. These SA requirements were then prioritized into a subset of ‘critical’ SA requirements and then further analyzed in terms of classifying them into one of four COCOM control modes (i.e., strategic, tactical, opportunistic and scrambled). Through this analysis, areas that impact the development of decision aids, and other forms of decision support techniques, for TACs were identified.
Individual Differences in Concurrent Performance of Military and Robotics Tasks with Tactile Cueing
Authors: Chen Jessie Y. C. , Terrence Peter I.
Published: January 2012

We simulated a military tank environment and examined the performance of the combined position of gunner and robotics operator and how aided target recognition (AiTR) capabilities (delivered either through tactile or tactile + visual cueing) for the gunnery task might benefit the concurrent robotics and communication tasks. Specifically, we investigated whether performance was affected by individual differences factors such as spatial ability and perceived attentional control. Results showed that participants' robotics and communication tasks both improved significantly when the AiTR was available to assist them with their gunnery task. The participants' spatial ability was found to be a good indicator of their gunnery and robotics task performance. However, when AiTR was available to assist their gunnery task, those participants of lower spatial ability were able to perform their robotics tasks as well as those of higher spatial ability. There was also evidence that operators' preference of cueing modality was related to their spatial ability and attentional control.
Applying the Interaction Design Process to Mission Planning: Using Team MATE Platform
Authors: DeFiori Kimberly , Feldpausch David , La Hall Toya , Rovira Erika
Published: January 2012

The Army is in need of a system that affords leaders flexible mission planning. Currently, the Army uses a sandtable to plan and brief missions to unit subordinates. A sandtable is a representation of the mission area using the earth, sticks, rocks and anything else available. Team Mission Assistant-Tactical/Exercise (TeamMATE) was created to allow leaders to plan, rehearse, execute, and have an after action review on an electronic platform. This in turn would support efficient planning and review of a mission on all levels of the leader and subordinate chain-of-command. Through the design process of conceptualizing the design space, prototyping, and empirical data gathering we were able to provide design solutions to better support the end users of TeamMATE. Design approaches and limitations will be discussed throughout the paper.
Managing a Supply Chain: What Communication Patterns Might Divulge about Information Availability and Team Performance
Authors: Bennett April M. , Galster Scott M. , Dukes Allen W. , Nelson W. Todd , Brown Rebecca D.
Published: January 2012

Teamwork is continually becoming more diverse and complex, with teams facing distributed and asynchronous collaborative situations. The crux of making these complex situations work successfully is the ability to convey useful information to those who need it when they need it. A fundamental question remains: how much information is enough? Decision makers need a certain level of information to make effective decisions; however, too much information can be overwhelming or even detrimental. The present study uses a modified supply chain simulation to examine the impact of information availability on overall team performance and communication. Information view and communication were manipulated to constrain information availability. The results are discussed in terms of the impact of information availability on overall performance, communication patterns, information entropy, and situation awareness of distributed teams.
A Usability Comparison of Computerized Card Sorting Applications from the Researcher's Perspective
Authors: Hinkle Veronica , Riley Shannon , Chaparro Barbara S.
Published: January 2012

Existing reviews of card sorting applications usually focus on the end user's perspective of the sorting experience. In this paper, we describe objective (task success and time on task) and subjective (task difficulty, ease of interpretation of results output, satisfaction scores, and preference rankings) results from a usability evaluation of three card sorting applications from a researcher's perspective. Results from this analysis show that the ease of setting up a card sort exercise and the ability to quickly generate meaningful results are of vital importance to researchers. Design recommendations for computerized card sort applications are discussed.
Lessons Learned While considering Usability in a Developing World Classroom
Authors: Trautman Edward , Trautman Benjamin , Kirchner Judy , Trautman Mary Ann
Published: January 2012

This effort involves the redevelopment of the hectograph duplicating method. The overall product is directed toward application in impoverished schools, which currently possess little or no capability to reproduce classroom materials. This initial report considers the opportunity for redeveloping and applying this antique technology, specifically describing lessons learned from interactions in a field test in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The importance of this paper also involves the possibility that the profession of Human Factors Engineering, with its unique component of attention to social limitations and human capabilities, is well prepared for such retrospective development efforts. This poster session is intended to provide lessons learned from our initial attempt to optimize and evaluate usability in this unusual interface environment.
Safety of the Antibiotic Medication Use Process in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Paris Bonnie , Carayon Pascale , Wetterneck Tosha , Blosky Mary Ann , Walker Jim
Published: January 2012

Understanding the antibiotic medication use process in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important for patient care outcomes. A system view of the medication use process facilitates understanding the role of communication between various disciplines in ensuring the timely administration of antibiotics. Antibiotic-related medication safety events (N = 312) were collected in two adult ICUs. We describe the information and communication flow in the medication use process and show the complexity of the process. An in-depth analysis of 101 (32%) events for late first-dose antibiotic identifies multiple factors contributing to the events.
Detecting Critical Patterns in Maternal-Fetal Heart Rate Signals
Authors: Anderson Brittany L. , Scerbo Mark W. , Lee A. Belfore , Abuhamad Alfred Z.
Published: January 2012

The present study examined how individuals detect critical patterns in maternal-fetal heart rate (MFHR) signals. Twenty-eight undergraduate students monitored simulated maternal-fetal heart rate signals for decelerations lasting either 30 or 44 seconds. They completed four 10-min sessions representing four different signal-to-noise S/N ratios (10, 4, 2, and 1), in which the S/N ratio represented the magnitude of the deceleration to background heart rate variability. The results showed that the introduction of any variability reduced the ability to detect signals and increased false alarms. Further, with S/N ratios of 2 and 1 participants made equivalent numbers of hits and false alarms. These results show that as the S/N ratio decreases, observers struggle to distinguish critical patterns from the background fetal heart activity. These findings highlight the source of one problem often observed when interpreting MFHR signals in clinical settings and underscore the need for auxiliary aids.
Exploring the Potential of Short-Time Fourier Transforms for Analyzing Skin Conductance and Pupillometry in Real-Time Applications
Authors: Lew Roger , Dyre Brian P. , Werner Steffen , Wotring Brian , Tran Tuan
Published: January 2012

The development of real-time predictors of mental workload is critical for the practical application of augmented cognition to human-machine systems. This paper explores a novel method based on a short-time Fourier transform (STFT) for analyzing galvanic skin conductance (SC) and pupillometry time-series data to extract estimates of mental workload with temporal bandwidth high-enough to be useful for augmented cognition applications. We tested the method in the context of a process control task based on the DURESS simulation developed by Vincente and Pawlak (1994; ported to Java by Cosentino,& Ross, 1999). SC, pupil dilation, blink rate, and visual scanning patterns were measured for four participants actively engaged in controlling the simulation. Fault events were introduced that required participants to diagnose errors and make control adjustments to keep the simulator operating within a target range. We were interested in whether the STFT of these measures would produce visible effects of the increase in mental workload and stress associated with these events. Graphical exploratory data analysis of the STFT showed visible increases in the power spectrum across a range of frequencies directly following fault events. We believe this approach shows potential as a relatively unobtrusive, low-cost, high bandwidth measure of mental workload that could be particularly useful for the application of augmented cognition to human-machine systems.
GamePAB: A Game-Based Performance Assessment Battery Application
Authors: Chertoff Dustin B. , Jerome Christian , Martin Glenn A. , Knerr Bruce W.
Published: January 2012

As research into the use of games as a substitute for more expensive virtual reality trainers increases, the need for trainers to identify deficiencies in a user's basic ability with game operations becomes apparent. This work details the implementation of a toolkit that can be used to determine deficiencies a player might have during the operation of a first-person shooter style game. It achieves this by looking at a player's efficiency at performing tasks fundamental to a game-based trainer: maneuvering around an environment using a keyboard and their use of the mouse to look at and interact with a moving object. Based on the generated results, it can then be determined by a trainer what, if any, further work will be needed to address user deficiencies in order to make an actual training exercise more valuable.
Visual Representation of Arithmetic Properties
Authors: Gillan Douglas J.
Published: January 2012

Quantitative graphs use a spatial metaphor in which spatial features represent numerical amounts. Tally number systems (used in ancient civilizations) also made use of the spatial feature of length. Arithmetic properties, such as the commutative properly of addition, can also be represented spatially. An experiment trained college students about 11 basic arithmetic properties either using numerical examples or spatial/graphical examples. Both groups were tested using arithmetic problems based on the arithmetic properties both prior to and following the training. The Spatial Training Group improved response time more from the pre- to the post-test than did the Numerical Training Group. The discussion focuses on the cognitive representation of numbers and arithmetic operations by means of spatial representation, evidence from neurophysiology, and the historical development of number systems.
Monitor Viewing Distance for Younger and Older Workers
Authors: Charness Neil , Dijkstra Katinka , Jastrzembski Tiffany , Weaver Sallie , Champion Michael
Published: January 2012

Rempel, Willms, Anshel, Jaschinski & Sheedy (2007) recommend 52–73 cm for eye distance to a computer monitor based on an experiment that manipulated viewing distance. Jaschinski (2002) found a preferred viewing distance of 63 cm. However, these and other studies of viewing distance used relatively small samples of young adults below age 40. In this study a representative sample of 206 university employees in two age ranges, <= 40 years and => 50 years, were observed in their offices at their computer workstations. Mean distance to the center of the screen was 68 cm (95% confidence interval: 66 to 71 cm). Regressions showed that factors such as gender, whether a lens was worn, type of monitor, monitor resolution, and monitor contrast ratio did not predict distance to screen. However, there was an age by job class interaction for viewing distances with younger faculty at 64 cm, older faculty at 71 cm, young staff at 73 cm and older staff at 67 cm. Reported eye strain was related solely to glare rating. Results indicate that monitor positioning guidelines are reasonable for older workers and that glare sources could be reduced in typical office environments.
Parent's Expectations and Beliefs toward the Relative Safety of their Children Riding Bicycles at Night
Authors: Lim Raymond W. , Keshishian Polin , Hernandez Jaime , Vigilante William J.
Published: January 2012

The expectations, attitudes, and perceptions of parents toward the relative safety of their children riding bicycles at night with and without lights and reflectors were examined. One hundred and ninety-four parents were surveyed in the Los Angeles, CA area. About 36% of the parents reported that their children ride bicycles at night at least once in a while. However, 67% reported that their children's bicycles do not have a headlight. About 28% believed that it was not dangerous to ride a bicycle at night with only reflectors and no lights. Similarly, about 28% believed that it was not difficult to see a bicycle at night with only reflectors and no lights. The results offer mixed encouragement. On the one hand the majority of participants reported believing it was not safe for children to ride at night without lights because it is not easy for vehicle operators to see them. On the other hand, the majority of participants reported allowing their children to ride their bicycles without lights. Continuing education along with adequate warning and instruction is necessary to ensure parents understand the limitations of bicycle reflectors and the need to provide bicycles with lights anytime a child rides at night.
Using Hand Drawn Images to Determine Warning Symbol Design Parameters within Interactive Evolutionary Computation Software
Authors: Piper Adam K. , Boelhouwer Eric J. , Davis Jerry , Holman Grady T. , Montgomery Lacey S.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the feasibility of using hand drawn images to identify symbol components for incorporation into warning symbol design software. This software will use an interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) algorithm to generate and evolve symbols mathematically described by a set of numerical parameters. Therefore, participants (N = 100) ages 19–43 (x = 23.2) were recruited to determine these symbol design parameters. Participants were invited to hand draw warning symbols for three referents: fall from elevation, hearing protection, and hazardous atmosphere. A panel of design engineers determined 27 attributes were present in the fall from elevation, 19 in the hearing protection, and 25 in the hazardous atmosphere images. A direct clustering algorithm was used to determine which attributes, or symbol parameters, were most commonly present or conspicuously absent among the clustered image families. For the fall from elevation, hearing protection and hazardous atmosphere referents, the clustering algorithm identified six, four and four symbol parameters, respectively, primarily responsible for distinguishing one drawn symbol from another. Thus, these parameters will be included as evolvable genes in the IEC software.
Published Covers: A Snapshot of the Visibility of Women in Safety and Engineering
Authors: Wortham Tracey B.
Published: January 2012

Much effort has gone into recruiting women into nontraditional fields such as engineering. It has been assumed that providing role models in the form of women faculty members would increase the number of female students entering the field; i.e., seeing the success of women similar to themselves would increase young women's confidence in themselves. More recent efforts are looking into what happens after these women graduate, e.g., the problem of women leaving the field soon after they begin working. Visual images can have a powerful impact on perceptions, thus this project was conducted to address the questions of whether and how often women see themselves as practicing members of their profession on the covers of field-relevant (safety and engineering) journals and magazines. Women were found to have a visible presence on the covers and their presence is approximately proportional to their membership in the professions.
Using an Avatar, RFID & Speech Recognition for Hands-Free Data Collection
Authors: Nemeth Kristie , Arbuckle Nicole , Snead Andrea , Bowers Drew , Burneka Christopher , Quill Laurie
Published: January 2012

An avatar called Autonomic Communication Exchange ( ACE) has been developed by our research team. This job aid is designed for both hands-free and autonomic collection of maintenance data. Through conversational communication and other auditory, visual and paralinguistic cues, ACE collects maintenance data allowing a technician to continue performing hands-on maintenance tasks. Maintenance data collection, in this case, goes well beyond standard voice interaction, with some information collected autonomically using RFID technology—thereby creating a Smart Avatar. The current study evaluates the use of a Smart Avatar compared to traditional manual-entry-based and standard voice systems. Twelve participants were asked to complete a series of remove and replace tasks while interacting with the ACE prototype system and a K'NEX® motorized simple machine educational kit (simulating a maintenance task). While manual entry was faster than other conditions, the project goal was for hands-free maintenance. In this case, the RFID and speech interaction was the only condition significantly faster than other alternatives. Additionally, users rated the ease of use of the RFID with speech interaction higher all of the other conditions. The presence of a visual model of a human head for the avatar also increased the participant's perceived quickness and accuracy of data entry.
A Comparison of Two Alternatives for Presenting a Situational Picture
Authors: Rencrantz Carin , Andersson Jan , Alfredson Jens , Lindoff Jenny
Published: January 2012

An experiment has been completed to investigate how operators' understanding of a dynamic situation is affected by the content in a technical system's situational picture. Two types of situational pictures were used. One displayed a unique situational picture adjusted to operators' specific needs and the other displayed a joint identical situational picture. The experiment was conducted as a within subject design with four different teams. Results shows that content in a technical system's situational picture influence operators' information interpretation, perceived performance and situational understanding. Furthermore, operators are not aware of that the reason for the differences is the content in the situwational picture. Findings from this experiment show that operators should use a joint situational picture and not adjust it to their own specific requirements in order to increase shared situational understanding and perceived performance.
The Usability Paradox of the Human Factors Standard
Authors: Ahlstrom Vicki
Published: January 2012

One goal of a human factors design standard is to facilitate the development of consistent and usable systems. Ironically, human factors standards can plagued with the same issues that they are trying to prevent in systems, specifically, poor usability. This can be called the usability paradox. Poor usability in standards is likely to result in human factors requirements not being integrated into system development. This paper describes initial efforts to address the usability paradox in a specific standard. Researchers analyzed user data, then surveyed users to identify usability shortfalls and identify potential usability enhancements.
Human Factors Engineering Standards at NASA
Authors: Tillman Barry , Pickett Lynn , Martin Lockheed
Published: January 2012

NASA has begun a new approach to human factors design standards. For years NASA-STD-3000, Manned Systems Integration Standards, has been a source of human factors design guidance for space systems. In order to better meet the needs of system developers and to provide current information, NASA is revising NASA-STD-3000. NASA-STD-3000 will be replaced by two documents: set of broad human systems design standards (including both human factors and medical topics) and a human factors design handbook. At the present time the standards document and the handbook are being prepared with October 2008 as the anticipated date for start of NASA final review.
Mechanical and Biomechanical Approaches for Measuring Protective Glove Adherence
Authors: Gauvin Chantal , Dolez Patricia , Harrabi Lotfi , Boutin Jérôme , van Petit Y , Vu-Khanh Toan , Lara Jaime
Published: January 2012

Workers wearing insufficiently adherent gloves must exert additional muscular effort to grip objects, leading to discomfort, pain and even musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs. The main goal of this preliminary study was to explore mechanical and biomechanical approaches for characterizing glove adherence in order to verify whether a purely mechanical method can provide results that are in agreement with a biomechanical method, which takes into account the human factor. A mechanical method was developed to measure the coefficient of friction (COF) between 23 glove models and a steel surface. A biomechanical method was also developed to measure the COF at the hand/glove and glove/steel interfaces. Six subjects performed tests with three glove models, and gave their perception of glove adherence. The comparison between the biomechanical and mechanical results revealed that both methods produced similar COF values for each glove/steel interface. Those values agreed with the subjects' perception. However, the biomechanical method revealed a stick-slip phenomenon for one out of the three glove models, which makes evaluation of the COF difficult. On the other hand, the proposed mechanical method is capable of measuring the static and dynamic COFs of various glove models. It also has the advantages of being simple, reproducible, and inexpensive.
The Impact of Different Feedback Types on Decision-Making in Simulation Based Training Environments
Authors: Astwood Randy S. , Van Buskirk Wendi L. , Cornejo Jessica M. , Dalton Joseph
Published: January 2012

The performance of complex decision-making requires not only domain specific knowledge, but also a clear understanding of how to accurately make decisions. It is our belief that when training decision-making skills, feedback type will play an important role in increasing learning gains. In an attempt to understand this relationship, we investigated the effects of three types of feedback (process, outcome, and normative) on the task performance of college students within a complex, real time, computer based simulation. We collected data from 48 participants. Data analyses showed a statistically significant difference between groups. Specifically, the results revealed that participants who received process feedback outperformed participants who received normative feedback, outcome feedback, and a no feedback (control) condition. The implications of these results for optimal feedback delivery methods within scenario based training environments will be discussed.
Evaluating Cognitive Competence: Does Eye Movement Behavior Represent the Missing Piece of the Puzzle?
Authors: Harris Jemma M. , Wiggins Mark W.
Published: January 2012

Competence in cognitive skills such as situation assessment and decision-making is difficult to assess through the analysis of technical skills in isolation. The present study sought to test a new methodology to identify the cognitive performance of operators. Forty-one general aviation pilots completed a series of tasks in a simulated flight that were designed to trigger the application of either lower-order (monitoring) or higher-order (decision-making) cognitive skills. The results revealed that, in comparison to the lower-order task, higher-order tasks (low oil pressure and right magneto fail) were associated with significantly higher mean subjective cognitive complexity scores, a significantly higher mean range of gaze movement, a significantly higher proportion of short fixation durations (<150 ms), and a significantly lower proportion of long fixation durations (>600 ms). These results are discussed in terms of developing an assessment tool for the application of higher and lower-order cognitive skills.
Evaluation of Input Devices for an FPS Program Used in Law Enforcement Tactics Training
Authors: Tsai Jennifer , Stoklosa Mark
Published: January 2012

Computer simulation as a method of tactics training has recently piqued the interest of law enforcement communities. This paper describes an experiment designed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of three input devices (keyboard + mouse combination, joystick, and gamepad) as control mechanisms for a desktop computer-based first person shooter program currently in use at several U.S. law enforcement training agencies. Participants completed three abbreviated tasks representative of the three most fundamental skills necessary to successfully navigate real scenarios within the program. Differences were found in task completion times and participants' subjective preferences between the three devices that indicate the inherent suitability of the keyboard + mouse combination as the device of choice for this type of simulation.
Comparison of Locomotion Interfaces for Immersive Training Systems
Authors: Sibert Linda E. , Templeman James N. , Stripling Roy M. , Coyne Joseph T. , Page Robert C. , La Budde Zina , Afergan Daniel
Published: January 2012

The ability to stay oriented in an environment is an important skill for urban combat. Warriors must systematically clear areas of responsibility while moving tactically, scanning for potential targets, and engaging threats. A locomotion interface for an immersive virtual environment urban combat training system should enable the development of navigational skills. One aspect of navigation is path integration, in which a person estimates current position and orientation along a pathway from velocity and acceleration. Path integration allows people to stay oriented in low visibility or the dark, which is important in many tactical situations. This study compared the performance of three locomotion interfaces on three path integration tasks. Analysis revealed that type of locomotion interface has a significant impact on performance.
A Training System for EMG Prosthetic Hand in Virtual Environment
Authors: Wada Takahiro , Takeuchi Toyokazu
Published: January 2012

A new training system of EMG prosthetic hand for upper limb amputees is developed using virtual reality technology in which amputee can train in the virtual environment. We hypothesize that efficacy of training depends on difficulty of given task. Thus, we propose a new training method that control success rate of given tasks by changing difficulty of the task in virtual environment based on the trainee's condition. In this paper, effectiveness of the training method will be examined.
Eye Tracking Analysis of the Effects of Experience and Training on Pilots' Ability to Identify Adverse Weather Conditions
Authors: Sawyer Michael W. , Shappell Scott A.
Published: January 2012

Adverse weather remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in general aviation. A large portion of fatal weather accidents involve visual flight rules (VFR) pilots' continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). This study aims to analyze the way experience and training affect pilots weather identification accuracy, response bias, and visual scanpaths. The study involved 60 participants divided into three experience groups: non-pilots, low-time pilots, and high-time pilots. Participants viewed a series of weather scenes and were asked to determine if the conditions allowed for VFR flight. Participants then completed WeatherWise, a cue-based training program, before viewing another group of weather images. While training failed to improve decision accuracy for any group, all groups showed a significant shift in bias towards not continuing flight after training. The eye tracking data showed many differences in visual scan behavior between experience groups and training conditions.
Systematic Tele-operation with Augmented Reality Path Planned Navigation Cues in Cluttered Environments
Authors: Chintamani Keshav , Cao Alex , Ellis R. Darin , Tan Chin-An , Pandya Abhilash K.
Published: January 2012

A novel method of providing human operators with Augmented Reality (AR) cues for collision-free navigation of robot arms in cluttered environments is described. The cues are graphic objects that aid the operator to rotate and translate the end-effector of the robot along AR collision-free paths pre-computed by a probabilistic path planner. Manual control of robot arms is a common mode of tele-manipulation on the International Space Station (ISS). Limited depth perception of the remote robot's 3D worksite can result in collisions with severe consequences. This paper combines the qualities of a planning algorithm to search for ideal paths, and the benefits of augmented reality for enhanced visualization. Presenting spatial path information to the user in an intuitive manner results in collision-free robot navigation along with performance repeatability. We present findings from the implementation of such a system with human operators and show that the system is beneficial.
Human Factors Issues in the Design of Super-Dense Operations Airspace
Authors: Smith Philip J. , Spencer Amy L. , Evans Mark , Andre Anthony D. , Krozel Jimmy
Published: January 2012

A knowledge acquisition study was completed focusing on two questions: 1. What is a concept of operation for the design and use of Super-Dense Operations (SDO) airspace within the next 10 years? 2. What are the human factors issues that need to be addressed in order to enable this concept of operation? To address these questions, a series of structured interviews were conducted with four FAA specialists with significant experience as controllers, traffic managers and airspace designers and with one experienced commercial pilot. The operational concept developed based on the expertise of these individuals has similarities to proposals under the FAA's “Big Airspace” project, making heavy use of advanced Area navigation (RNAV) routes, but goes beyond the current state of that concept by making explicit a number of foundational assumptions, and by proposing a system design to deal with convective weather.
Use of Functional near Infrared Imaging to Investigate Neural Correlates of Expertise in Military Target Identification
Authors: Keebler Joseph R. , Lee Sciarini W. , Fidopiastis Cali , Jentsch Florian , Nicholson Denise
Published: January 2012

This paper explores the use of functional near infrared imaging in the investigation of expertise in an applied setting, specifically that of military vehicle recognition and identification. Although brain research has shown strong support for the localization of function for identifying objects, specifically in areas such as the face fuseiform gyrus, the authors believe there may be potential in measuring the upper regions of the parietal cortex to find differences between novices and experts. Four participants, two novices and two experts, were used in a military vehicle identification task while being measured with a Functional Near Infrared (fNIR) imager. Results show promise for further use of this technology in training, evaluation and augmented cognition.
Interacting with Single and Multiple Automated Aids
Authors: Madhavan Poornima
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this symposium is to provide an in-depth discussion of some of the key constructs that influence interaction with automation, particularly alarming systems. Emphasis is placed on the issue of trust, and the determinants of compliance and reliance on single versus ‘teams’ of multiple automated systems. The symposium is comprised of five papers presented by well-known scientists in the field. The range of topics discussed in this symposium include: temporal precedence in trust formation, a system-wide theory of trust in multiple automated aids, design of multimodal systems, and new alarm standards. The symposium concludes with a theoretical discussion of the concepts of ‘trust’ versus ‘faith’ in automation.