bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Anzac Day an incidence of ‘Displaced Christianity’?
Authors: Billings Bradly S.
Published: July 2017

The experience of the First World War has left a large and indelible mark on Australians and New Zealanders. Whilst the language and associated instruments of Empire, so important at the time of the events a century ago, have largely disappeared from popular life and culture, and the religious form in which it was embedded, that of Christianity together with the social construct of Christendom, is in rapid decline, the metanarrative of Anzac and the associated rituals not only remain, but have only increased and enhanced their place of importance in the context of national life. Drawing on the conceptual language of a ‘displaced Christianity’ (Northrop Frye), together with the notion of the ‘numinous’ (Rudolf Otto), this article seeks to explain, and interpret, the cultural phenomenon of Anzac as a worldview embedded in a ritual capable of bringing us into contact with a narrative that both invokes and conveys a sense of meaning and purpose, and invites identification with something that is both wholly greater to and wholly other than ourselves.
The Effectiveness of Service-Learning: It's Not Always what you Think
Authors: Levesque-Bristol Chantal , Knapp Timothy D. , Fisher Bradley J.
Published: July 2017

Service-learning is a teaching strategy that offers students opportunities to learn both in the classroom and in the wider world. This pedagogical tool provides students with chances to directly interact with local agencies and effect change in the community. Thus, service-learning holds the potential to broaden and significantly enhance the learning climate for students. Based on an established theoretical model of academic motivation, the present study examined the effectiveness of service-learning to enhance the learning climate across a variety of academic disciplines. More than 600 students registered in service-learning courses from more than 30 different disciplines took part in the study. Results showed that when service-learning contributes to an enhancement of the positivity of the learning climate, then positive forms of motivation, civic skills, problem solving, and appreciation of diversity significantly increased over the course of the semester. Results also showed that type of involvement, amount of in-class discussion, and reflections are important factors contributing to the effectiveness of the service-learning environment.
Assessing Learning in Service-Learning Courses through Critical Reflection
Authors: Molee Lenore M. , Henry Mary E. , Sessa Valerie I. , Mckinney-Prupis Erin R.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to describe and examine a model for assessing student learning through reflection in service-learning courses. This model utilized a course-embedded process to frame, facilitate, support, and assess students’ depth of learning and critical thinking. Student reflection products in two service-learning courses (a freshman course and an upper-level course) at a public university were examined at two times for depth of academic, personal, and civic learning and for level of critical thinking. Depth of learning and levels of critical thinking between freshmen and upperclassmen were compared. Results suggest that the model and associated rubrics were useful in documenting student learning. Students could identify, describe, and apply their learning. They had difficulty, however, evaluating their learning and thinking critically. There was some enhancement in depth of learning and critical thinking over time with upperclassmen achieving greater depth of learning and higher levels of critical thinking in some areas. Findings indicate that the model is a rigorous tool that can be used to document and assess student learning in service-learning courses.
The 2009 Kurt Hahn Address: Seeking Deeper Understandings from Experiences
Authors: Knapp Clifford E.
Published: July 2017

This address used a narrative style to convey several stories drawn from the speaker's life. These stories illustrated various points about the value of experience for expanding learners’ deep understandings of the content through the use of know-how knowledge. Know-how knowledge was contrasted with know-that knowledge in order to demonstrate the value of experiential learning. Stories taken from the presenter's life experiences include making maple syrup, building fires by the bow-and-drill method, taking four Lakota-based vision quests, and participating in a kayaking course. The value of questioning was discussed by examining how educators can ask questions and by addressing how questioning can be used as a teaching technique. All the examples used in this address yielded what is known as slow knowledge—a result of learning through direct experience in particular contexts. Knapp concluded by stating that the field of experiential education was gaining ground in mainstream education circles and was becoming more popular as educators discovered its power to motivate students and to develop in them a deeper understanding of the subject-matter.
Parameterizing a Metric of Midair Collision Risk
Authors: Knecht William R. , Hancock Peter A.
Published: July 2017

A non-linear mathematical collision risk modeling function previously proposed is here further evaluated. The function estimates probability of midair aircraft collision as a function of time to contact. The function yields an S-shaped performance curve (psychometric function) for collision risk. The function is evaluated by curve fitting to flight simulator data in simulated conflict scenarios.
Free Flight Cockpit Displays of Traffic and Weather: Effects of Dimensionality and Data Base Integration
Authors: O'Brien Janelle Viera , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: July 2017

In any Free Flight system, pilots must have displays which effectively depict traffic and weather information as more and more responsibility for separation from such hazards transfers from air traffic controllers to pilots. This research effort seeks to address the issues of dimensionality (3D versus 2D coplanar displays) and data base integration (separation or integration of traffic and weather information within displays). Seventeen general aviation flight instructors flew a series of en route trials with four display types in which dimensionality, data base integration, and hazard geometries were manipulated. Analysis of the data revealed that the 2D displays resulted in a smaller percentage of conflicts with traffic and weather hazards. The results also suggested that displays in which traffic and weather were integrated resulted in fewer hazard conflicts for trials in which both hazard types were critical to maneuver selection. Maneuver strategy was also found to vary by scenario geometry.
Enhancing Taxi Performance under Low Visibility: Are Moving Maps Enough?
Authors: McCarm Robert S. , Andre Anthony D. , Begault Durand , Foyle David C. , Wenzel Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

We report the results of an experiment evaluating the separate and combined effects of a 3-D perspective moving map and newly developed Head-Up Display symbology on taxi performance in low visibility. Nine commercial airline pilots completed a series of gate-to-runway taxi routes at a simulated Chicago-O'Hare. Relative to a baseline condition, in which in-the-cockpit navigation support was confined to Jeppesen paper map, the 3-D moving map yielded a nonsignificant increase in taxi speed. The combination of electronic moving map and Head-Up Display yielded a considerably larger and statistically significant increase in taxi speed. These results suggest that in low visibility, Head-Up Displays can substantially improve taxi performance, over and above any improvements associated with 3-D moving maps.
High Touch—Systematic Identification of Customer Needs: Case study of an Home Electric Washer
Authors: Lee Myun W. , Lee Jong Soo , Yun Myung Hwan , Han Sung H. , Yoon Chang S.
Published: July 2017

In the emerging paradigm of new product development, integrating ergonomic design principle as related to the potential needs and implicit demand of the customer is strongly emphasized. However, traditional development processes are widely used in the design of home appliances such as electrical washing machine. The first author provided the concept of ‘High Touch’ design as a systematic methodology to identify customer needs in a consumer product. In the High Touch design process, matrices of human needs and product function are formulated and evaluated using the concept of quality function deployment. Based on the evaluation result, an electronics company in Korea developed a new model of electric washer with strong market response. This paper describes the methods and analyses used in the conceptual design of the washer.
Teaching a Human Factors-Based Course in Computers and Medicine
Authors: Gardner-Bonneau Daryle J. , Stahlhut Richard W. , Gosbee John W. , Ritchie Eileen M.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this paper is to describe a human factors-based course in computers and medicine that has been developed by faculty at the Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. This course is targeted at medical students and resident physicians in primary care, but easily could be adapted for use as a graduate-level course in human factors engineering, computer science, or psychology. Unlike virtually all courses in traditional medical informatics programs, this course is human-centered, as opposed to technology-centered. In our presentation, we completely outline the course content and materials, as well as the process we use in teaching this course. In addition, we describe the in-class exercises we use and a number of innovative course projects that students and residents have conducted within the context of our medical education setting. Finally, ways in which this course can be adapted for suitable delivery in a non-medical setting are discussed.
Listening to People: Views about the Bathroom
Authors: Mullick Abir
Published: July 2017

The study focused on the impact of bathroom design on user performance. It used a qualitative research method, focus group interviews, to learn from users about their bathroom needs and preferences. It examined the need for universal bathroom design features that have inclusive applications. It offers design suggestions for use by all people living at home.
The Effect of Vdt Screen Distance on Seated Posture
Authors: Dowell William R. , Price Jana M. , Gscheidle Gretchen M.
Published: July 2017

To understand the effect that monitor location has upon seated posture, 20 subjects performed a mouse intensive VDT task. The position of the torso and upper extremities were recorded for three horizontal locations of the monitor. Reaching and reclining were observed as the location of the VDT monitor approached the subjects. Significant reclining of the torso and elevated upper arm postures were recorded during the task sessions when the monitor was positioned nearer to the subject.
Put-Up Or Shut-Up? Habituation to Speech and Office Noise
Authors: Banbury Simon P. , Berry Dianne C.
Published: July 2017

This paper examines one of the most bothersome aspects of open-plan offices—the effect of background noise. Since office workers spend a considerable amount of time in these environments, the paper examines whether background noise can be habituated to in the laboratory using memory for prose tasks, presented before and after a habituation period. This paper reports two experiments that examined whether speech and office noise can be habituated to after prolonged exposure. Experiment 1 showed that meaning and repetition had no effect on the significant habituation effects seen after 20 minutes exposure to the noise. Experiment 2 found that office noise without speech can also be habituated to after prolonged exposure. These results are interpreted in the light of current research on the effects of background noise and habituation, and practical implications for office planning are discussed.
Nurturing and Pampering Paradigm for Office Ergonomics
Authors: Paul Rajendra D
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes that current ergonomic practices for design of sedentary jobs, focusing on comfort and support, are inadequate to create healthy and productive workplaces. In fact, they may be counter-productive over the long term. The key results from several research investigations supporting this proposition are: 1) Comfortable workstations adjusted to the user, along with training and education, were inadequate to relieve potentially harmful spinal stress and circulatory impedance caused by sedentary jobs (Paul, 1995; Paul and Helander, 1995). 2) Sedentary jobs induced cognitive mood states like drowsiness and lack of alertness that degrade cognitive function and performance (Paul, 1995b). 3) Activity and movement, for example, between sitting and standing, significantly reduced spinal stress and improved blood circulation (Paul, 1995a; Paul and Helander, 1996a). They also improved mood states linked with superior mental performance (Paul, 1995b; Paul, Morrow and Helander, 1996) 4) Excessively comfortable sedentary work settings induce mood states that could be detrimental to cognitive performance (Paul, Morrow and Helander, 1996). 5) Comfort and discomfort are not two ends of an evaluative spectrum, but rather two orthogonal constructs with two sets of casual factors (Zhang and Helander, 1992). These results collectively provided foundation for the nurturing and pampering paradigm. In this paradigm, nurturing is the strategy to reduce discomfort and pampering is the strategy to apply comfort. Nurturing promotes active, dynamic use of the body during workday to maintain health and prevent injuries. It is discussed using phrases like ‘the best posture is the next posture’ or ‘use it or lose it.’ Pampering with aesthetic and plush environments that induce comfortable perceptions, on the other hand, is a motivational tool with an inverted-U relationship to performance. Utility of this paradigm to create healthy and productive work settings and reduce occupational injuries is supported with several studies from diverse fields. Finally, its implications for workplace design and limitations are discussed.
An Investigation of the Relationship between Task Type and the Cognitive Compatibility of Display Formats
Authors: Jordan C. S. , Hodgson S. , Selcon Stephen J.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes an experiment that examined the cognitive compatibility of display design solutions based on the appropriateness of their frame of reference to the task being conducted. Displays based on both egocentric and exocentric information representations were used. These were tested using tasks requiring responses based on either egocentric or exocentric criteria. Analysis of the data revealed a significant interaction between task type and symbology (F (3, 44) = 4.177, p < 0.05). This result suggests that the cognitive compatibility of the displays was dependent on the consistency of the frame of reference of the task and display. Design guidelines have been produced to enable the implementation of cognitively compatible displays.
Prediction of Inspection Performance with a Dynamic, Computer-Based, Multi-Aptitude Test
Authors: Harris Douglas H.
Published: July 2017

A dynamic, computer-based, multi-aptitude test was designed to predict success on inspection jobs that require the combined aptitudes of general cognitive ability, abstract reasoning, and spatial visualization. This approach to the prediction of job performance is in contrast to most existing methods for predicting performance on technical jobs, in which aptitudes are measured one at a time by static tests. The test was computer administered and scored, requiring 36 minutes of testing time. Validation studies showed that the test was highly reliable, correlated with other measures of these key aptitudes, and was predictive of the job performance of nondestructive testing operators. These results indicated that the test can be used with confidence for the early identification of individuals who will benefit most from training and experience on certain inspection jobs, and who will be most likely to meet operator qualification standards for these jobs.
Individual Differences in Visual, Motor and Cognitive Performances: Correlations with a Simulated Shuttle Landing Task
Authors: Kennedy Robert S. , Lane Norman E. , Turnage Janet J. , Harm Deborah L.
Published: July 2017

Numerous physiological changes which occur during and following space flight are well-documented. It seems likely that the frequency and severity of these physiological changes would be accompanied by changes in cognition, sensory system integrity, skilled motor control, and complex decision making. However, changes in performance in these areas are not well documented nor understood. Documenting the extent and nature of such potential performance decrements, to the extent that they occur, becomes increasingly important as NASA prepares for longer duration missions on space station and contemplates more complex missions in future exploration of space. We explored the application of a methodology we are developing called surrogate testing. The method requires the linkage of complex real world tasks to more elemental tasks. This report shows, as first steps, predictive validities of such tests for a simulated shuttle landing and provides a series of surrogate scores which can be used to evaluate stresses and drug effects.
Psychological Mood Profiles of Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Forces Personnel
Authors: Johnson Richard F. , Merullo Donna J.
Published: July 2017

Elite male athletes have been portrayed as possessing positive mental health. On standardized measures of mood, they typically score below average on tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion while they score above average on vigor. This mood pattern has been labeled the “iceberg profile” because scores on unhealthful moods fall below the adult norm, while scores on the healthy mood, vigor, fall above the norm. The elite athlete's iceberg profile of moods is generally regarded as a result of physical training and competition. In this study, mood profiles of male military personnel were measured. U.S. Army soldiers and U.S. Marines both exhibited a flattened iceberg profile, scoring no higher than average on the positive mood vigor. In contrast, Special Operations Forces, who are noted for adherence to very demanding exercise routines, exhibited the iceberg profile typical of the elite male athlete: they had a higher than normal vigor score and lower than normal tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion scores.
Body Consciousness and Situation Awareness in Perceptual Motor Systems
Authors: Jackson Tonya Smith , Klein Katherine W.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between body consciousness, perceptual motor performance, and subjective ratings quality. Twenty-one college students participated. The Criterion Task Set unstable tracking task (Shingledecker, 1984) and the Private Body Conscious Scale (Miller, Murphy, and Buss, 1981) were used to explore relationships. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) self-reporting of performance accuracy varies with objective task difficulty and with actual performance quality, and 2) high body conscious individuals will outperform and also give more accurate estimates of their own performance than low body conscious subjects. Results provided support for the self-report accuracy and difficulty level relationship. Marginal support was found for the relationship between body consciousness and self-report accuracy. Additionally, a significant interaction indicated that, at higher difficulty levels, high body conscious subjects performed better than low body conscious subjects. Implications for situation awareness training, usability testing, and performance improvement are discussed.
Body Part Discomfort Reported by Legal Secretaries and Word Processors before and after Implementation of Mandatory Typing Breaks
Authors: Neuffer Michael B. , Schulze Lawrence J. H. , Chen Jacob
Published: July 2017

Body part discomfort surveys were distributed to 60 legal secretaries, 10 administrative clerks and 10 word processors employed in a large law firm; 15% of the employees in each classification. Surveys were distributed before and 4 weeks after the implementation of mandatory typing breaks. Results indicated that changes in discomfort levels reported for wrists, hands and fingers were not statistically significant. There was an increase in reported discomfort in the lower arms and attributable to a typing skills re-training program. Increased discomfort in the legs, feet and lower back was attributed to the use of adjustable chairs at fixed-height workstations. Reduction in eye, neck and shoulder discomfort was statistically significant. Mandatory typing breaks alone cannot and will not relieve all discomfort associated with highly-intensive computer interactive activity. The introduction of typing training and adjustable chairs will not overcome the restrictions of fixed-height worksurfaces.
The Effects of Complex Wrist and Forearm Posture on Wrist Range of Motion
Authors: Marshall Matthew M. , Mozrall Jacqueline Reynolds , Shealy Jasper E.
Published: July 2017

In order to minimize the risk of repetitive trauma injuries, postures or motions that place joints near the limits of their range of motion (RoM) should be avoided. Before it can be determined that a posture or motion approaches the limit of a joint's motion, these limits need to be established. Previous research on wrist functionality has focused almost entirely on RoM in two or three isolated planes (flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, and forearm pronation/supination), without investigating potential effects of complex wrist/forearm posture on RoM. Since most practical applications of this wrist motion data involve more than these isolated planar deviations, the effects of complex wrist/forearm posture on wrist functionality need to be understood.
A Framework for Understanding UEMSD Theory, Research, and Management
Authors: Adams Edie , Bettendorf Robert , Purvis Cynthia , Hoffman Mark
Published: July 2017

UEMSD's (Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders) are complex in terms of causation, identification, treatment and intervention. The users of musculoskeletal disorders research require a better understanding how their action and responsibilities fit into the context of UEMSD causation and intervention theory, research and management. This paper describes a framework to aid in understanding the scope and multi-factorial nature of UEMSD theory, research, and management. The purpose of the framework is to provide a context in which UEMSD's can be discussed. The framework proposes a cyclical loop, which represents an individual's responses during an event cycle. The framework is composed of three elements: Life's Activities, Modifiers, and Outcomes. Both the physical state and mental state of the individual are considered. The physical characteristics of activities and environments are filtered and/or amplified by the presence of individual predisposing or protective factors, resulting in the development health outcomes. The framework espouses a chain of events and effects which shows the potential complexity of the interactions between the factors, which may or may not result in a UEMSD. The framework is discussed in terms of the need for research to broaden the understanding of the role of specific factors in the development of UEMSDs.
The Effect of Split and Vertically-Inclined Computer Keyboards on Wrist and Forearm Posture
Authors: Marklin Richard W. , Simoneau Guy G. , Monroe John F.
Published: July 2017

The significant findings from this study of 90 clerical subjects, whose forearm and wrist posture were measured while they typed on three alternative QWERTY computer keyboard designs, are the following:

1) when setup correctly, commercially-available split QWERTY keyboards reduced mean ulnar deviation of the right and left wrists from approximately 12 deg. to within 5 deg. of a neutral position compared to a conventional QWERTY keyboard. 2) with at least a 30 deg. tilt of the keyboard halves, a commercially-available vertically-inclined QWERTY keyboard reduced mean pronation of the forearm by approximately 20 deg. compared to a conventional QWERTY computer keyboard (60 to 40 deg.)

The finding that split keyboards place the wrist closer to a neutral posture in the radial/ulnar plane substantially reduces one occupational risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), namely ulnar deviation of the wrist. The finding that vertically-inclined keyboards reduce forearm pronation substantially is advantageous, at least theoretically, to the keyboard user. However, since the origins of WMSDs, which include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tenosynovitis, tend to be multifactorial, the extent to which split keyboards or vertically-inclined keyboards could reduce the frequency or severity of WMSDs is unknown.
The Effect of Personality Type on Muscle Coactivation during Elbow Flexion
Authors: Glasscock Naomi F. , Turville Kristine L. , Joines Sharon M. B. , Mirka Gary A.
Published: July 2017

The current study investigated the possibility that certain psychosocial factors may actually have a direct impact on the basic muscular mechanics of the human at work. The psychosocial dimension chosen for this evaluation was personality type. The Jenkins Activity Survey was used to classify subjects as Type A (n=10) or Type B (n=10) individuals. Each subject participated in an EMG-based biomechanical study to investigate the coactivation patterns of the muscles that span the elbow joint. Subjects performed isometric, isokinetic (50 deg/sec) and isoacceleration (50 deg/sec/sec) elbow flexion exertions. Isometric exertions were performed at 20, 40, 60 and 80% of maximum isometric flexion torque. Dynamic exertions were performed at 20 and 40% of maximum isometric flexion torque. Results showed that Type A individuals experienced significantly higher antagonist muscle activity than Type B individuals. Biomechanical implications and possible relations to Type A characteristics are discussed.
A Muscle/Ligament Model to Predict Loads on L5/S1 during Three Dimensional Lifting
Authors: Kirking Bryan
Published: July 2017

A muscle / ligament model was constructed to estimate the spinal load that resulted from both muscle and ligament sources during dynamic, three dimensional lifting tasks. The model was tested using data from ten subjects performing lifts over a range of realistic industrial conditions (velocity: 10, 20, or 30 degrees / second; asymmetry: 0, 15, or 30 degrees; and weight lifted: 13.6 or 22.7 Kg). During the task, three dimensional trunk position, trunk velocity, the reaction forces, the reaction moments, and the electromyography of the major trunk musculature were collected. Ligaments were represented in the model as vectors spanning the lumbar spine, with their stress—strain properties taken from the literature. The muscle components were modeled based on the OSU Biodynamic EMG assisted model but excluded any effect not resulting solely from active force generation. Thus, the trunk muscles were also represented by vectors spanning the lumbar spine. For each subject, the model was calibrated for both muscle and ligament moment generation by comparing the predicted moment to the measured applied moment in regions where the appropriate moment component has been shown to dominate.

The muscle / ligament model was found to predict the moment at L5/S1 at least as accurately as the muscle—only model (the previously reported OSU Biodynamic EMG assisted model which indirectly combines ligament effects into the muscle effects). Both models predicted moment with an average R square value of 0.8, and average error of 23 N m (p > 0.05). For symmetric upright postures, there was no influence of ligaments so both models predicted similar compression of about 1675 N m. As asymmetry or flexion angle increased, the muscle / ligament model predicted higher compression as a result of the smaller moment arms of the ligaments. In the most extreme posture (40 degrees flexion with 30 degrees asymmetry), the predicted compression from the muscle / ligament model (4250 N) was significantly larger than the muscle—only model (3680N). Finally, all asymmetric conditions resulted in predictions from the muscle / ligament model that exceeded the NIOSH 3400 N tolerance, but only the most asymmetric condition resulted in predictions from the muscle—only model that exceeded the NIOSH limit. Thus, muscle models that do not account for ligament effects may be ineffective in accurately evaluating compression during certain job tasks.
Interaction of Static Pinch and Forearm Torque
Authors: Snell-Massie S. , Barber M. , Pazderka M. , Wilhelm G. , Hallbeck M.S.
Published: July 2017

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects gender, torque direction, forearm position and pinch type on pinch and torque. The study was a mixed factor design with subjects nested within gender. The study demonstrated that wrist torque for three-jaw chuck pinch was 72% of wrist torque for the lateral (key) pinch; that average female wrist torque was 69% of males. The three-jaw chuck pinch force was 86% of lateral (key) pinch; that average female pinch force was 59% of males. Wrist torque and pinch force did not change significantly by forearm position. Pinch force was highest when no torque was applied; supinating torque was 64% of the no-torque pinch force, pronating torque was 69% of the no-torque pinch force. When examined by torque direction, wrist torque showed that pronating torque was 90% that of supinating torque.
Evaluation of Gloves: Short Time Test vs. Long Time Tests
Authors: Bishu Ram R. , Goodwin Brent
Published: July 2017

Almost all the evaluative tests are one time performance tests, with the difference between gloved performance and bare handed performance being attributed to gloves. However, in real industrial tasks people don gloves for an extended period of time. It is possible that the length of time has an effect on overall glove comfort. The research objective of this study came out of the aforementioned argument. What is the most appropriate test time for evaluation of gloves? Three experiments were performed to evaluate this issue. Experiment one consisted of battery of one time evaluation test, while experiment two evaluated glove comfort when they were donned for an hour, and experiment three was a repeat of experiment two for eight hours. In summary, it appears that glove effect is not consistent with time. In other words, gloves may yield different levels of discomfort with use. Also, two hours appear to be the most appropriate test time for glove evaluation
The Forces Required to Pull Loads up Stairs with Different Handtrucks
Authors: Young Stephen L. , Brogmus George E. , Bezverkhny Ilya
Published: July 2017

The present study evaluated seven different handtrucks on the forces (average and peak) required to pull different loads up a flight of stairs. Both human subjects and a constant-velocity winch were used to pull the loads during the trials. The results showed that there were significant differences between the handtrucks in terms of the average and average-peak forces required to pull the loads. Differences in average force could be attributed to certain handtruck characteristics (e.g., wheel diameter), but no such discriminations could be made for average-peak force. The results also demonstrated that average and average-peak forces were negatively correlated, indicating that low forces of one kind (either average or average-peak) were generally, but not always, associated with high forces in the other. In general, none of the handtrucks evaluated here produced both low average and average-peak forces when pulling loads up stairs.
Energy Cost of Walking in Four Types of Snowshoes
Authors: Knapik Joseph , Hickey Charles , Ortega Samson , Nagel James , de Pontbriand Rene
Published: July 2017

Four Marines walked on snow at 4 km/h with four types of snowshoes. Grade of the terrain was about 2.4% and the Marines walked once downhill and once uphill with each snowshoe. Expired respiratory gases (for energy cost measures) and heart rates were collected continuously. The Pride and Military Standard models had a lower energy cost than the Montana model and tended to have a lower cost than the British model. Correlations between snowshoe mass/surface area ratios and energy cost were 0.81 and 0.72 on the uphill and downhill portions of the course, respectively. Data suggested several design characteristics may be favorable from an energy cost perspective: 1) a foot hinge-and-binding system that allows the snowshoe to be dragged across the snow, 2) an upturned front that pushes snow away and allows a more horizontal displacement of the snowshoe during locomotion, and 3) a lower mass to surface area ratio.
Ergonomic Improvement in Games Manufacturing: Leveraging One Initial Success into an Integrated Self-Sustaining Ergonomics Effort
Authors: Marcotte Andrew J. , Kessler Joe
Published: July 2017

Initial success is easy to achieve. Creating a self-sustaining ergonomics improvement process that produces significant, measurable improvements to employee health and safety and manufacturing profitability over the long-term is a challenge. This paper presents the results of a 6-year follow-up study and charts how one games manufacturing company leveraged one initial ergonomics “job improvement” case study into an integrated analysis, design, and planning process which has generated over $1 million in direct manufacturing cost savings—while meeting continuous improvement objectives for employee health and safety. Ergonomics improvement case studies (production staffing modification, equipment re-design, product packaging re-design, and use of ergonomics criteria for new process design) will be presented as examples for each of 4 phases through which the company's ergonomics effort progressed. Lessons learned, including the process for and the utility of assigning primary responsibility for success in the hands of engineering, are provided.
A Filtering Approach to Ergonomics Surveillance
Authors: Gibson J. Murray , Alexander David C.
Published: July 2017

There is a need in industry for practical surveillance methods to identify ergonomics problems. Most conventional surveillance methods have the following characteristics:

• Require completion of a multi-page checklist for every job in the facility. • Identify, in a “single-pass” survey, all jobs presenting a moderate to low level of ergonomic-related risk, resulting in an “unmanageable” list of problems. • Provide job risk scores used to prioritize every ergonomics problem in the facility.

The author presents an alternative surveillance methodology which identifies and prioritizes high, moderate, and low risk jobs using a “filtering approach”. This filtering approach actually consists of three separate checklists, each identifying (or filtering) for jobs of different risk levels: High Risk Survey, Moderate Risk Survey, and Low Risk Survey. Each checklist utilizes data from three sources: ergonomic risk factors, loss information, and employee turnover/complaints.
Canonical Correlation Analysis of Data on Human-Automation Interaction
Authors: Shafto Michael G. , Degani Asaf , Kirlik Alex
Published: July 2017

Canonical correlation analysis is a type of multivariate linear statistical analysis, first described by Hotelling (1935), which is used in a wide range of disciplines to analyze the relationships between multiple independent and multiple dependent variables. We argue that canonical correlation analysis is the method of choice for use with many kinds of datasets encountered in human factors research, including field-study data, part-task and full-mission simulation data, and flight-recorder data. Although canonical correlation analysis is documented in standard textbooks and is available in many statistical computing packages, there are some technical and interpretive problems which prevent its routine use by human factors practitioners. These include problems of computation, interpretation, statistical significance, and treatment of discrete variables. In this paper we discuss these problems and suggest solutions to them. We illustrate the problems and their solutions based on our experience in using canonical correlation in the analysis of a field study of crew-automation interaction in commercial aviation.
Predictability as a Metric of Automation Complexity
Authors: Vakil Sanjay S. , Hansman R. John
Published: July 2017

Current advanced commercial transport aircraft rely on Flight Management Systems. The increasing complexity of these systems has caused an increase in errors in interaction with aircraft automation. Previous research has focussed on identification of the elements of automation (mode structure, consistency, command languages and other) which may lead to faulty human-automation interactions. These approaches require the complex system to have underlying structure in an available and communicable form.

In contrast, this paper discusses a more easily testable “end-to-end” metric which can be used independent of knowledge of this structure. The concept of predictability is presented as a candidate metric of the complexity of automation and is defined as a measure of how well an operator can anticipate what the system will do at some point in the future. In essence, this is a measure of the complement of how often a system will “surprise” an operator by acting in an unanticipated manner. The goal of this work is to identify areas of Flight Management Systems which have a strong impact on predictability to provide guidance in future designs and in current pilot training.
Systems Theory Implications for Human Factors in Aviation
Authors: McKinney Earl H.
Published: July 2017

Systems theory is presented as a complement to the more traditional scientific approaches in aviation science. Tenets of systems theory are contrasted with traditional approaches that employ reductionism. A complementary method of inquiry using groups or organizations as the unit of analysis is systems theory, a framework long fundamental to human factors but treated with curious ambivalence by practitioners (Meister, 1989). This integrative perspective has matured to a point that warrants serious consideration. Four variations in systems theory are compared, and the applications of each are made to aviation science. The limitations of systems theories are presented, as well as current and potential applications of systems theory to aviation science.
Slowing of Strategic and Nonstrategic Processes in a Visual Search Task
Authors: Gorman Michael F. , Fisher Donald L.
Published: July 2017

The fact that response times increase as one ages has long been established. Previous research has indicated that a process-specific model does a better job than the model of general slowing in explaining the differences between older and younger adults. This experiment tested a process-specific model of slowing using older and younger adults in a visual search task. The task manipulated the presence of the target, the number of search items, the structure of the display of the search items, the perceptual quality of the search items and the complexity of the response. It was found that encoding, motor, and decision processes were about equally delayed whereas the comparison process was delayed little if any.
Aging and Retention of Newly Acquired Skill: Does Performance Predict Retention of Underlying Learning?
Authors: Batsakes Peter J. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: July 2017

In this study, we evaluated age-related decay characteristics of the learning supporting skilled performance. We directly assessed the retention of performance and learning associated with skilled visual search. Ninety older (63 to 79 yrs.) and 90 younger (19 to 25 yrs.) adults received 6300 trials of consistent semantic category search. A transfer session assessed automatic process development. After either 2, 4, or 8 weeks participants returned for retention testing. At retention we evaluated trained performance, learning associated with strength of attention training (AARs), and optimal feature search. For young adults, the AAR declined but remained strong even after eight weeks of disuse. Older adults exhibited minimal automatic activation strength before and (not surprising) after the retention interval. However, when retention performance not supported by AARs was examined (learning due to the development of optimal search) age-related effects were minimized. Contrary to other learning domains, older adults' retention performance was less affected than young adults' by the interfering processing activity performed prior to the retention interval. Issues of instructional and system design are discussed as mechanisms to promote age-dependent retention of skilled performance.
Inattention and Misjudgment in Older Drivers Involved in Automobile Collisions in Hawai'I, 1986–1991
Authors: Kim Karl , Albert-Thenet Charlotte , Vercruyssen Max
Published: July 2017

Motor vehicle collision reports filed by police officers may be useful in investigating driver behavior and identifying potential causal attributes of accident involvement. Inattention and misjudgment were two options appearing on police reports to explain the cause of motor vehicle collisions in Hawai'i from 1986 to 1991. Examination of all crash reports (n = 218,718) revealed that inattention and misjudgment are serious problems for older drivers (65 years and older, n = 14,179). For instance, for the 75 to 84 year old drivers involved in collisions (n = 3659), 36% were classified as inattentive and 22% were identified as having misjudgment errors in driving; for the 85 and older drivers (n = 340), these percentages were 41 and 22, respectively. Of the collisions involving older drivers, 48% were at intersections. Reports of inattention and misjudgments were highest at dusk and dawn compared to other times of the day and night. Among the rear-end collisions, 65% of the older rear-enders were inattentive drivers. Strong associations of inattentive older drivers were found with being a broadsider (49%), side-swiper (45%) and headoner. Misjudgments among older drivers were most associated with being a side-swiper (41% from the opposite direction and 37% from the same direction). Regarding vehicle maneuvers prior to the crash, inattention was associated with right turns on red (61%), U-turns (57%), starting from park (56%), backing (56%), changing lanes (48%), merging (45%), and making left turns (40%). Misjudgment errors were most likely to occur when overtaking (44%), parking (41%), making left turns (39%), and changing lanes (39%). Dangerous actions common among inattentive older drivers included disregarding traffic controls (72%), following too closely (67%), going the wrong way (54%), failing to yield (52%), improper turns (48%), and speeding (45%). Older drivers classified as having misjudgments were most likely to be involved in improper overtaking (46%), failure to yield (41%), and improper turns (39%).
The Ability of Elderly People to Traverse Slippery Walking Surfaces
Authors: Lockhart Thurmon E.
Published: July 2017

The experiment reported in this paper is a comparison of the biomechanical parameters associated with the gait of younger and older subjects walking over slippery and non - slippery floor surfaces. The parameters compared include stride length, ground reaction force (required coefficient of friction), micro-slip distance, and heel velocity. The results indicate a significant difference in subjective assessments of floor slipperiness and biomechanical parameters of waking such as slip distance, stride length, heel velocity, and required coefficient of friction between younger and older individuals.
Age-Related Differences in the Training and Retention of Skilled Dual-Task Performance
Authors: Batsakes Peter J. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: July 2017

Twenty-four young (M = 21) and 24 old (M = 71) adults participated in a study designed to assess age-related differences in the training and retention of skilled DT performance. Participants received one session of ST training on two consistently-mapped (CM) visual search tasks followed by two additional sessions of training on the DT combination. Subsequent to the end of training, a single session of retention testing was provided after a one month retention interval. The use of an adaptive multiple frame procedure during ST training assured that each participant operated at his or her limits of perceptual processing. Three different task speeds (slow, medium and fast) were then constructed to fit each individual's perceptual search abilities during DT processing. The results of the experiment indicated that, in spite of differences between age groups in the speed of perceptual processing required to perform the dual-task, older adults still exhibited marked decrements in DT performance when compared to ST baseline levels. Further, there was no interaction with task speed suggesting that speed of processing fails to adequately explain age-related dual-task performance decrements
Effects of Age and Experience on Mental Workload for Computer Tasks
Authors: Nair Sankaran N. , Hoag Didrik W. , Leonard Dwayne C. , Sharit Joseph , Czaja Sara J.
Published: July 2017

This study examined the influence of age and experience on mental workload for three computer tasks. Three hundred and forty-five subjects, ranging in age from 20yrs.–75yrs., performed one of three computer tasks over a three day period. The tasks included: data entry, database inquiry, and accounts balancing. The data indicated significant main effects of days and task and significant task x days and age x days interactions. Overall, ratings of workload decreased with experience on the task and the participants perceived higher workload for the accounts balancing task as compared to the other two tasks. The effects of experience varied across the three tasks and according to age. Ratings of workload decreased over time for the database inquiry and accounts balancing tasks; there was no change for the data entry task. With respect to age, the data indicated that ratings of workload declined with experience for the younger and middle-aged participants but not for the older subjects.
Operator Monitoring during Normal Operations: Vigilance or Problem-Solving?
Authors: Roth Emilie M. , Mumaw Randall J. , Vicente Kim J. , Burns Catherine M.
Published: July 2017

Monitoring during emergencies in dynamic environments is widely recognized to be an active, selective attention, process. In contrast monitoring during normal operations is often thought to more closely resemble a vigilance task. This paper describes a field study of power plant operator monitor during normal operations. We observed and interviewed 27 operators at two different plants for a total of over 200 hours. Despite differences in control room technology, we found that in both cases operators devised active strategies to remove or reduce meaningless changes from the interface, create information different from that intended by the designers, and make important information more salient. These findings were integrated into a model of operator monitoring, that emphasizes operators' use of strategies for knowledge-driven monitoring and proactive adaptation of the control room interface. The model is equally applicable for normal and emergency operations and underscores the commonality in cognitive demands in both environments.