bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Functionality Matrix for a Cognitive Assistant on Long Distance Space Missions
Authors: Tokadlı Güliz , Dorneich Michael C.
Published: September 2017

This paper discusses the development and application of a Functionality Matrix (FM) technique to design requirements for a Cognitive Assistant (CA) to aid future long distance space missions. Future far-Earth space missions pose challenges due to communication delays between Mission Control and space crew. As communication delays increase, Mission Control is less able to support space crew in off-nominal situations. The FM technique was used to extrapolate the joint decision-making functions performed in current near-Earth operations to functions performed in future, far-Earth space operations, allocated between Mission Control, space crew, and potential automation. Data gathered from document analysis and interviews with astronauts were consolidated to generate the domain knowledge models of the collaborative decision-making process for current space operations. Each function in the decision-making process was examined to extrapolate the current collaborative work of Mission Control and space crew to future space operations under long time delays, when the role of Mission Control must change. The domain knowledge models were also used to identify the functions performed to resolve off-nominal situations in current operations that are most affected by long communication delays. The identified functions constituted the input for the FM. The responsibilities of Mission Control, space crew and CA were categorized in the FM as current and/or future space operations. The FM describes the shared responsibilities between space crew and Mission Control with and without CA support in space operations. The FM was used to describe functional design requirements, and will lead to the development of function allocation rules.
Evaluation of NextGen Air Traffic Control Alarms and Alerts Using Cognitive Walkthrough Method
Authors: Hah Sehchang , Hallman Kevin , Williams Brett , Heinz Kristy
Published: September 2017

In the air traffic control domain, there are no clear distinctions in the definition of critical safety messages, such as alarms and alerts. We therefore created a categorization scheme to distinguish alarms from the alerts and applied it to NextGen air traffic control systems: Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS), En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), and Data Communications. Controllers then evaluated the effectiveness of the alarms and alerts of these NextGen systems. We used Cognitive Walkthrough method with the “thinking aloud” procedure to collect their spontaneous and immediate evaluation. Based on these evaluations, we present recommendations for the future NextGen air traffic control alarm and alert design.
The Role of Visual Inspection in the 21st Century
Authors: See Judi E. , Drury Colin G. , Speed Ann , Williams Allison , Khalandi Negar
Published: September 2017

Visual inspection research has a long history spanning the 20th century and continuing to the present day. Current efforts in multiple venues demonstrate that visual inspection continues to have a vital role for many different types of tasks in the 21st century. The nature of this role spans the range from traditional human visual inspection to fully automated detection of defects. Consequently, today’s practitioners must not only successfully identify and apply lessons learned from the past, but also explore new areas of research in order to derive solutions for modern day issues such as those presented by introducing automation during inspection. A key lesson from past research indicates that the factors that can degrade performance will persist today, unless care is taken to design the inspection process appropriately.
Demonstration of a Method for Real-time Detection of Anomalies in Team Communication
Authors: Grimm David A.P. , Gorman Jamie C. , Stevens Ron H. , Galloway Trysha L. , Willemsen-Dunlap Ann M. , Halpin Donald J.
Published: September 2017

Real-time analysis of team communication data to detect anomalies and/or perturbations in the team environment is an ideal method to improve on teams’ interactions and responses to potential crises. In this paper, we demonstrate a method to detect anomalies through observing communication patterns of neurosurgery teams. We simulated the real-time process by analyzing previously collected communication data to assess the effectiveness of a nonlinear prediction model to detect anomalies. We compared predicted values of communication determinism (a measure of how organized communication patterns are) to previous values in each team’s time series. These deviations formed a separate root mean square error (RMSE) time series, and we examined the magnitudes of the RMSE time series at the points of known perturbations. Additionally, we examined the effect of window size on perturbation detection. We found that our nonlinear prediction model accurately detected the perturbations and shows promise for future real-time analysis.
Effect of Visualization on Spatial Trajectory Prediction under Uncertainty
Authors: Pugh Ashley J. , Wickens Christopher D. , Herdener Nathan , Clegg Benjamin A. , Smith C. A. P.
Published: September 2017

Spatial predictions of uncertain trajectories are challenging, but are often associated with overconfidence. This study explored how a visualization influenced prediction of uncertain spatial trajectories (e.g., unknown path of a downed aircraft or future path of a hurricane). Mean and variance estimates were compared for participants provided with a gradient-shaded “cone of uncertainty” visualization and those who were not provided with a visualization. Participants exhibited less error in mean estimations when a visualization was present, but performed worse than controls once the visualization was removed. For variance estimations, participants provided with a visualization did not retain any advantage in their estimations once the visualization was removed. Combined these findings suggest that visualizations may support some aspects of spatial predictions under uncertainty, but they can be associated with costs for the underlying knowledge being developed.
On the Dual Nature of Transparency and Reliability: Rethinking Factors that Shape Trust in Automation
Authors: Kaltenbach1 Elizabeth , Dolgov Igor
Published: September 2017

Prior literature has found that increasing system reliability and transparency can positively impact operators’ trust of automated systems; however, these factors are typically confounded. In the present study, we separated these factors by manipulating different stages of automation. Participants engaged in a simulated coffee manufacturing task using an interface with differing levels of reliability (65% or 95%) and transparency (one line or multiple lines of system display). The Human Computer Trust Scale (HCTS) and the Trust in Automated Systems Scale (TAS) were used to measure trust. When examining scores on TAS items with a positive-valence, we novelly observed that transparency interacted with reliability, such that high transparency and low reliability negatively impacted trust in the system. Alternatively, trust was not negatively affected by poor reliability when transparency was low, due to trivial cost of corrective behaviors that compensated for poor reliability and lack of system history understanding by the operators.
Bridging User Research and Interface Design Through Information-Driven Conceptual Modeling
Authors: Williams Elliott M.
Published: September 2017

The significance of user research in usability analysis, and the role it plays in a properly-executed design process, is a well-studied aspect of human-computer interaction. Yet user research does not directly translate to the organization and architectural knowledge necessary for design. A conceptual model of information alignment and access, oriented toward modeling information flows and knowledge architecture, connects the needs identified in user research to the structure and visualization of the design. I conducted information architecture and website redesign efforts for both a small-scale university research group and a distributed STEM outreach organization. By comparing these efforts, I identify how conceptual models change in response to organization size, user needs, hierarchy, and knowledge scope. I reassert the significance of conceptual models for bridging user research to design, and identify how changes in the model signify changes in the design.
Re-Solution – Katrina Edition: Moving a Face-to-Face Game Online
Authors: Gilbert Stephen B. , Jang Wonsil , Garcia Austin , Krone Nicholas , Ramezani Mahmood , Doty Karen
Published: September 2017

Every year natural disasters and other large scale human challenges occur that require group cooperation and collaboration to provide the first steps of successful conflict resolution. All too often, stakeholders in these complex dilemmas lack empathy and understanding of others’ interests. This research describes the challenges of adapting a face-to-face game designed to address these issues to an online game called ReSolution. While the game development is still underway, the authors describe their approach to addressing three challenges during this adaptation: 1) maintain personal engagement online, 2) scope the negotiation complexity, and 3) automate personalized feedback and learning.
Effects of Spatial Distribution of Heat and Grip Areas for Tablet Computer Use
Authors: Zhang Han , Hedge Alan
Published: September 2017

The dissipation of heat from a tablet computer can be a limiting factor for hardware design, and this is affected by power consumption, the central processing unit (CPU) and the thickness of the casing. If the tablet casing gets too hot it affects user’s thermal comfort and may even cause skin burns. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of different spatial layouts of heat distribution on user thermal comfort. The areas that are less frequently contacted by fingers were identified on the back surface of a simulated tablet computer.
Joint Human-Automation Decision Making in Road Traffic Management
Authors: Morar Natan , Baber Chris
Published: September 2017

In this paper we explore automation bias in terms of joint decision making between humans and automation. In an experiment, participants made decisions, and indicated the reason for this decision, in a road traffic monitoring task with the aid of automation of varying reliability (i.e., 25% or 81%). Reliability level had a clear impact on the user’s behavior: at low reliability, participants ignored automation suggestion and rely on their own decision making, whereas in the high reliability condition, participants tended to accept the automation suggestion (even if this was incorrect). Overall, performance is higher as a result of the human intervention that would be expected from automation alone, i.e., accuracy is in the region of 87-96% on all conditions. Performance is affected by the order in which the human and automation give their answers and how much detail they are required to provide. We consider these results in terms of a theory of joint decision making. [156 words]
An Investigation of the Effect of Latency on the Operator’s Trust and Performance for Manual Multi-robot Teleoperated Tasks
Authors: Rogers Hunter , Khasawneh Amro , Bertrand Jeffery , Madathil Kapil Chalil
Published: September 2017

Latency is an important factor when conducting teleoperated missions. This study investigates the effects of latency on a set of dependent variables: performance (measured by time and number of errors), subjective workload, trust, and usability. These measures were tested in a simulated search-and-rescue mission over two levels of two independent variables. One independent variable was the number of robots – one or two (within-subject), and the other independent variable was latency – simulations with and without latency (between-subject.) The significant effect of the independent variables on the dependent variables were checked using repeated measure two-way ANOVA with a confidence level of 95%. The data determined any significant effects that latency and/or the number of robots had on such factors as errors, dependability, reliability, harmful outcomes, temporal demand, and frustration.
50 Years of Human Factors Psychology at Texas Tech University
Authors: Klein Martina I. , Halcomb Charles , DeLucia Patrica R. , Liddell Greg , Chaparro Barbara , Endsley Mica
Published: September 2017

In 1966, the Human Factors Program Psychology of Texas Tech University (TTU) was inaugurated. The program has been accredited by HFES since 2002, when it was one of 14 accredited programs. The panel of former and current faculty (Drs. Halcomb, DeLucia, and Endsley) as well as successful alumni (Drs. Liddell and Chaparro) discusses the development of the program, how training at TTU’s Human Factors Psychology Program prepared graduates for success, provides advice for current students, and also reflects on the challenges and the path for the future for the human factors profession and human factors training.
Effects of Active Sitting Chairs on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue
Authors: Kar Gourab , Peditto Kathryn S. , Guria Sanjay , Callan Jacqueline R. , Fronsman Andrea E. , Lee Serena Seo Hyon , Stohler Justine , Moon Dan , Li Manwen , Cackett Megan A. , Hedge Alan
Published: September 2017

This study evaluated the effects of active and static sitting chairs on short-duration computer task performance, postural risks and perceived pain, comfort and fatigue. A repeated-measures, within-subjects study was conducted, in which 16 participants performed 40 trials of a computer-based homing task in four seating conditions. Computer task performance was operationalized using mousing and typing speed as the measures, postural risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Perceived scores for pain, comfort and fatigue were reported through a survey administered at baseline and after each seated task condition. Results suggest that for short-duration computer tasks, active seating does not reduce mousing and typing speed; postural risks for musculoskeletal disorders do not significantly differ in comparison to static seating. Additionally, while there is reduction in perceived levels of comfort for active seating, the perception of pain and fatigue do not change significantly.
Effects of Active Versus Static Standing on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue
Authors: Kar Gourab , Guria Sanjay , Peditto Kathryn S. , Callan Jacqueline R. , Fronsman Andrea E. , Seo Serena , Lee Hyon , Stohler Justine , Moon Dan , Li Manwen , Cackett Megan A. , Hedge Alan
Published: September 2017

This study evaluated the effects of active versus static standing on short-duration computer task performance, postural risks and perceived pain, comfort and fatigue. A repeated measures, within-subjects study was conducted in which 16 participants performed 40 trials of a computer-based homing task in two active standing versus a static standing condition. Computer task performance was operationalized using mousing and typing speed as the measures; postural risk was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Perceived scores for pain, comfort and fatigue were reported through a survey administered at baseline and after each standing task condition. Results suggest that for short-duration computer tasks, there was no significant difference in typing speed between active and static standing. However, mousing speed was significantly higher in static standing compared to a specific active standing condition. Overall levels of perceived pain, comfort and fatigue did not differ significantly between active and static standing.
Alternative Workstations: Magic Pills for Office Worker Health?
Authors: Lin Jia-Hua , Harris-Adamson Carisa , Bao Stephen , Rempel David , Cavuoto Lora , Robertson Michelle M. , Honan Meg
Published: September 2017

Routine office or computer work are of public health concerns due to their sedentary nature. Sit- stand desks may be prescribed for employees based on medical or ergonomic factors. Sit-stand or active workstations, either assigned to individual workers or made available in “unassigned” office areas are also making inroads into the workplace with the goal of reducing sedentary work, varying (alternating) work postures, improving productivity, or accommodating workers with musculoskeletal symptoms. This diverse panel will present recent research and practice findings and invite audience participation in a discussion of this trending topic. Studies examining the effects of sit-stand or active workstations on physiological and cardiovascular outcomes will be reported. The effects on movement patterns, performance and productivity will also be examined. Real workplace interventions and examples of practices will be presented. The goal is to provide a forum to share our understanding about the benefits and limitations of various office workstation designs and discuss research needs.
Cross-Border Testifying Tips: U.S. Experts in Canada and Canadian Experts in the U.S.
Authors: Vredenburgh Alison , Young Jason , Liske David , Young Stephen
Published: September 2017

Professionals who are allowed by a court to serve as expert witnesses are granted the special legal status of offering opinion and theoretical evidence based on human factors research and provided facts that the expert did not witness themselves. The role of the Human Factors forensic expert in U.S. and Canadian court cases has become more common over the past two decades as lawyers become increasingly aware of the specialized nature of this field of study. U.S. and Canadian Human Factors experts sometimes find themselves being retained by firms on the other side of the border due to their specialized experience and training in a particular area relevant to the case at hand. In such situations, the expert will need to deal with differences in legal systems and differences in client expectations between the U.S. and Canada. The goal of this panel discussion session is to share the combined experience and knowledge of the panelists with the audience regarding the most significant differences between U.S. and Canadian clients, courtrooms, and procedures in forensic testimony, so that the expert knows what to expect when accepting a cross-border retention.
Reconstruction of the Visual Environment of a Police Pursuit Incident from Several Points of View
Authors: Galinsky Alixander M.W. , Stokes Angela , Berkhout Jan
Published: September 2017

This paper describes the reconstruction of a police-pursuit incident involving the visual perceptions of two individuals for the purposes of determining whether the resulting arrest and charge of Attempted Murder could be substantiated. “Mens Rea”; that is, whether the defendant in this case had the intention to threaten or severely injure or murder a police officer. A Deputy Sheriff (we will refer to him as PO, short for police officer) attempted to use “Stop Sticks” to disable the vehicle of the driver (referred here as DR) who was described as leading police on a “high-speed” chase. The driver evaded the maneuver and in the process, threatened the life of PO, by the PO’s accounting of events. Multiple sources of data were reviewed, interviews, and a reconstruction of events was conducted. We provided a version of events that did not support the Attempted Murder charge. The charge was later dropped. DR and PO are used for de-identification purposes to preserve the anonymity of the individuals involved.
The HFES Diversity Committee: Challenges and Opportunities for Involvement
Authors: Chiou Erin K. , Wooldridge Abigail R. , Price Morgan , Mosqueda Euniqué , Roscoe Rod
Published: September 2017

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Diversity Committee met initially in January 2017, and on a regular basis thereafter to assess and improve diversity and inclusion in the society, profession, and discipline. Charged by president Bill Marras in 2016, the Committee replaced the Diversity Task Force established in 1994, and formally became a part of the Society’s Internal Affairs Division. As part of the Committee’s initial outreach, this panel will continue the conversation with society members about diversity and inclusion. Panelists will provide an overview of the Committee’s charter, review historical trends and current status of member diversity, discuss previous successful programming for enhancing diversity and feature perspectives from students and professionals in academia, industry, government/military/aerospace and consulting. Committee members welcome feedback and input from attendees on the above topics, what inclusion and diversity means and how to balance the broader concept of diversity with focused activities for targeted groups.
Human-Agent Interruptions: A Systems Perspective
Authors: Salehi Pouria , Chiou Erin K.
Published: September 2017

Detrimental effects of interruptions have been widely reported in the literature, particularly with laboratory-based studies. However, recent field-based studies suggest interruptions can be beneficial, even vital to maintaining or enhancing system performance. The literature seems to be at critical juncture; how do practitioners reconcile these perspectives? Do we ban interruptions or let them flow freely? To address this, we study how interruptions affect work performance over differing units of analysis (a dyad versus an individual) in a microworld scheduling task with 72 participants and a computer agent. We found that a team performance perspective shows more benefits from interruptions than an individual performance perspective. In other words, teams suffered less from the adverse effects of interruptions than individuals. Results show that systems-level aspects of interruptions, for both the individual and the team, plays a role in determining whether interruptions have a positive or negative effect.
Gestural Interaction with Three-Dimensional Interfaces; Current Research and Recommendations
Authors: Varma Vasudha , Nathan-Roberts Dan
Published: September 2017

New methods of interacting with latest three-dimensional (3D) display technologies are rapidly being tested, however, it is not yet certain, which kinds of interaction design would be most suitable for users to manipulate and interact with 3D content. Physical gestures have been a natural and intuitive mode of interaction for human-human communication and ways to replicate this for human-machine communication is increasingly being explored. This proceeding attempts to review the current state of technology and the existing research on the use of gestural interaction with three-dimensional interfaces. The focus is on the use of hand-based gestures, the scope is to identify challenges and limitations of using gestures with 3D interfaces, and the goal is to find guidelines to select appropriate gestures to interact with 3D displays. The paper also highlights existing gaps and potential future research areas, in the technological and usability domains, that must be addressed before gestures can be used seamlessly with 3D interfaces.
Design for the Illiterate: A Scoping Review of Tools for Improving the Health Literacy of Electronic Health Resources
Authors: Barclay Paul A. , Bowers Clint A.
Published: September 2017

Nearly 1 in 5 people living in the United States cannot read at even a basic level, a condition which greatly affects health outcomes. Despite this, most electronic health resources are reliant not only on text, but on complex reading and text manipulation that may result in poorer outcomes and reduced usage by patients with reduced literacy. This paper aims to synthesize findings and best practices across health literacy research, product design and games for health to support the development of electronic health resources which are less reliant on text to communicate health information. This synthesis involves the implantation of visual means of communication, as well as leveraging the strengths of planned interactions modeled after patient-caregiver communication. Through adopting these techniques, it is hoped that the concept of a health-literate system of healthcare can be extend from direct care settings and into the electronic design space.
What Is the Role of Patient Families? An Exploratory Study in a Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Papautsky Elizabeth Lerner , Abdulbaseer Ummesalmah , Faiola Anthony
Published: September 2017

Patient safety and quality efforts recently began to emphasize patient and family engagement in medical decision making. With measures primarily focused on satisfaction, challenges exist around understanding the impact of engagement on patient outcomes. Research is needed to understand the role of patient/family in safety and quality across clinical environments. The current exploratory study uses observations, ad hoc interviews, and questionnaires to capture the perspective of clinicians and staff on a Medical Intensive Care Unit regarding presence and engagement of families in patient care. Findings suggest that reported roles go beyond emotional support and further investigation is needed to explore the role of families in patient care from the safety and quality perspective.
The Use of Human Factors to Address Medical Research Replicability Through the Development of Software Based Solution
Authors: Kelling Nicholas , Ward Christopher , Malin David , Buras William , Hetherington Scott
Published: September 2017

The lack of research replicability is becoming more of a concern in many fields. The medical research community and specifically the National Institutes of Health are concerned about how this issue will affect the well-being of the field (Collins & Tabak, 2014). However, this situation represents an opportunity to showcase how human factors can act as a solution through a combination of usability and human systems integration. The current work details how the development of a software platform designed to address replicability and reproducibility concerns in drug dependency research was informed by human factors principles from early development.
Patient Work Methods: Current Methods of Engaging Patients in Systems Design in Clinical, Community and Extraterrestrial Settings
Authors: Valdez Rupa S. , Holden Richard J. , Khunlerkit Nana , Marquard Jenna , McGuire Kerry , Nathan-Roberts Dan , Ozkaynak Mustafa , Ramly Edmond
Published: September 2017

As Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E) practice in health care expands, there is growing recognition of the need to consider and design for patient work. Over the past several years HF/E practitioners and researchers have begun to formalize the theoretical foundations of a patient work approach. Methodologically, patient work approaches have required adaptations of existing HF/E and social science approaches as well as the development of new approaches. This panel will focus on current approaches of engaging patients in designing interventions in the multiple settings in which patient work is performed. Each panelist will introduce their work by discussing the health care challenge and how existing methods were adapted or new methods created to engage patients in the design of systems. The panelists will then interact with audience members to solicit current health care challenges and to brainstorm ways in which methods could be adapted or innovated to engage patients in addressing these challenges.
Do Trauma Activations Affect Interruptions in the Emergency Department?
Authors: Forsyth Katherine L. , Hawthorne Hunter J. , Linden Anna R. , El-Sherif Nibras , Varghese Rachelen S. , Hallbeck M. Susan , Blocker Renaldo C.
Published: September 2017

Clinicians have anecdotally indicated that interruptions increase following trauma activations in the emergency department (ED), yet it is unknown whether interruptions change following the end of a trauma case. This study aimed to examine the interruption characteristics of clinicians that participate in trauma activations before and after activations using the SEIPS model. Observers shadowed ED clinicians across entire shifts and logged interruptions that affected clinicians in a tablet PC-based tool. Interruption characteristics captured included duration, nature, location, and task priority. Trauma activations lasting more than five minutes were also recorded. Only interruptions occurring within one-hour of trauma activations were included in the analysis. Chi-square analyses identified significant associations between SEIPS-categorized interruptions and the interruption priority, p < 0.01, and between the SEIPS-categorized interruptions and the interruption location, p = 0.01, pre- and post-trauma activations. Identifying these associations revealed key opportunities to reduce unnecessary interruptions in the ED.
Physician Interruptions and Workload during Emergency Department Shifts
Authors: El-Sherif Nibras , Hawthorne Hunter J. , Forsyth Katherine L. , Abdelrahman Amro , Hallbeck Susan M. , Blocker Renaldo C.
Published: September 2017

Interruptions in the Emergency Department (ED) are moderately studied in regard to their impact on physicians’ workload. This study captured interruptions characteristics and measures of workload. Twenty-eight ED physicians were followed during their shifts; interruptions they faced were captured using a validated tablet PC-based tool. At the mid and end of their shift, providers completed a NASA-Task Load Index (TLX) questionnaire and a reaction time task. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to identify relationships between physicians’ interruptions and workload. A total of 2355 interruptions were identified ( M =84.1, SD =14.5). The NASA-TLX results showed increase in physicians’ responses for all subscales from mid to end-shifts. Reaction time was higher at end-shift with mean difference of 33.75ms, 95% CI [20.35, 47.13], p < 0.001. At end-shift, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between reaction time and all NASA-TLX subscales. Interruption duration rather than frequency correlated positively with NASA-TLX scores. High/critical interruptions were the least frequent but had longer duration and greater impact on workload. This study provided a unique examination of interruptions over an entire provider shift and identified interruptions as potential causes of increased workload for ED physicians.
Human Factors in Pharmacy
Authors: Chui Michelle A. , Holden Richard J. , Russ Alissa L. , Abraham Olufunmilola , Srinivas Preethi , Stone Jamie A. , Jahn Michelle A. , Ozkaynak Mustafa
Published: September 2017

Medication errors in the ambulatory setting are common and contribute to significant morbidity and mortality. Given the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of adopting a systems-based approach to improving medication safety, research has been conducted utilizing human factors and ergonomics conceptual frameworks, approaches, and methods to study pharmacies and pharmacists. This panel will focus on how human factors principles and models have been adapted for contexts where medications are managed. Individual projects address pediatric patients’ medication-related needs, over-the-counter medication safety for older adults, anticoagulation management, automated prescription tracking, and medication safety-related decision making by healthcare professionals. These studies span settings from community pharmacies to inpatient pharmacies to specialty clinics and patients’ homes. By presenting a sample of the growing body of human factors work in pharmacy, this panel will offer unique implications for human factors theory, methods, and application in this important domain.
Adverse Events and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Is Inappropriate Labeling the Problem? - The Case of Acetaminophen
Authors: Rojas Katia M. , Li Huiyang
Published: September 2017

Incorrect use of acetaminophen that results in severe liver injury is among the most common adverse drug events (ADEs) in the United States of America (USA), and other countries around the world. Compared to any other drug, it is also on the top for emergency calls, emergency room visits, and acute liver failure in the USA. Consequently, regulating acetaminophen has become a heated and unresolved public debate. During the last decades, multiple efforts have taken place to address the issue, mostly focused on the premise that inappropriate labeling is a leading cause of such ADEs, for failure in communicating the associated risks through warnings. Unlike previous studies, this paper illustrates the importance of considering human factors principles. Three different warning labels were designed and evaluated. The results showed no statistically significant effect, despite the application of best practices for label warning design. Non-design factors, the warning process and why a warning could fail are also illustrated. Implications could help researchers, policy makers, and manufacturers to consider focusing less on traditional labeling interventions, and to invest efforts more systematically considering also the current trends and the current needs of consumers.
Stress, Fatigue, and Workload in Intensive Care Nursing: A Scoping Literature Review
Authors: Khanade Kunal , Sasangohar Farzan
Published: September 2017

Stress and fatigue are being interchangeably used in the nursing literature resulting in operationalization and measurement issues. A scoping review was conducted to identify different definitions and operationalization of these constructs. Findings can be used to develop tools to measure stress and fatigue as different constructs to aid nursing administrators to gain a new perspective into nursing schedule, workload, morale and well-being of nurses. The findings show that there is a research gap in measurement of acute stress in nursing, physiological measures are currently not used for continuous assessment of stress or fatigue for nurses, and lack of stress and fatigue definitions in terms of physiological measures for assessment purposes. Continuous monitoring and physiological measures such as heart rate can be used to measure and differentiate between the constructs of stress and fatigue
Novel Developments in Formal Methods for Human Factors Engineering
Authors: Bolton Matthew L.
Published: September 2017

Formal methods are robust tools and techniques for modeling, specifying, and mathematically proving properties about (verifying) systems. They are particularly good at both finding unexpected problems that arise from complex system interactions and proving that specific types of problems will never manifest. Formal methods have predominantly been used in the analysis and design of computer hardware and software systems. However, a growing research area within the human factors engineering community has been examining how formal methods can be used to prove whether problems exist in systems that rely on human-automation and human-human interaction for their safe operation. This symposium contains four papers by researchers who have been pushing the boundaries of where and how formal methods can be used in human factors engineering.
Jumpstarting Modelling Systems Design: A Generalized Xml Abstraction Of Simulation Model
Authors: Ma Lanssie Mingyue , Feigh Karen M.
Published: September 2017

While many complex models and simulations exist, tools to help evaluate the structure of work between humans and autonomous systems are underdeveloped. There is a need to understand what concepts of operations and function allocations of system(s) imply about the system' efficiency and outcome. In this paper, we define key elements necessary to capture in an abstraction schematic, a formal representation, of “work” for simulation systems, implemented with an example simulation system, Work Models that Compute (WMC5). This generalization has many applications in evaluating the understanding key cognitive domains in autonomy, coherency, function allocation, and more. We provide a simple methodology to generate an abstraction schematic for simulations and walk through building such a schematic for a simulation. This system creates a template (e.g. defining skeletons classes, objects, and methods) for programmers to further develop. This paper demonstrates the importance of abstraction schematics for model evaluation through several examples applications of the schematic to drastically reduce workflow for developing WMC5 code, and further investigate the model through graph network structures. Abstraction schemas, as we demonstrate, are simple to develop, useful for evaluating system structure, and help validate interactions between agents and autonomous systems. Abstraction schemas jumpstart system designers in developing models of work prior to simulation development.
Intent Prediction in Shared Control with Delayed Feedback
Authors: Cubuktepe Murat , Topcu Ufuk
Published: September 2017

In shared control, a robot and a human works together to accomplish a task in order to increase the efficiency of tele-operation. To assist the user in shared control, the robot has to predict the intent of the user accurately and quickly, but this may not be possible when the user can not adapt to the delay as the prediction of the robot depends of the inputs of the user. In this work, we propose an algorithm for intent prediction in shared control while providing performance guarantees when the user has a feedback delay. We assess the feasibility of our algorithm on a case study.
Developing a Model of Team Skill Decay
Authors: Fausset Cara Bailey , Cheng Samuel , Trani Alexandra N. , Hutto Clayton J. , Hale Chris R. , McDermott Tom , Nadolski Molly , Folds Dennis J.
Published: September 2017

Predicting team skill decay can support decisions intended to counter erosion of U.S. industrial base essential design skills. Despite the large extant research investigating both individual and team skill acquisition, there is no comprehensive model of skill decay involving intact teams (Day et al., 2013). We conducted a literature review and identified retention interval, initial skill level, task, environment, and team as the critical factors in determining team skill decay. Sub-factors for each critical variable were also specified. A model incorporating each factor is proposed, and in a related research effort (Trani et al., 2017), initial results of applying the model to industry-wide skill decay prediction is presented. Being able to predict and estimate team skill decay supports long-term planning and assessment in all types of industry—from military systems relevant to the industrial base to specific fields such as aviation and healthcare.
Quantifying Compliance and Reliance Trust Behaviors to Influence Trust in Human-Automation Teams
Authors: Boubin Jayson G. , Rusnock Christina F. , Bindewald Jason M.
Published: September 2017

Automation is utilized heavily in many domains to increase productivity. With new, more complex automation, like the self-driving car, humans will be required to forego direct task performance in favor of maintaining a supervisory role over automation systems. While the use of these systems generally results in greater performance than humans performing alone, humans are reluctant to adopt these superior systems due to a lack of trust. The United States Department of Defense is investigating trust in automation in order to influence the rate of adoption of automation technology. Studying trust in automation systems requires a mechanism for quantifying and measuring trust. This paper proposes a method for measuring human trust behaviors with regard to human-automation systems through response rates of compliance and reliance. Using behavioral data from a human-subjects experiment involving automated agents, we create a system dynamics model which relates trust to other system level variables. Using this trust model, engineers will be able to study trust in human-automation team scenarios in order to design automation systems with higher rates of adoption.
Learn to Integrate Mathematical Models in Human Performance Modeling
Authors: Zhang Yiqi , Wu Changxu
Published: September 2017

The current paper provided a tutorial of the integration of mathematical models in human performance modeling. It introduced the unique features of mathematical modeling in human performance, and the steps in mathematical model integration, including how the literature of models was reviewed, how a research gap was identified, and how a mathematical model was developed and integrated based on existing models, and how a model was validated via an experimental study. A case study was presented by following each step to illustrate the integration of several existing models to derive a new model of drivers’ braking performance in warning response with its integration with the existing mathematical models of driver speed control in normal situations and the model of humans’ warning response time. This is the first tutorial work that provided a detailed explanation of the steps in mathematical model integration with a case study in human performance modeling. It could be used as guidance for human factors professionals to learn the mathematical modeling approaches and will benefit the field of human performance modeling.
Simulating Human Performance of Task Sharing: Modeling Task Delay and Delegation of Authority
Authors: Lee Douglas W. , Fitzick Daniel W. , Bass Ellen J.
Published: September 2017

In systems that support dynamic allocation of work across human and autonomous agents, analyzing the implications of task sharing can support operational concept development. Computational tools should address not only the taskwork but also the teamwork emerging from the allocation. This paper describes a computational human agent model that manages work by executing or delaying the execution of the task, or by delegating activities to other agents. The agent considers its capacity and strategies for delegation to coordinate with other agents. Using a framework for simulating multiple types of agents, case studies apply this computational human agent model to the evaluation of a concept of operation that distributes work across an air traffic controller capable of delegating and flight deck crews. The case studies show how capacity changes agent utilization and delegation strategies redistribute taskwork across multiple agents while creating teamwork demands.
Pupil Diameter and Performance in a Supervisory Control Task: A Measure of Effort or Individual Differences?
Authors: Coyne Joseph T. , Foroughi Cyrus , Sibley Ciara
Published: September 2017

The relationship between increased pupil diameter and effort has been well established within the Psychology literature since the 1960s. The ability to detect an individuals’ effort is important, particularly in tasks where there are extended periods of monitoring, and limited ways to directly measure performance. The current study sought to investigate whether pupil diameter could be used to detect periods of high and low workload during an unmanned vehicle supervisory control task. Participants were Navy and Marine Corps student pilots, and the experimenters had access to their aviation selection test scores. The study found increased pupil diameters when the task load increased. In addition, pupil diameter during the high task load condition was significantly correlated with the individual’s performance on the supervisory control task. This paper discusses two possible explanations for this finding: 1) that those individuals who performed better on the task were trying harder or, 2) that pupil diameter was capturing differences in general fluid intelligence which influenced task performance. Previous research has shown that differences in an individual’s working memory capacity are correlated with pupil diameter at rest. Further the significant correlation between pupil diameter and the pilot’s selection test scores in this study provide additional evidence that pupil diameter may be capturing individual differences.
Testing the Effects of Peak, End, and Linear Trend on Evaluations of Online Video Quality of Experience
Authors: DeGuzman Chelsea , Chignell Mark , Jiang Jie , Zucherman Leon
Published: September 2017

While previous research has shown that the sequencing of good and bad experience is an important predictor of overall evaluations of a set of experiences, the impact of sequencing effects on the experience of viewing online video has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to determine whether different sequences of good (G), mediocre (M), and bad (B) quality videos in different blocks would influence overall ratings after viewing those blocks. Thirty-two participants each watched 10 blocks of 4 videos and provided ratings of technical quality (TQ), satisfaction, and frustration for each video in the block, as well as overall ratings for each block (as a whole). Sequences of G, M, and B videos were designed to test whether block characteristics (features), like the peak-end effect and effect of linear trend, influenced summary evaluations of the block service. The results of the experiment show that overall block TQ, satisfaction, and frustration ratings differed significantly by sequencing feature. Difference scores were used to determine whether the features had an effect on overall evaluations beyond what could be explained by the total number of bad videos in the block or the average ratings of the videos in the block. Results showed a significant end effect for negative ends of a block, and an effect of linear trend (both increasing and decreasing). There was no evidence of a peak effect or an end effect for positive ends. The presence of a negative end effect and effect of linear trend indicate that where possible service providers should avoid service sessions with poor service quality at the end, or sessions that have decreasing quality as the session progresses.
The Cost of Cool: Typographic Style Legibility in Reading at a Glance
Authors: Sawyer Ben D. , Dobres Jonathan , Chahine Nadine , Reimer Bryan
Published: September 2017

When designers typographically tweak fonts to make an interface look ‘cool,’ they do so amid a rich design tradition, albeit one that is little-studied in regards to the rapid ‘at a glance’ reading afforded by many modern electronic displays. Such glanceable reading is routinely performed during human-machine interactions where accessing text competes with attention to crucial operational environments. There, adverse events of significant consequence can materialize in milliseconds. As such, the present study set out to test the lower threshold of time needed to read and process text modified with three common typographic manipulations: letter height, width, and case. Results showed significant penalties for the smaller size. Lowercase and condensed width text also decreased performance, especially when presented at a smaller size. These results have important implications for the types of design decisions commonly faced by interface professionals, and underscore the importance of typographic research into the human performance impact of seemingly “aesthetic” design decisions. The cost of “cool” design may be quite steep in high-risk contexts.