bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Grip Span, Wrist Position, Hand and Gender on Grip Strength
Authors: Ramakrishnan B. , Bronkema Lisa A. , Hallbeck M. Susan
Published: January 2012

Extensive literature is available which has examined the effects of grip span, wrist position, hand, gender, and anthropometric dimensions on grasp strength, but none have looked at all the factors combined. A thorough understanding of the relations between these various factors would help minimize workplace risks and improve safety. Thus, a study was performed to relate these factors. Twenty subjects (10 male and 10 female) performed maximal exertions with both hands in three wrist positions (45° flexion, 45° extension, and neutral), for three Jamar hand dynamometer spans. Thus, the model was a 2 (gender) x 2 (hand) x 3 (wrist position) x 3 (dynamometer span) x 20 (subjects) mixed effects model with blocking on subjects. Anthropometric dimensions of the subjects' hands were utilized to establish correlation between basic hand dimensions and grasp strength. A stepwise regression analysis established correlation between basic hand dimensions with grasp strength. An R2 value of 0.82 was obtained for the regression equation developed for the largest span (6 cm) of the dynamometer with palm thickness, wrist circumference and forearm length as the independent variables and grasp strength as the dependent variable. For the middle span of 4.7 cm, however, it was seen that palm thickness, wrist circumference, and hand breadth were the only significant variables, with a coefficient of determination of 0.79. Therefore, these four dimensions were chosen for a correlation study with grasp strength. The correlation study revealed that wrist circumference has a reasonably good correlation between the non-dominant hand and the largest span of the handle in the neutral wrist position. Palm thickness and hand breadth yielded significance in two of the three handle spans. The ANOVA showed that all main effects, namely, wrist position, grip span, gender, and hand were significant at the 0.01 level.
An Investigation of the Variability in Human Performance during Manual Material Handling Activities
Authors: Mirka Gary A. , Baker Ann
Published: January 2012

The goal of this study was to quantify the variability of the three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic parameters describing the motion of the torso during the performance of sagittally symmetric lifting tasks. Subjects performed eight repetitions of simple lifting tasks described by three levels of coupling (poor, fair and good) and seven levels of load (4.5, 9, 13.5, 18, 22.5, 27 and 31.5 kg). The three-dimensional, time dependent position, velocity and acceleration of the lumbar spine were monitored using the Lumbar Motion Monitor. These measures were then input into a dynamic biomechanical model which calculated torque about the L5/S1 joint in the sagittal plane. The results of the kinematic analysis showed significant variability in the magnitude of the peak velocity and acceleration in the sagittal plane and also showed significant motion in the transverse and coronal planes. The kinetic analysis showed an increase in the variability of the peak dynamic torque with greater levels of load but no coupling effect.
The Effects of Task Conditions on Trunk Muscular Fatigue during Dynamic Lifting
Authors: Kim Sang H. , Chung Min K. , Lee Wook G.
Published: January 2012

To investigate the effects of MMH task conditions on the activity and fatigue of the trunk musculature, EMG signals from eight major trunk muscles were analyzed during 120 minutes of repetitive dynamic lifting tasks. Two independent task variables were the work strategy of weight and lifting frequency combination and the body posture. The dependent variables were the amplitude of EMG signals and the amount of median power frequency (MPF) decrease over time for the eight trunk muscles. The results of the study indicated that the recruitment and the level of force exertions of the trunk muscles during manual lifting tasks are a function of the direction and the weight of the external load. The different activities of the muscles due to given task conditions also influence the fatiguing process of the individual muscle. The muscles in the dorsal part of trunk were activated during the symmetric task conditions, while the muscles on the contralateral side to the workload were more strongly activated during the asymmetric task conditions. The decreasing trends of MPF were found in some activated muscles, and they were more pronounced for the asymmetric posture than for the symmetric posture. It was also seen that the muscles became fatigued faster for light load-high frequency conditions than for heavy load-low frequency conditions.
Ergonomics Problem Solving
Authors: Alexander David C. , Albin Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

The analysis and resolution of many ergonomics problems has been widely reported in the literature and in presentations at technical and professional meetings. What has not been explored as thoroughly is the process by which those problems are approached and the process which is followed in resolving the problems. From the articles and presentations, there does not appear to be a uniformly consistent approach. These panelists will discuss their process of solving ergonomics problems, including the techniques and resources utilized.
High Technology and Manufacturing: Work Physiology Improvements via the Ergonomic Simulation Analysis System
Authors: Smith Leighton L.
Published: January 2012

This article describes an ergonomic analysis tool called the Ergonomic Simulation Analysis System (ESAS). This system is used in conjunction with computer graphic simulation software. The ESAS integrates work physiology ergonomic models and indexes with manufacturing workplace simulation. It enables engineers and analysts to extract from the simulation sequences robust and meaningful ergonomic analyses in lifting and in repetitive motion activities. The system is simple to operate, allows analysts to execute its functions in a seamless manner when using other software, provides robust results with very little setup time investment, and provides effective and readily assimilated visual products of candidate workplace designs and work methods.
Adjustable Sit-Stand Workstations in the Office
Authors: Nerhood Heather L. , Thompson Steven W.
Published: January 2012

This study describes the approach taken and the results measured thus far from the introduction of sit-stand workstations in an office environment. Adjustable workstations have been developed and introduced in an office within United Parcel Service (UPS). A sit-stand workstation consists of the following components: modular panel walls, an adjustable front work surface, an adjustable rear work surface, and an adjustable chair. An employee can sit or stand while working and perform the adjustments to the workstation with fingertip ease and control.

The job requirements of all of the employees using the new workstations are sedentary in which there is constant use of the computer to perform a variety of tasks. A training program was also introduced to review basic principles of human factors and ergonomics and to provide instruction in how to properly use the new workstations, chairs, and other accessories.

Prior to the installation of the workstations, various benchmark data were collected including: production levels, absenteeism, and injuries and illnesses. A survey of body part discomfort identified areas that were of concern. Following the installation of the workstations, the same data have been and will continue to be collected to measure the effectiveness of the ergonomic interventions. Body part discomfort decreased by an average of 62 percent. Production in two departments that were monitored demonstrated improvement, however at this time the study cycle is too short to hypothesize long term results. The occurrence of injuries and illnesses decreased by more than half. Absenteeism did not show significant changes. These data will continue to be tracked to measure the results of the interventions.
Community Ergonomics: Data Collection Methods and Analysis of Human Characteristics
Authors: Newman Leah , Carayon Pascale
Published: January 2012

This paper presents methods that can be used in community ergonomics to examine the Community-Environment fit. An example is discussed that illustrates the use of survey questionnaire in assessing the fit between the community and its banking environment.
Developing a Better Design Process: Redesigning the Organization to Produce More Ergonomic Designs
Authors: Dockery Christopher A. , Neuman Thomas
Published: January 2012

This paper explores the development of a systematic process for effectively considering in the product design process the ergonomics requirements of all who will interact with a product during its entire life cycle. Because of its very broad scope relative to ergonomics, the process has huge organizational and management implications. Focus in this paper is given to: the steps and rationale involved in developing the process so that ownership and buy-in would result along with a sound and valid process that would be likely to be used; organizational and management implications for communicating and implementing the process including concurrent engineering, accountability, and resource availability. Results of application of the process are illustrated by several case studies from divisions of a large corporation. Organizational structures and relationships that encourage successful partial implementations are explored. Deficiencies in the traditional product design process are explored from motivational and perspective limitation standpoints.
Reengineering a Large Technology-Based Organization
Authors: Hahn Heidi Ann , Bastian Richard P. , French Pamela R.
Published: January 2012

Los Alamos National Laboratory is a large science- and technology-based organization that has recently undertaken a major reengineering effort in an attempt to maintain its competitiveness in a rapidly changing world. Although the initial thrust was toward altering processes, management systems, and culture, it was decided that a major reorganization was needed as well. Along with the reorganization came a flattening of the management hierarchy and an almost complete change in the composition of the senior management group. This restructuring has had profound effects on the organization, requiring a new approach to management by the senior executives, and, at least initially, has swamped process and systems changes that will ultimately determine the success or failure of the effort. This paper documents the journey – how the structure and behaviors of the senior management group had to change to work in the new environment, trickle-down effects of reorganization, levels of decision-making, integrating processes and systems, and communicating with employees – and identifies some lessons learned that might be useful to other large technical organizations contemplating such changes.
Technology, Teacher' Style and Classroom
Authors: Ambardar Anita
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this program of research was to investigate the impact of computer/technology in student learning and motivation to learn in an urban school setting.

Specifically, the following questions were raised:

1. DOES the USAGE OF COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY ENHANCE STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND MOTIVATION TO LEARN IN AN URBAN CLASSROOM SETTING? 2. HOW ARE the TEACHERS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES? 3. WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY IN A CLASSROOM?
Behavioral Compliance with Warnings: Effects of Stress and Placement
Authors: Magurno Amy Barlow , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

Research on the effectiveness of warnings has tended to focus on internal design aspects including variables such as the inclusion of various pictorials, color, and signal words. Only a few studies have examined the influence of warning-related variables that are external to the design of the warning itself although there have been some exceptions such as research on the effects of social influence and cost of compliance. Another potentially important external factor with respect to warning effectiveness is stress. Stress has been shown to influence the quality of decision-making and judgment formation in other domains. The present research examined the effects of stress and warning placement on compliance behavior. Participants were assigned randomly to one of four conditions in a 2 (Stress: lower vs. higher) x 2 (Warning Placement: as a posted sign vs. within a set of task instructions) between-subjects design experiment. In the higher stress condition, participants were given a time limit to complete the task, and during the task the experimenter stood immediately adjacent to the participant, appearing to be measuring and timing the participant's performance. Thus in this condition there were both time-pressure and social-evaluation stress. In the lower stress condition, participants were given as much time as they needed to complete the task and the experimenter stood at a distance, out of the participant's field of view. Participants performed a chemistry task in which they weighed and measured various chemical substances that appeared potentially hazardous, but were actually safe. A warning directing participants to wear mask and gloves while performing the task was present in one of the two locations. Compliance with the warning (wearing of protective equipment) was significantly higher among participants under lower stress and who were exposed to the within-instructions warning. The findings add to knowledge about the effects of external warning factors by showing that stress, such as that evoked in the present experiment, affects the extent to which warnings are complied with. Implications of these results are discussed.
Driver- and Situation-Specific Effects on Assistance Systems for Speed and Distance Control
Authors: Nirschl Günther , Eck Ralf
Published: January 2012

AICC (Autonomous Intelligent Cruise Control) systems, as investigated in the European PROMETHEUS and DRIVE projects, should support the driver in longitudinal vehicle control. The presented study analyzed driver- and situation-specific effects, which have to be considered when developing or evaluating AICCs. The investigations focused on assistance systems, which inform or warn a driver in case of inadequate speed or distance. Messages to the driver are transferred either acoustically or visually or via active control devices, such as an “active gas-pedal”. Driving experiments were performed, whereby subjects' distance keeping behavior was monitored. As a first step before experimental evaluation, relevant traffic situations for AICC application were identified and classified. The results of the subsequent situation analysis reveal driver- and situation-specific characteristics. Typical effects are found in frequency and duration of various AICC situations, in distance distribution when following, and in minimum distance when approaching a preceding vehicle. From situation analysis, first consequences were derived showing off capabilities and limitations of AICC systems on principle and of an “active gas-pedal” in particular.
Quick Decisions in Two Diverse Settings
Authors: Balkey Joseph P.
Published: January 2012

This paper compares quick decisions during high hazard times in the operating rooms of a chemical unit and a hospital, finds commonalties and differences, and suggests changes to improve decisions within each industry. People within both industries decide quickly because they reduce options by screening information, receive numerous feedback from instruments within their respective environments to monitor the process, and training helps them overcome inconsistent symptoms. However, both industries can improve. As examples, the health industry internally monitors performance better than the chemical industry. The chemical industry operates with fewer people by using written rules and verbal communications whereas the health industry operates with more of a hierarchy with very little verbal or written communications.
Temporal Factors in Aviation Decision Making
Authors: Orasanu Judith , Strauch Barry
Published: January 2012

Time pressure has been found to reduce the quality of decision making by restricting consideration of information and options and by inducing strategy shifts. Time pressure is usually considered an external variable manipulated by the experimenter. In this paper we distinguish between externally-induced time pressures and crew-generated time pressures, and examine how crews can mitigate or exacerbate external pressures. The roles of both types of time pressures in crew decision making are examined in three air transport accidents and in crew performance in full-mission simulated flight. Implications for crew training are discussed.
Travtek Driver Interface and Camera Car Data Collection Capabilities
Authors: Fleischman Rebecca N. , Dingus Thomas A.
Published: January 2012

TravTek was the development and operational field test of an Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS). Drivers were provided with navigation and route guidance information, a local services and attractions directory, real-time traffic information and emergency services. Goals of the drivers/system interface design were ease of learning and use as well as minimizing the potential for distraction and visual and cognitive demands on the driver. A Camera Car Study collected detailed eye-glance and driving performance while participants navigated using TravTek route guidance visual and voice displays, paper map, and textual direction list. A data collection vehicle was developed for the study. This demonstration complements a paper by Dingus, et al, also presented at this meeting.
Evaluation of Complex Human-Machine Systems Using HFE Guidelines
Authors: O'Hara John M.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of human factors engineering (HFE) guidelines in the evaluation of complex human-machine systems, such as advanced nuclear power plants. Advanced control rooms will utilize human-system interface (HSI) technologies that can have significant implications for plant safety in that they will affect the ways in which plant personnel interact with the system. In order to protect public health and safety, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews the HFE aspects of plant HSIs to ensure that they are designed to HFE principles and that operator performance and reliability are appropriately supported. Evaluations using HFE guidelines are an important part of the overall review methodology. The Advanced HSI Design Review Guideline (DRG) was developed to provide these review criteria. This paper will address (1) the issues associated with guideline-based evaluations, (2) DRG development and validation, and (3) the DRG review procedures.
Perceptual Learning Modules in Flight Training
Authors: Kellman Philip J. , Kaiser Mary K.
Published: January 2012

Differences between novices and experts in many piloting skills may be due to perceptual learning. Sufficient exposure to relevant stimulus variation produces more efficient information extraction, processing of higher-order patterns, and automaticity. Isolating and condensing relevant perceptual experience in part-task environments might accelerate training. Here we report initial studies of two prototype perceptual learning modules (PLMs) for flight training.

Subjects were either experienced (500-2500 hour) civil aviators or non-pilots. In the Visual Navigation PLM, subjects received brief instruction on aeronautical chart symbology and then viewed 20-second segments of terrain (videotaped from aircraft). Each trial required a speeded, forced choice of the aircraft's location from three possible grid locations on the aeronautical chart. A separate control group received only 20 pre- and 20 post-test trials. In the Instrument Relationships PLM, subjects viewed displays of primary flight instruments and performed a speeded response classifying the flight attitude depicted. In both PLMs, subjects' speed and accuracy were measured over 9 blocks of trials.

PLMs produced dramatic improvements in speed and accuracy for both non-pilots and pilots. Pilots initially outperformed non-pilots. Non-pilots after 1-2 hours of PLM training were as accurate and faster than pilots before training in both PLMs. The results suggest that PLMs have value for primary and recurrent training, both in aviation and other domains. Appropriately structured PLMs could condense perceptual learning processes that normally occur with extended experience. By fostering greater automaticity of pattern processing, PLMs might allow component skills to be more easily integrated in flight or other complex tasks.
Operator Performance in Pattern Matching as a Function of Reference Material Structure
Authors: Kibbe Marion P. , Stiff Jan
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the performance of subjects in verifying matches between aerial photographs and overlayed line drawings which vary in structure and pixel count. Both speed and accuracy improve as the pixel count increases with an asymptote at about 3500 pixels. Speed and accuracy also improve when the line drawings are made up of long lines or with lines which correspond to the cognitive content of the photographs.
Visualization of Cad Objects Using a Stereoscopic Display
Authors: Brown Michael E. , Gallimore Jennie J.
Published: January 2012

Subjects memorized the shape of a static 3-D object displayed on a stereoscopic CRT. In each of a series of trials that followed, single static objects were presented. The angular orientation of each trial object was one of six 36-degree increments relative to the angle of the memorized stimulus. The subject's task was to determine, as quickly and accurately as possible, whether the trial object was the same shape as the memorized object or its mirrored image. One of the two cases was always true. Disparity and interposition were manipulated in a within-subject manner during the initial memorization period and the trials that followed. Subject response time and error rate were evaluated. The experimental objective was to determine the extent to which stereopsis and hidden surface affect subjects' ability to 1) transfer to and retrieve from long-term memory spatial information about a 3-D object, and 2) visualize spatial characteristics in a quick and direct manner. Improved performance due to hidden surface is the most convincing experimental finding. The study also found a significant but limited stereopsis effect.
Tools for Human Performance Enhancement in Aviation Maintenance
Authors: Johnson William B.
Published: January 2012

Human Factors and ergonomics professionals are often asked to “show” how their research has affected on-the-job human performance. They are asked to show measurable changes in human effectiveness and efficiency at work. There is always the demand for HF&E researchers to create procedures and tools that can guide non-human factors personnel to make the “right” human-centered decisions. This symposium will show and distribute such tools that have been designed and tested in an aviation maintenance environment.

For over six years now, the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aviation Medicine has conducted an extensive research program centered on human factors in aviation maintenance and inspection. The research program has earned a reputation of demonstrating a “hands-on” understanding of aviation maintenance and maintaining a close working relationship with all segments of the industry.

The symposium will begin with an overview of FAA-sponsored research results applied to aviation maintenance and safety over the past six years. In the second paper the Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance, completed in 1995, will be described. The third presentation will demonstrate a CD-ROM version of the Guide. The presentation shall also discuss human-computer interface issues pertinent to developing interactive multi-media information systems. The final presentation will show a multi-media software package to conduct ergonomics audits in a variety of industrial environments. The system has evolved from three years of ergonomics audit research in aviation maintenance workplaces.

Each of the session presentations will demonstrate and distribute HF&E tools to session attendees.
Aurally Aided Detection and Identification of Visual Targets
Authors: Perrott David R. , Cisneros John , McKinley Richard L. , D'Angelo William R.
Published: January 2012

The experiments described in this report provide baseline performance measures of aurally directed detection and search for visual targets in an observer's immediate space. While the simple target detection task was restricted to the frontal hemi-field (extending 180 degrees in azimuth and 150 degrees in elevation), visual search performance (discrimination of which of two light arrays was present on a given trial) was evaluated for both the frontal and rear hemi-fields. In both tasks, the capacity to process information from the visual channel was improved substantially (a 10-50 percent reduction in latency) when spatial information from the auditory modality was provided concurrently. While performance gains were greatest for events in the rear hemi-field and in the peripheral regions of the frontal hemi-field, significant effects were also evident for events within the subject's central visual field. The relevance of these results to the development of virtual 3-D sound systems is discussed.
Training New Technology: Automatic Teller Machines and Older Adults
Authors: Jamieson Brian A. , Cabrera Elizabeth F. , Mead Sherry E. , Rousseau Gabriel K.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the present study was to assess the benefits of providing on-line training for an automatic teller machine (ATM). An ATM simulator was developed for the study, and older adults (65-80) served as the subjects. Subjects were assigned to one of two conditions. Half of the subjects were given a written description of how the ATM worked. The other half went through an on-line tutorial, which showed them how to perform transactions on the simulator. After performing 30 transactions on the simulator, subjects were transferred to a new ATM simulator that was topographically different. The subjects who received the on-line tutorial performed more transactions correctly during acquisition, and were better able to transfer their skills to a different ATM simulator and to novel transactions.
Designing Features for Display-Based Systems
Authors: Savage Pamela A. , Millen David R. , Bayerl Jeanne P.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed description of the design process used to identify the optimal implementation of the Caller ID feature for a key/pbx telephone system for small businesses. A multidisciplinary team used an assortment of design methodologies such as: literature reviews, patent searches, competitive analysis, feature simulations, focus group research, focused interviews, and usability testing to generate their final design recommendation, which has recently been awarded a patent. Specifically, this paper will focus on: 1) the competitive analysis that included a product comparison and best-in-class analysis of three commercially available Caller ID products, 2) focus group research in which participants viewed slide show demonstrations of display-based features, made ease of use and feature desirability ratings, and then expressed their views toward the features in structured focus group discussion, and 3) focused interviews with customers who had been given Caller ID display units to trial.
Iterative Design of a Voice Name Dialing Service
Authors: Garberg Roger B.
Published: January 2012

Recent advances in automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology have enabled us to develop the first commercially available voice name dialing service that provides the user with voice control of all aspects of service operation, including training the ASR device, administering the dialing list, and placing calls to listed parties by saying their name. One of the principal challenges in designing the service has involved anticipating the sources of breakdowns, occasions in which the user is compelled to attend to an ASR capability that has failed to respond as expected. Iterative design-and-test studies have produced a service judged fun and easy to use in recent commercial trials. This paper describes the studies and the design details that have enabled us to avoid or accommodate a variety of potential breakdowns, and so realize the new potential of ASR in telecommunication applications such as voice name dialing.
Do Human Factors Color Recommendations have any Practical Value?
Authors: Familant M. Elliott , Detweiler Mark C.
Published: January 2012

This study surveyed 342 directory-assistance (DA) operators regarding the text and background colors they used to display directory listings on their computer workstations. Color combinations were observed in use, recorded, and scored based on independent, published subjective ratings of color comfort and edge sharpness. Operators also answered a questionnaire that included information about: how often they changed colors and if they had experienced eye problems. No relationships were found between self-reported eye problems and observed color choices. However, operators using color combinations that were scored low on either comfort, edge sharpness, or both, were more likely to change the colors on their screens more frequently. This result provides evidence that independent ratings can provide practical guidance in making color recommendations.
The Human Factors Involved in Designing an On-Line Reference System
Authors: Schumacher Robert M. , Schumacher Robert M. , Root Robert W. , Wieringa Douglas R. , Lew Gavin S.
Published: January 2012

Throughout the last two years, we have been involved in an ambitious plan to move support documentation to an electronic document delivery system at Ameritech The purpose of this panel is to provide a discussion of the human factors issues involved and the effort required to move from a paper-based environment to an electronic document management and delivery system. The starting state of Ameritech's documentation was similar to that of many large companies that have complex processes. The documents were written by dozens of authors over several years and varied widely in quality. Standards were loosely followed, if at all, and users were continually frustrated by their inability to find information. This unwieldy environment had countless direct and indirect impacts on customers, as well as on the bottom line.

As we scoped the project we discovered that our challenges were legion:

• Design a new document specification that fit the needs of the users, worked well on-line, exploited the capabilities of electronic information (e.g., hypertext), and could be put together by our current author population; • Develop and implement a collaborative authoring and work flow process to support document creation; • Establish standards for writing and document rendering; • Design an efficient, usable user interface to the electronic document; • Move tens of thousands of pages of hard copy to an online system; and • Get the system introduced and accepted by users - not to mention wean them away from paper.

In this panel, we hope to stimulate discussion around a variety of these topics. We will discuss four key areas: task analysis, process changes, authoring requirements, and user interface design.
Cognitive Ability and Computing Experience Influence Interpretation of Computer Metaphors
Authors: Gillan Douglas J. , Fogas Bruce S. , Aberasturi Suzanne , Richards Shannon
Published: January 2012

Metaphors play a central role in human-computer interaction. Research on general metaphor interpretation has shown that different types of people interpret metaphors differently. The present experiment examined the effects of cognitive ability and computer experience on the interpretation of computer-related metaphors. Subjects completed five cognitive tests, filled out a questionnaire concerning their experience with computers, and interpreted computer metaphor terms. Identification of a term as a metaphor was related to their frequency of computer use and nonverbal cognitive ability. Concreteness of metaphor interpretations decreased with increased knowledge of programming. Abstractness of interpretations increased with frequency of computer use. The discussion focuses on metaphors in the design of user interfaces for novices and experienced users.
An Evaluation of the Fun Factor for the Microsoft Easyball Mouse
Authors: Adams Edie , Des M.E. , Sanders Elizabeth B-N
Published: January 2012

Microsoft was interested in measuring the “fun” value of a new input device, the Microsoft® EasyBall™ mouse (designed specifically for two to six year olds), relative to three other input devices available in the marketplace. An evaluation was conducted as a means of ensuring that the ergonomic considerations incorporated into the design of a new child's pointing device addressed the emotional needs, as well as the physical and cognitive needs, of the intended users. A research and test methodology was established to look at this issue from multiple simultaneous perspectives, using both behavioral and verbal measures. Forty four children (half boys and half girls, mixed across the age levels) and their parents were included in the study. The children varied in their level of expertise with computer and/or video games. The same basic procedure was used for all the children, with adaptations made to accommodate the attention spans and skill levels of the youngest.

The children indicated through a variety of converging measures that the Microsoft EasyBall mouse was their input device of choice. The patterns of behavior varied across the age groups, but the choices of the children were clearly in favor of the Microsoft EasyBall mouse. The parents were quite accurate at predicting which input device their child would pick.

A detailed examination of the videotaped sessions provided cues that caused a rethinking of the initial question “How fun is the Microsoft EasyBall mouse relative to the other input devices?”. The fun factor may have been more accurately described as a “feel good” factor. Results are discussed in terms of implications for expanding the typical physical and cognitive-based ergonomics analyses for consumer products to include emotional considerations as well.
Perceived Differences in Running and Walking Shoes
Authors: Goonetilleke Ravindra S. , Cann Michael T.
Published: January 2012

Designers rely heavily on the past sales history of a particular shoe when attempting to make decisions regarding shoe characteristics of future shoes. Cushioning devices made of air, “super” gases, energy return rubber, and gel's have become popular. However, the question that needs to be asked is whether these devices are truly functional or whether they are primarily of aesthetic value. Shoe qualities such as cushioning, comfort, stability, shock absorption, and energy return play an important role during athletic activity. It is also known that the above mentioned characteristics have significant interactions with each other. Hence it is important to know the relevance of these interactions when designing shoes for a particular activity. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the interaction and relevance of shoe properties during running and walking. Four specially fabricated shoes were used in the study. The results indicate the following:

• Heel cushioning and shock absorption play an important role in the overall cushioning of a midsole. • Runners perceive shoe-heel cushioning somewhat differently from those who use shoes for walking. • Heel cushioning during running seems to be influenced by shock absorption, stability and possibly rebound. • Heel cushioning during walking seems to be influenced by shock absorption and possibly rebound. Hence a good running shoe can in most cases satisfy the biomechanical needs during walking.
Adding Consequence Information to Product Instructions: Changes in Hazard Perceptions
Authors: Braun Curt C. , Glusker Stephanie A. , Holt Ronda S. , Silver N. Clayton
Published: January 2012

Product instructions represent one possible medium through which product hazard and safety information can be conveyed. Recent research has demonstrated that the likelihood of precautionary behavior increases when such behaviors are explicitly described within the product-use instructions. Although precautionary information has been provided within the instructions, some users are unable to translate this information into action. Moreover, the inclusion of explicit actions within product-use instructions has not been shown to influence perceptions of product related hazards. The present effort evaluated the utility of adding consequence information to product instructions. A sample of 193 participants evaluated the likelihood that they would be injured while using two different products displaying instructions that outlined only the actions to be performed, actions followed by consequences, consequences followed by actions, and actions with the product warning repeated within the instructions. The data revealed that instructions outlining the consequences before the actions yielded the highest likelihood of injury ratings. Measures of instruction complexity, however, revealed no significant differences between instruction sets. The data, in conjunction with previous findings, suggest that product-use instructions represent a viable means of conveying product hazards.
Decision Making Processes in Risky and Non-Risky Consumer Product Selection
Authors: Barlow Cassie B. , Hammond Amy J.
Published: January 2012

Decision making in the domain of risk has traditionally been studied by examining gambling behavior. The control of outcome probabilities obtained in these paradigms masks much of the subjective nature of everyday risk decision choices, such as product selection and information search patterns. A study was undertaken to examine decision making processes in Risky and NonRisky consumer product decision tasks. Subjects completed two Information Display Board (IDB) decision tasks, one selecting a Risky consumer product (oral contraceptive) and one selecting a NonRisky consumer product (toothpaste). The results supported the hypotheses that consumers view the decisions to purchase risky and non-risky products differently and use different patterns of information acquisition in making decisions in the selection of these products. Few anticipated differences were found between Experienced and NonExperienced users of oral contraceptives in information acquisition. Implications for health care professionals providing oral contraceptive information to patients are discussed.
Decision Making in Dynamic Environments: Fixation Errors and Their Causes
Authors: Xiao Y. , Mackenzie C. F. , Group Lotas
Published: January 2012

One of the goals of naturalistic studies of human decision making is to reveal the cognitive loads or task difficulties imposed on the decision maker in real work environments. Fixation errors or cognitive lockups have been reported as a unique type of performance failure in dynamic work environments, and are thus particularly valuable to the understanding of the challenges and difficulties confronting practitioners in dynamic environments. In this paper, we present the analysis of fixation errors during real-life trauma patient resuscitation. The analysis elicits two factors, both rooted in the inherent complexity of the domain, that contributed to the occurrence of fixation errors: unreliable monitoring devices and delayed feedback. The former induces the behavior of preferring confirmatory information, partly for redundancy checks. The latter may create a false sense of system stability and divert attention away from the correct diagnosis.
Human Performance Analysis of Industrial Radiography Radiation Exposure Events
Authors: Reece Wendy J. , Hill Susan G.
Published: January 2012

A set of radiation overexposure event reports were reviewed as part of a program to examine human performance in industrial radiography for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Incident records for a seven year period were retrieved from an event database. Ninety-five exposure events were initially categorized and sorted for further analysis. Descriptive models were applied to a subset of severe overexposure events. Modeling included: (1) operational sequence tables to outline the key human actions and interactions with equipment, (2) human reliability event trees, (3) an application of an information processing failures model, and (4) an extrapolated use of the error influences and effects diagram. Results of the modeling analyses provided insights into the industrial radiography task and suggested areas for further action and study to decrease overexposures.
Macshapa: Software Support for Exploratory Sequential Data Analysis
Authors: Sanderson Penelope M.
Published: January 2012

This paper outlines the need for better conceptual and methodological tools for performing observational data analysis in support of cognitive engineering research and practice and presents a tool, MacSHAPA, that has been designed to support such work. MacSHAPA is particularly suited for cognitive engineering studies of complex real-world decisionmaking. MacSHAPA lets users (1) enter or import data into a spreadsheet-like viewing medium, (2) annotate, manipulate, and visualize data in various ways, (3) carry out statistical analyses of various kinds, and (4) export data and results to other applications. MacSHAPA controls video devices, capturing timecode and inserting it into the database, and using timestamps in the database to locate events of interest on videotape. MacSHAPA's statistical routines include content and duration analysis, transition analysis (with some Markov statistics), lag sequential analysis, cycles reports, and some kinds of sequential pattern matching. The paper concludes with several examples of how MacSHAPA has been used to obtain useful results from observational data collected in laboratory and field settings.
Foot Swelling in VDT Operators with Sitting and Sit-Stand Workstations
Authors: Paul Rajendra D.
Published: January 2012

In a controlled field study, effect of sit-stand workstations on foot swelling during the course of a workday was monitored in visual display terminal (VDT) operators. Six VDT operators first worked in offices furnished with nonadjustable sitting workstations. Then they worked in offices furnished with sit-stand adjustable furniture for six weeks. In the later setting, they stood for 15 minutes every hour. In both settings, the foot swelling was measured at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. using a foot volumeter. Between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., subjects walked for 20 minutes and sat for 40 minutes. The results showed that the average right foot swelling in offices with sit-stand adjustable furniture was significantly less than that in offices with nonadjustable furniture, 12.3 ml (1.1 percent) compared to 21 ml (1.8 percent). These results suggest that activity promoted using sit-stand workstations benefits sedentary office workers.
Office Ergonomics Training Effectiveness
Authors: Niekerk Gary
Published: January 2012

This paper focuses on the effectiveness of an office ergonomics training program at a large semiconductor company, as measured through a widely distributed questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to 2,000 randomly selected office employees located at five domestic locations. Of the 2,000 employees selected for the study, 1,000 had received office ergonomics training and 1,000 had not received office ergonomics training (control group). The sample size was equally distributed among sites to block for potential variations between site populations. The overall response rate for the survey was 36%. Survey participants responded to questions on knowledge and skills acquired through training; levels of pain and discomfort; and behavioral change. For all survey questions, except those relating to pain and discomfort, there was a statistically significant (F probability <0005) difference between the trained group and the control group.
Quantitative Biomechanical Analysis of Wrist Motion in Bone-Trimming Jobs in the Red-Meat Packing Industry
Authors: Monroe John F. , Marklin Richard W.
Published: January 2012

This study was motivated by the serious impact that cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the upper extremities have on industrial workers and on industry itself. To date, no quantitative data has been gathered on the kinematics of hand and wrist motion required in bone-trimming jobs in the red-meat packing industry. No information is known about what type and how much wrist motion is currently being used in bone-trimming jobs in the red-meat packing industry, or how much these motions increase the risk of occupational CTDs. The research conducted addressed this current research void and established a preliminary database of wrist and hand kinematics for a bone-trimming job in the red-meat packing industry. This kinematic database could augment the red-meat industry's efforts to reduce the severity and cost of CTDs. Ergonomics practitioners in the red-meat industry could use the kinematic methods employed in this research to assess the CTD risk of current and redesigned jobs that require repetitious, hand-intensive work.

The study examined the wrist motions used by nine red-meat packing workers who performed bone-trimming jobs. These jobs are highly repetitive and hand-intensive. Quantitative measures of the kinematic parameters of wrist motions performed on the bone-trimming line were measured using goniometry. The wrist motion measures consisted of the following statistics in the radial/ulnar, flexion/extension, and pronation/supination planes: 1). mean, minimum, and maximum of wrist angle position, 2). mean, minimum, and maximum of angular velocity, and 3). mean, minimum, and maximum of angular acceleration.

The kinematic data were compared to manufacturing industry's preliminary wrist motion benchmarks. These benchmarks were the means and variances of nine dependent variables of position, velocity, and acceleration from industrial workers who performed hand-intensive, repetitive work in jobs that were of low and high risk of hand/wrist CTDS (Marras and Schoenmarklin, 1993). Results of this comparison show that numerous wrist motion variables in both the left and right hands of bone-trimming workers are in the high-risk category. This quantitative analysis provides biomechanical support for the high incidence of CTDs in the bone-trimming line of the plant that was investigated.
Predicted Muscular Activity for Varying Inputs to Optimization-Based Biomechanical Trunk Models
Authors: McMulkin Mark L.
Published: January 2012

The Minimum Intensity Compression (MIC) model developed by Bean, Chaffin, and Schultz (1988) and the Sum of the Cubed Intensities (SCI) model developed by Crowninshield and Brand (1981) have been used to predict trunk muscle forces during external loads. The models require muscle geometries (moment arms, lines of action, and cross-sectional areas) as inputs. This paper reports on a computer simulation conducted to evaluate the changes in trunk muscle forces predicted by the MIC and SCI models with changes in inputs. Two muscle geometries were used for a 10-muscle set one reported by Han, Ann, Goel, Takeuchi, and McGowan (1992) and a second formed by a compilation of several studies. The results indicate that regions of muscle activity and magnitude vary greatly between the models and associated inputs. Muscle EMG data indicating active and inactive loading conditions reported by Lavender, Tsuang, Hafezi, Andersson, Chaffin, and Hughes (1992) are significantly predicted by the model combinations for some right side muscles.