bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case in focus — failure to diagnose Kawasaki disease
Authors: Ellis Peter , Rhodes-Kemp Rosamund
Published: July 2017

General damages: £38,000; 10 May 2006;

Total Award: £85,000

Failure to consider Kawasaki disease as a diagnosis and offer treatment within 10 days of the onset of the illness leading to the development of coronary artery aneurysms at age 5. Free of symptoms at date of settlement. Future restrictions on activities and likelihood of low-grade psychological problems as a teenager. Settlement provisional upon the following conditions not occurring within the next 30 years: coronary artery stenosis requiring medical or surgical investigation or treatment; myocardial infarction; cardiac dysrhythmia requiring medical or surgical investigation or treatment; ruptured coronary artery aneurysm.
The Commercial Construction of ‘New Nations’
Authors: Foster Robert J.
Published: July 2017

This article considers the instrumental role of commodity marketing and mass consumption in producing nationality as a dimension of personal and collective identities. It asks: if nation-ness and nationality no longer necessarily refer to political identities, then to what sort of imagined communities, if any, do they refer? It addresses this question in part through a discussion of commercial images from Papua New Guinea, one of the ‘new nations’ of the South Pacific.
Penetrating Injuries of the Chest: Indications for Operation
Authors: Demetriades D. , Velmahos G. C.
Published: July 2017

Penetrating injuries to the chest present a frequent and challenging problem. The majority of these injuries can be managed non-operatively. The selection of patients for operation or observation can be made by clinical examination and appropriate investigations. The trauma ultrasound has become a valuable first-line tool to rule out pericardial tamponade. Spiral computed tomography of the chest is increasingly used to evaluate transmediastinal gunshot wounds and direct, if needed, further organ-specific tests, such as esophagography, aortography, or bronchoscopy. Minimally invasive techniques have found sound application in the thoracoscopic evacuation of undrained hemothorax and the laparoscopic evaluation of diaphragmatic trauma. In the operative arena, lung-sparing techniques with the use of staplers, like wedge resection and tractotomy, have allowed easier, faster, and effective control of bleeding without sacrificing unnecessarily normal pulmonary parenchyma. Knowledge of the new advancements in the field of thoracic trauma will allow surgeons to provide expert care and improved outcomes.
Treatment of Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Larsson S.
Published: July 2017

Fractures are the most common problem associated with osteoporosis and despite advances in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis the number of fractures continue to increase. Along with the three classic locations hip, spine and wrist, there are several other fractures that commonly are related to osteoporosis. The weak bone makes it difficult to achieve a stable bone-implant construct and general weakness of the patient often prevents reduction of load on the injured extremity during healing. The main treatment goal should be preservation of function even at the expense of restoration of exact anatomy. By development of dynamic load-sharing implants and less invasive techniques the results following fixation of osteoporotic fractures has improved. A new strategy has also been to develop materials that will enhance the strength of the cancellous bone that surrounds the metal implant. By using bioactive cement in conjunction with metal implants improved strength has been shown in internally fixed metaphyseal fractures. Encouraging results have also been reported after cement injection into compressed vertebral fractures, so called vertebroplasty. The specific demands involved in the treatment of osteoporotic fractures calls for specific solutions. Apart from augmentation of the cancellous bone and development of new load-sharing devices, endoprosthetic replacement with specially designed fracture prosthesis has become more frequent.
Sauna-Bathing with Sutures. A Prospective and Randomised Study
Authors: Papp A. A. , Alhava E. M.
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims:

Bathing in sauna is a Finnish habit with numerous beliefs and traditions. One belief has been that one is not allowed to go to sauna postoperatively with sutures. This belief is in practically every patient information sheet in Finland on postoperative wound care. There is no scientific proof of the harmfulness of sauna-bathing with sutures and no articles on the matter, either. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sauna-bathing has a negative impact on wound healing.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective, randomised study with 79 patients scheduled for an elective hernioplasty in a day care surgical department. The other group was advised to go to sauna from 3rd postoperative day on, and for the other group, sauna was prohibited until sutures were removed.

Results:

There was no differences in wound healing between two groups.

Conclusion:

There is no reason to prohibit sauna-bathing with sutures in this patient group.
Craniofacial Surgery over 30 Years in Göteborg
Authors: Lauritzen C. , Tarnow P.
Published: July 2017

Craniofacial surgery is a new sub-specialty in the field of plastic reconstructive surgery and is dedicated to the treatment of severe cranial and facial malformations. Craniofacial surgery gradually started in Göteborg in the late 1970's and has been acting as the Scandinavian center since 1983.

Over these 30 years an almost complete change in surgical techniques has evolved. Also profound changes in timing of surgery have followed. Results have been dramatically improved based on critical evaluation of standardized registration of long-term results.

One of the most dramatic developments has been the introduction of implantable stainless steel springs. This has changed the treatment of Craniosynostosis completely and has made midfacial advancement procedures possible without relapse.
Perspective on Contemporary Burn Surgery and Burn Care in Sweden
Authors: Jergovic D. , Danielsson P.A.
Published: July 2017

Burn surgery has gone through revolutionary changes during the last century, even the most severe burns can now be safely treated. Modern surgical treatments have been followed by improvements in intensive burn care and anaesthesiology. These developments have allowed immediate surgery within 24 hours of the injury to take place in our centre, therefore obtaining advantageous results in shortening hospital stay, improving patient's functional results and simplifying the treatment itself. This treatment is economically beneficial as well. In future we count on rapid development of a new discipline, tissue engineering, which should take a greater role in burn care.
Liposuction in Arm Lymphedema Treatment
Authors: Brorson H.
Published: July 2017

Breast cancer is the most common disease in women, and up to 38 % develop lymphedema of the arm following mastectomy, standard axillary node dissection and postoperative irradiation. Limb reductions have been reported utilizing various conservative therapies such as manual lymph and pressure therapy. Some patients with long-standing pronounced lymphedema do not respond to these conservative treatments because slow or absent lymph flow causes the formation of excess subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Previous surgical regimes utilizing bridging procedures, total excision with skin grafting or reduction plasty seldom achieved acceptable cosmetic and functional results. Microsurgical reconstruction involving lympho-venous shunts or transplantation of lymph vessels has also been investigated. Although attractive in concept, the common failure of microsurgery to provide complete reduction is due to the persistence of newly formed subcutaneous adipose tissue, which is not removed in patients with chronic non-pitting lymphedema.

Liposuction removes the hypertrophied adipose tissue and is a prerequisite to achieve complete reduction. The new equilibrium is maintained through constant (24-hour) use of compression garments postoperatively. Long-term follow up (7 years) does not show any recurrence of the edema.
Convalescence after Colonic Resection with Fast-Track versus Conventional Care
Authors: Jakobsen D. Hjort , Sonne E. , Basse L. , Bisgaard T. , Kehlet H.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Multi-modal rehabilitation programmes may improve early postoperative body composition, pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and reduce hospital stay. So far, no data are available on convalescence after discharge.

Aim:

The objectives where to compare convalescence data (fatigue, sleep, time to resume normal activities, and functional capabilities) and need for nursing care and contact to general practitioner with fast-track multi-modal rehabilitation compared with conventional care after colonic surgery.

Methods:

Non-randomised, prospective controlled study in 30 consecutive patients undergoing fast-track rehabilitation with continuous epidural analgesia, enforced oral nutrition, mobilisation, planned early discharge, and 30 consecutive patients undergoing conventional care. Patients were interviewed preoperatively and 14 and 30 days postoperatively.

Results:

Median hospital stay was 2 vs. 8 days in the fast-track vs. conventional care group, respectively (p < 0.01). Fourteen days postoperatively, total and mid-day sleep were increased in the conventional care group when compared with the fast-track group (p < 0.01). Fatigue was increased significantly at 14 days (p < 0.05) and throughout the study period compared with the fast-track group (p < 0.01). Similarly, ability to walking stairs, cooking, house keeping, shopping and walking outdoor was significantly less reduced at 14 days in the fast-track group, who also regained leisure activities earlier (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups at 30 days or between need for nursing care and visits to general practitioners. Readmission for surgery-related events occurred more frequently (5 vs 1 patient) in the fast-track group.

Conclusion:

Fast-track rehabilitation with early discharge after colonic surgery results in earlier resumption of normal activities with reduced fatigue and need for sleep postoperatively compared to conventional care, and without increased need for nursing care or visits to general practitioners. However, readmissions may occur more frequently.
Acute Pancreatitis in Bergen, Norway
Authors: Gislason H. , Horn A. , Hoem D. , Andrén-Sandberg Å. , Imsland A. K. , Søreide O. , Viste A.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Studies on the incidence and etiology of acute pancreatitis show large regional differences. This study was performed to establish incidence, etiology and severity of acute pancreatitis in the population of Bergen, Norway.

Methods:

A study of all patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to Haukeland University Hospital over a 10-year period was performed. Information was obtained about the number of patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to the Deaconess Hospital in Bergen.

Results:

A total of 978 admissions of acute pancreatitis were recorded in these two hospitals giving an incidence of 30.6 per 100 000. Haukeland University Hospital had 757 admissions of acute pancreatitis in 487 patients. Pancreatitis was severe in 20 % (96/ 487) of patients, more often in males (25 %) than in females (14 %). Mortality due to acute pancreatitis was 3 % (16/487). Gallstones were found to be an etiological factor in 48.5 % and alcohol consumption in 19 % of patients. The risk of recurrent pancreatitis was 47 % in alcohol induced and 17 % in gallstone induced pancreatitis. The last five years of the study period, endoscopic sphincterotomy of patients with gallstone pancreatitis, resulted in drop in relapse rate from 33 % to 1.6 %.

Conclusion:

The incidence of acute pancreatitis was found to be 30.6 per 100 000 with 48.5 % associated with gallstones and 17 % alcohol induced. Incidence of first attack was 20/100 000. Pancreatitis was classified as severe in 20 % of cases with a mortality of 3 %.
Equal Results with Laparoscopic and Shouldice Repairs of Primary Inguinal Hernia in Men. Report from a Prospective Randomised Study
Authors: Wennström I. , Berggren P. , Åkerud L. , Järhult J.
Published: July 2017

Aim:

To compare the laparoscopic and Shouldice techniques for repair of inguinal hernia.

Material:

261 healthy men over 50 years with primary, unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly allocated to laparoscopic (total extraperitoneal approach, TEP) treatment (n = 131) or to a modified Shouldice technique (n = 130).

Results:

Apart from a longer operative time in the laparoscopic group, there were no significant differences between the two methods with regard to perioperative complications, hospital stay, recurrencies or pain in the groin.

Conclusions:

Results following the total extraperitoneal laparoscopic and the Shouldice technique do not differ significantly 2 years after hernia repair.
Dome down Laparosonic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Rosenberg J. , Leinskold T.
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims:

In cases of cholecystitis or other difficult situations conversion to laparotomy may be necessary. Furthermore, some cases of bile duct injury may be caused by anatomical variations and/or injuries caused by electrocautery. A new laparoscopic technique using a fundus-first technique with ultrasonic dissection (“dome down laparosonic cholecystectomy”) may potentially solve these problems.

Material and Methods:

Twenty non-selected and consecutive patients with gallstone disease had laparoscopic cholecystectomy by the laparosonic dome down technique. Effect parameters were operative findings, duration of surgery and clinical course.

Results:

Six patients had fibrotic chronic cholecystitis and one had acute cholecystitis. Three patients had intraoperative cholangiography because of elevated liver enzymes. All operations were completed by the intended laparosonic dome down technique. Median duration of surgery in the 20 patients was 35 minutes (range 20–60). Median duration of surgery in the first 5 patients was 55 minutes (35–60), and in the last 15 patients it was 30 minutes (20–50). All patients had uneventful clinical courses with median hospital stay of 0 days (0–1).

Conclusions:

The technique was easy to learn and this new operative technique seems promising especially in cases of inflammation or fibrosis.
Severe Secondary Peritonitis following Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation
Authors: Mulari K. , Leppäniemi A.
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims:

Early prognostic evaluation of abdominal sepsis is useful in the assessment of the severity of the disease and to select high-risk patients for early surgical reintervention. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in a well-defined patient population most likely to benefit from early reoperation.

Material and Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 66 consecutive patients with secondary peritonitis caused by gastrointestinal tract perforation and requiring postoperative treatment in an intensive care unit was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for hospital mortality.

Results:

The overall hospital mortality rate was 36 %. Significant risk factors in the univariate analysis included advanced age (p = 0.000), pre-existing illness (p = 0.000), chronic medication (p = 0.028), hospital transfer (p = 0.036), non-traumatic cause of perforation (p = 0.031), high Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) score (p = 0.001), and high C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the early postoperative phase (p = 0.015). In a multivariate analysis, only advanced age (odds ratio 1.1008, p = 0.000) and high postoperative CRP level (odds ratio 1.0095, p = 0.008) were identified as independent prognostic factors for hospital mortality.

Conclusion:

In addition to factors associated with the physiological reserve of the patient, type of peritonitis and high MPI score, elevated CRP levels in the early postoperative phase in patients operated for severe secondary peritonitis have prognostic significance. However, before a properly designed randomized study on the value of planned relaparotomy in secondary peritonitis can be initiated, more reliable methods to identify high-risk patients need to be found.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Update on Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation and Surgical Treatment
Authors: Farnebo L.-O.
Published: July 2017

The most important step in calcium homeostasis is the regulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. The discovery and characterization of the calcium sensing receptor (CaR) of the parathyroid cell has led to a better understanding not only of the physiology of the parathyroid glands, but also of the development of hyperparathyroidism. Drugs acting on CaR can now be designed to treat hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis.

The workshop on primary hyperparathyroidism held at the National Institutes of Health in 2002 has recommended new guidelines for the treatment of asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism. Controversy still exists regarding the treatment of patients with non-classical symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue and depression. Primary hyperparathyroidism as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality is also debated.

Improved techniques for the preoperative localization of pathological parathyroid glands have led to a shift in surgical strategy: surgeons abandon the traditional bilateral neck exploration in favor of a more limited approach. This change of strategy has not been based on the results of prospective randomized studies and the long term results are not known.
Medical and Surgical Treatment for Secondary and Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Schlosser K. , Zielke A. , Rothmund M.
Published: July 2017

Prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis and of tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) in patients after kidney transplantation is a challenge for the nephrologist and for the surgeon. Indication and results of medical and surgical therapy for SHPT and THPT have remained under discussion during the last decades. This review resumes the current medical and surgical strategies for patients with SHPT and THPT.
Reducing the Incidence and Severity of Post Ercp Pancreatitis
Authors: Murray W. R.
Published: July 2017

Acute pancreatitis remains the commonest complication of ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) with published incidence rates that have changed little over 30 years despite significant advances in endoscope and ERCP accessory technology and the introduction of structured ERCP training. Technique related risk factors for post ERCP pancreatitis have been recognised for many years and have been recently refined via large prospective audits. These studies have also revealed the importance of patient related factors and highlighted the high incidence of post ERCP pancreatitis in women being investigated for acalculus biliary pain or idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis. Sphincter of Oddi hypertension is often found to be present in this group of patients. Methods of preventing post ERCP pancreatitis have been sought for many years and numerous drugs have been tried using a variety of regimes with heterogeneous groups of patients. At present pancreatic duct stenting looks to be the most efficacious prophylactic method but is not for the beginner endoscopist. It is possible, however, by using a simple strategy to minimise the incidence of post ERCP pancreatitis and modulate its severity.
Aramid, Carbon, and PBO Fibers/Yarns in Engineered Fabrics or Membranes
Authors: Doyle Brian
Published: July 2017

PBO delivers low stretch, high strength, but degrades rapidly in outdoor light. Carbon also has low stretch and high strength but not quite as high as PBO. Carbon does not degrade in UV but is more brittle in flexing than PBO. Both of these fibers are in the early stages of development as sail materials. Both show great promise for the future if development continues. For a number of reasons, some racing classes and organizations have restricted the use of one or both of these fibers in sails. While restricting both may be appropriate in some classes, picking one in favor of the other seems inappropriate and surely will stifle development that could lead to better sail materials in the near future.
The Many Faces of Coating and Laminating — Is There a Better Way?
Authors: Pasquale John A.
Published: July 2017

Coating and Laminating offer a wide variety of methods by which one can process textile and film webs for various end uses. Choosing the best method is often dictated by the materials to be processed, the coating, the required properties of the finished product, and the cost-effectiveness of manufacture. A best system is ultimately the one that gives you the product you want, manufactured by the most economical method.

To better determine a best way, one must know the various coating and laminating methods and understand the key principles of their operation. This presentation reviews those methods and gives some of their special features.

Coating is usually divided into three (3) major categories, namely, knife, roll, and speciality coating. Within each of these categories are variations that should allow a manufacturer to select the best method by which to achieve the end product.

Lamination can be either an adjunct to the coating process, or a separate process combining already existing webs. In the former, a laminate web can be bonded to a coated substrate as part of the coating process. In the latter, separate webs are combined either by using an adhesive or through thermal bonding.

It is hoped that the following information will familiarize you with the various methods of coating and laminating and assist you in making the best choice.
Ability-Performance Relationships in Memory Skill Tasks for Young and Old Adults
Authors: Rogers W. A. , Gilbert D. K. , Fisk A. D.
Published: July 2017

The present experiment investigated ability-performance relationships for two memory skills, each of which required associative learning. Evidence suggests that, after practice, young and old adults have equivalent associative learning abilities (Fisk and Rogers, 1991; Kausler, 1982). We provided 41 young and 52 old adults with extensive practice on consistently and varied versions of a memory search task and a noun pair look-up task (Ackerman and Woltz, 1993). Only consistent practice allows associative learning because the stimulus items are consistently paired; in varied practice, item pairings change across practice and associative learning is not possible. We also assessed a wide range of abilities for each subject and were thus able to investigate ability-performance relationships across practice conditions and across age groups. These relationships provide an indication of the underlying abilities related to task performance (Ackerman, 1988). The mean data suggested that both young and old adults demonstrated successful associative learning in the two CM tasks. The individual differences data suggest, however, that different abilities may be driving performance across the two age groups. These data have important implications for predicting whether or not older adults will successfully acquire a new skill. If the target skill requires associative learning, older adults, may perform as efficiently as young adults if they are provided with sufficient, consistent practice. The ability-performance data suggest that predictions about which individuals will be most successful at skills requiring associative learning, may be dependent on the age of the target population.
Measurement Techniques and Level of Analysis of Medication Adherence Behaviors across the Life Span
Authors: Park Denise C. , Morrell Roger W. , Frieske David , Gaines Christine L. , Lautenschlager Gary
Published: July 2017

We have collected data on medication adherence in several studies from samples of younger as well as elderly adults. Samples have included hypertensive adults, adults taking medications for a range of illnesses, and adults with osteoarthritis. The time range for collecting adherence data has varied from two weeks to two months, and the level of analysis has varied from examination of individuals medications across 60 days to monthly estimates of overall adherence rates. Finally, our research group has extensive experience with two microelectronic techniques for measuring adherence: the Videx time wand system which relies on bar code scanners to measure adherence, and the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) which involves pressure sensitive lids that record the date and time a lid is removed from a prescription medication. Issues involved in measurement of adherence are presented and various techniques for presenting and analyzing data are discussed.
Future User Interface Metaphors
Authors: Marcus Aaron , Marcus Aaron
Published: July 2017

Computer-based products with multimedia user interfaces will need to communicate large amounts of data and functions, as well as concepts and emotional values, to increasingly diverse users. Using metaphors to embody complex structures and processes is one technique available to user interface developers. The article discusses kinds of metaphors and metaphor design scenarios.
A Comparison of Three Usability Evaluation Methods: Heuristic, Think-Aloud, and Performance Testing
Authors: Virzi Robert A. , Sorce James F. , Herbert Leslie Beth
Published: July 2017

A high-fidelity prototype of an extended voice mail application was created. We tested it using three distinct usability testing paradigms so that we could compare the quantity and quality of the information obtained using each. The three methods employed were (1) heuristic evaluation, in which usability experts critique the user interface, (2) think-aloud testing, in which naive subjects comment on the system as they use it, and (3) performance testing, in which task completion times and error rates are collected as naive subjects interact with the system. The three testing methodologies were roughly equivalent in their ability to detect a core set of usability problems on a per evaluator basis. However, the heuristic and think-aloud evaluations were generally more sensitive, uncovering a broader array of problems in the user interface. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the costs of doing the evaluations and in light of other work on this topic.
A Decision Model for Cognitive Task Allocation
Authors: Papantonopoulos Sotiris A. , Salvendy Gavriel
Published: July 2017

Cognitive task allocation employs task analysis to identify the performance and operational requirements of task functions; and demand/resource matching to match the identified requirements and the human and computer resources available for implementation.

The current methodologies of cognitive task allocation are either too aggregate to provide adequate resolution of performance requirements or domain-specific and thus of limited applicability. The paper introduces a formal, quantitative, and domain-independent model of cognitive task allocation aimed at reducing the limitations inherent in the currently practiced methodologies.

Demand/resource matching is modeled as an Analytic Hierarchy Process. The Analytic Hierarchy Process of Demand/Resource Matching is defined as a mapping process along a four-level Analytic Hierarchy. By means of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, a task function (Level 1 of the Analytic Hierarchy) is analyzed into its cognitive processes (Level 2); performance criteria are set for each cognitive process (Level 3) by means of which the capacities of the human, computer, or interactive human/computer controller (Level 4) are evaluated and compared. The Analytic Hierarchy Process then integrates judgements of human and computer abilities and limitations into a weighted average indicating the relative capacity of human and computer to perform this function. This assessment of relative merit of performance can hence be integrated with work design, economic, and other contextual factors towards the final allocation design.

The Analytic Hierarchy Process was applied and evaluated in the design of task allocation in production planing and control of a flexible manufacturing system by comparing the allocation designs of two groups of subjects. One group was supported by the decision model, the other received no decision support. The observed differences between the two groups indicated that the decision model can effectively support detailed task analysis and an adequate resolution of performance requirements; the identification of the design, trade-offs between human allocation and automation; and provide the computational resources to reduce decision bias.
Voyage Planning and Track Keeping with Paper and Electronic Charts: A Case Study of Maritime Navigation Tasks
Authors: Sanquist Thomas F. , Lee John D.
Published: July 2017

Enhancements in shipboard automation offer the prospect of crew size reductions for navigation tasks. This work was concerned with comparing the structure of navigation tasks using paper charts with the same tasks accomplished using an electronic chart display information system (ECDIS). Voyage planning with paper charts is based on drawing specific voyage segments, measuring distances between waypoints, and annotating the chart with voyage specific information. These tasks change substantially with electronic charts, particularly in terms of how the task is accomplished. Similarly, the manual activities of track keeping are reduced, but the need for a continuous record maintains the use of the paper chart. For both navigation tasks, there is less ability to visualize geographic features continuously with electronic charts because of the keyhole effect created by a CRT display. It is concluded that the design of automated navigation aids should be based not only on the informational aspects of task performance, but also the functional means by which navigators carry out their tasks with conventional technologies such as paper charts.
A Comparison of Route Guidance Destination Entry Methods
Authors: Paelke Gretchen M.
Published: July 2017

This paper examined four touchscreen methods for entering a destination into a route guidance system. Three of the interfaces were character entry-based including: 1) A method using a sequence of two buttons for each alphanumeric entry (referred to as Doublepress), 2) A Qwerty keypad layout, and 3) A phone-based keypad where letters were entered using their corresponding number key. The fourth interface provided an alphabetic list through which a user scrolled to select a city or street name.

Sixteen subjects used each of the interfaces to enter destinations in a laboratory study while “parked” and while driving a simulator. The entry methods were evaluated based on entry time, driving performance, errors, preferences and perceived difficulty. Overall address entry times were fastest for the Phonepad (43 seconds) and Qwerty (45 seconds) methods followed by the Scrolling list (56 seconds) and Doublepress (75 seconds) methods. Entry time was significantly affected by driver age. Driving performance (deviation of lane position) was significantly worse when entering a destination as compared to baseline driving. Participants rated the difficulty of destination entry only slightly higher than that of conventional driving tasks. There was no evident preference for a particular entry method.
Evaluation of Mental Work Load in Vehicle Driving by Analysis of Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Atsumi Bunji , Sugiura Seiichi , Kimura Kenji
Published: July 2017

This paper discusses the mental work load index in vehicle driving and operation of various instruments by the use of the analysis method of heart rate variability. According to what has been reported previously, the heart rate (HR) and the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is obtained by the FFT analysis of the R-R Interval. However, the calculation to obtain RSA by the FFT method has a drawback in that it is so complicated that it is impossible to detect dynamic mental variation. Therefore, we have devised a new method of calcurating RSA, which calculates the R-R variability (RRV) at each 3 beats. The method is referred to the RRV3 method. We succeeded to verify that this method enables simplified collection of RSA and real time measurement of mental work load in vehicle driving including dynamic variations.
Issues in Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Bowers-Carnahan F. Renae , Kinghorn Rhonda , Bittner Alvah , Reynolds Syd , Feyer Anne-Marie , Williamson Ann M. , Freund Deborah M.
Published: July 2017

The heavy vehicle industry includes medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and buses. Vehicle size, driver location relative to the road, and duration of time in the vehicle distinguish heavy vehicles from the passenger car and light truck industry. During the past decade, the industry has been changing. Technological advances, as well as political, economic, and cultural forces, have combined to create a new environment. The driver has become more important in this new environment. A driver shortage and safety issues have heightened the interest in human factors and ergonomics in the heavy vehicle industry.

The purpose of this symposium is to highlight some of the current human factors research in the field of heavy vehicles. While there are many possible topics to discuss, the first two papers will address vehicle design issues and the second two papers will address operational issues.

Ms. Kinghorn will discuss a technique to estimate the current population of US Truck Drivers. She proposes that some of the shortcomings of the available data, such as changes in the population over the last decade and dimensions for which no data are available, can be overcome by estimating the current truck driver population from data on the general population.

Mr. Reynolds will discuss the discrepancies observed between a design eyellipse location and actual driver eye locations in a small exploratory study. He will describe the primary contributor to the discrepancy, the H-point, and suggest several other potential contributors.

Ms. Feyer will discuss a study on the effects of operational practices on driver fatigue. She will compare and contrast the operational practices of various segments of the long distance passenger and freight hauling industries. Her results indicate that different strategies must be applied to the passenger and freight industries to combat fatigue, even though the causes of fatigue are the same.

Ms. Freund is from the US Federal Highway Administration's Office of Motor Carriers. She will discuss their plans for research concerning truck and bus driver operational regulation. Specific areas that are of interest include proficiency testing, fitness for duty, and substance abuse. She will elaborate on the program, addressing driver fatigue and loss of alertness.
The “Human Element” in Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
Authors: Freund Deborah M.
Published: July 2017

Highway freight and passenger transportation are vital contributors to national economic health and productivity. Although there has been considerable research into the design and operation of the highway system and the vehicles that use it, there has been relatively little concentrated research concerning the truck and bus driver – the human element responsible for moving the freight and passengers safely.

The Federal Highway Administration's Office of Motor Carriers has developed a comprehensive multi-year plan to address the issues of driver proficiency, medical qualifications, and fitness for duty. The core of this plan will be a series of high-quality and scientifically sound research projects. The results of these projects will form the basis for regulatory changes that will be more technically defensible, better reflect the realities of the operating environments, and, to the extent possible, be based on performance standards.
Behavioural Research in an Advanced Driving Simulator - Experiences of the VTI System -
Authors: Nilsson Lena
Published: July 2017

The VTI driving simulator is described briefly, and aspects such as controllability, realism, validity, and motion sickness are discussed. The experience of using a simulator is accounted for. As an example, a study of mobile phone effects on driver behaviour is reported, focusing on methodological aspects. The paper ends with an extensive literature list containing behavioural studies performed in the simulator.
How Police Officers Construct Lineups: A National Survey
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Malpass Roy S. , Burger Michele A.
Published: July 2017

In criminal investigations, considerable weight is given to eyewitness identification evidence. In some cases, like assault and robbery, this evidence may be the only kind available. Over the last two decades, considerable research has been aimed at the factors that cause identification errors. However, virtually all of this work has involved undergraduates and naive lay persons as subjects. There is little known on what police officers do in the course of their work. The present research investigates the procedures that police investigators employ when they construct live and photographic lineups. Surveys were sent to 500 U.S. police jurisdictions along with a cover letter requesting that it be completed by the person most experienced in constructing lineups; 220 were returned. On average, the respondents had 12 years experience as police officers and had constructed a mean of 329 lineups (89 live, 240 photographic). For many items, the results were consistent with those of previous laboratory research. For example, the police officers reported giving more attention to upper face features (e.g., hair) in selecting non-suspect lineup members (foils) which is consistent with research on feature saliency. However, other results indicate that the police use different procedures than those recommended in the research literature. For example, the police officers report using similarity as the major basis for selecting the nonsuspects (foils), whereas, research shows that selection of foils based exclusively on suspect appearance can produce biased lineups. In addition, there is considerable research showing that sequential lineups are more fair than simultaneous lineups, yet only 40% of the police investigators reported having used the sequential technique. These and other findings provide direction and implications for research opportunities. It is concluded that systematic investigation of actual police procedures is a more direct approach of studying ways to decrease identification errors.
Fatigue in High and Very High Frequency Manual Lifting, Lowering and Carrying and Turning
Authors: Mital Anil , Founooni-Fard Hamid , Brown Max L.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of a study undertaken to determine the perceived exertion and physiological responses of highly trained and experienced workers to high (up to 16 repetitions per minute) and very high frequency (above 16 repetitions per minute) manual lifting, lowering, and carrying and turning tasks. The results indicate that workers engaged in such highly repetitive and physically demanding tasks operate at work loads that may clearly be considered physically fatiguing and unacceptable by the current physiological design criteria. The workers, however, perceived these exertions to be generally acceptable. The physiological responses of the workers are also compared with previous and recommended physiological design criteria.
Trunk Muscle Activations While Resisting Asymmetric Loads in a Laterally Bent Trunk Posture
Authors: Lavender Steven A. , Chen Ing-Ho , Trafimow Jordan , Andersson Gunnar B.J.
Published: July 2017

Asymmetric material handling frequently results in lateral bending of the torso. Each of these factors have been linked via epidemiological investigations to the incidence of low back disorders (LBD). Very little literature is available which describes the response of the trunk muscles in situations which would be analogous to handling materials while bent to the side. Such activities are observed frequently in industrial settings, especially during the initial and final portions of a lift. The objective of the current study was to describe the internal response of the trunk muscles as asymmetric loads were applied to the laterally bent torso. Specifically, this investigation quantified the electromyographic activities (EMG) of 8 trunk muscles under conditions where the trunk was isometrically loaded while the trunk was maintained in a 20 degree laterally bent posture. Moments with a magnitudes of 20 and 40 Nm were applied to fifteen subjects. The direction of the external moments was varied in 30 degree increments completely around the subjects. The EMG data indicates that the muscles showed the greatest activity when they were in opposition to the load's sagittal and frontal plane moment. The muscle showing the largest response was the External Oblique. Significant activity was also observed under conditions in which muscles were creating an antagonistic moment in either the sagittal plane, the frontal plane, or in both planes.
Optimization-Based Biomechanical Evaluation of Isometric Exertions on a Brake Wheel
Authors: Johnson Christian A. , Woldstad Jeffrey C.
Published: July 2017

A static three-dimensional low-back biomechanical model was developed to estimate the levels of compressive force on the L3/L4 spinal joint during an experiment that simulated wheel turning. We recorded three-dimensional body posture and the resultant forces at the hands for analysis by the model. The model employed a standard link analysis procedure to resolve the external forces acting on the body to a resultant moment about L3/L4. The model then implemented an optimization algorithm to estimate the internal lumbar muscle forces generated to resist the external forces. The muscle forces and external forces were added to arrive at a prediction of compressive force at L3/L4. The experiment investigated the effects of general body posture, left hand grip, gender, and hand brake torque level upon predicted compressive force at L3/L4. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed all but one main effect and some interaction effects to be significant at p<0.05. Average predicted L3/L4 compressive forces at maximum wheel torque levels ranged from 1644N for females to 6926N for large males.
A Finger Model with Constant Tendon Moment Arms
Authors: Lee Koo-Hyoung , Kroemer Karl H.E.
Published: July 2017

A kinematic finger model was developed with the assumption that the tendon moment arms at the finger joints were constant, and that the finger moved in the sagittal plane. Equations of static equilibrium for the model, derived using the principle of virtual work, were indeterminate. The number of variables was reduced based on the muscular activities in finger movements. The finger strengths were computed from the equilibrium equations, and mathematically expressed as functions of finger positions, tendon moment arms, and lengths of phalanges. Experiments were performed to measure finger strengths, and the measured finger strengths were compared to the computed results.
Quantification of Hand Grip Force under Dynamic Conditions
Authors: Lehman Katherine R. , Allread W. Gary , Wright P. Lawrence , Marras William S.
Published: July 2017

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine whether grip force capabilities are lower when the wrist is moved than in a static position. The purpose was to determine the wrist velocity levels and wrist postures that had the most significant effect on grip force. Maximum grip forces of five male and five female subjects were determined under both static and dynamic conditions. The dominant wrist of each subject was secured to a CYBEX II dynamometer and grip force was collected during isokinetic wrist deviations for four directions of motion (flexion to extension, extension to flexion, radial to ulnar, and ulnar to radial). Six different velocity levels were analyzed and grip forces were recorded at specific wrist positions throughout each range of movement. For flexion-extension motions, wrist positions from 45 degrees flexion to 45 degrees extension were analyzed whereas positions from 20 degrees radial deviation to 20 degrees ulnar deviation were studied for radial-ulnar activity. Isometric exertions were also performed at each desired wrist position. Results showed that, for all directions of motion, grip forces for all isokinetic conditions were significantly lower than for the isometric exertions. Lower grip forces were exhibited at extreme wrist flexion and extreme radial and ulnar positions for both static and dynamic conditions. The direction of motion was also found to affect grip strength; extension to flexion exertions produced larger grip forces than flexion to extension exertions and radial to ulnar motion showed larger grip forces than ulnar to radial deviation. Although, males produced larger grip forces than females in all exertions, significant interactions between gender and velocity were noted.
The Performance of Female Young Adults in Perception of Efforts of Varied Nature and Magnitudes
Authors: Kumar Shrawan , Simmonds Maureen , Lechelt David
Published: July 2017

Ten normal young adult females performed maximal and graded exertions of the stoop lift, hand grip, and finger pinch. The levels of graded exertion required were 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The sequence of all conditions were fully randomized. Each of the randomized conditions was tried three times in succession. The entire experiment was carried out on four different days at the same time of the day on Monday, Wednesday, Friday of one week and Friday of the next week. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive and statistical analysis with t-test, analysis of variance, and correlation and regression. There were significant differences in the efforts produced in three different activities (p<0.01). The levels of exertion from 20% to 80% were significantly different from each other (p<0.01). However, there were no significant differences between the three trials of any given condition and the exertions produced on four different days. The 80% and 60% of exertions were overestimated and 20% was underestimated compared to the objective values based on MVC (p<0.01). At 40% effort there was no significant difference between the objective level of exertion and subjectively gauged and produced effort. The reliability of perception among the female subjects was similar for finger pinch, hand grip, and stoop lift activities.
Validation of Ergonomic Improvements to a Shipping Workstation
Authors: Wick John L. , Deweese Rick
Published: July 2017

A shipping workstation was analyzed by doing detailed task analysis from video tape. The analysis showed an excessive number of damaging wrist motions left and right, high force pinch grips left and right, extreme right shoulder abduction, extreme neck flexion and extreme back flexion. Solutions were developed to address the causes. The new design was validated. It was found that it eliminated the high force pinch grips, extreme shoulder abduction and extreme back flexion as well as reducing cycle time by 12%. However, it failed to solve the excessive number of damaging wrist motions and extreme neck flexion and introduced extreme shoulder flexion. New solutions were developed. The next validation proved successful. This study demonstrates the importance of a methodology that includes a validation step. Without validation, the new workstation would not have been much better than the old one.