bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Inertial Measurement Units to Assess Vehicle Ingress and Egress Characteristics
Authors: Schall Mark , Huangfu Rong , Gallagher Sean , Davis Jerry , Sesek Richard , Escobar Claudia
Published: September 2016

The increasing number of elderly and overweight drivers in the United States has necessitated that vehicle manufacturers develop automobiles that accommodate these changing demographics. While digital human models have been successfully used to simulate human vehicle interaction (Chaffin, 2005; Ozsoy et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2007), the variability in ingress and egress procedures among drivers with different physical attributes poses a unique challenge to developing accurate models. The objective of this study was to apply inertial measurement units (IMUs) to compare ingress and egress characteristics of individuals of varying age and body type.

Ninety-three participants, comprising a control group (aged 21–<65 years with body mass index [BMI] <30 kg/m2), a high-BMI group (aged 21–<65 years with BMI ≥30 kg/m2), and an elderly group (aged ≥65 years), performed ingress and egress trials in three vehicles (compact, sedan, and sport utility vehicle [SUV]) while wearing a wireless IMU system (Xsens MVN BIOMECH Awinda system, Xsens Technologies BV, Enschede, Netherlands). Native protocols of the IMU system were used to estimate the joint centers and motion paths of several bilateral body joints including the ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The transition of each joint center across the edge of the seating area at the door sill as the subject got into and out of the vehicles was measured. The start of the ingress process was defined as the time when the first joint center passed through the door sill into the driver’s seating area. The end of ingress was considered to be the time when the final joint passed back through the edge of the seating area. Two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) examining the effects of population (control vs. elderly vs. high-BMI), gender, vehicle model, and their interactions on ingress and egress times were conducted.

In general, the right ankle was the first body segment to enter each of the three vehicles followed by the right knee, right hip, right shoulder, left hip, left shoulder, left knee and the left ankle regardless of population group. Ingress time was observed to be affected by population (F2, 28 = 17.97, p < 0.001), and was characterized by a much slower ingress time among the elderly (mean = 4.33 secs), compared with controls (2.97 secs) and high-BMI participants (2.71 secs). Egress was also observed to be affected by population (F2, 28 = 8.85, p < 0.001), but in a slightly different manner. The control group (mean = 2.95 secs) was the fastest to egress the car, followed by the high-BMI group (4.42 secs) and the elderly (5.26 secs). The results indicate that IMUs may be successfully applied to characterize ingress and egress motion paths of different population groups and may be useful when designing seated applications, particularly for elderly and high-BMI populations.
Combat Effectiveness and Sleep Patterns in US Marines
Authors: Shattuck Nita Lewis , Shattuck Lawrence G. , Matsangas Panagiotis
Published: September 2016

The Habitability Assessment Test (HAT) was designed to evaluate whether Marines exposed to waterborne motion in an amphibious vehicle experience reductions in combat effectiveness. A total of 61 active duty Unites States Marines participated in a within-subjects, repeated measures, quasi-experimental design with counterbalancing to control for order of exposure to waterborne motion of one, two, or three hours. Dependent variables included wrist-worn actigraphy, Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores, marksmanship scores, obstacle course performance, and the switching task from the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) battery. Results showed no statistically significant associations between sleep metrics and the mean radius of impact in the marksmanship test. In contrast, short sleep duration and elevated sleepiness were associated with worse (higher) completion times in the obstacle course. Elevated sleepiness was also associated with lower cognitive throughput, i.e., the number of correct responses per minute, as measured by the ANAM Switching Task. Increased sleep duration was associated with increased throughput, however the trend was not statistically significant. These results suggest that sleep-deprived Marines experienced poorer executive decision making as measured using the ANAM. In addition to showing decrements in combat effectiveness that are associated with their sleep patterns, the current study may provide an early indication of circadian scarring in these young Marines.
Research to Practice to Research
Authors: Reid Christopher R. , Rempel David , Gardner Richard , Gibson Sheree L. , Dempsey Patrick G. , Whitehead Cindy
Published: September 2016

This is the first of two panels to discuss pathways and barriers in moving promising ergonomic concepts from research to practice and in moving important ergonomic problems from practice to research. The panelists are from a variety of industry sectors and academia. The session will start with a 5-minute introductory statement from each panelist; therefore, most of the session will be a discussion between panelists and the audience on the topic. On the research side there is difficulty in conducting good research capable of demonstrating a safety or productivity value for promising ergonomic interventions. Problems include poor access to workplaces to conduct the research, lack of funding, difficulty obtaining a control group, etc. Some practitioners believe that well-designed research is not necessary for industry to make decisions on adoption. On the industry side barriers to adopting promising ergonomic interventions include lack of convincing data, cost, anticipation of reduced productivity, poor usability, poor acknowledgement of a problem, and history/legacy (“we have always done it this way and the process works”). Likewise, practitioners may have difficulty convincing academics to study ergonomic problems that they face daily in the workplace and they may perceive that academics study concepts that have little value for industry. Barriers for academics to take on these important topics may be related to funding, lack of clear design related solutions, limited impact, and research on a topic that is too applied or related to a proprietary idea. The goal is to improve understanding of different perspectives and generate ideas for improving the process of research to practice to research (RtPtR).
Research to Practice to Research
Authors: Marras William S. , Reid Christopher R. , Rempel David , Borchardt James G. , Choi Sang D. , Silva Hector , Fathallah Fadi , Duraj Victor , Robertson Michelle , Goddard Donald
Published: September 2016

This is the second of two panels to discuss pathways and barriers in moving promising ergonomic concepts from research to practice and in moving important ergonomic problems from practice to research. The panelists are from a variety of industry sectors and academia. The session will start with a 5-minute introductory statement from each panelist; therefore, most of the session will be a discussion between panelists and the audience on the topic. On the research side there is difficulty in conducting good research capable of demonstrating a safety or productivity value for promising ergonomic interventions. Problems include poor access to workplaces to conduct the research, lack of funding, difficulty obtaining a control group, etc. Some practitioners believe that well-designed research is not necessary for industry to make decisions on adoption. On the industry side barriers to adopting promising ergonomic interventions include lack of convincing data, cost, anticipation of reduced productivity, poor usability, poor acknowledgement of a problem, and history/legacy (“we have always done it this way and the process works”). Likewise, practitioners may have difficulty convincing academics to study ergonomic problems that they face daily in the workplace and they may perceive that academics study concepts that have little value for industry. Barriers for academics to take on these important topics may be related to funding, lack of clear design related solutions, limited impact, and research on a topic that is too applied or related to a proprietary idea. The goal is to improve understanding of different perspectives and generate ideas for improving the process of research to practice to research (RtPtR).
Whole-Body Vibration Exposures in Undeground Coal Mining Operations
Authors: Lynas D. , Burgess-Limerick R.
Published: September 2016

Studies conducted on surface coal mining equipment have identified whole-body vibration as a significant hazard. Operators of underground mobile equipment, particularly shuttle cars and transport vehicles, are likely to be exposed to significant levels of whole-body vibration. To date, measuring whole-body vibration from underground mining mobile equipment has been difficult due to the strict guidelines governing the use of electrical equipment in underground mines. This paper presents data obtained from two low-methane coal mines using an iOS application installed on iPod Touch devices. The majority of measurements taken from a range of mobile plant and equipment in use at the underground coal mines exceeded the ISO2631.1 Health Guidance Caution Zone. Further investigations are being undertaken to develop a thorough understanding of whole-body vibration exposures to which operators of mobile equipment used in underground coal mines are exposed and the opportunities for application of this information to assist mine site safety, health and risk management processes.
Perceptions of Mobile Instant Messaging Apps Are Comparable to Texting for Young Adults in the United States
Authors: Bailey Shannon K.T. , Schroeder Bradford L. , Whitmer Daphne E. , Sims Valerie K.
Published: September 2016

In recent years, text messaging (“texting”) has become the dominant method of communication for young adults. This prevalence of texting has led to research exploring the beneficial and detrimental behaviors associated with texting, indicating wide-ranging social and human factors implications. As texting continues to take precedence over other forms of communication and research begins to address texting behaviors, the question arises about whether people use other mobile instant messaging applications (“IM apps”) similarly. The current study expands on the research of texting behaviors by asking how similarly young adults view apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.) to texting. Results indicated that young adults in the United States use texting more frequently than text-based apps, but that these apps are viewed similarly to texting. The implication is that research addressing texting behaviors may apply to other forms of text-based communication; however, texting remains the most prominent mode of communication, justifying its own continued examination.
Which Eye Tracker Is Right for Your Research? Performance Evaluation of Several Cost Variant Eye Trackers
Authors: Funke Gregory , Greenlee Eric , Carter Martha , Dukes Allen , Brown Rebecca , Menke Lauren
Published: September 2016

Though not often mentioned, the price point of many eye tracking systems may be a factor limiting their adoption in research. Recently, several inexpensive eye trackers have appeared on the market, but to date little systematic research has been conducted to validate these systems. The present experiment attempted to address this gap by evaluating and comparing five different eye trackers, the Eye Tribe Tracker, Tobii EyeX, Seeing Machines faceLAB, Smart Eye Pro, and Smart Eye Aurora for their gaze tracking accuracy and precision. Results suggest that all evaluated trackers maintained acceptable accuracy and precision, but lower cost systems frequently also experienced high rates of data loss, suggesting that researchers adopting low cost systems such as those evaluated here should be judicious in their research usage.
An Assessment of Safety Culture While Navigating Work Zones
Authors: Achtemeier Jacob D. , Morris Nichole L.
Published: September 2016

A survey was administered to evaluate a variety of driver opinions, behaviors, and technology use in the context of work zones. Safety culture thematic inquiries, such as willingness to use a cell phone while driving, as well as adherence and trust of conventional work zone signage were included in the driver behavior inventory. Thematic results were examined through a factor analyses, providing insight into the relationship among responses to survey items. Study results contribute to the understanding of driver attitudes towards conventional signage in work zones, driver perceptions of their and others’ safety, and the degree to which drivers are receptive to new in-vehicle technologies to supplement signage. Driver attitudes and reported interactions with phones while driving is discussed. The study explores the safety and acceptance potential of an in-vehicle, smartphone-based, work zone messaging system on driver behavior and roadway safety.
The Use of Individualized Voices for Multi-Agent Speech Displays
Authors: Rothwell Clayton D. , Romigh Griffin D. , Simpson Brian D. , Thompson Eric R.
Published: September 2016

Listeners can use vocal features of speech to help segregate a target talker from a field of different- voiced speech maskers. However, recent research also suggests that acoustic features (such as those responsible for identity) are stored with speech’s lexical content in episodic memory and can be beneficial in some non-overlapping speech perception tasks as well (e.g., Goldinger, 1996). This paired-voice benefit may have implications for speech displays and dialog systems since purposeful selection of the speaker’s voice is possible, unlike in most live speech communication tasks. In the current experiments, we investigated if manipulating voice identity could improve performance in three complex listening situations relevant to speech displays: extraction of information from background speech, listening while simultaneously speaking, and keeping track of multiple agents’ states. Results indicate that the benefits of individualized voices seen in the episodic memory literature do not translate to the current, more complex, speech tasks.
Crossmodal matching
Authors: Gomes Kylie , Riggs Sara L.
Published: September 2016

Multimodal interfaces which distribute information across vision, audition, and touch have been demonstrated to improve performance in various complex domains. However, many multimodal studies to- date fail to conduct crossmodal matching, a critical step to ensure cues across different sensory channels are perceived to be of equal intensity. The present study compared two different methods of crossmodal matching based on previous work conducted by Stevens – the methods of bracketing and adjustment. Each participant completed the crossmodal matching task using two different interfaces using the method of bracketing or adjustment for all modality combinations across vision, audition, and touch. The results showed a significant effect of interface type and subject variability depending on the modality used as a reference. Overall, the findings show the viability of the new method, but also support the need of a reliable crossmodal matching technique that reduces within-subject variability.
An Assessment of a Complex Training System’s Resilience to Change Associated with the Introduction of the Live-Virtual-Constructive Training Paradigm
Authors: Neville Kelly J. , Sherwood Sarah , Mooney John “Bam Bam” , Ashlock Derek “Baffle” , McLean A.L.M. Thom , Walwanis Melissa , Bolton Amy
Published: September 2016

Introducing the Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training paradigm into live air combat training means introducing significant changes into a complex and established training system. To facilitate the transition, research was performed to identify possible new hazards that might emerge as a result of the changes and to assess the ability of the live training system to withstand them. Aircrew interviews were conducted and submitted to qualitative analysis, the results of which were further assessed by air combat experts, to identify both potential hazards and mechanisms the training system uses to withstand, or be resilient to, hazards. This paper focuses on those system resilience mechanisms and their adequacy for protecting system effectiveness and aircrew safety in the face of changes associated with the adoption of LVC training.
Teen Texting While Driving
Authors: McBride Maranda , Carter Lemuria
Published: September 2016

This study was designed to identify key components that affect teenagers’ intent to text while driving by developing and administering a survey to identify psychological profiles of teenagers who are more or less likely to comply with TWD laws. Such profiles may be used to create unique TWD law compliance training protocols designed to address specific teenager characteristics. The method included the administration of a 108-item Likert-scale survey to young drivers age 15 through 21. The survey consisted of a set of demographic questions; a Big Five personality assessment; and items to assess attitudes, norms, and perceptions associated with TWD. The results of the regression analysis performed on the data indicate the following factors potentially impact teenager TWD behavior: perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and TWD concealment attitude.
Effects on Drivers’ Behavior of Forward Collision Warning System Alerts
Authors: Fisher Donald L. , Nodine Emily , Lam Andy , Jerome Christian , Monk Chris , Najm Wassim
Published: September 2016

Forward collision warning (FCW) systems have been available for some time. Drivers 20-29 years of age are especially at risk for being involved in motor vehicle crashes due to distraction. (FCW) systems could potentially reduce rear-end crashes caused by distraction and other factors. A field operational experiment was run to determine whether FCW systems could reduce over time for this cohort the driving conflicts (rear-end crashes and near crashes) with lead vehicles. Information was gathered on 38 drivers over varying periods of time (up to a year) on alert rates [over vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or months], conflict rates, and responses to conflicts. Conflicts per 1,000 VMT decreased by 76.6%. The decrease in conflict rates was correlated with the decrease in alert rates (0.71), suggesting that drivers were responding positively to the alerts. There was no change in the responses to conflicts. Females had many fewer alerts than males.
A New UK Defence Standard For Human Factors Integration (HFI)
Authors: Corbridge Colin , Anthony Mark , McNeish David , Shaw Gareth
Published: September 2016

The development of a new UK Defence Standard for Human Factors Integration is described. This formed one element of an extensive updating of Human Factors Integration guidance within UK MOD. The Standard is to be used for contracts between UK MOD and industry suppliers for Human Factors Integration activities - integral to the development of new and existing military systems. The extant Standard, Defence Standard 00-250 (2008), was deficient in a number of ways and was not well aligned with the evolving internal HFI guidance for MOD personnel. The new Standard, Defence Standard 00-251 (2015), is primarily a process standard. It specifies, in the form of Human Factors Process Requirements, what HFI activities must be undertaken throughout the system lifecycle to manage the human related risks in the development of new systems across the seven HFI domains. It also includes a number of candidate Human Factors User and System Requirements which can be used to specify properties of the system itself. A collaborative approach to the development of the Standard ensured relatively few changes were required, following a period of public consultation, prior to the final version of the Standard being produced.
Specifying Influences that Mediate Trust in Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Volante W.G. , Sanders T. , Dodge D. , Yerdon V.A. , Hancock P.A.
Published: September 2016

In this work we investigate the effects of robot appearance and reliability on a user’s trust levels through an experiment where participants reacted to three different robot forms that either behaved reliably or unreliably during a series of experimental trials. A final trial was implemented to evaluate use choice by allowing participants to choose their preferred robot and complete an additional trial with that robot. Results from this pilot experimentation indicated differences based on the reliability of the robot, as well as whether the participant chose to interact with the robot.
Examination of Anesthetic Practitioners’ Decisions for the Design of a Cognitive Tool for Airway Management
Authors: Schnittker R. , Marshall S.D , Horberry T. , Young K. , Lintern G.
Published: September 2016

The goal of this research was to examine the decisions made by anesthesia providers in emergency and routine clinical situations relating to airway management. A key function of anesthesia is to ensure oxygen can be delivered to the lungs via a patient’s airway. Failure to maintain adequate oxygen levels leads to brain damage and death. The anesthetic work environment is complex. Occasionally, stressful situations occur when difficulties in airway management arise. Members of the anesthesia team must then engage in complex cognitive activities such as rapid, collaborative decision-making. It is suggested that cognitive aids may support decision-making in these situations, although this has not yet been evaluated empirically from a Cognitive Systems Engineering perspective. This ongoing research combined two studies using Cognitive Task Analysis methods as part of a Decision-Centered Design process: observations and Critical Decision Method interviews. These will inform subsequent research phases concerning the development and evaluation of design concepts.
Color Block Task
Authors: Wang Ying , Guo Xiang , Zhu Yueyan , Zhang Jianqiao
Published: September 2016

With the increasing use of in-vehicle information system (IVIS), driver distraction, especially visual distraction, has increased dramatically. Evaluating the impact of IVIS on traffic safety is important. Previous studies have used various standard secondary-task methods in place of real IVIS interactions to obtain quantitative and scalable results. However, traditional visual secondary tasks, such as the Surrogate Reference Task (SuRT) and the Arrow Task, are insufficient to simulate incrementally increased workload with fine details or contrast difference. This study designed a new form of visual secondary task (Color Block Task, CoBT) that could provide appropriate difficulty, incremental complexity, and contrast option for visual distraction assessment. The validity of this method was tested in a driving simulator by analyzing the reaction time and accuracy of the CoBTs, the reaction time and accuracy of a Tactile Detection Response Task (TDRT), and drivers’ vehicle control performance. Results showed that CoBT is a valid tool to mock drivers’ in-vehicle visual demand. CoBT and TDRT performance can effectively distinguish the difficulty levels of CoBT and explain drivers’ attention allocation pattern to some extent.
Applying the Risk Appraisal Model to Following Distance Feedback and Implications from the Pilot Study
Authors: Toyoda Heishiro , Sayer Tina B. , Domeyer Joshua E.
Published: September 2016

Rear end crashes are one of the most frequent types for US drivers. One of the factors for this crash type is following the lead vehicle too closely. Since achieving and maintaining an appropriate following distance is a function of vehicle speed and distance, a mental model is difficult to establish. The Following Distance Training system (FDT) was developed to help the driver learn appropriate following distances (FD). The FDT gives real-time, visual feedback on FD. To assess the effectiveness of the FDT, the Risk Appraisal Model (RAM) was developed. The RAM is comprised of three components: Risk-size Appraisal, Benefit Appraisal, and Cost Appraisal. Ten young adult participants drove a vehicle instrumented with FDT. Three groups of participants were identified from the data. Group-A was participants who showed no improvement in FD. Group-B showed a large improvement and Group-C had a modest improvement. Group-A was identified as sensation-seeking, which relates to the Benefit Appraisal in the RAM. The Group-B and -C participants were related to an improvement in Risk-Size Appraisal in the RAM. These results support FDT effectiveness and can be explained using the RAM. The implications of these findings, and the RAM, are discussed and suggestions for future research are given.
Using Real-Time and Post Hoc Feedback to Improve Driving Safety for Novice Drivers
Authors: Klauer Sheila G. , Sayer Tina B. , Baynes Peter , Ankem Gayatri
Published: September 2016

Introduction. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of fatalities among teens in the U.S. (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2013). Prior research suggests that real-time and post hoc feedback can improve teen driver behavior. The Driver Coach Study (DCS) aimed to improve teens’ safe driving habits by providing them real-time feedback and post hoc feedback to a broader range of risky driving behaviors that have never been used in previous studies. Exposure data were also collected so that rates of risky driving behaviors over time could be assessed. Post hoc feedback, which included an electronic report card of risky driving behavior as well as video clips, was provided to both teens and parents via email and secure website link. Method. Ninety-two teen/parent dyads were recruited in southwest Virginia to have a data acquisition system (DAS) installed in their vehicles within two weeks of receiving their learner’s permit. Data were collected through the nine-month (minimum) learner’s permit phase plus seven months of provisional licensure. Feedback was only provided for the first six months of post licensure, then turned off to assess whether teenagers returned to unsafe driving behavior. Trained data coders reviewed 15 seconds of video surrounding each risky driving maneuver, and recorded driver errors such as poor vehicle control, poor speed selection, drowsiness, etc., for each event. Results. In this paper, the relationship between driver coaching and driver errors will be examined across the six-month feedback phase and also compared to the seventh month when feedback was turned off. Conclusions. This study has implications for the design of future monitoring and feedback systems, as it is currently unknown whether these devices can improve novice drivers’ crash rates.
Usability of Biometric Iris-Capture Methods in Self-Service Applications
Authors: Sirotin Yevgeniy B. , Hasselgren Jacob A. , Vemury Arun
Published: September 2016

Biometric technologies are gaining wide acceptance as a means of securely establishing individual identity. Common biometric modalities include recognition of fingerprints, faces, and irises. However, increased adoption of biometric technologies poses a significant challenge to users within a public setting. Users generally have little prior experience using biometric devices and prior evaluations have not systematically evaluated device usability with this naïve population. We tested an array of biometric modalities and methods both staffed and unstaffed use-case scenarios with a representative naïve subject population. Here we report on the usability of three iris collection methods: user-controlled, operator-controlled, and mechanically-controlled. Biometric performance was strongly determined by subjects’ ability to correctly position and gaze at the iris device. Performance was poorest for the user-controlled method. Usability issues are the main differentiators of iris collection methods for a naïve user population.
Evaluation of Dashboard Interactivity for a Local Foodbank
Authors: Desai Yogeeta , Jiang Steven , Davis Lauren
Published: September 2016

Food insecurity is a serious problem and non-profit humanitarian relief agencies such as foodbanks play a significant role in fighting hunger. Each foodbank collects a lot of data every day. However, the complexity of the data collected from the relief operations provide a challenge for the foodbank managers to make informed decisions. Working with a local foodbank, we have developed dashboards that provide visualized information and allow users to interact with the tool. The effectiveness of the dashboard interactivity was evaluated in an empirical study. Results revealed that different types of interactivity had an impact on user performance. Findings from this research can help designers improve their dashboard design.
Virtual Shadow
Authors: Kim Hyungil , Isleib Jessica D. , Gabbard Joseph L.
Published: September 2016

Most obvious benefit of augmented reality (AR) displays is direct perception of information atop physical reality. In driving context, however, AR interfaces should be designed carefully to guide drivers’ attention while minimizing attentional narrowing. This work aims to design an interface for cross traffic alert using an AR head up display (HUD) that is compatible with both the driver’s cognitive process and physical reality of driving environment. Ecological interface design (EID) allowed us to complement current user centered design (UCD) approaches by considering human-environment interaction and leveraging the inherent benefit of AR interfaces: conformal graphics. We designed a novel interface that casts virtual shadows of approaching obstacles through an AR HUD and prototyped this idea for a specific use-case of pedestrian collision warning. Our initial usability evaluation demonstrated potential benefits of incorporating EID into AR interface design. The approaches and design idea from this study can be leveraged by future researchers and designers to create more reliable and safer AR interfaces for vehicle drivers.
A Comparative Assessment of Novel Mini-Laparoscopic Tools
Authors: Dorian Emily D. , DeAsis Francis J. , Lapin Brittany , Amesbury Robert , Tanaka Ryota , Ujiki Michael B.
Published: September 2016

Background: Mini-laparoscopy, or needlescopy, is an emerging minimally invasive technique that aims to improve on standard laparoscopy in the areas of tissue trauma, pain, and cosmesis. The objective of this study was to determine if there was a difference in functionality between 2 novel mini-laparoscopic instruments when compared to standard laparoscopic tools. Differences were assessed in a simulated surgical environment. Methods: Twenty participants (5 novices, 10 intermediate, 5 expert) were recruited for this institutional review board–approved study in a surgical simulation training center. Group A tools were assembled intracorporeally, and Group B tools were assembled extracorporeally. Using standard laparoscopic graspers, mini-laparoscopic graspers, or a combination of both, each participant performed 3 basic laparoscopic training tasks: a Peg Transfer, Rubber Band Stretch, and Tootsie Roll Unwrapping. Following each round of tasks, participants completed a survey evaluating the mini-laparoscopic graspers with respect to standard laparoscopic graspers. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s test for post hoc comparisons. Results: When comparing task times, both mini tools performed at the level of standard laparoscopic graspers in all participant groups. Group A tools were quicker to assemble and disassemble versus Group B tools. According to posttask surveys, all participant groups indicated that both sets of mini-laparoscopic graspers were comparable to the standard graspers. Conclusion: In a nonclinical setting, mini-laparoscopic instruments perform at the level of standard laparoscopic tools. Based on these results, clinical trials would be a reasonable next step in assessing feasibility and safety.
Mixed Methods Research for Health Policy Development in Africa: The Case of Identifying Very Poor Households for Health Insurance Premium Exemptions in Ghana
Authors: Alatinga Kennedy A. , Williams John J.
Published: September 2016

Despite the utility of applying mixed methods research to understand complex phenomenon, few studies have applied this approach to health policy and in Africa. This article illustrates the application of mixed methods research to inform health policy in Ghana with the intent of complementarity. Through an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design involving 24 focus group interviews and 417 household surveys, we developed criteria for identifying very poor households for health insurance premium exemptions in Ghana. The qualitative procedures identified communities’ concerns regarding being very poor: food insecurity, lack of seeds to sow, compromised access to education, financial insecurity, and status as unemployed widows with children. The survey findings illustrated the distribution and predictors of poverty in the Kassena-Nankana District. Based on these findings, the authors proposed a four-question survey for the Kassena-Nankana District Health Insurance Scheme to administer to determine extreme poverty. Based on these recommendations, the local government has a unique opportunity to increase the very poor’s access to and utilization of health care services.
The role of endovascular treatment in unruptured basilar tip aneurysms
Authors: Ge Huijian , Lv Xianli , Jin Hengwei , Tian Zhihua , Li Youxiang , He Hongwei
Published: September 2016

Objective

This study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of endovascular treatment of unruptured basilar tip aneurysms.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive 79 cases of unruptured basilar tip aneurysms in our center between 2009 and 2014. The patients’ clinical and imaging information were recorded. Complications, initial occlusion rate, clinical outcomes and the predictors were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Thirty-five cases received conservative treatment and 44 cases were treated by endovascular embolization. In the conservative treatment group, six (19.4%) of 31 basilar tip aneurysms ruptured and resulted in five deaths (16.1%) during the mean 18.1-month follow-up (range from 1 to 60 months). Among the endovascularly treated cases, 24 (54.5%) achieved initial complete occlusion and no delayed hemorrhagic events occurred during the mean 33.6-month follow-up (range from 10 to 68 months). For 20 (45.5%) incompletely occluded cases, five postoperative or delayed hemorrhagic events and two mass effect events resulted in six deaths. There were no statistical significant differences in hemorrhagic events ( p = 0.732) and mortality ( p = 0.502) between the incomplete occlusion group and untreated group. Large aneurysm size (≥10 mm) was an independent predictor for incomplete occlusion ( p = 0.002), which had a potential risk of postoperative or delayed hemorrhage. On univariate analysis, initial occlusion rate and aneurysm size were found to be associated with clinical outcomes ( p = 0.042 and 0.015).

Conclusion

Complete occlusion for unruptured basilar tip aneurysm proved to be a safe and effective therapeutic method that could eliminate the potential risk of postoperative or delayed hemorrhage.
Tiotropium formulations and safety: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Cazzola Mario , Calzetta Luigino , Rogliani Paola , Matera Maria Gabriella
Published: September 2016

Tiotropium is now delivered via two different inhaler devices: the original Handihaler 18 μg once daily, which uses a powder formulation; and the newer Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler (SMI) 5 μg once daily. It has been questioned whether the two devices can be assumed to have the same safety profile, although the TIOSPIR trial showed that tiotropium when administered via Respimat SMI 5 μg is not less safe than Handihaler 18 μg. Therefore, we have carried out a safety evaluation of tiotropium Handihaler 18 µg versus tiotropium Respimat SMI 5 µg and 2.5 µg, via systematic review and network meta-analysis of the currently available clinical evidence. The results of our meta-analysis with an extremely large number of patients analysed demonstrate that the safety profile of tiotropium HandiHaler is generally superior to that of tiotropium Respimat SMI, although no statistical difference was detected between these two devices. However, the SUCRA analysis favoured tiotropium Respimat SMI with regards to serious adverse events (AEs). We do not believe that using Respimat SMI rather that HandiHaler exposes patients to higher risks of real AEs. Rather, we believe that there may be a different cardiovascular (CV) response to muscarinic receptors blockage in individual patients. Therefore, it will be essential to make all possible efforts to proactively identify patients at increased risk of CV AEs when treated with tiotropium or another antimuscarinic drug.
The Influence of Cochlear Mechanical Dysfunction, Temporal Processing Deficits, and Age on the Intelligibility of Audible Speech in Noise for Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Authors: Johannesen Peter T. , Pérez-González Patricia , Kalluri Sridhar , Blanco José L. , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A.
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of cochlear mechanical dysfunction, temporal processing deficits, and age on the ability of hearing-impaired listeners to understand speech in noisy backgrounds. Sixty-eight listeners took part in the study. They were provided with linear, frequency-specific amplification to compensate for their audiometric losses, and intelligibility was assessed for speech-shaped noise (SSN) and a time-reversed two-talker masker (R2TM). Behavioral estimates of cochlear gain loss and residual compression were available from a previous study and were used as indicators of cochlear mechanical dysfunction. Temporal processing abilities were assessed using frequency modulation detection thresholds. Age, audiometric thresholds, and the difference between audiometric threshold and cochlear gain loss were also included in the analyses. Stepwise multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relative importance of the various factors for intelligibility. Results showed that (a) cochlear gain loss was unrelated to intelligibility, (b) residual cochlear compression was related to intelligibility in SSN but not in a R2TM, (c) temporal processing was strongly related to intelligibility in a R2TM and much less so in SSN, and (d) age per se impaired intelligibility. In summary, all factors affected intelligibility, but their relative importance varied across maskers.
Complete genome sequence of Desulfurivibrio alkaliphilus strain AHT2T, a haloalkaliphilic sulfidogen from Egyptian hypersaline alkaline lakes
Authors: Melton Emily Denise , Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Overmars Lex , Chertkov Olga , Clum Alicia , Pillay Manoj , Ivanova Natalia , Shapiro Nicole , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Woyke Tanja , Lapidus Alla L. , Muyzer Gerard
Published: September 2016

Desulfurivibrio alkaliphilus strain AHT2T is a strictly anaerobic sulfidogenic haloalkaliphile isolated from a composite sediment sample of eight hypersaline alkaline lakes in the Wadi al Natrun valley in the Egyptian Libyan Desert. D. alkaliphilus AHT2T is Gram-negative and belongs to the family Desulfobulbaceae within the Deltaproteobacteria. Here we report its genome sequence, which contains a 3.10 Mbp chromosome. D. alkaliphilus AHT2T is adapted to survive under highly alkaline and moderately saline conditions and therefore, is relevant to the biotechnology industry and life under extreme conditions. For these reasons, D. alkaliphilus AHT2T was sequenced by the DOE Joint Genome Institute as part of the Community Science Program.
ADAP plays a pivotal role in CD4+ T cell activation but is only marginally involved in CD8+ T cell activation, differentiation, and immunity to pathogens
Authors: Parzmair Gerald P , Gereke Marcus , Haberkorn Oxana , Annemann Michaela , Podlasly Lisa , Kliche Stefanie , Reinhold Annegret , Schraven Burkhart , Bruder Dunja
Published: September 2016

The adhesion and degranulation promoting adaptor protein (ADAP) is a multifunctional scaffold involved in many different signaling pathways that are important for the function of T cells, including the inside-out and outside-in signaling of integrins, the activation of NF-κB, and the subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ and IL-2). Strikingly, despite its well-established role in T cells, previous studies did not distinguish between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and thus, it is unknown whether ADAP fulfills equally important functions in both T cell subsets. We show here that despite comparable ADAP expression levels in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, their function is differentially dependent on ADAP. Whereas in vitro TCR-stimulation experiments revealed that activation, proliferation, and adhesion are severely compromised in CD4+ T cells lacking ADAP, their CD8+ counterparts are hardly affected by ADAP deficiency. Accordingly, antigen-specific in vivo stimulation of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells during Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and influenza A virus (IAV) infection revealed only moderate effects of ADAP deficiency in terms of CD8+ T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation, which, however, did not impair pathogen-specific immunity. Thus, we show for the first time that ADAP fulfills different functions in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with CD8+ T cells being less dependent on ADAP. Our data identify ADAP as a potential molecular target for T cell subset-specific therapeutic interventions.
Microbiota—myeloid cell crosstalk beyond the gut
Authors: Gorjifard Sayeh , Goldszmid Romina S
Published: September 2016

The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that plays a fundamental role in host physiology. Locally, the gut commensal microbes/host symbiotic relationship is vital for barrier fortification, nutrient absorption, resistance against intestinal pathogens, and the development and maintenance of the mucosal immune system. It is now clear that the effects of the indigenous intestinal flora extend beyond the gut, ranging from shaping systemic immune responses to metabolic and behavioral functions. However, the underlying mechanisms of the gut microbiota/systemic immune system interactions remain largely unknown. Myeloid cells respond to microbial signals, including those derived from commensals, and initiate innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review, we focus on the impact of the gut microbiota on myeloid cells at extraintestinal sites. In particular, we discuss how commensal-derived signals affect steady-state myelopoiesis and cellular function and how that influences the response to infection and cancer therapy.
A simple method inspired by empirical mode decomposition for denoising seismic data
Authors: Gómez Julián L. , Velis Danilo R.
Published: September 2016

We developed a new and simple method for denoising seismic data, which was inspired by data-driven empirical mode decomposition (EMD) algorithms. The method, which can be applied either as a trace-by-trace process or in the [Formula: see text] domain, replaces the use of the cubic interpolation scheme, which is required to calculate the mean envelopes of the signal and the residues, by window averaging. The resulting strategy is not viewed as an EMD per se, but a user-friendly version of EMD-based algorithms that permits us to attain, in a fraction of the time, the same level of noise cancellation as standard EMD implementations. Furthermore, the proposed method requires less user intervention and easily processes millions of traces in minutes rather than in hours as required by conventional EMD-based techniques on a standard PC. We compared the performance of the new method against standard EMD methods in terms of computational cost and signal preservation and applied them to denoise synthetic and field (microseismic and poststack) data containing random, erratic, and coherent noise. The corresponding [Formula: see text] EMDs implementations for lateral continuity enhancement were analyzed and compared against the classical [Formula: see text] deconvolution to test the method.
The hydrogeologic information in cross-borehole complex conductivity data from an unconsolidated conglomeratic sedimentary aquifer
Authors: Binley Andrew , Keery John , Slater Lee , Barrash Warren , Cardiff Mike
Published: September 2016

Accurate estimation of the hydrological properties of near-surface aquifers is important because these properties strongly influence groundwater flow and solute transport. Laboratory-based investigations have indicated that induced polarization (IP) properties of porous media may be linked, through either semiempirical or fully mechanistic models, to hydrological properties including hydraulic conductivity. Therefore, there is a need for field assessments of the value of IP measurements in providing insights into the hydrological properties of aquifers. A cross-borehole IP survey was carried out at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS), an unconsolidated fluvial aquifer that has previously been well-studied with a variety of geophysical and hydrogeologic techniques. High-quality IP measurements were inverted, with careful consideration of the data error structure, to provide a 3D distribution of complex electrical conductivity values. The inverted distribution was further simplified using [Formula: see text]-means cluster analysis to divide the inverted volume into discrete zones with horizontal layering. Identified layers based on complex electrical conductivity inversions are in broad agreement with stratigraphic units identified in previous studies at the site. Although mostly subtle variations in the phase angle are recovered through inversion of field data, greater contrasts in the IP data are evident at some unit boundaries. However, in coarse-grained aquifers, such as the BHRS, the discrimination of mildly contrasting lithologic units and associated changes in hydraulic conductivity of one or two orders of magnitude are unlikely to be achieved through field IP surveys. Despite the difficulty of differentiating subtle differences between all units, overall estimates of hydraulic conductivity purely from our field IP data are typically within an order of magnitude of independently measured values.
Magnetotelluric monitoring of coal seam gas depressurization
Authors: Rees Nigel , Heinson Graham , Krieger Lars
Published: September 2016

The depressurization of coal seam gas formations causes in situ fluids to migrate through pores and fractures in the earth. The removal or discharge of large volumes of water from coal measures reduces in situ fluid pressure allowing natural gas to be released from the coal matrix. This process results in a time-dependent resistivity variation in the subsurface. Increasing the connectivity of in situ fluids may lead to a reduction in resistivity of the targeted lithologies. A correct assessment of such resistivity variations is of significant interest not only for the industry to optimize production and extraction well locations but also for the regulatory bodies, in which a desire for a reliable method for monitoring changes in subsurface fluid distribution allows sound risk assessment of potential environmental hazards. From an industrial field study conducted in Queensland, Australia, we have found that the magnetotelluric (MT) method in the bandwidth of 100 Hz to 100 s could be used to monitor changes in the bulk resistivity of depressurized lithologies. Results from our study indicate the orientation of fluid flow resulting from depressurization, which can be mapped and directly attributed to spatial and temporal variations in permeability. The MT method is introduced as a low-cost, low-impact technology that can be used for short- and long-term environmental monitoring.