bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience Alters Perceptions of Educational Technology Acceptance among Adolescents
Authors: Arndt Ellie , Peterson Douglas
Published: September 2018

With the increase in the use of technology in education, it is important to understand why some implementations of one-to-one computing programs have been successful where others have failed. A questionnaire containing measures for the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM: Davis, 1989) was distributed to a high school in the rural Midwest to determine how the students’ perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use ratings of iPads change with experience across their high school careers. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that both ratings for perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use changed with experience.
Attitudes Toward Risk and Effort Tradeoffs in Human-Robot Heterogeneous Team Operations
Authors: Perelman B. S. , Evans A. W. , Schaefer K. E. , Hill S. G.
Published: September 2018

Current operational human-agent teaming paradigms place the full burden of danger on non-human agents. Shifting this burden entirely to the robot is currently possible due to the nature of the limited situations in which teleoperated robots are currently employed in military contexts. However, as the roles of non-human agents grow, robots are expected to function as teammates rather than tools. Here, we present a theoretical framework and metric for quantifying commanders’ attitudes toward risk and effort for humans and robots under their command. Twenty-one participants tasked a Soldier, a robot, and a heterogeneous team to rescue civilians in dangerous environments. Participants were risk averse when tasking each agent individually, but exhibited a risk averse attitude for the Soldier and an effort averse attitude for the robot when tasking the team. These findings show that risk attitudes can change as a function of team composition. The framework developed herein has utility for studying tradeoff attitudes across a wide breadth of contexts.
Priority or Parity? Scanning Strategies and Detection Performance of Novice Operators in Urban Surveillance
Authors: Hodgetts Helen M. , Chamberland Cindy , Latulippe-Thériault Jean-Denis , Vachon François , Tremblay Sébastien
Published: September 2018

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is increasingly used as a means to ensure the safety and security of critical infrastructure and public spaces. Operators in control rooms are responsible for monitoring multiple camera feeds that generally exceed the number of screens available. Using a realistic video surveillance simulation, the current study investigates strategies that untrained operators use to deal with this visual overload. The majority of participants adopted a priority strategy by fixating some scenes more than others, as opposed to a parity strategy of devoting roughly equal time across all screens—although participants were largely unaware of the strategy they had used. A parity approach led to better detection performance, perhaps because less time elapsed between viewing each available camera feed thus reducing the probability that an incident could pass unnoticed. The identification of successful scanning strategies can be used to inform operator training.
2FA Might Be Secure, But It’s Not Usable: A Summative Usability Assessment of Google’s Two-factor Authentication (2FA) Methods
Authors: Acemyan Claudia Ziegler , Kortum Philip , Xiong Jeffrey , Wallach Dan S.
Published: September 2018

Computer security experts recommend that people use two-factor authentication (2FA) on password protected systems to help keep hackers out. Providing two pieces of information to verify a person’s identity adds extra security to an account. However, it is not clear if the added security and procedures impact system usability. This paper aims to answer this question by assessing per ISO 9241-11’s suggested measurements the usability of Google’s optional 2FA methods. We found few differences across four different 2FA methods when comparing efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction measures—illustrating that one method is not necessarily more or less usable then another. Overall, the measures indicated that the systems’ usability needed to be improved, especially with regard to the initial setup of 2FA. In conclusion, developers need to focus more attention on making 2FA easier and faster to use, especially since it is often optional for password users, yet makes accounts significantly more secure.
Integrating the SEEV Model with Performance Improvement Methods to Increase Hand Hygiene in the Operating Room
Authors: Kaznica Zach , Bezpalko Orysia , Privette Grayson , Wilson Kimberly , Won James
Published: September 2018

The Main Hospital operating rooms at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia identified a decrease in hand hygiene compliance during the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2017. To address this, a combined approach of Human Factors and process improvement methodologies was used to increase compliance, with a global aim of achieving 100% compliance by the end of FY 2018. The Human Factors and Performance Improvement team relied upon a combined approached of methodologies and tools including: the SEEV model (Saliency, Effort, Expectancy, and Value), in-person observation, spaghetti diagrams, link analyses, and a survey to gain qualitative and quantitative data to drive the improvement work. Targeted interventions increased hand hygiene compliance in two pilot rooms by nearly 23%; following spread to the rest of the operating rooms, overall compliance was measured at 100%.
Design Considerations in Wearable Technology for Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Tran Tiffany , Nathan-Roberts Dan
Published: September 2018

This proceeding examines the unique aspects of wearable sensor technology in the domain of bipolar disorder. Specifically, the proceeding examines the current literature on the use cases, design, data analysis models, and ethics to identify the design implications for the future design of wearable technology for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and, potentially, other affective disorders. As a result, suggestions have been proposed to enhance the human– computer interaction between the user and device, a critical aspect in design as defined by the patients.
Stable Teamwork Marriages in Healthcare: Applying Machine Learning to Surgeon-Nurse-Patient Matching
Authors: Barberis Canonico Lorenzo , McNeese Nathan J. , Shuffler Marissa L.
Published: September 2018

Hospitals are plagued with a multitude of logistical challenges amplified by a time-sensitive and high intensity environment. These conditions have resulted in burnout among both doctors and nurses as they work tirelessly to provide critical care to patients in need. We propose a new machine-learning-powered matching mechanism that manages the surgeon-nurse-patient assignment process in an efficient way that saves time and energy for hospitals, enabling them to focus almost entirely on delivering effective care. Through this design, we show how incorporating artificial intelligence into management systems enables teams of all sizes to meaningfully coordinate in highly chaotic and complex environments.
Exploring the Effects of Extraversion on Social Facilitation and Vigilance Task Performance
Authors: Claypoole Victoria L. , Waldfogle Grace E. , Neigel Alexis R. , Szalma James L.
Published: September 2018

Vigilance, or sustained attention, is the ability to maintain attention for extended periods of time. Recently, research on vigilance has focused on identifying individual differences and task design factors that may improve cognitive-based vigilance performance. One such factor is social facilitation, which leads to improved task performance when at least one individual is present. But, relatively little is known about the personality factors, such as extraversion or introversion, which may influence the effects of social presence, and in turn affect vigilance performance. Given this gap in the literature, the present research seeks to determine how personality, specifically extraversion, is related to vigilance performance in the presence of another individual. A total of 39 observers completed a 24-minute vigilance task either alone, in the mere presence of another person, or in the evaluative presence of another person (i.e., an individual monitoring their performance). The results indicated that extraversion was negatively correlated to the proportion of correct detections and sensitivity ( A’).
The Effects of Handedness and Dominance on Motor Task Performance
Authors: Mouloua Salim A. , Mouloua Mustapha , McConnell Daniel S. , Hancock P. A.
Published: September 2018

Two studies were carried out to examine the effects of user handedness and hand dominance on a motor task using Fitts’ law. Study one was designed to validate our previous findings showing differences between left- and right-handed participants who completed a mouse-pointing task using Fitts’ law. Results showed that right-handed participants were significantly faster than their left-handed peers, thereby validating our previous findings. Study two examined the effect of handedness and hand dominance on motor task performance by requiring two groups of left- and right-handed participants perform the motor task using both their dominant and non-dominant hands. Results showed a significant interaction between handedness and hand dominance on task performance. Right-handed participants were again significantly faster than their left-handed peers when both groups were using their dominant hand. However, left-handed participants were significantly faster than their right-handed peers when both groups were using their non-dominant hand. These findings might be attributed to prior training with computer mice designs that do not account for user handedness. Both theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future studies are also discussed.
Torso Segment Parameter Prediction in Working Adults
Authors: Merrill Zachary , Perera Subashan , Cham Rakié
Published: September 2018

Body segment parameters (BSPs) such as segment mass, center of mass, and radius of gyration are used as inputs in static and dynamic ergonomic and biomechanical models used to predict joint and muscle forces, and related risks of musculoskeletal injury. Because these models are sensitive to BSP values, accurate and representative parameters are necessary for injury risk prediction. While previous studies have determined segment parameters in the general population, as well as the impact of age and obesity levels on these parameters, estimated errors in the prediction of BSPs can be as large as 40% (Durkin, 2003). Thus, more precise values are required for attempting to predict injury risk in individuals. This study aims to provide statistical models for predicting torso segment parameters in working adults using whole body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan data along with a set of anthropometric measurements. The statistical models were developed on a training subset of the study population, and validated on a testing subset. When comparing the model predictions to the actual BSPs of the testing subset, the predictions were, on average, within 5% of the calculated parameters, while previously developed predictions (de Leva, 1996) had average errors of up to 30%, indicating that the new statistical models greatly increase the accuracy in predicting BSPs.
A Preliminary Assessment of the Robustness of Signal Detection Theory Estimates Using Monte Carlo Simulations for Human Factors Professionals
Authors: Neilson Brittany , Paniukov Dmitrii , Klein Martina I.
Published: September 2018

Signal detection theory is commonly utilized in the field of human factors. Despite its common use, the assessment of the signal detection theory assumptions is not often cited. The purpose of this research was to provide a preliminary assessment of the impact of assumption violations on estimates of sensitivity commonly used in signal detection theory research. This assessment was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. Our research indicated that violating the homogeneity of variance assumption resulted in estimates of sensitivity varying with changes in the response criterion. However, an unequal number of signal and noise trials, which is common in vigilance research, did not impact the estimates of sensitivity. Based upon our findings, caution should be taken with regard to violations of homogeneity of variance. Future research aims to determine the impact of multiple assumption violations on estimates of sensitivity.
Ranking Importance of Exoskeleton Design Aspects
Authors: Schnieders Thomas M. , Richard T.
Published: September 2018

The objective of this research project was to determine what a conglomerate of professionals consider as the most important metrics to consider when designing an exoskeleton for training. Over 400 researchers, engineers, and scientists were polled in a ranked order survey covering more than 50 different aspects in engineering design. These aspects were identified from a cogent literature review for consideration. While there are a slew of papers covering the results of exoskeleton designs as posture support mechanisms, rehabilitation mechanisms, tools to assist or replace body functions, and human performance augmentation, few cover what aspects were considered in the engineering design phase.
Design of a Wearable Stress Monitoring Tool for Intensive Care Unit Nursing: Functional Information Requirements Analysis
Authors: Sadeghi Mahnoosh , Khanade Kunal , Sasangohar Farzan , Sutherland Steven C.
Published: September 2018

Nurses are the last line of defense to reduce preventable medical errors; however, they suffer from poor systems design and human factors issues (e.g., long shifts, dynamic workload, stressful situations, and fatigue), contributing to a reduced quality of care. A smart nursing system based on physiological monitoring is being designed to help nurses and their managers to efficiently communicate, reduce interruptions that affect critical task performance, and monitor acute stress and fatigue levels. This paper documents the systematic process of deriving information requirements through a group-participatory usability study, conducted with nurses working in various Southeastern Texas hospitals. Information requirements derived from these studies include: a need for accessing patients’ vital signs as well as laboratory results, memory aid tools for various critical nursing tasks, and options to call for help and to reduce interruptions for critical tasks. The system shows promise to meet these requirements.
Ergonomic Evaluation of a Driverless Pod Design
Authors: Wasser Joscha , Diels Cyriel , Baxendale Anthony , Tovey Michael
Published: September 2018

A driverless last mile mobility vehicle design, developed based on a theoretical comfort model and user feedback from focus groups, was evaluated with the aid of an ergonomic buck. The evaluation focused on the physical interaction with the interior, analysis of movements within the vehicle cabin, overall cabin dimensions and usability. The trial also demonstrated that a wheelchair user can access the vehicle whilst three seated passengers are present and will have sufficient space in the interior.
Examining the Effect of Social Influence on Young Drivers’ Behavior
Authors: Zhang Fangda , Mehrotra Shashank , Roberts Shannon C.
Published: September 2018

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20-year olds. Young/novice drivers have long been thought to be vulnerable to the impact of peer passengers, and thus have a higher crash risk. It has been proven that perceived risky behavior of close friends was the best psychosocial predictor of risk. Additionally, young drivers (18-20 years) have the highest involvement in distraction-related crashes. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of social influence and driver distraction on young drivers’ behavior. Twenty-four pairs of participants took part in the study. Participants drove in pairs and by themselves while completing four distraction tasks. Results showed that the presence of a passenger did not show statistical significance related to drivers’ behavior. However, other social influence factors did significantly impact drivers’ behavior, including stimulating companionship, type of friendship, and their interactions.
Effects of Searching for Street Parking on Driver Behaviour and Physiology: Results From an On-Road Instrumented Vehicle Study
Authors: Ponnambalam Canmanie Teresa , Cheng Ryan , Donmez Birsen
Published: September 2018

Studies regarding street parking have identified safety concerns due to the presence of parked cars, reduced road width, increased and erratic traffic flow, and reduced line of sight. However, few parking-related studies have focused on drivers searching for parking, an often-necessary task that may be considered stressful. An on-road instrumented vehicle study was conducted in an urban environment to assess the effects of searching for parking on driver behaviour and physiology. Twenty-eight participants drove two routes: one with a parking-search task and the other without (baseline condition). When searching for parking, drivers had a significant reduction in their speed, drove closer to the curb and indicated a higher self-reported workload. In addition, there were results approaching significance of increased heart rate and decreased variation in lane position. Further research is needed to determine the potential safety implications of these effects caused by searching for street parking.
When visual search target is rare: overweighting or under weighting the probability?
Authors: Zhang Hanshu , Houpt Joseph W.
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of items in visual search may have substantial performance consequences. In laboratory visual search tasks in which the target is rare, viewers are likely to miss the target. A dual-threshold model proposed by Wolfe and Van Wert (2010) assumes that in the low prevalence condition, viewers shift their criteria resulting in more miss errors. However, from the prospective of prospect theory (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979), decision makers tend to overweight small probability. To explore how viewers subjectively weight the probability in the low prevalence visual search task, we compared viewers’ criteria with the optimal criteria by presenting different probability descriptions for a fixed prevalence rate. The data from this experiment indicated that target presence had an effect on viewers’ accuracy and response times but not probability descriptions. Viewers’ criteria under different probability descriptions were higher than optimal. These results are in accordance with the dual-threshold model assumption that viewers respond “target absent” more frequently than optimal, leading to more miss errors in the low prevalence condition.
Timing and Physiological Arousal: Implications for Human Performance
Authors: Scholcover Federico , Cauffman Stephen J. , Gillan Douglas J.
Published: September 2018

The estimation of time intervals is crucial in the performance of any motoric task, such as hitting a baseball. The timing of the swing is arguably the most important part of the swing, but what if physiological arousal, due to the stress, of the moment alters the batter’s ability to estimate that short interval between the pitch and the swing? There have been a number of models developed to explain how the batter will perform the task, going as far back as the Yerkes-Dodson Law (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908). The purpose of this study is to investigate how physiological arousal will affect an individual’s ability to estimate time intervals and the points where they will over and underestimate time. Participants were placed into a high physiological arousal group, by performing jumping jacks, a resting group (no jumping jacks). Participants were asked to perform a duration reproduction task, performing, or not performing, jumping jacks between each block. The results showed that the elevated physiological arousal in the jumping jack condition resulted in greater overestimation of the durations. These findings have implications for understanding failures in human performance during time sensitive scenarios and provide a basis for developing biofeedback training to help reduce these errors in duration estimation because of elevated physiological arousal.
Trust Strategies in Consumer Multiple-Component Systems
Authors: Lopez Jeremy , Pak Richard
Published: September 2018

Trust is a critical factor in successful and productive human-automation interactions. Human trust in machines is sensitive to machine performance. When automation malfunctions, trust is negatively affected. The development of increasingly complex multiple-component systems, or those with several autonomous elements, introduces even more ways for a system to err. One example is in smart home control systems where different subsystems may be controlled by different autonomous routines or rules. Multiple studies suggest that one error-prone component can lower user trust in the remaining components. This has been termed a “pull down effect.” Other research suggests that increasing the amount of information presented to the user can reduce the strength of the pull down effect by promoting heterogeneity of components. Although a majority of this research has been tested in the industrial domain, there exist certain types of information that are best suited for consumer automation (e.g., granting the automation a name and a voice). Providing this kind of information to the user may diminish the strength of the pull down effect. Thus, the current study will investigate the effectiveness of trust-preserving heterogeneity strategies in consumer multiple-component systems.
Trust in Branded Autonomous Vehicles & Performance Expectations: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Celmer Natalie , Branaghan Russell , Chiou Erin
Published: September 2018

Future autonomous vehicle systems will be diverse in design and functionality because they will be produced by different brands. It is possible these brand differences yield different levels of trust in the automation, therefore different expectations for vehicle performance. Perceptions of system safety, trustworthiness, and performance are important because they help users determine how reliant they can be on the system. Based on a review of the literature, the system’s perceived intent, competence, method, and history could be differentiating factors. Importantly, these perceptions are based on both the automated technology and the brand’s personality. The following theoretical framework reflects a Human Systems Engineering approach to consider how brand differences impact perceived trustworthiness, performance expectations and ultimate safety of autonomous vehicles.
Relatedness in gaming: How in-game touch influences player connection
Authors: Lew Victoria , Smith Joshua , Reuss Nicholas , Zhang Xiyu , Gulliuzo Jacob , Frederick Christina
Published: September 2018

As the number of individuals becoming gamers continues to increase, using video games as a medium to understand the social interactions and underlying motivations of players becomes ever so important. Interpersonal relationships, which develop from the social interactions that occur during gameplay have been found to contribute to player motivation and relatedness within the game (Rigby & Ryan, 2011). In the current study we examined how interpersonal touch, more specifically positive or negative touch conditions within a gameplay experience, impacted player motivation and inter-player impressions in 74 undergraduate students. In addition, observational data was collected measuring the quality of interaction between the participant in the study and a research confederate with whom they were playing an online game. Quantitative results indicate significant differences between the positive touch conditions perceived competence, effort/importance, and relatedness when compared to the control touch and negative touch conditions. Qualitative results also reveal that participants who were in the positive touch and negative touch conditions had more reactions not only cognitively (i.e. in game response) but emotionally (i.e. out of game response like laughing) than the control condition. Touch is only one aspect of behaviors that can help to foster a sense of connection between players. These results begin to highlight the effect of virtual touch on relatedness and motivation. More research is needed to help determine the exact levels of virtual touch, as well as the different types of virtual touch needed to elicit a change in the participant’s motivation and relatedness, with hopes that game developers may take virtual touch into account when creating a game.
Revisiting Trust in Machines: Examining Human–Machine Trust Using a Reprogrammed Pasteurizer Task
Authors: Lee Jieun , Yamani Yusuke , Itoh Makoto
Published: September 2018

Automated technologies have brought a number of benefits to professional domains, expanding the area in which humans can perform optimally in complex work environments. Human–automation trust has become an important aspect when designing acceptable automated systems considering general users who have no comprehensive knowledge of the systems. Muir and Moray (1996) proposed a model of human–machine trust incorporating predictability, dependability, and faith as predictors of overall trust in machines. Though Muir and Moray (1996) predicted that trust in machines grows from predictability, then dependability, and finally faith, their results suggested the opposite. This study will reexamine their theoretical framework and test which of the three dimensions governs initial trust in automation. Participants will be trained to operate a simulated pasteurization plant, as in Muir and Moray (1996), and they will be asked to maximize system performance in the pasteurizing task. We hypothesized that faith governs overall trust early in the interaction with the automated system, then dependability, and finally predictability as lay automation users become more familiar with the system. We attempt to replicate the results of Muir and Moray (1996) and argue that their model should be revised for trust development for general automation users.
Challenges Contributing to the General Aviation Weather Problem & Decision Support Systems Technology Recommendations
Authors: King Jayde , Ortiz Yolanda , Blickensderfer Beth , Christy Emalee
Published: September 2018

General Aviation (GA) weather related accidents have steadily remained the most fatal accidents and incidents in the GA flight community. The majority of these accidents involve low-experienced Visual Flight Rule (VFR) pilots, inadvertently encountering Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Previous research indicates, poor inflight weather avoidance could stem from insufficient preflight weather planning. Further investigation reveals, pilots’ face many challenges during the preflight planning process, including: poor weather product interpretation/ usability, decision making biases and errors, and inadequate aviation weather experience. However, with new technology on the rise, a preflight decision support tool may help guide novice pilots through the preflight process successfully. This paper will discuss the challenges novice pilots encounter during the preflight process and offer recommendations for applying a preflight decision support tool as a solution.
Consumer perceptions, understanding, and expectations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and vehicle automation
Authors: Hoyos Christian , Lester Benjamin D. , Crump Caroline , Cades David M. , Young Douglas
Published: September 2018

Consumers are faced with an increasingly complex decision process as novel safety technologies become commonplace in new vehicles. Consumers’ knowledge of these systems is potentially limited given the recent introduction and constant evolution of ADAS. We examined consumers’ understanding and perceptions of ADAS and vehicle automation in a national survey. Our analysis focused on consumers’ understanding of how certain driving tasks that can be automated (e.g., steering, braking, navigation, etc.) maps onto proposed levels of vehicle automation. Additionally, we report what sources of information and methods of education consumers prefer to utilize when learning about new safety systems. These data can inform new driver training, public policy and transportation goals of how best to educate the motoring public about new vehicle technologies and the capabilities of next-generation automated vehicles as well as facilitate public acceptance of higher levels of vehicle automation.
The Influence of Sign Variations on Drivers’ Comprehension
Authors: Ben-Bassat Tamar , Shinar David
Published: September 2018

Road Sign comprehension studies typically focus on differences among signs, demonstrating large variability in comprehension among different signs. Differences in features of sign design can be grouped into their shape, background color, and the symbol/icon in their center. This study demonstrated that specific sign messages can be presented with different sign features without detrimental effects on either comprehension level or response time. In particular, the choice of background color (yellow or white) appears to be inconsequential for comprehension. It seems that some sign characteristics are not critical to comprehension and consequently licensed drivers may even incorrectly identify a non-local sign as the standard sign that they actually encounter on the roads. However, other sign features – especially those relating to the icon/symbol - can be critical to comprehension when they violate the icon-concept compatibility, as it is represented in drivers' long-term memory.
Driver Responses to Augmented Reality Warnings and Alternatives at Urban Signalized Intersections
Authors: Liu Ke , Green Paul
Published: September 2018

This study examined an augmented reality warning system that highlighted threats with a yellow arrow pointing towards the potential threat and a red bar below it. Sixteen drivers drove a fixed base driving simulator in a world with 61 intersections, 10 of which contained threats. Threats could appear from any direction, and go straight or turn. Each subject completed 3 test blocks of those intersections in a different random order – no warning, a warning tone, or a warning tone accompanied by the augmented reality warning. Warnings led to significantly fewer crashes (14 for augmented reality, 24 for warning tone, 30 for no warning). When compared to no warnings, augmented reality warnings also led to shorter response times (23%/35% less, depending upon how RT was measured), greater maximum brake pressures (42%) and greater maximum decelerations (18%). These results indicate that augmented reality warnings can be beneficial to drivers.
Feedback Design Considerations for Intelligent Team Tutoring Systems
Authors: Walton Jamiahus , Ostrander Alec , Ouverson Kaitlyn , Gilbert Stephen B. , Dorneich Michael , Winer Eliot , Sinatra Anne
Published: September 2018

Challenges arise when developing a computer-based Intelligent Team Tutoring System (ITTS) that attempts to deliver feedback to teams as effectively as a human tutor. The purpose of this current work is to outline elements of feedback that should be considered when designing feedback for an ITTS. The authors present the results of a study that consisted of 32 participants grouped into 16 teams of two. Each team conducted a surveillance task where they received individual or team feedback. Feedback content was written using either the bald (direct feedback; no need for interpretation) or off-record (general feedback; interpretation needed) etiquette strategy. The results showed that feedback delivered using the bald etiquette strategy positively correlated with improved performance. The results also showed that team level feedback positively correlated with more accurate self-assessment among participants. This suggests that in an ITTS, direct feedback can lead to better performance, and that feedback provided at the team level can help to align self-interpretation of performance with actual task performance.
Exploring the Potential of Full Body and Hand Gesture Teleoperation of Robots Inside Heterogeneous Human-Robot Teams
Authors: Koh Seng Lee , Pfeil Kevin , LaViola Joseph J.
Published: September 2018

We present a within-subjects user study to compare robot teleoperation schemes based on traditional PC and game console input hardware, to a 3D spatial interaction interface. The goal of the study is to explore whether 3D spatial gestures can be an effective teleoperation scheme for multiple robot configurations in a heterogeneous Human-Robot Team (HRT). Our research explores the user’s performance and disposition towards each teleoperation scheme so as to study their preferences regarding the efficacy of gesture-based teleoperation. Our results indicate that despite little training and lack of exposure on using 3D spatial interaction schemes to control robots, users are able to complete a complex task with the robot team with no statistically significant difference in quantitative performance. Qualitative statistics are analyzed and a discussion of user preferences is provided.
Artificial Swarm Intelligence Technology Enables Better Subjective Rating Judgment in Pilots Compared to Traditional Data Collection Methods
Authors: Befort Kendra , Baltaxe David , Proffitt Camila , Durbin David
Published: September 2018

Ratings provided by Pilots on workload scales and usability surveys can be biased by subjective differences in perception, experience, skill, emotional state, motivation, and estimation of risk/cost that may be associated with performing a task. Personality dynamics can further compound polarization of issues during pilot debriefings. What if these unwanted effects could be filtered out of pilot data collection and we could cost-effectively access a higher-order, collective ‘pilot brain’ made up of a combined pilot intellect, intuition, and experience to provide more accurate insight into workload and usability? Swarm AI technology was used in a high fidelity pilot simulation event and compared against a traditional methodology for collecting workload and usability survey data. Pilot and Subject Matter Expert workload and usability survey ratings were collected during the event and compared to a post-event pilot swarm. The results of the study showed pilots engaging in collective intelligence were found to be more effective at rating workload, and also more aligned with Subject Matter Expert workload ratings. This initial workload testing suggests that Swarm AI technology and techniques have great potential for usability research by activating the collective intelligence of groups, which can exceed that of the individual performing alone. The usability survey sample was limited, therefore further study is recommended to validate the generalizability of this technology to Likert Scale data.
Exploring Higher Agency Roles for Learning with Educational Technology and Multimedia
Authors: Roscoe Rod D. , Novak Kyrsten , King Amanda , Patchan Melissa M.
Published: September 2018

Educational technologies with multimedia content can support effective learning, but these outcomes are moderated by learners’ level of cognitive engagement or self-regulation. As a way to encourage deeper cognitive engagement without redesigning or redeveloping software (e.g., building more prompts, scaffolds, or automated support), this study investigates changing the role of the student user. Specifically, this research considers how instituting a “designer” or “teacher” role may inspire better engagement and learning than the default “learner” role. We present the theoretical background, design, and results of an exploratory study of this hypothesis with college students learning about cohesion in writing.
Effects of Prolonged Use of Mixed Reality Systems in Occupational Settings Discussion Panel
Authors: Garrett Gregory A. , Reid Christopher R. , Jenkins Michael , Talbot Thomas , Doherty Shawn
Published: September 2018

Augmented or mixed reality devices overlay computer-generated sensory information that alters one’s current view of the real world. Gaming, military, and instructional applications are fairly prevalent, however, industrial applications are still in their infancy despite this dramatic increase in commercial products. Being a novel application to industry, designers of these systems have focused on function; but have only given a cursory look towards user population safety, ergonomic risk hazards, and long-term exposure concerns. How should designers design for human safety use concerns while maintaining system function? Besides form and function what, if any, safety considerations should public consumers and industries contemplate before buying commercial ready off-the-shelf systems? Ultimately, how do we use ergonomics assessments to better design, assess, and demonstrate business case use of mixed reality devices to benefit labor-intensive occupational tasks? The session will start with initial lectures and introductions from the panel, followed by an encouraged panel discussion with the audience led by the moderators.

Moderators: Gregory Garrett, chair & Christopher Reid, co-chair
Exercise Guidelines for Gait Function in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ni Meng , Hazzard Joseph B. , Signorile Joseph F. , Luca Corneliu
Published: September 2018

This systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide comprehensive evidence-based exercise recommendations targeting walking function for adults with Parkinson’s disease. Methods. Fixed- or random-effect meta-analyses estimated standardized effect sizes (Hedge’s g), comparing treatment effects from exercise with nonexercise and another form of exercise (non-EXE control and EXE control). Cuing and exercise duration were used as moderators for subanalyses. Results. The 40 included randomized controlled trials comprised 1656 patients. The exercise group showed significantly superior performance in timed up-and-go ( g = −0.458; g = −0.390) compared with non-EXE control and EXE control; significantly greater improvement in comfortable walking speed ( g = 0.449), fast walking speed ( g = 0.430), and stride or step length ( g = 0.379) compared with non-EXE control; and significantly greater cadence ( g = 0.282) compared with EXE controls. No significant differences between intervention and control groups were observed for double-leg support time (DLST), dynamic gait index (DGI), 6-minute walk test, or freezing of gait questionnaire (FOG-Q). Notably, treatment effect from the exercise of interest compared with a standard exercise was greater than for nonexercise for cadence and FOG-Q. Moreover, EXE control was favored for DLST and DGI. Cuing had a significantly positive effect on stride length alone. Exercise duration significantly, but negatively, influenced the treatment effect on comfortable walking speed. Conclusion. Gait-specific training, rather than a general exercise program, should be emphasized if gait is the outcome of interest. Further investigation is needed on exercise dosage and its selective effect on more challenging walking tasks, endurance, and freezing of gait.
Photoplethysmography based psychological stress detection with pulse rate variability feature differences and elastic net
Authors: Li Fenghua , Xu Peida , Zheng Shichun , Chen Wenfeng , Yan Yang , Lu Suo , Liu Zhengkui
Published: September 2018

Detecting psychological stress in daily life is useful to stress management. However, existing stress-detection models with only heartbeat/pulse input are limited in prediction output granularity, and models with multiple prediction levels output usually require additional bio-signal other than heartbeat, which may increase the number of sensors and be wearable unfriendly. In this study, we took a novel approach of incremental pulse rate variability and elastic-net regression in predicting mental stress. Mental arithmetic task paradigm was used during the experiments. A total of 178 participants involved in the model building, and the model was verified with a group of 29 participants in the laboratory and 40 participants in a 14-day follow-up field test. The result showed significant median correlations between self-report and model-prediction stress levels (cross-validation: r = 0.72 (p < 0.0001), laboratory verification: r = 0.70 (p < 0.0001), field test r = 0.56 (p < 0.0001)) with fine granularity ratings of 0–7 float numbers. The correct prediction took 86%–91% of the testing samples with error standard deviation of 0.68–0.81 in the label space of 14. By simplifying the process of prediction with a perspective of stress difference and handling the collinearity among pulse rate variability features with elastic net, we successfully built a stress prediction model with only pulse rate variability input source, fine granularity output and portable friendly sensor.
Risk of Energy Drink Consumption to Adolescent Health
Authors: Ruiz Lyndsey D. , Scherr Rachel E.
Published: September 2018

Energy drinks are beverages marketed to quickly increase alertness and performance of the consumer that typically contain relatively high quantities of caffeine, simple carbohydrates, and a mixture of additional ingredients. The carbohydrate sources, usually glucose and sucrose, found in the beverages supply the substrates needed for physiological energy, while the high caffeine content supplies the perceived energy through enhancing feelings of alertness during fatigued states. Although mean youth caffeine consumption as a whole has decreased over the past 2 decades, adolescent energy drink consumption has significantly increased in the past 10 years. High energy drink consumption of youth is concerning due to the range of reported adverse reactions attributed to excessive caffeine consumption, ranging from mild sleep disturbances to death. Reactions are severe enough to require reporting to the National Poison Data System and may even require emergency medical treatment. Studies have also shown that adolescents who consume energy drinks are likely to also use tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. There is substantial evidence to suggest that the risk energy drinks pose to health are incredibly hazardous and should not be consumed by children and adolescents.
The macro-fibre composite–bonded effect analysis on the micro-energy harvester performance and structural health–monitoring system of woven kenaf turbine blade for vertical axis wind turbine application
Authors: Hamdan A , Mustapha F , Sultan MTH
Published: September 2018

The application of vertical axis wind turbine is suitable in a low wind speed environment. Nevertheless, vertical axis wind turbine with kenaf turbine blade will promote an additional green concept by utilising biocomposite materials. The innovation in turbine blade via macro-fibre composite as structural health–monitoring system and micro-energy harvester can enhance the vertical axis wind turbine technology application. Hence, this research’s objective is to evaluate the factors influencing the performance of micro-energy harvester and to assess the feasibility of structural health–monitoring application in biocomposite turbine blade. There are two methods to attach the macro-fibre composite used in this study, which are surface bonded and embedding into the turbine blade. Vibration simulation experiment and modal testing approach are conducted on the kenaf turbine blade, and further analysis was performed via the Taguchi statistical analysis to determine the factors affecting the micro-energy harvester and structural health–monitoring performance. The results show that by bonded to the surface as proposed is the best technique in promoting higher micro-energy harvesting at the vibration range of 10–90 Hz. Furthermore, the structural health–monitoring system was proved to operate simultaneously with the micro-energy harvesting system in turbine blades.
Sacralizing leadership: The role of the sacred in enabling organizational sensemaking, cohesion, and identity
Authors: Worley David J.
Published: September 2018

This article provides a sociological description and application of the sacred for use in the study of leadership. It provides a definition and theory of the sacred, derived from the field of sociology, appropriate for the secularized study of leadership and organizational culture. The sacred is understood as a naturalistic (instead of supernaturalistic) phenomenon which pertains to an individual’s felt experience of connection to the larger collective whole. This article shows how the sacred upholds organizational sensemaking, cohesion, and identity, while also being essential for the social construction of the concept of leadership itself. The sacred provides individuals with a collectively constructed interpretive framework which results in a deeply held respect and confidence in the organization. One outcome of this system is that the organization’s leadership configuration seems morally justified and the organization’s narratives are legitimated. The sacred system is also a mechanism which enables individuals to interpret organizational symbols in alignment with other people in their organization. As both a theoretical and practical contribution to the fields of leadership, management, and organizational studies, the article provides insight into how a sociological theory of the sacred might assist scholars and practitioners in creating new counter-normative systems of leadership. It also outlines possibilities for further study with particular attention toward ritual and performance studies.
Perceived importance of the fun integration theory’s factors and determinants: A comparison among players, parents, and coaches
Authors: Visek Amanda J , Mannix Heather , Chandran Avinash , Cleary Sean D , McDonnell Karen , DiPietro Loretta
Published: September 2018

Conceptualized by youth soccer players, parents, and coaches, the fun integration theory’s FUN MAPS identify 11 fun-factors and 81 fun-determinants. The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of those data to explore the extent to which the parents (responsible for supporting) and the coaches (tasked with delivering soccer programs) perceived importance of the factors and determinants were congruent with the players’ self-reported importance. We produced pattern-match displays and go-zone displays, which are innovative, visual representations of group comparisons that are unique to concept-mapping methods, to determine the overall consensus between the groups, in addition to identifying exact points of agreement and disagreement. Results indicated congruence between parents and players was extraordinarily high ( r = 0.89–0.93) and significantly more congruent than coaches and players ( r = 0.75–0.84). Results also indicated consensus was significantly lower among adolescent players and coaches ( r = 0.66–0.71) compared to younger players and coaches ( r = 0.77–0.90). Disparities in the perceived importance of specific fun-factors and fun-determinants between groups are discussed. In addition, transformative learning theory is introduced as an immersive approach to developing fun schemas consistent with the youth athletes' fun ethos that will enable coaches to be athlete-centric when creating fun, positive sport experiences for youth.