bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mission Completion Time is Sensitive to Teleoperation Performance during Simulated Reconnaissance Missions with a Micro-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Billings Deborah R. , Durlach Paula J.
Published: January 2012

In prior research, we found that temporal measures were affected by input device (game controller vs. mouse); however, other measures were not (e.g., number of targets detected, or number of collisions). The main purpose of the present research was to investigate the sensitivity of a temporal performance measure for simulated reconnaissance missions. Instead of measuring number of targets photographed in a fixed amount of time, this study measured time to photograph a set number of targets. Twenty participants went through simulation-based micro-unmanned aerial vehicle operator training, including three skill courses and two reconnaissance missions. Half the participants used a mouse as their input device, whereas the rest used a game controller. Mission completion time was found to be faster when participants used the game controller than when they used the mouse, for both skill missions and reconnaissance missions. Effective simulation-based training for micro-unmanned vehicles operators requires both relevant simulated missions and objective performance feedback and mastery criteria. These results suggest that mission completion time could provide a good performance measure for this purpose.
From the Lab to the Field: Observations from Unmanned System Field Research and Comparisons to Laboratory Counterparts
Authors: Ososky Scott , Evans A. William , Jentsch Florian
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the intricacies of applied robotics research, both in the laboratory and in the field. Described within will be some of the differences between lab and field studies that researchers must diligently work to reduce. Areas discussed include differences in technological capabilities, team composition, and system reliability. Rather than report the results of a single study, the purpose of this paper is to bring the Human Robot Interaction (HRI) research community closer as a whole. It also serves to emphasize the real-life implications of applied laboratory efforts, as opposed to fixating on the statistics alone. Specific ‘lessons learned’ with respect to successful, and not-so successful, strategies for conducting lab-based HRI research are also included. Finally, a testing facility for the continued congruence between lab and field HRI research is proposed.
Useful Field of View of Aging Drivers as a Product Design Tool for In-Vehicle Visual Aids
Authors: Meza Manuel , Patterson Patrick , Nakayasu Hidetoshi
Published: January 2012

Technology has provided drivers with in-vehicle information systems (INVIS) that can make driving more pleasurable but at the same time more complex in sharing visual attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the useful field of view (UFOV) as a tool for developing driver visual attention and visual processing aids by automobile and INVIS designers. We expressed UFOV as a function of saccadic amplitude between fixation points and durations and evaluated it across different driving scenarios and age groups. Our results suggest that UFOV radius depends on driving scenario, time of event, and age, with two-factor and three-factor interactions among these variables. Based on these results suggestions are made that will aid designers in developing better in-vehicle information systems – scenario information that may otherwise be missed by older drivers.
Inclusive Indoor Play: Children at Play
Authors: Endicott Sarah , Kar Gourab , Mullick Abir
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to learn from children about important aspects of play. Researchers observed how children with and without disabilities interacted with a variety of playthings in a full-scale play environment. Five play aspects were identified and analyzed. Results suggest there is a correlation between independence in play, level of assistance needed, and effort required to play. Children's observations regarding the level of difficulty and fun playing with different playthings were used to determine plaything components that contribute to inclusive indoor play.
One-Handed Pull Strength Capacity for the Male Population
Authors: Lin Jia-Hua , McGorry Raymond W. , Maynard Wayne
Published: January 2012

Bilateral manual materials handling tasks, such as lifting, pushing, and pulling, have been well studied in their physiological, biomechanical, psychophysical, and epidemiological aspects. Although this form of exertion is common in many industries and tasks, the basic capacity of one-handed pulling tasks is not well known. A strength test protocol was administered to collect isometric one-handed pulling strength at four handle heights and three pulling directions. Twenty-six male participants in five age groups showed that pulling from the side of the body resulted in the greatest strength. As the handle height increased from 61 cm above the floor to above the shoulder, the pulling strength decreased. This dataset lends occupational safety and ergonomics professionals the knowledge of the strength capacity of a population similar to our study sample.
Usage Factors Affecting Backpack Use and Pain Reports in Adolescent Students
Authors: Nemire Kenneth
Published: January 2012

Most children and teens carry backpacks that weigh more than 10% or 15% of their body weight, putting their safety and health at risk. The present study was conducted to examine backpack usage factors that may influence the risk of carrying a heavy backpack: effects of carrying school bags on one shoulder or two, and relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and reports of pain resulting from carrying heavy school bags. In addition, usage of shoulder bags was examined. 223 male and female students, aged 12–17, from a combined junior high and high school participated. Results showed that carrying a backpack on both shoulders resulted in fewer reports of pain and discomfort only when the backpack exceeded 15% body weight; younger students carried proportionately heavier backpacks than older students and reported more pain as a result of carrying a heavy backpack; and carrying shoulder bags resulted in more reports of pain, even though they did not exceed 15% of body weight. While students with low BMI reported less pain from carrying a backpack than students with high BMI, the difference was not statistically different. Results are discussed in terms of potential interventions and future research directions.
The Use of Hazard and Precautionary Symbols on GHS Safety Data Sheets
Authors: Boelhouwer Eric J. , Piper Adam K. , Davis Jerry
Published: January 2012

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) has not been adopted by OSHA, but it has the potential to impact the format of every safety data sheet (SDS) used in commerce today. This preliminary investigation attempts to investigate the impact of the use of hazard and precautionary symbols on SDS. Participants were able to refer to a SDS, either with or without hazard and precautionary symbols depending on the trial, to assist them in completing an on-line questionnaire. The presence of the precautionary symbols was significant for one pair of SDS, but there were no significant differences found between questionnaire scores for SDS with hazard symbols and SDS with no symbols or the other pair of SDS with precautionary symbols. The participants correctly responded to an average of 72% of the material on the survey. Participants self-reported they referred to the SDS 66% of the time to respond to seven yes/no questions.
The Predictive Performance Optimizer: An Adaptive Analysis Cognitive Tool for Performance Prediction
Authors: Jastrzembski Tiffany S. , Gluck Kevin A. , Rodgers Stuart
Published: January 2012

The overarching goal of our research is to translate basic cognitive science into an applied, state-of-the-art cognitive tool. We have developed the Predictive Performance Optimizer (PPO) to provide teachers, trainers, and learners of all types with a new generation of adaptive training assistance, which seeks to capture and dynamically assess performance effectiveness, accurately predict future performance, and prescribe the scheduling of training events to enhance learning stability and maximize retention. This software tool functions according to an underlying mathematical model we have proposed (Jastrzembski, Gluck, & Gunzelmann, 2006), matured, and made more robust through careful validation across a variety of domains and contexts – scaling from laboratory experimental data available from the psychological literature to increasingly complex and militarily relevant team and pilot data measured from the F-16 simulator research in Mesa's Distributed Missions Operations testbed (Schreiber & Bennett, 2006). The predictive model captures learning signatures and mathematical regularities from the human memory system through calibration of learning and decay parameters using historical performance data, and then extrapolates those unique learning signatures to make predictions of performance at later dates in time, and across future potential regimen pathways. Of critical importance, the model explicitly accounts for the effects of temporal distribution of training on learning – a well-documented phenomenon known as the spacing effect – which reveals that given two training regimens of equal length and equal amounts of training opportunities, learning is more stable when practice events are spaced further apart in time. Incorporation of this effect allows PPO to generate precise, quantitative measures of retention stability as a function of how training events are spaced. Additional PPO capabilities allow users to immediately and dynamically assess how well projected regimens will meet performance effectiveness goals, stay within projected training budgets, and allow for maximum learning stability at distant points in time.
A Demonstration of a Dry/No Preparation Electrode System for EEG
Authors: Christensen James C. , Estepp Justin R. , Wilson Glenn F. , Davis Iris M.
Published: January 2012

Psychophysiological assessment using electroencephalography (EEG) has previously been demonstrated to be an effective method for objectively assessing a variety of human factors-relevant states, such as mental workload and fatigue, as well as providing a mechanism for brain-computer interfaces. Wider adoption of EEG methods has been hampered by the extensive preparation and care that must be taken in order to ensure good signal quality. This demonstration will exhibit a new EEG system that is capable of recording data with no preparation, can be worn for long periods of time, and is reasonably robust in mobile environments. While still in development, this system has the potential to enable objective assessment of cognitive state in a wide variety of human factors applications.
SANLab-CM – The Stochastic Activity Network Laboratory for Cognitive Modeling
Authors: Patton Evan W. , Gray Wayne D. , Schoelles Michael J.
Published: January 2012

SANLab-CM is an activity network tool for the stochastic modeling of routine interactive behavior. Within the cognitive engineering community the best-known examples of activity networking modeling are the CPM-GOMS models of Project Ernestine (Gray, John, & Atwood, 1993). Project Ernestine showed that modeling the parallel use of cognitive, perceptual, and motor resources within an activity network formalism produces reliable and accurate predictions of expert performance times across alternative designs for the same task. SANLab-CM provides time predictions, but its essence is the prediction of procedural variability amidst strategic constancy: when expert human performers follow the same task strategy from trial to trial variability in the processing time of cognitive, perceptual, and motor resources is such as to produce different critical paths of performance and significantly different execution times. The stochastic component of SANLab-CM goes beyond current techniques to create a new means of assessing alternative designs based on the procedural variability expected in expert performance.
Supporting Anesthetic Monitoring through Tactile Display of Physiological Parameters
Authors: Ferris Thomas , Sarter Nadine
Published: January 2012

Breakdowns in anesthetic monitoring are a frequent contributor to critical incidents in the Operating Room (OR). They can be attributed to a lack of effective attention guidance when traditional visual and auditory display methods are used to present patient physiological data. The current experiment therefore examines the effectiveness of tactile displays to better support anesthetic monitoring. Participants played the role of anesthesiologist in a desktop simulation of an OR environment. They were responsible for completing a visually-demanding intubation task while concurrently monitoring and managing a set of physiological parameters which were displayed using traditional methods. Three tactile display designs redundantly communicated the state and dynamics of one critical physiological parameter, blood pressure. Initial results show improved performance on the intubation and monitoring tasks for all tactile display conditions when compared to conditions with visual and auditory displays only. The most effective tactile patterns communicated both current state and trend information for blood pressure. The findings from this study can be applied to the design of tactile displays for monitoring tasks not only in the OR but in other complex, data-rich environments, such as aviation or process control.
Feedback Specificity Requirements for Learning in Younger and Older Adults: The Role of Cognitive Resources and Task Demand
Authors: Kelley Christopher M. , McLaughlin Anne Collins
Published: January 2012

The amount of feedback needed to learn a new task has long been debated ( cf. Schmidt & Bjork, 1992; Van Merrienboer & Sweller, 2005). One potential answer to the amount of feedback required is that feedback should be contingent upon the learner's cognitive resources and demands imposed by the task (McLaughlin, Rogers, & Fisk, 2006). To test this model, a study is proposed that accounts for the learner's cognitive resources by comparing samples of populations with known differences, older and younger adults (Horn & Cattell, 1967; Salthouse & Babcock, 1991). To account for task demands, a simple rule-based cue learning task has been created. Participants will be provided with varying levels of feedback specificty while learning the task. We predict younger adults will benefit from less feedback support while older adults benefit from more feedback support. Theoretical and applied contributions are also discussed.
Investigation of Biomechanical Characteristics of Older Adults: Effects of Gender and Driving Status
Authors: Parijat Prakriti , Haynes Courtney , Lockhart Thurmon E , Antin Jon
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical differences in the ability to generate force between older drivers and non-drivers. The study examined differences in ankle, hip and upper body torque generation between gender and driving groups with respect to driving posture. Twenty-four older adults aged 65 years and older were recruited for participation in this study. Strength and reaction time data were collected using a Biodex Dynamometer. The data was analyzed to report peak torque generation at the ankle, hip, and steering wheel along with peak reaction times and head-neck flexibility. The results indicated a significant decrease in peak torque measurements, and increase in the reaction time in non-drivers as compared to drivers. Gender differences were found in the hip and upper body torque, with females at a lower strength level than males. No significant differences were found between gender and driving status for the head neck flexibility.
Effect of Perceptual and Cognitive Loads on Drivers' Attention and Resistance to Distractors
Authors: Tan Pei-Hsiu , Lee Yi-Ching
Published: January 2012

The negative consequences of performing multiple concurrent tasks while driving were well documented; however, it was unclear how drivers processed pieces of information that were delivered closely in time and their distractibility due to the types of information received. The objective of this study was to identify the mechanisms that mediated drivers' ability to process relevant and ignore irrelevant signals that could be delivered simultaneously. An experiment, using modified Lavie's response-competition paradigm, was to compare drivers' processing of distractors under perceptually-loaded and cognitively-loaded situations. Specifically, higher perceptual load would lead to decreased distractor processing and higher cognitive load would lead to increased distractor processing. The results didn't show the same direction as Lavie's load theory.
Comparing Memory for Handwriting versus Typing
Authors: Smoker Timothy J. , Murphy Carrie E. , Rockwell Alison K.
Published: January 2012

This is an investigation into the possible links between psychomotor action, in the activities of handwriting, and memory. A comparison of recall and recognition for common words demonstrates that memory is better for words when they have been written down rather than when they are typed. This provides additional support for the hypothesis that the additional context provided by the complex task of writing results in better memory. With the recent trend towards electronic note taking, the educational and practical implications of these findings would suggest that performance may be improved by using traditional paper-and-pen notes.
Embedding Metacognitive Prompts during SBT to Improve Knowledge Acquisition
Authors: Vogel-Walcutt Jennifer J. , Fiore Stephen , Bowers Clint , Nicholson Denise
Published: January 2012

Changes in battlefield dynamics increasingly require trainees to acquire the rich and deep knowledge necessary to make decisions in complex, novel situations. We investigate how metacognitive prompts during training may support this need by enhancing the acquisition and application of knowledge within a scenario-based training context. The data suggest differential outcomes are dependent upon the type of assessment, with metacognitive supported training producing benefits to measures of knowledge acquisition but hindering performance in a transfer task. These results are discussed in the context of variations in metacognition training and how differing forms of knowledge acquisition are required to better understand the impact of training.
Automatic Scenario Generation through Procedural Modeling for Scenario-Based Training
Authors: Martin Glenn , Schatz Sae , Bowers Clint , Hughes Charles E. , Fowlkes Jennifer , Nicholson Denise
Published: January 2012

We discuss our current efforts at developing automatic scenario generation software. We begin by explaining the rationale, and then review successful previous efforts. We discuss the lessons-learned from the past work, and the conceptual pieces that are required to generate operationally-valid scenarios that support effective training. We then present the conceptual design of our scenario generation approach, which uses novel procedural modeling approaches to ensure operational and training requirements are adequately met.
Effectiveness of Three Training Delivery Methods in a Voluntary Program
Authors: Salehi Arash , Strawderman Lesley , Huang Yunchen , Ahmed Shaheen , Babski-Reeves Kari
Published: January 2012

Different training delivery methods each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Method effectiveness is based on the characteristics of the trainees and the program itself. Voluntary programs require extra consideration as there is no direct obligation for volunteers to participate and interact with the system. This paper studies and compares three methods (online, video, and face-to-face) for delivering training in a voluntary program. Demographic characteristics affected trainees' preference for training delivery method. Also, the training delivery method significantly impacts trainees' performance, participation in the program, and trainees' perceptions regarding re-training. These issues should be considered when a volunteer training program is designed.
Visual Alignment Accuracy in Head Mounted Optical See-Through AR Displays: Distribution of Head Orientation Noise
Authors: Axholt Magnus , Peterson Stephen D. , Ellis Stephen R.
Published: January 2012

The mitigation of registration errors is a central challenge for improving the usability of Augmented Reality systems. While the technical achievements within tracking and display technology continue to improve the conditions for good registration, little research is directed towards understanding the user's visual alignment performance during the calibration process. This paper reports 12 standing subjects' visual alignment performance using an optical see-through head mounted display for viewing directions varied in azimuth (0°, ±30°, ±60°) and elevation (0°, ±10°). Although viewing direction has a statistically significant effect on the shape of the distribution, the effect is small and negligible for practical purposes and can be approximated to a circular distribution with a standard deviation of 0.2° for all viewing directions studied in this paper. In addition to quantifying head aiming accuracy with a head fixed cursor and illustrating the deteriorating accuracy of boresight calibration with increasing viewing direction extremity, the results are applicable for filter design determining the onset and end of head rotation.
Air Traffic Controller Performance in a Human-in-the-Loop Virtual Tower Simulation
Authors: Hannon Daniel J.
Published: January 2012

The Federal Aviation Administration is implementing the Next Generation of Air Transportation Systems, with greater reliance on surface surveillance sensors to provide a virtual representation to controllers of ground activity, reducing the need for controllers to look out-the-window (OTW). This study investigated how presently available technology can be used as a virtual control tower by the controller workforce. Thirty-two human-in-the-loop scenarios were conducted in an air traffic control tower simulator with different equipment configurations and under different operating conditions. Six recently retired controllers participated. Team performance on airport operations was comparable when surface surveillance information was provided, with or without the OTW view under good visibility. Advantages were found for surface surveillance when visibility was reduced. Mental workload was lower when surface surveillance was available under low visibility conditions, and reliance on radio communications also decreased. Subjective ratings indicate that controllers are most comfortable using some combination of existing technology and procedures for adapting to a virtual tower. The results are discussed with respect to future systems for controllers
The Evaluation of Data Communication for the Future Air Traffic Control System (NextGen)
Authors: Hah Sehchang , Willems Ben , Schulz Kenneth
Published: January 2012

Data communication (Data Comm) between controllers and pilots is one of the core initiatives in the development of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). We evaluated the effect of the following factors on Data Comm: human-machine interfaces, the proportion of Data Comm equipped aircraft in the sector, and data-communication failures. Our experimental results showed that controllers preferred the most flexible human-machine interface, the Combined mode. The significant contribution of Data Comm occurred at the equipage level of over 50%. The Data Comm failure by an individual aircraft did not give a noticeably negative effect, but partial and system-wide failures did. Data Comm would relieve some of controllers' activities, but it will add new tasks and force them to change their work habits. Our experimental results and concerns presented in this paper will help the FAA design an efficient Data Comm system and a training program.
Service for Equipage Impact Assessment
Authors: Blickensderfer Beth L. , Boquet Albert J. , Blanding Ryan , Driskell Tripp J. E. , Rinkinen Clyde , Lauth Martin
Published: January 2012

One aspect of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is using datalink communications rather than voice. To encourage aircraft owners and operators to invest in the technology necessary for datalink, the FAA has proposed switching from a “first-come, first-served” to “best-equipped, best-served” air traffic management strategy (Federal Aviation Administration, 2009). The purpose of this study was to present the datalink concept and the “service for equipage” strategy to current stakeholders and to elicit their opinions on the matter. Eight current air traffic controllers, two pilots, and one Airline Operations Center dispatcher were presented with four scenarios to discuss in a focus group. The results indicated several conditions under which controllers would use datalink.
Transcranial Doppler Assessment of Workload Transition in a Complex Task
Authors: Cerruti L. M. , Estepp J. R. , Miller W. D. , Christensen J. C.
Published: January 2012

Previous research has demonstrated that the level of performance achieved for a given workload level is affected not only on task demands and individual differences, but also by sequential effects of prior workload. The majority of this research has been done with vigilance-type tasks, wherein performance is an intermittent response to critical signals. Workload is then varied either by adjusting the signal rate or adding a secondary task. This study sought to demonstrate that workload can be assessed with Transcranial Doppler (TCD) in addition to performance and other physiological measures, and that workload transition results generalize to more complex tasks. TCD and electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected while participants performed the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB, Comstock & Arnegard, 1992). Two levels of workload were individually defined based on performance via a pretest calibration procedure; one level was relatively easy with a mean composite TLX score of 23 and the other relatively difficult with a mean composite TLX score of 63. These two levels were run in isolation and in transition runs that switched from one to the other halfway through. TCD and ECG revealed that both blood flow velocity and heart rate increased with increasing task difficulty, while the transition in task difficulty produced nonsignifcantly lower performance than runs of consistent difficulty. The physiological data provides evidence that additional physical resources are demanded and consumed in response to the change in task difficulty, while performance data collected to date has not revealed transition effects in the complex task.
Using Transcranial Doppler Sonography to Measure Cognitive Load in a Command and Control Task
Authors: Shaw Tyler H. , Guagliardo Laura , de Visser Ewart , Parasuraman Raja
Published: January 2012

Previous work has explored the possibility of measuring the functional state of the operator to drive the implementation of physiological adaptive aiding. Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD), which has shown promise as an index of cognitive resource utilization in vigilance or sustained attention tasks, may provide a time and cost efficient alternative to traditional measures used to assess operator functional state. In the current study, participants performed a command and control simulation under varying levels of task load: a low task load condition in which enemy threats incurred at a steady pace, and a high workload trial in which the number of enemy threats increased unpredictably at two points within the scenario. Reaction time to engage and destroy enemies, and the efficiency of protection of a no-fly zone, were superior in the low than in the high load condition. Furthermore, an automated decision aid facilitated better performance in both task load conditions. As the demands of the task increased unpredictably in the high task load condition, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) increased in a similar manner for the first task load transition, but not for the second. Results suggest that the TCD measure may be useful in monitoring the dynamic changes of operator workload in unpredictable environments, but additional studies are needed to validate its use for physiologically-driven adaptive automation.
A Cognitive Task Analysis for Cyber Situational Awareness
Authors: Mahoney Samuel , Roth Emilie , Steinke Kristin , Pfautz Jonathan , Wu Curt , Farry Mike
Published: January 2012

Cyber Network degradation and exploitation can covertly turn an organization's technological strength into an operational weakness. It has become increasingly imperative, therefore, for an organization's personnel to have an awareness of the state of the Cyber Network that they use to carry out their mission. Recent high-level government initiatives along with hacking and exploitation in the commercial realm highlight this need for general Cyber Situational Awareness (SA). While much of the attention in both the military and commercial cyber security communities is on abrupt and blunt attacks on the network, the most insidious cyber threat to organizations are subtle and persistent attacks leading to compromised databases, processing algorithms, and displays. We recently began an effort developing software tools to support the Cyber SA of users at varying levels of responsibility and expertise (i.e., not just the network administrators). This paper presents our approach and preliminary findings from a CTA we conducted with an operational Subject Matter Expert to uncover the situational awareness requirements of such a tool. Results from our analysis indicate a list of preliminary categories of these requirements, as well as specific questions that will drive the design and development of our SA tool.
Predicting Shared Situation Awareness in Teams: A Case of Differential SA Requirements
Authors: Saner Lelyn D. , Bolstad Cheryl A. , Gonzalez Cleotilde , Cuevas Haydee M.
Published: January 2012

In this paper, we report our efforts at developing a valid approach for measuring and predicting shared situation awareness (SA) in teams performing in complex operational environments. Participants were assigned to one of 4 teams (Navy, Army, Special Operations, or Joint Service) and completed a simulated military rescue operation training exercise. We developed procedures to measure the degree of shared SA between team members and to improve the accuracy of shared SA scores. The measures were then used to evaluate five potential predictors of shared SA (experience similarity, shared task knowledge, cognitive workload similarity, communication distance, organizational hub distance). We examined the relationship of these factors to specific queries that assessed different types of SA information requirements. Results indicated that four factors had significant relationships with shared SA, but that the factors related to each query changed in relation to the type of SA assessed by the query. We discuss the implications of these results for predicting shared SA under different situational conditions.
Guidance for Human-System Interfaces to Automatic Systems
Authors: O'Hara John , Higgins James , Fleger Stephen , Barnes Valarie
Published: January 2012

Automation is ubiquitous in modern complex systems, and commercial nuclear- power plants are no exception. Automation is applied to a wide range of functions, including monitoring and detection, situation assessment, response planning, and response implementation. Automation has become a “team player” supporting personnel in nearly all aspects of system operation. In light of its increasing use and importance in new- and future-plants, guidance is needed to conduct safety reviews of the operator's interface with automation. The objective of this research was to develop such guidance. We first characterized the important HFE aspects of automation, including six dimensions: Levels, functions, processes, modes, flexibility, and reliability. Next, we reviewed literature on the effects of all of these aspects of automation on human performance, and on the design of human-system interfaces (HSIs). Then, we used this technical basis established from the literature to identify general principles for human-automation interaction and to develop review guidelines. The guidelines consist of the following seven topics: Automation displays, interaction and control, automation modes, automation levels, adaptive automation, error tolerance and failure management, and HSI integration.
The Four-Second Supervisor: Multi-Tasking Supervision and Its Support
Authors: St. John Mark F. , King Mary Ann
Published: January 2012

Supervision is a broad term that covers a wide range of task environments and cognitive activities. Here, we describe one specific type called multi-tasking supervision. It involves rapidly assessing a set of distinct systems or situations and determining where attention is needed moment by moment. Multi-tasking supervision is a key component of many command and control, and other, tasks. This paper focuses on understanding the cognitive needs of multi-tasking supervision and developing support concepts for it. First, we place multi-tasking supervision within the context of other types of supervision. Next, we consider the types of tasks and work environments that are appropriate for multi-tasking supervision. Finally, we discuss computer display concepts for supporting multi-tasking supervision.
Effectiveness of Team-building and Teamwork in Virtual Worlds
Authors: Ranade Rachana S. , Greenstein Joel S.
Published: January 2012

Given the increasing importance of globalization and collaboration, this research investigates the possibility of training globally dispersed teams using the virtual world Second Life. Three meeting conditions, the 3D virtual world Second Life, a combination of face-to-face and Second Life and face-to-face were evaluated. Thirty randomly assigned 3 person teams performed an ice-breaker session and then a team-building activity in each meeting condition. Four dependent variables were measured: task completion time; quality of task performance; subjective satisfaction with the process based on group cohesiveness, perception of the process and satisfaction with the outcome; and subjective satisfaction with the communication modality. Following data collection, univariate analyses were used to analyze each dependent variable to determine the differences, if any, among the meeting conditions. The results did not show significant differences for performance and subjective satisfaction with the process across the meeting conditions; however they did show significant results for subjective satisfaction with the communication modality. The Second Life and face-to-face conditions were rated more highly than the combination condition. This study indicates that the participants found the virtual world productive, enjoyed the experience of using this environment and believed that they could communicate and collaborate in it effectively. Even though participants indicated little previous experience with Second Life, this study found that it has potential as an alternate team meeting space. Cost analyses suggest that in the long run the expense of using a virtual meeting space will be lower than the cost of using face-to-face meetings for globally dispersed teams. Future research could include looking at larger group sizes, other types of team work, different team-building activities, or the effect of features of the virtual meeting space on team performance and user experience.
Effects of User Age and Zoomable User Interfaces on Information Searching Tasks in a Map-Type Space
Authors: Lee Donghun , Jeong Cheolhyun , Chung Min K.
Published: January 2012

A zoomable user interface (ZUI) is a useful function to help users deal with large information spaces displayed within a screen. However, ZUI usability has not been sufficiently studied. Its problems may be more crucial for older users than younger ones. This study examined the effects of three zoom foci (original-center, re-center and dynamic) and two zoom scales (100% and 400%) for the younger and older adults on mouse-based information searching tasks in a map-type space. Twenty four subjects participated in the experiments by answering a pair of questions. Task completion time, number of operations and number of errors were measured, and a satisfaction rate was collected. Older adults used the ZUIs less efficiently than younger ones. The effects of zoom focus methods varied with the zoom scales regardless of the age groups. The participants preferred using the dynamic focus regardless of zoom scale and using the re-center focus with the 400% scale. We discuss potential implications of the age-related performance differences and the effects of ZUI functions, and suggest some ZUI design guidelines in conclusion.
Contact Location Offset to Improve Small Target Selection on Touchscreens
Authors: Sheik-Nainar Mohamed
Published: January 2012

Target size recommendations found in the literature for touchscreen mobile devices take into account finger inaccuracies in order to provide good selection accuracy. These recommendations are violated when a virtual QWERTY keyboard is designed into a mobile interface. Small targets increase the severity of finger occlusion, resulting in higher selection errors. It has been observed that an offset exists between the intended landing location and actual finger contact location. An experiment was conducted to study the contact offset and how it is affected by different target size, gender, finger used, and prior experience using handheld touchscreen device. Results show that irrespective of target size, users tend to aim towards the center of the target, and that an offset exists between the target center and actual contact. Mean value of the offset lies beneath and to the right of the target center for right handed users. Providing this offset globally by shifting the reported finger contact location or locally by shifting the target active area could greatly improve small target selection.
ReadingMate: The Impact of a Content Stabilization Technique on Reading-While-Running Performance
Authors: Kwon Bum chul , Yi Ji Soo
Published: January 2012

The goal of this study is to help people read while running on a treadmill, which is challenging because runners' eyes should be adjusted to vigorous, mainly vertical, movements. To unload the burden on the eyes, we developed a technology, called “Reading-Mate,” which basically adjusts the positions of content (e.g., text) on a computer display along with the head movements of a runner. To test the effectiveness of ReadingMate and the influence of visual cues from surrounding environments, we conducted a two-factor within-subject study with 20 participants. ReadingMate showed statistically significant effects on decreasing various adverse experiences, such as shaking, dizziness, distraction, and fatigue. However, we failed to find evidence showing that visual cues disrupt the effects of ReadingMate. The study partially proved that ReadingMate could help runners read while running on a treadmill.
A New Approach to Laboratory-Based Learning in an Introductory Ergonomics Course
Authors: Wolfinbarger Kim Graves
Published: January 2012

Laboratory-based learning plays an important role in the introductory Ergonomics course at the University of Oklahoma. Qualitative analyses of technical reports over several semesters revealed repeated problems. Students were unfamiliar with academic publications, did not know how to report results, and had difficulty interpreting results. In addition to these problems, other difficulties arose. Students felt overwhelmed. Some developed a dislike for the field of human factors. Several cited the labs as the source of their dissatisfaction. To address these problems, we adopted a new approach to conducting the laboratory portion of the course. We sought to increase student engagement, support learning through scaffolding, increase the rate and quantity of feedback, and provide team-development opportunities. Students' performance in data analysis and technical writing improved over the previous year and throughout the semester. Satisfaction with the course as a whole and the laboratory section in particular improved. We are pleased with the results and plan to continue refining the course design. We hope that this article will inspire discussion of effective techniques in ergonomics laboratory instruction.
Teaching HCI Design Principles Using Culturally Current Media
Authors: Rogers Michelle L.
Published: January 2012

Human-computer interaction (HCI) design principles are often difficult to describe and teach. Not only do many students believe the design of interfaces to be common sense, but they often come from disparate fields to study HCI. In an effort to assist faculty in developing successful HCI curricula, five (5) sample pairings of design concepts and popular media are presented. Key HCI design principles and concepts are demonstrated using relevant, current media examples that the students may have had previous exposure to. Initial use of these tools has proven to be promising in terms of engaging students and increasing understanding.
Designing Culturally-informed Consumer Health IT: An Exploration and Proposed Integration of Contrasting Methodological Perspectives
Authors: Valdez Rupa S.
Published: January 2012

As the locus of health care migrates from institutional to home- and community-based settings, designers face news challenges in developing consumer health information technology (health IT) to support patients and informal caregivers with their new self-care and self-management responsibilities. For such technologies to be appropriately designed, they must be aligned, in part, with the cultural context within which these consumers are embedded. Designing culturally-informed consumer health IT is challenging partly because of the tensions that exist between engineering and cultural anthropological approaches to studying the intersection of culture and technology. This paper proposes both a framework for conceptualizing these tensions and a potential embedded, sequential integration of these approaches to capitalize on the strengths and mitigate the weaknesses of each methodological perspective.
Bored beyond Belief: How Automation is Boring us to Distraction
Authors: Marras William S.
Published: January 2012

The inclusion of automation has been critical for increased safety and efficiency in complex systems such as aviation and process control, but one unintended consequence for human operators is boredom. In many phases of operation (i.e., en-route flight over the Atlantic and full-power nuclear power plant operations), operators are monitoring interfaces, waiting for the unlikely system anomaly. Such highly automated environments require levels of vigilance that are difficult for operators to maintain, and resulting boredom increases the likelihood of operator distraction, which ultimately can affect system performance if operators miss or respond late to critical events. This presentation will highlight the problems of sustained attention and boredom in highly automated environments. Panelists will discuss areas of future research as well as review other efforts of the Committee on Human-Systems Integration.
Developing Safety Signs for Children on Board Trains: Findings from Great Britain
Authors: Waterson Patrick , Pilcher Cara , Evans Siân , Moore Jill
Published: January 2012

Every year a significant number of young children are injured as a result of accidents that occur on board trains in Great Britain. These accidents range from being caught in internal doors, slips, trips and falls and injuries caused by seats. We describe our efforts working with RSSB to design a new set of safety signs in order to help prevent such accidents occurring. The research involved running a set of workshops with young school children (aged 4–10, n=210) and showing them examples of existing train signs and gathering the requirements for new designs. A second set of workshops with these children was used to evaluate the new signs based on the outcomes from the earlier workshop. We describe our findings alongside a set of outline guidelines for the design of safety signs for young children, A final section outlines possibilities for future research.
The Short Stress State Questionnaire and High Event Rate Target Detection
Authors: Helton William S. , Russell Paul N.
Published: January 2012

Stress is an important aspect of operational settings. This article presents the results of a study providing further validation of a short multidimensional self-report measure of stress-state, the Short Stress State Questionnaire (SSSQ; Helton, 2004). We investigated stress during high event rate target detection tasks. In previous target detection studies using the established Dundee Stress State Questionnaire two phenomena have been consistently reported: (1) an increase in Distress over the task and (2) the highest post-task state correlate with target detection performance is Engagement. In the present experiment in which 40 participants performed high event rate target detection tasks, both phenomena were replicated with the SSSQ. The 24-item SSSQ appears to be a useful measure of stress-state applicable in a wide variety of settings of interest to Human Factors practitioners.
The Functions of Team Monitoring and ‘Talking to the Room’ for Performance in Anesthesia Teams
Authors: Kolbe Michaela , Künzle Barbara , Zala-Mezö Enikö , Burtscher Michael J. , Wacker Johannes , Spahn Donat R. , Grote Gudela
Published: January 2012

We explored the functions of team monitoring and talking to the room (undirected talk to relay relevant information or comment on the performance of real-time self behavior) for effects on team interaction and performance in 27 anesthesia teams in the clinical setting. Immediate reactions to team monitoring and talking to the room were investigated by means of lag sequential analysis. As expected, we found that in high performing teams, immediate consequences of team monitoring were speaking-up and providing unsolicited assistance. Talking to the room led to further talking to the room and substituted explicit coordination. The results highlight the relevance of team monitoring and talking to the room for team coordination and performance in dynamic healthcare environments.
Exploring Human Factors in Endoscope Reprocessing
Authors: Hildebrand Emily A. , Branaghan Russell J. , Wu Qiawen , Jolly Jonathan , Garland Theodore B. , Taggart Mistey , Nguyen Monica A. , Epstein Dana R. , Babcock-Parziale Judith , Brown Victoria
Published: January 2012

The goal of this research is to study the human factors that influence the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes. This paper will report on the preliminary findings from a heuristic evaluation of current reprocessing procedures from an ongoing multi-method study and will discuss the implications of the results for future research purposes.
Expert Decision Making in Landmine Detection
Authors: Lebiere Christian J. , Staszewski James J.
Published: January 2012

Previous study has shown that an understanding of expert performance expressed as a cognitive model represents a valuable training asset, with uses ranging from improving training design to informing feedback in intelligent tutoring systems. This paper presents performance data from an expert landmine detection operator, and a general cognitive model of frequency-based decision-making applied to the specific task of making mine-vs-clutter decisions based on sequences of discrete stimuli. The functional capabilities of the model are studied in a general testbed, then its performance is directly compared to that of the expert. Further extensions and applications of the cognitive model are discussed.