bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User Research to Enhance the U.S. Postal Service Website
Authors: Becker Mark E. , Bevitt Jacob R. , Horst Richard L.
Published: September 2016

This paper describes user research conducted over the past three years for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), with the overall goal of improving the usability of its website, USPS.com . This research has been part of a broad user-centered design approach to website enhancement implemented by USPS. This research has involved usability tests, card sorting, tree tests, and first click analyses, and has used input from representative users, both consumers and business users, and both in-person and remotely located across the U.S. In addition to yielding specific design recommendations to improve user experiences, optimize content organization, and contribute to the design of new functionality, the present research has provided insights regarding user needs, expectations, and preferences. This initiative serves as a good example of a large organization’s transformation of its web presence by employing an incremental, user-centered approach. It highlights the breadth of usability evaluation methods available and the benefit such research can have in improving the user experience of large organizations like USPS.
Effects of Touch Screen Interface Parameters on User Task Performance
Authors: Hu Boyi , Ning Xiaopeng
Published: September 2016

The influence of different touch screen interface design features on user experience and operators’ task performance was investigated in the current study. Eight participants performed different tasks on a touchscreen monitor with varied interface settings while their performance was recorded and compared. Results demonstrated that an oversized desktop touchscreen monitor could generate negative impacts on users’ performance. Smaller icon size also decreased task performance by increasing total response time. In addition, icon color also influenced users’ performance. Results of the current study provide useful data for new approaches to design improvements which will enhance human performance and users’ experience.
Individual Differences in Dynamic Multitasking Performance
Authors: Bernhardt Kyle A. , Salomon Kathryn A. , Ferraro F. Richard , Crockett RaeEllen J. , Terrell Heather K. , Petros Thomas , Vacek Joseph J.
Published: September 2016

The current study examined whether individual differences in memory, attention, and visuospatial ability are significant predictors of multitasking ability (multitasking performance baseline level) and multitasking adaptability (the capacity to adapt to dynamic changes in task demands). Participants were administered a neuropsychological battery to measure individual differences in cognitive abilities. Then, participants performed the Multi-Attribute Task Battery-II (MATB) comprising of three workload conditions. Results indicated that participants scoring higher on measures of attention performed better on the MATB during the baseline condition (ability). However, higher scores on measures of delayed memory predicted better performance during more demanding MATB conditions (adaptability), while visuospatial ability predicted worsened performance during more demanding MATB conditions. Additionally, higher global neuropsychological functioning predicted better MATB performance during all conditions.
System interaction influences on cognitive-affective states to enhance performance, workload, and knowledge acquisition in teams conducting close air support simulations.
Authors: Summers Baron C. , Hauser Herbert
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this research is to shed light on the effects of an automated feedback system to optimize cognitive-affective states and increase effectiveness of using remotely piloted aerial system team members training to conduct Close Air Support missions in a simulation training environment. Feedback manipulations in this study utilize attributes of engagement as an optimal cognitive-affective state in order to assess state and effectiveness differences. Understanding these effects could enable predictions of aspects that might be adapted to optimize future approaches in training teams in complex situations. If states of learners can be impacted via feedback experiences to an engagement like state and thereby benefit from increased learning and effectiveness, then training approaches utilizing feedback may advance in capability. Thus, designs of automated feedback systems in human-computer interfaces may help advance training of complex military tasks such as close air support with remotely piloted aerial systems through decreasing workload, increasing knowledge acquisition, and enabling better performance.
An Initial Look at the Effects of Interruptions On Strain
Authors: Fletcher Keaton A. , Bedwell Wendy L.
Published: September 2016

Interruptions cost companies millions of dollars per year (Spira & Feintuch, 2005), in lost time and errors. Not only are interruptions detrimental to the immediate productivity of the worker, but they have been suggested to be significant workplace stressors. This study aims to determine whether it is the objective experience of an intrusion that results in strain, as some may suggest or whether, as the transactional model of stress would suggest, it is the perceptions of intrusions that result in strain. Overall, these findings suggest that it is the perception of intrusions, not necessarily the intrusion itself that results in strain. This indicates that when it comes to strain outcomes, it is the subjective, rather than the objective, experience of an intrusion that matters.
Electrodermal Activity Analysis for Training of Military Tactics
Authors: Boyce Michael W. , Goldberg Benjamin , Moss Jason D.
Published: September 2016

This study examined the differences in the electrodermal activity (EDA) of 19 ROTC cadets viewing a 2D or 3D perspective display. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were analyzed using a multistep visual analytic process and coded according to participant and condition. Results show non-significant differences SCRs between conditions, however since it is only an initial study, more research needs to be done before definitive conclusions can be made. Future investigations involving mixed method research design are discussed with a specific emphasis on user engagement and workload. The results of this initial study will be incorporated into future research with the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Robot Emotive Display Systems and the Analogous Physical Features of Emotion
Authors: Velez Jonathan E. , Jentsch Florian
Published: September 2016

Robots are currently utilized by various civilian and military agencies, and are becoming more common in human environments. These machines can vary in form and function, but require an interface supporting naturalistic social interactions. Emotion is a key component of social interaction that conveys states and action tendencies, and standard design protocol is necessary to guide the research and development of emotive display systems so that reliable implementations are supported. This work suggests a framework for conveying emotion based on the analogous physical features of emotive cues and their associations with the dimensions of emotion. Sound, kinesics, and color can be manipulated according to their speed, intensity, regularity, and extent to convey the emotive states of a robot. Combinations of cues can enhance human recognition accuracy of robot emotion, but further research is necessary to understand the extent of these interactions and establish each parameter space.
Testing Subtask Quantification Assumptions for Dynamic Human Reliability Analysis in the SPAR-H Method
Authors: Boring Ronald L. , Herberger Sarah M.
Published: September 2016

Human reliability analysis (HRA) to date has relied almost entirely on static methods. To provide a more precise model of human performance, dynamic HRA has been developed. Dynamic HRA must model a range of human actions typically at a finer resolution than is accounted for by overall tasks or human failure events (HFEs) used by static HRA. Parsing HFEs into finer units of analysis requires consideration of the mathematical underpinnings of the HRA methods that will be used for quantification. This paper serves to test how conventional HRA methods scale to this level of precision. SPAR-H, a static HRA method, was evaluated as part of this research. SPAR-H, which is based on HFEs, may require further refinement before its quantification approach can be employed in dynamic HRA.
The Effects of Hearing Impairment on Fire Team Performance in Dismounted Combat
Authors: Sheffield Benjamin , Brungart Douglas , Blank Amy
Published: September 2016

Although hearing is known to play an essential role in military operations, few studies have directly measured the impact of hearing loss on combat effectiveness. In this study, Soldiers from the 101st Airborne were equipped with hearing loss simulators allowing parametric adjustment of hearing between normal and profound deafness. They then participated in a combat exercise requiring multiple fire teams with different levels of hearing loss to progress through a series of waypoints in a wooded area as quickly as possible without being eliminated by enemy gunfire. A GPS-based tracking system made it possible to record the progress of each team throughout the exercise, including information on player eliminations and the players credited with these kills. Results show that hearing impairment has a substantial negative impact on the performance of experienced Soldiers in terms of survivability, lethality, and mission success.
Event-related cerebral hemodynamics in 2-D and 3-D Visual Vigilance Tasks
Authors: Greenlee Eric T. , Warm Joel S. , Funke Gregory J. , Patterson Robert E. , Strang Adam J. , Finomore Victor S. , Barnes Laura E. , Funke Matthew E.
Published: September 2016

Recently, Greenlee et al. (2015) demonstrated that a stereoscopic 3-D display attenuated the vigilance decrement, stabilizing optimal detection performance. Yet, the 3-D display did not halt the decline in global cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), an index of cortical resource utilization, which typically accompanies the vigilance decrement. One possible explanation for this enigmatic finding is that global CBFV may not have been sensitive enough to detect the neurological correlates of superior sustained performance in the 3-D condition. Perhaps a more fine-grained measure of CBFV would reveal the underlying neural markers. To explore that possibility, event-related analyses were employed to uncover moment-to-moment changes in CBFV. These analyses revealed that CBFV increased selectively in response to signal detections in the 3-D condition but not in the 2-D. Like performance in the 3-D condition, the detection-related CBFV response in that condition remained stable over time on task. These findings indicate that event-related measurement of detection-specific neural activity can uncover hemodynamic effects that may otherwise be buried by the tides of global CBFV. Implications for future CBFV research are discussed.
Predicting Detection Times with Perceptual Euclidian Distance
Authors: Steelman Kelly S. , North Hannah
Published: September 2016

How should we select a set of symbol colors to optimize detection times? Here we suggest a simple, easy- to-calculate technique for predicting symbol detection times in cued and uncued visual search tasks. We used Perceptual Euclidian Distance (PED) to measure color similarity among symbols within the set (PEDset) and between each symbol color and the background color (PEDbg). Post hoc analyses of data from two previous change-detection experiments indicated that PEDbg was negatively correlated with detection time, but only in uncued visual search. PEDset, in contrast, was negatively correlated with detection time in cued search. In the current experiment, we designed a new symbology set that included three symbols that were equidistant in PED color space and a fourth symbol that was farther away in PED color space. We used this symbol set in a change detection experiment using the flicker paradigm. Consistent with the results of our previous analyses, we found that cued detection time was correlated with PEDset. Finally, we present a summary of data from seven experiments demonstrating that this pattern of effects holds over a variety of background colors and symbol sets. The overall results suggest that the PED may serve as an easy-to-use technique for selecting symbols that will facilitate particular performance objectives.
Anchoring and Adjustment With Spatial Uncertainty in Trajectory Prediction
Authors: Herdener Nathan , Wickens Christopher D. , Clegg Benjamin A. , Smith C. A. P.
Published: September 2016

Anchoring and adjustment is a prevalent heuristic, common in a range of settings and decisions. While it is well studied using values, there has been limited research on its function in visual-spatial domains. The present study explored the role of anchoring and adjustment with visual displays containing uncertainty information related to spatial prediction. Participants were given a graphical briefing to anchor them on accurate, inaccurate, or no information regarding the future behavior of an object (both its average behavior and the variance in behavior). They then made predictions of future object location and estimated its likelihood at multiple locations. Overall individuals utilized the anchoring information and were able to adjust to incorrect anchors. However, individuals vastly overestimated the likelihood the object would be at any given location, suggesting that they were not anchored on the variance.
Improving Safety Culture with Confidential Reporting
Authors: Langer Chris
Published: September 2016

This paper demonstrates how unique insights from confidential reporting in the transport sector can help improve safety culture by reinforcing safety defences, and ultimately, prevent accidents. The Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) is able to capture information from frontline staff who choose for a variety of reasons to use an independent service. This information might otherwise be lost by conventional, internal reporting systems because in certain circumstances, they may not be fully utilised. CIRAS is therefore in a position to share why some staff feel that internal reporting channels have not been successful, or in a minority of cases have come directly to CIRAS.
Divergent perceptions of safety culture between occupational groups
Authors: Tear Morgan J. , Reader Tom W. , Shorrock Steven , Kirwan Barry
Published: September 2016

Many multinational organizations now conduct safety culture assessments at the international level. Research indicates, however, that organizational safety culture is closely tied with national culture, which has implications for how the results of international safety culture assessments are analyzed and interpreted. For example, safety culture within an organization may be influenced by national cultural tendencies for power distance, which refers to the perceived ability for how individuals of low status and influence can engage with individuals who have higher status and influence. Here we report how national power distance norms had a negative effect on the safety culture perceptions of managers, controllers, and administrative staff in Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Engineers and technical staff, however, were unaffected by national power distance norms. We also show evidence that power distance exacerbates the differences in safety culture perceptions between managers and operations staff. These data have implications for how safety culture interventions in multi-national organizations should be tailored to account for both the national cultures represented within the organization, but also for the different occupational groups that the organization consists of.
A Good Safety Culture Correlates with Increased Positive and Decreased Negative Outcomes
Authors: Kallinen Kari
Published: September 2016

In the present paper, we examined the safety culture and its correlations to negative and positive outcome variables among 1637 Finnish Defense Forces personnel. Participants rated the organizational, group and individual level of safety culture as well as levels of stress, lack of motivation, job satisfaction, positive atmosphere and number of risky incidents using a 92 part safety culture questionnaire. As expected, a good safety culture was positively correlated with positive and negatively correlated with negative outcomes.
Relating the Strength Capabilities of Children to the Design of School Bus Emergency Roof Hatches
Authors: Abulhassan Yousif , Davis Jerry , Sesek Richard , Gallagher Sean , Schall Mark , Callender Aimee
Published: September 2016

School bus emergency exits are regulated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217 which does not consider the strength capabilities of children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength capabilities of children to determine the optimal force specifications required to operate school bus emergency escape roof hatches. Force exertions were measured using test apparatuses built to replicate the operating mechanisms of the emergency escape roof hatch on a school bus. Force and torque exertions of 33 subjects in the first grade were measured using an emergency escape roof hatch knob. Forty two percent of the measured maximum push force exertions on the emergency escape hatch knob were less than the 89 newton minimum force requirement specified by FMVSS No. 217. Matching the operational requirements of emergency exits to the strength capabilities of children can help improve the overall effectiveness of the emergency evacuation system.
A Comparison of Displays and Associated Workload on Nuclear Power Plants Tasks
Authors: Reinerman-Jones Lauren , Hughes Niav , D’Agostino Amy
Published: September 2016

Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) operators complete a variety of tasks to ensure the NPP is running safely and efficiently. However, the levels and types of workload associated with the different task types are not yet fully understood. The present investigation examined workload levels and types for three common NPP Main Control Room (MCR) tasks in a controlled experimental environment using a variety of subjective and performance measures of workload. The results suggest that the three task types differ in the levels and types of workload. These findings can be used to better understand the types of NPP tasks that induce workload and the type of workload they induce. The full results of these experiments will be captured in future articles and technical reports.
Epistemiation
Authors: Boring Ronald L. , Lew Roger , Ulrich Thomas A.
Published: September 2016

The Guideline for Operational Nuclear Usability and Knowledge Elicitation (GONUKE) outlines multiple types and stages of human factors evaluation to support system design activities. Originally developed to support human factors requirements for control room modernization at nuclear power plants, GONUKE includes verification, validation, and epistemiation. Epistemiation is a novel term for the process in which knowledge from expert users is elicited to shape the design of the system. Especially in the case of control rooms, the importance of knowledge transfer between expert operators and system designers may prove more beneficial than traditional verification and validation. This paper outlines epistemiation, provides background on expert users, and illustrates the process through a case study. Although GONUKE and epistemiation are native to nuclear power applications, the approach is generalizable to other domains that feature expert users.
Implicit Attitudes Toward Robots
Authors: Sanders Tracy L. , Schafer Kathryn E. , Volante William , Reardon Ashley , Hancock Peter A.
Published: September 2016

This study explores employing a measurement of implicit attitudes to better understand attitudes and trust levels towards robots. This work builds upon an existing implicit measure (Implicit Associations Test) to compare attitudes toward humans with attitudes toward robots. Results are compared with explicit self-report measures, and future directions for this work are discussed.
The Effect of Emotional Content and Support on Trust in Internet Forum Posts
Authors: Sauls Madison , Whitlock Laura A. , Leidheiser William
Published: September 2016

Many people now use internet forums for gathering and sharing information on diverse topics, raising questions about the quality and credibility of content on these forums. Although anyone can present questions or advice to online forums regardless of their level of expertise, research shows that internet users do not judge credibility stringently when searching for information online (Flanagin & Metzger, 2000). Factors that influence credibility judgements may include star ratings, length of responses, and the presence of emotional support within the information. We conducted a pilot study that tested the presence of emotional content in questions and emotional support in replies on a hypothetical travel forum. We found that neither the presence of emotional content nor the presence of emotional support influenced user ratings of trust or advice quality. Some limitations of the present study include reply length, salience of the emotional support, and the number of questions presented to each participant. We discuss future directions that should be taken in order to further understand the presence of emotional support in online forums.
Virtual Agents as a Support for Feedback-Based Learning
Authors: Momen Ali , Sebrechts Marc M. , Allaham M. Mowafak
Published: September 2016

This study explored whether a virtual agent in a feedback task would enhance social presence and motivation, as well as facilitate learning on a Chinese symbol retention task. Learning occurred with four different computer-based feedback sources: a computer-generated “Agent”, a “Human”, an “Inanimate” image and a non-image “Verbal” condition. Measures of presence, motivation, and learning were generally related, albeit with limited support for an Agent compared to other sources of feedback. Although performance with the Agent was comparable to the Human on several measures, it did not consistently differ from other conditions. Agent and Human conditions did elicit highest social presence, but this was not uniquely related to learning outcomes. Surprisingly, the Verbal condition resulted in optimal learning. Results suggest that the utility of virtual agents is dependent on task relevance and on subjects’ inference about the agent’s capacity; agent characteristics can be distracting as well as facilitating.
Posters With Fellows
Authors: Kortum Philip T. , Peres S. Camille
Published: September 2016

Posters With Fellows is an opportunity to interact with some of the best scholars the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society has to offer in a low-key, intellectual setting. Fellows will present posters describing cutting-edge research from their current work, retrospectives of important work they have conducted over their careers, and descriptions of challenging new frontiers they think need to be addressed. This is a unique opportunity for students and professionals alike to talk one on one with the thought leaders of our profession on the important research issues of our time.

Participants:

Thomas J. Armstrong, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Deborah A. Boehm-Davis, George Mason University

Gloria L. Calhoun, U.S. Air Force

Stanley H. Caplan, Usability Associates

Nancy J. Cooke, Arizona State University

Kermit G. Davis, University of Cincinnati

Valerie J. Gawron, MITRE Corp.

Douglas J. Gillan, North Carolina State University

Wayne D. Gray, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Joel S. Greenstein, Clemson University

M. Susan Hallbeck, Mayo Clinic

Peter A. Hancock, University of Central Florida

Robert Hoffman, Institute for Human & Machine Cognition

Edmond W. Israelski, Abbvie

Brian M. Kleiner, Virginia Tech

Arnold M. Lund, Amazon Lab126

Thomas B. Malone, Carlow International Inc.

Kathleen L. Mosier, San Francisco State University

Robert W. Proctor, Purdue University

Ronald G. Shapiro

Matthew B. Weinger, Vanderbilt University

Christopher D. Wickens, Alion Science & Technology
Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control and Driver Merge Type
Authors: Balk Stacy A. , Jackson Steven , Philips Brian
Published: September 2016

This study explored human factors issues associated with cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC); specifically entering and exiting vehicle platoons. Participants were asked to complete one of three different types of merges in a driving simulator: (1) manual left entrance merge, (2) merge into the middle of a CACC platoon vehicles without speed assistance, and (3) merge into the middle of a CACC platoon vehicles with speed assistance. Drivers’ perceived workload was significantly less for both groups that drove with the CACC system engaged than for the group that manually maintained speed. Perhaps surprisingly, participant condition did not significantly affect physiological arousal as assessed by galvanic skin response (GSR). However, across all groups, GSR was significantly greater during the merges than during cruising/straight highway driving time periods. The two groups that had to manually adjust speed during the merge experienced collisions in 24 (18 percent) of the merges. A possible explanation, supported by participant feedback, is that drivers expect others to act in a courteous manner and to create larger gaps for entrance on to a freeway – something that may not be possible in real world CACC deployment.
Behavioral Measurement of Trust in Automation
Authors: Miller David , Johns Mishel , Mok Brian , Gowda Nikhil , Sirkin David , Lee Key , Ju Wendy
Published: September 2016

Stating that one trusts a system is markedly different from demonstrating that trust. To investigate trust in automation, we introduce the trust fall: a two-stage behavioral test of trust. In the trust fall paradigm, first the one learns the capabilities of the system, and in the second phase, the ‘fall,’ one’s choices demonstrate trust or distrust. Our first studies using this method suggest the value of measuring behaviors that demonstrate trust, compared with self-reports of one’s trust. Designing interfaces that encourage appropriate trust in automation will be critical for the safe and successful deployment of partially automated vehicles, and this will rely on a solid understanding of whether these interfaces actually inspire trust and encourage supervision.
A Visual Search Model for In-Vehicle Interface Design
Authors: Lee Ja Young , Lee Joonbum , Lee John D.
Published: September 2016

As in-vehicle infotainment systems gain new functionality, their potential to distract drivers increases. Searching for an item on interface is a critical concern because a poorly designed interface that draws drivers’ attention to less important items can extend drivers’ search for items of interest and pull attention away from roadway events. This potential can be assessed in simulator-based experiments, but computational models of driver behavior might enable designers to assess this potential and revise their designs more quickly than if they have to wait weeks to compile human subjects data. One such model, reported in this paper, predicts the sequence of eye fixations of drivers based on a Boolean Map-based Saliency model augmented with top-down feature bias. Comparing the model predictions to empirical data shows that the model can predict search time, especially in cluttered scenes and when a target item is highlighted. We also describe the integration of this model into a web application ( http://distraction.engr.wisc.edu/ ) that can help assess the distraction potential of interface designs.
Cognitive Workload Using Interactive Voice Messaging Systems
Authors: Coleman James R. , Turrill Jonna , Cooper Joel M. , Strayer David L.
Published: September 2016

The current research sought to understand the sources of cognitive distraction stemming from voice-based in-vehicle infotainment systems (IVIS) to send and receive textual information. Three experiments each evaluated 1) a baseline single-task condition, 2) listening to e-mail/text messages read by a “natural” pre-recorded human voice, 3) listening to e-mail/text messages read by a “synthetic” computerized text-to-speech system, 4) listening and composing replies to e-mail/text messages read by a “natural” voice, and 5) listening and composing replies to e-mail/text messages read by a “synthetic” voice. Each task allowed the driver to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the steering wheel, thus any impairment to driving was caused by the diversion of non-visual attention away from the task of operating the motor vehicle.
On Sensitivity and Holding in Automotive Systems
Authors: Degani Asaf , Goldman Claudia V. , Deutsch Omer , Tsimhoni Omer
Published: September 2016

We propose an approach to human-machine interactions that emphasizes sensitivity to the user’s needs and consecrates caretaking, or holding, of the user so as to fulfill these needs. We borrow the concepts of sensitivity and holding from psychoanalysis and then operationalize them in the context of human-machine interaction. A pilot study of drivers’ interactions with a climate control system was conducted to understand drivers’ needs, wants, and manner of interaction. Based on these results we built an AI-based system that is sensitive to the users’ needs and attempts to fulfill them in a dedicated manner (holding). We then evaluate the new system in another driving study. Preliminary results suggest that a sensitive/holding machine is better than the regular interface and not far behind a human expert “working” the system in response to drivers’ needs and wants.
What Will Happen to the Teen Drivers of Today? A Triage of Research and Intervention Issues
Authors: Caird Jeff , Trick Lana , Hancock Peter , Klauer Charlie , Horrey William , Simons-Morton Bruce , Fisher Don , Romano Eduardo
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this panel session is to reflect on and debate the advances and challenges associated with driving as a teen. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide in this age group. What research has contributed to our understanding of this state of affairs and what research and interventions are still needed? A group of internationally known researchers will present research on the contributions of driving behavior (e.g. secondary task engagement) and driving conditions (e.g. teenage passengers) on teen crash risk and the potential for interventions, such as education, training, and graduated drivers licensing (GDL) to reduce this risk. The breadth and depth of the panelists’ knowledge will be tested by audience questions and directed by the provocateur as a range of additional possible contributions and countermeasures are considered and prioritized.
The Residual Costs of Multitasking
Authors: Turrill Jonna , Coleman James R. , Hopman Rachel J. , Cooper Joel M. , Strayer David L.
Published: September 2016

Objective: The cognitive workload of three Smartphone Digital Assistants (SDA) was manipulated in an on-off manner while participants drove an instrumented vehicle in order to measure the costs associated with intermittent dual tasking. Background: Previous research has shown costs in productivity when switching between two discrete tasks; however, similar costs have not yet been examined using intermittent, continuous dual tasks. Methods: Participating drivers completed 5 conditions: baseline driving, 3 SDA conditions, and a cognitively demanding math-memory operation span (OSPAN) task, each while responding to Detection Response Task (DRT) stimuli. Within the SDA conditions, on- and off-task DRT performance was compared to baseline driving and to the OSPAN task performance. Results: The on-task periods of the SDA conditions resulted in similar RTs as the OSPAN condition, while the off-task periods did not immediately return to baseline driving performance. Post hoc analyses of the on-off transitions within the SDA conditions revealed a gradual return to baseline driving performance over the course of 18 seconds. Conclusions: The delays in returning to baseline driving performance after completing a secondary task raise concerns about the usage of in-vehicle devices while driving as the effects of the delays last beyond the cessation of the SDA interaction.
Understanding the Effect of Feedback on Young Drivers’ Speeding Behavior
Authors: Krasnova Oleksandra , Molesworth Brett , Williamson Ann
Published: September 2016

The aim of the present study was to empirically investigate the effect of various types of feedback on young novice drivers’ speed management behavior. One hundred young drivers, randomly allocated to five groups, completed three test drives using a computer-based driving simulator. For four groups, feedback was provided after an 11km drive and focused on speeding behavior, the safety implications of speeding or the financial penalties if caught speeding or all three. The fifth group was a no-feedback control. Driver speed management performance was examined in two 11km drives immediately following the receipt of feedback and one week post feedback. The results showed that all types of Feedback were effective in improving young drivers’ speed management behavior compared to the control group. Providing feedback about financial implications of speeding was found to be the best in improving young drivers’ speed management behavior across all tested conditions. These findings have important implications for the development of a new approach to improve young drivers’ speed management behavior.
The Challenges of Measuring Human Performance in Complex Operational Environments
Authors: Savage-Knepshield Pam , Hullinger David , Lund Rachael , Manning Carol , Pierce Linda , Seely Owen , Thomas Jeffrey
Published: September 2016

A panel of experienced human factors practitioners and researchers discusses the challenges encountered when measuring and quantifying human performance on the job and during system design and development. The panel, comprised of government/military researchers with expertise in human factors engineering, human systems integration, research psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, physics, systems engineering, and mechanical engineering, focuses not only on the challenges they have encountered, but also on the underlying human performance measurement issues and various approaches they have taken to address them. Understanding, measuring, evaluating and predicting factors that influence human performance is not only critical for the design of effective systems and programs of instruction, but also for overall job performance and mission effectiveness. Panelists will discuss critical factors and insights that are generalizable across a wide range of products and industry sectors as well as those that warrant further investigation.
Feasibility and value of preoperative embolization of a congenital choroid plexus tumour in the premature infant: An illustrative case report with technical details
Authors: Aljared Tariq , Farmer Jean-Pierre , Tampieri Donatella
Published: September 2016

We present a case of a preterm boy (born at 35 weeks of pregnancy) who was delivered urgently by a caesarean section due to placental abruption. The baby was found to have a tense fontanelle leading to imaging that showed a 5.5 cm right intraventricular mass centred in the atrium, hydrocephalus and extensive surrounding vasogenic oedema. The mass was avidly enhancing with a few large associated vessels suggesting high vascularity. The condition of the baby was acutely deteriorating. He had multiple seizures followed by persistent low level of consciousness in the third day of life. His clinical decline prompted decision to proceed with surgical resection and preoperative embolization. A large single feeder (the right posterolateral choroidal artery) was embolized leading to near complete obliteration of the tumour blush. Embolization likely facilitated subsequent surgery the next day. This is based on an estimated blood loss of 250 ml in this 3 kg baby without haemodynamic instability. Gross total resection was achieved with a single surgery and the diagnosis was choroid plexus papilloma. Utilization of this combined approach in this preterm baby had led to survival in this potentially curable disease.
Automobile chain maintenance parts delivery problem using an improved ant colony algorithm
Authors: Gao Junjie , Gu Feng , Hu Ping , Xie Yanan , Yao Baozhen
Published: September 2016

The mode of automotive maintenance chain is gaining more and more attention in China because of its advantages such as the lower cost, higher speed, higher availability, and strong adaptability. Since the automobile chain maintenance parts delivery problem is a very complex multi-depot vehicle routing problem with time windows, a virtual center depot is assumed and adopted to transfer multi-depot vehicle routing problem with time windows to multi-depot vehicle routing problem with the virtual central depot, which is similar to a vehicle routing problem with time windows. Then an improved ant colony optimization with saving algorithms, mutation operation, and adaptive ant-weight strategy is presented for the multi-depot vehicle routing problem with the virtual central depot. At last, the computational results for benchmark problems indicate that the proposed algorithm is an effective method to solve the multi-depot vehicle routing problem with time windows. Furthermore, the results of an automobile chain maintenance parts delivery problem also indicate that the improved ant colony algorithm is feasible for solving this kind of delivery problem.
Analysis of vehicle static steering torque based on tire–road contact patch sliding model and variable transmission ratio
Authors: Ma Biao , Yang Yiyong , Liu Yahui , Ji Xuewu , Zheng Hongyu
Published: September 2016

Static steering torque at parking is an important factor for steering portability of vehicle. At present, the most commonly used estimation method is empirical formula calculation, which, however, cannot explain the phenomenon that the steering torque increases rapidly when steering angle becomes very large (over 300°). This article proposes an estimation method of static steering torque on the basis of a mathematic model of tire-patch sliding torque, taking into account the changeable torque transmission ratio from steered wheel to steering wheel. Three components of static steering torque are modeled and analyzed, including the tire-patch sliding torque, gravity aligning torque, and internal friction torque of the steering system. In order to investigate the static steering torque at steering wheel, the transmission ratio of steering torque is obtained on the basis of rack-suspension mathematical analysis. An example of static steering torque estimation is conducted with the proposed method and is compared with experimental results. The comparison shows that the estimation results given by the proposed method are in better accordance with experimental results than other approaches.
A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Five Blood Glucose Systems in the Hypo-, Eu-, and Hyperglycemic Range
Authors: Zijlstra Eric , Heinemann Lutz , Fischer Annelie , Kapitza Christoph
Published: September 2016

Background:

The objective was to evaluate the performance (in terms of accuracy, precision, and trueness) of 5 CE-certified and commercially available blood glucose (BG) systems (meters plus test strips) using an innovative clinical-experimental study design with a 3-step glucose clamp approach and frequent capillary BG measurements.

Methods:

Sixteen subjects with type 1 diabetes participated in this open label, single center trial. BG was clamped at 3 levels for 60 minutes each: 60-100-200 mg/dL. Medical staff performed regular finger pricks (up to 10 per BG level) to obtain capillary blood samples for paired BG measurements with the 5 BG systems and a laboratory method as comparison.

Results:

Three BG systems displayed significantly lower mean absolute relative deviations (MARD) (ACCU-Chek® Aviva Nano [5.4%], BGStar® [5.1%], iBGStar® [5.3%]) than 2 others (FreeStyle InsuLinx® [7.7%], OneTouch Verio®IQ [10.3%]). The measurement precision of all BG systems was comparable, but relative bias was also lower for the 3 systems with lower MARD (ACCU-Chek [1.3%], BGStar [–0.9%], iBGStar [1.0%]) compared with the 2 others (FreeStyle [–7.2%], OneTouch [8.9%]).

Conclusions:

This 3 range glucose clamp approach enables a systematic performance evaluation of BG systems under controlled and reproducible conditions. The random error of the tested BG systems was comparable, but some showed a lower systematic error than others. These BG systems allow an accurate glucose measurement at low, normal and high BG levels.
Frontline worker perceptions of medication safety in India
Authors: Sharma Sangeeta , Tabassum Fauzia , Khurana Sarbjeet , Kapoor Kaveri
Published: September 2016

Background:

To explore interprofessionals’ perceptions about patient safety, particularly medication safety and associated factors and barriers.

Methods:

A total of 389 respondents were recruited using convenience sample in the cross sectional survey.

Results:

Medication safety was perceived as somewhat safe (60%). One-third of respondents witnessed 3–4 or more medication errors (MEs) within the past 1 year. Out of that, one quarter were reportedly, sentinel events. More sentinel events were witnessed in public hospitals and solo practice clinics compared with corporate hospitals and nursing homes ( p < 0.02). No difference was observed in the occurrence of sentinel events in accredited and nonaccredited facilities ( p = 0.30). Younger respondents witnessed more MEs, whereas accredited hospitals (mostly corporate hospitals) witnessed significantly fewer MEs and graded overall safety as ‘better’. However, most MEs go unreported particularly in solo practice clinics (88%) followed by nursing homes (67%), public hospitals (54%), and corporate hospitals (42%). Error identification and subsequent disclosure was inhibited by several system factors: fear of punitive action and lack of reporting systems. General surgical (46%), medical (42%), and paediatric units (36%), were the most error-prone places. Documentation diverted all healthcare workers from direct patient care. Many doctors and pharmacists from nursing homes, solo clinics and public hospitals reported working overtime. Staff shortages and poor training were overwhelming concerns to all healthcare workers and in public hospitals. Solo clinics and nursing homes perceived more barriers; lack of reporting systems, standard protocol, and resources for patient safety and unfamiliarity with prescribed medications was their overwhelming concern. Other factors threatening MEs were a lack of team approach and openness in interdisciplinary communications, illegible medical orders, and medicines prescribed by brand names.

Conclusions:

Immediate interventions to improve medication safety include enforcement of legible/printed medical orders in generic names, workforce development, developing standard protocols, and a corresponding change in organizational culture. Accreditation can serve as a driver for improving patient safety.
Joint inversion of gravity and traveltime data using a level-set-based structural parameterization
Authors: Li Wenbin , Qian Jianliang
Published: September 2016

We have developed a new level-set-based structural parameterization for joint inversion of gravity and traveltime data, so that density contrast and seismic slowness are simultaneously recovered in the inverse problem. Because density contrast and slowness are different model parameters of the same survey domain, we assume that they are similar in structure in terms of how each property changes and where the interface is located, so that we are able to use a level-set function to parameterize the common interface shared by these two model parameters. The level-set parameterization makes it easy to maintain the structural similarity between the two geophysical properties. The inversion of gravity and traveltime data is carried out by minimizing a joint data-fitting function with respect to density contrast, slowness, as well as the level-set function. An adjoint state method is used to compute the traveltime gradient efficiently. We have tested our algorithm on various synthetic examples, including a 2D ovoid model and the 2D SEG/EAGE salt model. The results show that the joint-inversion algorithm effectively improves recovery of subsurface features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the level-set method was used to structurally link density contrast and slowness distribution systematically.
Tilted transverse isotropic reverse time migration with angle gathers: Implementation and efficiency
Authors: Delaney Sean J. , O’Brien Gareth S. , Short Ruairi , Civario Gilles
Published: September 2016

We have developed a 3D reverse time migration (RTM) implementation, with an extended imaging condition, in the presence of tilted transverse isotropy (TTI), using finite-difference time-domain solvers on the rotated staggered grid (RSG) and the Lebedev grid. We have evaluated dispersion analysis of both schemes for a sample TTI medium. Using synthetic and real seismic data in realistic execution configurations, we found surprising inconsistency with quantitative cost estimates in the literature. For fixed accuracy, the RSG scheme proved most efficient in our tests, and not two to three times less efficient, as had been posited. Of course, variability may arise with particular medium properties, computer architectures, or software implementations. Having analyzed wavefield modeling performance in detail, we then quantified the realistic costs associated with the imaging condition in RTM, especially extended imaging conditions. For large extensions of the imaging condition, the associated cost dominates the total execution time and adds very significantly to the total cost of the migration. Our implementation targets both shared and distributed memory parallelism, making it suitable for general CPU clusters, nonuniform memory access architectures, and Intel Xeon-Phi. We have also discussed other aspects of our implementation in detail. In particular, we have explored an alternative method to achieve concurrent communication and computation in RTM.
Imaging diffractors using wave-equation migration
Authors: Liu Lu , Vincent Etienne , Ji Xu , Qin Fuhao , Luo Yi
Published: September 2016

We have developed a fast and practical wave-equation-based migration method to image subsurface diffractors. The method is composed of three steps in our implementation. First, it decomposes extrapolated receiver wavefields at every imaging point into local plane waves by a linear Radon transform; the transform is realized by a novel computationally efficient recursive algorithm. Second, the decomposed plane waves are zero lag-correlated with the incident source wavefields, where the incident angles are computed via the structure tensor approach. The resulting prestack images are binned into dip-angle gathers according to the directions of the decomposed plane waves and the calculated incident angles. Third, a windowed median filter is applied to the dip-angle gathers to suppress the focused reflection energy, and it produces the desired diffraction images. This method is tested on synthetic and field data. The results demonstrate that it is resistant to random noise, computationally efficient, and applicable to field data in practice. The results also indicate that the diffraction images are able to provide important discontinuous geologic features, such as scattering and faulting zones, and thus are helpful for seismic interpretation.