bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is “chart junk” useful? An extended examination of visual embellishment
Authors: Li Huiyang , Moacdieh Nadine
Published: October 2014

Although many well-cited theories or guidelines for visualization design advocate ‘minimalism’, designers tend to include a wide variety of visual embellishments in their charts. Researchers have examined the effects of visual embellishment on comprehension and memorability of charts under specific conditions, such as charts with a small number of data points that were viewed with no time limit (Bateman et al., 2010). This paper extends previous studies and investigates the effects of visual embellishment given different time limits for viewing these charts. Similar to the Bateman et al. (2010) study, we compared embellished charts (selected from the work of Nigel Holmes) and plain, grayscale charts, but we limited our selection to those that consisted of larger data sets (10 or more data points). Results showed that the presence of a time limit affected comprehension and short-term recall performance, while the type of chart significantly affected short-term recall. In addition, the type of chart affected the time needed to review the chart while answering the questions. Participants found Holmes charts more attractive and memorable.
How Emotions Influence Trust in Online Transactions Using New Technology
Authors: Tislar Catherine , Sterkenburg Jason , Zhang Wei , Jeon Myounghoon
Published: October 2014

Online trust has recently become a critical issue, due to widely publicized information leaks, account hacking, and privacy breaches. This study investigates whether or not emotions have effects on trust in online transactions, particularly when a new technology is involved. We explored the effects of happiness and sadness on participants’ choice of a payment method for online transactions. Forty-four undergraduates participated in online transactions with a prototype webpage after either happiness or sadness induction, compared to a neutral group. Different emotion mechanisms would predict different effects of each emotion. Results showed that when the item cost was relatively low ($10), a higher percentage of participants in both emotion conditions selected a novel payment method than those in a neutral condition. With more expensive items ($50 and $100) the number of participants who chose the new option equally increased across all conditions because participants could benefit relatively a large amount of discount (10%) from the novel payment method. Various emotion mechanisms are discussed with our results.
Investigation of Triggering Force by the Index Finger for Optimal Trigger Design Using a Cadaver Experiment
Authors: Chang Joonho , Freivalds Andris , Sharkey Neil A. , Kong Yong-Ku , Kim Hyun-Min , Sung Kiseok , Kim Dae-Min
Published: October 2014

This study determined the optimal trigger grip span for the index finger and contact location between the index finger and trigger, using a cadaver experiment. Three fresh-frozen right male cadaveric hand specimens without any medical problem were employed, and the index finger motion simulator (IFMS), consisting of 1) support frame, 2) force measurement system, 3) motion delivery unit, and 4) operation system, was developed to support and control the specimens. The experiment consisted of two phases: triggering force was observed as a function of 1) grip spans (40, 50, 60 mm) and 2) three contact locations on the middle of the distal to the middle of the medial phalange. Also, three levels of total tendon forces (FDP + FDS: 40, 70, and 100 N) were applied to both phases. As a result, at Phase I, the maximum triggering forces, 8.9, 15.0, and 20.0 N, were obtained at 50 mm grip span for total tendon forces respectively. At Phase II, The contact location on the middle of the medial phalange showed the maximum triggering forces, 10.1, 18.2, and 28.2 N, for the total tendon forces respectively. Force efficiency, triggering force to tendon force ratio, showed approximately 10 to 30% of internal tendon force was converted into external trigger force. On the basis of the results of this study, 50 mm grip span and the contact location on the middle of the medial phalange were recommended for optimal trigger design.
Ergonomic Intervention of Reduced Reach Force and Rate Attenuates High Repetition High Force Induced Bone Osteopenia in Distal Forelimb Bones
Authors: Barbe Mary F , Jain Nisha X , Popoff Steve N , Barr-Gillespie Ann E
Published: October 2014

Using a rat model of overuse, we have shown that prolonged performance of a high repetition high force (HRHF) reaching and grasping task (12 weeks) induced significant osteopenic changes in distal forelimb bones that were attenuated by 8 weeks of ibuprofen treatment. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention of switching rats from a high repetition high force (HRHF) task to a reduced force and reach rate task. Trabecular structure in distal radius and ulna bones was examined in young adult rats performing one of three repetitive handle-pulling tasks for 12 wks: 1) HRHF, 2) low repetition low force (LRLF), or 3) HRHF task for 4 wks and then the LRLF task for 8 wks (HRHF-to-LRLF). Distal forelimb bones of HRHF rats showed enhanced bone resorption. In contrast, HRHF-to-LRLF rats showed no bone resorptive changes, and instead showed increased bone formation. These findings support the idea of reduced workload as an effective approach to management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and begin to define reach rate and load level boundaries for establishing activity ranges for such interventions.
Evaluation of Contact Pressure and Biomechanical Exposures on Different Work Surface Hardness
Authors: Kim Jeong Ho , Aulck Lovenoor , Trippany David , Johnson Peter W
Published: October 2014

Contact pressure has been identified as a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in various occupational settings. Given that contact pressure over the palmar aspect of the wrists may increase risks for MSDs, the present study was designed to determine whether a work surface with a soft leading edge could reduce contact pressure and subjective musculoskeletal discomfort without affecting task performance during a series of standardized computer work tasks. Using a repeated-measures blinded experimental design with eighteen subjects, during the performance of a series of standardized computer work tasks, contact pressure, computer work performance and perceived fatigue in the upper extremities were evaluated and compared between a conventional hard-edge and soft-edge work surface. The results found that contact pressure and perceived fatigue in the wrists were lower on the soft-edge work surface compared to the conventional hard-edged work surface (p’s < 0.03), whereas no differences were found in computer task performance between the two work surfaces. The study findings showed that soft-edge work surface reduced contact pressure in the wrists and the reduction in contact stress may reduce the risks for developing work-related MSDs when working at the computer.
Hand/Arm Forces with Pneumatic Nail Gun Actuation Systems
Authors: Lowe Brian D. , Albers James , Hudock Stephen D.
Published: October 2014

A biomechanical model is presented to estimate cumulative user hand/arm force associated with two pneumatic nail gun trigger systems. The contact actuation trigger (CAT) can fire a nail when the user holds the trigger depressed first and then “bumps” the nail gun safety tip against the workpiece. With a full sequential actuation trigger (SAT) the user must press the tip against the workpiece prior to activating the trigger. The SAT is demonstrably safer in reducing traumatic injury risk, but increases the duration (and magnitude) of tip force exertion. Time integrated hand force was calculated for a single user from measurements of the tip contact force with the workpiece and transfer time between nails as inputs to a quasi-dynamic model of nailing in two task orientations. Application of the model shows the hand/arm force dependence upon the orientation of the workpiece in addition to the trigger system. Based on standard time allowances from work measurement systems (i.e. MTM - 1) the model results suggest that efficient application of tip contact force with the SAT would reduce total hand/arm force exertion attributable to this trigger system for this user. The present model is useful for considering differences in cumulative hand/arm force exposure between the SAT and CAT systems and the user perceptions and practices that result from these differences.
Creating Custom Human Avatars for Ergonomic Analysis using Depth Cameras
Authors: Reed Matthew P. , Park Byoung-Keon , Kim K. Han , Raschke Ulrich
Published: October 2014

Ergonomic analysis of industrial tasks is often conducted through the use of human figure modeling software, such as the Jack software from Siemens. Typically, figures are scaled by inputting overall anthropometric dimensions, such as stature, body weight, and erect sitting height. This paper presents a method for rapidly generating a figure that matches the body dimensions and shape of an individual. A system with two Microsoft Kinect depth cameras is used to gather shape data. A statistical body shape model (SBSM) generated from analysis of over 250 men and women is used to fit the data. The output of the shape fitting, expressed as a set of 20 principal component scores, is input to the same male or female SBSM implemented in the Jack software. The result is a figure model that closely matches both the size and shape of the scanned individual. This methodology will be useful for a range of applications for which having a customized manikin is advantageous.
The Low Back Cumulative Trauma Index
Authors: Gallagher Sean , Sesek Richard F.
Published: October 2014

Recent evidence strongly suggests that force and repetition interact in a consistent manner to affect the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), likely due to an underlying fatigue failure process in affected tissues. However, no MSD tools to date have been based on fatigue failure theory. The present proposal describes a basis for incorporating fatigue failure theory in a new low back exposure assessment tool: the Low Back Cumulative Trauma Index (LBCTI), and provides an illustration of the effectiveness of such an approach using an existing database on low back disorder (LBD) risk. The LBCTI demonstrated a dose-response relationship to LBD risk.
The Effect of Load Holding Height on Trunk Biomechanics during Sudden Loading
Authors: Zhou Jie , Ning Xiaopeng , Nimbarte Ashish
Published: October 2014

Sudden loading during manual material handling poses a significant risk of back injury. The present study investigated the effect of load holding height on trunk biomechanics (trunk flexion angle and L5/S1 joint compression force) during sudden loading. Eleven subjects were recruited to perform sudden loading tasks with a 6.8 kg load, while maintaining upright standing posture and holding load at three different height levels in the sagittal plane. It has been found that load holding height significantly affected L5/S1 joint compression force and trunk flexion angle. With a lower load holding height, peak L5/S1 joint compression force decreased by 17.5%. According to these findings, it is suggested that holding load at a lower level could help reduce the risk of low back injury.
Analysis of Work in an American Coffee Shop in Honduras
Authors: Higgins Nicholas A.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to conduct a human factors and ergonomics exploratory evaluation of an American international coffee shop located in the developing country of Honduras. Task analysis and ethnography techniques were utilized, observing and interviewing workers to determine basic tasks, task performance, and any issues encountered in the workplace. Analyses revealed aspects that may potentially affect task performance including multitasking, overload, and environmental factors (e.g., lighting, workspace layout, and signage). Recommendations are then provided to enhance the interaction between workers and coffee shop environments in the developing world.
High heels on human stability and plantar pressure distribution
Authors: Hapsari Vaniessa Dewi , Xiong Shuping , Yang Shaofei
Published: October 2014

Many women wear high heeled shoes (HHS) on a daily basis to increase the femininity and attractiveness, making these shoes remain popular despite the negative effects surrounding HHS. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HHS wearing experience and heel height on human stability and foot plantar pressure distribution. Thirty young healthy women consisted of two groups, inexperienced and experienced high-heel wearers, participated in a standing balance test to measure their foot plantar pressures and stability limits when they wore shoes of four different heel heights: 0cm (flat), 4cm (low), 7cm (medium), and 10cm (high). Experimental results showed that the increased heel height shifted the force and peak pressure from the rear foot and mid foot regions to the forefoot and toe regions and the center-of-pressure location moved towards medial anterior side of the foot. Human stability limits were worsened significantly with the increased heel height, especially when it reached 7cm. HHS wearing experience provided certain advantages to the wearers on plantar pressure distributions and the limits of stability, shown by more appropriate pressure distributions and larger excursions and better directional controls in the forward and back directions.
Using a Desk-Compatible Recumbent Bike in an Office Workstation
Authors: Cho Jay , Freivalds Andris , Rovniak Liza , Sung Kiseok , Hatzell Johanna
Published: October 2014

Prolonged seated posture in a sedentary office workstation is one of the major reasons that is causing the rising trend in obesity. To promote exercise in the office, this study investigates in using a desk-compatible recumbent bike in a workstation from two aspects. One is to provide workstation design guidelines that would accommodate 95% of the U.S. population. The other is to see if reading and typing can be carried out without hindrance. Twelve participants were required to select their preferred workstation settings and perform the reading and typing tasks while pedaling at three different conditions: no cycling, 10 and 25 watts. By using the anthropometric variability and the user preference from the sample, the adjustable range of the workstation settings for the general U.S. population was derived: seat height 382 – 455 mm, desk clearance 692 – 835 mm, desk depth 595 – 832 mm, and required minimum total distance 1243 – 1487 mm. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that reading comprehension was not affected while pedaling ( p>0.05), but typing was affected at higher watts ( p<0.001).
Designing take over scenarios for automated driving
Authors: Lorenz Lutz , Kerschbaum Philipp , Schumann Josef
Published: October 2014

Highly automated driving allows the driver to temporarily turn away from the driving task, meaning he or she does not have to monitor the system. This leads to the challenge of getting the driver back into the loop, if the automation reaches a system boundary. This study investigates, whether augmented reality information can positively influence the take over process. Therefore we evaluated two augmented reality concepts. The concept “AR red” displays a corridor on the road to be avoided by the driver in a take over scenario. The concept “AR green” suggests a corridor the driver can safely steer through. Results indicate that the type of augmented reality information does not influence take over times, but considerably affects reaction type. Visual inspection revealed higher consistency in driving trajectories for participants following the proposed corridor of “AR green” concept as compared to trajectories of drivers confronted with the restricted zone of “AR red”.
Modeling route complexity ratings
Authors: Schwartz-Chassidim H , Meyer J , Parmet Y
Published: October 2014

We develop a predictive model of the perceived complexity of routes in road maps, taking into account the properties of the road, the task and the map display. Sixty subjects ranked the complexity of 120 routes on scales between 0 and 10. Half of them described the route verbally before rating it. Subjects also completed a questionnaire about the influence of different variables on the route complexity. A linear regression model explained much of the dependent variable’s variance (R2 = 0.63). The number of turns and rotations, the perceived density of the map and route length were significant predictors. Describing the route before rating it may lower its apparent complexity. Subjects’ assessments of the contribution of different variables to perceptions of route complexity differed from the actual contribution of the variables in the models. The model of perceived route complexity can be used to design road maps that minimize the user’s cognitive load.
Tactile Change Blindness in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Control Task
Authors: Lu Sara A. , Sarter Nadine
Published: October 2014

One promising means of overcoming data overload in complex domains is through the introduction of tactile displays, which can offload the overburdened visual channel. However, the effectiveness of tactile displays depends on taking into consideration attentional systems and the limitations of the human perception. One important question is the extent to which the tactile modality is susceptible to change blindness, i.e. the failure to detect even large and expected changes when these changes coincide with a “transient” stimulus. Recent research has demonstrated an analog of change blindness in the tactile modality for pattern change recognition. The present study examined whether tactile change blindness, as well as crossmodal visual-tactile change blindness, occurs in the context of search and monitoring tasks, and whether it is affected by the addition of a secondary task. The application domain for this experiment was simulated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle control. The findings confirmed the occurrence of tactile change blindness; however, no crossmodal change blindness was observed and change detection was unaffected by the addition of a secondary search task. Overall, this research add to the knowledge base in multimodal and redundant information processing and can inform the design of multimodal displays for complex, data-rich domains.
Redundancy Gain or Cost? Performance Effects of Redundantly-encoded Tactile Displays in Multitask Scenarios
Authors: Ardoin Wil-Johneen , Ferris Thomas K.
Published: October 2014

Redundant displays, those that display the same message via multiple sensory channels, are widely accept-ed as beneficial based on the idea that redundancy offers the potential to effectively distribute processing resources and thus avoid the overload of a high-demand processing channel. While some studies have found performance gains with use of redundant displays, others have shown performance costs. This study investigated whether redundancy in a “multi-code” display – which allows message decoding by engaging either spatial or nonspatial processing resources – would produce redundancy gains or costs under varied concurrent task processing requirements. Results showed dual-task performance was worse when tasks re-quired the same processing code. Redundantly-encoded signals displayed promise for reducing processing interference, a performance gain, but may also negatively affect performance due to a higher overall pro-cessing load. The findings illustrate the effects of processing code redundancy on multitasking performance and add to the body of knowledge in information processing.
Statistically Lay Decision Makers Ignore Error Bars in Two-Point Comparisons
Authors: Scown Henry , Bartlett Megan , McCarley Jason S.
Published: October 2014

An experiment tested statistically lay decision makers’ use of error bars in a graph reading task. Participants viewed two-point dot plots, with each point representing a sample mean. Across conditions, means were accompanied by error bars of different sizes. Graphs were described as plots of consumer product ratings, and participants were asked to judge whether the products represented in each graph were rated differently or about the same. Signal detection analysis showed no influence of error bars on participants’ sensitivity or bias, and on average performance was poorer and far more liberal than predicted by a simple decision rule that classified the two data points as different if their error bars did not overlap. Results suggest that non-expert graph readers make little use of error bars in drawing
Interaction of Movement Difficulty due to the Misalignment Effect and Response Latency
Authors: Ellis Stephen R. , Adelstein Bernard D.
Published: October 2014

In previous reports we measured and analyzed the Misalignment Effect Function, a function describing the decrement in human performance due to rotation between operators’ display and control axes. This prior work allowed us to determine difficulty-matched sets of rotations for a generalized 3D Fitts-like movement task. We consequently are now able to study the interaction of system latency and movement difficulty in a highly generalized way in a virtual telerobotic environment using wide variety of conditions and targets. Our targets are located on a spherical shell near our participants’ starting point in a high dynamic fidelity virtual environment. Analysis of participants’ ability to make movements to these targets has revealed a purely multiplicative interaction between control latency and task difficulty. Interestingly, we show that this the observed interaction supports work on Fitts’ Law by E.R. Hoffmann and that it depends upon accounting for an internal human processing latency of ~250 ms. Our data suggest that the interaction varies nonlinearly due to task difficulty in a manner consistent with Hoffmann’s results. We propose a descriptive equation to reflect the observed interaction that can be seen as a spatiotemporal generalization of Fitts’ Law. Our results provide a basis for generalizing latency requirements for reference tasks that may be varied in difficulty in a manner analogous to the Fitts’ Index of Difficulty.
Measuring performance in multiple-target visual search
Authors: Steelman Kelly S. , McCarley Jason S.
Published: October 2014

Naturalistic visual search tasks, such as radiographic image screening, often contain more than one target and require the searcher to not only report the presence of anomalies, but to also indicate their specific locations. The requirement to localize multiple targets precludes the use of common signal detection performance measures that assume only a single response per display. Chakraborty (2008) has validated two measures of sensitivity, A’1 and A1, for use in free response localization tasks like radiology. These measures, however, require the searcher to report confidence ratings for each anomaly, a demand that is not always practical or naturalistic. The current work examines whether these measures would be effective in a case in which confidence ratings were not reported. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of target discriminability and instructional bias on A’1, A1, and d’eq. Experiment 3 examined the effect of bias imposed by differences in target base rate. Across three experiments, neither A’1 nor A1 was entirely resistant to shifts in bias, but the effect of the bias manipulations on A’1 was small in Experiments 1 and 2 ( ω2 ≤ .05) and non-significant in Experiment 3. Although d’eq was not significantly affected by the bias manipulation in Experiments 1 & 2, it was strongly affected by target base rate in Experiment 3. The results suggest that, of the three measures, A’1 can serve as the most useful measure of sensitivity in multiple-target search tasks.
The typing performance and preference costs of reducing tactile feedback and tactile landmarks in tablet keyboards
Authors: Odell Dan , Faggin Eric
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tactile landmarks and tactile feedback on keyboard typing under real-world conditions. Four keyboards were tested, representing a range of tactile landmarks versus no landmarks, tactile feedback versus no tactile feedback, and the ability to rest the fingers on the keys vs. keys that triggered when simply touched. Participants completed a typing task on each of the keyboards while their performance and preference was collected. The conventional keyboard with tactile landmarks, tactile feedback, and the ability to rest the fingers was significantly better than the other options both in terms of performance and preference. The capacitive keyboard, which had tactile landmarks but no tactile feedback, nor the ability to rest fingers on the keys without triggering them performed the worst in terms of accuracy and preference, showing that tactile landmarks alone do not ensure good performance.
Evaluating both Physiological and Biomechanical Strains in Women Using Different Hoe Handle Designs
Authors: Sung Kiseok , Freivalds Andris
Published: October 2014

Physiological and biomechanical strains were investigated in women using four different handle designs for hoe. Electromyography (EMG), energy expenditure, and task workload were measured while using four different hoes: a conventional hoe with 1) the normal (N) handle, 2) the second (S) handle, 3) the T-grip with arm supporter (TA) handle, and 4) the second with T-grip and arm supporter (STA) handle. Each handle strained different regions of the body. The S handle was significantly better for minimizing the erector spinae muscle EMG. The TA handle required less effort on the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), but more effort on the posterior deltoid. From the STA handle, no interaction was found between the S and TA handle. The results from energy expenditure analysis indicated that the workload in hoeing involves mainly a pushing and pulling motion of the shoulder (r = .923). In comparison with the N handle, the additional handles caused a significantly greater workload, but there was no significant difference between those three handles.
Development of an Ergonomic Bus Seat Profile Design Protocol
Authors: Park Jangwoon , Lee Hyewon , Choi Younggeun , Park Kwangae , Kim Moonjin , You Heecheon
Published: October 2014

The profile of a bus seat needs to be designed ergonomically for better seating comfort. The present study is intended to develop an ergonomic bus seat design protocol based on seat comfort evaluation and seat profile analysis. The proposed seat profile design protocol consists of five steps: (1) seating comfort evaluation, (2) seat profile measurement, (3) preferred design feature identification, (4) new seat profile design development, and (5) new seat profile design validation. In the comfort evaluation step, 48 participants evaluated 7 parts (headrest, upper-back support, lumbar support, seatback bolster, hip support, thigh support, and seatpan bolster) of 12 existing bus seats from various ergonomic aspects including fitness of shape and overall comfort. In the profile measurement step, the profiles of seatback and seatpan for the bus seats were scanned and analyzed. In the preferred design identification step, preferred design features of the bus seats were identified based on the comfort evaluation results. In the design development step, the identified preferred design features were applied to developing the prototype of an improved bus seat. Lastly, in the validation step, the new bus seat was compared with the reference bus seat by seating comfort evaluation. The proposed bus seat seat ( M = 4.79, SD = 1.22) was found superior to the reference bus seat ( M = 4.32, SD = 1.16) at the seatback and seatpan parts. The proposed seat profile design protocol would be applicable to design various types of seats used in bus as well as passenger cars.
Pedestrians’ Willingness to Seek Out, Purchase, and Wear Conspicuity-Enhancing Athletic Garments
Authors: Sewall Ashley A. Stafford , Borzendowski Stephanie A. Whetsel , Fekety Drea K. , Tyrrell Richard A.
Published: October 2014

Most traffic-related pedestrian fatalities occur at night, and insufficient conspicuity of pedestrians’ clothing is recognized to be a key causal factor. In an effort to explore the demand for conspicuity-enhancing garments we examined the attitudes of 166 university students about nighttime conspicuity problems and their interest in (and willingness to purchase) these clothing items. We found that when it comes to their own conspicuity at night pedestrians are too often overconfident and uninformed. Participants generally believed that wearing brightly colored clothing or a reflective vest made them visible to drivers at night and generally did not believe that wearing reflective markings on their ankles and wrists would make them more visible than a reflective vest. Despite having reported that visibility issues were usually not important factors when purchasing athletic garments, most participants reported being willing to pay slightly more for athletic garments (shorts, shirts/jackets, and shoes) that contain reflective markings.
Form or Function? Expanding Upon Human Factors Perspectives in Design
Authors: Parker James
Published: October 2014

Human factors has contributed significantly to the understanding of human behavior in applied settings but still has much to learn about design. Neglected areas of research include areas in design aesthetics, user emotion, user satisfaction, and their impact on user behavior. Research in marketing, design, consumer behavior, business strategy, and within the human factors field are presented as evidence of the importance of these topics. This article highlights where the traditional human factors approach to design fails and suggests where human factors practitioners can draw from research efforts to expand its understanding of human performance and behavior in complex systems.
A Comparison of Prototyping on Paper (POP) Software and Traditional Paper Prototyping for Developing Mobile Products with Optimal User Experience
Authors: Martini Molly C. , Smith Melissa A.B. , Youmans Robert J.
Published: October 2014

Prototyping is a quick and effective way to facilitate iterative conceptual design, and allows user experience researchers to test the user experience of early conceptual designs. The current study compared usability testing that was supported by traditional paper prototyping methods with testing that was supported by a new iPhone software application called Prototyping on Paper (POP). POP supports testing and development by allowing uploaded images to be linked together to form virtual interactive prototypes. Usability testing was carried out on an actual smartphone product that is currently under development called ‘Fleet,’ a product that provides travelers with crowd-sourced information about commercial air travel. Data from the user testing showed that participants slightly preferred interacting with POP in comparison with traditional paper prototyping, but no reliable differences were found in terms of user performance. Test facilitators also showed no reliable preference between the two techniques. The increased level of interactivity POP offers and its ability to better model actual interactions on a mobile device makes it a novel prototyping technique for smartphone applications that should be considered by usability experts.
The Hidden Hazard of an Invisible Flame
Authors: Nemire Kenneth
Published: October 2014

A case study is presented of a fatal incident in which a man poured denatured alcohol on the wick of an alcohol stove with the intention of later lighting the wick, failed to first notice the wick had already been lit, and was engulfed in flames after the wick’s flame followed the stream of fuel into the can, and caused an explosion that spewed flaming fuel onto his torso. A survey was conducted to examine common knowledge about the invisible flame of burning denatured alcohol, and showed that none of the participants were aware that denatured alcohol burned with an invisible flame before the survey, and that a small percentage recognized it as a hazard after reading the product label. The incident is evaluated from the perspective of the manufacturer’s failure to guard users from the hazard of the invisible flame and their failure to warn users of the hazard.
Dynamic Responses of Experienced All-Terrain Vehicle Operators to Simulated Unexpected Terrain Changes
Authors: Jennissen Charles A. , DeShaw Jonathan , Meusch John C. , Denning Gerene M. , McGehee Daniel V. , Rahmatalla Salam F.
Published: October 2014

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) require “active riding,” meaning operators must rapidly assess changes in vehicle stability and adjust body position to compensate. No previous studies have reported using an ATV simulator to study active riding by human subjects. An ATV was mounted to a computer-controlled platform. Ride-file programs were developed which included sudden vehicle pitch (upward/downward) and roll (side to side) movements. A motion-capture system and accelerometers collected data that were analyzed with 3D modeling software. The posture and dynamic response to simulated sudden terrain changes for five adult males with ATV riding experience were determined. This study provides proof-of-principle for the use of ATV simulation to study active riding. In addition, the response patterns of experienced adult ATV operators can now be compared to that of other groups (e.g. inexperienced operators, children, drivers with passengers) to determine potential differences that might contribute to loss of vehicle control and crashing.
Understanding Older Adults’ Perceptions of Usefulness for the Paro Robot
Authors: McGlynn Sean A. , Kemple Shawn C. , Mitzner Tracy L. , King Chih-Hung , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: October 2014

There is a growing proportion of older adults in the population. Normal aging brings about difficulty in maintaining autonomy as well as an increased need for social support. Animal-assisted therapy and pet-type robots may be a solution to this problem. However, older adults’ living situations cannot always accommodate live animals and there are design limitations associated with many of the current pet-type robots. Paro’s design addresses some of these issues, but perceptions of Paro’s usefulness remain largely unexplored in the normally aging older adult population. The focus of this paper was to address perceived usefulness of the robot Paro as well as potential influencing factors of perceived usefulness. In this study, 30 healthy older adults (ages 67-80) completed questionnaires and answered interview questions regarding perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Paro before and after they interacted with it. The data revealed that the participants were neutral regarding perceived usefulness of Paro in their daily lives. However, most participants indicated specific uses for themselves and others, which raised concerns regarding the applicability of the Perceived Usefulness measure in this context. Furthermore, most participants said that they would want to own Paro, and perceived it as being beneficial to other people. Data analysis is ongoing, but initial findings and potential response trends have been identified and discussed. Our results provide insights into healthy older adults’ thoughts toward and acceptance of this robot, as well as potential influencing factors of its acceptance.
Exploring Reflection Journals and Self-efficacy in Robotics Education
Authors: Huang Lixiao , Varnado Terri , Gillan Douglas
Published: October 2014

Both metacognition (reflection of activities and thinking) and self-efficacy (a personal belief of being capable of doing something) influence learning outcomes. This study investigated metacognition using 17 students’ reflection journals and the change of general self-efficacy and robotics self-efficacy (perceptions of capability regarding specific robotics related knowledge and skills) over a one-semester robotics education course. The reflection journals showed (1) the majority of students reported more frequently on what they did during the last eight weeks than the first eight weeks, as well as writing about planning and evaluation and (2) while writing about background knowledge, opinions, and learning had a decreasing trend. The survey results showed that students’ robotics self-efficacy in the knowledge and skills significantly increased. The findings suggest that writing reflection journals can be a useful tool for robotics teachers in helping students practice metacognition and engage in a higher level of learning.
Prototype of an Educational Video Game for Knowledge Retention in Youth Health Education
Authors: Vogel Jennifer L.
Published: October 2014

There is some debate about the most effective and least controversial means of sex education in schools. In several states, state law does not require education about Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (STDs and HIV/AIDS.) There is also debate about the effect and pervasiveness of sexual situations in video games and its effect on the healthy sexual development of adolescents. This research therefore aims to try to solve these two problems and answer the following question: Is it possible to represent sex in a more realistic and educational way through a video game while teaching more medically accurate and necessary information? The completion of this study will be able to provide some insights on the feasibility and benefits of widespread implementation of serious video games for health education in the United States and also point to the necessity of future research into this topic.
An Investigation of Obesity-Related Differences in Lifting Strategy
Authors: Marra Michael P. , Li Ruixuan , Cavuoto Lora A.
Published: October 2014

The high prevalence of obesity in the workplace has been associated with increased rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In the general population, joint loading and kinematics are commonly cited risk factors of overexertion injuries. Recent studies on the influence of obesity have found initial evidence of elevated low back joint loading and lifting acceleration, however the link between obesity and lifting kinematics remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of obesity on lifting strategies during a standardized lifting task of extended duration. Seven obese and seven non-obese participants performed repetitive lifts from floor to knuckle height four times per minute for one hour. Lifting strategy was quantified in terms of acceptable weights of lift, trunk posture, and trunk acceleration. Results of this pilot investigation show that both obese and non-obese individuals adopted similar strategies, and that these strategies remained consistent over the extended task. Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms of obesity-related increases in the incidence of overexertion injuries.
Usability of Pay-as-you-go Cell Phones
Authors: Higgins Nicholas A. , Talone Andrew B.
Published: October 2014

The goal of the current study was to assess the usability of pay-as-you-go cell phones across specific cultures- one cell phone model from Honduras and one model from the United States. Bilingual participants completed three basic tasks with both cell phones while performing the think-aloud protocol and then completed surveys evaluating their user experience. Findings revealed that participants had more difficulty and were less satisfied when using the Honduran phone to complete the tasks. Universal and cross-cultural usability heuristics are used to evaluate performance issues with the phones and provide basic design recommendations to optimize user performance with the cell phones across the two cultures.
The Role of Feedback on Stress Experiences- A Literature Review
Authors: Bryant Michelle R.
Published: October 2014

Previous Human Factors research has focused on stress as a stressor that is external and/or unrelated to the task. However, the larger body of literature points to the inclusion of stress experiences as an individual difference that may have implications for performance decrement. Feedback Intervention Theory posits that feedback directed toward the person, or toward the task may have differential effects on stress experiences such that performance may be decreased or increased based on feedback content. This literature review reveals the connections across domains that have been exemplified in vigilance studies and suggests implementing these ideas across task types for a more complete picture of performance.
Haptic Perception of Distance-To-Break for Compliant Tissues in a Surgical Simulator
Authors: Long Lindsay O. , Hartman Leah S. , Pagano Christopher C. , Kil Irfan , Singapogu Joseph , Burg Timothy C.
Published: October 2014

In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), it is critical to have the ability to accurately interpret haptic information and apply appropriate force magnitudes onto soft tissue in order to minimize tissue trauma. The surgeon’s administration of force onto tissue reveals useful perceptual information which guides further haptic interaction making the force perception in MIS a dynamic process. It has been hypothesized that the compliant nature of soft tissue during force application provides biomechanical information denoting tissue failure. Specifically, the relationship between applied force and material deformation rate specifies the distance remaining until the tissue will fail, which is termed distance-to-break (DTB). Two experiments explored sensitivity to DTB; one with an exploratory task and the other using a unidirectional task. Findings revealed that observers could reliably perceive DTB in simulated biological tissues in the exploratory task but they were unable to perform the unidirectional task. It was also found that the perception of DTB can be improved through feedback training. Implications for optimizing training in MIS simulators are discussed.
Designing a Decision Support System for Disaster Management and Recovery
Authors: Park Jongsoon , Cullen Ralph , Smith-Jackson Tonya
Published: October 2014

Returning to basic function and then to normalcy is important after a disaster. This level of resilience allows businesses to reopen, social and emergency services to act quickly and effectively in aiding citizens, and returns a feeling of safety and comfort to those affected. Unfortunately, those tasked with responding and managing the disaster are often overwhelmed and their decision-making taxed, causing the response itself to be inefficient. One way to aid disaster response teams is the introduction of a decision support system (DSS) to support decision making capabilities in time-critical situations. The purpose of this research was to create a framework for disaster recovery and a prototype DSS to aid both command center workers and those in the field. Our goal was to help make response easier and more efficient, as well as evaluate our prototype design for usability.
Texting while driving using Google Glass
Authors: Tippey Kathryn G. , Sivaraj Elayaraj , Ardoin Wil-Johneen , Roady Trey , Ferris Thomas K.
Published: October 2014

In-vehicle driver distractions are an increasing cause of automobile accidents. Recent advances in wearable consumer technologies impose new challenges for managing driver attention and regulating device use in the driving context. Google Glass is a wearable interface that presents information via a heads-up display and read aloud function, neither of which obstructs the user’s view of the surrounding environment. While Glass may benefit drivers by providing driving-related notifications, no documentation exists objectively measuring the extent to which using Glass impacts driving performance and safety. This preliminary study compared texting with Google Glass to other texting methods in a driving simulation to examine driver behavior and performance. While texting-and-driving is inadvisable, the task of texting may be constructed so that it does not provide information that alters the intent of the driving task, reducing confounding factors in analysis of the device’s impact on driving performance. The results of this study suggest that Glass performs much clos-er to baseline than the other technologies. Evidence from this preliminary investigation was used to form a complete study evaluating texting-and-driving with Google Glass. Results from these studies can be used to inform developers of wearable technologies and policymakers tasked with regulating the use of these tech-nologies while driving.
Assessing Driver-Passenger Interactions in a Simulated Driving Environment
Authors: Tiedeken Molly E. , Manire Marianne , Bonfiglio Dana J. , Casty Katherine , Mirman Jessica H. , Lee Yi-Ching
Published: October 2014

The combination of teen drivers and peer passengers presents a unique challenge to roadway safety. Teen drivers, being inexperienced, have not mastered essential driving skills and may not know how to safely manage their passengers. Peer passengers may not know how to help the driver and, as a result, become a source of distraction and a risk-promoting factor. We examined the effect of working relationships (i.e. cooperative, individualistic, and competitive) on driver-passenger social interactions in a driving simulator using observational and self-report methods by experimentally inducing the type of working relationship via a pre-drive social interaction task. The preliminary results indicated that dyads assigned to the cooperation condition produced more ‘helpful’ comments compared to dyads in the competition condition. Initial findings suggest that this type of experimental manipulation may be useful for examining driver-passenger interactions among teens, and those interactions between driver-passenger dyads prior to carry-over into in-vehicle social dynamics. More research is needed to further examine driver-passenger interactions and how differences in these interactions may be associated with safety outcomes.
The Impact of Cold Stress on Driving Performance
Authors: Morris Drew M , Pilcher June J
Published: October 2014

Exposure to cold environments can impact complex task performance due to increased error from cognitive and physiological stress. Few studies have examined the effects of cold stress on driving performance or the potential for advanced driver safety systems to detect error. The current study aims to examine the effects of cold stress by way of skin cooling on driving simulator performance, and evaluate vehicle behavior metrics for possible dangerous driving detection systems. Driving under cold stress is expected to result in systematic vehicle behavior and driving performance error, which can be utilized for future safety system research and development.
Cognitive screening tools for predicting unsafe driving behavior among senior drivers
Authors: Vanlaar Ward , McKiernan Anna , McAteer Heather , Robertson Robyn , Mayhew Dan , Carr David , Brown Steve , Holmes Erin
Published: October 2014

As Canada’s elderly continue to represent the fastest growing population in Canada, there has been an increasing need for effective and efficient screening tools for senior drivers, especially ones which identify possible cognitive impairments. Thus, the objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the available research surrounding the predictive value of pencil-and-paper cognitive screening tools. A systematic review of existing literature was conducted, with a final sample of 15 evaluation outcomes that identified 10 different pencil-and-paper tools. Multiple techniques were used to evaluate the data, including random effects modeling, meta-regression analysis and tests for bias, including publication bias. Finally, a multilevel meta-regression model was used to account for dependence of evaluation outcomes coming from the same study. A small to medium-sized significant pooled effect of 1.94 was found, indicating that when pencil-and-paper cognitive screening tools predict a driver is unsafe, there is a 94% greater chance that this driver will exhibit unsafe driving behaviors. Results, however, only provide partial evidence to inform the selection of pencil-and-paper cognitive screening tools, as it was not possible to unequivocally identify which tool performed best.