bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instructional Strategies for Training Military-Relevant Perceptual-Cognitive Skills
Authors: Vogel-Walcutt Jennifer J. , Fiorella Logan , Malone Naomi
Published: October 2013

A growing body of research evidence suggests that essential perceptual-cognitive skills can be enhanced through training. Despite this success, at present, these skills have been studied in relative isolation and across many domains, resulting in a research literature that lacks a coherent framework for clearly match-ing specific perceptual skills to specific training interventions. In response, this paper reviews the available literature that investigates the effectiveness of interventions aimed at training military-relevant perceptual-cognitive skills (e.g., situation awareness, anticipatory skills), organizes these interventions and skills into a usable framework, and provides concrete, research-based recommendations for training specific skills.
Ergonomic Evaluation of Aircraft Wing Recovering Tasks in General Aviation Maintenance
Authors: Stader Sally A.
Published: October 2013

General aviation (GA) maintenance ergonomics has been a largely understudied area. It is known that risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) occur in other types of maintenance. This paper presents an approach to ergonomic evaluations in a GA maintenance workshop for tasks of recovering aircraft wings. First, a high-level analysis and resulting job/task hierarchy were completed. The task hierarchy suggested that the recovering tasks for three different types of aircraft wings present different musculoskeletal risks to maintainers. Next, ergonomic screening tools were used to evaluate the work performed on each wing type. Finally, based on the screening, more detailed ergonomic analyses were performed. Results indicated that risks to the low back as well as hands and wrists are present in these tasks with risks largely dependent on task duration. Evaluation tools used and suggestions for further research in this work domain are discussed.
Effects of Robot Gaze and Proxemic Behavior on Perceived Social Presence during a Hallway Navigation Scenario
Authors: Wiltshire Travis J. , Lobato Emilio J. C. , Wedell Anna V. , Huang Wes , Axelrod Benjamin , Fiore Stephen M.
Published: October 2013

Robots are increasingly being introduced into task environments that require the ability to exhibit appropriate social functionality. The present study is an examination of how social cues conveyed by a robot, during a brief interaction, affect the perception of the robot as a socially present agent. Participants were exposed to one of three gaze conditions and two proxemic behavioral programs during a number of experimental trials involving path-crossing in a hallway setting. Results indicated that participants perceived the robot as more socially present when it exhibited a passive proxemic behavior and more socially present over time; though, findings varied at the sub-scale level. Design recommendations are presented for roboticists.
Identifying the Role of Attributions in Human Perceptions of Robots
Authors: Wright Julia , Sanders Tracy , Hancock Peter A.
Published: October 2013

To date, research into the potential impact of fundamental design attributes, such as material and color, on human-robot trust has been limited. This study addresses how a human’s perception of fundamental, basic design features (i.e., the robot’s physical appearance) may influence their attribution of anthropomorphic characteristics to the robot. Two experiments investigated the correlations between the color, texture, and material of a robot body and the perception of the robot’s internal characteristics (i.e. intelligence, friendliness, robustness, reliability, personality, and integrity), as well as its appropriate uses and tasks. Experiment 1 found correlations between participants’ basic attributions and fundamental design elements of the robot images. Experiment 2 evaluated combinations of significant correlational relationships from study 1 to determine which of competing characteristics would determine the participants’ attributions of the robots’ internal characteristics. These correlations have implications for robot design and will lead to the creation of design heuristics and guidelines that can address any identified human biases occurring based on robot appearance alone.
Arrow Key Configuration on Laptops
Authors: Nery Angelene , Harper Christy , Bartha Michael
Published: October 2013

With the popularization of mobile devices, product design is adapting to the needs of mobility. Laptops are getting smaller, thus the keyboards on laptops are becoming smaller. Having a smaller keyboard means redesigning certain key configurations. A common key configuration that is often modified for the sake of keyboard size is the arrow keys. The most common arrow key configuration is the inverted-T, but the modified cross is being used on laptop keyboards more frequently due to its size and scalability. This study sought to understand how the modified cross performs against the well-known inverted-T in speed and accuracy. Also, we were interested in understanding the user experience and perceived performance with these two configurations. Although, the user rankings and preference ratings favored the inverted-T, we found that the performance of the modified cross was significantly faster than the inverted-T. There was no significant difference of the number of errors between the two configurations.
Low Profile Keyboard Design
Authors: Hoyle Wimberly S. , Bartha Michael C. , Harper Christy A. , Peres S. Camille
Published: October 2013

The growing usage of tablets and the introduction of ultrabooks have increased consumer demands for smaller, lighter, sleeker, and more mobile devices. With computing technologies gravitating towards thinner designs, there is increased pressure to reduce key travel in order to accommodate the reduced thickness. It is important to understand how reductions in key travel may affect users’ performance and preferences. The main goal of this study was to examine how physical key characteristics affect user performance and preference on various computer keyboards. Four keyboards varying in key travel distances from 0.0 mm to 2.0 mm were compared. Participants completed a 7-minute typing task on each of the four keyboards. Typing performance (speed and accuracy) was collected for each of the keyboards. The results showed that words per minute were higher with the 1.6 mm and 2.0 mm keyboards and lower with the 0.4 mm and 0.0 mm keyboards. The 0.0 mm keyboard had a lower accuracy than the other three keyboards. Performance and usability ratings were significantly lower for the 0.0 mm keyboard compared with the other keyboards. Overall, both subjective and objective measures of performance and usability showed that the1.6 mm keyboard was preferred.
Green Expectations
Authors: Lee Michael , Carswell C. Melody , Seidelman Will , Sublette Michelle
Published: October 2013

Environmental control and sustainability have become increasingly important in the design of workspaces. Lighting systems in particular have undergone many changes through the incorporation of computer- integrated control panels working in tandem with occupancy and light sensors. Such control panels can allow for increased perceived environmental control which has been shown to improve job satisfaction and productivity (Kroner, 1992; O’Neil, 2004). However, these controls must be designed effectively according to a number of principles regarding interaction design, including good stimulus-response compatibility and adherence to population stereotypes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usability of one such control panel being used in a smart, green building, and to see how the shortcomings in the design may force users to default to the most familiar setting, which may not be the most energy efficient.
Modeling a Display Adjustment Range for Standing and Keyboarding for Touchscreen Computer Users
Authors: Bartha Michael C. , Meingast Melissa , Purvis Cynthia Roe , Kokot Douglas , Allie Paul
Published: October 2013

As the number of touchscreen displays begin to proliferate in work settings the need for display placement recommendations based on sound practices and good science rises. While studies have reported on touch display placement and resulting postures and discomfort for seated computer users, investigation into the adjustment requirements for standing workers using a touchscreen display and keyboard are limited, and focus primarily on handheld units. This poster describes a methodology combining existing research and anthropometric modeling to develop a recommended range of touchscreen placement suitable for standing computer users who also need to interface with a keyboard.
Learning to Tie Well with Others
Authors: Crites Michael J. , Gorman Jamie C.
Published: October 2013

A shoe-tying paradigm was developed to examine mode effects and motor learning functions when people are asked to handle a familiar object (e.g., tying a shoe) using an unfamiliar coordination mode (e.g., tying a shoe with another person). Dyads first tied a shoe apparatus using their own two hands (“bimanual”) for 10 trials and then tied the shoe as a dyad, each person using one hand (“intermanual”) for 20 trials. Finally, participants tied the shoe bimanually for another 10 trials. Previous research has indicated that intermanual is faster than bimanual, but those experiments examined novel tasks performed by novices. For this familiar task, results revealed that participants were significantly slower in the intermanual mode compared to either set of bimanual trials, and participants were significantly faster in the second set of bimanual trials than the first. Unlike mode effects for novel tasks with novice participants, the intermanual mode was slowest, though intermanual performance may have enhanced subsequent bimanual performance. Previous research on motor learning suggests an exponential function describes acquisition of a novel skill, whereas a power law describes persistent motor learning. Analyses revealed that dyads exhibited a power law function over both the first set of bimanual trials and the intermanual trials. That finding suggests that participants were not learning a new coordination skill in the intermanual mode but may have transferred persistent, bimanual shoe-tying skill to the novel mode. Theoretical and practical implications of acquisition of a novel coordination mode for a familiar task are described.
The Relationship between Mindfulness and Resiliency among Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans
Authors: Rice Valerie , Boykin Gary , Jeter Angela , Villarreal Jessica , Overby Cory , Alfred Petra
Published: October 2013

Soldier resilience is of paramount importance to the U.S. Military. Mindfulness and Resilience are positively correlated to one another in research focused on civilian populations. Since mindfulness can be learned, if the correlations remain consistent over time, then perhaps resilience can be increased by learning to be mindful. However, no published research has investigated the relationship between mindfulness and resilience among military active duty and veteran populations who have not undergone mindfulness training. Thirty active duty and veteran service members volunteered and completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Resilience Scale, while 29 fully completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Results reveal significant correlations between resilience scores and three of the FFMQ scale (Describe, Conscious Action, and Non-Reactive, p < .05), but not with the overall FFMQ, the other two facets (Observe and Non-Discrimination of the FFMQ), and not with the MAAS (p > .05). These results provide initial information on the relationship between mindfulness and resilience among active duty military and veterans, revealing that only some aspects of mindfulness appear related to, and predictive of, resilience. Should the relationships be consistent over time, then instruction in mindfulness may ultimately impact resilience, however additional research is necessary.
Standard Deviation of sEMG
Authors: Duffield Timothy J. , Peres S. Camille , Amonette William , Ritchey Paul
Published: October 2013

Certain muscle activities (e.g. static muscle activities for prolonged periods of time) and resultant movement patterns may be associated with the development of cumulative trauma disorders. Currently, there is no simple, well-defined measure to discern if a muscle is performing a static or dynamic activity. In this paper, we present the results of a simple study designed to investigate whether the standard deviation (SD) of sEMG is an effective method of identifying muscle dynamicity. Participants completed two separate tasks with a desktop touchscreen device—one requiring static muscle movements and the other to elicit dynamic movements while we measured muscle activity. The SD was more was more varied (M = 4.8 ±.4% MVC) during the dynamic task compared to the Static task (M = 2.5 ±0.2% MVC). Participants’ muscles had a lower Mean (exertion) (M = 7.3 ± 0.8% MVC) in the dynamic task compared to the Static task (M = 11.6 ±1.1% MVC). This interaction of measure and task was significant, F(1,18) = 72.23, p < .001, η2 = 0.80. Thus standard deviation of sEMG was found to be a valid measure of muscle dynamicity.
Considering Task Force Requirements for Hand Posture Predictions
Authors: Figueroa R. , Armstrong T.
Published: October 2013

This work is concerned with how finger, wrist, elbow and shoulder postures are affected depending the orientation and magnitude of hand force exerted. Six participants, 3 females and 3 males from the ages of 18-25, where asked to perform three exertions (100%, 30% and 10% MVC) perpendicular to an aluminum plate in 45°, 0°, 45° and 90° pitch at elbow height. Exertions were performed using the whole hand and the fingertips. We recorded inter-digit joint angles as force is applied to compute joint moments, and hand and finger motions so that they can be modeled and mapped for each condition. Results show that posture changes depending the force exerted and the threshold for significant changes is at force levels below 50%MVC. Comparing exertions over 50%MVC with exertions of 50%MVC or lower, elbow and wrist angles were significantly greater, and forearm was more perpendicular to the surface. Distance between hand and shoulder increases by decreasing the required %MVC. At 0° pitch males exerted all the required forces using shoulder abduction. Awkward postures, such as shoulder abduction, are some of the contributing factors to develop upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and must be taken into account while designing tasks.
Roc-Estimator Software and Roc Analysis
Authors: O’Connell Maureen , Szalma James L.
Published: October 2013

Most currently available ROC analysis software programs have not been updated within the last decade or longer. Due to the age of many of these applications they usually do not include graphical user interfaces. Those applications which have graphical user interfaces are not always compatible with current generation operating systems and technology. Through the use of usability design principles ROC-Estimator was developed to address these current limitations of functioning ROC analysis software.
What is stressful on the road? Analysis on aggression-inducing traffic situations through self-report
Authors: Lee Yi-Ching , Bonfiglio Dana J.
Published: October 2013

An exploratory study was designed to understand how drivers perceive and interpret aggression and stress-inducing traffic situations. The goals of the study were to identify the most stressful situations to be used in a follow-on empirical study and to examine the relative rankings of stressful situations across demographic subgroups. Using a convenience sample, our findings support the results from previous studies that gender, history of driving, and driving experience play a significant role in perceiving and interpreting the intentions of others. Drivers who had prior violations and citations perceived others’ behaviors more negatively. Males had more situations related to others’ deliberate aggressive behaviors in their top 15 traffic situations, compared to females. Females had more environmental factors in their top 15 when compared to males. Continuing education and emphasis on improving the driving culture may be helpful in reducing the aggression toward others, especially when the communications between road users are primarily based on non-verbal observations.
Affective Product Design Research Based on Fishing Culture of Northern China
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhao Wei , Liu Bo
Published: October 2013

Globalization has caused some cultures with little influence to become assimilated, which has gradually resulted in the disappearance of these traditional cultures. Northern Chinese fishing minority groups, such as the Hezhen people, represent this phenomenon. Affectively developing products based on Hezhen fishing culture can both help protect and develop this unique culture. In order to accomplish this goal, this study firstly collected cultural symbols from Northern Chinese fishing groups by compiling and researching the distinct features of these people’s religion, art, architecture, clothing, etc. Next an affective design method based on specific cultural symbols was presented through analyzing the relationship between culture and emotions. Finally, the design concepts of affective products that were integrated with Hezhen fishing culture features were proposed and a series of affective products were designed with the purpose of representing leisure furniture.
A System Transferability Questionnaire (STQ)
Authors: Huang Yunchen , Strawderman Lesley
Published: October 2013

The usability of a multiple device system largely depends on the ease of which users can transfer between using different devices. This paper is aimed at constructing a System Transferability Questionnaire (STQ) to effectively measure the subjective transferability of a multiple device system. Theoretical rationale and approach to develop the questionnaire were presented. A software usability study was conducted to test the STQ. Results showed that STQ helps to capture four factors regarding transferability, which are transfer experience (TE), overall experience (OE), consistency perception (CP) and functionality perception (FP). Users were more satisfied with OE ( M=5.11 out of 7) and FP ( M=5.20), as compared to TE ( M=4.28) and CP ( M=3.54), indicating redesign is necessary to improve the transferability of the two-software system.
Human Factors and Behavioral Research at a Mars Analog Habitat
Authors: Iwig Chelsea , Newton Carolyn , Watkins Eric , Munoz Gisela , Feaster Noah , Seo Amy , Giraldo Carlos , Kring Jason
Published: October 2013

Long-duration space missions pose many challenges to the health of the crew and success of the overall mission. In addition to hazards of the space environment, such as radiation exposure and the effects of microgravity on the human body, poor interactions between crewmembers can result in tension, conflict, or degraded performance. Although scientists have learned a great deal about how to reduce the effects of physical hazards to the crew, few studies have examined ways to monitor the functioning of the crew during a long-duration mission in order to avoid breakdowns in crew performance. This research had two goals. First, we collected data on crew function and performance by administering a battery of behavioral and performance measures to a seven-person crew, comprised of five undergraduate students and two graduate students, during a 2-week mission to the Mars Desert Research Station in Winter 2013. Second, this setting provided a unique opportunity for human factors students to develop a research protocol and then collect data in a field setting. Each study addressed different ways to support crew psychological health in long duration spaceflight.
Perceptual Dual-Task Training via Simulation for Veterinary Students
Authors: Trowbridge Francis A. , McLaughlin Anne Collins
Published: October 2013

Perceptual training can be implemented via simulation for specific tasks in which the actual event being trained for rarely occurs. Simulation may also be able to train domain-specific skills related to stress-management difficult to train in real-world training. Simulation use is growing wide-spread in the training of the motor skills used in similar tasks, but generalizability of perceptual skills and abilities to specific tasks is not clear. The current study sought to examine the potential of a veterinary training simulation module and examine the relationship between training methods and working memory capacity, and these factors effects on performance in a stressful, dual-task perceptual performance environment.
Driver Safety Impacts of Voice-to-Text Mobile Applications
Authors: Yager Christine E.
Published: October 2013

Text messaging is no longer limited to manual-entry. There are several mobile applications that aim to assist the driver in sending and receiving text messages by incorporating a voice-to-text component. To date, there has been no published research that evaluates the driver behavior and safety impacts of voice-to-text mobile applications on a handheld device. To address this issue, 43 participants drove an instrumented vehicle on a closed course for a baseline as well as three texting conditions: manual-entry, using Siri, and using Vlingo. Results indicate that driver reaction times were nearly two times slower than the baseline condition, no matter which texting method was used. Additionally, it took drivers longer to complete the same texting task using the voice-to-text applications than it did when texting manually, and Siri produced the fewest errors. Self-assessment feedback revealed that participants felt less safe using any of the three texting methods compared to the baseline, but felt safer using either voice-to-text application than when manually texting. These results have immediate implications for improving our understanding of the dangers of texting while driving and the potential safety improvements of using voice-to-text options.
A Framework for Modelling and Analysing Variability in Visual Occlusion Experiments
Authors: Chen Huei-Yen Winnie , Milgram Paul
Published: October 2013

Research using self-paced visual occlusion has traditionally analysed mean occlusion times, thereby neglecting potential insights to be gained from variability across individual visual sampling decisions. This paper proposes a framework for analysing visual occlusion data based on a hierarchy of sampling strategies. The framework describes each sampling decision as being dependent on both system characteristics (mean performance) and information available during sampling (variability). To illustrate the framework, data from an on-road study were analysed. Self-paced occlusion times were shown to fit a descriptive function both for lane deviations observed at the end of previous visual samples and for predicted lane deviations at the end of occlusion intervals. The fact that the latter fit was better suggests that participants, especially the more experienced ones, were indeed able to use predictions in their sampling decisions.
A Driving Simulation Study Examining Destination Entry with iOS 5 Google Maps and a Garmin Portable GPS System
Authors: Dopart Celena , Häggman Anders , Thornberry Cameron , Mehler Bruce , Dobres Jonathan , Reimer Bryan
Published: October 2013

A simulation study compared 23 young adult drivers’ task completion time, mean glance time, number of glances, and percentage of long glances while performing a navigation entry task with a Garmin portable GPS system and a mobile navigation application (iOS 5 Google Maps) on an iPod Touch. We compared participants’ performance on these tasks using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) eye-glance acceptance criteria. We found that, irrespective of the device used, no participant was able to complete the task within the recommended total time window of 12 seconds. When entering a destination into the iOS interface, only 73.9% of the drivers meet the NHTSA criteria for long duration glances. With the Garmin system, 91.3% of the participants meet this criterion. All participants were able to maintain adequate mean off road glance durations. Finally, we compared the NHTSA recommended method of assessing all off road glances to more traditional methods of assessing glances only to the task interface. Differences between the two methods are discussed.
A Saliency-Based Search Model
Authors: Lee Joonbum , Lee John D. , Salvucci Dario D.
Published: October 2013

Driver distraction is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes. As more in-vehicle systems are developed, they represent increasing potential for distraction. Designers of these systems require a quantitative way to assess their distraction potential that does not involve time-consuming test track or simulator testing. A critical contribution to driver distraction concerns the search time for items in an in-vehicle system display. This study tests the saliency map’s ability to predict search time, and proposes a potential application of the saliency map in assessing driver distraction. Empirical data for search tasks were collected and used to test a modified driver model based on the saliency map. The results show that the modified saliency map can predict search time, and suggest that the driver model could be used to understand how design features influence the bottom-up visual search process. More broadly, such a model can complement guidelines and user testing to help designers to incorporate human factors considerations earlier in the design process.
Preliminary Evaluation of Drivers’ Responses to a Roadside Animal Warning System
Authors: Nowakowski Christopher , Sharafsaleh Mohammad Ashkan , Huijser Marcel
Published: October 2013

The problem of vehicle-animal crashes is one of the few areas in which the number of incidents has been climbing steadily in recent years. Many strategies and technologies have been investigated over the years to try to reduce the number of vehicle-animal crashes, and each have had their own strengths and shortcomings. Thus far, no single strategy or technology has proven to be an effective solution. In this project, a 0.6 mi (1 km) site in Northern California, along State Route 3, near the city of Fort Jones, was selected based on a high frequency of vehicle-deer collisions to test a new animal detection and driver warning system. An animal detection system used microwave break-a-beam technology to detect objects along side or crossing the roadway, and warnings were provided to drivers using dynamic, LED, warning signs. These signs were typically blank in the off position and were only illuminated when the animal detection system detected a beam break. Coupled with the animal detection and driver warning system was a traffic monitoring system and data collection system, and a total of 10 months of data were collected between August 2011 and April of 2012. An analysis of the data showed that when illuminated, the warning signs reduced the traffic speeds by an average of 3.1 mph (5 km/h) to 5.1 mph (8.2 km/h), depending on the analysis method.
Eye Glance and Head Turn Correspondence during Secondary Task Performance in Simulator Driving
Authors: Talamonti Walter J. , Huang Wenyan , Tijerina Louis , Kochhar Dev
Published: October 2013

Driver eye glance behavior is a useful input to estimate driver visual attention to the road scene. However, eye tracking in an automobile is currently both expensive and prone to various types of degradation. Because head rotation provides a larger target for sensing than eyeball rotation, head pose monitoring may sometimes serve as a surrogate for driver eye glances. To investigate the correspondence between eye gaze and head pose while driving on a simulated rural highway, participants were asked to take 1, 2 or 4 glances to read aloud single capital letters presented on a scrolling LED display placed at various locations: Left Mirror (LM), Left Cluster (LC), Lower Lap (LL), Center Mirror (CM), Center Stack (CS), and Center Console (CC). Manual eye glance and head pose data reduction from video revealed a relatively low likelihood (65% or less) of head turns when reading from the cluster or center mirror. On the other hand, there was a high likelihood (93% or more) of one or more head turns when reading from the lap (e.g., a smartphone held low), left mirror, center console, and center stack locations, regardless of requested number of glances. This study verifies that there may be opportunities for head pose detection and algorithm development to be pursued in future research.
Sitting Strategy Analysis based on Driving Postures and Seating Pressure Distributions
Authors: Park Jangwoon , Choi Younggeun , Lee Baekhee , Sah Sungjin , Jung Kihyo , You Heecheon
Published: October 2013

Sitting strategies which statistically represent preferred and comfortable driving postures can be used as reference data to design/evaluate an automobile interior layout. Although the previous research have identified the sitting strategies for various anthropometric dimensions of drivers, the classification method of sitting strategies was not objective and the effect of driver’s gender/occupant package layout (OPL) to the sitting strategy has not been clearly analyzed yet. The present study is intended to objectively identify the sitting strategies based on various drivers’ preferred driving postures and seating pressure distributions. Forty drivers’ preferred driving postures and their seating pressures in 3 different OPL conditions (coupe, sedan, and SUV) were measured by a motion capture system and pressure mat. Next, the sitting strategies were classified by a cluster analysis, and the effects of driver’s gender and OPL condition to the sitting strategies were statistically analyzed. As a result, the sitting strategies for upper-body were identified as erect (33% of drivers were preferred), slouched (41%), and reclined postures (26%). The number of drivers who preferred erect posture, female drivers was more than twice that of male drivers; on the other hand, the number of drivers who preferred reclined posture, male drivers were more than twice that of female drivers ( p < .05). Moreover, 84% of drivers preferred knee bent strategy in SUV condition because the SUV condition has higher seat height than coupe and sedan condition ( p < .05). Both the identified sitting strategies and the factors to affect sitting strategies would be of use as considerable information in an ergonomic design/evaluation of automobile interior layout.
The Art of Developing a Human Factors Standard
Authors: Josias Liza , Miller Jacob A. , Gardner Richard , Poston Alan , Weinger Matthew B.
Published: October 2013

Human factors and ergonomics practitioners frequently refer to design standards when developing requirements and evaluating the design of systems and products. Despite the heavy reliance on human factors and ergonomics standards, discussion of the processes behind the development of these documents is rare. This panel, composed of experts from aviation, health care, and defense, will discuss the impetus behind the development of three specific standards. They will share their experience as members of committees tasked with developing standards and will discuss how changes to their industries and technologies will affect the need for revised design standards.
Thinking-aloud about web navigation
Authors: McDonald Sharon , McGarry Kenneth , Willis Leanne M.
Published: October 2013

The concurrent think-aloud method is a highly valued technique that is used to understand peoples’ taskbased cognitive processes, within both usability testing and the broader study of human-computer interaction. We investigated whether an explicit explanation-based think-aloud instruction leads to differences in navigation performance over the classic think-aloud method. The results showed an interaction between think-aloud instructions and task difficulty. For the low difficulty tasks, there was no difference in task success or in the number of link traversals between the two think-aloud conditions. However, for the more difficult tasks there were differences: participants in the classic condition completed fewer tasks successfully and engaged in more link traversals than participants in the explicit think-aloud condition. A qualitative analysis of participants’ verbal data showed that both think-aloud conditions were dominated by procedural descriptions. The explicit think-aloud did yield proportionally more explanatory utterances, however the performance differences in respect of task success and link traversal suggest that an explicit think-aloud may threaten test validity and therefore evaluators must exercise caution in using this technique.
Validation of the MoSAIC-Driving Simulator – Investigating the impact of a human driver on cooperative driving behavior in an experimental simulation setup
Authors: Friedrich Max , Nause Daniel , Heesen Matthias , Keich Alexandra , Kelsch Johann , Baumann Martin , Vollrath Mark
Published: October 2013

The “Modular and Scalable Application Platform for ITS Components” (MoSAIC) offers the possibility to investigate cooperative driving behavior. MoSAIC consists of three driving-simulators linked together, allowing participants to drive within the same simulation. The goal of the study was to examine whether knowledge of another real driver would have an impact on cooperative driving behavior. Participants were forced to overtake a car on a motorway, while a third car was approaching from behind. Twenty people participated, of which ten were told that the approaching car was simulated by a computer and ten were told that another participant would be steering the car. However, the car was always controlled by one of the investigators. To examine cooperative driving behavior Time Headway, a measure of distance relative to speed, and the participants’ intentions were used to label a behavior as cooperative. Further the participants’ perceived risk and perceived cooperation were recorded. Significant group differences were discovered regarding the intentions, perceived risks and perceived cooperation.
Developing a System to Assess the Skills of Japanese Way of Tea by Analysing the Forming Sound
Authors: Aiba Eriko , Kanazawa Soutatsu , Ota Tomoko , Kuroda Koji , Takai Yuka , Goto Akihiko , Hamada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2013

The Japanese way of tea is one of the most traditional activities to treat and serve guests with “ matcha tea” The manner to serve and the procedure for making a bowl of matcha tea are assumed to be the art performance and they are called “ otemae.” Particularly, the skills of making matcha tea are one of the important factors that affect the taste of matcha tea. The purpose of this study is to develop a system to help beginners’ learning of otemae. As the first step, in this study, we investigated the sound generated by the expert when makeing the matcha tea, and the possibility of estimating each step from the sound. As a result, our method could detect each step of procedure for making matcha tea from the envelope of the sound when the expert makes a bowl of matcha tea. Our method could also detect the differences of sound among the types of tea whisk.
Using Iterative Design and Testing Towards the Development of SRTS®
Authors: Smith Melissa A. , Woo Hyun J. , Parker James P. , Youmans Robert J. , LeGoullon Melanie , Weltman Gershon , de Visser Ewart J.
Published: October 2013

The Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS®) is a new game-based learning application for tablets that trains users to better control stress through interactive education and advanced biofeedback. The goal of using the application is to allow users to better manage the positive and negative effects of stress. The application is targeted at young soldiers who may be more technologically- and game-motivated. An initial usability study with SRTS was conducted to determine its effectiveness and ease of use. A unique application of the link analysis method combined with retrospective probing revealed that users were following coach recommendations, but skipped vital information necessary to play the games. Results further showed that users with high subjective resilience were likely to find the application useful. Link analysis can help analyze exploratory learning behavior and relevant external comparison measures can inform future use of a product.
A system architecture and simulation environment for building information modeling in virtual worlds
Authors: Oerter John , Suddarth Wyatt , Morhardt Matthew , Gehringer James , McGinnis Micheal L. , Shockley Johnette , Baysa Allison
Published: October 2013

This paper describes building information modeling (BIM) research by students and faculty of the University of Nebraska’s Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI). The paper also describes work in conjunction with the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), located at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. The objective of this on-going research is to create a virtual modeling environment where architects and planners can present building concepts and design options to customers in a way that is more easily envisioned by the client. The proposed environment would integrate BIM and virtual environments by allowing a free exchange of data between applications. The specific research mentioned in this paper focuses on visualization and editing of interior room configurations for use by USSTRATCOM. The software used for this research project was Autodesk® Revit, Autodesk® 3DS Max, and a proprietary gaming engine called Unity, developed by Unity Technologies and based in San Francisco, California, USA. This paper covers the development of a system architecture in which BIM will be integrated with a virtual simulation environment built in Science Applications International Corporation’s (SAIC’s) On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment (OLIVE) and discusses research results to date.
A Nutrition Algorithm Incorporating Early Initiation of Nutrition With Higher Feeding Rates, Percentage of Gastric Residual Volume, Small-Bowel Feedings, and Compensatory Nighttime Feeds Leads to Reduced Energy Deficit in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Martella Nicholas , Bily Thomas , Jose Robert , Zaidman Barbara , Barrera Rafael
Published: October 2013

Background/Objective. A discrepancy often emerges between nutritional goals and actual delivery. This study assesses the relationship between energy balance and length of stay (LOS) in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients. SICU patients are frequently catabolic and at risk of underfeeding. We set forth to identify if a nutritional algorithm will improve energy delivery and outcomes. Methods. A prospective observational study conducted in surgical critical care patients was performed. After implementation of a nutrition algorithm; demographic data, initiation of feeding, acquiring caloric goal, caloric deficit, LOS, and mortality were recorded. Cumulative energy balance was calculated as energy delivery minus daily target. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Results. In all, 100 patients aged 66 ± 17 years (45% female and 55% male) admitted to the SICU were evaluated. All were nutritionally compromised, with 72% being NPO (nothing by mouth), 9% orally fed, and 9% enterally fed. SICU LOS was 4.9 ± 10.6 days; 60-day mortality was 3%; and time to goal feeding was 13 ± 10 hours. Mean daily energy delivery was 1459 ± 268 kcal/d. Cumulative energy balance was between −6401 ± 6404 kcal, with 12 patients having a >10 000 kcal deficit, 3 patients a >20 000 kcal deficit, and 1 patient a >30 000 kcal deficit. Conclusions. A nutritional algorithm will improve energy delivery and outcomes in critically ill patients. Accumulation of caloric deficit >5000 kcal is associated with increased SICU LOS and hospital LOS. Clinical implications. Nutritional algorithms and caloric deficit calculations are an underused critical care tool. The nutritional algorithm presented allows faster attainment of caloric goals, shorter LOS, and improvement in outcome.
Hot cracking in pulsed laser processing of a nickel based superalloy built up by electrospark deposition
Authors: Ebrahimnia M. , Ghaini F. Malek , Shahverdi H. R.
Published: October 2013

A cast precipitation hardened nickel based superalloy was built up by electrospark deposition and then subjected to pulsed laser welding. The resistance of electrospark deposition layer to liquation and solidification cracking in pulsed laser welding was significantly higher than that of the cast alloy. It is shown that the extreme cooling rates involved in the solidification of electrospark deposition droplets result in the prevention of formation of grain boundaries terminal solidification constituents, which are the sources of liquation cracking in the cast alloy.
Characterisation comparison of laser and laser–arc hybrid welding of Invar 36 alloy
Authors: Li G. , Gao M. , Chen C. , Zhang C. , Zeng X. Y.
Published: October 2013

Laser and laser–arc hybrid welding are employed to join Invar 36 alloy. The microstructure, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and mechanical properties of laser weld (LW) and hybrid weld (HW) are analysed and compared. The tensile test shows both LW and HW fractured in the weld metal, but the HW is stronger than the LW. Especially, the yield strength of HW is 362·8 MPa, 16·2% higher than that of LW. Both the CTE and Curie temperature of LW are almost the same with those of base material. The CTE of HW is higher than that of base material because the Ni content reduces and the content of other alloying elements increases. Moreover, the CTE of HW deviates from the theoretic curves of Fe–Ni alloy apparently. According to the theory of Invar effect, the deviation is attributed to the formation of new phase, FeCr0·29Ni0·16C0·06.
Development of high Mo carbide free thick section nodular cast iron by partial melting homogenisation
Authors: Rahgozar N , Nili-Ahmadabadi M , Forghani F
Published: October 2013

Sufficient hardenability is required for thick section ductile irons which are the subject of heat treatments. Molybdenum is known as one the best hardenabilty promoter elements; however, it is not common to use it in an extensive content because it segregates severely and promotes the carbide precipitation in the intercellular regions. These carbides have a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of casting such that keeping the Mo content to a minimum as much as possible is recommended. In this study, a 1·24 pct molybdenum ductile iron which provides sufficient hardenability for about 75 mm thick section iron was used to investigate the precipitated carbides in the intercellular regions and their annihilation by partial melting homogenisation (PMH) process to get a homogenous and carbide free structure. Heating for 9 h at 1090°C was the most successful procedure to annihilate all carbides. Carbides were then extracted and subjected to scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, with the results showing that chemical composition of (Fe, Mo, Si)3C is of the same structure as that of Fe3C in which some iron atoms are replaced by Mo and Si. The optimum PMH treated ductile iron was austempered at 370°C for different periods after austenitising at 900°C for 2 h. The hardness tests and microstructural study by optical, scanning electron microscopy and EDS analysis revealed a carbide free and fully homogenised austempered ductile iron.
Effect of welding parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded EN AW 5083 H111 plates
Authors: Birol Y. , Kasman S.
Published: October 2013

Microstructural features and mechanical properties of friction stir welded (FSW) EN AW 5083 H111 plates were investigated. Friction stir welding led to the fragmentation of coarse Al6(Mn,Fe) particles, the dissolutionising of fine Al3Mg2 particles and to recrystallisation across the nugget zone (NZ), producing hardness profiles that show little or no variation across the joint. The joints produced at a welding speed of 80 mm/min were larger than those produced at 125 mm/min. The shape of the joint, on the other hand, was dictated by the pin profile. Joints produced by the threaded circular pin invariably revealed elliptical NZs while the NZs of the joints produced by the triangular pin were basin-shaped. The welding speed also had an impact on the NZ grain size and the tensile properties of the joint. The NZ grain size was smaller, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and the elongation values were higher at a welding speed of 80 mm/min than at 125 mm/min for both pin profiles. The superior tensile properties at the lower welding speed were consistent with the smaller grain size and bigger joints in the former. The joint efficiency of the EN AW 5083 plates welded with a triangular pin at a tool rotation rate and welding speed of 800 rpm and 80 mm/min, respectively, was estimated to be as high as 97.
In-situ observations of phase transformations during C–Mn–Al steel weld solidification
Authors: Zhang X F , Komizo Y , Yokota T , Yasuda K , Oi K
Published: October 2013

In order to better understand the microstructural evolution in steel welds, in-situ experiments using time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TRXRD) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) are performed and the phase transformations that occur during welding of C–Mn–Al steels are directly observed. Ferrite and austenite phases are identified and quantified in the fusion zone (FZ) using the real time TRXRD and LSCM data. The results show non-equilibrium peritectic transition during rapid cooling, in contrast to the equilibrium δ-ferrite solidification that occurs under slow cooling conditions. Austenite nucleates along δ-ferrite grain boundaries during the δ→ γ transformation, whereas during the γ→ α transformation, the microstructures change from Widmanstatten ferrite (WF) to intragranular bainitic ferrite in the rapidly and slowly cooled welds, respectively. Using these real time observations, important kinetic information about phase transformations during steel weld solidification can be determined.
Microstructure and room temperature mechanical properties of hypereutectic Nb–Si based alloy processed by directional solidification
Authors: Yuan S. N. , Jia L. N. , Ma L. M. , Jiang H. , Zhang H.
Published: October 2013

In this investigation, Nb–16Si–24Ti–4Cr–2Al–2Hf alloy was directionally solidified and then heat treated, and the microstructure, fracture toughness KQ and tensile strength σb of the alloy were studied. The directionally solidified microstructure consisted of primary Nb5Si3 blocks and NbSS+Nb5Si3 eutectic cells. The cross section of eutectic cells changed from the square morphology to the nearly round morphology with the increasing withdrawal rate. During heat treatment, the boundaries of the round eutectic cells were eliminated as the NbSS connected to be a net-like structure. The values of KQ and σb increased with the increase of withdrawal rate. The toughening from the crack deflection of continuous Nbss network was significant and refinement of the microstructure improved the tensile strength in heat treated samples.