bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doctors' Handovers in an Acute Medical Assessment Unit: A Hierarchical Task Analysis
Authors: Raduma-Tomàs Michelle A. , Flin Rhona , Yule Steven , Close Steven
Published: January 2012

Doctors' shift handovers have not been well documented, so handovers in an acute medical assessment unit (AMAU) were examined by conducting a hierarchical task analysis (HTA). To construct the HTA, activities doctors engaged in pre-handover, during handover, and post-handover were observed. Interviews and a focus group were also conducted to create the HTA. Findings showed that there are critical tasks that should be completed at each phase of the handover process. But these were sometimes omitted, especially in the pre-handover stage, resulting in extended or delayed handover meetings. Doctors believed that various safety nets were in place to catch any omitted information. Post-handover activities involved prioritizing tasks. However, doctors who had received handover believed that their period of responsibility and accountability for transferred patients was likely to be too short, and therefore expressed that prioritizing tasks for every patient was inefficient. Future research should examine handovers in the context of organizational resilience, and include other clinical staff that influence the information provided at handover.
Left. No, Right! Development of the Frame of Reference Transformation Tool (FORT)
Authors: Wickens Christopher D , Keller John W , Small Ronald L
Published: January 2012

A computational model was developed to predict the spatial-cognitive difficulties imposed when the operator must transform information along up to 6 degrees of freedom between a display (viewed at different orientations), and either a cognitive understanding or a compensatory control. The model applies to pilots, robotics operators, navigators or surgeons using endoscopic procedures. Penalties (in workload, errors or time) in the frame of reference transformation (FORT) are based on psychological findings in spatial cognition, such as mental rotation, depth compression, population stereotypes and verbally mediated strategies. We present the graphical user interface for exercising the model; then show how we have applied it to an astronaut space-shuttle, Hubble rendezvous sequence. Finally we validate the model against two existing data sets, one for cognition and one for control. The model could be used as the basis for both a design analysis tool and a real-time operator aiding system.
Extended Fitts' law in Three-Dimensional Pointing Tasks
Authors: Cha Yeonjoo , Myung Rohae
Published: January 2012

This study explored an extended three-dimensional Fitts' law that is more suited for the pointing task than the conventional Fitts' law. The experiments were conducted under the manipulation of the distance to the target, size of the target, and direction of the target's location that can be described by two angles, θ 1 and θ 2. Considering the starting point as the center of coordinates, θ 1 is the angle between the positive z-axis and the target location and θ 2 is the angle between the positive y-axis and the projected target location on the x-y plane. From the experimental results, we confirmed that all four variables significantly affect the movement time. As we extended the index of difficulty of the conventional Fitts' model by incorporating θ 1 and θ 2, we established an extended Fitt's model that showed better accordance with the empirical data than the conventional Fitts' model, in terms of the r2 and the standard error of the residual between the measured movement time and the predicted value.
Allowing for Individual Differences in Auditory Warning Design: Who Benefits from Spatial Auditory Alerts?
Authors: Barrow Jane H. , Baldwin Carryl L.
Published: January 2012

An auditory spatial Stroop paradigm was used to examine the effects of semantic and spatial audio cue conflict on accuracy and response time. Participants responded to either the semantic meaning or the spatial location of a directional word, which was either congruent (i.e. the word “right” being presented from the right) or incongruent (i.e. the word “right” being presented from the left). Navigational strategy was also assessed to determine if individual differences on this measure could affect responses to semantic or location information. An interaction between task type and navigational strategy indicated that people who preferred a verbal strategy responded faster to semantic content and people who preferred a spatial strategy responded faster to location information. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of the design of collision avoidance systems.
User-preferred position of computer displays of different sizes and configurations
Authors: Shin Gwanseob , Hegde Sudeep
Published: January 2012

User-preferred position of the computer display and the keyboard were quantified to determine how the size and/or the number of computer displays (19″, 24″, 27.5″, and dual 19″ LCDs) influence the positioning of the computer workstation components. Nineteen subjects performed a data entry task for 20 minutes with periodic repositioning of the display and the keyboard to their most comfortable setting. Subjects placed displays significantly ( p<0.05) further as the size of display changed from 19″ to 27.5″ while maintaining the viewing angle to the top and center of display at or near eye height. Preferred position of the keyboard was not influenced by the display size. Results of this study indicate that the dimensions or adjustability of a computer workstation should be determined with consideration of the display size to accommodate both the keyboard and the display at their most preferred positions.
Characteristics of Gait in Restricted Vertical Space versus Unrestricted Walking
Authors: Gallagher Sean , Pollard Jonisha , Porter William L.
Published: January 2012

Upright walking is not a viable gait option in work environments that have restricted vertical space, such as underground low-seam coal mines (< 1.2 m vertical height). In such circumstances, stoopwalking and crawling must be used. The objective of the current manuscript is to assess the difference between free cadence walking versus stoopwalking (under a 1.2 m ceiling), four-point crawling (hands and knees), and two-point crawling (knees only), both with and without kneepads. Compared to upright walking, stoopwalking resulted in a 24% reduction in gait velocity and exhibited reduced stride length (1.04 versus 1.51 meters). Four-point crawling further slowed gait (to 0.50 m/s) and showed evidence of both trot-like and pace-like interlimb coordination patterns. Gait speed for two-point crawling was only 0.32 m/s.
Lifting from a Conveyor
Authors: Jin Sangeun , Dai Boyi , Ning Xiaopeng , Mirka Gary A.
Published: January 2012

This study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the effect of the load speed on lifting kinematics and kinetics while lifting from a conveyor. The inertial characteristics of a load moving on a conveyor have the potential to influence lifting technique and low back stress. Participants in this study lifted loads from a conveyor with four load speeds (0 m/s, 0.7 m/s, 1.3 m/s, and 2.4 m/s) while trunk motions and ground reaction forces were monitored. Results revealed that increasing horizontal load speed generated greater sagittal angle and greater lateral ground reaction forces but significantly lower trunk accelerations. The results suggested that the participants maintained a more flexed trunk posture under the higher load speed conditions and utilized the inertia of the load to reduce the peak accelerations of the torso.
Quantitative Ergonomics Exposure Assessment for Floor Coverers in the Greater Boston Area
Authors: Jing Xiaolu , Fulmer Scott , Dasgupta Priya Darshini , Yuan Lu , Buchholz Bryan
Published: January 2012

Floor Coverers have a high prevalence of knee related injuries. The objective of this study is to quantify whole body ergonomics exposure for Floor Coverers in the greater Boston area. A total of 6213 observations (about 100 hours) were made on 49 Floor Coverers by 7 trained observers in 8 construction sites. Awkward leg postures were common. “Kneeling/Crawling” was observed 61.2% of the time. Non-neutral trunk postures were observed frequently. “Severe Flexion” was observed 36.6% of the time, “Mild Flexion” 12.9%. “Manual Material Handling” was observed most frequently during “Hardwood Floor” (36.1%). Hand tools were used more frequently (32.6%) than power tools (5.2%). “Severe Trunk Flexion” did not always lead to heavy trunk load with kneeling postures. Leg postures should be considered before trunk postures were converted to trunk loads. Awkward leg postures are a big problem for Floor Coverers. A majority of the tasks happened near or on the ground.
Gaining Organizational Buy In: Lessons Learned from Fifty Ergonomists
Authors: Shtivelband Annette , Rosecrance John
Published: January 2012

Change is an inevitable part of organizational health and survival. Yet, the process of implementing change can be problematic. This presentation will introduce a novel framework for implementing organizational change and focus on a major theme of the process– gaining organizational buy-in. Fifty in-depth interviews were conducted with professionals who had experience implementing ergonomic change processes in organizations nationally and internationally. The majority of participants were members of, or recommended by, the Macroergonomics Technical Group of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed with the help of the software program NVivo. At the end of the presentation, the audience will be familiar with best practices and lessons learned to gain organizational buy-in for implementing an ergonomics change process.
Enhanced Auditory Menu Cues on a Mobile Phone Improve Time-Shared Performance of a Driving-Like Dual Task
Authors: Moskovitch Yarden , Jeon Myounghoon , Walker Bruce N.
Published: January 2012

The growing trend of using mobile phones and other in-vehicle technologies (IVT) while driving has spurred research on driver distraction, its effects and alleviation (Ashley, 2001; Young & Regan, 2007). The present study used a dual task in which 21 undergraduates navigated a mobile phone contact list for a target name (secondary task) while playing a computer game representative of driving (primary task). The phone menu was enhanced with two audio navigation cues: traditional text-to-speech (TTS) and spearcons (i.e., compressed speech). These cues were tested with and without visual display of the contact list. Spearcons in conjunction with TTS enhanced performance on the primary task while having no negative effect on the secondary task. Auditory menus reduced perceived workload and increased subjective ratings. Results are discussed in terms of multiple resources theory and practical mobile phone menu design.
Using Eye Tracking to Examine Age-Related Differences in Web Site Performance
Authors: Romano Jennifer C.
Published: January 2012

The U.S. population is increasing, people are living longer, technology is moving forward, and the amount of older adults using computers is greater than ever. The percentage of older adults who are connecting to the Internet has grown more than any other age group. However, Web sites are often not designed with older adults in mind, and the cognitive difficulties that are inherent with age are often not taken into consideration. Using Census Bureau data, this paper addresses changes in population and technology, and using eye-tracking data from a usability study conducted at the Census Bureau, this paper demonstrates age-related differences in Web site performance. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.
Test-Retest Reliability of Functional Anthropometry and OARS Survey among Older Mexican American Adults
Authors: Senapati Rajeev , Ventura Grisel , Diaz Luis , Contreras Luis Rene , Pennathur Arunkumar , Bader Julia
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study is to assess test-retest reliability of functional anthropometry measures and the Older American Resources and Services (OARS) survey among older Mexican American adults. A healthy sample of 30 Older Mexican American adults was selected from senior recreation centers. For functional anthropometry 20 variables were measured in the participants, and the participants were also asked to fill the OARS survey. All the participants responded to both the test again after two weeks and helped to assess the test-retest reliability of functional anthropometry measures and the OARS Survey. Pearson correlation analysis of the results indicates that the results of the anthropometric test and the OARS survey for the first administration and second administration were significantly positively correlated.
Effects of Visual Input on Standing Balance Control When Back-Carrying External Loads
Authors: Qu Xingda , Hu Xinyao
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to identify how visual input affects upright balance when external loads are applied. Two independent variables were thus investigated: visual input and loading conditions. Visual input was manipulated by simply using eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. External loads were set at 10kg and back-carried using a school backpack. During data collection, the participants were instructed to stand upright on a force platform as still as possible with feet parallel and together. The root measure square distance and mean velocity of COP were used as dependent measures to quantify balance control behaviors. Univariate ANOVA revealed that all the dependent measures significantly increased in the eyes-closed condition versus eyes-open condition when back-carrying external loads, indicating that deprived vision might lead to less postural stability and increased fall risks. In addition, the effects on balance caused by visual input were not affected by loading conditions. Findings from this study demonstrated that visual input plays an important role in the control of balance under different loading conditions. This information could be useful, especially when developing interventions for the improvement of balance in the condition where external loads are applied.
Show-all-Links: Identifying Hyperlinks in Websites That Use Non-Standard Formatting
Authors: Sharek David , Wogalter Michael
Published: January 2012

Many websites adhere to their own custom style guides and no longer follow traditional usability standards such as the once ubiquitous, blue, underlined text link. Users may miss important information by not knowing which elements are clickable and which are not. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not an option to highlight all the hyperlinks (links) on a website would help users locate all of the page's available image and text-based links. All participants were shown two different websites and asked to click on all design elements that they thought were links. In the experimental condition, participants had the option of using a keyboard shortcut key that, when pressed, would highlight all the links on the website. In the control condition, this option was not available. Significantly more participants in the experimental condition found all of the links compared to the participants without the highlight option. If the design of a website prevents developers from implementing easily-discoverable links, developers should consider adding an option that can highlight all of the links on a website.
Menu Design Based on Expert Knowledge Structures: A Validation
Authors: Covas-Smith Christine M. , Jackson Kenneth D. , Branaghan Russell J. , Eidman Craig
Published: January 2012

This project evaluated the effectiveness gained by redesigning a user interface based on the knowledge structure of domain experts. Scenario-based simulation enables realistic training in synthetic environments. As the instructor remains essential to facilitating effective scenario-based training, their user interface should be efficient. Previous research modeled knowledge structures used to redesign a menu within a scenario generation interface. The current research evaluated the redesigned menu based on the ascertained knowledge structures. To evaluate the redesigned menu, participants were timed as they selected target items in the original and redesigned menus. Results indicated that experienced users selected items in the redesigned menu significantly faster, and preferred the redesigned menu to the original. Thus, this result demonstrates tangible benefits to organizing menus according to expert knowledge, even when users are familiar with a menu structure. Using methods that follow the general principles presented here will enable designers to uncover expert knowledge and efficiently configure user interfaces, thereby improving training effectiveness.
Privacy Issues and User Attitudes towards Targeted Advertising: A Focus Group Study
Authors: Zhang Harry , Guerrero Claudia , Wheatley David , Lee Young Seok
Published: January 2012

A focus group was conducted with a total of 25 participants to explore and identify the privacy and user acceptance issues associated with targeted advertising. Three scenarios were studied: one providing advertisements and coupons to a mobile device based on shopping behaviors, another delivering advertisements to a mobile device based on location and online activities, and the third presenting TV advertisements based on viewing patterns. It was found that targeted advertising was generally preferred to non-targeted advertising but users wanted to control the type, quantity, frequency, range, and context of the advertisements received. It was also important that advertisements be based on personal data that users are willing to share and that targeting not be intrusive or embarrassing. Targeted advertisements that offered discounts or financial benefits were most preferred.
Postural Sway and Foot-Ground Relationship are Significantly Modified by Backpack Carriage during Upright Stance: A Study on Primary School Children
Authors: Pau Massimiliano , Corona Federica , Leban Bruno , Priolo Elisa , Pau Marco
Published: January 2012

School is a person's first workplace and, from the age of six, children experience activities such as lifting, pulling and carrying a load (typically in the form of a backpack) which often represents an important percentage of their body weight. Among the possible consequences originated by back overload we have balance impairment and altered plantar pressure distribution, which however have been scarcely explored in children. On the basis of these considerations, this study intends to assess modifications in sway parameters, foot-ground contact area and pressure distribution introduced by backpack carriage in Italian primary school children. Two 30-second trials (with and without backpack) were performed directly at a school on a regular school day to collect data on sway area, centre of pressure path length, maximum displacement range in Antero-Posterior and Medio-Lateral directions, foot-ground contact area and pressure distribution. The results show a significant load-induced increase in all sway parameters and the existence of a linear relationship between sway area and backpack weight. Contact area also varies linearly with load and peak pressure values are significantly altered by the presence of a backpack in midfoot and forefoot, with increases up to 30%. These findings, together with the fact that about half the children carry a load exceeding 15% of their body weight, suggest that concern about severe postural alterations associated with carriage of overweight backpacks, remains justified.
Communication in the tele-ICU
Authors: McGuire Kerry , Carayon Pascale , Hoonakker Peter , Khunlertkit Adjhaporn , Wiegmann Douglas
Published: January 2012

Objective: To systematically describe communication between tele-ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurses and bedside nurses in multiple ICUs, the strengths and weaknesses of communication in the tele-ICU and possible solutions for improving communication. Background: Nurses in tele-ICUs function in virtual teams whose configuration and membership is constantly and rapidly changing. This research examines communication and technological support for communication in the multiple virtual teams formed by tele-ICU nurses and ICU nurses. Methods: A case study research approach using mixed data collection methods. One tele-ICU that monitors 16 ICUs in 12 hospitals across the US participated in this study. Results: Tele-ICU nurses spend 26% of their time in communication-related activities. Fifteen percent of tele-ICU nurses surveyed reported getting incorrect information from ICU nurses and 40% reported that they are not informed in a timely manner about a change in patient status. Frequency of communication between tele-ICU and ICU nurses depends on several factors such as time of day and intensivist coverage in the ICU. Tele-ICU nurses develop and employ unique strategies for communicating with ICU nurses. Conclusion: Tele-ICU nurses use many approaches and techniques when communicating with multiple ICUs. Additional research needs to generalize these findings.
Component versus Holistic Visual Search Training for Improvised Explosive Detection
Authors: Schuster David , Sellers Brittany , Rivera Javier , Fiore Stephen M. , Jentsch Florian
Published: January 2012

In this study, we investigated X-ray screener performance on improvised explosive device (IED) detection within a perceptual discrimination training paradigm. We looked at the effects of a particular IED discrimination training intervention (holistic IED versus IED components) on detection when tested using realistic stimuli that varied the level of clutter overlap and overall difficulty in terms of clutter quantity. Results suggest that holistic training has benefits for performance during testing when threats are partially occluded. The results are discussed in the context of additional research directions and training design issues.
The Differential Impact of Two Training Strategies on Team Performance
Authors: Hamilton Katherine , Mohammed Susan
Published: January 2012

The current study examined how training type (cross-training vs. team coordination training) influenced team performance under varying environmental conditions (routine vs. non-routine). Three-hundred and fifty-two undergraduate students (176 dyads) from a large northeastern university participated in the study. Data were collected through the NeoCITIES 1.0 simulation, which is a simulated task environment of an emergency management team. Findings indicated that training type had a significant impact on performance, such that dyads receiving cross-training had higher levels of performance than those receiving team coordination training. However, this effect did not vary across environmental conditions.
The Mental Rotation of Objects Presented in an Underwater Environment
Authors: Selkowitz Anthony R. , Sims Valerie K.
Published: January 2012

Fifty-Six undergraduates completed a series of mental rotation exercises involving levels of underwater spatial mental model activation. The mental rotation exercises were performed after achieving ninety percent accuracy on a brief training exercise. It tested whether underwater experience had an effect on mental rotation performance. Same/different responses were measured using reaction time and accuracy. Results indicated differences based on background, stimulus type, position, and or gender. Future studies will explore types of training to alleviate the differences found in the current study.
The Effect of Spatial and Temporal Task Characteristics on Performance, Workload, and Stress
Authors: Teo Grace W.L. , Szalma James L.
Published: January 2012

The present study examined the Maximal Adaptability Model of Stress (Hancock & Warm, 1989) by investigating how the task characteristics of information rate (event rate) and information structure (display uncertainty) affect performance on a cognitively demanding signal detection task. Performance as well as perceived workload and stress were measured. Results supported a performance-workload association rather than performance insensitivity, but the pattern of decline in adaptation to task-induced stress generally conformed to the maximal adaptability model: At lower levels of demand the change in accuracy and workload was smaller, but at higher demand these changes increased in magnitude.
The Emotional Impact of Surface and Prototyping Properties in Product Design
Authors: Lee Bertina , MacGregor Carolyn G.
Published: January 2012

The emotional experience of products can have enormous impact on the overall experience: happy users are more accepting and open-minded. Being able to improve users' moods through product interaction has clear benefits and is currently the focus of designers all over the world. The purpose of this study is to help establish generalizable and useful relationship(s) between design parameters specific to the sense of touch and the emotional response to tactile experiences. Participants (N=16) explored blocks of varying roughness, hardness, fidelity (a real or virtual object), and affordance (whether or not the object lends itself to being tactually explored). In terms of surface properties, increases in texture roughness elicits more negative emotional responses (p≤0.013) while changes in hardness showed no effect. In terms of prototyping factors of fidelity and affordance, surprisingly a decrease in stimuli fidelity elicited more favourable emotional responses (p≤0.052) and lower affordance conditions generated faster response times (p≤0.032). In addition, males gave emotional responses in less time than females (p≤0.03). These results are discussed in terms of cognitive processing as well as product prototyping, packaging and displaying.
Transgenerational communication through affective imagery in mood boards
Authors: Yamani Yusuke , McCarley Jason S , McDonagh Deana
Published: January 2012

Hedonomic design aims to make products not just easy to use, but pleasurable. Toward this goal, designers often use mood boards of abstract visual images to represent the aesthetic and affective response they would like their designs to evoke. We studied the effect of aging on viewers' ability to understand the meanings of abstract images selected by designers to express specific affective concepts. Young adult and older adult participants made visual judgment on the affective images. Data showed no age-related differences in the judgment accuracy. Results suggest that elderly adults can extract emotional meanings from young designers' mood boards as well as do young adults, and that affective product semantics may communicate similar meanings to users of different age group.
Sliders Rate Valence but not Arousal: Psychometrics of Self-Reported Emotion Assessment
Authors: Lottridge Danielle , Chignell Mark
Published: January 2012

Emotional reactions are increasingly recognized as an important part of experiences with technology, and there is a need for rigorous investigation into the collection of self-reported emotional data. We examine the capture of continuous, quantitative, affective self-reports as a complement to existing methods of evaluating human-system or product interaction. This experiment investigated 12 participants' use of a single slider (for valence, from very negative to very positive) and two sliders (for valence and arousal) in response to approximately 45 minutes of a nature video. Individual differences and physiological data (heart rate variability and skin conductance) were recorded. Emotion ratings were significantly related to skin conductance, which both differed significantly across chapters with different video content. We observed a learning effect, where participants' response times to probe questions decreased across blocks. Cognitive load appeared higher in the two-slider condition, with a possibly larger learning effect, and significantly longer dwell times, when compared to one slider. Arousal self-ratings were contradicted by skin conductance measures. We conclude with recommendations concerning the use of sliders for assessment of emotional user experience.
Determination of Bicycle Handle Diameters considering Hand Anthropometric Data and User Satisfaction
Authors: Chang Joonho , Jung Kihyo , Hwang Jesun , Kang Yuncheol , Lee Seokgi , Freivalds Andris
Published: January 2012

Ergonomic product design considering both anthropometric variability and user preference is required for harmonizing the target users and products. In this study, bicycle handle diameters for three size categories were determined by considering anthropometric variability and preference. To design the bicycle handles, a four-step process was applied: (1) define anthropometric data, (2) develop size chart, (3) define a design equation, and (4) determine design values. In the first step, the 1988 US Army data was chosen as anthropometric data for the design target population. In the second step, to develop a size chart of bicycle handle, hand length and circumference were selected as key dimensions by principal component analysis on six representative hand dimensions. Next, a size chart of three categories (small: 175.5 mm, medium: 186.7 mm, and large: 196.2 mm) were derived by K-means clustering analysis for hand length and circumference. In the third step, the design equation accounting geometrical relationship between the sizes of two key dimensions and diameters of bicycle handle was adopted from a relevant existing research. In the last step, design values (40.9 mm, 43.5mm, and 45.7 mm) for each size category were calculated by inputting the sizes of the key dimensions to the design equation. To evaluate user satisfaction level of the bicycle handles, a user testing of three handle prototypes was conducted for 17 participants with various hand sizes. The test results showed that satisfaction scores for each hand group were significantly higher at the corresponding size category.
Understanding the Role of Experience in Younger and Older Adults' Interactions with a Novel Technology
Authors: O'brien Marita A. , Rogers Wendy A. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: January 2012

Successful performance with novel technologies may be enhanced if prior knowledge can be used to guide the interaction. However, knowledge alone may be insufficient to minimize age-related differences in technology interactions. The goal of the present study was to examine age-related differences in the use of a novel everyday technology, the Flip video camcorder, when experience with comparable technologies was controlled. Younger adults and older adults with a similar level of general technology experience were video recorded as they completed three tasks while thinking aloud. Comparisons of self-reported prior experience with technologies comparable to the Flip indicated similar, significant levels of experience. In spite of similar experience, younger adults performed significantly faster than older adults on two of the three tasks. Younger adults were also more likely to perform optimally on these tasks. In contrast, older adults were more likely to only partially complete two of the three tasks. Older adults were also more likely to report higher cognitive workload and lower satisfaction with their performance. These findings suggest that designers need detailed assessments of users' knowledge of comparable technologies and proposed design features to mitigate performance differences in a diverse user population.
Hazard Connotation of Fire Safety Terms
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Israel Jesseca R. , Kim Soyun , Morgan Emily R. , Coleman Kwamoore M. , West Julianne
Published: January 2012

Knowledge about the level of danger associated with fire hazards is crucial for avoiding injury when dealing with hazardous materials. Participants (N=107) comprised of undergraduate students and nonstudent adults rated 12 one- and two-word phrases based on the extent of fire hazard conveyed. Evaluated were four root words (Inflammable, Combustible, Flammable, and Explosive) combined with three qualifiers (no qualifier, Very, and Extremely). Inflammable has the same meaning as Flammable but was rated as if it was of very low flammability, consistent with previous research. Explosive was rated higher than the other root words but was followed closely by Flammable and Combustible, which themselves did not differ. By including qualifiers, there was an increased hazard connotation over the root word alone, with the qualifier Extremely producing significantly higher ratings than with the qualifier Very. Even though Inflammable was rated erroneously as low in flammability when Very or Extremely were added, participants (particularly nonstudents) gave higher ratings of hazard than the root word alone. Analyses including demographic variables showed the ratings of the terms interacted with student status and age, which were mainly due to how the term Inflammable was rated. The evidence suggests that Explosive is a good term to express severe fire hazard, and the confusing term Inflammable should be avoided as much as possible. The results give some guidance on terminology in warnings that could be useful in matching connotations of hazard words with different danger levels.
An examination of traffic accidents occurring within highway work zones in the state of South Dakota
Authors: Reiprich Laurie , Berkhout Jan , Fercho Kelene
Published: January 2012

All highway accidents in South Dakota occurring during 2006 and occurring in the vicinity of work-zones were identified. The 367 formal reports filed with the state Department of Transportation by law enforcement officers investigating the accidents were provided to us. We categorized each accident according to the type of road environment involved, the type of accidental contacts between vehicles that occurred, lighting conditions, demographic descriptors of the drivers involved, and a tentative finding of fault. Preliminary reduction of this data pool suggests that males under the age of 25 were over-represented in work-zone accidents, and that drivers over the age of 65 were under-represented, particularly at night. Among 170 accidents involving front-to-rear-end contact we defined a subgroup of 125 that were characterized by Misperceived Closure Rate judgments. 116 such misperceptions took place in daylight or twilight, only 9 in darkness. Drunk driving was associated with only 3 of these accidents.
Passing Parked Police Cars: Speed as a Function of Emergency Lighting, Police Car Orientation, and Driver Experience
Authors: Mayer Andrew K. , Caird Jeff K. , Milloy Shaunna L. , Percival Nicole B. , Ohlhauser Amanda D.
Published: January 2012

Police vehicles and police officers working on the roadway shoulder are at risk for being struck by passing vehicles. The conspicuity of police vehicles may affect detection and speed regulation. Fifteen novice and fifteen experienced drivers participated in six experimental sessions over six months with a moderate-fidelity driving simulator. Police cars were parked on the shoulder and oriented forward or backward with their emergency lights on or off. When the emergency lights were on, drivers slowed down more than when the lights were off. The orientation of the police vehicle had minimal effects on speed changes and novice and experienced drivers did not appreciably differ in their speed regulation. When compared to the criteria of reducing speed to 60 km/h when passing an emergency vehicle, which is the law in Alberta, only 16% of all drivers reduced their speed below this limit. Results suggest that drivers do not sufficiently reduce their speed in the presence of police cars and emergency vehicles should always use their emergency lights whenever they are parked on the side of the road.
An Analysis of Injuries to Haul Truck Operators in the U.S. Mining Industry
Authors: Santos Brenda R. , Porter William L. , Mayton Alan G.
Published: January 2012

Because haul trucks are used extensively in mining, the operators of these trucks are exposed to various risks and hazards inherent to this occupation. The objective of this work was to profile injuries sustained during haul truck operations, to identify priorities for further investigation, and to determine potential injury prevention strategies. Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) annual administrative database were sorted and reviewed to select records identifying a subset of injuries sustained during haul truck operations. Records covering a 5-year period (2004–2008) involving haul trucks were reviewed. The majority of the injury records were for injuries classified as “struck against moving object” (STRUCK) (N=613) and “slip or fall of person from an elevation or on the same level” (SLIPFALL) (N=359). Each injury narrative was read to determine the activity being performed during the injury (such as ingress, egress, driving, maintenance), the incident results (such as operator impact and truck impact), contributing factors to the event, and environmental factors. The nature of the injury, body parts affected, as well as lost work days were also quantified. The average lost work days for STRUCK and SLIPFALL injuries was 60 and 62, respectively. The majority of the total incidents resulted in sprain and strain injuries; the back was the most frequently injured body part injured. For STRUCK injuries, the majority of activities being performed at the time of the injuries involved driving (63%). More than one-third of the total incidents resulted in vertical jarring of the haul truck (36%), and the majority of the total incidents caused jolting and jarring to the operator (75%). For SLIPFALL injuries, the majority of incidents occurred during egress from the vehicle (46%), and of the total incidents, 32% resulted in the worker falling. Almost one-third of the total incidents were due to the operator's foot slipping (32%). Further investigation should focus on the factors contributing to haul truck operators being struck against a moving object and those related to operators slipping and falling.
Examining Error Pathways: An Analysis of Contributing Factors using HFACS in Non-Aviation Industries
Authors: Berry Katherine A. , Stringfellow Paris F. , Shappell Scott A.
Published: January 2012

This study investigated human error in non-aviation industries utilizing the Human Factors Classification and Analysis System (HFACS). The purpose of this study was to identify associations between active errors and latent conditions beyond the aviation industry using a taxonomy that systemically identifies both active errors and latent conditions at all levels of an organization. Doing so could potentially allow for the shifting of intervention target areas from active errors to latent conditions. Seven data sources representing five different non-aviation industry types were analyzed using HFACS methodology and causal category associations were identified. Among the various significant causal factor associations, violations were determined be associated with certain causal categories at the unsafe supervision tier. Additionally, crew resource management causal factors were found to be associated with both skill-based and decision errors. Associations among the HFACS causal categories yield useful information when determining targeted interventions.
The Effect of Interruption Similarity in Planning Tasks
Authors: Nystrom Daniel , Musters Adrian , Drews Frank
Published: January 2012

Previous research on interruptions generally investigates the effect an interruption has during the execution phase of a task. This paper investigates the effects of interruptions which are similar (a planning interruption) or dissimilar (a non-planning interruption) and are presented during the planning phase of a task. Results confirm that interruptions have similar deleterious effects during planning as they do (as in previous research) during the execution phase of a task. Furthermore, this experiment shows a greater decrease in performance when the interruption is a planning task than when it is a non-planning task. Elements of the Fuzzy Trace Theory (Brainerd & Raina, 1990) are used to explain possible reasons for the differences that we found.
Learning to Solve a Visuospatial Problem: The Effect of Visual Cues on Overcoming Errors
Authors: Luong Mary G. , McLaughlin Anne Collins
Published: January 2012

It is important when solving visuospatial problems to attend to information that is relevant to the solution. One challenge for learning to solve visuospatial problems occurs when problem domain neophytes incorrectly focus on visual information that is irrelevant and may interfere with the solution strategy. Moreover, these directors of attentional focus often consume resources in themselves, which may increase the learner's cognitive load and hinder learning. The current study will investigate the influence of preattentive and focused-attention visual cues on learning in an effort to direct the learner's attention to salient information without impeding learning.
Where Did they Go? Recovering Dynamic Objects after Interruptions
Authors: Hunter Aren C. , Parush Avi
Published: January 2012

The aim of the current study was to identify strategies used in recovering dynamic objects after long interruptions. The primary task in this study required participants to track a set of six target dots amongst eight distracter dots and locate them after a 30 second interruption. In one condition the dots reappeared in their displaced locations (moving condition) while in the other condition they reappeared in their original pre-interruption locations (not-moving condition). Consistent with previous research we found that the not-moving condition had significantly better accuracy than the moving condition. Above chance accuracy was found in both conditions. Reaction time data provided further insight into the strategies used to recover displaced objects. In the end, it was concluded that pre-interruption location is the most salient and easily remembered characteristic. Reaction time data did provide preliminary support for the use of on-line tracking during interruptions, although such abilities seem to be limited in capacity to approximately three targets. The results of this research have wide spread implications to domains requiring constant tracking of objects such as air traffic control.
Driver Braking Performance to Surprise and Expected Events
Authors: Fitch Gregory M. , Blanco Myra , Morgan Justin F. , Wharton Amy E.
Published: January 2012

Meta-analyses have shown that the driver braking characteristics reported in the literature often vary due to differences in study methodologies (Green, 2000; Muttart, 2005; Summala, 2000). This paper provides additional insight on driver braking performance by 1) characterizing driver behavior during the execution of surprise and expected braking maneuvers, and 2) investigating the effect of gender, age, and vehicle driven on this behavior. Sixty-four drivers performed surprise and expected braking maneuvers from 45 mph (72.4 km/h) at an inflatable barricade, and subsequently performed expected braking maneuvers in response to an auditory alarm. Participants drove one of two instrumented vehicles: 1) a 2006 Mercedes-Benz R350, or 2) a 2007 Volvo S80. Drivers' braking inputs and corrected stopping distance were measured. Results indicate that drivers' braking performance varied by gender, age, and vehicle driven. These results and their relationship to the extant braking literature are discussed. The findings are expected to benefit those involved in crash reconstruction, researchers modeling driver braking behavior, as well as designers of brake-by-wire systems.
A Mental Model Perspective of a Driver Workload System
Authors: Curry Reates , Blommer Mike , Tijerina Louis , Greenberg Jeff , Kochhar Dev , Simonds Craig , Watson David
Published: January 2012

Conceptualizing driver mental models is not a common tool used to evaluate vehicle human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in the transportation-related literature. The presented research examines the results of a mental model exercise used to explore drivers' perception of a task mitigation workload manager. The driver workload system was designed to disable HMI functions when driving demand was estimated (by the system algorithm) to be high based on real-time assessment of the external driving environment. This paper focuses on abstracting driver comprehension of the workload system using mental model concepts.
Designing for Human-Centered Systems: Situational Risk as a Factor of Trust in Automation
Authors: Perkins LeeAnn , Miller Janet E. , Hashemi Ali , Burns Gary
Published: January 2012

As society continues to become advanced in technology, automation is increasingly implemented in systems reducing the need for human intervention. Although the system is the main focus in rendering the cognitive workload, the human's use in the system is the main component for successful performance. Trust is a prime factor in building a symbiotic relationship between human-automation interaction and further empirical research is needed to develop appropriate methods for designing trusted systems. These methods can be defined as identifying the prime factors of trust that influence the user's decision making. The focus of this paper looks at the factor of risk to determine if and how risk in a situational environment is an influencing factor of trust in automation. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was used as the automated platform, and participants went through a series of route planning sessions with varying levels of risk and hazards. It was found that as the level of risk increased on hazards, the use and trust of automation decreased.
Making Metacognition Explicit: Developing a Theoretical Foundation for Metacognitive Prompting During Scenario-based Training
Authors: Fiore Stephen , Vogel-Walcutt Jennifer J.
Published: January 2012

In this paper we describe a set of metacognition related training interventions that can be introduced in advanced scenario-based training systems. A long line of research in the cognitive and learning sciences has shown that knowledge acquisition is more effective when learners reflect upon their comprehension processes. We support this view and discuss how instruction can assist trainees in monitoring their learning in order to facilitate overall retention and transfer. We focus on the multidimensional nature of metacognition and emphasize the regulatory component of metacognition. Regulation involves an active process engaged by the trainee in service of learning. We present a theoretical framework that describes how this can be developed as a means of instructional strategy in preparation for, during execution of, and in reflection upon, a given learning episode.
Scenario-Based Training: Scenario Complexity
Authors: Dunne Robb , Schatz Sae , Fiore Stephen M. , Martin Glenn , Nicholson Denise
Published: January 2012

This paper presents and extends the definition of scenario complexity in support of the Next-generation Expeditionary Warfare Intelligent Training (NEW-IT) project. First, key concepts are defined with a focus on two specific characteristics: task complexity (Wood, 1986) and task framework (Campbell, 1988). The authors then propose the inclusion of cognitive task elements to the traditional task complexity formulation as an integral extension when designing scenarios for higher-order thinking skills. In addition, the authors introduce the variable of cognitive context moderators to the developing equation. Demonstration of the proposed formulation is then presented with three examples of the instantiation. Finally, operationalization and future direction for scenario-based training are discussed.