bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home-based treadmill training for individuals with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Canning Colleen G , Allen Natalie E , Dean Catherine M , Goh Lina , Fung Victor SC
Published: January 2012

Objective:

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of six weeks of home-based treadmill training in people with mild Parkinson’s disease.

Design:

Pilot randomized controlled trial of a six-week intervention followed by a further six weeks follow-up.

Setting:

Home-based treadmill training with outcome measures taken at a hospital clinic.

Participants:

Twenty cognitively intact participants with mild Parkinson’s disease and gait disturbance. Two participants from the treadmill training group and one from the control group dropped out.

Interventions:

The treadmill training group undertook a semi-supervised home-based programme of treadmill walking for 20–40 minutes, four times a week for six weeks. The control group received usual care.

Main outcome measures:

The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by recording exercise adherence and acceptability, exercise intensity, fatigue, muscle soreness and adverse events. The primary outcome measure of efficacy was walking capacity (6-minute walk test distance).

Results:

Home-based treadmill training was feasible, acceptable and safe with participants completing 78% (SD 36) of the prescribed training sessions. The treadmill training group did not improve their walking capacity compared to the control group. The treadmill training group showed a greater improvement than the control group in fatigue at post test ( P = 0.04) and in quality of life at six weeks follow-up testing ( P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

Semi-supervised home-based treadmill training is a feasible and safe form of exercise for cognitively intact people with mild Parkinson’s disease. Further investigation regarding the effectiveness of home-based treadmill training is warranted.
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials to sound and vibration: characteristics in vestibular migraine that enable separation from Menière’s disease
Authors: Taylor Rachael L , Zagami Alessandro S , Gibson William PR , Black Deborah A , Watson Shaun RD , Halmagyi Michael G , Welgampola Miriam S
Published: January 2012

Objectives: It can be difficult to distinguish vestibular migraine (VM) from Menière’s disease (MD) in its early stages. Using vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), we sought to identify test parameters that would help discriminate between these two vestibular disorders.

Methods: We first recorded ocular and cervical VEMPs (oVEMP/cVEMP) to air-conducted clicks and bone-conducted vibration in 30 control participants, 30 participants with clinically definite VM and 30 participants with clinically probable VM. Results were compared with a group of 60 MD patients from a previous study. oVEMPs and cVEMPs were then recorded at octave frequencies of 250 Hz to 2000 Hz in 20 controls and 20 participants each with clinically definite VM and MD. Inter-aural amplitude asymmetry ratios and amplitude frequency ratios were compared between groups.

Results: For click, tendon-hammer-tap and minishaker-tap VEMPs, there were no significant differences in reflex amplitudes or symmetry between controls, definite VM and probable VM. Compared with MD patients, participants with VM had significantly fewer reflex abnormalities for click-cVEMP, click-oVEMPs and minitap-cVEMPs. The ratio of cVEMP amplitude generated by tone bursts at a frequency of 0.5 kHz to that generated by 1 kHz was significantly lower for MD affected ears than for VM or controls ears. cVEMP asymmetry ratios for 0.5 kHz tone bursts were significantly higher for MD than VM.

Conclusions: The 0.5/1 kHz frequency ratio, 0.5 kHz asymmetry ratio and caloric test combined, separated MD from VM with a sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity of 70.0%.
Enhanced bonding strength of a novel tissue adhesive consisting of cholesteryl group-modified gelatin and disuccinimidyl tartarate
Authors: Matsuda Miyuki , Inoue Motoki , Taguchi Tetsushi
Published: January 2012

The bonding strength and biocompatibility of a novel tissue adhesive consisting of cholesteryl group-modified gelatin and disuccinimidyl tartarate was evaluated. The approach was based on hydrophobically-modified gelatin to enhance the penetration of an adhesive into tissue. Disuccinimidyl tartarate was used to cross-link the cholesteryl group-modified gelatin. The cholesteryl group-modified gelatin was prepared by partially converting the gelatin amino groups with cholesteryl chloroformate. The bonding strength was evaluated by mixing cholesteryl group-modified gelatin and unmodified gelatin with the fixed amino groups/active ester groups of disuccinimidyl tartarate. The bonding strength of the resulting tissue adhesive was 1.7 times greater than the commercial aldehyde-based adhesive. The level of inflammation transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, of the new tissue adhesive was significantly lower compared to the aldehyde-based adhesive after subcutaneous implantation. These results indicate that hydrophobic groups, such as cholesteryl, enhance tissue penetration as well as increase the bonding strength of tissue adhesive without a negative effect on the biocompatibility.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Police-Reported Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration
Authors: Lipsky Sherry , Cristofalo Meg , Reed Sarah , Caetano Raul , Roy-Byrne Peter
Published: January 2012

The objectives of this study were to examine racial and ethnic disparities in perpetrator and incident characteristics and discrepancies between police charges and reported perpetrator behaviors in police-reported intimate partner violence (IPV). This cross-sectional study used standardized police data and victim narratives of IPV incidents reported to the police in Dallas, Texas in 2004. The sample included non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic male perpetrators who were residents of Dallas ( N = 4470). Offense charges were prioritized in descending order: sexual assault, aggravated assault, simple assault, kidnapping, robbery, and intimidation. Textual data from the victim narratives were coded, based on the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS), and categorized in descending order of priority: sexual (severe, minor), physical (severe, minor), and psychological (severe, minor) assault. Perpetrators were more likely to be Black and Hispanic. Perpetrator and incident characteristics varied significantly by race/ethnicity, particularly age, age difference between partners, marital status, injury, and interracial relationships. Qualitative data revealed that greater proportions of Black and Hispanic men perpetrated severe physical, but not sexual violence, compared with White men. The greatest disparity between CTS categories and police charges occurred among those cases identified by the CTS as severe physical IPV; 84% were charged with simple assault. Significant differences by race/ethnicity were found only for simple assault charges, which were coded as severe physical as opposed to minor physical IPV more often among Black (69% and 31%) compared with White (62% and 38%) men. The disparities revealed in this study highlight the need to enhance primary and secondary prevention efforts within Black and Hispanic communities and to increase linkages between police, community, and public health organizations.
The Problem of Untested Sexual Assault Kits
Authors: Patterson Debra , Campbell Rebecca
Published: January 2012

Victims of sexual assault are often advised to seek postassault medical care to have a forensic exam, which includes evidence collection (termed a sexual assault kit [SAK]). After the exam, law enforcement personnel are supposed to submit the SAK to a crime laboratory for analysis. However, recent media reports suggest that in many communities throughout the United States, thousands of SAKs are left untested. Few studies have examined the rate at which law enforcement submits SAKs to crime labs or the factors that may predict them to do so. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study is twofold: (a) to examine the percentage of SAKs law enforcement submits to crime labs in cases in which a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) performed the exam with adult victims and (b) to explore whether assault and law enforcement characteristics predict whether SAKs are submitted to a crime lab. This study found that only 58.6% of the SAKs were submitted to the crime lab within a large Midwestern county. Using binary logistic regression, this study found that kits were significantly as likely to be submitted when there were documented physical (nonanogenital) injuries compared with kits that did not have documented physical injuries. In addition, kits that were handled by a law enforcement agency that had a high level of engagement with the SANE program were significantly as likely to be submitted as law enforcement agencies with a low or medium level of engagement. Kits were significantly less likely to be submitted when victims cleaned themselves after the sexual assault (e.g., bathing). No association was found between kit submission and the victim–offender relationship, suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault, anogenital injury, and when the victim consumed alcohol or drugs before the assault. This article concludes with a discussion of the implications for research and practice.
A sliding mode vibration controller for lead screw drives
Authors: Vahid-Araghi Orang , Golnaraghi Farid
Published: January 2012

The conversion of rotary to translational motion in lead screw drives occurs at the meshing lead screw and nut threads. Adecreasing coefficient of friction with sliding velocity, may lead to instabilities in these drives. In this paper, a sliding mode controller is designed for a two degrees of freedom lead screw drive model. This controller has two objectives: to regulate the lead screw angular velocity to a preset value and to attenuate friction-induced vibrations. Only upper and/or lower bounds of system parameters are assumed to be known. In addition, in the development of the controller no specific model is assumed for the dependence of the coefficient of friction on the relative sliding velocity. Two modifications are applied to the basic discontinuous sliding mode controller to eliminate the inherent chattering problem and to limit thecontrolled input torque levels. Numerical simulation results are presented that show the applicability and the performance of the proposed controller.
On the relationship between tourism and growth in Latin America
Authors: Lionetti Stefania , Gonzalez Oscar
Published: January 2012

In many countries, tourism is used as a strategy to achieve greater economic performance. The potential economic benefits are increased income, both directly and as a result of the multiplier effects of tourism revenues (particularly the informal sector), earnings of foreign exchange, new employment opportunities, access to foreign direct investment and economic diversification ( Markandya A, Taylor T and Pedroso S (2005) . Tourism and sustainable development: Lessons from recent World Bank experience. In: Lanza A, A and Francesco P (eds.) The Economics of Tourism and Sustainable Development. Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Series on Economics and the Environment. Cheltenham and Northampton, MA: Elgar., 225–251.;( Nowak J-F and Sahli M (2007) . Coastal tourism and “Dutch disease” in a small tourism economy. Tourism Economics 13(1): 49–65.). Among the costs that investment in tourism may arise we find: inflationary pressure due to tourist demand, costs of infrastructure development and leakages to international investors or corporations. In particular, tourism specialization can help to explain the observed high growth rates of small island’s economies. While there is little literature that focus on the relationship between tourism and economic growth, and the associated evidence is conflicting, in the economics literature, the causal relationship between trade and growth is well established. Openness fosters growth through a number of channels, including improved resources allocation, higher degree of competition, rapid acquisition of knowledge and innovation and lower levels of rent-seeking and corruption ( Winters, 2007 ). Thus, this paper investigates the relationship between tourism and trade in order to determine the contribution of the tourism sector to the economic growth of Latin America and the Caribbean. Specifically, it uses cointegration and vector autoregressive techniques for testing the short/long-run relationship between tourism and trade. Due to the lack of systematic data in the area, six countries have been selected and analyzed: specifically, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Chile and Venezuela. Moreover, this study uses unadjusted seasonal data, thus considering possible unit roots at different frequencies.
Quality of the Azores destination in the perspective of tourists
Authors: Santos Carlos , Couto Gualter , Pimentel Pedro , Vieira José Cabral
Published: January 2012

Tourism is a growing industry in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. However, little is known about how tourists evaluate this destination, something which certainly constitutes a shortcoming if one takes into consideration that this is a very competitive industry, with new destinations appearing every year and others increasing their market share. This paper focuses on the quality of the Azores destination in the perspective of tourists and, to an extent, has the goal of contributing to reduce this shortcoming. According to our findings, 74 per cent of the tourists interviewed consider the global quality of the Azores destination to be very good or excellent, with the landscape, the climate/weather, the hospitality, the cleanliness and the security being the most highly rated partial indicators. Additionally, a regression analysis indicates that the evaluation of the global quality of this destination varies according to the individual characteristics of tourists.
The Perspective of the Vascular Surgery Trainee on New ACGME Regulations, Fatigue, Resident Training, and Patient Safety
Authors: Martino Randall R. De , Brewster L. P. , Kokkosis A. A. , Glass C. , Boros M. , Kreishman P. , Kauvar D. A. , Farber A.
Published: January 2012

Objective: To assess the opinions of vascular surgery trainees on the new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and electronically distributed to trainee members of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Results: Of 238 eligible vascular trainees, 38 (16%) participated. Respondents were predominantly 30 to 35 years of age (47%), male (69%), in 2-year fellowship (73%), and at large academic centers (61%). Trainees report occasionally working while fatigued (63%). Fellows were more likely to report for duty while fatigued ( P = .012) than integrated vascular residents. Respondents thought further work-hour restrictions would not improve patient care or training ( P < .05) and may not lead to more sleep or improved quality of life. Respondents reported that duty hours should vary by specialty (81%) and allow flexibility in the last years of training ( P < .05). Conclusions: Vascular surgery trainees are concerned about further duty-hour restrictions on patient care, education, and training and fatigue mitigation has to be balanced against the need to adequately train vascular surgeons.
Lumbar Artery Pseudoaneurysm Caused by a Gunther Tulip Inferior Vena Cava Filter
Authors: Skeik Nedaa , McEachen James C. , Stockland Andrew H. , Wennberg Paul W. , Shepherd Roger F. J. , Shields Raymond C. , Andrews James C.
Published: January 2012

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are widely used to decrease the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation. Complications include local hematoma, access site deep venous thrombosis (DVT), filter migration and embolization, leg penetration through the IVC wall, IVC occlusion, and filter fracture with embolization. Other rare complications include leg penetration into adjacent organs including duodenum and ureter. Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysms are rare and may be spontaneous, iatrogenic, or traumatic. To date, there have been 3 case reports of lumbar artery pseudoaneurysms caused by IVC filters. We present an additional case of a lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm caused by a Gunther Tulip IVC filter treated successfully with selective embolization.
Considering Individual Differences in Interface Design
Authors: de Guimarães Lia Buarque Macedo , Ribeiro José Luis Duarte , Leal Andréia Fabiane Nahra
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a project conducted to evaluate the mental representations of the three people involved with a real life supervisory control system i.e., operators, experts and designers. Each personas mental model of the supervisory system was derived from the “commented drawing” technique, i.e., the drawing and the explanation given when the subject was asked about the system's functioning and operation. The comparison of the drawings could provide an idea whether subjects have different concepts about the functioning and operation of the same system. It is clear that experts engineers and operators have different ideas about the functioning and operation of the same system.
Human Factors Issues in Implementation of AA to Complex Systems
Authors: Tan Kheng-Wooi , Kaber David B. , Riley Jennifer M. , Endsley Mica R.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a constrained review of human factors issues relevant to adaptive automation (AA) including designing complex system interfaces to support AA, facilitating human-computer interaction and crew interactions in adaptive system operations, and considering workloads associated with AA management in the design of human roles in adaptive systems. This work is intended to compliment earlier reviews, which have offered detailed information on topics central to AA (including dynamic function allocation strategies and triggering methods). The review demonstrates the need for research into user-centered design of dynamic displays in adaptive systems. Ft also points to the need for discretion in designing transparent interfaces to facilitate human awareness of modes of automated systems. Finally, the review identifies the need to consider critical human-human (or crew) interactions as well as AA induced operator workload in designing adaptive systems. This work describes important branches of a developing framework of AA and contributes to the general theory of human-centered automation.
An Exploratory Investigation of Relationships between Situation Awareness and Performance in an Attack Helicopter Domain
Authors: Entin Eileen B.
Published: January 2012

As part of a research program studying display concepts to increase tactical situation awareness (SA) in the attack helicopter domain we investigated the relationship between SA and performance. In order to test this relationship empirically, we developed two measures of SA that could be assessed independently of performance, a detailed measure and a high-level measure. In three phases of a simulated attack helicopter mission the detailed measure, but not the high-level measure, was significantly correlated with a measure of performance. The results offer conditional empirical support for a relationship between SA and performance.
Testing the Impact of Instrumentation Location and Reliability on Ecological Interface Design: Control Performance
Authors: Reising Dal Vernon C. , Sanderson Penelope M.
Published: January 2012

Recent research has shown that an ecological interface for a simulated pasteurization plant leads to most effective failure diagnosis performance only if the interface is supported by an adequate set of sensors. In this investigation we examine the effect of interface on control performance, focusing especially on between-subjects variability in control actions taken and state variable values. Results provide some support for the idea that when the interface is supported by an adequate set of sensors, an ecological interface produces less between-subjects variability in the values of higher-order state variables, but more between-subjects variability in the number of control actions taken. We interpret these findings to indicate that when goals and higher-order properties of a system are revealed through effective interface design, the degrees of freedom for action at lower levels are more fully exploited, which is all the better to achieve the higher-order purposes of control.
Keeping North in Mind: How Navigators Reason about Cardinal Directions
Authors: Gugerty Leo , de Boom Daniel , Jenkins Joseph C. , Morley Rebecca
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to test whether misalignment effects found when people use maps to determine left and right turns also occur when they make cardinal-direction judgments. Prior research has shown that when an exocentric reference frame, such as a map, is misaligned with a person's egocentric reference frame, people take longer to determine left and right turns. Using both a static task and a dynamic, flight-simulator task, this experiment showed that when exocentric (map) and egocentric reference frames are misaligned, cardinal-direction judgments can be severely impaired, more so than direction-of-turn judgments. Analysis of participants' verbal protocols suggests that people use both mental rotation and non-rotational strategies in making cardinal-direction judgments.
Intent Recognition and Situation Awareness in Transport Activities
Authors: Dusire Sophie , Mundutéguy Christophe
Published: January 2012

Driving a car or piloting a plane are both activities taking place in a dynamic and shared environment. Sharing the environment will generate more or less interactions between protagonists. Those interactions might modify the context. The awareness of such dynamic situation imply both to identify other's current action, and to anticipate their intentions. Through two studies, results confirm the building process underlying operator's situation awareness during the activity and presents new requirements for the future embarked information systems.
An Apprenticeship Approach for the Development of Operations Automation Knowledge Bases
Authors: Thurman David A. , Mitchell Christine M.
Published: January 2012

Operations automation is automation that replaces, wholly or in part, operational activities currently carried out by human controllers in complex systems. It is intended to be neither ‘black-box’ nor ‘human-tended’ automation, but rather automation that functions independent of human control and yet still facilitates its inspection and repair as necessary. This paper describes research to develop an apprenticeship approach to developing a knowledge base to support such automation. The result is both a human-centered automation approach and a software architecture, Apprentice, to support this approach. Apprentice enables human operators to create the knowledge base for operations automation by performing their normal control activities. Apprentice watches and compares them with those specified in the knowledge base, noting discrepancies between the knowledge base and operator activities. Graphical knowledge base editing tools are then used—-by the domain practitioners—-to modify, refine, or extend the knowledge base as required to account for the detected discrepancies.
Human-Centered Computational Support in Space Transportation
Authors: Shalin Valerie L.
Published: January 2012

This paper focuses on the distributed planning of activities in space transportation, specifically for trajectory operations for the United States Space Shuttle Program. Faced with limited resources and vehicle capabilities, flight controllers attempt to develop a trajectory that is acceptable (if not optimal) for the Flight Control team. However, any time during a flight, new context might arise that necessitates revisions. To explore alternative responses flight controllers make use of multiple models of the relevant objects in orbit. A promising role for human centered, computational support lies in establishing the functional requirements of these models. The presentation will discuss three functions of such models, related to the human processes that attribute meaning to representations.
Reducing Errors in Automated Cockpits Through Cognitive Engineering Principles
Authors: Chappell Sheryl L.
Published: January 2012

Most navigational errors in automated aircraft are the result of incorrect input to the aircraft's autoflight system. The complaint is heard that the pilot is not “in the loop.” These concerns can be traced directly to the information available to the pilot. If we evaluate the task of navigating a highly-automated aircraft from a cognitive engineering perspective, we can design flight deck procedures that minimize the navigational errors and increase the detection of those errors before they result in an undesirable outcome. This paper evaluates what control action the pilot takes, what information is needed to verify the correctness of the control input, and what can be done to get the needed information when it is needed. Actual incidents of navigational errors resulting from improper input are reviewed. It is argued that both pilots should verify the input to the flight management system at the time of input. This is the only reliabl means of detecting input errors. Procedures are recommended for pilot confirmation at the time of input that take advantage of human cognition to reduce the probability that input errors will go undetected.
Performance and Process Measure Relationships in Transitioning from a Low to High Fidelity Simulation Environment
Authors: Entin Elliot E.
Published: January 2012

Entin (1999) reported that after sufficient training with a six-node non-traditional optimized C2 architecture, teams performed higher with it than with a six-node traditional non-optimized C2 architecture. Moreover, teams performing with a four-node non-traditional optimized C2 architecture performed as well as the six-node traditional non-optimized C2 architecture. Entin (1999) also noted that the various team process measures supported the performance outcome and predicted performance.

The prior work was performed employing the low fidelity Distributed Dynamic Decision making III (DDD-III) research simulator. The DDD offers a high degree of experimental control, on-line data collection, as well as a high level of abstraction. Part of the charge of the Adaptive Architecture for Command and Control project is to investigate whether findings ascertained within the low fidelity DDD environment can be replicated in a high fidelity simulation environment. The current study was a partial response to this charge.

The scenario and forces used with the DDD experiment were adapted to the marine's MAGTIF Tactical Warfare Simulation (MTWS) environment. Because of the watershed nature of this study several technical issues were examined (e.g., the effects of the presence or absence of trained operators and the benefit of operator training). Further resource limitations precluded replicating the earlier design, but it was possible to examine the team process and performance relationship for the four-node — six-node comparison.

Nineteen officers enrolled at the Naval Postgraduate School were partitioned into five four-node teams that participated in eight trials and three six-node teams that participated in six trials. Twelve participants received intensive MTWS operator training and all received general MTWS familiarization training.

Results showed that as in the previous experiment, teams employing the four-node optimized architecture where able to perform at the same level as teams using the six-node non-optimized architecture. It would seem that the optimization of the four-node architecture is able to compensate for the 33% reduction in team staff.

In the previous experiment the team process measures significantly predicted performance outcome. The regression analysis revealed a multiple R of .86 (p<.02), that accounts for 73% of the variance. Findings for the current experiment revealed a similar relationship and pattern. The multiple R is .82 (p<.03), accounting for 68% of the variance. Moreover, the process measures in the equations were quite similar across the two experiments. We conclude that we were successful in transitioning the scenario and mission from a low to high fidelity simulation environment.
Organization of the Work Based on the Ergonomic Perspective of the Attendances of Collective Emergencies (Catastrophes)
Authors:   Silvia Regina Teodoro Pinheiro of Barros1, Vidal Mário César , Gomes José Orlando
Published: January 2012

This poster deal with an university project joining Fluminense Federal University and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that seeks the interactive action university/community, having as objective the construction of the knowledge of unexpected situations: the accidents with multiple victims.

The present project is about the encounter of the opportunity of creation of a dialogue space between the university and public and private institutions to contribute with the planning of the activities of accident prevention and emergency rescue.
Child Spontaneous and Creative Actions Seen as Existencial and Relational Indicators to Actual Working Activities and Human Associations
Authors: de Simoni Miguel , Mafra José Roberto Dourado
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to discuss the utilization of children's wisdom in the adults working groups. We call attention to relationships that inside children groups are stated in a spontaneous and integral basis, and to adults are in a formal and not integral basis, to working activities. Its the origin of a several modalities of diseases attributed to labor activities, but, in fact, comes from people insertion at work with out taking in account its playing characteristics. Observing the children's playing modes we can have a source of wisdom to the work systems designers develop projects considering the playing and spiritual aspects that holds the human work.
Data Logging: Higher-Level Capturing and Multi-Level Abstracting of User Activities
Authors: Helms Jim , Neale Dennis C. , Isenhour Philip L. , Carroll John M.
Published: January 2012

Data logging has been a standard, but under utilized, software evaluation technique for single-user systems. Large volumes of objective data can be collected automatically and unobtrusively. This data, however, is usually in the form of low-level system events, making it difficult to analyze and interpret meaningfully. In this paper we extend traditional logging approaches to collaborative multi-user (groupware) systems. We also show how data captured at a higher level of abstraction can characterize user-system interaction more meaningfully. Lastly, we show how higher-level data abstracted from logging can be more effectively combined with data from other usability methods.
Development of a Model for Determining the Impact of Password Authentication Practices on Information Security
Authors: Carstens Deborah Sater , McCauley-Bell Pamela , Malone Linda C.
Published: January 2012

This research focuses on the development of a model for evaluating the human impact that password authentication issues are having on the security of information systems. Through observational analysis, organizational policy, and retrospective analysis, researchers created a model for predicting the vulnerability that a particular set of conditions will have on the likelihood of error in an information system. The methodology for the experiment and analysis of the results are presented. The findings indicate that human error associated with password authentication can be significantly reduced through the use of passwords which are comprised of meaningful data for the user and which meet the information technology community requirement for strength of password. The details of this study are provided as well as the human factors implications in information security.
User-Centered Design in Practice: A Medical Tele-Consultation Management Application
Authors: Nathanael Dimitris , Marmaras Nicolas
Published: January 2012

This paper presents and discusses the design process and the solutions adopted for the development of an information technology system aimed to assist the management of medical tele-consultations. The adopted user-centered design approach, the thorough work analysis carried out at the initial stages of the design process as well as the fact that the ergonomists headed the development team, resulted to a system achieving high usability and acceptance by the users.
Changes in Applied Force to Atouchpad during Pointing Tasks
Authors: Akamatsu Motoyuki , MacKenzie I. Scott
Published: January 2012

We measured the force applied to a touchpad and a mouse during pointing tasks for large and small targets. At the end of selection tasks, changes in the applied force with the touchpad were different from those with a mouse. These differences may be the source of performance differences between the two devices.
Interface Development for a Child's Video Conferencing Robot
Authors: Cheetham Anastasia , Young Cynick , Fels Deborah I.
Published: January 2012

The PEBBLES communication system, designed to link children in the hospital with their regular classrooms, has progressed through three major development and evaluation phases. Many of the design and human factors issues (e.g., daily curriculum planning and co-ordination between two teachers in distant locations, and the need for an appropriate attention device) discovered through this process are unique from other video-mediated communication systems because PEBBLES must support both academic and social tasks with children as users. While technical limitations such as bandwidth and audio fidelity remain as problems to solve with PEBBLES, the system has been successful in providing students with a high level of telepresence in their classrooms.
Generation of Virtual Man Models Representative of Different Body Proportions and Application to Ergonomic Design of Vehicles
Authors: Eynard Enrico , Fubini Enrica , Masali Melchiorre , Cerrone Maurizio , Tarzia Antonio
Published: January 2012

To get early and reliable evaluations of preliminary 3D design on workplaces and vehicles it is essential to utilise manikins corresponding as much as possible to actual persons.

This paper describes a methodology to generate body typologies from anthropometric data of Italian population, identifying realistic combinations of anthropometric measurements actually found among real subjects. We applied these results to Jack, a software with an interactive virtual human model able to be manipulated by adjusting individual joints to simulate realistic postures. We then made a postural comfort comparative test, using the new manikins and standard Human Scale manikins obtaining quite different results: in particular, with the former manikins we found lower comfort indexes because they show a higher global variability, important to consider when designing systems fitting the characteristics of a large part of the population.
Comparison of Space Perception between a Real Environment and a Virtual Environment
Authors: Yoon Jungsun , Byun Eunhee , Chung Nyang S.
Published: January 2012

Virtual reality technologies are being applied to diverse industrial fields. However, the degree to which a virtual environment is faithful to a real one has not been assessed rigorously. This paper assessed the fidelity of a virtual environment to a real environment. More specifically, it examined 3 major issues: (1) Are a real room and an equivalently modeled virtual room perceived same? (2) How accurate are the estimated sizes and ratios? (3) Does presentation order affect subjects' estimation? We employed a real room and an equivalently modeled virtual room in the experiment. The sizes of the room elements are as follows: width 258cm, depth 380cm, and height 245 cm. Seven females and five males ranging in age from 20 to 42 years served as subjects. All subjects experienced the real room and the virtual room, and the presentation order of the rooms was counterbalanced. Subjects experienced the virtual room wearing the HMD. After subjects observed each room, they were asked to answer a questionnaire. The questionnaire included items on the perception of the physical and psychological properties of the room. The space perceptions in both rooms were not significantly different. When the estimated sizes in both conditions were compared with the actual sizes, the estimations related to height in both conditions were different from the actual ones. This pattern of results suggests that virtual environments instead of the real ones could be used for design and architecture with the adjusted height. Further studies on human space perception using better navigation methods are needed.
Potential Benefits of Olfactory Stimulation in Virtual Environments (Ves)
Authors: Sadowski Wallace , Guest Mike
Published: January 2012

The human olfactory system provides an abundance of information about our environment. The olfactory system utilizes the sensation of aromas for detection, recognition, discrimination, and scaling (Barfield & Danas, 1996). Furthermore, neuroanatomically, in comparison to the visual and auditory systems, the olfactory system has many more direct connections to the limbic system of the brain where emotions and affects are regulated (Kandel & Schwartz, 1985). Knasko and Gilbert (1990) found that even the suggestion of aromas affect reported levels of pleasure and mood. There is strong evidence that aromas can be effective in manipulating mood, decreasing stress, as well as, improving recall and retention of learned materials (Youngblut, Johnson, Nash, Wienclaw, & Will, 1996). It has been demonstrated that the introduction of aromas can have a positive effect on signal detection performance accuracy and serve to reduce the vigilance decrement (Dember, Warm, & Parasuraman, 1995). In addition, it has been suggested that olfactory stimulation may facilitate a greater sense of virtual presence (Cater, 1992; Robinett, 1992). These are powerful examples of the utility and endowments of the olfactory system. In spite of this, olfaction has been largely ignored within the scope of most virtual environments (VEs). Currently most VEs are designed to stimulate primarily the visual system, with some systems incorporating auditory and/or haptic stimulation. Problems associated with early olfactory stimulation systems (OSS's), including a slowly diminishing scent, little control over localization, mixing of scents delivered in close temporal proximity, and a build-up of residue, have been resolved by recent technological developments in new OSS's (Sadowski, 1999). With the technological barriers to effective presentation of olfactory information overcome, VE researchers and developers have the ability to utilize aromas to create more authentic environments and scenarios.
Cognitive Ergonomics in New Territories
Authors: Yoon Wan Chul
Published: January 2012

With the rapid progress of information technology, the work environments that cognitive ergonomics is concerned with are changing; the interaction with physical systems is increasingly logically organized while new large-scale logical systems are emerging. Logical systems, having been mainly dealt with by HCI experts, are now integrated in scale and based on social dynamics. As more emphasis is necessary on interaction rather than the interface of those systems, they become a mandatory subject of cognitive ergonomics. The importance of large-scale logical systems escalates with the global advance of knowledge society. Corporations, with new production and commerce paradigms, are transforming into knowledge organizations to present design and operation issues to cognitive ergonomics. Cognitive ergonomics should adapt to this change in problem domains as they present different emphases on the topics and ingredients of cognitive systems.
Cognitive Modeling of Design Problem Solving
Authors: Hacker Winfried
Published: January 2012

There is a couple of models of engineering design. However empirical results could not verify them so far. One reason might be the conceptualization of design in terms of cognitive micro-processes. A re-interpretation of engineering design as a goal-directed working activity suggests to apply Activity Theory for modeling of design. Starting from empirical results this suggestion is discussed for five essential characteristics of the design process. The characteristics are compatible with the general notions of Activity Theory.
Musculoskeletal Workload during Non-Linear Video Editing
Authors: Jensen B.R. , Laursen B.
Published: January 2012

Today, video editing in TV production is mainly performed using digital computer systems. The aim was to evaluate the musculoskeletal workload among the technicians performing digital (non-linear) video editing. Six technicians volunteered in the study and they performed non-linear video editing during a normal day. As a reference they performed a multidirectional computer mouse task. Muscle activity (EMG) was recorded from the forearm muscles (m. extensor carpi radialis, m. extensor digitorum and the forearm flexors) and from the shoulder/neck region (right and left m. trapezius, neck muscles (right side)). Perceived exertion was rated according to a CR-10 scale. The perceived exertion located to hand/wrist, forearm/elbow and shoulder and neck increased during the working day. Very few or none EMG gaps were found for the forearm extensor muscles during work. A static loading of the neck and the forearm extensor muscles was found during non-linear video editing despite the low number of input device operations per time (mouse clicks and keystrokes) and a well adjusted work place where the forearms were supported most of the working time. This may be related to high demands on precision in time and constrained working postures with the hands alert on keyboard and mouse and the eyes focused on monitors for the major part of the working time. Finally, eye blink frequency was found to be very low during non-linear video editing.
Inputting to a Notebook Computer
Authors: Sommerich Carolyn M.
Published: January 2012

Inputting to a notebook computer (NPC) can differ from inputting to a desktop style computer. NPCs are self-contained, so if no peripherals are used, the user works with the keyboard layout and style and location of pointing device provided by the manufacturer. In contrast to standard external keyboards, there are few redundancies provided on an NPC keyboard. Another important difference is keyboard location - because the monitor and keyboard of most NPCs are joined, the user must make a location choice that will potentially compromise body comfort in one or more regions. This paper focuses on some inherent restrictions to inputting on a self-contained NPC.
21st Century Workstations - Active Partners in Accomplishing Task Goals
Authors: Osga Glenn A.
Published: January 2012

As the new century starts early design efforts are underway for a new class of US Navy ships with design requirements to significantly reduce operational crew size and associated costs. The trend for crew optimization is made all the more difficult with increased mission demands and breadth of tasks to be accomplished. New weapons and sensors will increase the tactical options available to commanders, but significant changes in current design must be made for fewer personnel to handle the workload. Automated functions can have profound implications for the workstation design, increasing warfighter need for multi-tasking across automated systems. Workstation design trends that may be necessary to support this work environment are: increased visual workspace, features that focus on multi-tasking, and system monitoring of task progress with the ability for system assistance based on dynamic monitoring of task progress and monitoring of human state while at work. The workstation of the future becomes actively involved in assisting the human progress through multiple tasks. This is in stark comparison to the passive partnership between workstation and human today.
Human Performance Modeling: Identification of Critical Variables for National Airspace Safety
Authors: Gore Brian F. , Corker Kevin M.
Published: January 2012

Computational human performance modeling tools have been under development for over 50 years to generate human performance predictions for studying complex human behaviors that possess high costs associated with failures. A common measure for analysis from the digital human modeling tools is operator workload. One complex behavioral environment that is being explored by international regulatory and airline operations groups and is likely to reflect workload differences is known as “free flight”. “Free flight” in the United States is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strategic goal for system capacity and for Air Traffic Services to improve accessibility, flexibility, and predictability in the national airspace in order to reduce flight times, crew resources, maintenance, and fuel costs. The experimental scenarios used to explore “free flight” are based on the full “free flight” concepts anticipated by Requirements and Technical Concepts for Aviation (RTCA) in the year 2025. These concepts explore the farthest out parameters of the aviation system. An evaluation of predicted behavioral costs associated with current day and “free flight” operations was performed using two “first principles” models, Air Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis System (Air MIDAS) and the Integrated Performance Modeling Environment (IPME). In analyses of a common scenario, both tools revealed increases along a seven-point, four-channel workload scale from current (MAir MIDAS = 0.77, MIPME = 1.24) to “free flight” operations (MAir MIDAS = 1.15, MIPME= 1.96). The inclusion of a handoff and an emergency event was found to increase the workload levels of the virtual operators within both software tools and provided different performance profile predictions depending on the operator's role in the NAS when faced with such a rule set change as the one proposed by the RTCA (Air MIDAS current day - Mground = 0.84, MAir = 0.71; IPME current day - Mground = 1.85, MAir = 0.62; Air MIDAS “free flight” - Mground = 0.77, MAir = 1.53; IPME “free flight” - Mground = 2.07, MAir = 1.84). These findings support the notion of initially using models for exploration of variables for inclusion in costly simulation studies. A validation effort of these findings with human-in-the-loop data is required and anticipated.
Applications for Executable Cognitive Models: A Case-Study Approach
Authors: Zachary Wayne , Ryder Joan , Santarelli Thomas , Weiland Monica Z.
Published: January 2012

Recent theoretical advances in the understanding of expert-level cognition have enabled the creation of software systems and tools that mimic the cognitive performance of human experts. These human performance models are termed cognitive models because they explicitly represent peoples' internal information processing mechanisms and knowledge. While the initial set of cognitive models and cognitive modeling systems focused on developing and testing psychological theory, a second generation of cognitive modeling tools has emerged, with a focus on creating cognitive models for use in application contexts. The range of practical uses of executable cognitive models covers design applications (for use in cognitive engineering), operational applications (for use within a fielded system), and training applications. The various possibilities are exemplified through a series of case-studies representing successful applications in interface design, decision and performance support, and intelligent training.