bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aging and Executive Control in Task Switching
Authors: Hahn Sowon , Kramer Arthur F. , Gopher Daniel
Published: July 2017

Theories of cognitive control have proposed a dissociation between automatic or procedural processes that carry out well learned tasks and executive processes that control novel behaviors and coordinate multiple processes and tasks. In the present study we examined age-related differences in an executive control process(es), the ability to rapidly and accurately switch between multiple tasks. Young and old adults were presented with a row of digits and required to judge either the number of elements or the digit value. The RTs after a switch between tasks were compared with RTs obtained in the absence of a switch (i.e. when the same task was performed sequentially for several trials). During the first experimental session the older adults displayed a substantially larger switch cost than did the young adults. However, surprisingly, the old adults showed switch costs equivalent to the young adults after a relatively small amount of practice. These age-equivalent switch costs were maintained over a two month retention period. These results are discussed in terms of general and process-specific conceptualizations of cognitive aging.
Assessing Performance of Awacs Command and Control Teams
Authors: Elliott Linda R. , Dalrymple Mathieu A. , Neville Kelly
Published: July 2017

Performance constructs are discussed within the context of complex and dynamic command and control (C2) team performance. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) team members function in an information-rich environment, exchanging updates through an array of visual displays and communication channels. In combat, they face challenges of limited resources, ambiguous information, time pressure, and enemy interference. Subsequently, accurate assessment of communication, coordination, and decision making in AWACS teams can be difficult and time-consuming. Theoretical predictions arising from laboratory tasks must ultimately face the test of external validity using criterion measures of performance. This paper describes some of the challenges in developing criterion measures of performance and situation assessment within a dynamic and complex task requiring high expertise and teamwork. Results from two studies are briefly described.
Decision Skills Training
Authors: Klein Gary , McCloskey Michael , Pliske Rebecca , Schmitt John
Published: July 2017

An approach to training decision skills was developed that attempts to train people to learn like experts, rather than to think like experts. Several methods were developed to provide increases in experience, and increases in the amount of learning that could be derived from experiences. These included a technique for identifying decision requirements, a method for presenting low-level simulations, a method for reflecting on the decision making in training events, a method for mentally simulating plans, and a method for leaders to obtain feedback on the expression of intent. The training was presented to 30 U.S. Marine Corps squad leaders at Camp Pendleton, CA, over a period of 3.5 months. Initial subjective evaluations are high, indicating good user acceptance.
A Two-Detector Signal Detection Analysis of Learning to Use Alarms
Authors: Meyer Joachim , Ballas Eyal
Published: July 2017

The learning to use (or disregard) alarms was analyzed in an experiment in which participants had to decide whether a simulated system was intact or malfunctioning, based on the reading of a gauge-like display. In two of the three experimental conditions participants received a warning when the system, that functioned as a signal detector with the same sensitivity as the participant, detected a value that was beyond a preset response criterion (which was either lnβw = −1 or lnβw = .5). Results showed that participants' responses were always less cautious than the optimal setting. Already in the first 100 trial block (out of 5) existed clear differences between the warning conditions, as well as differences between the no-warning condition and a warning condition for which the optimal β were the same. These results indicate that the learning process has two components—first a rapid adjustment of the response to the condition, and than a slow, and in some conditions non-existing, convergence towards the optimum.
Individualizing Displays through the Use of Neural Networks
Authors: Cheng Kai-Chun , Eberts Ray E.
Published: July 2017

An Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS), a key component of Intelligent Vehicle highway Systems (IVHS) in the near future, will help travelers find locations of restaurants, lodging, gas stations, and rest stops. On typical ATIS displays, which are now being incorporated in some advanced vehicles, the choices for these traveler services are presented to the vehicle occupants alphabetically. An experiment was conducted to determine whether individualizing the display through the use of neural networks enhanced performance when choosing restaurants. The neural network ATIS was compared to an ATIS that displayed the most frequently chosen restaurants at the top, one that alphabetized the list of restaurants, and one that randomly displayed the restaurant choices. The time to choose a restaurant was significantly faster for the individualized displays (neural network and frequency) when compared to the nonindividualized displays (alphabetical and random). When the two individualized displays were compared, choice time was significantly faster for the neural network approach.
A Psychophysical Evaluation of Frame Rate in Desktop Video Conferencing
Authors: Kies Jonathan K.
Published: July 2017

The quality of digital video transmitted over computer networks can suffer from a variety of degradations. Little research has addressed perceptions of degraded digital video image quality. This paper reports on a study in which a psychophysical method, magnitude estimation, was used to develop a ratio scale of image quality for frame rates between 1 and 28 frames per second (fps). Five different scenes were used as stimuli, each varying in terms of filming speed, level of detail, and content. Results indicate that for non-traditional conferencing applications, image quality is not perceived to be better at rates greater than 10 fps. For a traditional conferencing application, a linear increase in image quality perception is associated with a linear increase in frame rate. Results are presented in terms of trend analysis, Steven's Power Function, and parametric statistics. Implications are made for the design of multimedia communication networks.
Telephone-Based Menus: Evidence that Broader is Better than Deeper
Authors: Virzi Robert A. , Huitema John S.
Published: July 2017

Recent guidelines intended for designers of telephone menus for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems advocate keeping menus to four or fewer items. Additional items, the guidelines recommend, should appear on a secondary menu accessible from the first. The current study compared this deep-menu approach to a broad-menu approach wherein all the items appear on a single menu. Item selection times favored the broad-menu approach for both repeated and unique trials, casting some doubt on the validity of this particular guideline.
Effects of Interface Format, Feedback Style, and System lag on the Usability of Hand-Held Internet Controllers
Authors: Ergen Feyza F. , Beaton Robert J. , Deighan John
Published: July 2017

The increasing popularity of the World Wide Web (WWW) has created a new market: Web access through television. One of the approaches for accessing the Web through television is the utilization of the existing cable system. Some unique characteristics of this browsing system are fast access to the Web, the use of nine buttons on a universal remote control, and a tree structure for navigating to Web sites.

This study investigated potential user interface designs for this WWW browser and evaluated the usability of the nine-button interface. Sixteen volunteers navigated to 42 predetermined Web sites with two interface formats, five system lag times, and three feedback styles. Participants were prescreened for their experience with using computers and browsing the Web. The number of errors committed and task completion times were recorded. In addition, participants were asked to subjectively rate the WWW browser interface after each task as well as after the entire experiment.

Participants preferred the 0.2 second system lag and the active feedback style. Overall, they committed fewer errors and took less time to complete the tasks with the tabbing interface than with the one-to-one mapping interface. Experienced participants committed more errors than did the inexperienced ones. Increasing system lag time was determined to have a greater adverse effect on the tabbing interface than on the one-to-one mapping interface.
The Psychologies of Human-Computer Interaction: An Integrative Approach
Authors: Gillan Douglas J.
Published: July 2017

Human-computer interaction (HCI) has been identified as a rich task for the real-world study of psychology; however, the theoretical approaches to the psychology of HCI have narrowly focused on problem-solving (e.g., GOMS and CE+), memory (e.g., mental models and metaphors), and social interaction (e.g., perceived control). An attempt to create a broader theoretical framework integrates the three approaches to the psychology of HCI with a theory, IP3. This paper (1) discusses each of the three psychologies of HCI, (2) describes the integrative theory, IP3 (verbally, as well as by a graphical representation), (3) applies the theory to one representative research area—transfer of training, and (4) applies the theory to the interpretation of selected HCI design guidelines.
A Field Evaluation of Two Split Keyboards
Authors: Price Jana M. , Dowell William R.
Published: July 2017

Recent studies have found that split keyboards reduce ulnar deviation and may reduce musculoskeletal discomfort. The present investigation focused on two split keyboards: a desk-mounted split keyboard (DMSK) and a chair-mounted split keyboard (CMSK), and compared them to a standard keyboard on several variables including user satisfaction, musculoskeletal discomfort, and typing performance. Six office workers used the split keyboards for several weeks in their daily work. Survey results indicated that overall satisfaction was higher with the DMSK than the CMSK or the standard keyboard. A closer look revealed that users felt that the DMSK and the CMSK provided superior comfort, whereas the DMSK and standard keyboard were seen as superior in terms of performance and effectiveness. Typing speed was fastest on the standard keyboard, followed by the DMSK and then the CMSK with no significant differences for the number of typing errors. This study demonstrates the importance of studying ergonomic designs in actual work settings.
Pointing Devices in the Retail Environment
Authors: Huffman Julie A. , Lehman Katherine R.
Published: July 2017

Retailers are expanding customer service by introducing new services such as interior design, landscaping design and data base searches. Many of these applications are, Windows™-based software. Many of these software packages require use of an input device for pointing, selecting, and moving graphic objects. Retailers are now looking for ways to integrate pointing devices into retail workstations. This study was designed to evaluate different pointing devices and locations for placement on retail workstations. Four pointing devices (two styles of trackballs and two styles of X-Y positioning pads) in four locations on the retail workstation were evaluated. Three input tasks (single click, double click, and click-and-drag) were used to gather data on target acquisition speed and accuracy. Three questionnaires were used to assess user opinions on overall comfort, acquisition speed, and accuracy. The results indicated that the palm-operated trackball with a large ball, located 8 to 18 inches away from the user on a 36 to 40-inch high retail workstation was the most suitable for the retail environment.
Management of Health, Environment and Safety (HES) in Royal Norwegian am Force (RNoAF) Flight Operations
Authors: Fonne Vivianne , Wagstaff Anthony S.
Published: July 2017

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) performs a large number of mission types. Many of these missions are undertaken in exceedingly difficult operational environments. Because of the challenges presented by seasonal variations, poor weather conditions and demanding operational task requirements, the importance of an optimal working environment to ensure crew health and safe flight operations should be emphasized. In the Norwegian concept of Health, Environment and Safety (HES), all aspects of the working environment have been taken into consideration, including human factors, ergonomics, physical and chemical factors as well as social and organizational psychology. As civilian legislation excludes military aviation in this area, the RNoAF has developed a new system that allows HES improvements to be implemented in a more efficient way. This system is based on a new military regulation for HES in RNoAF flight operations. Good coordination of HES issues, predictability and standard handling procedures are key elements in this system which is meant to be an effective managerial tool for correct HES decision-making.
Investigating Coordination in Multidegree of Freedom Control II: Correlation Analysis in 6 DOF Tracking
Authors: Zhai Shumin , Senders John W.
Published: July 2017

In these two companion papers, methods developed in a series of studies in the 1940's and 1950's are applied to the analysis of 6 DOF control devices used in modern human machine systems such as teleoperation and virtual environments. Contrary to the early studies, the current work showed that the simultaneous time on target in multidegree of freedom tracking was higher than the product of component time on target scores. The distribution of linear correlation coefficients between the tracking errors of different degrees of freedom tended to be skewed towards the positive values. These results suggested that subjects' discoordination in early multidegree of freedom tracking studies was likely due to the limitation of human machine interfaces at that time. With well designed interfaces, subjects exhibited more coordinated trials than discoordinated trials in multidegree of freedom tracking.
Assessment of Computer Modeling of Operator Mental Workload during Target Acquisition
Authors: See Judi E. , Vidulich Michael A.
Published: July 2017

The predictive validity of computer simulation modeling of operator mental workload and situational awareness (SA) during a simulated air-to-ground combat mission was assessed in the present study. In Phase I, 12 participants completed a series of combat missions in a laboratory flight simulator and provided subjective ratings of workload (using the SWAT) and SA (using the SART). In Phase II, computer models of the mission were constructed using the Micro Saint modeling tool. The visual, auditory, kinesthetic, cognitive, and psychomotor components of the workload associated with each task were estimated and used to obtain measures of average and peak workload. The results from the simulated combat missions versus the Micro Saint models were similar but not identical, indicating that the computer models were partially but not completely valid predictors of mental workload and SA. The computer modeling appeared to be a more effective predictor of SA rather than mental workload.
Attentional Control in 3-D Space
Authors: Atchley Paul , Kramer Arthur F. , Theeuwes Jan
Published: July 2017

Two experiments investigated the nature of attention in 3-D space. In Experiment 1, the hypothesis that attention can be localized to a depth plane was tested. Observers searched for a red line in two arrays of green lines. The arrays of lines were near in 2-D space but separated in depth. Search for the target was faster when the depth plane where the target would appear was cued, indicating attention can be localized in depth. A second experiment tested the hypothesis that attending to a location in depth would reduce the effect of a distracter at other depth locations. In this experiment, search for a tilted red line was faster when a distracting vertical line was present at another depth than when it was present at the same depth as the target. Implications for display design using depth information is discussed.
Perception of Accelerating Self-Motion: Global Optical Flow Rate Dominates Discontinuity Rate
Authors: Dyre Brian P.
Published: July 2017

Owen, Wolpert, and Warren (1984) proposed that egospeed may be perceived from global optical flow rate, discontinuity rate, or both. Previous psychophysical research found that both sources of information influence judgments of acceleration and control of egospeed, but that discontinuity rate dominated. However, the validity of these results is questionable due to problems with the visual stimuli used, such as confounding of discontinuity rate with proximal flow rate and low frame rates. The current study examined the relative contributions of global optical flow rate and discontinuity rate to perception of accelerating self-motion with stimuli that lacked these problems. I found that global optical flow rate accounted for 60% of the variability in acceleration judgments, compared with 0.86% for discontinuity rate. This result indicates that discontinuity rate exerts only a minor influence, and global optical flow rate is the primary basis for perception of accelerating self-motion, and hence, egospeed.
A Methodology for the Analysis and Prediction of Back Injuries in Apparel Manufacturing
Authors: Quintana Rolando
Published: July 2017

This research uses a proactive methodology for the analysis and prevention of industrial back injuries, called Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology (CSSM), which was developed at the University of Texas at El Paso. The CSSM utilizes principles of work sampling and control charting. Sampling is performed to observe the occurrence of conditions which may become hazardous (prone to cause instantaneous or cumulative back trauma) in a given system. These conditions, known as dendritics, could eventually result in an injury or occupational disease. The Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology performs a random sampling for the occurrence of these dendritics. The collected data is then used to generate a control chart. Based on the pattern of the control chart, a system “under control” is not disturbed whereas a system “out of control” is investigated for potential conditions becoming hazardous. Appropriate steps can then be taken to eliminate or control these potentially dangerous and costly conditions to maintain a safe system. The CSSM was successfully implemented in an Apparel manufacturing plant, providing insights on how the system was becoming dangerous, and providing insights as to the reasons why.
Virtual Hazard Analysis: A Methodology
Authors: Ziolek Scott Allen , Hale Robert Carder
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a method for representing and analyzing hazards in virtual simulations as regions in 3-dimensional space. The objectives of this study are to provide designers and analysts a technique for evaluating hazards concerning human-machine interaction in virtual environments, as well as, initiating a dialog concerning future hazard simulation techniques and standards. Information obtained for this paper is based upon a study to incorporate hazard information into a human modeling simulation package called DEPTH (Design Evaluation for Personnel, Training, and Human Factors), which is being developed by U.S.A.F. Armstrong Laboratory.
A Novel Flight Instrument Display to Minimize the Risk of Spatial Disorientation
Authors: Braithwaite Malcolm G. , Durnford Simon J.
Published: July 2017

This novel flight instrument display presents information to the pilot in a simple and easily comprehensible format by integrating the five orientational flight parameters (aircraft attitude, airspeed, altitude, rate of climb or descent and aircraft heading). It allows the pilot to select specific orientation parameters and then follow a simple tracking task which ensures that these parameters are maintained or, if necessary, recovered. Our assessment of the display in a UH-60 helicopter simulator showed that the novel display makes recovery from unusual aircraft attitudes and instrument flying more accurate, and easier than when using a standard instrument panel. The display will be demonstrated.
A Methodology for Selecting Auditory Icons for Use in Commercial Motor Vehicles
Authors: Belz Steven M. , Winters John J. , Robinson Gary S. , Casali John G.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes work carried out to investigate the selection of auditory icons within the domain of commercial motor vehicles. Auditory icons are representational sounds in that they have specific, stereotypical meanings. While typical non-verbal sounds are defined by their particular acoustic parameters, auditory icons are defined by the objects or actions that created the sounds. Previously, researchers have relied on expert opinion to assign meaning to auditory icons; however, problems have arisen when the experimenter-selected meanings did not agree with users' opinions. Attention was focused on the auditory icons' perceived meaning and perceived urgency in an attempt to reduce the influence of experimenter bias in the auditory icon selection process.
Procedures for Investigating and Reporting Fatigue Contributions to Marine Casualties
Authors: Raby Mireille , McCallum Marvin C.
Published: July 2017

This project was aimed at identifying strategies for improving current U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) procedures for investigating, reporting, and analyzing fatigue contributions to marine casualties. The focus was on evaluating the contribution of fatigue in vessel and personnel injury casualties. A total of 397 casualties were investigated. Fatigue contributed to 16 percent of the critical vessel casualties and 33 percent of the personnel injury casualties. These estimates were substantially greater than the ones currently available from the USCG Marine Investigations Module (MINMOD) database. Analyses identified three potential indicators of fatigue: (1) the number of fatigue symptoms reported by mariners, (2) the number of hours worked in the 24 hours prior to a casualty; and (3) the number of hours slept in those 24 hours. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using simple procedures to obtain meaningful data on the contribution of fatigue in transportation accidents.
A Comparative Evaluation of Ship Complementing Tools
Authors: Ives Christine , Corbridge Colin , Purdy Caren
Published: July 2017

Reduced manning offers potential through-life costs savings for naval platforms. If the introduction of lean manned platforms is to be successful, tools are required to demonstrate that proposed future complements can operate platforms effectively. Four tools designed to support the complementing process were reviewed: ERASMUS, CVM-Manning Model; CSEM and CREW. The data requirements of the tools varied according to the procurement stage. Complement generation tools accept less detailed information than validation tools concerning platform equipment fit; operational scenarios and personnel. Such tools do not permit comprehensive real-time simulation of platform operations. Complement validation tools provide real-time simulation facilities but require input data of considerably greater detail. Data of this type are typically difficult to obtain. Data entry and management functions are particularly important attributes of validation tools. Further development work is necessary to meet users' requirements for “usable” tools to support accurate complementing of future naval systems throughout procurement.
Discrete Event Simulation of Remote Afterloading Brachytherapy Cancer Treatment
Authors: Archer Rick , Archer Susan
Published: July 2017

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is investigating the use of discrete event simulation (DES) modeling techniques to assess risk in the performance of medical treatments that use radioactive byproducts. Pursuant to this interest, Micro Analysis and Design, Inc. developed a DES model to determine the feasibility and utility of simulation for assessing the effects of human, hardware, and software errors in these types of medical processes. Recent research by the NRC resulted in a comprehensive task and error analysis of Remote Afterloading Brachytherapy cancer treatment. The results of this analysis formed the basis for the DES model. The model demonstrates how a DES can be used to evaluate the effects of changes in procedures for delivering the medical treatment and responding to hardware and software failures could reduce risk to patients.
Locomotion in a Virtual Environment: Performance Measures and Physiological Responses
Authors: Jorgensen Craig , Ogden Jeff , Willis E. Kerry , Blessing Mary , Caudell Kathryn Ann , Patrick Graham , Caudell Thomas P.
Published: July 2017

We are developing and studying a human-computer interface that allows a scientist to interact with complex software systems through immersive virtual reality technology. Virtual tools are being developed to empower the user to view, manipulate, model, diagnose, analyze, navigate through the software simulations and the multidimensional data it generates. For these tools to be truly effective, they must be evaluated in the context of human performance studies. This paper addresses one such category of tool: an efficient and natural means of locomotion in 3D virtual spaces. The current study is investigating three different methods of virtual body locomotion in the following context. Subjects were required to fly through a series of 3D tunnels while performance times and number of wall collisions were used as response measures. In addition, during each trial subjects were continuously monitored for physiological responses and psychological assessments were performed before and after the series of flights. This paper reports on the preliminary findings of the current study and the lessons learned in performing empirical studies on locomotion in virtual environments.
The Third-Year Plan in Journalism Teaching
Authors: Mckenzie Vernon
Published: July 2017

“The beat curriculum, and the one giving the maximum of academic and professional flexibility, is the one which has only two required courses in the school of journalism. This is partially a matter of nomenclature and organisation, but there is a real purpose behind it. The first course should be a weeding out course, preferably for sophomores. The second should, be an upper division one merely entitled ‘Fundamentals of Journalism,’ or some similar name. The contents of this course could be rearranged from year to year and the sequence, perhaps, altered.”
The American Medical Association as Reported in Six U. S. Dailies
Authors: Edwards Verne E.
Published: July 2017

Profound respect for organized medicine was shown by papers of widely different political views during period of anti-trust prosecution, according to analyses made for a master's thesis at the University of Wisconsin. The author is now instructor in journalism at the State College of Washington.
Is “All-Cap” Copy Harder for Linotype Operators to Set?
Authors: Stern Bernard
Published: July 2017

Experiments in the Newspaper Production Laboratory at the State University of Iowa indicate that there is no significant difference in the difficulty of composing wire copy as distinguished from ordinary typewriting. The author is a member of the Iowa journalism faculty.
Brownfields as Places: A Case Study in Learning to See Assets as Well as Liabilities, Opportunities as Well as Constraints
Authors: Collins Tim , Savage Kirk
Published: July 2017

The Nine Mile Run site is 18 stories of steel industry waste dumped on 240 acres over 50 years. The site features two broad slag plateaus split by a slag valley and an urban stream. As the development team struggles with issues relative to the site grading, the surrounding community is currently organizing on the basis of three issues: toxicity, traffic, and housing value. This article will contrast the standard liability assessment against a qualitative, integrated community-based assessment.
The Development, Design And Implementation of An Experimental Course: “Housing And Feeding The Homeless”
Authors: Hales Ann , Eyster James J. , Ford John L.
Published: July 2017

Homelessness has become a social issue of vital national concern, with some estimates of the numbers of homeless individuals being as high as one percent of the total United States population. Concurrent with this national crisis are several thousand students developing an expertise in the housing and food service industries. Consequently, the faculty within the School of Hotel Administration and the Department of Human Service Studies at Cornell University designed and implemented a course to match the acquired skills and education of students to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families. This paper discusses the course development and structure and the instructors' suggestions for implementing a similar course in other schools and universities.
The Effect of Task Characteristics On Hospitality Employees' Job Satisfaction and Burnout
Authors: Pizam Abraham , Neumann Yoram
Published: July 2017

This study examined the roles of task characteristics as determinants of various facets of job satisfaction and burnout for employees in the hospitality industry. Several conclusions can be derived from this study. First, task characteristics were found to be relatively powerful determinants of satisfaction with co-workers and satisfaction with supervisors. The major determinants of these two aspects of satisfaction were: feedback received from supervisors and peers and the experienced meaningfulness of the job. These two task characteristics were directly linked to improving satisfaction with coworkers and supervisors and may offer hotel management some concrete suggestions as to how to improve some facets of job satisfaction. Second, task characteristics were also found to affect one type of employee burnout, namely: emotional exhaustion. Once again, the same task factors that were positively related to satisfaction with supervisor and co-workers namely: experienced meaningfulness of the job and feedback received from supervisor and peers were also negatively related to emotional exhaustion.
European Hospitality Education: An American Perspective
Authors: Moreo Patrick J. , Christianson David J.
Published: July 2017

There is increasing mutual interest in European, British, and American hospitality education. This interest was summarized in a comparison of the philosophies, organization and major operational areas of hospitality education programs in those geographic areas. Areas of mutual interest and cooperation were identified.
Fire Hotel Safety Procedures And Special Guests
Authors: Lazarus Bruce I. , Kaufman Jane E.
Published: July 2017

With increasing numbers of special travelers, the hospitality industry needs to examine the adequacy of safety and emergency procedures for these individuals. The present study reports a preliminary investigation which examined safety and the disabled traveler in 176 hotels/motels nationwide. The purposes of the investigation were to identify current emergency and safety practices, to determine the extent to which procedures exist for special guests and to identify current and needed staff training in working with disabled guests.
“How To”: Grant Writing for External Funding
Authors: Huffman Lynn , Pam Cummings
Published: July 2017

This article addresses the concerns of hospitality educators who want to become more active in grant writing and research, discovering and focusing interests, identifying resources and writing proposals. Also included are results from a suruey of four-year hospitality education program administrators regarding the status of faculty grant writing efforts and suggestions for further development.
High Performance Concentration: Applying Principles of Sports Psychology To The Hospitality Industry
Authors: Whitney David L.
Published: July 2017

In a relatively recent development, psychology is being driven by the competitive nature of sports. Attempting to enhance the performance of athletes, psychologists are applying principles of attentional control, looking at the ways athletes concentrate, whether broad or narrow, internal or external in focus. Relationships between performance and attentional style have been established. This paper discusses these principles and their application to the hospitality industry where high performance is also a key ingredient to success.
Multicultural Human Resource Management
Authors: Welch Trish , Tanke Mary , Glover Gerald
Published: July 2017

As America becomes more ethnically diverse and culturally pluralistic so do the employees and consumer's of the hospitality industry. To be prepared to meet the needs of these people management must have an understanding of the cultural basis for value systems, social and interpersonal interactions, the work ethic, motivation, and communication systems. An awareness in the hospitality industry of both personnel and consumer relations within a multicultural, multiracial and multiethnic society will provide individuals with a cross cultural perspective on management styles and skills.
Older Workers: Are They A Viable Labor Force for The Hotel Community?
Authors: Meyer Robert , Meyer Gerald C.
Published: July 2017

The hotel community shows little interest in hiring the over 65 age worker. Reasons are the classical stereotyping of the older worker by management. The study indicated little interest in full or part-time seniors. There was little interest in public contact positions. The only hope seemed to be for non-public jobs such as clerical, engineering and security.
Setting Reservation Policies: A Microcomputer-Based Simulation
Authors: Lambert Carolyn U. , Lambert Joseph M.
Published: July 2017

Current reservation policies are crucial to the success of hotels. Hospitality management students need to develop problem solving skills. Through simulation, students can develop reservation policies and evaluate alternative solutions when reservation patterns change.
Sexual And Gender Harassment: Assessing The Current Climate
Authors: Laudadio Dante M.
Published: July 2017

Behaviors which create an uncomfortable or unreceptive climate among female pre-professional hospitality employees are identified. Specific strategies for change are recommended.
The Urban Tourist Experience: Evaluating Satisfaction
Authors: Haywood K. Michael , Muller Thomas E.
Published: July 2017

In an attempt to improve the identification of key strategic variables for the ongoing development and marketing of urban tourism destinations, two complimentary research methodologies are identified. Based on a disconfirmation model of customer satisfaction (a model that reveals the relationship between expectations, experiences and satisfaction/dissatisfaction levels) pre- and post-telephone interviews were designed to evaluate visitor experiences with a city visit. The data were supplemented with face-to-face, on-site interviews. Using the “camera-for-a-day” technique, a sample of the visitors, previously interviewed by telephone, were asked to create a visual record of part of their trip so they could discuss their city-visit experience.
The Viability of Quality Assurance In Hotels
Authors: Walker John R.
Published: July 2017

This study assessed the effect of the American Hotel and Motel Association sponsored quality assurance programs on the following groups of success variables: operating profit, guest satisfaction, operational factors, and employee satisfaction. Comparisons were made between a group of hotels which the researcher identified as having adopted the AH&MA's quality assurance program and a similar group of hotels which did not. In addition, the leadership adaptability and effectiveness scores and basic leadership style of the general managers of both groups of hotels were assessed to see if a significant difference existed between the two groups of hotels.
The impact of barriers to providing high-quality care on nurses’ intentions to leave London hospitals
Authors: Reeves Rachel , West Elizabeth , Barron David
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Previous research on nurse retention has focused mainly on its relationship with employment conditions. This study aimed to include an examination of the impact of nurses’ perceived barriers to delivering high-quality patient-centred care on their intentions to leave their current employers.

Methods

An American employee questionnaire was adapted for use with British nurses. The questionnaire was mailed to 6160 nurses directly employed by 20 London hospitals. Up to two reminders were sent to non-responders. The questionnaire asked nurses to report on experiences in their working lives and to state their intentions to leave or stay with their current employer. Demographic and employment history information was also elicited.

Results

Responses were received from 2880 (47%). Nurses report that the care they are able to provide often falls short of recognised standards. Factor analysis combined 82 questions on nurses’ experiences into four patient-centred and four nurse-centred dimensions. Nurses who report more problems in both nurse-centred and patient-centred dimensions are more likely to intend to leave their current employers. Satisfaction with pay and the cleanliness of work areas are also important factors.

Conclusions

Standards of care are often perceived by nurses to be unacceptably poor. Furthermore, their experience of barriers to care has a demonstrable impact on their decision to leave or stay with their current employer. Nurse managers need to address the perceived barriers to providing high-quality care when considering nurse retention strategies.
Heart Rate Variability, Mortality, and Exercise in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Cashion Ann K. , Cowan Patricia A. , Milstead E. Jean , Gaber A. Osama , Hathaway Donna K.
Published: July 2017

Context

Cardiac autonomic function has been associated with mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. It is unknown whether end-stage renal disease patients who have succumbed to sudden cardiac death can be better identified by a newer test of heart rate variability that uses spectral analysis, rather than laboratory evoked measures.

Objective

This series of studies sought to characterize cardiac autonomic function in patients awaiting kidney transplantation, identify factors associated with heart rate variability, identify tests which distinguish patients at-risk for death, and compare evoked measures with 24-hour heart rate variability measures.

Patients

Data were collected on 184 nondiabetics, 60 type 1 diabetics, and 34 type 2 diabetics with end-stage renal disease, all of whom had been referred for kidney transplantation.

Main Outcome Measures

The 278 patients and 67 healthy control subjects underwent evoked tests (changes in heart rate with deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver) and 24-hour heart rate variability Holter monitoring (time and frequency domains). Five patients had sudden cardiac deaths during the study.

Results

Data showed that end-stage renal disease patients, particularly diabetics, had compromised autonomic function. The standard deviation of all R-to-R intervals for the electrocardiogram recording (<50 minutes in 60% of the deceased patients), a 24-hour heart rate variability time domain measure, holds the promise of identifying patients at increased risk for death. Exercise was identified as a factor associated with better autonomic function. Examining relationships between 24-hour heart rate variability and characteristics of patients who succumb to death could make quantification of the mortality risk for individual pretransplant end-stage renal disease patients possible, much as it has in other populations. The data from this study may also make it possible to design interventions, such as exercise, aimed at reducing mortality risk.
Improving Public Awareness of Organ Transplantation in Japan
Authors: Kita Yoshiaki , Aranami Yoshio , Aranami Yoshi , Nomura Yushi , Johnson Karin , Wakabayashi Tadashi , Fukunishi Isao
Published: July 2017

The goals of the Japanese chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization are to act as a mediator in the provision of mutual aid to transplant recipients, candidates, and their families and to provide education in both the public and professional arenas to promote organ transplantation in Japan. Since 1991, members of the Japanese chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization have acted as volunteer facilitators for more than 150 transplant candidates and recipients. The organization's activities have included fund-raising to cover the costs of transplantation, preparing an original donor card for distribution, and petitioning members of the Diet (the Japanese legislative body) 14 times, including speaking at public hearings twice and submitting a petition requesting early passage of the organ transplant bill. The Japanese Diet finally passed an organ transplant bill in June 1997. The activities of the Japanese chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization have contributed to the promotion of organ transplantation in Japan and to understanding and support for transplantation within the Japanese community as a whole.
Clinical Risk Associated with Appointment Noncompliance in Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: De Geest Sabina , Dobbels Fabienne , Martin Sandra , Willems Kristien , Vanhaecke Johan
Published: July 2017

This study examined the prevalence of appointment noncompliance in 101 heart transplant recipients and how appointment noncompliance is related to patient profile and clinical risk. Appointment noncompliance was defined as patients not showing up at 1 or more planned clinic appointments (at a minimal frequency of every 3 months) during the previous year. Clinical variables were collected from medical files. Psychosocial variables were measured using established instruments. Medication noncompliance was assessed using electronic event monitoring. Paired t test, Wilcoxon 2-sample test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis as appropriate. The prevalence of appointment noncompliance was 7%. Appointment noncompliers were significantly younger, were less likely to live in a stable relationship with a partner, were more depressed, perceived their health as poorer, experienced more symptom distress, and had significantly more drug holidays. Fifty-seven percent of the appointment noncompliers experienced 1 or more late acute rejection episodes, compared to 2% of the appointment compliers. Appointment noncompliance is a critical behavioral risk factor in the occurrence of late acute rejection episodes in heart transplant patients. Patient profiles allow the identification of patients at risk for appointment noncompliance.
Integration of Inpatient and Outpatient Services in an Acute Care Transplant Unit
Authors: Cabello Charlotte C.
Published: July 2017

Creating an ambulatory outpatient service for transplant recipients in an inpatient care unit allows several goals to be met: decreased inpatient length of stay, decreased cost per case, and increased patient satisfaction. By using 6 inpatient beds for ambulatory outpatient procedures, the leadership staff of an adult inpatient care unit in Mount Sinai Medical Center consolidated adult transplant services into a single area promoting quality transplant care.
Use of Basiliximab and Daclizumab in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Olyaei Ali J. , Thi Kahan , DeMattos Angelo M. , Bennett William M.
Published: July 2017

Kidney transplantation represents a major medical victory in patients with whom dialysis and medical therapy have failed. To increase survival rates and optimize the use of limited organs, both patient care and immunosuppression therapy must be improved. Reduction in rejection episodes or severity of rejection may ultimately improve long-term allograft survival. Traditional engineered monoclonal antibodies have been associated with severe cytokine release reactions and an increased risk of opportunistic infections. Basiliximab and daclizumab are chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies that inhibit thymus-dependent lymphocyte proliferation. Interleukin 2 also affects the proliferation of natural killer cells, macrophages and monocytes, bursa-equivalent lymphocytes, epidermal dendritic cells, and lymphokine-activated killer cells. Interleukin-2 receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce the incidence of acute rejection without increasing the incidence of opportunistic infections or malignancy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the overall effect of these agents on long-term patient and allograft survival.
Psychosocial Assessment of Living Organ Donors: Clinical and Ethical Considerations
Authors: Olbrisch Mary Ellen , Benedict Sharon M. , Haller Deborah L. , Levenson James L.
Published: July 2017

This article outlines psychosocial and ethical issues to be considered when evaluating potential living organ donors. Six types of living donors are described: genetically related, emotionally related, “Good Samaritan” (both directed and nondirected), vendors, and organ exchangers. The primary domains to be assessed in the psychosocial evaluation are informed consent, motivation for donating and the decision-making process, adequacy of support (financial and social), behavioral and psychological health, and the donor-recipient relationship. Obstacles to the evaluation process include impression management, overt deception, minimization of behavioral risk factors, and cultural and language differences between the donor and the evaluator. Ethical concerns, such as the right to donate, donor autonomy, freedom from coercion, nonmaleficence and beneficence in donor selection, conflicts of interest, “reasonable” risks to donors, and recipient decision making are also explored. To fully evaluate living organ donation, studying psychosocial as well as medical outcomes is crucial.
Psychosocial and Behavioral Selection Criteria for Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Dobbels Fabienne , De Geest Sabina , Cleemput Irina , Fischler Benjamin , Kesteloot Katrien , Vanhaecke Johan , Vanrenterghem Yves
Published: July 2017

An evidence-based selection process for organ transplantation may be a valuable approach to improve posttransplant outcomes. This paper reviews state-of-the-art psychosocial and behavioral selection criteria and assesses their validity in view of predicting outcomes after transplantation. Psychosocial factors addressed are psychiatric disorders, mental retardation, irreversible cognitive dysfunction, and lack of social support. Behavioral selection criteria discussed are alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse, and obesity. This review reveals that the evidence concerning these selection criteria is scarce. There is a definite need for more longitudinal research to strengthen the scientific basis of the psychosocial and behavioral dimension of transplantation.
Drug-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia in Transplant Recipients
Authors: Hood Kerri A.
Published: July 2017

Gingival hyperplasia is a common occurrence in transplant recipients who are taking cyclosporine. This condition can be complicated when calcium channel blockers or phenytoin are added to the armamentarium of medications; it can be painful and may interfere with eating, speech, and appearance. Multiple mechanisms exist for gingival overgrowth. Prevention with appropriate oral hygiene appears important in controlling the inflammatory component and decreasing the severity of the overgrowth. Patients must be aware of the potential for the development of gingival hyperplasia and must follow up with regular professional cleanings. If the overgrowth persists, treatment options should be discussed between patients and their physician. Conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus, treatment with antibiotic therapy, and surgical excision or laser therapy are all potential therapies to consider.