bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Performance Assessment for Stress and Endurance
Authors: Mullins Linda L.
Published: January 2012

The U. S. Army Research Laboratory's stress research and cognitive readiness program focuses on developing methods that reliably measure stress and assess the effects of stress on performance and cognitive processing. The evaluation of changes in cognitive processing related to individual stress levels enhances the effectiveness of this area of research. This paper describes a Cognitive Performance Assessment for Stress and Endurance (CPASE), a battery of tests representing a range of skills that are sensitive indicators of human performance in stressful environments: memory recall, logical reasoning, working memory, and spatial manipulation. These tasks were selected through a literature search for functions that are sensitive to the effects of stress and could be generalized to higher level cognitive functioning. The focus was to develop a non intrusive battery that was amenable to testing a large group of participants in a field setting in a short amount of time. This battery has been successfully used to evaluate soldier performance during sleep deprivation (Fatkin, Knapik, Patton, Mullins, Treadwell, & Swann, 2000) and in the evaluation of military equipment (Glumm, Branscome, Patton, Mullins, & Burton, 1999).
A Framework for Affective Customer Needs in Product Design
Authors: Khalid Halimahtun M.
Published: January 2012

A systematic framework is proposed to conceptualize affective customer needs in product design. Customer needs were derived for current and future electronic devices in automobiles. Subjects rated their preferences for fifteen product attributes on 10-point semantic differential scales. Using factor analysis, three generic factors were extracted namely: holistic attributes, styling, and functional design. Depending upon the familiarity of the device there were clear differences among potential customers. Unknown devices such as navigation map were assessed first hand by using holistic attributes. Familiar design such as car radio and cell phone were assessed using styling and functionality attributes. Customer reactions and preferences may be caused by product design parameters that operate either through their perceptual attributes or from the experience they acquire in using the artifacts or interfaces. Functional (or cognitive) customer needs can be derived top-down using product design features. Affective customer needs are difficult to derive top-down – typically they are evaluated by looking at several design propositions.
Determination of Optimal Handle Sizes by use of Normalized Hand Sizes in a Pulling Task
Authors: Kong Yong-Ku , Freivalds Andris
Published: January 2012

Two handle shapes (double frustum and oval) with different sizes, resulting in a total of 10 handles were tested to determine optimal handle sizes in a pulling task. Force data were collected by force sensitive resistors (FSR), which were placed on the palmar surface of the fingers. Subjective ratings of discomfort were also recorded for each handle. The results of subjective ratings showed that medium sized-handles were described as being more comfortable than the other sizes, and double frustum handles required less finger forces than oval handles. ‘Normalized Hand Size (NHS)’, which is the ratio of handle circumference to user's hand length was applied to predict the optimum handle size for the subjective ratings as well as finger forces in a pulling task according to the user's hand size. in oval handles, generally medium handles showed higher preference and required less finger forces than large handles. in case of the double frustum handles, the 60.9% NHS was the best ratio for the least subjective discomfort ratings and the 58.1% NHS was recommendable for the least finger force requiring in a pulling task. Based on the results of NHS study, 34.4∼38.1 mm and 31.4∼35.0 mm were recommended for middle hand size groups of male and female, respectively. The optimum handle sizes for the males were about 8.1∼8.7% larger than that of the female.
EMG Changes of the ECU Muscle with Exposure to Repetitive Ulnar Deviation
Authors: Bennie Kirsty J. , Ciriello Vincent M. , Johnson Peter W. , Dennerlein Jack Tigh
Published: January 2012

Our objective was to quantify changes in muscle EMG activity due to repetitive work. Using a repeated measures design, 13 females participated in 3 conditions, each lasting two eight-hour days: a control inactive condition, and two repetitive work conditions with ulnar deviation tasks at 20 and 25 repetitions per minute. EMG of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle (ECU) was recorded during voluntary isometric contractions (20% and 60% MVC) eight times throughout the work and control days. The amplitude of the EMG signal was lower on workdays compared to the control days. Initial median frequency of the EMG signal showed no change between the control and workdays; however, the decline of the median frequency with respect to time over the course of each isometric contraction was steeper during workdays compared to control days. These changes suggest that the muscles are in an early stage of fatigue when working for an eight-hour workday.
Wrist and Shoulder Muscle Activity Changes Across Computer Tasks
Authors: Dennerlein Jack , DiMarino Maria-Helena , Becker Ted , Johnson Peter
Published: January 2012

The computer workstation is a ubiquitous tool in the office work environment; however, its use varies across many different tasks from surfing the Internet to typing. The question, therefore, is how does exposure to different physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders vary across tasks? Fifteen adults (10 females, 5 males) completed tasks simulating work at a computer workstation. The tasks were typing text, completing an html-based form, editing a document, a graphics task, and finally navigating through a series of web pages. During these tasks the muscle activity of the wrist prime movers and three shoulder muscle groups were recorded using surface EMG. For the wrist, the extensors were the most active ranging on average from 8 to 25 percent of Maximum Voluntary Contraction amplitude, with the greatest activity occurring in the typing task. The wrist activity decreased when the work changed from a keyboard-based activity to predominantly mouse-based activity. For the shoulder, the greatest activity was in the Trapezius muscle. The shoulder muscles were most active when both the mouse and the keyboard were required by the task. in summary, wrist and shoulder muscle activities at a computer workstation depend upon the type of task at hand.
Ergonomic Improvements at an Electric Appliance Company in Korea
Authors: Lee Kwan S. , Lee Dong K. , Kim Jae H. , Jung Mun J.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this paper is to present ergonomic improvements made at the electric appliance company in Korea. The Ergonomics Society of Korea has been sponsoring the Ergonomic Design award for workplace design. For this award, an ergonomic study was conducted to improve workplaces to reduce musculoskeletal problems for six months. All processes were first evaluated by workers and processes which were identified as problematic were analyzed by the company-wide committee to set the priority of improvement. Then an ergonomic improvement team consisted of a safety and health personnel, process engineers, and a management innovation personnel worked on the processes using a low cost approach. It was found that applying ergonomics at a low cost ($1.25 million) could improve technically advanced workplaces and resulted in increasing productivity (10–30%) and cost saving (approximately $17.01 million) and improved the safety level.
Conditional Branching in Computerized Self-Administered Questionnaires on the World Wide Web
Authors: Norman Kent L. , Pleskac Timothy
Published: January 2012

Conditional branching is used to direct respondents to skip inappropriate questions or to answer follow-up questions. When surveys are implemented on the World Wide Web, branching can be automated in different ways. Three implementations of conditional branching in Web-based surveys were compared: (a) a manual form which replicated the paper-and-pencil version in a scrollable window, (b) a semi-automatic form which also showed the whole survey but auto-scrolled to the next question, and (c) an automatic form that displayed only one item per screen and implemented all branching. The surveys used involved one, two, or three follow-up questions. The automatic item-by-item implementation proved significantly faster than either the manual or the auto-scrolling versions. Respondents found the auto-scrolling to be disorienting. These results suggest that automatic branching should be used but with graceful jumps that guide the respondents' focus of attention without loosing it.
Paging VS. Scrolling: Examining Ways to Present Search Results
Authors: Bernard Michael , Baker Ryan , Chaparro Barbara , Fernandez Marisa
Published: January 2012

This study examined the performance and preference of individuals searching for information presented within search results that were displayed in either mostly paging or mostly scrolling formats. The conditions were: ten links per page at ten pages, fifty links per page at two pages, and one hundred-links on one page. Overall, the fifty-link condition had the fastest search time and was the most preferred. Users perceived that the hundred-link condition was more difficult to find information, presented too many choices, and looked less professional than the ten-link condition. The results suggest that a moderate amount of paging and scrolling was optimal. However, when forced to choose between the two, users preferred paging, even though paging took more time to find information than did scrolling.
Dynamic Simulator for Training Clinical Breast Examination
Authors: Gerling Gregory J. , Thomas Geb W. , Weissman Alicia M. , Dove Edwin L.
Published: January 2012

Clinical breast examinations (CBE) play a role in the detection of breast cancers. However, most physicians receive inadequate training in tactile search of breast tissue to detect small (< 2 cm), hard tumors. The dynamic, variable-lump, silicone breast simulator was designed to improve physicians' CBE performance and increase tumor detection. Water inflates balloons embedded in formed silicone to simulate the presence of tumors and allow independent adjustment of tumor hardness. The advantage, compared to static models with five, non-movable tumors, is that training scenarios can be reconfigured and repeated until each trainee learns the subtle tactile cues associated with tumors. In a study of 48 medical students, training with the dynamic simulator increased the number of tumors found (F(42)=7.85, p=0.0077), reduced the number of false positives (F(42)=5.20, p=0.0277), and improved transfer of training. This advancement can allow CBE to become more reliable, consistent, and effective.
Effects of a Virtual Air Speed Error Indicator on Guidance Accuracy and Eye Movement Control during Simulated Flight
Authors: Schaudt William A. , Caufield Kristin J. , Dyre Brian P.
Published: January 2012

We examined whether flight-control performance might be improved by presenting airspeed information to peripheral areas of the visual field using virtual head-up displays (HUDs), and whether participants process these displays using peripheral, rather than central, vision. We found that, compared to a standard HUD speed indicator, a peripherally located virtual speed indicator produced superior altitude control and equivalent or better speed control. Participants' gaze dwell times were more concentrated on flight-path and altitude control information as compared to speed information for the virtual HUD speed indicator. Gaze patterns showed that participants processed the virtual speed indicator with peripheral vision while they needed to directly fixate the traditional military standard HUD speed indicator in central vision. We believe the virtual display allowed participants to acquire speed information in a manner consistent with naturally-evolved orienting processes and therefore reduced central visual field load, attentional demand, and overall mental workload, freeing resources for better flight-path control.
The Impact of Shift-Work on Cognitive and Perceptual Performance
Authors: Alkhouri Othman , Hall Steven , Wise John , Smith Marvin
Published: January 2012

The increased number of aviation accidents has triggered concerns as to the underlying causes of such accidents. Shiftwork has been discovered to be a primary contributor to many of the accidents that have occurred over the past few years. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of fatigue on shiftworkers' cognitive and visual/perceptual performance on the first day shift, first night shift, and last night shift in the five-day workweek. The primary instrument used in this study was the Automated Performance Testing System (APTS), which contained eight various cognitive and temporal factors tests. The results indicated that performance at the end of the first night shift was significantly lower than at the end of the first day shift in the workweek, but not significantly lower than performance at the end of the last night shift in the workweek. The implications for this study could serve in better scheduling of a variety of cognitive and visual/perceptual tasks in the workplace.
Occlusion Paradigm as a Tool to Assess Visual Distraction from In-Vehicle Telematics
Authors: Frank Tracy L. , Noy Y. Ian , Klachan Christopher
Published: January 2012

Driver distraction associated with the use of on-board ITS technologies has become an issue of considerable public concern. The ease with which a task can be partitioned, referred to as task chunkability, can likely be a tool to assess the distraction potential of a secondary in-vehicle task to a driver. The present study explored the role of task chunking on distraction. Twenty-four participants, between the ages of 21 and 34, completed two separate experimental sessions. In one session they performed three in-vehicle tasks (a radio-tuning task and two simulated ITS device visual search tasks) under occlusion and while unoccluded. A task chunkability index, a ratio of the mean total shutter open time to the mean unoccluded total task time, was computed for each task. In another session, participants completed the same in-vehicle tasks while driving in a simulator at an approximate speed of 80 km/h, without occlusion. Measures of driving performance (standard deviation of lane position, the number and duration of lane exceedances, and the time to line crossing) under dual task conditions were related to corresponding chunkability indices to determine the association between task chunkability and driving performance. Results indicated that tasks differed significantly in terms of chunkability, however no differences were observed between tasks for the driving performance measures collected. A modified NASA TLX rating scale was also used to assess subjective workload for each task when performed alone and while driving. Significant differences were found between tasks in terms of mental demand, effort, frustration, and safety for both task assessment conditions. Results and implications for future research are discussed.
Perspectives on Validating Complex Human-Machine System Performance
Authors: O'Hara John M.
Published: January 2012

The performance of complex systems, such as power plants and commercial aircraft, is based on the integration of human, software, and hardware elements. They are designed to operate safely under normal and disturbance conditions. Ideally one would validate that safety and productivity goals can be achieved prior to actual operation. While some types of systems can be tested in actual operational environments, validation is especially difficult when safety or economic considerations preclude testing the types of disturbance conditions that the integrated system is designed to handle. Thus the conceptual and methodological challenges to validating such systems are significant and new approaches are emerging. The papers in this symposium will describe approaches taken to validation using examples from commercial nuclear power, civil aviation, military, and medical systems.
A Progress Report on the Quest to Establish a Cybersickness Dose Value
Authors: Chen Wei , Yuen S.L. , So R.H.Y.
Published: January 2012

This paper summarizes the progress made in the quest to establish a Cybersickness Dose Value (CSDV). The Motion Sickness Dose Value (MSDV), reported in the British Standard BS6841, has been used to predict the severity of seasickness since 1987. In 1999, the authors of this paper proposed a CSDV formulation with a structure similar to that of the MSDV (So, 1999). Since then, several experiments and simulation studies have been conducted to modify and develop the proposed CSDV formula. In particular, progress has been made in (i) the methods to measure CSDV, (ii) the determination of a frequency weighting curve to equalize the non-linear relationship between the navigation velocity and levels of cybersickness, and (iii) the detailed formulation of CSDV. This paper summarizes the past progress and reports on the current effort in developing a CSDV.
Immersive Tendency, Feeling of Presence, and Simulator Sickness: Formulation of a Causal Model
Authors: Jerome Christian J. , Witmer Bob
Published: January 2012

Three virtual environment (VE) constructs were studied and a model was generated to explain the relations among them. Data were gathered using the Immersive Tendency Questionnaire (ITQ), the Presence Questionnaire (PQ), and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The model was tested and modified using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results showed that the original hypothesized model did not fit the data very well (which is typical), but after respecification the model showed good fit to the data. These results suggest that immersive tendency may have an effect upon simulator sickness and presence, and simulator sickness may have an effect upon presence.
Factors Impacting Coherence in the Automated Cockpit
Authors: Mosier Kathleen , Sethi Nikita , McCauley Shane , Khoo Len , Richards Jason , Lyall Elizabeth , Wilson Jennifer , Harron Greg , Hecht Sharon , Orasanu Judith
Published: January 2012

Research on automation bias and other heuristics and biases suggests that something about the nature or display of information in the automated environment may be encouraging non-rational cognitive processing and hindering the maintenance of coherence, or rationality and consistency in diagnostic and judgment processes, making operators susceptible to coherence errors. The purpose of this study was to track pilot diagnosis and decision making strategies for different types of problems as a function of three operational variables: a) source — automated or other — of the initial indication of a problem; b) congruence vs inconsistency of available information; and c) time pressure. Pilots responded to a series of scenarios on an interactive website by accessing relevant information until they could make a diagnosis and come to a decision about what to do. Pilots who were under time pressure took less time to come to a diagnosis, checked fewer pieces of information, and performed fewer double-checks of information. Diagnoses were more accurate when pilots experienced no time pressure, and diagnosis accuracy was significantly higher when information was congruent than when it was conflicting. Implications for training and automation use are discussed.
Potential Information Integration of a Surface Management System Concept with Other Air Traffic Systems
Authors: Hitt James M. , Kreseen Stephanie , Duley Jacqueline
Published: January 2012

NASA and FAA have identified the need for future air traffic control (ATC) automation tools to integrate with other existing or planned automation tools. Issues such as complementary decision support features (i.e. combining departure and arrival planning tools), limited display space in the FAA facilities, and the potential for performance benefits of integrating systems have driven the need to examine integration. NASA is currently leading the research and development of the Surface Management System (SMS). SMS is an information and decision support tool designed to aid ATC controllers and traffic managers in managing surface operations. This document provides an initial examination of the potential integration of the SMS concept to integrate with the Airport Surface Detection Equipment X-band (ASDE-X) and the Traffic Management Advisor (TMA).
Introducing a New Spacing Instruction. Impact of Spacing Tolerance on Flight Crew Activity
Authors: Hoffman Eric , Pene Nayen , Rognin Laurence , Zeghal Karim
Published: January 2012

To assess the benefits and limits of a new spacing instruction from flight crew perspectives, a pilot-in-the-loop experiment was conducted. Beyond assessing interface usability and overall feasibility, the experiments aimed at analysing the impact of various tolerance margins on flight crew activity and efficiency. Flight crew feedback was generally positive. Despite a new task in the cockpit, which requires appropriate assistance to contain workload, pilots highlighted the positive aspects of getting in the loop, understanding their situation (through goal-oriented instructions), and gaining anticipation. Results showed that even though the smallest tolerance margin (0.25NM) led to increased workload, the spacing deviation was usually below 0.5NM.
Applying Modeling to Design for Older Populations
Authors: Laux Lila , Bodine Cathy , Charness Neil , Cooke Nancy J. , Peacock Brian , Edwards Chris , Lebiere Christian , Sullivan James
Published: January 2012

The number of “older” people is increasing all over the world and the percentage of the population with age-related disabling conditions will continue to grow significantly as baby boomers age. To support this burgeoning population in maintaining their independence, we must identify how age-related changes degrade the ability to interact with systems and devices that meet basic needs, such as transportation systems, medical devices, and communication tools. We also need to be able to predict whether new products and environments will be usable by most older people. We suggest that modeling and simulation could be used to efficiently study these issues. Panel members who have experience with using modeling to study the interactions of products and users present their perspectives on the use of modeling to study age and system usability.
Revealing Mental Models of a Cooking Process through use of a Hidden Moderator: A Case Study
Authors: Wendel Pete , Hodgson Philip
Published: January 2012

This case study applies a method historically used in social psychology, namely the use of a confederate (more precisely a “hidden moderator” in our case), to the process of user-centered product design. Whirlpool Corporation's User Experience Group desired to learn more about user processes and mental models associated with broiling food inside an oven. To this end we needed to elicit users' mental models, thoughts and descriptions as they carried out broiling tasks, but also needed to avoid influencing either the formation of, or the revealing of, mental models by overtly probing with scripted questions and prompts. We were able to accomplish this by planting a hidden moderator (whose role was to co-moderate) within small groups of test participants. We found that the focus of the test participants shifted away from the primary moderator and towards the hidden moderator. By having the hidden moderator play the role of a novice that wished to learn from the expertise of the test participants, participants were more motivated to engage in detailed, natural dialogue, thus leveraging a familiar and valuable teacher-student social dynamic. Initial data suggest that the use of a hidden moderator in user testing can help reveal users' mental models of complex procedures, critical user needs, and usage context — information that is difficult to access using traditional user research or usability methods.
Development of Selection System of Comfort Pillow
Authors: Park Se Jin , Lee Hyun Ja
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to develop the selection system of comfort pillow according to subject's head shape. 3-D scanner was used to measure the head shape of Korean. The head shapes were classified into 4 types. When a pillow was pressed by head, the height of pillow was estimated by the relationship of the pillow stiffness and pressure distribution of head and neck. The height, shape, and stiffness of pillow were investigated and their relations were found. The selection rule of comfort pillow was determined by the relationship among the head shape of subject, the height, shape, and stiffness of pillow. There was a significant correlation between the satisfaction and selected pillow. The developed final system consisted of a measurement stand, pressure sensor matrix, 3D scanner, analysis S/W and PC.
Human Performance in Extreme Environments: A Preliminary Taxonomy of Shared Factors
Authors: Barnett John S. , Kring Jason P.
Published: January 2012

Humans perform in a number of extreme environments (EEs) in which they are not naturally suited to endure. Although scientific and technological advances have allowed humans to exist in settings like space, at the earth's poles, and underwater, further progress is possible if researchers and practitioners recognize that many EEs, and occupations within these settings, share numerous features. Because a majority of human performance research is domain-specific, there is a need to facilitate communication between once solitary scientific fields and disciplines, to promote the sharing of ideas and information, and to bring together academicians with persons in applied settings. To this end, we developed a taxonomy of factors associated with specific EEs by surveying subject matter experts as to the degree and frequency of 28 factors in their respective domains. Results from four settings (space, aviation, polar, and surgery/emergency room operations) reveal major similarities between the EEs on multiple factors, as well as important differences between seemingly similar environments. By illustrating shared features and differences, the taxonomy can serve as a research tool to organize established findings, highlight areas for further study, and provide avenues for cross-domain collaboration.
Effectiveness of 2-D Views for 6-D Robotics Simulation Maneuvers
Authors: Bray Teryn M. , Shehab Randa L. , Schlegel Robert E. , Civan Aylin , Walker Daniel E.
Published: January 2012

This study examined operator performance on 6-D robotics simulation maneuvers using a single 2-D view of the robot arm. The BORIS simulator, developed by NASA to support Generic Robotics Training, was used to present four “fly-to” tasks with views representing combinations of good and poor control-display movement compatibility and perceptual quality. Translational (x, y, z) and rotational (pitch, yaw, roll) accuracies were used to assess performance. A significant interaction between movement compatibility and perceptual quality was found for both the overall translational and y accuracy measures ( p = 0.0289 and p = 0.0155, respectively). This interaction appeared to indicate that performance was hindered only if both factors were poor. Perceptual quality significantly affected the z accuracy and pitch accuracy measures ( p = 0.0461 and p = 0.0429, respectively) with the views identified as poor perceptual quality actually yielding better performance. These results suggest that performance on a 6-D robotics maneuver is not necessarily hindered by using only a 2-D view. If a single view cannot simultaneously provide both good movement compatibility and good perceptual quality, the results suggest that either one is sufficient with respect to overall translational accuracy.
The Role of Choice and Individual Differences in the Mitigation of Noise and Task Stressors on Vigilance
Authors: Ganey H.C. Neil , Szalma James L. , Hancock Peter A. , Mouloua Mustapha , Connelly Anna , Dalton Joseph , Davis Fleet
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated the effects of perceived control over aspects of a task (difficulty) on stress and workload in a vigilance task. Additionally, individual differences in dispositional factors and coping strategy chosen by the operator were considered. Prior research has indicated that pessimism has an effect on the level of experienced stress. Additionally, coping strategies have been linked to stress and workload ratings in a variety of tasks (Matthews & Campbell, 1998). While these factors have been investigated independently, as is frequently the case, their complex interaction has remained unaddressed. In the study, we found that optimism was negatively related to task engagement, though it was positively related to distress. Additionally, it was found to be a predictor of task-focused coping behaviors. More conscientious people were less likely to engage in task-focused or emotion-focused coping. Those who were less pessimistic tended to have heightened worry over the task.
Baseline Exposure Assessment Results from a Prospective Study of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Spielholz Peregrin , Bao Stephen , Howard Ninica , Silverstein Barbara
Published: January 2012

This prospective study is following a cohort of up to 1000 workers for three years to determine the relationship between risk factors and confounders and the development of clinically diagnosed upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs). Results from 535 workers at baseline in manufacturing and service industries showed that 28.8% of jobs had an average RULA grand score of 5–7 for the right side of the body, and 24.1% for the left. The average and median Strain Index scores for the right side were 19.8 (±42.5) and 5.1, and for the left side were 16.4 (±41.0) and 3.4. HAL TLV analysis showed that 65.7% of subjects were below the Action Limit for the right side and 71.6% for the left, while 18.7% were over the TLV for the right side and 15.2% for the left. These data in combination with more detailed measurements will be used in prospective analysis to quantify the relationship between risk factors and UEMSD outcomes.
Perceptual Impact of an Animated Holographic Stereogram
Authors: Kosnik William , Polhamus Garrett , Kee David , Thomas James
Published: January 2012

We reported earlier that holographic stereograms are approaching a level of realism typical of other, more mature, graphical media (Kosnik, Previc, Polhamus, 2001). As image quality and realism improve, holograms may offer certain advantages over more conventional communications media. This study is concerned with how a message delivered in a hologram compares to other graphical media. Do the unique visual qualities of a hologram influence how the message is perceived? To answer this question, viewers' attitudes toward the military were surveyed after they saw a message about the US Air Force delivered by either a hologram or a 2D video. Attitudes toward the USAF were more favorable after viewing the holographic display. These results indicated that holograms might have a greater impact on viewers' perceptions than conventional print or video media.
The Effect of Reading Direction Habit on Numerical Processing
Authors: Schwalm Norman D. , Eviatar Zohar , Golan Yifat , Blumenfeld Yonit
Published: January 2012

The Hebrew Academy of Language in Israel has ruled that numerical ranges shall be written from right-to-left (lower number on right, higher number on left), consistent with language direction. This pilot study investigated the effect of that rule on human performance in a simulated directional sign-reading task. Right-to-left text, followed by single digit number sets depicting a range of values were presented to sixteen native Hebrew speakers, who were asked to report whether an additional number presented separately appeared within that range. Number sets following the Hebrew text were presented from left-to-right and from right-to-left. No significant differences were found in response times between left-to-right and right-to-left conditions. However, a significant main effect of direction was found for percent errors, which were significantly higher for right-to-left than for left-to-right number sets. The rule requiring number sets to appear from right-to-left is called into question, and implications for numerical range information display in right-to-left languages are suggested. The authors are currently engaged in more extensive research aimed at expanding the findings of this pilot study.
Behavioral Adaptation to Adaptive Cruise Control
Authors: Rudin-Brown Christina M. , Parker Heather A. , Malisia Alice R.
Published: January 2012

The ability of adaptive cruise control (ACC) to induce behavioral adaptation in drivers was assessed in a test-track environment. Eighteen experienced drivers performed a secondary, in-vehicle number search task while following a confederate lead vehicle. The three counterbalanced conditions were: No ACC (self-maintained average headway of 2 s), ACC-Short (headway of 1.4 s) and ACC-Long (headway of 2.4 s). Results indicate that ACC can induce behavioral adaptation in potentially safety-critical ways. Participants were able to correctly identify significantly more stock price quotes per minute when using ACC than when they drove unaided. At the same time, participants reacted more slowly to a safety-relevant brake light detection task when they used ACC, and responded within a safe time margin 33% less often. This effect was particularly pronounced in those scoring high on a sensation-seeking scale. ACC use was associated with impaired lane-keeping performance, an effect that was also more evident in high sensation-seekers. During a simulated failure of the ACC system, participants waited until the vehicle-to-vehicle headway was 0.6 s before they intervened; those with an external locus of control took longer to react than those with an internal locus of control. Finally, participants' trust in ACC increased following exposure, and was not affected by the failure of the ACC system. Results are consistent with similar research conducted on lane departure warning systems.
Sebew — An Evaluation Method for User Interfaces of Command and Control Systems
Authors: Widdel Heino , Motz Florian
Published: January 2012

A computer-based evaluation method (SEBEW) for design of user interfaces has been developed. For this purpose existing standards, guidelines, and evaluation instruments have been analyzed. Evaluation and design criteria were extracted, reformulated or newly formulated for command and control systems. A data base, structured and created by a complex data model and realized in Microsoft Access, contains the complete volume of about 1500 design and evaluation criteria. For the evaluation of information systems SEBEW allows the display of selected items, which have to be rated. Attached features like references, instructions, examples, and drawings can be offered, if required, for additional information. This paper describes the functional design of the evaluation system as well as the evaluation procedure with the rating and scoring methods. Results and experiences using the system in the usability evaluation process and results of validation studies for two military systems are discussed. These studies concentrated on the interrater consistency of the method. Additionally, an investigation is in progress to determine empirical validity by comparing two alternative command and control systems with known different software-ergonomic quality.
Navigational Control Effect on Representing Virtual Environments
Authors: Zheng Xianjun Sam , McConkie George W. , Schaeffer Benjamin
Published: January 2012

This present study investigated how users' navigational devices and modes of operation affect their ability to develop an accurate mental spatial representation of a virtual environment. Three input devices varying in their degree of egocentric calibration control were used for navigation: joystick, wand and headtracker, all of which were used in relative or absolute control mode, thus yielding six navigational method conditions. Participants were tested both in a non-ego-centric manner and in an ego-centric manner, and our hypotheses were that absolute and more ego-centric control devices would generate higher quality spatial mental representations than relative and non-egocentric devices. Experiment results showed that navigation control methods produce different amounts of exploration, and indicated an advantage for absolute mode devices in comparison to relative mode, but there was no benefit for ego-centric devices.
Comparison of the Emotional Response between Real World Environment and Simulation
Authors: Uhr Marcel B.F. , Felix Daniel , Williams Bryn J. , Krueger Helmut
Published: January 2012

This experiments aim is to determine whether trainees differ in their emotional response to two different training environments. The two training environments were the real system (i.e. a truck with an attached trailer) and an advanced truck driving simulator. 52 experienced truck drivers were investigated with a standardized questionnaire. The task to be learned was a driving manoeuvre: reverse park a truck from one side of the street to the other. The questionnaire was filled out by the participants twice: at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The results show similar responses for the two training environments except for the factor “pleasure”: there was an increase for the participants which trained in the simulator. The results of this experiment show that the emotional responses between participants which trained in a driving simulator are comparable to their counterparts trained in the real system.
Pilot Use of a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information during Aircraft Navigation on the Airport Surface: An Analysis of Pilot/Controller Operational Communication
Authors: Prinzo O. Veronika
Published: January 2012

The Federal Aviation Administration is making a concerted effort to reduce runway incursions. A 5-day operational evaluation conducted in October 2000 assessed pilot use of varying types of CDTI devices. Structured and unstructured taxi routes examined how well pilots navigated their aircraft using electronic surface-map displays (north-up, track-up) or a paper surface map. An analysis was performed of 15 hours of communication data to determine how the use of these displays might aid situation awareness and influence operational communications. A Type-of-Route x Type-of-Map ANOVA revealed that more problems occurred, and more messages were exchanged for structured taxi routes. Most problems occurred for the north-up group during structured taxi routes, and the number of problems encountered was comparable for the other map groups when pilots navigated unstructured taxi routes. The format in which a map is presented appears to affect some aspects of pilot performance during airport surface navigation.
Command and Telemetry Latency Effects on Operator Performance during International Space Station Robotic Operations
Authors: Currie Nancy J. , Rochlis Jennifer
Published: January 2012

International Space Station operations require onboard crewmembers to perform numerous robotic assembly, maintenance, and inspection activities. Ground-based control of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), in particular the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), has been identified as one potential solution to alleviate disproportionate robotic maintenance and inspection timelines that potentially exceed crew availability and duty times. Challenges to operator performance and safety of ground-based control of these manipulators include significant data and telemetry latency. Recent trends of transmissions between the International Space Station and NASA's Mission Control Center have determined the round-trip time delay can range from 6-8 seconds. The purpose of this study was to examine operator performance when subjects performed representative dexterous robotic tasks with anticipated command and telemetry time delays. Results from this study may determine whether augmentations to existing operator tools and procedures are required in order to manually control the SPDM from ground-based workstations.
Temporal Effects in Aircraft Inspection: What Price Vigilance Research?
Authors: Drury Colin G. , Saran Monique , Schultz John L.
Published: January 2012

This paper examines issues of fatigue in inspection by using an established function analysis of inspection to show its characteristics, and then proposing a four-level classification of temporal effects to help future applications. This classification divides the temporal effects into four components: weekly, daily, hourly, and minute time scales. The analysis presented here will form the basis for the design of future experimental studies of temporal factors in aircraft inspection.
Comparing Pilot Training Perfomance in Immersive and Non-Immersive Viirtual Environments
Authors: Ntuen Celestine A. , Adams Kaize , Crane Peter M.
Published: January 2012

This research investigated whether there was equal improvement for instrument pilot skill trained under an immersive virtual environment (IVE) versus a nonimmersive virtual environment (NIVE). In the IVE, sensory input to the human from external world is provided by head mounted displays, while NIVEs are represented by desktop displays. Subjects were tested in IVE and NIVE flight scenarios using three flying tasks—normal crosswind approach and landing (NCAL), go-around (GA) and constant speed during climbing and descending (CSCD). Error rate data were analyzed for four pilot control tasks. The results show that NIVE provides error rate reduction for training altitude control under NCAL and GA tasks, and vertical speed control for CSCD. No significant differences were observed for both NIVE and IVE for vertical speed control. IVE showed error rate decrements for the rest of the tasks.
An Analysis of Why People Lose Objects, How they Find them, and Their Attitudes about a Technology Aid
Authors: Pak Richard , Rodney E. Peters , Rogers Wendy A. , Abowd Gregory D. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: January 2012

The current paper presents findings from a survey examining, in a life span sample of healthy adults, the extent to which losing objects is perceived to be a problem. The goals of the survey were to determine who loses objects, what objects are lost, and what strategies are used to locate objects. The current findings suggest that young and middle-aged adults may consider losing objects to be a problem but older adults may not. Understanding what typical objects are lost, the strategies used to locate these objects, and attitudes toward technology may be applicable to the design of a technology aid for memory augmentation in the home.
Designing Websites for Older Adults: The Relationship between Guideline Compliance and Usability
Authors: Hart Traci A. , Chaparro Barbara S. , Halcomb Charles G.
Published: January 2012

Three senior websites with varying levels of compliance to “senior-friendly” guidelines were evaluated for efficiency and usability with older adults. Results indicate that the website compliant with the most senior-friendly“ guidelines resulted in higher task success, but did not result in significantly lower time on task or fewer number of pages visited. In addition, the site compliant with the most ”senior-friendly“ guidelines did not result in higher satisfaction or preference. The importance of adding usability testing to the website design process, especially for this target audience, is highlighted.
The Role of Comparison in Weather Forecasting: Evidence from two Hemispheres!
Authors: Kirschenbaum Susan S.
Published: January 2012

Northern hemisphere weather forecasters from the United States Navy (USN) and their Southern hemisphere counterparts in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) were observed while making forecasts for air operations. A Comparative Cognitive Task Analysis showed that both groups employed the cognitive task of Comparing information to select among, validate, or modify the output of numerical models when making forecasts. This process was interpreted as key to the forecaster adding value to the automatic output of weather models.
Improved Workflow, Environmental Effects Analysis and User Control for Tactical Weather Forecasting
Authors: Ballas James , Tsui Ted , Cook John , Mantri Ramesh , Jones David , Kerr Keith , Kirby Beth , Carr Robert , Kirschenbaum Susan , Gibson Megan
Published: January 2012

A project called Environmental Visualization (EVIS) conducted and completed testing of a capability to improve the air strike forecasting workflow. The capability was tested in a yoked experimental paradigm that had pairs of fleet forecasters generating an air strike forecast, one forecaster using the EMES capability and one using the current web-based tools. Three pairs of forecasters were tested, and within each pair, the EMES capability supported substantially faster (∼ 40%) forecast completion time. Feedback from the fleet users and personnel was positive about the approach we are taking and the capability that was tested. The team received substantial constructive feedback on the initial capability and will incorporate this into the next development phase.
An Application of the AKADAM Approach to Intelligence Analyst Work
Authors: Connors Erik S. , Craven Patrick L. , McNeese Michael D. , Jefferson Tyrone , Bains Priya , Hall David L.
Published: January 2012

This paper emphasizes the use of cognitive task analysis to gain significant insight into the unique domain of intelligence analysts, how intelligence analysts view this domain, and how this domain can be replicated in a controlled simulation environment in which innovative tools and procedures can be empirically tested. Details of two comprehensive knowledge elicitation sessions involving intelligence analysts are provided as an example of using the Advanced Knowledge Acquisition and Design (AKADAM) methodology to obtain contextually relevant information for use in developing a homeland defense-oriented simulation/experimental task. Several distinctive characteristics of intelligence analyst functionality were discovered, including the multi-source integration of relevant information, complex cognitive analysis, and team collaboration in decision-making. Additional themes such as social interaction and the limitations of current analysis tools were identified.
Conversational Re-Prompting in Natural Language Dialog
Authors: Blanchard Harry E. , Stewart Osamuyimen T.
Published: January 2012

Natural language understanding technology has reached a level of sophistication where it can be profitably employed in interactive voice response systems in telephony. This paper describes a call routing application, where callers state a request in unconstrained, natural speech. The system then routes the call to the correct destination system or attendant. If there is a problem in understanding, then the caller must be re-prompted. This paper looks at two cases of re-prompting in the second turn of dialog based on the caller's response in the first turn: (a) when a caller's initial request is to speak to a real person instead of stating the reason for their call, and (b) when callers are too vague in their initial response. A strategy of conversational re-prompting is introduced which fits into the greater naturalness of the dialog, and, we show, increases the performance of the system in terms of successful fulfillment of user requests.