bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative Determinants of Rotator Cuff Repair Integrity
Authors: Wu Xiao L. , Briggs Lisa , Murrell George A.C.
Published: October 2012

Background:

Rotator cuff repair has a relatively high (20%-90%) chance of retears. Patients with an intact rotator cuff 6 months after surgery have better subjective and objective outcomes at 6 months and 2 years after rotator cuff repair than those who do not have an intact repair.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine if, and if so which, intraoperative factors predict an intact repair 6 months after rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The study consisted of a cohort of 500 consecutive patients who had an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed by a single surgeon and an ultrasound evaluation using standard protocols of the repair 6 months after surgery. Exclusion criteria included previous fracture or shoulder surgery, incomplete or partial rotator cuff repair, and concomitant arthroplasty. Rotator cuff tear size was measured intraoperatively and mapped. The quality of the tendon, tendon mobility, and repair quality were assessed and ranked based on predetermined scales (1-4) and recorded on a specifically designed form. Logistic regression analysis was performed, with cuff integrity at 6-month follow-up as the dependent variable and tear/repair factors as the independent variables.

Results:

The overall postoperative retear rate was 19% at 6 months. The best predictor of rotator cuff integrity was preoperative tear size (correlation coefficient, r = 0.33; P < .001). Patients with small (≤2 cm2) rotator cuff tears were least likely to have retears (retear rate, 10%). As the tear size increased, the retear rate increased in a linear fashion: ≤2 cm2 (10%), 2 to 4 cm2 (16%), 4 to 6 cm2 (31%), 6 to 8 cm2 (50%), and >8 cm2 (57%). Other surgeon-ranked intraoperative assessments did correlate with retears, but the correlations were relatively weak: repair quality ( r = −0.17; P < .001), tendon mobility ( r = −0.15; P < .001), and tendon quality ( r = −0.14; P < .01). Regression analysis showed that the retear rate at 6-month follow-up was best predicted from the preoperative tear size and the surgeon-ranked repair quality: chance of retear = 0.38 + (0.02 × tear size in cm2) – (0.08 × repair quality). Tendon quality and tendon mobility did not contribute significantly to this prediction.

Conclusion:

Tear size was the best intraoperative predictor of repair integrity after rotator cuff repair, with tears less than 2 cm2 twice as likely to heal than tears greater than 6 cm2.
Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation for Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritic Knees
Authors: Filardo Giuseppe , Vannini Francesca , Marcacci Maurilio , Andriolo Luca , Ferruzzi Alberto , Giannini Sandro , Kon Elizaveta
Published: October 2012

Background:

Young patients with osteoarthritic knees are a challenging population because of a combination of high functional demands and limited indication for joint replacement.

Purpose:

To analyze the potential of the cartilage regenerative approach by documenting the results and failures of matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) at midterm follow-up.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Forty-four patients affected by cartilage lesions in osteoarthritic knees underwent MACT as a salvage procedure. The mean age at surgery was 42 years (range, 20-58 years), and the average defect size was 4 cm2 (range, 1.5-9 cm2). Patients were prospectively evaluated with the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), and Tegner scores preoperatively; at 1, 2, and 5 years; and at a final assessment at 9 years’ mean follow-up. Adverse events and failures were also reported.

Results:

A statistically significant improvement was observed in all scores from the initial evaluation to the final follow-up. The mean ± standard deviation IKDC subjective score improved from 38.0 ± 15.8 to 67.0 ± 18.3 at 2 years ( P < .0005), with a subsequent decrease to 57.8 ± 20.6 at the final follow-up ( P = .012). The same trend was confirmed by the EQ-VAS score. The activity level revealed by the Tegner score improved at all follow-ups but without achieving the preinjury level. The analysis of the influencing factors showed the importance of the meniscus condition, revealing a significantly inferior outcome in knees with previous or combined partial meniscectomy procedures. During the study period, 12 patients had failed results, producing a cumulative failure rate of 27.3%. At the last evaluation, half of the patients considered their condition not better than before the treatment, and 39% would not repeat the treatment considering the results obtained.

Conclusion:

Despite a statistically significant improvement, the clinical outcome was poor. A higher improvement could be obtained in patients who had not undergone previous or combined meniscectomies, but this was limited over time. The failure rate was also high, regardless of the degree of osteoarthritis. Tissue-engineered cartilage implantation is questionable for this indication, and the limits of this scaffold-based procedure have to be considered if it is used as a salvage procedure for young patients affected by knee osteoarthritis.
Incorporating waste into an experimental school prototype: lessons regarding materials reclamation opportunities
Authors: Yeap Kong Seng , Mohd Yaacob Naziaty , Rao Sreenivasaiah Purushothama , Hashim Nor Rasidah
Published: October 2012

This article presents lessons learned from a design project that explored the possibility of incorporating waste into the design of a school prototype. The authors worked with professional architects, a waste artist, environmental scientists and local waste operators to uncover new uses and applications for discarded items. As a result, bottles, aluminium cans, reclaimed doors, crushed concrete and second-hand bricks, etc. were identified, explored and integrated into the architectural design. This article serves as a catalyst that advocates the use of reclaimed materials in the field of design and planning. In particular, it highlights the challenges and issues that need to be addressed in carrying out design work with waste. Designers and practitioners interested in minimizing waste generation by proposing the use of reclaimed materials will find this article useful.
Occupational exposure profile of Pb, Mn, and Cd in nonferrous Brazilian sanitary alloy foundries
Authors: Peixe Tiago Severo , Nascimento Elizabeth de Souza , Silva Carlos Sérgio , Bussacos Marco Antonio
Published: October 2012

In addition to the primary components of alloys, approximately 5% of the formulation may contain other metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic, manganese (Mn), iron, phosphorus, and nickel. Workers in the foundries are exposed to several compounds; therefore, it is important to assess the levels of injury that may reflect an additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effect caused by these compounds. The mean values of the environmental evaluation of the facilities range from 16.65 to 40.31 µg m−3 for Pb, 0.99 to 1.73 µg m−3 for Cd, and 0.91 to 1.70 µg m−3 for Mn. The mean values of the metal concentrations for furnace, mold, melting, and automatic melting activities range from 15.37 to 19.26 µg m−3 for Pb, 7.07 to 9.14 µg m−3 for Cd, and 8.83 to 16.00 µg m−3 for Mn. Biological samples were divided into two groups: control ( n = 38) and exposed ( n = 45). The obtained data are3.41 ± 3.40 and 14.89 ± 7.82 µg dL−1 for Pb, 0.90 ± 0.80 and 1.91 ± 1.90 µg g−1 creatinine for Cd, and 0.51 ± 0.40 and 3.17 ± 1.93 µg g−1 creatinine for Mn. Statistical analysis showed significant differences ( p < 0.05). Positive linear correlations were established between metal concentrations in the air and the biological matrixes: Pb ( r = 0.68; p < 0.001), Cd ( r = 0.81; p = 0.17), and Mn ( r = 0.12; p < 0.03). Regression analysis showed that professional activities can interfere with element exposure profiles in occupational settings. The analysis in the event of exposure to metals in these companies allowed investigating whether the simultaneous exposure leads to biological damage even if the levels of the compounds are within the exposure limits that are considered to be safe.
Expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in rat lungs following an intratracheal instillation of micron-sized nickel oxide nanoparticle agglomerates
Authors: Morimoto Yasuo , Hirohashi Masami , Ogami Akira , Oyabu Takako , Myojo Toshihiko , Hashiba Masayoshi , Mizuguchi Yohei , Kambara Tatsunori , Lee Byeong Woo , Kuroda Etsushi , Tanaka Isamu
Published: October 2012

Objective:

In our previous study, we reported that the micron-sized nickel oxide nanoparticle agglomerates induced neutrophil infiltration and the gene expression of the cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2αβ in a rat lung. In this study, we examined the expression of the CINCs family in the lung using the same rat model exposed to micron-sized nickel oxide nanoparticle agglomerates.

Methods:

The count median diameter of nickel oxide nanoparticle agglomerates suspended in saline was 1.34 μm (primary diameter: 8.41 nm). Male Wistar rats received an intratracheal instillation of 1 mg (3.3 mg/kg) of nickel oxide nanoparticles and were dissected at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the instillation. The negative control group received an instillation of saline. The concentration of CINC-1 in the lung and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), CINC-2αβ in the BALF, and CINC-3 in the lung and the BALF was examined.

Results:

The concentration of CINC-1 was elevated at 3 days, 3 months, and 6 months in the lung tissue and from 3 days to 6 months in the BALF. The concentration of CINC-2αβ was elevated from 3 days to 3 months in the BALF. The concentration of CINC-3 was also elevated at 3 days, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months in the lung tissue. Infiltration of neutrophil and alveolar macrophage was observed mainly in the alveoli during the observed time period.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that CINC-1 to -3 were totally involved in the lung injury caused by micron-sized nickel oxide nanoparticle agglomerates.
Correlates of Subjective Health Across the Aging Lifespan
Authors: French Davina J. , Sargent-Cox Kerry , Luszcz Mary A.
Published: October 2012

Objectives: To examine the determinants of self-rated health (SRH) in different age groups of older adults, including the oldest old. Methods: Variables assessing physical health, difficulty with self-care, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment were pooled and harmonized from three Australian longitudinal studies of ageing ( N = 5,222). The association of these with SRH was examined in older adults aged 60 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years, 75 to 84 years, and 85 years and older. Results: SRH was not associated with cognitive impairment or difficulty with self-care in the oldest old, and its association with physical health was diminished compared with younger groups. Depression showed a significant relationship in all age groups, conferring an approximately fourfold increase in the likelihood of poorer SRH. Discussion: As old age progresses, self-reports of poor health become most closely related to psychological symptoms. This explains some of the paradoxes of past literature and offers important insights for health professionals working with the oldest old.
Memory Training in the ACTIVE Study
Authors: Rebok George W. , Langbaum Jessica B. S. , Jones Richard N. , Gross Alden L. , Parisi Jeanine M. , Spira Adam P. , Kueider Alexandra M. , Petras Hanno , Brandt Jason
Published: October 2012

Objective and Method: Data from the memory training arm ( n = 629) of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial were examined to characterize change in memory performance through 5 years of follow-up as a function of memory training, booster training, adherence to training, and other characteristics. Results: Latent growth model analyses revealed that memory training was associated with improved memory performance through Year 5 but that neither booster training nor training adherence significantly influenced this effect. Baseline age was associated with change in memory performance attributable to the passage of time alone (i.e., to aging). Higher education and better self-rated health were associated with greater change in memory performance after training. Discussion: These findings confirm that memory training can aid in maintaining long-term improvements in memory performance. Booster training and adherence to training do not appear to attenuate rates of normal age-related memory decline.
Reducing Health Care Costs for Dementia Patients
Authors: Klug Marilyn G. , Muus Kyle , Volkov Boris , Halaas Gwen Wagstrom
Published: October 2012

Objective: Estimating cost savings based on limited health care events within a short time span for a dementia care program. Method: Data on health care utilization of persons with dementia (PWDs) and caregivers were gathered in the Dementia Care Services Program in North Dakota from January 2010 to January 2012. Data were aggregated into 3-month intervals and compared to 3 months before program intervention. Paired and cross-time models were used to estimate cost savings. Results: Health care cost savings for PWDs were estimated at US$143,118 to US$180,102 during the first 3 months after intervention, then decreased over time. Only the first 9 months could be used in the paired model due to small N and low power. Discussion: For programs with short time spans and limited health care events, a cross-time model can be used to estimate cost savings while producing results similar to paired models.
Flow forming optimization based on diametral growth using finite element method and response surface methodology
Authors: Jalali Aghchai Abdolhossein , Razani Nabi Allah , Mollaei Dariani Bijan
Published: October 2012

Flow forming as a precise locally plastic deformation is applied to fabricate thin-walled seamless tubes. Diametral growth as a dimensional defect that occurrs in a flow-formed tube is studied numerically and experimentally in this article. Flow forming of an AISI 321 steel tube is investigated using a finite element method with a dynamic explicit approach. The efficient parameters on the diametral growth are determined using experimental outcomes. The parameters considered are the thickness reduction (%), the feed rate of the roller (mm/min) and the roller nose radius (mm). Response surface methodology is employed to draw out a mathematical model of the diametral growth with regard to the significant parameters. The gained equation reveals that the thickness reduction is the most significant parameter and feed rate has the slightest effect on the diametral growth. The diametral growth increases with the rise in the thickness reduction and the roller nose radius and it leads to a decrease with a high value of feed rate. The innovation point of view is related to the fact that the high level of roller nose radius covers the efficiency of feed rate.
Application of a fuzzy multilevel multiobjective production planning model in a network product manufacturing supply chain
Authors: Lee Chien-Te , Chiu Huan-Neng , Yeh Ruey Huei , Huang Deng-Kui
Published: October 2012

This article formulates a novel fuzzy multilevel multiobjective production planning model for a supply chain under a fuzzy environment. An efficient two-phase interactive solution procedure is developed to obtain a good solution that maximizes the total supply chain profit and the satisfactory degree. The proposed solution procedure, modified from Sakawa et al.’s interactive fuzzy programming approach, can be easily adopted by practitioners. Through a negotiation case study, a well-known network product manufacturing supply chain in Taiwan is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and aptness of the proposed model and the solution procedure, as compared with Sakawa et al.’s method with only one objective at the manufacturer level. Finally, several important findings and managerial implications are drawn from the results of this study.
Three-dimensional finite element modeling of rough to finish down-cut milling of an aluminum alloy
Authors: Asad Muhammad , Mabrouki Tarek , Memon Asif A , Shah Syed Mushtaq A , Khan Muhammad A
Published: October 2012

This contribution deals with a computational investigation highlighting the effects of cutting speed and depth of cut on chip morphology and surface finish for down-cut milling case. The global aim concerns the comprehension of multiphysical phenomena accompanying chip formation in rough, semifinish, and finish cutting operations, exploiting a three-dimensional finite element model. Numerical work has been performed in two phases. In the first phase, a three-dimensional model for rough cut operation has been validated with the experimental results, including chip morphology and cutting force evolution for an aerospace grade aluminum alloy A2024-T351. In the second phase, the model has been extended to semifinish and finish three-dimensional cutting operations. The numerical findings show that as depth of cut decreases (toward finish cutting), spatial displacement of workpiece nodes along the depth of cut increases. This represents an increase/extension in the percentage of volume undergoing shear deformation, resulting in higher dissipation of inelastic energy, hence contributing to size effect in finish cutting operation. The results also depict that material strain rate hardening enhances the material strength at higher cutting speeds. These material strengthening phenomena help to generate a smooth continuous chip morphology and better surface texture in high-speed finishing operations. The study highlights the significance of three-dimensional numerical modeling to better understand the chip formation process in semifinish and finish machining operations, regardless of the immense effort in computational time.
Paraspinal muscle activation in accordance with mechanoreceptors in the intervertebral discs
Authors: Kim Young Eun , Choi Hae Won
Published: October 2012

Paraspinal muscle forces were derived computationally based on the hypothesis that the intervertebral disc has a transducer function and the muscle is activated according to a sensor-driving control mechanism. A three-dimensional finite element model of the musculoskeletal system, which consisted of a detailed whole lumbar spine, pelvis, simplified trunk model, and muscles, was developed and combined with an optimization technique to calculate muscle forces in isometric forward flexed and erect standing postures. Minimization of deviations in the nucleus pressure and averaged tensile stress in the annulus fibers at five discs was used for muscle force calculations. The results indicated that all the muscles were properly activated to maintain posture and stabilize the lumbar spine. The nucleus pressure difference was decreased during the iterative calculations and its resulting value at the L4/L5 level was consistent with in vivo measurements. Muscle activation produced vertebra motion, which resulted in a relatively uniform stress distribution in the intervertebral discs. This can minimize the risk of injury at a specific level and increase the ability of the spine to sustain a load.
Understanding the Past, Predicting the Future
Authors: Buehner Marc J.
Published: October 2012

Temporal binding refers to a subjective shortening of elapsed time between actions and their resultant consequences. Originally, it was thought that temporal binding is specific to motor learning and arises as a consequence of either sensory adaptation or the associative principles of the forward model of motor command. Both of these interpretations assume that the binding effect is rooted in the motor system and, critically, that it is driven by intentional action planning. The research reported here demonstrates that both intentional actions and mechanical causes result in temporal binding, which suggests that intentional action is not necessary for temporal binding and that binding results from the causal relation linking actions with their consequences. Intentional binding is thus a special case of more general causal binding, which can be explained by a theory of Bayesian ambiguity reduction.
What Is Extraversion For? Integrating Trait and Motivational Perspectives and Identifying the Purpose of Extraversion
Authors: McCabe Kira O. , Fleeson William
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the manifestation of extraversion (i.e., acting and being extraverted) in everyday behavior can be explained by intentional (functional) constructs, namely, goals. By using a model in which personality states serve as an outcome of specific, momentary goal pursuit, we were able to identify the function of extraversion states in everyday behavior. Using experience-sampling methodology, we asked participants to describe their state extraversion, goal pursuit, and state affect over 10 days. Results show that 18 selected goals predicted 74% of the variance in state extraversion; both within-person and between-person fluctuations in state extraversion were strongly associated with changes in momentary goal pursuit. We extended findings relating state extraversion and state positive affect, showing that the relationship between goals and positive affect was partially mediated by state extraversion.
Anxiety and depression in Australian chronic hepatitis C outpatients: prevalence and predictors
Authors: Stewart Benjamin , Mikocka-Walus Antonina , Morgan Joanne , Colman Anton , Phelps Megan , Harley Hugh , Andrews Jane
Published: October 2012

Objective:

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety and depression in Australian chronic hepatitis C (CHC) outpatients.

Method:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores at referral and other patient data was analysed for 395 CHC outpatients attending the Royal Adelaide Hospital liver clinic from 2006 to 2010.

Results:

Results revealed probable prevalence rates of 41% for anxiety and 27% for depression. CHC patients had rates of anxiety and depression 1.2 and 2.4 times higher than community norms, respectively. Younger patients were found to experience increased anxiety, while married patients or those in a de facto relationship experienced decreased anxiety and depression.

Conclusion:

Regular psychiatric screening, and subsequent referral for mental health treatment, where necessary, is recommended for Australian CHC patients. Younger patients or those lacking social supports may be at increased risk. Research is needed to develop and evaluate psychological interventions.
A nosological review of depressive disorders based on observations in clinical practice, Part 1: terminology and phenomenology
Authors: Restifo Sam
Published: October 2012

Objective:

The purpose of this paper is to describe the problems with the contemporary nosology of ‘depression’ and to discuss the key linguistic and phenomenological aspects that are essential prerequisites for a clinically meaningful typology of depressive disorders. The paper comprises observations and reflections drawn from clinical work.

Conclusions:

First, the use of the unqualified, stock term ‘depression’ is counterproductive, as are the diagnostic non-entities of ‘major depression’ and ‘dysthymia’. Second, the core psychopathology in melancholic depression is a loss of self-confidence, which helps explain the frequent co-occurrence of ‘anxiety’ with ‘depression’. Third, descriptive, non-technical terms such as ‘demoralisation’ and ‘grief’ are most helpful in formulating non-melancholic forms of depression and thus useful in differential diagnosis.
The Experiences of HIV-Positive Women Living in an African Village
Authors: Gardner Janelle
Published: October 2012

Kenya has approximately 1.4 million adults infected with HIV/AIDS, with a national prevalence rate of approximately 7.4%. The majority of the Kenyan people have not participated in a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) program and do not know their HIV status. This increases the likelihood of infecting others and spreading the disease. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore HIV-positive women’s experiences and perceptions about VCT programs. In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 rural women and 6 themes emerged: Living in fear, making the decision to be tested, the journey toward acceptance, changing behavior, planning for the future, and encouraging others to be tested. VCT programs are crucial in attaining goals related to the prevention and management of AIDS. By exploring these women’s experiences and perceptions, issues concerning AIDS and the acceptance and use of VCT may be better understood.
Teaching Nurses Sight Unseen
Authors: Reneau Margaret
Published: October 2012

Purpose: This study supports best practices in nursing education and the need for cultural competency among faculty members. The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of cultural competency among on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) faculty compared with those of online BSN faculty. Design: The research used a quantitative, nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational design. The Cultural Diversity Questionnaire for Nurse Educators (CDQ-NE) was e-mailed to 500 BSN faculty at five research sites ( N = 222). The instrument included Likert-type scale items organized into the components of cultural competence according to Campinha-Bacote. Results: The lowest levels of cultural competency were among the on-campus group (3.95). Faculty teaching both online and on-campus had the highest levels (4.0). Discussion/Conclusions: A significant finding indicated that training within the past 5 years in cultural competency reflected higher scores. Implications: These findings suggest that some cultural competency training should be mandatory for all BSN faculty, whether it occurs during their orientations or as part of nurse-educator curricula at the graduate levels.
Young Children Read and Arrange
Authors: Kenney Susan Hobson
Published: October 2012

This article explores reading at its most fundamental: the interpretation of marks for the eye that represent musical sounds. An examination of young children’s created symbols for songs suggests that they perceive music in meaningful units rather than individual notes. In one class, arbitrary symbols that represent chunks or units of sound were used to encourage 3- and 4-year-old children to read music. The results of children’s behaviors and the musical growth potential of such an approach is outlined.
Students With Disabilities in Intergenerational Programs
Authors: Darrow Alice-Ann , Belgrave Melita
Published: October 2012

The purposes of this article are to describe two intergenerational programs that include individuals with disabilities, to discuss the ways in which music functions in each, and to describe the structures and functions of intergenerational programs. The model used to create an intergenerational program depends on the age, needs, and ability levels of both generations. The flexibility of music—its simplicity or complexity—allows for younger and older generations to both participate in music-based intergenerational programs.
Enhancing preliminary design within concurrent engineering using the matrix of functions and functionalities
Authors: Zadnik Žiga , Starbek Marko , Duhovnik Jože
Published: October 2012

In today’s multidimensional world, companies are constantly facing new, increasingly demanding challenges: global business and local operation, the standardization and individualization of products, demanding customers, and fierce competition. These companies want to achieve a shorter product-development time, lower costs, higher quality of the product, and finally, customer satisfaction. In order to achieve these goals, companies have to take into account the first customer’s wants and needs during the process of developing a new product. This article presents the concept of solutions for the functional requirements in the concurrent development of a product by means of a descriptive matrix of the functional requirements and functionalities based on the generative model and criteria for describing the products, the function requirements, and the functionalities. The matrix of the functional requirements and functionalities model intends to improve the initial, preliminary design process, where only the most basic, sporadic information (such as functional requirements and functionalities) is presented. The tasks are parallelized and integrated to reduce the time and costs involved. The model was created as a tool in order to connect the functional requirements with existing technical systems. They partially or fully resolve the functional requirements on the basis of a mathematical model and predetermined conditions, and therefore do not depend solely on the designer’s intuition. The concept improves the main shortcomings of other known methods such as the morphological box. In order to demonstrate the validity, the benefits of the method, the dynamics, to produce explanatory theories and to develop a method that is relevant to practice, the matrix of the functional requirements and functionalities model is tested against a concrete product.
Identifying Usability Problems of Blood Glucose Tracking Apps for Older Adult Users
Authors: Whitlock Laura A. , McLaughlin Anne Collins
Published: October 2012

Almost two-thirds of adults aged 65 and older in the United States are affected by diabetes or prediabetes (Cowie et al., 2009), and the health consequences of poor glycemic control are severe. Blood glucose tracking applications for mobile devices have the potential to help improve glycemic control but design issues may limit their use by older adults. We examined the usability of three existing blood glucose tracking applications via hierarchical task analysis and heuristic evaluation of their graph displays, and describe the problems we found and their implications for older users. We propose the inclusion of decision aids in the apps to better inform users’ health-based behavior.
Younger and Older Adults’ Comprehension of Health Risk Probabilities: Understanding the Relationship between Format and Numeracy
Authors: Fausset Cara Bailey , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: October 2012

The format in which a probability is presented and a person’s numeracy can influence comprehension of health risk probabilities (e.g., Galesic, Gigerenzer, & Straubinger, 2009). Many people, especially older adults, have inadequate numeracy (Kutner, Greenberg, & Baer, 2005), which may interact with comprehension of different formats (e.g., frequency, percent, or words). The relationship between probability format and numeracy on comprehension of health risk probabilities was investigated via questions and delayed tests of recall for 36 younger adults’ ( Mage=20.0, SD=2.2, range=18-27) and 36 older adults’ ( Mage=71.1, SD=2.4, range=66-75). No interaction between numeracy and format was identified; higher numeracy was positively correlated with higher accuracy on comprehension questions across all formats. The results suggest that percent format best supports comprehension and recall of health risk probabilities for younger and older adults in a probability comparison task.
Assessing the Usefulness of Software Tools for Aiding Meaningful Access of Internet Health Information by Older Users
Authors: Sharit Joseph , Czaja Sara J. , Hernandez Mario A. , Lee Chin Chin , Lang Samantha
Published: October 2012

Consumers are increasingly using the Internet as a source of health information. Older users in particular, who generally have more health-related issues to contend with, can stand to benefit greatly from the vast resources of health information that the Internet can provide. However, finding, integrating, and making sense of such information in support of health management can be challenging for these users, especially in the face of age-related declines in cognitive abilities that are critical for Internet health information seeking. In this study, data from three focus groups comprised of 23 Internet users 65 years of age or older were collected to investigate the potential usefulness of four software tools that, in principle, offer the capability for aiding such users in their Internet health information search and decision-making activities. The data revealed both positive features and concerns with these tools. Overall, these data provided valuable guidance for an initial phase of design interventions directed at making these tools more usable and effective for supporting Internet health-information seeking for older users, and in the process for other users as well.
Older Adult Engagement in Activities: All Motivations Are Not Created Equal
Authors: Tyree Gina M. , McLaughlin Anne Collins
Published: October 2012

Engaging in cognitive and social activities is related to higher cognitive function in older adults (Hertzog, Kramer, Wilson, & Lindenberger, 2008). However, some older adults engage in activities that help maintain cognitive functioning, and some do not. The present research was aimed at discovering the motivations that underlie older adult engagement in activities. Thirty-three older adults aged 60-87 years provided information about the activities in which they participated and their motivations to engage in these activities. Results indicated that people were generally motivated by factors in the Material World (Forbes, 2011), such as motivation for achievement. Moreover, contrary to socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 1993), older adults were least motivated by factors within the Social World, such as motivation for nurturance. Lastly, it appears possible to predict motivation for activities based on the characteristics of the activity using Multilevel Modeling. Further research could formulate a taxonomy of older adult activities and motivations to best encourage challenging activities at older ages.
Examining the Efficacy of Training Interventions in Improving Older Driver Performance
Authors: Gaspar John G. , Neider Mark B. , Simons Daniel J. , McCarley Jason S. , Kramer Arthur F.
Published: October 2012

An increasing number of commercial training products claim to improve older driver performance by training underlying cognitive abilities. However, research examining transfer of such training to driving performance is limited. The current study examined whether 16 hours of training on a commercial training package improved older adults’ performance in a high-fidelity driving simulator. Data showed no differential improvements between the training group and a control group on any driving performance measure following training. The commercial training program did not improve the simulated driving performance of older adults.
Older Adults’ Preferences for and Acceptance of Robot Assistance for Everyday Living Tasks
Authors: Smarr Cory-Ann , Prakash Akanksha , Beer Jenay M. , Mitzner Tracy L. , Kemp Charles C. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: October 2012

Many older adults value their independence and prefer to age in place. Robots can be designed to assist older people with performing everyday living tasks and maintaining their independence at home. Yet, there is a scarcity of knowledge regarding older adults’ attitudes toward robots and their preferences for robot assistance. Twenty-one older adults ( M = 80.25 years old, SD = 7.19) completed questionnaires and participated in structured group interviews investigating their openness to and preferences for assistance from a mobile manipulator robot. Although the older adults were generally open to robot assistance for performing home-based tasks, they were selective in their views. Older adults preferred robot assistance over human assistance for many instrumental (e.g., housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders) and enhanced activities of daily living (e.g., new learning, hobbies). However, older adults were less open to robot assistance for some activities of daily living (e.g., shaving, hair care). Results from this study provide insight into older adults’ attitudes toward robot assistance with home-based everyday living tasks.
Validation of Inhibition Tasks for a Comprehensive Assessment of Visual Attention Across Age Groups
Authors: Conley Davis , Tuttle Stephanie , Cassavaugh Nicholas D. , Backs Richard W.
Published: October 2012

The primary goal of this study was to assess the utility of adding the Conners’ Continuous Performance Task (CPT) to a comprehensive assessment of visual attention, in order to provide it with a better measure of response inhibition. Two Maximum Likelihood Factor Analyses (MLFA) were performed and compared (one containing the Conners’ CPT and one without), in order to assess any differences within the resulting factor solutions. The two factor solutions were almost identical, with the exception of an additional factor of response inhibition existing within the MLFA containing the Conners’ CPT. This revealed that the Conners’ CPT did add a meaningful factor of response inhibition to the existing attention battery. In addition, age group differences were assessed by one-way ANOVAs of the individual factor scores from the Conners MLFA.
Measuring workload during a dynamic supervisory control task using cerebral blood flow velocity and the NASA-TLX
Authors: Satterfield Kelly , Ramirez Raul , Shaw Tyler , Parasuraman Raja
Published: October 2012

While automated systems have been shown to improve safety and efficiency in operational environments, automation failures can lead to abrupt shifts in workload. Subjective workload scales have been shown to be sensitive to differences in workload, but they are limited in their ability to assess dynamic, moment-to-moment workload variations. Physiological measures may be better suited to assess dynamic workload in complex environments. This study explored the feasibility of a relatively new physiological measure, Transcranial Doppler Sonography (TCD), as a candidate for adaptive automation studies. Participants performed long duration, supervisory control tasks under varying levels of taskload. In one group, enemy threats increased once late in the simulation, and in another group enemy threats increased at two points; once early and once late within the simulation. All participants completed a comparison condition in which there was no variation in the number of incoming enemy threats. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), as measured by TCD, was measured during task performance. Performance was assessed by the ability of the operator to protect a no-fly zone from enemy incursion. Subjective mental workload was assessed using the NASA-TLX. As performance decreased during periods of high load, CBFV increased, and there was a close parallel between the CBFV and performance measures. The NASA-TLX was sensitive in detecting differences in workload between the two conditions, but the patterns of results of this subjective measure were insensitive to specific task elements. The results are interpreted in terms of a resource theory of task performance and show that the CBFV measure is sensitive to dynamic changes in taskload in complex environments.
The Interpenetration of Mind and Machine
Authors: Boyce Michael W. , Hancock P.A
Published: October 2012

We here provide our assessment of the growing intimacy which is the relationships between humans and technology. With the development of each more innovative and intimate system, the line between human and machine is becoming increasingly blurred. The concept of human qua human and machine qua machine are no longer situated at polar extremes of a human versus automation spectrum. Rather, human and machine represent a converging dyad that is evolving toward a hybrid commonalty. Within this overarching context, we discuss the concept of intimacy using four basic dimensions: i) the internal perspective, ii) the external extension, iii) interpersonal interaction, and finally, iv) the societal reflection. Through the use of three case study personae (a disabled individual, a military operative, and a student), these dimensions are shown to be flexible to the characterization of various classes of users and can thus be used to frame the multilevel and emerging impacts of emergent physical and cognitive intimacy.
Modeling the Complex Dynamics of Teamwork from Team Cognition to Neurophysiology
Authors: Cooke Nancy J. , Amazeen Polemnia G. , Gorman Jamie C. , Guastello Stephen J. , Likens Aaron , Stevens Ron
Published: October 2012

Teamwork is a complex dynamic process that emerges from team member interaction. The dynamics provide a characterization of the team over time. The stability, flexibility, and resilience of team dynamics over various windows of time can change with experience, training, environmental perturbations, and technological intervention. Once patterns of team dynamics have been established for a particular team, anomalous dynamics can signify impending teamwork problems. Dynamical systems modeling has been applied to many physical and natural systems and has only recently been applied to teamwork. The panel that we have assembled has applied dynamical modeling to this problem from different perspectives and at different scales. Each panelist will overview his or her approach to this problem. We will then discuss pros and cons of each approach and possibilities for using them in a complementary fashion.
Temporal Factors of EEG and Artificial Neural Network Classifiers of Mental Workload
Authors: Penaranda B. N. , Baldwin Carryl L.
Published: October 2012

The use of machine learning algorithms to classify Mental Workload (MW) from various neurophysiological measures is a growing trend in Human Factors research. Several teams have demonstrated that artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be employed to differentiate highly-dimensional neurophysiological data from participants performing tasks at different levels of cognitive demand in many experimental paradigms. Yet, in other cases, classifier performance was found not to exceed chance levels. One inescapable aspect of neurophysiological measures is the time course associated with data collection. This study directly examined the effect of time on classifier performance. Relative classifier performance values were compared for ANNs trained with EEG data from participants performing a verbal/spatial n-back task at varying load levels. For the vast majority of participants, classifiers trained with data from one session were ineffective when tested with data from a subsequent session. Similarly, classification performance suffered when training and testing tasks were incongruent. In contrast to the very high aggregate performance when trained and tested with data from the same session and same task (M = .81), cross-classification performance was consistently much worse (M = .49 – .53). The relative magnitude of the cross-session and cross-task “costs” to classification were compared, revealing a greater effect for session than task. The authors argue that the mere passage of time causes tonic changes in MW-related features of EEG that severely confound ANNs.
Efficacy of Measuring Engagement during Computer-Based Training with Low-Cost Electroencephalogram (EEG) Sensor Outputs
Authors: Goldberg Benjamin , Brawner Keith W. , Holden Heather K.
Published: October 2012

The potential of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) to influence learning may be greatly enhanced by the system’s ability to accurately assess a student’s cognitive state in real-time. For this to happen, interactions with, and reactions to, training content must be collected and assessed; data is then used to inform instructional adaptation within the system. Validated sensors are available for this purpose and have been shown to correlate with cognitive and affective states linked to learning. However, sensors used to inform student models are often expensive and impractical for wide-range use. In this paper the authors present a study evaluating the efficacy of using Emotiv’s Electroencephalogram (EEG) Affectiv Suite outputs to inform an ITS student model. In this experiment, seventy-three participants interacted with the Cultural Meeting Trainer (CMT), a web-based cultural negotiation trainer, while Emotiv’s engagement, short-term excitement, and long-term excitement metrics were indexed and logged. Our analysis assesses the quality of Emotiv metrics across one well-defined and two ill-defined scenarios. Results show consistent outputs across tasks and support further examination into the Emotiv’s ability to accurately track cognitive state in a learning environment.
Diagnostic Monitoring Of Vigilance Decrement Using EEG Workload Indices
Authors: Kamzanova Altyngul , Kustubayeva Almira , Matthews Gerald
Published: October 2012

The resource model of vigilance (Warm, Parasuraman, & Matthews, 2008) suggests that EEG-based indices of workload might be used to monitor the operator’s fitness to sustain signal detection. 92 participants performed a 40 minute vigilance task believed to be sensitive to resource availability. Half performed in a cued condition, half without cues. Findings confirmed that cueing reduces workload and enhances vigilance. EEG was recorded throughout performance. Of the various EEG indices analyzed, lower frequency alpha and the Task Load Index (TLI) corresponded most closely to changes in signal detection rates. Other indices, the Engagement Index (EI) and frontal theta, did not show systematic decrement but discriminated cued and uncued conditions towards the end of the task. Implications of the findings for using EEG to drive adaptive automation are discussed.
Charting Neurodynamic Eddies in the Temporal Flows of Teamwork
Authors: Stevens Ronald
Published: October 2012

Teams at the ‘sweet spot’ of organization demonstrate both stability and flexibility having the organization to cooperatively accomplish the task while being able to rapidly respond to evolving demands. The goal of this study was to characterize these reorganizations at the neurophysiologic level. The neurophysiologic measures highlighted were electroencephalography (EEG)-derived levels of engagement or workload that were modeled into collective team variables called Neurophysiologic Synchronies (NS) showing the engagement or workload levels of each team member as well as the team as a whole. An entropy model of the NS data streams revealed a dynamic information structure characterized by fluctuations or eddies in the neurodynamic flow of the team. These eddies were often seen when a team encountered an obstruction to its normal operation. Fewer, or less persistent or lower amplitude eddies were correlated with higher team performance suggesting that the entropy levels of NS data streams may identify when a team is operating inside or out of its sweet spot of organization.
Estimating the Monetizable Safety Benefits of Prototype Air Traffic Control Technologies
Authors: Alexander Amy L. , Reynolds Tom G.
Published: October 2012

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) utilizes a formal investment analysis process to support the development, procurement and deployment of new air traffic control technologies. It is often unclear how to estimate the impacts of a new technology on aviation safety, both in terms of the probability that incidents and accidents could be prevented and in terms of the potential financial savings associated with reduced aircraft damage and personal injuries. With this in mind, the focus of this paper is twofold: (1) demonstrating the application of a method for generating probabilistic estimates of safety benefits for a future air traffic control technology, and (2) monetizing and extrapolating safety impacts from historical data to provide a quantitative estimate of savings over the lifetime of a new technology. The technologies explored in this analysis involve electronic flight data, enhanced surveillance and decision support tools for the air traffic control tower environment. From this initial analysis, the estimated total monetizable safety benefit of deploying all of these capabilities in a new system with an expected 2015-2035 lifetime across a set of major airports in the US ranges from $155 million to $2.1 billion. Implications of key data assumptions driving the lower and upper-bound estimates are discussed.