bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computerized Tools for Human Simulation and Ergonomic Evaluation of car Interiors
Authors: Hanson Lars 
Published: January 2012

Cars are a media fulfilling vital part of the society's need of transports as well as representing an icon of the technical development by underlining critical aspects of man and machine interface. However, various studies show that drivers experience pain and fatigue and also get disorders due to frequent or longterm driving at poor body postures. Through integration of ergonomics into the early design phase these issues can be minimized. Comfort and safety are of special importance when designing car interiors. Comfort is complex. Interior parameters such as; aesthetics, cabin space, ease of reaching controls, luminance, noise, odor, seat design, styling, climate and vibration affect the driving experience. Perceived comfort is to some extent possible to replicate by computer simulation of the human being, which at the same time could illuminate ergonomics by means of various ergonomic evaluation methods in some case integrated in these tools. This paper is a survey of such three tools, ANNIE-Ergoman, JACK and RAMSIS, used for human simulation and ergonomic evaluation. By these tools it is possible to evaluate clearance, comfort, field of vision and reach. The tools are compared and the comparison shows that all three tools have great potential in evaluating car interiors ergonomically in the early design phase. But the comparison also highlights differences between these tools and areas where one tool is superior the other. The paper points on areas as: manikins' skin representation and manikin's movements require further improvements. The paper also underlines the importance having tool-users with insight in the ergonomic evaluation methods. Furthermore, enhancement of the ergonomic evaluation methods and the integration between simulation and ergonomic evaluation methods are also needed.
Ergonomics in Italy
Authors: Grieco Antonio , rè Alessandra 
Published: January 2012

Ergonomics developed in Italy in the seventies in a milieu characterized by severe social tensions as well as by a huge applicative demand raising the problem of large industrial plant transformation and redesigning. Since then many changes have occurred: a change in demand, a generational change, a change in training, the increasing number of company's ergonomic services. The traditional sector of workplace analysis and redesigning was supplemented by other activities in product ergonomics. Within the process of Italian and European certification, these changes led the Italian Ergonomics Society to work out a professional profile of the ergonomist, which is now included in a Law Bill.
Ergonomics in Germany
Authors: Landau Kurt 
Published: January 2012

In Germany there is a wide gap between the narrow, scientifically, technically and physiologically based definition of ergonomics and the much more comprehensive definition of “Arbeitswissenschaft” (work sciences) containing elements of industrial engineering, industrial sociology, personnel management and other application-related disciplines. This paper reviews the trends in ergonomics research and teaching over the last 100 years and describes this bifurcated development. The Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft (GfA, German Ergonomics Society) supports the broad definition of ergonomics. The structure and size of the GfA is explained. Memoranda prepared by the GfA and the German Research Association on the current situation in ergonomics are discussed. The incorporation of ergonomics in various branches of study is discussed and opinions are expressed on study qualifications containing elements of ergonomics and their opportunities on the labor market.
Usability and Emotional Responses at 3 Stages of User-Product Interaction
Authors: Trathen Stephen D. 
Published: January 2012

This paper examines the interaction between users' responses to issues of usability and aesthetics, in relation to a variety of domestic electrical appliances. Emotional and usability attributes will be developed for the selected products, through focus group discussions. Then 180 subjects will be tested using the various models within two product types at 3 stages of user-product interaction: Stage A: Evaluation of models within product types based on 2D images. Stage B: Evaluation of subsets of models within product types based on physical inspection and handling. Stage C: Evaluation of same sets of models within product types based on actual use.
Improving Life Quality of the Elderly — Development of Functional Clothing, Anthropometric Investigation
Authors: Nowak E. , Kalka E. 
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to provide anthropometric characteristics of elderly women and to prepare data which will be used to develop tables of clothing dimensions for this group of women, with regard to the specific features of their body shape and body proportions. Measurements of elderly women were taken at Social Welfare Centres, Society for Geriatric Assistance and University of Third Age. Up to the present they have embraced 142 women aged 60 to 81. It has been proved that elderly women are characterized by a specific body construction. In comparison with younger women they are shorter, heavier and have significantly bigger trunk circumferences (circumferences of chest, waist and hips). For this reason majority of elderly women would not find for themselves appropriate clothes from among those made according to standard dimensions.
Effects of Information on Risk Perception regarding the Use of Booster Seats
Authors: Stevens Suzanne L. , Dingus Thomas A. 
Published: January 2012

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death and injury for children of all ages in the U.S., despite improved crashworthiness of vehicles and more effective restraint systems. Children who are too large for child safety seats (a child restraint system for children birth to 4 years old) are often restrained improperly or not at all. For effective protection, these children should be restrained in a booster seat (child safety seat for children 4–8 years of age) used with vehicle lap/shoulder belts. For this reason, the use and correct use of occupant protection for 4–8 year old children needs attention. A field study with 64 participants was conducted using pre- and post-intervention questionnaires to test the hypotheses that informational pamphlets will induce an increase in risk perception regarding the use of booster seats. Analyses indicated that an informational pamphlet intervention increased risk perception.
Peripheral Arterial Tone as an On-Line Measure of Flight Load
Authors: Iani Cristina , Gopher Daniel , Grunwald Arthur J. , Lavie Peretz 
Published: January 2012

We investigated variations in continuous and discrete flight demands in a simulated flight mission employing a novel physiological measure of invested effort, Peripheral Arterial Tone (PAT). Twelve male subjects performed a computer-simulated agricultural flight task. They were required to fly over a specific lane of a field (continuous task) and change lanes in response to flags, which were presented at varying intervals (discrete task). The difficulty of the flight task was manipulated by changing the plane control (single-vs. dual-axis control), while the difficulty associated with the discrete events was manipulated by varying the amount of lateral change signalled by the flag (no change vs. 1.5 or 3 lanes of change). PAT amplitude values were lower in the difficult level of the continuous task and was further attenuated following the appearance of the flag when a change in the flight position was required.
An Experimental Evaluation of Using Automotive HUDs to Reduce Driver Distraction While Answering Cell Phones
Authors: Nowakowski Christopher , Friedman Dana , Green Paul 
Published: January 2012

To examine strategies for reducing driver distraction while answering the phone, 24 participants answered calls while driving a simulator. Calls were answered using a center-console-mounted phone or one of several phone designs which utilized a HUD to display the caller ID and steering-wheel-mounted buttons to activate the phone. Driving workload was manipulated by varying the curve radius and by varying the timing of the call, either 1 second before or 5 seconds after the start of a curve. The HUD-based phones resulted in response times that were 39 percent faster than the conventional center-console phone, and they resulted in up to 62 percent fewer line crossings. Additionally, when using the center-console phone, road curvature had a large influence on response times and driving performance; however, the HUD-based phone were less sensitive to increased road curvature or driving workload.
Alertness Maintaining Tasks While Driving
Authors: Oron-Gilad Tal , Ronen Adi , Cassuto Yair , Shinar David 
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different alertness maintaining tasks on driver performance. Twelve professional truck drivers participated in five sessions of simulated driving. The first session consisted of driving without any alertness-maintaining tasks. In the following three sessions, three different alertness maintaining tasks were given during the drive. The fifth session consisted of driving while listening to music. The analysis of the driving performance measures shows that overall alertness-maintaining tasks may have a positive effect on driving, by slowing performance deterioration and maintaining a higher level of alertness (measured by standardized HRV). Yet, not all tasks were equally demanding. Of the three tasks evaluated, the choice reaction time task was the least demanding and failed to prevent performance deterioration. A working memory task caused a decrement in longitudinal speed, perhaps indicating that it was too demanding for most drivers to perform while driving, and was subjectively evaluated by the drivers as the most detrimental task to the driving. A trivia game task did not show any advantage in preventing performance deterioration, but was preferred by 50% of the drivers over the other two tasks.
Quantification of Adverb Intensifiers for Use in Ratings of Acceptability, Adequacy, and Relative Goodness
Authors: Krsacok Stephen J. , Moroney William F. 
Published: January 2012

Survey designers often assume the existence of an underlying linear continuum with equal intervals between anchors when they create a scale. However, this is not necessarily the case when labels, such as “somewhat acceptable,” “completely acceptable”, etc. are assigned to these intervals. This study examines numeric ratings assigned by college students to adverb intensifiers. Numeric ratings (from −5 to + 5) were collected from college males (n=54), college females (n=54) for positive and negative adverb-intensifiers of acceptability (n=50), adequacy (n=50), and relative goodness (n=41). Minimal differences were noted in mean ratings, variability, and order of the ratings assigned by males and females. Three different scale development strategies were utilized to develop 54 adverb intensifier scales with intervals of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 descriptors for acceptability, adequacy, and relative goodness. Survey designers are invited to use these scales or the raw data to develop their own scales. Those who do so will have the advantage of using data based on a current college population.
Operations Automation: A Concept and Design Methodology for Human-Centered Automation
Authors: Mitchell Christine M. 
Published: January 2012

Operations automation is a concept and design methodology for human-centered automation. Operations automation is automation that carries out, in whole or part, activities currently performed by operations personnel. Humans, however, remain essential components of the system, but perform a significantly different role. When autonomous systems reach their inevitable limits, operations personnel troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair the automation. This paper describes research exploring requirements for effective operations automation. First, it describes two field studies of conventional automation. Second, it proposes operations automation as an extension of the operator function model (OFM) and its computational implementation, OFMspert. The OFM is a normative behavioral model; OFMspert predicts and interprets operation actions. As such, the OFM and OFMspert offer potential computational architectures with which to implement operations automation. Finally, the paper describes an empirical study comparing conventional and operations automation. Results suggest operations automation dramatically enhances the ability of operations personnel to identify and diagnose failures.
Through the Lens: A New Approach to Decision Modeling under Free Flight
Authors: Jha Pratik D , Bisantz Ann M , Parasuraman Raja 
Published: January 2012

Air traffic management (ATM) concepts of the future are committed towards significantly enhancing the capacity and making flying even safer. Since, these new ATM concepts will change the roles and responsibilities of pilots and the air traffic controllers, it is important that their impact on safety be evaluated. Many proposed schemes includes shifting the separation assurance function (maintaining safe distances between aircraft) to the cockpit from ground based air traffic control, and to assign a supervisory role to the air traffic controller, who would make decisions in exceptional cases. Some initial research in this direction has shown that controllers cannot intervene effectively without decision support tools like “conflict probes”. Furthermore controllers and pilots have different strategies for resolving conflicts about separation and airspace. Accordingly, there is a need to better understand and classify the decision-making behavior of different agents in the future proposed ATM system. This paper presents a theoretical discussion outlining the application of the Lens Model of Brunswik to provide insight into some of the research questions posed in conflict detection and resolution by future ATM concepts. We illustrate the approach through an example case study.
Accessibility of Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems for Blind and Visually Impadred People
Authors: Uslan Mark , Burton Darren , Eghtesadi Khosrow 
Published: January 2012

In the U.S., there are about 17 million people with diabetes. Blindness and visual impairment is prevalent among people with diabetes. Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems (BGMS's) have revolutionized diabetes self care, but none of the 30 or so commercially available monitoring systems was designed to be fully accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. Seventeen (17) BGMS's were evaluated for accessible use by people who are blind or visually impaired. Features and functionalities — e.g., operating procedures, user interface design, device specifications, and computer interface capabilities — were examined and tabulated as was usability and accessibility. Additionally, twelve (12) people who are blind or visually impaired and who were issued BGMS's by their physician or diabetes educator were interviewed and videotaped using their meters. Of seventeen (17) BGMS's, only four (4) had voice output capability, an essential component of accessibility for blind and visually impaired persons. The six (6) BGMS's without voice output that had the largest display fonts were found to have few accessibility features for visually impaired persons. Users indicated that voice-output and portability were desired attributes of an accessible Blood Glucose Monitoring System. None of the BGMS's evaluated had all the required accessibility attributes, including the four systems that had voice output capability. The four systems with voice-output were much bulkier, heavier, and expensive than those that did not have this capability. Recommendations were made for development of BGMS's that would increase effective usage by blind and visually impaired persons, including integrating Text to Speech (TTS), streamlining the blood glucose monitoring process, and applying a “Universal Design” concept for future development so that BGMS's are usable by the widest possible array of users.
Muscular Activity during Masonry Work at Various Heights
Authors: Anton Dan , Rosecrance John , Cook Thomas 
Published: January 2012

Masons frequently work with their shoulders elevated and often complain of upper extremity pain. Little is known about the muscular effects of masonry work. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscular activity while masons laid concrete block at various heights. Sixteen experienced male masons constructed a 2.4 m wide and 1.4 m high wall using concrete block. Surface electromyography (EMG) was sampled from the extensor and flexor forearm, and the upper and low back via telemetry. EMG amplitude was determined for the first, third, and seventh courses of block. Analyses of variance were used to test for significance. There were no significant differences in the courses for the forearm extensors, forearm flexors, and right low back EMG. Significant differences were found for the bilateral upper trapezius and left lower back, with higher amplitudes at course 7. In this study, masons were exposed to more load in the upper back while laying block at higher courses.
Critical Issues in Driving Simulation Methods and Measures
Authors: Caird Jeff , Rizzo Matthew , Hancock Peter 
Published: January 2012

This panel focuses on key issues that confront investigators who use driving simulators and must (a) design experiments, (b) interpret data and (c) write reports in human factors and medical research-related applications of these simulators. Presentations from an experienced panel of researchers from the U.S. and Canada aim to raise awareness of the audience (and panel members) and discuss solutions to a number of thorny research issues confronting driving simulator users. This effort draws upon but is distinct from previous work that has customarily emphasized engineering concerns facing simulator developers. The panel began with a “Collaboratory” at University of Iowa in March 2001. Discussions continued at the Driving Assessment conferences in Snowmass (2001) and in Park City (2003), the latter under the aegis of the Simulation Users Group (SUG). The SUG met again at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, D.C. in January (2004) to address an array of topics including physical fidelity, simulation adaptation syndrome, standards for reporting methods, and variable selection. The session room was filled to capacity and the topics were deeper than could be addressed in the available time. Clearly, the discussions needed to continue beyond the TRB. The current HFES panel session addresses a limited set of topics in depth and allow the audience to explore the issues at length during the open discussion period. The abstracts of each panelist address topics that are not much discussed in the literature. These topics include: simulator discomfort related drop-out rates, participant characteristics, measurement precision and missing data, and the need for simulation standards, e.g., for reporting methodology and as a prelude to clinical trials, e.g., to test efficacy of “treatments” such as in-vehicle driver alerting devices for at-risk drivers.
In-Situ Ergonomics: A Proposal of Product Operation Information Gathering Method for Ubiquitous Computing Environment
Authors: Shinya Atsushi , Koh Hirofumi , Kumata Toshiaki , Matsunobe Takuo , Yamaoka Toshiki , Shimosako Kazuo , Nakamura Kazuki , Takeda Harumi 
Published: January 2012

In a ubiquitous computing environment, the operation information on a product is collectable to a homeserver. Operation information in this paper means that the button on an operation panel are pushed and the door of a refrigerator are opened. This data is very extensive and is a motion level. Authors consider analysing this information by datamining method. That is, it is extracting the information about usability out of operation information by datamining. The authors propose this called In-Situ Ergonomics: gathering data from products in the actual situation, analysing data with datamining method and extract information for ergonomics research. In order to realize In-Situ Ergonomics, the following serves as a subject. - The collection method of the user operation information from each product - The accumulation method of a lot of data - The semantic analysis of operation information - datamining method - The cooperation method with the existing usability analysis method
Development and Validation of a Symmetry Metric for Interface Aesthetics
Authors: Bauerly Michael P. , Liu Yili 
Published: January 2012

This article describes the experimental investigation of the effects of symmetry on judgments of interface aesthetics. Thirty compositions were developed in order to validate symmetry quantification algorithms with subjective aesthetic ratings. The same compositions were used in two experiments, one using basic black-and-white images, and the other using web pages. The images were rated by 16 subjects in each experiment using the ratio-scale magnitude estimation method against a benchmark image. Subjects also established an ordered list of the images according to their aesthetic appeal using the balanced incomplete block (BIB) ranking method. The results show that subjects are adept at rating symmetry about both horizontal and vertical axes and their ratings closely match the quantification algorithm. Additionally, the relation between the dominant symmetry value and aesthetic appeal shows that subjects preferred symmetric images over non-symmetric images for the black-and-white imagery. The development and validation of the symmetry metric is an important step towards developing quantitative evaluation metrics for interface aesthetics evaluation and design.
Promoting Patient Safety within Implantable Medical Devices: Patient Alert™
Authors: Vitense Holly 
Published: January 2012

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) systems have been shown to provide lifesaving therapy for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia. In order to assure an ICD system is operating properly, some models of ICDs perform periodic system checks. The Patient Alert™ feature, in Medtronic® ICDs, monitors and alerts patients, via audible tones, to system integrity issues that have the potential to comprise patient safety. The objective of this research was to evaluate: how often patients are being alerted to ICD system issues, and how effective the alerts are at bringing patients into medical clinics for treatment and thus promoting patient safety. An analysis of 14,092 ICDs revealed that the probability of first alert occurrence increased with time since implant, but overall occurrence rates remained low (< 7% per patient year). The average median time from the alert sounding until the patient received medical attention was 4.3 days. Overall, for a life-threatening condition such as ICD therapy delivery being turned off, the majority (76%) of patients with this alert were brought into a clinic within one week to have therapy delivery turned back on. To reach the remaining patients, as well as bring all patients in quicker to seek medial treatment, additional communication modalities are being planned for the next generation of ICD systems.