bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Before I Forget: How Clinicians Cope with Uncertainty Through ICU Sign-Outs
Authors: Nemeth Christopher P. , Kowalsky Julie , Brandwijk Marian , Kahana Madelyn , Klock P. Allan , Cook Richard I. 
Published: January 2012

Transitions between shifts in the intensive care unit (ICU) create potential gaps in the continuity of care, and practitioners necessarily rely on distributed cognition to prevent the formation of gaps during work-cycle shift changes. The complexity and uncertainty of each ICU patient's condition require efficient communication between practitioners during transfers between departments or when cycling work through shifts. This study observed twelve unit-level exchanges among six clinicians handing off a 33-bed PICU and step-down unit, then examined them using conversation analysis. Our research shows that pediatric ICU fellow sign-outs demonstrate high context sensitivity, compact reference, gestures, and stylized expressions. We find that sign outs account for both what is known and what is not known about a patient's condition, and to assess expectations for the oncoming shift. Uncertainty about patient condition influences handoff content and form. Clinicians change the amount time that they allocate to handoffs based on other aspects of work load, such as rounds or procedures. Clinicians apportion time to discuss individual patients according to the perceived severity and stability of each patient's condition. Expertise in hand-off communications depends on the ability to prioritize relevant information and to transfer insights effectively. Relevant, efficient hand-offs significantly affect the ability of clinicians to provide care at the unit level, within and between departments, and across specialties such as intensivists, nurse anesthetists, and anesthesia technicians. Even though they affect patient care quality and continuity, sign outs are not taught but are instead learned on the job. Formal study of, and training in, the conduct of sign outs may benefit both care providers and patients alike.
Human Factors in Grain Harvesting Equipment Design
Authors: Adams S. Keith , Boyd Morton M. , Buchele Wesley F. 
Published: January 2012

Agriculture is the third most hazardous industry in the United States, following mining and construction. Many agricultural hazards are related to the nature of agricultural machines and the conditions under which they are operated. Other hazards are the results of limitations of the human operator in relation to operational demands. Less than 5 percent of all U.S. workers were engaged in agriculture in 1974, but these accounted for 18.7 percent of all work related injuries. Farm machinery was involved in the greatest number of these accidents. Human factors engineering can be applied to agricultural safety through the analysis of man/machine/environment/task relationships. Defining topics for specific studies can be aided by analysis of agricultural accident surveys conducted by state and federal agencies. Some important differences exist between industrial and agricultural operations. These necessitate research techniques for agriculture differing from those used in industrial ergonomics. Isolation, self-reliance, self-management, and variability in conditions, operations and work schedules prevail in agriculture. A more thorough understanding of man-machine relationships is needed in studying the dynamics of field operations, especially when several pieces of equipment are being controlled by one operator. Routine service and maintenance operations are often hazardous in the way they are typically performed. A number of research frontiers exist in developing ways to study man-machine relationships under these conditions. In this paper, particular reference is made to the grain harvesting combine, a machine which in 1.4 million man-hours of exposure in 1974 produced an accident frequency rate of 112 per million hours. While the total percentage of agricultural worker time on combines was only 1.2, 6.4 percent of all farm machine accidents occurred while using them. Problems in using the combine are partially the result of its size, complexity, limited maneuverability, and the extended working hours over which it is often used. Field maintenance is frequently required and presents a variety of serious hazards. This paper includes discussion of ergonomic problems involved in the operation and maintenance of the combine. Concepts, proven useful in other operator center high-demand situations, appear to be useful in improving safety in this basic and important mechanized agricultural operation. Recent surveys and research suggest the development of improved analytic techniques as well as new applications of basic ergonomics in improving basic operator tasks. Some new developments and current problems in these areas are also presented.
Effects of Alcohol Ingestion and Workload on Quality and Productivity for a Paced and Unpaced Assembly Task
Authors: Tergou Djamel E. , Price Dennis L. 
Published: January 2012

Eight subjects participated in an assembly task in which they assembled a simulated circuit board. The task required exact placement of three similarly coded resistors, which were chosen from a set of five resistors (two of which were included as distractors), followed by adjusting a voltmeter to a specified value. Participants performed the assembly task under various blood alcohol concentrations (Placebo, 0.05%, 0.07%, and 0.0 9%) to assess the effects of alcohol and workload on quality (i.e. accuracy) and productivity (i.e. speed). Three levels of paced task conditions (maximum speed for paced work, 75% and 50% of that maximum speed) and two levels of unpaced task conditions (speed and accuracy) were used for the assembly task conditions. In this study, six measures of performance were assessed: number of correctly completed units, number of orientation errors (i.e. one of the two pins of the resistor was misplaced and the other was in the correct hole), number of position errors (i.e. both pins missed the correct holes), meter adjustment errors, number improperly selected resistors, and number of incomplete boards (inaccurate boards). A significant alcohol effect ( p < 0.0001) was evident for all the dependent variables in the two pacing paradigms. Effects on the number of completed units and the number of inaccurate boards were significant ( p < 0.0001) for the paced task main effect. Under the unpaced condition, significance effects were obtained for the number of completed units ( p < 0.0001), the number of position errors ( p < 0.0001), the number of orientation errors ( p < 0.002), the number of adjustment errors ( p < 0.0001), the number of resistor errors ( p < 0.0001), and the number of inaccurate units ( p < 0.0001) for the task condition. Interactions of alcohol by paced task condition were significant for the number of inaccurate units ( p < 0.00161) and the number of completed units ( p < 0.0001). Unpaced condition revealed interaction effects for the number of completed units ( p < 0.0001), the number of position errors ( p < 0.0001), the number of resistor errors. The plots of these interactions did not reveal any obvious patterns. A generalized alcohol dosage formula was developed using existing data from previous research.
Effects of Patterning on Flicker Frequency
Authors: Grimes Jack D. 
Published: January 2012

Flicker was studied as perceived on a raster-scan CRT-based computer terminal in a typical use environment. The subject of the research was the relationship between the perception of flicker and the kind of spatial image presented. Both traditional images (filled white disks or squares) and images consisting of text and line drawings, similar in content to typical graphic computer terminal displays, were used in the study. This study measured the flicker perception of eight people. The most significant finding from this study was that CFF thresholds for some images presented on CRT displays in a typical use setting, differed significantly from more traditional images used in most CFF studies reported in the literature. For the eight images tested, the two which exhibited significantly higher CFF thresholds were lines or text on a black background (patterns 3 and 4). Therefore, an important factor to be considered in the prediction of the flicker characteristics of a 60 Hertz, noninterlaced CRT display in conditions similar to those of this study is the choice of normal video (black background) or reverse video format. The white background video format is likely to flicker when the display luminance is above 20 ft-L while the black background video format threshold was about 80 ft-L for both patterns 3 and 4. Alternatively, this luminance difference corresponds to about a 10 Hertz shift in CFF. In this study, the choice of video format alone, resulted in a luminance difference of 60 ft-L at CFF, or alternatively, resulted in a 10 Hertz shift in CFF at a particular luminance, for images normally found on actual CRT displays.
Individual Difference Effects in Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Ambardar Anita Kak 
Published: January 2012

One of the most common assumptions in design of Human-Computer interfaces is that there is an advantage to matching the psychological (cognitive) characteristics of the user to the interface features of the computer. However, except in the area of training and experience there have been few clear demonstrations that underlying cognitive characteristics of the user significantly interact with interface features. This paper will describe an experiment in which the effects of individual differences in user's information (cognitive) style (specifically field independence/dependence and breadth of categorization) upon interaction with a complex computer program were examined. The program was a realistically difficult personal finance management system which required database searching and problem solving activities. The program was rich enough to allow alternative interaction methods. The experiment comprised three parts. In the first phase, subjects learned how to use the computer system. In the second phase the subjects entered information into a personal finance database and in the third phase the subjects used their personal database to locate and correct discrepancies between a simulated bank statement and financial records. Prior to these experimental tasks subjects information-cognitive styles were evaluated using standardized tests of field independence/field dependence and breadth of categorization. The results indicate that users with different underlying information styles, at similar levels of learning, have different preferred methods of interacting with the computer, and, that different database search methods are preferred by users of different cognitive styles. For example, field independent subjects preferred key-word multidimensional, non sequential database search methods while field dependent subjects used a method in which the database was searched in a linear, sequential mode. This research is sponsored by US Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
A Computerized, Procedural Aid for Flight Crews
Authors: Hammer John M. 
Published: January 2012

A computer program has been written which contains a model of the procedures used in normal operation of a twin engine aircraft. This model, from examining the current and recent aircraft state, can determine when a procedure (or checklist) should be or is invoked and when each step (detectable by a change in the aircraft state) is completed. Thus. the program tracks the flight crew through changes in the aircraft state. The computer program is intended to aid the flight crew by detecting errors. Omitting procedure steps (or entire procedures), changing the aircraft configuration improperly, and executing procedure steps out of order are all errors the program is able to detect. The program will be evaluated on data from a previous experiment on a Link GAT-II simulator. One data set was used to test the program. The program was run unmodified on the second. The errors it found are compared with manual analysis that has been reported by Rouse and Rouse [1983].
Remote Control Vehicle Guidance Using Stereoscopic Displays
Authors: Robinson M. 
Published: January 2012

A remote handling vehicle is presently in service with the Metropolitan Police Bomb Squad in London, England. Its prime role is in approaching and neutralising suspect explosive devices, including vehicles, whilst being operated from a safe distance, aided by a closed circuit television system. As a result of using this equipment certain serious limitations have become apparent. When operating the vehicle in an unfamiliar environment (which is usually the case), the precise position of the robot in relation to its surroundings is very often difficult to determine. Also, on arriving at the target area the operator may still face problems in effectively bringing into operation the various attachments and weapons carried on board. This is because only a standard two-dimensional television image with its restricted amount of visual information is presented to the operator. These factors have led to a situation where there is now a reluctance on the part of Bomb Squad personnel to use this vehicle in the role for which it was intended. In September, 1982, after discussion with all interested parties, it was proposed that a three-dimensional television system should be designed which could be mounted on the remote handling vehicle. The type chosen was the time-division technique which takes advantage of the interlace facility in the standard television display and employs electro-optic lenses in the viewing spectacles. The camera unit has controlled focus, zoom and convergence, but a fixed camera separation. It has been designed to make it relatively easy for the operator to adjust the parameters of the stereo-camera as the working visual range of the robot changes. The vehicle can be controlled up to a maximum of 800m from the operator and recording and play-back of the images on a standard video recorder is possible. This requirement was one of the main reasons for adopting the time-division technique. Although the robot is not yet in service, the results of introducing the potential operators to this new kind of display have been most encouraging. It is anticipated that further information relating to this aspect of the work will be available in the near future.
Three-Dimensional Anthropometry-Shaping the Future
Authors: Robinette Kathleen M. , Armstrong Harry G. 
Published: January 2012

New hardware technological developments have broadened the scope of anthropometric research by allowing easier, more precise and more comprehensive collection of quantitative information in three–dimensional (3D) form. This information will provide better design and evaluation information for protective equipment and clothing, better modelling information for workspace design, and more accurate information for the biomechanical evaluation of designs. In addition, the ability to identify the surface more precisely allows for the investigation of relationships, in numerical form, between surface and subsurface anatomy on living people. This could have clinical as well as research application. The goal of this session is to provide a forum for exchange of information on the new developments, research and application in the area of 3D anthropometry. One paper presented here discusses devices available for 3D data collection, and their pros and cons for various applications. Also discussed is the new statistical and graphical technology needed for understanding and use of the huge collections of information which result with 3D data collection, as well as methods used in 3D modelling and examples of current 3D research efforts.
Professional Certification in Human Factors: Progress and Pitfalls
Authors: Hendrick Hal. W. 
Published: January 2012

Under the auspices of the Subcommittee on Professional Standards (Policy and Planning Committee), effort was resumed in 1984 on a program for certification/licensing of Human Factors specialists within the Human Factors Society. The approach taken by the subcommittee was to review current arguments on the proposition of certification and licensing, determine implications for HPS involvement, define the major issues, and develop a preliminary plan for a recommended certification program for consideration and review by the HFS Executive Council. Such a review was held during the 1984 Annual Meeting with the decision to proceed with developing a plan for phased development of a certification program (Blanchard, 1985). As a result of the 1984 decision, a subcommittee on certification was established under the newly formed committee on professional standards. Bob Blanchard was appointed as the initial chair. That committee has now been actively involved in developing a certification program for two years. In addition to developing a detailed program plan covering a five-year period, the committee has been active in developing a specialty data base on which to base a certification system. Funding for this data base development has been provided by the US Air Force, the Human Factors Society and, more recently, by the US Navy. The purpose of this panel session is to provide the society with a status report on the HFS certification program plan, the specialty areas that have been identified for data base development, and the process that has been used to obtain the data base information. In addition, an equally important purpose is to bring to the society's attention the experience of related professional groups in developing professional certification programs. The specific topics to be addressed by the panelists in their formal presentations are as follows.
Issues in Teaching Design from a Human Factors Perspective
Authors: Smith Philip J. 
Published: January 2012

There is a great deal of interest and concern over methods for teaching students how to design and to participate as members of design teams. This concern is evidenced in the proposal for certification of Human Factors Graduate Programs that the Society is currently reviewing. The participants in this session will present views regarding the effectiveness of alternative methods of teaching design. These presentations, by Society members from both academia and industry, will serve to focus attention on issues that are of great interest during the debate over certification, and that are of general concern to educators in the field. This should help to facilitate discussion by the audience and panelists during the last portion of the session.
Usability Analysis of Messages from a Security System
Authors: Mosteller William S. , Ballas James 
Published: January 2012

Most software systems issue messages to reflect their progress in processing users' requests and to report error conditions. By instrumenting systems to collect these messages for later processing, a rich source of information about system and user behavior can be tapped. The work described herein is a study of system and user behavior related to messages, in an actual use setting. Our objective is assessing and improving the interaction with VMSECURE, a user directory management and security package for IBM's VM operating system. (VM is IBM's interactive system for mainframe computers. VMSECURE manages user resources and controls data access.) Pareto's principle applies to VMSECURE messages and error messages. A few different messages make up most of the traffic. Password prompting provides efficient, effective protection against unauthorized use of VMSECURE. Users of VMSECURE, when they receive an error messages, often re-enter the same, unsuccessful command again. Users of VMSECURE do not improve their error rates with experience, possibly due to the low level of daily use they make of the product.
Case-Based Reasoning: Taming the Similarity Heuristic
Authors: Whitaker Leslie A. , Stottler Richard H. , King James A. 
Published: January 2012

Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a methodology for employing imprecise data and uncertain information in the development of solutions to fuzzy real world problems. It is seen as an alternative to rule-based systems, which may fail under these conditions. Under the sponsorship of DARPA, we have developed a generic CBR shell. The system was evaluated in the domain of NACA airfoils. A subject matter expert was asked to select airfoils (cases) which were similar to target airfoils. He then defined attributes and weights by which he had judged this similarity. These parameters were then used by PROSPER in a retrieval of airfoils similar to the same targets. From a case base of 98 airfoils, PROSPER retrieved 9 out of 17 selected by the expert. After modifying the similarity algorithms, PROSPER retrieved 11 out of 17.
Effects of Fetal Exposition to Aircraft Noise on the Birthweight of Children
Authors: Coblentz A. , Martel A. , Ignazi G. 
Published: January 2012

In order to determine whether chronic exposure to loud noise has demonstrable biological effects on humans, a study was conducted on the effect of mother's exposure to airport noise while pregnant upon birthweight and gestation lenght. In a first step birthweights of children were collected in 12 towns in the Paris area: a sample of 636 subjects from the Orly area (4 towns), another of 1432 subjects from the Roissy area (4 towns) and a reference sample of 1224 subjects from an area not submitted to the aircraft noise (4 towns). The analysis of weights in the three areas shows a significantly higher birthweight for the boys born in the non submitted aircraft noise area, meanweight: 3433.92 g, by comparison with Orly area, 3356.24 g, and Roissy area, 3355.95 g. The mean birthweights of girls of Orly, Roissy and reference samples were respectively: 3231.43 g, 3202.83 g and 3268.24 g. There is a significant difference only between the Roissy and reference samples. The second step of this study, actually in progress, concerns the analysis of the possible influence of other factors: mother's age, primiparity, gestational age, and so on. These factors could be combined or not.
A Follow-up of the Mature Driver Study: Another Look at Age and Sex Effects
Authors: Laux Lila F. 
Published: January 2012

In 1989 we assessed the sensory, cognitive, psychomotor, and physical functioning of 104 Houston drivers aged 40 to 92, as well as their driving habits and problems including accidents and citations. We found age-related changes in functional status and in driving patterns, but we found no age-related tendency to experience more driving problems. In 1990, 95 of the participants completed a 15 month follow-up survey in which we collected data related to accidents, traffic citations, and changes in driving patterns. Those participants who had had the poorest sensory functioning and who were smaller or weaker in 1989 were most likely to report that they had reduced driving or changed their driving habits in the 15 months following the study. Age and accident rates (per mile driven) were not correlated. In the followup period, however, older drivers' citation rates were significantly lower than younger drivers'. The data were analyzed separately for males and females. We found that performance on several of the tests administered during the study period were predictors of accident and citation rates reported at the 15 month followup, but that different functional measures predicted accidents and citations for men and women.