Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104452
Thomas Brand, Marcus Schmitz
{"title":"Identifying hand gestures for pedestrian-driver communication","authors":"Thomas Brand, Marcus Schmitz","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Road traffic is largely defined by clear rules and laws. However, there are certain situations that are ambiguous and in which explicit communication between road users is needed to resolve such misjudgements or ambiguities. Especially hand gestures can be used to coordinate traffic by conveying different intentions, which refer to one's own behaviour or the change in the behaviour of others. This paper aims to identify such gestures focusing on the pedestrian-driver communication. The paper follows two approaches: Firstly, an experimental study (<em>N</em> = 20) was conducted analysing gestures in predetermined scenarios in a virtual and real environment. Secondly, traffic observations were conducted to analyse and compare natural occurring gestures with those identified in the study. As a result, 18 relevant pedestrian gestures were identified. The type of gestures and the expressiveness of the execution did not differ between the virtual or real study environment. From this, it can be concluded that the virtual environment is an appropriate study environment for identifying and analysing gestures. Furthermore, the type of gestures did not differ between the experimental study and the traffic observations, but the naturally occurring gestures were executed less expressively compared to those from the study. Finally, the paper presents a suitable approach on how pedestrian gestures can be studied and provides a foundation for further research on the communication between pedestrians and automated vehicles (AVs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104452"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142820294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104427
Sakshi Taori, Sol Lim
{"title":"Classification algorithms trained on simple (symmetric) lifting data perform poorly in predicting hand loads during complex (free-dynamic) lifting tasks","authors":"Sakshi Taori, Sol Lim","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms is dependent on which dataset it has been trained on. While ML algorithms are increasingly used for lift risk assessment, many algorithms are often trained and tested on controlled simulation datasets, lacking the diversity of the lifting conditions. Consequently, concerns arise regarding their applicability in real-world scenarios characterized by substantial variations in lifting scenarios and postures. Our study investigates the impact of different lifting scenarios on the performance of ML algorithms trained on surface electromyography (sEMG) armband sensor data to classify hand-load levels (2.3 and 6.8 kg). Twelve healthy participants (6 male and 6 female) performed repetitive lifting tasks employing various lifting scenarios, including symmetric (S), asymmetric (A), and free-dynamic (F) techniques. Separate algorithms were developed using diverse training datasets (S, A, S+A, and F), ML classifiers, and sEMG features, and tested using the F dataset, representing unconstrained and naturalistic lifts. The mean accuracy and sensitivity were significantly lower in models trained on constrained (S) datasets compared to those trained on naturalistic lifts (F). The accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of models trained with frequency-domain sEMG features were greater than those trained with the time-domain features. In conclusion, ML algorithms trained on controlled symmetric lifts showed poor performance in predicting loads for dynamic, unconstrained lifts; thus, particular attention is needed when using such algorithms in real-world scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104427"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104440
Steven A. Lavender , Carolyn M. Sommerich , Anas Kachlan
{"title":"Identifying ergonomics practices currently used by grocery distribution centers","authors":"Steven A. Lavender , Carolyn M. Sommerich , Anas Kachlan","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grocery warehouse workers continue to experience high rates of musculoskeletal disorders largely due to the repetitive lifting performed during the product selection and palletizing process. This project aimed to describe ergonomics practices that have been implemented within grocery distribution centers in the United States that could help reduce musculoskeletal disorders. Ninety-seven management personnel from 30 distribution centers were interviewed regarding ergonomics practices in place within their respective facilities. Through this process 44 ergonomics practices were identified. Thirteen practices address how the facility is set up. Two practices focused on options within the warehouse's computer management system. Six practices targeted order selector tools. Seven practices focused on things that can be done in full-case pick operations. Eight organizational practices were identified that could facilitate ergonomics efforts. And finally, eight practices focused on reducing exposures to ergonomic hazards in piece-pick operations. For each identified practice implementation data were obtained.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104440"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142803471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-07DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104441
Eduardo Frio Marins , Gabriela Neves Nunes , Breno Berny Vasconcelos , Gabriela Barreto David , Lorena Oppelt , Valdinar de Araújo Rocha Junior , Cristine Lima Alberton
{"title":"Exploring police ergonomics: Effects of personal protective equipment, holster position and perceived discomfort on different gait intensities","authors":"Eduardo Frio Marins , Gabriela Neves Nunes , Breno Berny Vasconcelos , Gabriela Barreto David , Lorena Oppelt , Valdinar de Araújo Rocha Junior , Cristine Lima Alberton","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study investigated the impact of personal protective equipment (PPE) and holster positions on gait kinematics and discomfort in Brazilian police officers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A crossover study included 20 active-duty police officers assessed two-dimensional kinematic and self-reported data. Three PPE use conditions (control, PPE + thigh holster, PPE + hip holster) were investigated during walking and sprint acceleration.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PPE use increased stride length and gait speed in the weapon side compared to the free side during walking and reduced the stride length of the free side during sprint acceleration. PPE also increased back and knee discomfort during walking, with sprint acceleration proving more comfortable for the knee when using a thigh holster compared to a hip holster.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>PPE significantly affects gait mechanics and discomfort, especially during sprinting. Holster placement is critical to officer mobility and comfort, emphasizing the need for ergonomic improvements in PPE design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104441"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142795682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104426
Mitali Shrikant Bhosekar , Kapil Chalil Madathil , Anjali Joseph , Sahar Mihandoust , Ann Dietrich , Meera Narasimhan
{"title":"Technological barriers to providing pediatric mental and behavioral healthcare in emergency departments","authors":"Mitali Shrikant Bhosekar , Kapil Chalil Madathil , Anjali Joseph , Sahar Mihandoust , Ann Dietrich , Meera Narasimhan","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104426","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104426","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the United States, about 5% of pediatric Emergency Department (ED) visits involve mental and behavioral health (MBH) emergencies, and EDs are often ill-equipped to provide timely, appropriate care, leading to prolonged stays and increased risks of trauma and harm for these children and their families. This study investigated technological barriers affecting safe and effective pediatric mental and behavioral healthcare in emergency departments through observational studies and semi-structured interviews with 55 medical professionals across four ED settings: pediatric MBH unit, pediatric ED, and adult ED. A total of 12 barrier themes were identified through the thematic analysis of the interviews relating to technology use that impacts the care of pediatric MBH patients. The major themes include issues due to limited electronic medical record data management, ineffective communication in the ED, and usability issues with ED technologies. Other concerns included inadequate infrastructure, absence of streamlined processes, unsafe and inefficient integration of technology, and lack of training. Challenges stemming from patients' reluctance to accept telepsychiatry further complicate providing effective care in these settings. Future research needs to focus on designing systems and solutions to eliminate the barriers, thereby supporting the caregiving process of pediatric MBH in EDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104426"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142792952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104419
Demetrius Solomon , Jukrin Moon , Vishala Parmasad , Sara Hernandez , Douglas Wiegmann , Nasia Safdar
{"title":"Examining the implementation of a multi-site evidence-based intervention to reduce fluoroquinolone usage: A qualitative content analysis of staff interviews to identify facilitators and barriers","authors":"Demetrius Solomon , Jukrin Moon , Vishala Parmasad , Sara Hernandez , Douglas Wiegmann , Nasia Safdar","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clostridioides difficile infection is the most common healthcare-associated infection, causing almost half a million infections in the United States annually. Inappropriate antibiotic usage is a known risk factor. Antibiotic stewardship efforts aim to optimize prescribing. Evidence supports pre-prescription authorization as a highly effective intervention. A pre-prescription intervention for fluoroquinolone antibiotics via a computerized clinical decision support tool called a “best practice alert” (BPA) embedded in the patient’s electronic health records has high potential for improving antibiotic stewardship. However, information is scant about the factors that might impact the uptake and effectiveness of this BPA and other similar evidence-based interventions when spread and adopted across multiple independent sites. Therefore, we utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand the facilitators and barriers to the implementation process that influence clinical and implementation outcomes. In doing so, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 healthcare professionals across four hospitals. Our research team performed a qualitative analysis to understand the contextual factors influencing the implementation outcomes, such as acceptability and sustainability.</div></div><div><h3>Takeaways</h3><div>The following themes highlight the factors affecting the implementation of this healthcare innovation.</div></div><div><h3>Intervention characteristics domain</h3><div>Designing interventions that are customizable and low maintenance.</div></div><div><h3>Inner setting domain</h3><div>Maturity level of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.</div></div><div><h3>Individuals domain</h3><div>Implementer’s experience/attitudes in implementing healthcare innovations.</div></div><div><h3>Outer setting domain</h3><div>The ability to prioritize initiatives as the organization responds to unintended circumstances (e.g., COVID).</div></div><div><h3>Process domain</h3><div>Adapting implementation approaches and strategies as technology spreads.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104419"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142787966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104430
Zachary Guyton , Richard Pak , Ericka Rovira
{"title":"The role of automation etiquette and task-criticality on performance, workload, automation reliance, and user confidence","authors":"Zachary Guyton , Richard Pak , Ericka Rovira","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous research suggests good automation etiquette can yield positive effects on user performance, trust, automation reliance, and user confidence – especially in personified or anthropomorphized technologies. The current study examined the impact of automation etiquette and task-criticality in non-personified technology. The study used a computer-based automation task to examine good and bad automation etiquette models and different domain-based task-criticality levels (between-subjects) that contained various stages of automation (stage 2 and stage 3) and automation reliability levels (60% and 80%) (within-subjects). The study found that bad automation etiquette can increase automation bias and automation reliance which improved performance in the most capable automation condition (stage 3; 80% reliable) but also heightened user subjective workload and decreased user self-confidence. The study also demonstrated task-criticality can be successfully manipulated through domain and instructions. Overall, automation etiquette influenced performance and user confidence more in highly capable automation (stage 3) and in a low-criticality task domain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 104430"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142787968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-30DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104409
Xiaoyun Yin , David A.P. Grimm , Shiwen Zhou , Jacob Pisors , Aaron Zhen Yang Teo , Matthew Lijenstolpe , Elmira Zahmat Doost , Nancy J. Cooke , Jamie C. Gorman
{"title":"Observing resilient performance in space-based teaming mission using digital technologies","authors":"Xiaoyun Yin , David A.P. Grimm , Shiwen Zhou , Jacob Pisors , Aaron Zhen Yang Teo , Matthew Lijenstolpe , Elmira Zahmat Doost , Nancy J. Cooke , Jamie C. Gorman","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Space-based teaming requires coordination across human operators using old (e.g., existing communication networks) and new (e.g., AI and robotic teammates) digital technologies (DTs) across great distances. Hence, methods are needed to observe resilience across multiple layers of coordination comprising DT-enabled space missions. This presented study simulates high-stakes scenarios to measure constructs like relaxation time, information entropy, and average mutual information (AMI) to evaluate team responses to perturbations. Our study involved two scenarios: one with nominal communications among space entities and another introducing resilience through deliberate perturbations. Eight participants who were members of the research team, engaged in these simulations. Communication flow and vehicle controls and position were measured. Using layered dynamics, we measure dynamic resilience curves (comprising enaction, adaptation, and recovery components) across the system before, during, and after perturbations. We ran two engineering tests of our resilience metrics. Key findings indicate that measures differentiated between the resilient team with shorter relaxation times and more effective adaptation to perturbations, marked by distinct phases of enaction, adaptation, and recovery. The AMI metric was found to be a more sensitive measure of team influence and resilience than communication frequency. This study contributes to future research in two ways. First, the simulation environment and continuous signal capture allows for the observation of adaptations. Second, the adoption of operationism provides an innovative approach to observing resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 104409"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142746382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Applied ErgonomicsPub Date : 2024-11-30DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104404
Dominik Janetzko , Leonie Manzke , Alexander Rabl
{"title":"The tactile signal detection task and why it could change how we measure workload","authors":"Dominik Janetzko , Leonie Manzke , Alexander Rabl","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Human Factors research, measuring the construct of workload is common. This often takes the form of using subjective questionnaires such as the NASA-TLX. Another approach analyses operators' performance in a secondary task to quantify and measure workload. We developed and, thus, propose one such task: the (Tactile) Signal Detection Task (TSDT).</div><div>In two experimental studies, the performance of the TSDT was compared to NASA-TLX ratings during varying workload conditions in a laboratory setting. Study 2 additionally investigated the susceptibility of the NASA-TLX and the TSDT to different difficulty primes. Results indicate a good performance of the TSDT in measuring workload, a susceptibility of the NASA-TLX, and a non-susceptibility of the TSDT to difficulty primes. Further results and practical implications are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 104404"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142746383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}