Search

The amount of immediately accessible reading resources is almost limitless in the WWW. Therefore, students depend on different digital devices to read rich and diverse types of hypertexts. This phenomenal shift from paper-based to digital reading has made students read more hypertexts than ever before. Still, little is known about the effects of hypertexts' intricate complexities on readers' comprehension and the new reading challenges hypertexts might pose to readers. Therefore, this review aims to examine the cognitive overload challenge in the hypertext environment. A significant amount of previous research in hypertext reading has raised concerns about the cognitive overload challenge in the hypertext environment. This review examines the problem of cognitively overload with regard to research published in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaches based on various technologies have been proposed in the literature for the creation of regression models, which are among the most widely used models in fields such as machine learning and data mining. In this article, various approaches such as mathematical programming, fuzzy distance-based least squares, fuzzy c-regression, fuzzy decision trees are discussed for constructing regression models with fuzzy information. Comparative analysis of these algorithms was made in terms of factors such as learning time, ease of processing of fuzzy data, and the effect of large data volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As automated vehicles become more common, there is a need for precise measurement and definition of when and in what ways a driver can use a mobile phone in L2 autonomous driving mode, for how long it can be used, the complexity of the call content, and the accumulated mental workload. This study uses a 2 (driving mode) × 2 (call content complexity) × 6 (driving stage) three-factor mixed experimental design to investigate the effect of these factors on the driver's mental workload by measuring the driver's performance on Detection response tasks, pupil diameter, and EEG components in various brain regions in the alpha band. The results showed that drivers' mental workload levels converge between manual and automatic driving modes as the duration of driving increases, regardless of the level of complexity of the mobile phone conversation. This suggests that mobile phone conversations can also disrupt the driver's cognitive resource balance in L2 automatic driving mode, as it increases mental workload while also impairing the normal functioning of brain functions such as cognitive control, problem solving, and judgment, thereby compromising driving safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's patients are more informed and quality-conscious than ever before, which is crucial for healthcare practitioners as they interact with people's lives daily. One of the most important challenges facing the healthcare sector worldwide concerns how to improve the overall quality of hospital care. As a result of the highly competitive nature of the economy in which healthcare services are offered, both public and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia must have their patient satisfaction rates assessed to help consumers make more informed decisions. As a result, we used the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model to ascertain how patients in Saudi Arabia perceive the quality of the service that is provided by hospitals. The objective of the research work is to identify criteria for enhancing healthcare services using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique to model the five SERVQUAL dimensions along with 2 dimensions and 31 sub-criteria. Three healthcare service organizations were selected for the study and evaluated based on their service quality performance. The AHP-based model has been demonstrated systematically for ranking the hospitals based on the healthcare system. It is observed that hospitals should concentrate the most on reliability, tangibles, and security and the least on consistency. In addition, according to the sub-criteria, the hospitals' primary priority should be infection prevention and hygiene, with completeness receiving the least attention. Based on a survey of dimensions and their sub-criteria, the best hospital is Abha Private Hospital, followed by AHH, and then Asir General Hospital. Therefore, this study has implications for choices on the efficient monitoring of the overall health system to improve quality service delivery that would boost patient happiness, which is the goal of creating hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of current study is to investigate the perception of mobile banking customers about digital and non-digital factors in Pakistan. The population of current study consists of current and future users of mobile baking in Pakistan. In current study, mobile banking usage is measured as dependent variable and seven variables (5-digital and 2-non-digital) have been selected as independent variables. The SPSS (16 version) was used to analyse and report data collected over an administrative questionnaire. The results of current study indicated that non-digital factors (Need of service and service quality) has insignificant relationship with perception of mobile banking customers. Also, results indicated significant relationship between digital factors (effort expectancy, Performance expectancy, relative advantage, trust and security) with customers' perception about mobile banking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Order picking (OP) activities, essential to logistics operations, are laborious and time-intensive. Humans are central actors in the OP process and determine both OP effectiveness and efficiency. Many researchers have developed models for planning OP activities and increasing the efficiencies of such systems by suggesting different warehouse layouts, OP routes or storage assignments. These studies have, however, ignored workers’ characteristics, or human factors, suggesting that they cannot be substantiated, which led to only partially realistic results. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for integrating human factors into planning models of OP activities and hypothesises that doing so improves the performance of an OP system and workers’ welfare. The framework is based on a systematic literature review that synthesises findings documented in the OP and human factors literature. The results of the paper may assist researchers and practitioners in designing OP systems by developing planning models that help in enhancing performance and reducing long-term costs caused by work-related inefficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Journal of Advanced Mathematical Modeling (JAMM) is the property of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In a badminton game, dexterous fine hand movements are essential for the player to perform with extraordinary skill. Thus, this paper proposes a smart glove with proper sensing functions for finger pressures and bending angles for this sport to measure the kinematics and kinetics during the forehand grip and backhand grip. Twenty-one pressure sensors and eleven flex sensors are employed to construct the smart glove, and the measured parameters are then visualized to analyze different grip movements. An athlete and an amateur were selected for the gripping experiments and the measurements was recorded by the smart glove. During forehand gripping, although the total power generated by the amateur (33 N) was higher than for the athlete (29 N), the final shot strength was still unsatisfactory due to the disorderly arranged finger flex angle. In backhand gripping, the incorrectly laid index finger reduced the thumb power of the amateur to 3 N, which weakened the control ability and led to a distorted flying trajectory of the shuttlecock. The differences in kinematics and kinetics between the athlete and the amateur can provide a reference for the badminton learners to perform the correct technical movements. By use of this approach, the proposed system may grant trainers and trainees a better approach to analyze the grip movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tool use requires integration among sensorial, biomechanical, and cognitive factors. Taking into account the importance of tool use in human evolution, changes associated with the genus Homo are to be expected in all these three aspects. Haptics is based on both tactile and proprioceptive feedbacks, and it is associated with emotional reactions. Previous analyses have suggested a difference between males and females, and during haptic exploration of different typologies of stone tools. Here, we analyze the correlation between electrodermal reactions during stone tool handling and hand morphology to provide evidence of possible allometric factors shared by males and females. Methods: Electrodermal analysis was used to investigate some specific parameters involved in these reactions, such as changes in the level of attention and arousal. We analyzed the responses of 46 right‐handed adults to 20 distinct stone tools while blindfolded. Results: Females have smaller hands and a wider range of electrodermal reactions. Within males and females, hand diameters and general hand size do not correlate with the degree of electrodermal level and response. Conclusions: Sex differences in electrodemal reaction during stone tool handling are apparently not due to the effect of hand size or proportions. Differences between males and females are better interpreted as real sex differences, either due to a biological or cultural influences. Hand size does not influence the degree of arousal or attention during tool exploration, suggesting that other factors trigger individual reactions. These results add to a general cognitive approach on hand‐tool evolution and tool sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a methodology for determination of Allowance Time (AT), based on heart rate and work sampling of a production line composed of thirteen stations operated by four workers. The current production line presents a high rate of personnel turnover and absenteeism and with an AT value established by the company of 6.3%. The AT determination is of critical importance, given that through this the workers need to maintain their work rhythm at 100% during the entire workday without fatigue. The resulting allowance after the study was 15% instead of 6.3%, increasing the standard time and causing a decrease in personnel turnover and absenteeism and consequently increasing the production capacity and the reduction of costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal matrix composites have become a vital concern for the modern manufacturing companies due to some of their special properties. The presence of reinforcement makes them difficult in machining operations to achieve industrial requirements. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the machining process parameters to improve output performance in terms of product quality. The overall performance of the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process is influenced by various parameters, such as pulse-on time, pulse-off time, induced current, and wire-feed. WEDM is one of the non-traditional machining processes. It machines only electrically conducting materials and machines the surfaces by the thermo-electrical process. During machining of composites, material removal rate, cutting speed, and surface roughness have been considered for this research. The relation between the process parameters and the output responses is developed by using linear regression analysis through Minitab-17. The experiments conducted are dependent on Taguchi L25 orthogonal array. The optimized sets of process parameters are obtained by using teaching and learning-based optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-government websites are essential and effective modes of communication between governments and citizens and provide access to E-government services. Thus, information quality of these websites is vital and worth assessing in order to ensure their effectiveness. This study assessed the information quality indicators of egovernment websites in Pakistan as perceived by political science undergraduate students through a quantitative survey. This sample of students was selected because they are more likely to have used e-government websites to access information and/or receive services compared to other social science students. All the participants were 18 or more years old and computer literate. Data was collected through Kandari, Jones, Nah, and Bishu (2011) questionnaire adopted with minor changes. It had nine information quality indicators such as accessibility, authority, consistency, understandability, reliability, objectivity, navigation and efficiency; consisted of 21 statements. Respondents preferred to the point information on the websites along with proper and credible ownership for proprietary information. They also opined that information on e- government websites add value to their knowledge. Findings revealed that 'accessibility', 'authority', and 'consistent and concise' were the top three indicators rated more than 4 on a 5-point Likert Scale. Overall, findings indicate a reasonably high information quality for Pakistani E-government websites as perceived by students. Findings will have implications relevant to user-centered design of E-government websites with respect to information quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of anti-vibration gloves on manual dexterity and to explore factors affecting the manual dexterity. The manual dexterity of ten different gloves was investigated with 15 adult male subjects via performing two different dexterity tests, namely ASTM F2010 standard test and Two-Hand Turning and Placing Minnesota test. Two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the main effects of glove type, test method and their interaction effect on manual dexterity. Results suggested that glove type yielded significant effect on manual dexterity (p < .001), while no significant difference was observed between test methods (p = .112). The interaction effect of glove type and test method also revealed a significant difference (p = .009). The manual dexterity decreased nearly linearly with increase in the glove thickness, which further showed a moderately significant difference on the number of drops during the tests. Practitioner Summary: Anti-vibration gloves may adversely affect manual dexterity and work precision, which may discourage their usage. This article presented a study of manual dexterity performance of anti-vibration gloves and the design factors affecting the manual dexterity. The results were discussed in view of a design guidance for improved hand dexterity, which would encourage the use of anti-vibration gloves in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since driving is a complex task involving integration of visual, cognitive, and physical motor skills, elderly drivers are at a higher risk of road crashes because they have limitations in all those skills. This study analyzed the correlation between all the skills, including the drivers' risk perception, as risk factors impacting on their performance. This research was an experimental study. The young drivers amounted to 7 persons (22 - 24 years old), the elderly subjects constituted two groups including: 9 persons (group 1: 60 - 65 years old) and 12 persons (group 2: 66 - 76 years old). The instruments were the Use full Field Of View (UFOV), the Trail Making Tests (TMT) A & B, the tapping test, the Driver's Stress Intention (DSI), and the Driver Coping Questionnaire (DCQ). The driving performance was evaluated via a driving game simulator. There were correlations between the independent variables (visual, cognitive, and physical skill), including DRP being measured to assess the drivers' performances. The visual skill, for instance an error of UFOV, influenced all the drivers groups. Cognitive factors (TMT A and B) and DRP (hazard monitoring, reappraisal, avoidance, and dislike driving) were found to be correlated only in the young drivers and the elderly drivers of group 1. Considering the Physical motor-skilled factors, the errors that were occurred during the tapping test were reported to have correlation with the driving ability of the younger drivers and the second elderly group (>65 years old) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the College Of Basic Education is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Several recent studies of ERP system interfaces have confirmed that their poor usability hinders worker productivity, despite the huge investments companies make in user training and support. Usability challenges arise from the complexity of ERP systems, which are designed as a universal tool for a plethora of organizational practices and contexts. Learning to operate within an excessively vast terrain of ERP task pages and parameters is a significant challenge for most ERP users. Our proposed solution relies on the system itself to share task and process information in order to guide users through learning and performing their business tasks with the system. This perspective arises from employing the human-computer collaboration approach to the design of user interfaces, which we apply as a guiding framework for our research. In this paper, we present two interface components for providing ERP system users with task and process guidance: Automated Playback and Interactive Process Visualization. The novelty of our approach comes from using the history of past interactions to dynamically compose animated demonstrations of task interfaces and to provide an interactive graphical map of the current process being worked on by the user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regression analysis is widely used for modeling of real-world processes in various fields. It should be noted that information relevant to real-world processes is characterized by imprecision and partial reliability. This involves combination of fuzzy and probabilistic uncertainties. Prof. L. Zadeh introduced the concept of a Z-number as a formal construct for dealing with such information. The present state-of-the-art of regression analysis under Z-number valued information is very scarce. In this paper we consider a Z-number valued multiple regression analysis and its application to a real-world decisionmaking problem. The obtained results show applicability of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends some basic concepts associated to record value based on intuitionistic fuzzy random variables. In this approach, αβ-values of intuituinistic fuzzy numbers are employed to construct intuitionistic fuzzy cumulative distribution function and its common estimator, an extended entropy and its estimator, intuitionistic fuzzy (upper) record value and its common estimator. Main property of the proposed concepts include large sample properties which are investigated in the space of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers. Some numerical examples are also illustrated to clarify the concepts and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operator exposure to high levels of whole-body vibration (WBV) presents risks to health and safety and it is reported to worsen or even cause back injuries. Work activities resulting in operator exposure to whole-body vibration have a common onset in off-road work such as farming. Despite the wide variability of agricultural surface profiles, studies have shown that with changing soil profile and tractor speed, the accelerations resulting from ground input present similar spectral trends. While on the one hand such studies confirmed that tractor WBV emission levels are very dependent upon the nature of the operation performed, on the other, irrespective of the wide range of conditions characterizing agricultural operations, they led researchers to set up a possible and realistic simplification and standardization of tractor driver comfort testing activities. The studies presented herewith indicate the usefulness, and the possibility, of developing simplified procedures to determine agricultural tractor vibration comfort. The results obtained could be used effectively to compare tractors of the same category or a given tractor when equipped with different seats, suspension, tyres, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tasks involving the thumbs of workers are frequently carried out at industrial sites or in laboratories. This study measured thumb endurance time according to relative force levels in males and females. The experiment in this study involved 30 healthy participants (15 males and 15 females). Maximum thumb pressing force (MTPF) was measured and thumb endurance curves were developed using the measured thumb endurance time of participants' dominant hand according to various force levels (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% MTPF). On the basis of the results, females demonstrated greater endurance time than males at 20% MTPF, and statistically significant differences according to gender are not shown at MTPF levels of 40% or higher. A rapid increase in endurance time was observed at low force levels. The findings of this study are expected to facilitate the establishment of appropriate working levels for the thumbs of workers in order to optimize work design. In this study, the effects of gender and target force level on thumb endurance time performance were evaluated. The findings of this study could provide valuable information for developing ergonomic guidelines of thumb pressing force tasks for the workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A balanced scorecard (BSC) framework for a factory that develops software for banking was proposed by us at the end of 2015 to ensure its sustainability, and was focused on improving its productivity and cost. Based on this framework, the aim of this study is to construct an approach using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and BSC for evaluating a factory's performance in order for it to become a sustainable business. In this study, AHP is proposed to prioritise and determine weights for the perspectives and indicators included in the BSC for a financial software factory (FSF). The combination of these weights with different indicator measures produces a model that provides an effective assessment tool for FSF managers. The results of the study, which are shown both globally and disaggregated according to the different roles of FSF stakeholders, show that user satisfaction is the main pillar for making decisions. In addition, the result considering roles shows differences according to the relationship of each stakeholder with the software factory. The current study has been validated in a Spanish factory that develops software for several financial entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increased market for touchscreen devices, conductive gloves have great potential to become a major winter item, but there is lack of research about conductive gloves for touchscreen devices. The purposes of this research were: (a) to identify important design factors for conductive glove designs; (b) to develop conductive gloves for touchscreen devices considering user behaviours and design factors; and (c) to develop design and evaluation processes and methods for conductive gloves. Market research, an online survey, and a user test were conducted and identified key design factors and preferences and expectations on conductive gloves. The results of this research will benefit clothing designers as they develop conductive gloves and may be useful for retailers and marketers who promote these conductive gloves by highlighting the appealing and important factors of these gloves. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Continuous and objective measurement of the user attention state still represents a major challenge in the ergonomics research. Recently available wearable electroencephalography (EEG) opens new opportunities for objective and continuous evaluation of operators’ attention, which may provide a new paradigm in ergonomics. In this study, wearable EEG was recorded during simulated assembly operation, with the aim to analyse P300 event-related potential component, which provides reliable information on attention processing. In parallel, reaction times (RTs) were recorded and the correlation between these two attention-related modalities was investigated. Negative correlation between P300 amplitudes and RTs has been observed on the group level (p < .001). However, on the individual level, the obtained correlations were not consistent. As a result, we propose the P300 amplitude for accurate attention monitoring in ergonomics research. On the other hand, no significant correlation between RTs and P300 latency was found on group, neither on individual level. Practitioner Summary:Ergonomic studies of assembly operations mainly investigated physical aspects, while mental states of the assemblers were not sufficiently addressed. Presented study aims at attention tracking, using realistic workplace replica. It is shown that drops in attention could be successfully traced only by direct brainwave observation, using wireless electroencephalographic measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Human error is a crucial factor in the shipping industry and not to mention numerous human errors occur during the maintenance procedures of marine engines. Determination of human error probabilities (HEPs) is important to reduce the human errors and prevent the accidents. Nevertheless, determination of HEPs in the maintenance procedures of marine engines has not been given desired attention. The aim of this study is to determine the HEPs for the maintenance procedures of the marine engines to minimize the human errors and preclude accidents from the shipping industry. The Success Likelihood Index Method is used to determine the HEPs due to the unavailability of human error data for maintenance procedures of marine engines. The results showed that among the 43 considered activities in this study, inspection and overhauls piston/piston rings have the lowest HEP meaning it has a lower consequence for accidents. On the other hand, fuel and lubricating oil filters pressure difference checking and renews filter elements activity have the highest HEP indicating it has high chances for accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human factors are widely regarded to be highly contributing factors to maritime accident prevention system failures. The conventional methods for human factor assessment, especially quantitative techniques, such as fault trees and bow-ties, are static and cannot deal with models with uncertainty, which limits their application to human factors risk analysis. To alleviate these drawbacks, in the present study, a new human factor analysis framework called multidimensional analysis model of accident causes (MAMAC) is introduced. MAMAC combines the human factors analysis and classification system and business process management. In addition, intuitionistic fuzzy set theory and Bayesian Network are integrated into MAMAC to form a comprehensive dynamic human factors analysis model characterized by flexibility and uncertainty handling. The proposed model is tested on maritime accident scenarios from a sand carrier accident database in China to investigate the human factors involved, and the top 10 most highly contributing primary events associated with the human factors leading to sand carrier accidents are identified. According to the results of this study, direct human factors, classified as unsafe acts, are not a focus for maritime investigators and scholars. Meanwhile, unsafe preconditions and unsafe supervision are listed as the top two considerations for human factors analysis, especially for supervision failures of shipping companies and ship owners. Moreover, potential safety countermeasures for the most highly contributing human factors are proposed in this article. Finally, an application of the proposed model verifies its advantages in calculating the failure probability of accidents induced by human factors., (© 2020 Society for Risk Analysis.)

The potential impact of using single and double gloves on workers' performance and comfort in the semiconductor industry was assessed in an experimental investigation. Four gloves configurations were included in the study: bare hands without gloves, single vinyl gloves, latex rubber gloves over vinyl gloves, and tripolymer gloves over vinyl gloves. Also, each gloves condition was examined under wet and dry configurations. Three basic tests were devised: 1) carrying out a test task, 2) using a testing rig to assess subjects' abilities to exert pull-down forces while using a power grip, and (3) using a pinch grip. The test rig included end effects that are identical in dimensions made of polypropylene, stainless steel, and Teflon. Sixteen male and 7 female workers participated in the study. Results indicated that, in comparison to using dry and bare hands, using double gloves increased the level of effort exerted, reduced comfort, and reduced the sense of security during the test task ( p < .05). Also, it was concluded that wearing gloves may reduce workers' capacity to perform material-handling tasks. The ability to exert pull-down forces using both power and pinch grips was reduced but by different degrees, depending on the gloves configurations and the material comprising the end effects. Other than the differences in reference to dry bare hands, differences between glove-using study conditions were statistically insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the energy expenditure of workers in physical work tasks in order to determine if people of different ages and gender carry out repetitive activities according to the recommended limits of energy at work. OBJECTIVE: Exploring whether age is a significant factor to achieve industrial production rates and determine its possible consequences. METHODS: A laboratory experiment was conducted with people age 20 to 58 years split by gender into four age groups. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were measured as variables of response to the physical workloads. RESULTS: When carrying out repetitive moderate load operations, women aged over 30 years exceeded the recommended energy expenditure (95% CI). For heavy activities, only men in the age groups 20-39 and 30-40 years could perform these tasks without exceeding the recommended oxygen consumption (95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: The industrial predetermined motion time systems do not take into account the effects of age and gender difference on energy production when obtaining cycle times in activities with significant aerobic loads. Manufacturing processes have specific standard times that might be inappropriate if they are performed by individuals who do not meet the standard energy production capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural institutions have invested significant resources in digitising books and providing access to these online. The various approaches taken to visualise digitised books online have the potential to effect the usability and usefulness of the book to the user. While previous usability studies in this area focus on the digital library as a whole, this study narrows the focus to the digitised book. The intention is to identify usability issues and investigate the effects different visualisation approaches may have on users. An anonymous survey was conducted, employing an adapted version of the Interaction Triptych Framework (ITF). Examples of digitised books from the New Zealand Electronic Text Collection and the Internet Archive were considered. Participants from library, archives and history fields, as well as general users, were invited to participate. Eighty-six participants completed the survey, with results suggesting a slightly positive attitude towards the usability and usefulness of the examples. The Open Library rated higher for usability and both examples rated similarly for usefulness. Participant comments suggest many users appreciate features analogous to physical books, with regard to aesthetics, learnability and navigation, while for ease of use and reading, rich text was preferred over digital image based visualisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]