| Human Energy Expenditure Models: Beyond State-of-the-Art Commercialized Embedded Algorithms | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 3-14 | |
| Ricard Delgado-Gonzalo; Philippe Renevey; Enric M. Calvo; Josep Solá; Cees Lanting; Mattia Bertschi; Mathieu Lemay | |||
| In the present study, we propose three new energy expenditure (EE) methods
and evaluate their accuracy against state-of-the-art EE estimation
commercialized devices. To this end, we used several sensors on 8 subjects to
simultaneously record acceleration forces from wrist-located sensors and
bio-potentials estimated from chest-located ECG devices. These subjects
followed a protocol that included a wide range of intensities in a given set of
activities, ranging from sedentary to vigorous. The results of the proposed
human EE models were compared to indirect calorimetry EE estimated values
(kcal/kg/h). The speed-based, heart rate-based and hybrid-based models are
characterized by an RMSE of 1.22 ± 0.34 kcal/min, 1.53 ± 0.48
kcal/min and 1.03 ± 0.35 kcal/min, respectively. Based on the presented
results, the proposed models provide a significant improvement over the
state-of-the-art. Keywords: energy expenditure; walking/running speed; human model; physical activity
monitoring | |||
| Human Skeleton Extraction of Depth Images Using the Polygon Evolution | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 15-23 | |
| Huan Du; Jian Wang; Xue-xia Zhong; Ying He; Lin Mei | |||
| This paper proposes a novel skeleton extraction approach in the depth image
based on the polygon evolution. The external contour of person is firstly
extracted from the depth image and evolved to a external polygon using a
polygon evolution method. Subsequently, the depth histogram is used to extract
internal self-occlusion body parts, and contours of these parts are evolved to
internal polygons. In external and internal polygons, skeleton points are
extracted under different criteria respectively. Finally, all skeleton points
are linked to a complete skeleton. Experimental results on a variety of
postures demonstrate the robustness and reasonability of our skeleton
extraction approach. Keywords: skeleton extraction; depth image; polygon evolution; external polygon;
internal polygon | |||
| Biomechanics Investigation of Skillful Technician in Spray-up Fabrication Method | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 24-34 | |
| Tetsuo Kikuchi; Yuichiro Tani; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| Spray up fabrication has been used for forming composite structures since
ancient times as it can be performed as long as the mold, skills, and materials
are available. Hence highly specialized control technique and the tradition of
skill are required to ensure the consistent stability of product quality. In
this study, the authors thus conducted a motion analysis experiment using hand
lay-up fabrication experts as subjects. The experiment, seemingly a new and
only attempt in Japan, quantified techniques that are not visibly apparent and
considered to be tacit knowledge. The dimension stability of samples was
measured, and their relationships with the motions of experts were also
evaluated. It was also suggested that highly specialized control techniques,
the appropriate training of non-experts, and technical tradition are possible. Keywords: Spray up fabrication; Dimension stability; Motion analysis; Composites;
Explicit knowledge | |||
| Study on Three Dimensions Body Reconstruction and Measurement by Using Kinect | | BIBA | Full-Text | 35-42 | |
| Qi Luo | |||
| A point cloud is a set of data points in some coordinate system. Point clouds may be created by Three Dimensions scanners. These devices measure in an automatic way a large number of points on the surface of an object, and often output a point cloud as a data file. The point cloud represents the set of points that the device has measured. Using Microsoft Kinect to obtain the depth body data and get the depth image. In this paper, the function and the depth scanning principle of the Microsoft Kinect has been researched. The concept of Point cloud has been also introduced. Point cloud data processing has been proposed in the paper. First, the depth data obtained by Kinect are transformed into the form of Three Dimensions point cloud to store and visualize. And then, make rejections, filtering, and simplification for point cloud. Finally In the process of simplification, we take the advantage of the minimum distance method and the angular deviation method, an improved self-adapting method of simplification was introduced in the paper. | |||
| Comparison of Gait Analysis by the Way of Semi-structured Interviews | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 43-54 | |
| Masaru Ohgiri; Katsuma Yamada; Hisanori Yuminaga; Noriyuki Kida; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| In this study, we showed a video with five samples of patients walking to
three practicing Physical Therapists. We used a one-on-one semi-structured
interview to investigate how the Physical Therapists would predict problems and
plan treatment programs based on what they observed in the video, and then we
analyzed the results. We obtained qualitative data from interviews and charted
them as quantitative data for analysis, which is a new approach for motion
observation. Keywords: Posture Prediction and Analysis; semi-structured interview; gait analysis;
physical therapy | |||
| Motion Analysis of the Pounding Technique Used for the Second Lining in the Fabrication of Traditional Japanese Hanging Scrolls | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 55-65 | |
| Yasuhiro Oka; Akihiko Goto; Yuka Takai; Chieko Narita; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| This study focuses on the technique used to adhere the second lining in the
fabrication of traditional Japanese hanging scrolls, or kakejiku. We analyzed
the motions of both expert and non-expert artisans during the adhesion process,
using optical and infrared motion captures. We then conducted a peel test from
both samples, and used the results of this test to correlate the motion of the
artisan with the adhesive strength of the second lining. Keywords: scrolls; secondary lining; pounding brush; motion analysis | |||
| Analysis of Expert Skills on Handheld Grinding Work for Metallographic Sample | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 66-77 | |
| Takuya Sugimoto; Hisanori Yuminaga; Akihiko Goto | |||
| Most common heat treatment process for hardening ferrous alloy is known as
carburizing. The quality assurance of carburizing process requires
metallographic analysis of case depth, retained austenite, intergranular
oxidation, and carbide network by means of metallographic sample.
Metallographic preparation consists of sectioning, mounting, plane grinding,
polishing to mirror surface, and etching. It is difficult for non-expert to
prepare metallographic sample with global mirror surface because preparation
skill needs long time experience in this field. There is no study on expert
skills in preparation of metallographic samples. In this study, the difference
of handheld plane grinding motion of metallographic specimen between expert and
non-expert execution was analyzed. For this clarification, an electromyogram
(EMG) of the muscle activities between expert and non-expert were investigated.
As a result of investigation, we found the clear difference in the muscle
activities of triceps, flexor digitorum superficialis, and abductor pollicis
brevis between expert and other subjects. Keywords: grinding; polishing; emg; metallographic preparation | |||
| Caregiver's Gaze and Field of View Presumption Method During Bath Care in the Elderly Facility | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 78-87 | |
| Akiyoshi Yamamoto; Noriyuki Kida; Akihiko Goto; Tomoko Ota; Tatsunori Azuma; Syuji Yamamoto; Henry, Jr. Barrameda | |||
| Reduced mental fatigue and ease of mind on caregivers are crucial in order
to deliver safe bath care assistance in the elderly facility. In this paper, we
present an experiment quantifying the eye gaze and field of view of the
caregiver while performing bath care assistance. First, we used optical motion
analyzing apparatus, head mounted gaze measuring apparatus, motion sensor
(applied to 5 points: wrist, waist, neck, head and ankle in sequence) and
compared data. Subjects imitated the motions of bathing assistance in a
laboratory. Second, we clarified the validity of data by studying
simultaneously recorded multiple people's data taken under role play settings
(caregiver role and care receiver role) in an actual bathroom setting. The
findings of the study are highly relevant in outlining a safe and secure
bathing assistance related to reducing the mental burden on caregivers as well
as giving them "ease of mind" while performing bath care. Keywords: caregiver; elderly facility; bath care assistance; presumption method; blind
spot; motion capture | |||
| Research on the Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) Operational Error of Pilot Base on Cloud Model and Uncertainty Theory | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 91-100 | |
| Yang Gao; Yanchen Hou | |||
| Through the Cloud model and uncertainty theory research on Continuous
Descent Approach (CDA) procedures is a simple and rapid method. This paper
analyzed aircraft's required time of arrival (RTA) in CDA process with the
Cloud model, meanwhile the six operational errors of pilot were defined. From
uncertainty theory, the probability distribution of the CDA operational error
of pilot will be faintly determined. Although data for CDA operating experience
are sparse in China, further research will continue. Keywords: Continuous Descent Approach; Cloud model; required time of arrival;
operational error; uncertainty theory | |||
| Study on the Evaluation of Automotive Seat Comfort during Prolonged Simulated Driving | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 101-111 | |
| Xianxue Li; Li Ding; Qianxiang Zhou; Huimin Hu; Chaoyi Zhao | |||
| Prolonged driving can affect driver's lumbar and neck such as low back pain
and cervical spondylosis. The purpose of this study is to clarify the
relationship between drivers' comfort and their physiological parameters, the
seat pressure distribution during prolonged driving in order to evaluate the
comfort of different automotive seats. The experiment was performed on two
actual automobiles. Six male drivers, aged 20 to 24 years participated in the
simulated driving experiment in which the drivers sat in the car and simulated
the driving movements in 2 hours. Electromyography (EMG), seat pressure
distribution and oxygen saturation were measured during the experiment with
subjective questionnaire. According to the results, MPF, MF, Pm and
longitudinal pressure integral (PL) are high significant with the subjective
comfort, otherwise the oxygen saturation was almost constant during the whole
experiment which has little significance. Therefore from the study we can see
the most sensitive part to feel discomfort during prolonged driving and the
relationship between discomfort and physiological parameters was also clarified
which can be used to find which automotive seat is more comfortable. Keywords: automotive; seat comfort; electromyography; pressure distribution | |||
| Simulation on Thermal Control System of the Extravehicular Spacesuit | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 112-123 | |
| Tanqiu Li; Jing Zhang; Xiugan Yuan; Li Ding | |||
| The extravehicular (EVA) spacesuit is the life support system for astronauts
in the extravehicular activity and help the astronauts perform the assembling
of large space vehicle and maintenance. The thermal control system is one of
the most important functions for extravehicular spacesuit, and it's directly
related to the thermal protection structure and active temperature control,
especially to the human body heat load. In this study, a human-suit thermal
control model was built and the effect of human heat load, outside thermal
environment and their composition effect to the thermal control system was
analyzed. The extravehicular spacesuit prototyping system was used to validate
the model. The results show as the follows.(1) It's reasonable to set 3 percent
of the chiller flow as the lowest gear of thermal control system which can
maintain the inside suit thermal comfort during low temperature and low
metabolism situation. (2) The thermal control system's response will be faster
if the temperature gear is higher. (3) It is not significantly affected to the
temperature response of cooling input if the human metabolism rate is below
500W. (4) Thermal control model's validation and evaluation by dry thermal
manikin is receivable. Overall, the human-suit thermal control model can be
used to improve the design of extravehicular spacesuit's thermal protection
system. Keywords: spacesuit; thermal control; human body heat load | |||
| Calibration of Online Situation Awareness Assessment Systems Using Virtual Reality | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 124-135 | |
| Sebastien Mamessier; Daniel Dreyer; Matthias Oberhauser | |||
| In an attempt to predict and prevent accident situations in complex
socio-technical systems, one needs to be able to model and simulate concepts
such as situation awareness (SA) and processes responsible for maintaining it.
This is particularly true in the case of online support systems and adaptive
displays which cannot rely on SA measurement techniques based on freeze probe
techniques. This work investigates the state of the art in computational models
of situation awareness and proposes a method to calibrate and evaluate such
models using virtual reality human-in-the-loop experiments. This work
introduces a new methodology to evaluate and calibrate online SA assessment
systems taking advantage of the flexibility and reconfigurable power of virtual
reality environments. This technology provides the experimenter with full
control on the scenarios, cockpit types and interfaces. It also allows testing
of off-nominal situations such as the loss of an instrument and more severe
failures. Moreover, eye tracking capabilities provide an accurate way of
registering monitoring events and feed SA assessment models with realistic
data. Keywords: situation awareness; mental models; virtual reality | |||
| A Digital Human Model for Performance-Based Design | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 136-147 | |
| Tim Marler; Steve Beck; Uday Verma; Ross Johnson; Victoria Roemig; Behzad Dariush | |||
| Real-time optimization-based posture prediction has fostered the development
of zone differentiation, whereby performance-measure values resulting from a
predicted posture are evaluated and displayed for large volumes of target
points surrounding an avatar. To date, this tool was limited with respect to
computational speed and practical applications. This paper presents a series of
improvements and new features, including new algorithms for sphere filling and
collision avoidance, significant increases to computational speed,
incorporation of whole-body posture prediction, new methods for visualizing
results, and multi-dimensional zone differentiation, which is the ability to
automatically calculate multiple zones for various sets of problem parameters.
These new tools collectively advance human systems integration. They are
successfully applied to three example problems and demonstrate the ability to
direct product design virtually, based on human performance. Keywords: human-machine interface; comfort evaluation; dynamic pilot posture; cockpit | |||
| Context-Aware Posture Analysis in a Workstation-Oriented Office Environment | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 148-159 | |
| Konlakorn Wongpatikaseree; Hideaki Kanai; Yasuo Tan | |||
| Among current research trends, correction of the sitting posture is
attracting growing attention. Most office workers suffer several health
problems during their work. The two greatest causes of health problems in the
office environment are simple things. The first is poor sitting posture.
Sitting with poor posture in front of a computer for hours causes cumulative
damage. The second is an inappropriate workstation environment. The workstation
environment is related to good sitting posture. For example, if the desk is too
low, the user has to lean forward to look at the display. To address this
problem, we propose a sitting posture recognition system that can recognize
both human posture and the context of the workstation environment. The proposed
system has three components. First, skeleton tracking is used to create a
sideways view of the human skeleton. The skeleton model in this research is
used to measure the joint angles of the human body. Second, we detect
information on objects using a proposed workstation environment tracking
system. Three types of features are used to filter the objects from the depth
image. Finally, we compare the overall information with a standard sitting
posture in a model-matching component. Experimental studies showed that the
system can provide the necessary information for analyzing the human posture. A
physician or user can apply this information to achieve correct sitting posture
or prevent health problems in the office using the provided results. Keywords: Sitting posture recognition; skeleton model; workstation environment
tracking | |||
| Comfort Evaluation of Cockpit Based on Dynamic Pilot Posture | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 160-166 | |
| Hongjun Xue; Xiaoyan Zhang; Yingchun Chen; Lin Zhou | |||
| Comfortable dynamic pilot posture is the principle for steer design and
layout of cockpit design, and is used to study on how to improve the
manipulation efficiency. This paper has built a comfort evaluation method
considering the consecutive of pilot manipulation based on the static pilot
posture, which using the comfort of the dynamic pilot posture to evaluate the
comfort of cockpit. The dynamic posture data has be captured by the Measurand@
motion capture system in the cockpit. Then the comfortable evaluation is
executed for the pilot postures by fuzzy evaluation method. Form the results,
the comfortable evaluation conclusions of cockpit design can be deduced. The
better comfortable the pilots have the better design the cockpit is. The result
has been validated through the evaluation by JACK software. The conclusion is:
the two has the same opinion on the key manipulation equipments, but the new
method can analyze the consecutive change of pilot comfort and can discover the
interference between pilot and cockpit equipments during the whole
manipulation. The evaluation results can instruct the optimization of the
cockpit design and improve the control efficiency and flight safety. Keywords: human-machine interface; comfort evaluation; dynamic pilot posture; cockpit | |||
| Based on Upper Extremity Comfort ROM of Ergonomic Methods for Household Products Design | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 167-173 | |
| Fan Yang; Qianxiang Zhou; Aiping Yang; Huimin Hu; Xin Zhang; Zhongqi Liu | |||
| The structure of product demands a higher level of user performance and
involves risk that may possibly negatively impact the user's safety and health.
For this reason, the evaluation or design of new products requires extensive
knowledge of human interaction, including the operation and comfort of motion.
This paper presents a technique for assessment of the upper extremity
comfortable ROM. The method is based on new experimental data from perceived
discomfort of subjects, and uses digital human modeling (DHM) systems to verify
the perceived discomfort rank. 55 participants participated in this experiment.
They were required to extract and insert pegs from different panels. We get the
comfort ROM of subjects according to subjective comfortable ratings and use
digital DHM systems to verify the perceived discomfort rank. In this paper,
comfortable motion range of the 50th percentile was shown only. Using DHM
systems, we can supply upper limb comfortable motion range of different
percentile Chinese people for household products ergonomics design. Keywords: Comfort ROM; DHM; Product design; Ergonomics | |||
| Measurement and Analysis of Anthropometric Parameters of Young Male Vehicle Drivers | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 174-181 | |
| Qianxiang Zhou; Zhongqi Liu; Fang Xie; Sijuan Zheng; Shihua Zhou | |||
| In this study, anthropometric data of 1243 vehicle drivers were sampled and
the their age was from 17 to 34 years and averaged 21.85±2.82years. 76
anthropometric static parameters and 11 functional parameters were studied. The
76 static parameters were measured with the Non-contact 3d human boy scanners
of VITUS SMART XXL systems while the 11 functional parameters were measured
manually with Martin measuring scale. The correlation and fitting formulas of
body height, sitting height and other parameters were measured and obtained. We
also contrasted measured data with data form GJB 1835-1993. The present
analysis showed that the correlation between sizes of body length and sitting
height was significant. Sizes of body length and enclosing size and width
direction were all increased compared to those in the 1980s. The present
results were consistent with other researchers' current research results. The
measured data could be an important basis for the data of young male
anthropometric parameters and edition of relative standard and design of
specific equipment. Keywords: Anthropometric parameters; Anthropometry; Correlation analysis; Ergonomics | |||
| Future Applied Conventional Technology Engineering New Academic Fields from Manufacturing Country JAPAN | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 185-196 | |
| Tomoko Ota; Atsushi Endo; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| There are various traditional crafts in Japan. They have a long history, and
their techniques and cultures have been inherited by many craftspeople. There
are various wisdoms in many traditional crafts. In order to create new things,
these wisdoms have to be studied by the science technology. Therefore, "Future
Applied Conventional Technology Engineering" is defined as becoming the
implicit knowledge of traditional manufacturing into formal knowledge by using
science technology, and opening up new future for manufacturing by applying
them to current manufacturing. Keywords: Future Applied Conventional Technology Engineering; Traditional Crafts;
Manufacturing Country; Implicit Knowledge; Formal Knowledge | |||
| Comparison of Different Tea Whisk Influence on Bubble Form in Processes of "The Way of Tea" | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 197-203 | |
| Tomoko Ota; Wang Zelong; Soutatsu Kanazawa; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| In this paper, three kinds of Japanese tea whisks' influence on bubble form
in "the way of tea" process were investigated. The bubble form and distribution
state by each whisk after 100%, 80%, 50% and 30% of tea making finishing time
were recorded and analyzed through numerical processing. In order to verify the
quality of tea whisk, three kinds of tea whisks' performance were evaluated and
compared during the whole tea making process. Consequently, it can be concluded
that "Yabunochi" was the most efficient tea whisk for making a perfect Japanese
tea. Keywords: The way of tea; Tea whisk; bubble form; Japanese tea | |||
| Bedroom Temperature and Sleeping Quality | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 204-211 | |
| Hui-Chun Chen; Ching-Chung Chen; Fang-Ling Lin; Chih-Lin Chang | |||
| Poor sleeping quality will affect the concentration, reaction and memory
ability, and decrease the cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, the
ability of expressing complex language, and the capability to make decision
firmly. There are some possible causes such as concern about wakefulness,
temporary, anxiety or depression, sleep apnea, other illnesses, illuminant,
noises and other stimulants etc. Experts agree the temperature of sleeping area
and how comfortable people feels in it affect how well and how long they
snooze. Many researchers suggest body temperature has connection with the
amount of deep sleep an individual gets during the night. However, most of the
studies discussed temperature and sleeping quality are conducted in American or
European area, however, the situation at tropical area (such as Taiwan) has not
been discussed. Therefore, this study set up an experiment performed by
Actigraphy to explore the relationships between sleeping quality and bedroom
temperature in Taiwan. Keywords: sleeping quality; bedroom temperature; sleeping disorder | |||
| Comparison of Characteristics Recognition in the "Mitate" of Urushi Crafts | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 212-223 | |
| Atsushi Endo; Chieko Narita; Koji Kuroda; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Yutaro Shimode; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| Urushi crafts is one of the Japanese traditional crafts. Urushi painting and
"Maki-e" decoration of these Urushi crafts works were removed by usage for many
years. Experts of Urushi crafts have repaired and restored them correctly by
gain an insight into their conditions, materials and techniques. They can
understand the contained information by watching the works. This observation
method is called "Mitate". In this study, it was aimed to examine how to
conduct Mitate when Urushi craftspeople look at the works. As a result, it is
considered that expert craftspeople could ensure the characteristics
recognition by gaining and combining more information from the work than the
other subject. Keywords: Mitate; Text mining; Maki-e; Urushi crafts; Craftspeople; Expert and
Non-expert | |||
| Evaluation of Kyo-Yuzen-Zome Fabrics with Different Pastes | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 224-235 | |
| Takashi Furukawa; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Noriaki Kuwahara; Noriyuki Kida | |||
| "Yuzen-zome" is a traditional but still popular method of dyeing fabrics in
Japan. The products using the Yuzen-zome method and manufactured in Kyoto city
are called "Kyo-Yuzen-zome." The dyeing method of Yuzen-zome can be dividing
into 10 procedures. A specialized craftsman is in charge of each procedure.
During the paste application (Nori-oki) procedure, the expert applies a starch
paste or a rubber paste to a fabric. The two pastes create different effect on
the dyed fabric. At market, the fabric with a starch paste application is
perceived to have a higher value than that with a rubber paste. In this study,
the difference of the viscosity between two materials was clarified, and
specimens which craftsman dyed were observed. Then how two materials put on
fabrics, and the structures of them were measured. Keywords: Paste; Fabric; Dyeing; Starch; Rubber | |||
| A Task Analytic Process to Define Future Concepts in Aviation | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 236-246 | |
| Brian F. Gore; Cynthia Wolter | |||
| A necessary step when developing next generation systems is to understand
the tasks that operators will perform. One NextGen concept under evaluation
termed Single Pilot Operations (SPO) is designed to improve the efficiency of
airline operations. This SPO concept includes a Pilot on Board (PoB), a Ground
Station Operator (GSO), and automation. A number of procedural changes are
likely to result when such changes in roles and responsibilities are
undertaken. Automation is expected to relieve the PoB and GSO of some tasks
(e.g. radio frequency changes, loading expected arrival information). A major
difference in the SPO environment is the shift to communication-cued
crosschecks (verbal / automated) rather than movement-cued crosschecks that
occur in a shared cockpit. The current article highlights a task analytic
process of the roles and responsibilities between a PoB, an approach-phase GSO,
and automation. Keywords: Task analysis; concept evaluation; single pilot operations | |||
| Application of E-learning System Reality in Kyoto-style Earthen Wall Training | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 247-253 | |
| Akihiko Goto; Hirofumi Yoshida; Yuka Takai; Wang Zelong; Hiroyuki Sato | |||
| In this paper, application of e-learning system in Kyoto-style earthen wall
training was introduced and investigated. Simultaneously, a new design of
e-learning (on-line) "Kyokabe" coating teaching system was put forward and
established focusing on the analysis of motion, electromyography and eye
movement. Consequently it was verified to provide a platform to publish the
latest quantitative researches and coasting technical skills for assisting
beginners to understand the key points in process technique from expert. Keywords: E-learning system; Kyoto-style earthen wall; clay wall; training; painting | |||
| The Influence of Shift Workers Sleeping Quality upon Job Performance | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 254-262 | |
| Yu-Ching Huang; Fang-Ling Lin; Hui-Chun Chen; Ching-Chung Chen; Chih-Lin Chang | |||
| In the past few decades shift workers are highly needed to meet the demands
of globalization and the 24-hour society worldwide. There are about 20% of
labors doing shift jobs in America and European. In Taiwan, there are almost
35.5% of labors work shift jobs. Shift and night shift workers usually sleep
15-20% less than the regular workers, and, the sleeping quality during the day
time is not as good as during the night. This study discusses the relationships
between sleeping quality and job performance of shift workers on various
shifting working hours by reviewing the previous literatures and researches. On
the other hand, the study further compares the two methods of measuring
sleeping quality and discusses the advantages and weakness of different testing
methods. The results could provide more useful references to researchers who
are interesting in the issues of sleeping quality and shift works while
choosing instrument of testing sleeping quality. Keywords: sleeping quality; shift workers; sleeping disorder | |||
| The Classification Tendency and Common Denomination of the Points Paid Attention in Ikebana Instruction | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 263-272 | |
| Yuki Ikenobo; Noriaki Kuwahara; Noriyuki Kida; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto | |||
| "Ikebana" is one of the representative aspects of Japanese Culture. However
Ikebana arranging skill has been passed down as an oral tradition from master
to disciple, rather than in a systematic educational system. This research
examines the words used by a teacher with regard to ikebana arrangements
created by a beginner and an experienced arranger, examines what parts of the
arrangements are focused on and evaluated, and looks at the points ikebana
teacher pay attention to in correcting arrangements. It is possible that
clarifying the criteria for evaluation and correction of arrangements will
contribute to establishing a logical and scientific method of teaching ikebana
in the future.
With respect to the arrangement created by a beginner, there were many comments about the "tai" portion rather than evaluation of the overall form of the arrangement. So "tai" is supposed to be a difficult part of Ikebana arrangement for beginner. Regarding the arrangement created by the experienced arranger, it is possible that overall balance of the arrangement made the viewer have a positive impression of the whole work. However, a few positive comments were also made about the overall arrangement created by the beginner. Although the beginner's arrangement was not as accomplished as the work by an experienced arranger, it appears that viewers don't always look negatively at an arrangement created by a beginner. Next concerning correction of the arrangement, Comments for correction of Ikebana arrangement occurred both for beginner and for experienced arranger, though experienced arrangers followed the standard method. These results indicate that comments made during the correction of an arrangement can be categorized into two types: "comments made because of discrepancy with the one standard arranging method," and "comments made because of disagreement with the aesthetics of the viewer." The former type of comment occurs only for the arrangement made by a beginner, as opposed to many positive comments for the arrangement made by an experienced arranger. The latter type of comment seems to be made for arrangements both by an experienced arranger and a beginner. Keywords: Correction; arrangements; comments; aesthetic; evaluation; standard method | |||
| Analysis and Comparison of Ergonomics in Laparoscopic and Open Surgery -- A Pilot Study | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 273-281 | |
| Kristian Karlovic; Stefan Pfeffer; Thomas Maier; Karl-Dietrich Sievert; Ralf Rothmund; Monika A. Rieger; Benjamin Steinhilber | |||
| This pilot study systematically analyses and compares ergonomics of
laparoscopic and open surgery in gynecology and urology. The results will help
to identify and describe elements for ergonomic optimization in these
professions. Further a supporting technical system to reduce physical demands
shall be developed on the basis of assessment. A multiple measurement approach
including subjective and objective methods was used with regard to the complex
setting in surgery units. Subjective and objective methods indicate
musculoskeletal strain for both types of surgery. Several indications for low
ergonomics and static work have been found. Keywords: Ergonomics; healthcare; supporting system; workload | |||
| Effect of Wall Material of a Room on Performance in Long Monotonous Work | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 282-291 | |
| Hiroki Nishimura; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Atsushi Endo; Noriaki Kuwahara | |||
| A decline in concentration and physical/mental fatigue induce the occurrence
of errors in monotonous work, or a decline in work efficiency. The efficiency
of monotonous work is closely related to the environment of a room.
Historically, Japan incorporates natural materials, such as clay, grass, bamboo
charcoal in the interior construction of rooms. Natural materials used for
interiors characteristically have properties which adjust to moisture levels
and absorb contaminants in a house. We thus, expect the possibility of
utilizing these specific effects to improve work efficiency while performing
tedious work. The purpose of this study is to clarify how materials, such as
wallpaper, clay wall and bamboo charcoal board, used in the construction of an
interior, influence work efficiency and fatigue during long monotonous work. In
this study, subjects sorted literature to represent the monotonous work used in
the research. The status of work was recorded via video camera and the brain
waves of the participants were measured. Fatigue levels, before and after the
experiment, were also recorded. Keywords: long monotonous work; interior environment; clay wall; bamboo charcoal;
fatigue | |||
| Comparative Study on the Feature of Kitchen Knife Sharpening Skill between Expert and Non-Expert | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 292-300 | |
| Yuka Takai; Masahiko Yamada; Akihiko Goto; Wang Zelong; Akira Ii | |||
| Sharpening is one of basic culinary for a cook. In this study, 10 experts
and 10 non-experts from Kyoto culinary art college were employed to investigate
the gesture of sharpening. The feature of processing was recorded and
summarized by a force plate and two cameras. All participants' main movement
elements were counted and summarized. The most representative subjects of
expert and non-expert in each type were observed and analyzed by Digital
Microscopy. The movement gesture performing with right hand deeply holding the
knife was the recommended knife position. Keywords: Sharpening; Expert; Non-Expert; Gesture | |||
| Visual Behavior in a Japanese Drum Performance of Gion Festival Music | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 301-310 | |
| Katsuma Yamada; Masaru Ohgiri; Takashi Furukawa; Hisanori Yuminaga; Akihiko Goto; Noriyuki Kida; Hiroyuki Hamada | |||
| The purpose of this study was to focus on the gaze shift in a coordinated
musical performance and experimentally clarify its role in the matched timing
of the players. To summarize the results obtained in the present study, (1) the
number of gaze shifts for the expert was less than that for the non-expert; (2)
the expert's gaze shifts decreased significantly at the moment of a beat; (3)
the expert did not turn his gaze on the drum surface, but turned his gaze
between his drum and the opposite person's drum; and (4) the percentages of
gaze location on the drum surface of the self and the drum surface of the
opposite person were higher in the case of the non-expert. Keywords: Gaze; percentages of gaze location areas; Expert; Non-expert | |||
| Understanding and Facilitating the Communication Process among Healthcare Professionals | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 313-324 | |
| Janaina Cintra Abib; André Bueno; Junia Anacleto | |||
| We present a system for e-health considering natural user interactions for
mobile through analysis of healthcare professionals' activities. The healthcare
professionals have to manager patients' care and their activities, take notes
of all of them and share information. Communication between healthcare
professionals is carried out through notations on paper, verbally and sometimes
through messages by mobile. These procedures make the communication process
inefficient and slow. We studied the relation between healthcare professionals,
how they interacting and how they communicate in a hospital to propose a better
way of communication, supported by technology. The analysis of activities
ensured that the needs of the healthcare professionals were hit and the routine
of these professionals was maintained, making this interaction more natural.
This experiments show us how the healthcare professionals communicate
themselves, to do regular activities related to their work, to exchange
experience and to talk about trivial matters. The use of technological
accelerated the communication, and the tasks disseminated through big screen
TV, allowed that everyone could share the tasks and resolve them quickly by the
team. Keywords: Natural user interface; communication process and information | |||
| PEGASO: Towards a Life Companion | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 325-331 | |
| Stefano Carrino; Maurizio Caon; Omar Abou Khaled; Giuseppe Andreoni; Elena Mugellini | |||
| In the frame of the PEGASO European project, we aim at promoting healthier
lifestyles focusing on the alimentary education and physical activity. This
paper presents the concept of health companion as the main tool to inform and
push the user towards a healthier lifestyle. This companion is an advanced
interface that assists and entertains the user, providing him an adequate
knowledge about alimentary and physical education. The companion is based on a
knowledge model of the user and its behavior; it is composed of three main
facets: is tailored to the user, is based on affective design and is designed
to be a life companion. Keywords: smartphone; health; obesity | |||
| Biomechanical Study of Foot Force Pattern in Hallux Valgus (HV) Patients | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 332-339 | |
| Saba Eshraghi; Ibrahim Esat | |||
| Background: Hallux valgus is the angulation of the big toe of more than 15
degrees. Many people during their lives are challenged with this condition. The
occurrence is 3 times more in women to men. However one of the causes of the
condition is congenital but the other important factor is wearing narrow toe
box and high heel shoes. There are some devices measuring the foot kinematic or
sole pressure for identifying such condition but as there are lots of
variations in foot kinematics and pressure the identification of the disease
becomes more challenging. Many previous works are published regarding to foot
sole pressure pattern but still early recognition of the condition is needed.
Method: To see the existence of force pattern out of gait experiments, Rs-Scan device used to take the kinematic data of the one complete foot contact. 10 trials were conducted of each volunteer with the full right foot contact with the pressure mat. 3 valid trials have been chosen for final analyses. With this method the load/pressure measurement under the 10 anatomical regions of the foot have been recorded and used to recognise people with and without deformity. Furthermore, Motion Capture cameras were used to capture the first and the second metatarsal movements in HV and Non HV volunteers to see whether there is a joint laxity of the metatarsals in HV patients. Results: It was observed that the load pattern in forefoot in people with HV was significantly different compared to non HV volunteers. So independent sample T-Test done and the statistical difference less than 0.05 observed in Toe 1, Metatarsal 1, Metatarsal 2, Metatarsal 3, Metatarsal 4 and Metatarsal 5. So just there was no difference load pattern on the Toe 2-5. Hence, the maximum load was on the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads in people with HV which is already published by previous authors but the walking speed showed a significant effect on the force variations in both group. The relative movements captured by 7 cameras in Motion Capture laboratory were monitored and it has shown the greater movement of first and second metatarsal heads in patients with HV. Conclusion: The observed force pattern was changing trial to trial in each individual to have a consistent reading they asked to walk 10 times over the pressure mat. After getting this, it was discovered that there is a relationship between walking speed and maximum load applied to the forefoot. Also there was rising load on the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads in HV patients. Hence, the 6 regions on the forefoot including Toe1, Meta1, Meta 2, Meta 3, Meta 4, Meta 5 were statistically different while comparing HV and control group. It should be indicated that HV group also had more lateral movement of the first metatarsal head comparing to control group. Keywords: Hallux valgus; Foot force pattern | |||
| An Environment for Domestic Supervised Amblyopia Treatment | | BIBA | Full-Text | 340-350 | |
| Giancarlo Facoetti; Angelo Gargantini; Andrea Vitali | |||
| Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a condition in which the eye and the brain do not work properly together; this condition causes poor vision in the lazy eye. It involves around 4% of the children. We have devised a system for the diagnosis and treatment of amblyopia by using 3D technology. To be successful, the proposed treatment must be enjoyable and suitable for domestic use (for instance by watching TV) and carried out with a constant supervision by the doctors. We present a system in which patients and doctors exchange information about the prescribed activities. | |||
| Active Prevention by Motivating and Engaging Teenagers in Adopting Healthier Lifestyles: | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 351-360 | |
| Renata Guarneri; Giuseppe Andreoni | |||
| Prevention in Healthcare is a mandatory strategy for the next future. Health
system sustainability together with lifestyle quality improvement are strictly
related to this strategy. PEGASO is a EU funded research project addressing
these goals in young people through an integrated approach and system dealing
with: human modeling 2.0, wearable technology, and social serious gaming for
promoting the adoption of a healthier and happy lifestyle. Such an approach
related to social and happiness factors rather than to constraints and
limitations is fundamental to ensure long term compliance and efficacy for
prevention. User requirements will be addressed by the project including a
vision that integrates a lifestyle of healthy habits with an environment that
promotes healthy living by encouraging exercise and making healthy food
affordable and pleasurable. Keywords: prevention; social serious gaming; human modeling 2.0; teenagers | |||
| Robot Patient for Nursing Self-training in Transferring Patient from Bed to Wheel Chair | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 361-368 | |
| Zhifeng Huang; Ayanori Nagata; Masako Kanai-Pak; Jukai Maeda; Yasuko Kitajima; Mitsuhiro Nakamura; Kyoko Aida; Noriaki Kuwahara; Taiki Ogata; Jun Ota | |||
| In this paper, we proposed a robot patient for the nursing training in
patient transfer. The robot patient was developed to reproduce the performance
of the patients who are suffering from mobility problems. We targeted on the
reproduction of movement of the patient's limbs (arms and legs) with the
consideration of physical and voice interaction between the patient and nurse.
The robot patient had 15 joints including 2 active joints installed with
motors, 4 passive joints installed with electric brakes and 9 passive joints
without any actuators. To realize the physical interaction, potentiometer type
angle sensors was utilized to detect the rotation angle of the joints of
shoulders, elbows and knees. In addition, follow-up control approach was
applied to the shoulder joint. By this way the robot could react accordingly
when the trainees moved its limbs. A voice recognition module was applied to
enable the robot to interact with the trainee by voice. An experiment was
performed by a nursing teacher for examine the robot's performance. The robot
patient successfully reproduced the patient's movement with physical and voice
interaction, including embracing, keeping embracing, standing up, keeping
standing and sitting down. Keywords: nursing skills training; robot patient; patient transfer | |||
| Evaluating the Healthcare Management System by Usability Testing | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 369-376 | |
| Po-Hsin Huang; Ming-Chuan Chiu | |||
| To maintain and enhance good health status, many health management products
have been developed. However, most of these products are lack of friendliness
and usability. This study proposed a new process to evaluate the usability with
an aim to improve the user experience. An experiment was conducted that
participants played a Kinect sport game based healthcare management system.
Results showed that the heart rates of participants were increased while using
this product and led to effective exercise. According to the questionnaire
results, this study also proposed some suggestions from the participants to
improve the healthcare management system usability. The contributions of this
study are both on the academic and practical aspects. In the academia, this
study created a usability testing process to evaluate and verify a
product/system. Practically, the result in this study could enhance the
healthcare management system in a more friendly and useful manner. Keywords: usability testing; user experience; healthcare management system; kinect | |||
| Building a Telemedicine Framework to Improve the Interactions between Cancer Patients and Oncology Triage Nurses | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 377-384 | |
| Saif Khairat; Venkatesh Rudrapatna | |||
| As healthcare becomes more complex and data driven, the need and use of
telemedicine continues to grow. Cancer patients require substantial amount of
assistance and guidance through the chemotherapy process. The traditional
telephone interaction between patients and providers shows major limitations
such as inaccurate assessments and patient dissatisfaction. For that reason,
his paper investigates a novel informatics intervention, which is the
utilization of telemedicine to improve patient-provider interaction through
videoconferencing technologies. The anticipated outcomes include higher
accuracy in triage nursing decisions, higher patient and provider satisfaction
rates. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide a study design of a
telemedicine framework that aims at improving cancer patient management. Keywords: Telemedicine; Oncology; Cancer; Patient; Provider; Communication; Management | |||
| Usability Challenges and Barriers in EHR Training of Primary Care Resident Physicians | | BIBA | Full-Text | 385-391 | |
| Min Soon Kim; Martina A. Clarke; Jeffery L. Belden; Elaine Hinton | |||
| Current EHRs require a large investment of resources for a user to reach a certain level of proficiency, which is a significant obstacle for new physicians who are not sufficiently trained by their medical schools. Beginning residents in primary care cope with a steep learning curve on EHR use due to EHRs with poor usability, which may lead to medical errors, and decreased quality of patient care. Identifying and addressing early barriers in the learning environment of residents while using an EHR can help improve overall capacity of the new physicians, and save costs for the organization. The goal of this study is to assess current usability challenges and barriers in EHR education and training program at the University of Missouri Health Care (UMHC). | |||
| Robotics as a Tool in Fundamental Nursing Education | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 392-402 | |
| Yasuko Kitajima; Mitsuhiro Nakamura; Jukai Maeda; Masako Kanai-Pak; Kyoko Aida; Zhifeng Huang; Ayanori Nagata; Taiki Ogata; Noriaki Kuwahara; Jun Ota | |||
| The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of
robotics can contribute to nursing education, using the training for wheelchair
transfers. The most common and extensively used method for practical learning
is role playing. However the nursing student cannot turn into a patient
thoroughly. To solve this problem, we proposed the creation of a robot patient
for wheelchair transfer techniques training.
The experiment was performed by a nurse. The nurse attempted to assist the robot patient by helping it to stand up from the wheelchair, utilizing the basic techniques and checklist found in the fundamental nursing education textbook. As a result of this study, we have determined that the utilization of a robot could contribute to the teaching material for nursing education, and created an opportunity to reconsider what is accepted as basics or fundamental techniques. Keywords: Robot patient; Simulated patient; Nursing skill; Nursing Education;
Checklist | |||
| Integrated Architecture for Next-Generation m-Health Services (Education, Monitoring and Prevention) in Teenagers | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 403-414 | |
| Marco Mazzola; Pelin Arslan; Gabriela Cândea; Ciprian Radu; Massimiliano Azzolini; Cristiana Degano; Giuseppe Andreoni | |||
| Obesity and other lifestyle-related illness are among the top healthcare
challenges in Europe. The rapid development of the ICT, and in particular
mobile technologies offers an important opportunity for introducing the
possibility of a new technological framework. In this paper, the PEGASO system
is presented. It will be based on a mobile, social and networked gaming
platform, considered as a powerful tool to actively engage the younger
population in activities that will stimulate healthier choices in their daily
lives. The PEGASO project will implement the User Centred Design approach by
considering our target population (i.e. teenagers) at the centre of the system
in a palingenetic process. Smartphone is the first and key sensor system. The
mobile device also acts as communication gateway towards the other sensors.
Basic services, such as those related to location and basic motion sensors to
detect physical activity, are provided through sensors embedded within the
smartphone. Keywords: Teenagers Obesity Prevention; Mobile Based Platform; System Architecture | |||
| The Semantics of Refinement Chart | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 415-426 | |
| Dominique Méry; Neeraj Kumar Singh | |||
| Refinement techniques play a major role to build a complex system
incrementally. Refinement is supported by several modelling techniques in the
area of system designing. These modelling techniques are either in textual
notation or in graphical notation. This paper focuses on refinement chart (RC)
that is based on graphical notations. The refinement chart is a graphical
representation of a complex system using layering approach, where functional
blocks are divided into multiple simpler blocks in a new refinement level,
without changing the original behaviour of the system. The main contribution is
to provide a formal semantical description of the refinement chart. The
refinement chart offers a clear view of assistance in "system" integration that
models complex critical medical systems. Moreover, it also sketches a clear
view of different operating modes and their associated components. To realize
the effectiveness of this approach, we apply this refinement based graphical
modelling technique to model the grand challenge: cardiac pacemaker. Keywords: Refinement; modelling; semantics; verification | |||
| Pegaso: A Serious Game to Prevent Obesity | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 427-435 | |
| Lucia Pannese; Dalia Morosini; Petros Lameras; Sylvester Arnab; Ian Dunwell; Till Becker | |||
| The problem of obesity in the world has grown considerably in recent years.
Between 16% and 33% of children and adolescents are obese. Even if obesity is
among one of the easiest medical conditions to recognize, it is one of the most
difficult to treat. The issue of individuals' motivation to change is the most
significant obstacle in promoting positive health behaviours. Games' ability to
reach and engage large number of players for long periods of time provides an
opportunity for them to be used as a pedagogical tool. This paper describes how
serious games and 'gamified' daily life processes appear to be a suitable means
for supporting persuasion towards healthful behaviour within the frame of the
Pegaso project that aims to develop a multi-dimensional cross-disciplinary ICT
system to prevent overweight and obesity in the younger population. Keywords: serious games; obesity; adolescents; healthy nutrition; game based learning | |||
| Virtual Knee Arthroscopy Using Haptic Devices and Real Surgical Images | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 436-447 | |
| Shahzad Rasool; Alexei Sourin; Vladimir Pestrikov; Fareed Kagda | |||
| Knee arthroscopic surgery is performed on the knee joint by making small
incisions on the skin through which an endoscopic camera (arthroscope) is
inserted along with miniature surgical instruments. It demands from the
surgeons to acquire special motor-skills. A few commercial simulators are
available for arthroscopic surgery training however the area is still very open
for research and development. In contrast to the common fully-3D way of
simulation of knee arthroscopy, we propose a hybrid image-based approach where
real arthroscopic videos are converted to panoramic images which are augmented
with 3D deformable models of the tissues as well as 3D models of surgical
instruments. The motions of the virtual arthroscope and the instruments are
controlled by two desktop haptic devices. The hybrid virtual scene is
visualized through a moving circular window, which follows the motion of the
virtual arthroscope. Keywords: virtual arthroscopy; haptics; image-based | |||
| Using Ontologies and Semantic Web Technology on a Clinical Pedigree Information System | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 448-459 | |
| João Miguel Santos; Beatriz Sousa Santos; Leonor Teixeira | |||
| Clinical family histories, in the form of clinical pedigrees, are recognized
as valuable tools in the diagnostic, risk assessment and treatment of patients
and their family members. The lack of adequate tools in present health
information systems (HIS) is one of the factors that currently deter
practitioners from making full use of these tools. In this paper we present
OntoFam, an ontology-based clinical pedigree information system that can be
integrated with existing HIS. We focus on the usage of ontologies and semantic
web technology in the context of this information system and present a
practical scenario of integration with hemo@care, a HIS designed for hemophilia
care. Keywords: ontology-based information system; clinical family history; clinical
pedigree; semantic web technology | |||
| Formalizing the Glucose Homeostasis Mechanism | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 460-471 | |
| Neeraj Kumar Singh; Hao Wang; Mark Lawford; Thomas S. E. Maibaum; Alan Wassyng | |||
| The failure of hardware or software in the medical domain can lead to
injuries and loss of life. Design errors are a major source of the defects that
are introduced during the system development process. Traditional validation
and verification techniques such as simulation and testing are effective
methods for detecting these defects, but are seriously limited in that they
cannot guarantee to find all existing defects. Formal methods provide a
complementary alternative to testing and simulation, and, although we do not
yet have a 'theory of coverage' when combining formal validation and
verification techniques with testing and simulation, the combination provides
better coverage than any one of them on its own. The insulin infusion pump
(IIP) is a critical system that is used by millions of people around the world.
IIP failures are responsible for a large number of serious illnesses and
deaths. This paper presents the formalization of the glucose homeostasis
mechanism that provides an environmental model for the IIP. We can then use
this model to validate the appropriateness and correctness of system behaviours
at an early stage of development. Keywords: Homeostasis; Diabetes; Event-B; Formal methods; Proof-based development;
Refinement | |||
| ENT Disease Diagnosis Using an Expert System | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 472-483 | |
| Duwaraka Yoganathan; Sangaralingam Kajanan | |||
| The field of medicine has witnessed a dramatic growth. However, the accurate
and timely diagnosis of disease continues to be a serious clinical problem.
This is particularly important for Otolaryngology/Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) disease
because ENT disorders can affect hearing, speaking, learning and many other
important activities. Further, certain untreated ENT diseases can be fatal.
Therefore, early diagnose of ENT diseases is vital. While ENT specialist's
service is not always readily accessible, computer aided smart technologies
that can assist general physicians or junior medical officers in diagnosing ENT
diseases and subsequently refer complicated cases to senior ENT experts can
enhance the efficacy of healthcare system. Despite the significance of computer
aided ENT disease diagnosis systems, the research related this subspecialty is
limited. Therefore, in this paper, we describe the research project about an
ENT diagnosis expert system that can assist physicians in diagnosing ENT
diseases. In particular, we will discuss in detail the development, evaluation
and potential benefits of an ENT disease diagnosis expert system. Keywords: ENT Expert System; Otolaryngology Disease Diagnosis; Expert System;
Inferencing | |||
| Application of Bayesian Networks in Consumer Service Industry and Healthcare | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 484-495 | |
| Le Zhang; Yuan Gao; Balmatee Bidassie; Vincent G. Duffy | |||
| Bayesian networks are powerful in data mining and analyzing causal
relationships of an uncertain-reasoning problem. The implementation of Bayesian
networks in industry and healthcare diagnosis can facilitate the process of
locating causations in complex issues. This study conducted two case studies by
BayesiaLab in consumer service and healthcare domain. Case Study One used
unsupervised learning and supervised learning on the individual data set of
county road traffic volume in Indiana State and concluded that road type has
the most significant impact on daily vehicle miles traveled. In Case Study Two,
only supervised learning was used to observe the aggregated data of adverse
mental health effect on civilians, deployed veterans and nondeployed veterans
of different genders. Both types of veterans showed higher probability to have
adverse mental health compared to civilians. In conclusion, Bayesian networks
provided valid results to support prior research. Further research is needed to
investigate the differences between using individual data and aggregated data,
and to apply Bayesian networks in meta-analysis. Keywords: Bayesian Networks; BayesiaLab; Traffic Volume; Mental Health | |||
| Design and Ergonomics of Monitoring System for Elderly | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 499-507 | |
| Giuseppe Andreoni; Fiammetta Costa; Alberto Attanasio; Giuseppe Baroni; Sabrina Muschiato; Paola Nonini; Andrea Pagni; Roberto Biraghi; Roberto Pozzi; Maximiliano Romero; Paolo Perego | |||
| This paper presents the study and the development of a tele-monitoring
system with the aim to support elderly people living alone. The intent of our
new system is to permanently connect the elderly with their relative and
caregivers. The tele-monitoring system allows to continuously monitoring the
subjects as they were in a hospital and, in case of anomalies in the health
state, automatically share and alarm to caregivers and relatives. The
continuous monitoring is done using two different sub-systems: wearable sensors
for biomedical data collection and infrared video cameras for fall detection.
The main goal of this study is to develop and test the system prototype not
only from a functional point of view, but also from the user acceptability and
usability point of view. For this reason this studies was based on a parallel
development of acceptability and technical issues; this allows to create an
ad-hoc tele-monitoring system for elderly. Keywords: Tele-medicine; Tele-monitoring; Elderly; Wearable devices; Optical
monitoring devices | |||
| A Low Cost Haptic Mouse for Prosthetic Socket Modeling | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 508-515 | |
| Giancarlo Facoetti; Andrea Vitali; Giorgio Colombo; Caterina Rizzi | |||
| This paper refers to the design of prosthetic socket adopting a
computer-aided approach. The main goal is to make available a modeling tool,
named SMA-Socket Modeling Assistant, which permits to replicate/emulate manual
operations usually performed by the prosthetist. Typically, s/he also relies on
the sense of touch; therefore the underlying idea has been to develop and
experiment haptic devices. The paper presents a haptic mouse at low-cost to
make it affordable also by small orthopedic labs. It is essentially a
traditional mouse device enhanced with a servomotor and a pressure sensor pad
integrated with Arduino board and SMA. The application within SMA is described
as well as the haptic interaction with physically-based model of the residual
limb. Finally preliminary tests are illustrated. Keywords: prosthesis socket modelling; haptic devices; low cost haptic mouse; Arduino | |||
| Evaluating Work Disability of Lower Limb Handicapped within a Human Modeling Framework | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 516-526 | |
| Yan Fu; Xingsheng Chen; Shiqi Li; Jacob Gwenguo Chen; Bohe Zhou | |||
| An accurate disability evaluation provides good basis for job placement of
the handicapped and corresponding accommodations. In this study a work
disability analysis model is firstly developed to predict human performance in
certain task scenarios and the disability index is finally correlated to DOF of
joints, the inner joint moments, the muscle pressure around the stump. The
model is made of three levels. The outcome of the third level algorithm will be
reflected in digital human in simulated task scenarios. To simulate handicapped
behavior, the study further presents a simulation framework to realize the
above three-level model, which integrate the two kinds of constraints: task
constraints and physical function constraints, reflecting on posture and motion
of the digital man. To validate the modeling framework, the study used material
handling task as an ex-ample. Ten male BKAs were recruited in Chinese
electronic manufacturing companies. The model calculated the optimization
angles and moments of knee, hip, elbow joints of healthy and unhealthy parts.
The calculated results are put to biomechanical-disability spectrum to generate
a weighted disability index, compared to evaluation results by an occupational
therapist. Meanwhile, results were put in Jack environment and a manikin was
created and compared to another manikin created by motion capture data. The
matching results will validate the applicability of the proposed framework to
modeling handicapped behavior. Keywords: Limb handicapped; work disability; human modeling; evaluation | |||
| Development of a Tendon-Driven Dexterous Hand for Fine Manipulation | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 527-534 | |
| Jamie Galiastro; Hao Zhang; David Ribeiro; Anthony Mele; William Craelius; Kang Li | |||
| This paper presents a tendon-driven dexterous hand capable of object
manipulation. This dexterous hand is anatomically sound and mimics the
musculoskeletal structure of human fingers including the passive mechanism,
bone geometry, tendon network. One of the key features of this prosthetic hand
is the ability to perform fine finger manipulation motions such as holding a
pen with two fingers and rotating the pen. With this feature the user of the
prosthesis will be potentially capable of performing a wider range of motions
and tasks, which is the key feature missing from current commercially
prosthetic hand available today. Some of these tasks can include holding
utensils, performing fine manipulation movements in manufacturing settings, as
well as many other tasks to greatly assist the user of the prosthesis. Keywords: Tendon-Driven; Fine Manipulation; Dexterous Hand | |||
| Mobile Navigation for Limited Mobility Users | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 535-545 | |
| Bettina Harriehausen-Muhlabauter | |||
| Modern information technology can improve life in many places and situations
in our society. This includes the improvement and simplification of life for
people with special needs. We have developed a mobile navigation tool called
Wheel Scout, which combines modern mobile information technology, such as
smartphones and their programming, with existing navigational technology,
meeting the goal to serve specific needs for people with special needs. In
comparison to existing tools, we concentrate on barrier-free routes rather than
barrier-free buildings and our enhancements include: (a) the marking of
barriers on a chosen route, (b) an intelligent computation of a detour in case
the chosen route contains barriers, (c) the customization of the app by
defining your personal profile(s), (d) the opportunity to include both static
as well as temporary barriers, and (e) a high degree of interactivity which
enhances the app steadily. Keywords: Mobile navigation; Calculation of barrier-free walkways; Customization based
on degree of impairment; Mobile insertion of static and temporary barriers;
Enhancement through interactivity | |||
| Analysis of Luria Memory Tests for Development on Mobile Devices | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 546-557 | |
| J. A. Hijar Miranda; Erika Hernández Rubio; Amilcar Meneses Viveros | |||
| Specialist in mental health and neuropsychology apply tests to patients to
evaluate impairment level of people cortical functions. Luria tests are
designed to treat defects caused by local lesions that may affect the higher
functions of the man. In particular, Luria test study the memory and
intellectual processes. An application of Luria test is determinate the level
of memory impairment. An example of suffers of memory impairment are older
adults. The application efficiency of Luria memory tests in older adults
decreases owing to biological factor such as inability moving to place of
performance testing. In addition, there are a great demand for health services
compared with the number specialist capable of addressing mental deterioration.
This increases the complexity of control and monitoring patients. A solution
for the problem of application efficiency of Luria tests is a digital
implementation of the Luria tests on mobile devices, taking advantages of the
characteristic of mobile computing. This solution requires an analysis of the
Luria memory tests considerate the HCI factors, the different mobile
interfaces, the elements of interaction of mobile devices and in the case study
of older adults, the special considerations for this kind of people. Keywords: Luria memory test; mobile devices; older adults; mobile interfaces; HCI
factors; collaborative systems | |||
| Research on Senior Response to Transfer Assistance between Wheelchair and Bed | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 558-566 | |
| Mikako Ito; Yuka Takai; Akihiko Goto; Noriaki Kuwahara | |||
| As of October, 2012, the Japanese population was found to be aging at a rate
of 24.1%. The results determined that the rate of aging for this sector of the
Japanese population makes Japan one of the most aged societies in the world.
As the aging population continues to increase in size, we anticipate that more nursing will be necessary to accommodate the future needs of seniors. Due to the complex nature and challenging field of senior care, nursing homes experience high employee turnover rates. The shortage of skillful employees is problematic, so the option of training employees without a nursing background may be an integral part of the solution. Proper "transfer assistance between wheelchair and bed" is a fundamental element of senior care. However, large gaps in how to perform a safe transfer are noticeable amongst skilled and non-skilled caregivers. To analyze and provide seniors a safe and comfortable transfer, we measured seniors' brain waves and facial expressions as transfers were performed by skilled and non-skilled caregivers. The experiment was not limited to the analysis of transfer techniques. Differences in brain waves, facial expressions, voice, tone and the requests of skilled and non-skilled caregivers were measured as well. Keywords: patient safety; transfer assistance between wheelchair and bed; brain waves | |||
| Effectiveness of Paper Coloring Recreation in an Elderly Persons Care Home | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 567-574 | |
| Shinichiro Kawabata | |||
| Aging poses a problem all over the world, and the numbers of dementias
patients are increasing. In connection, number of elderly nursing home is also
increasing. Accordingly, health care sector is facing a serious labor shortage.
There are needs to create an recreational activity which can expect improvement
of elderly people's dementia prevention and easing a care worker's burden. In
this study picture colouring was carried out, as a result behavior problems of
elderly people decreased dramatically and burden of care worker has also
decreased. Keywords: Recreation; Elderly care home; colour brush pen; picture coloring | |||
| Non-financial Factors of Job Satisfaction in the Development of a Safety Culture Based on Examples from Poland and Romania | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 577-587 | |
| Marcin Butlewski; Agnieszka Misztal; Ruxandra Ciulu | |||
| Job satisfaction is a very important criterion which cannot be overstated,
and it is, therefore, the subject of a number of studies. Satisfied employees
often determine that a success of an organization depends on the level of
employees' perception in relation to which the workplace affects the attitude
to the performed tasks. This model is the subject of an ongoing research by the
authors of non-financial factors of job satisfaction in Polish and Romanian
manufacturing (industry) companies. Among the studied factors affecting job
satisfaction, there are issues related to occupational safety and ergonomics,
and these in turn are main aspects of building a safety culture. The article
describes the relationships between: ergonomic level and workplace safety
perceived by the employee, safety culture, and the overall level of job
satisfaction. The paper discusses the pilot studies carried out so far to
verify research tools of questionnaires assessing the non-financial factors of
job satisfaction. As a consequence of the interpretation of the results, the
article presents the elements comprising safety culture in enterprises in
Poland and Romania. Keywords: job satisfaction; safety culture; ergonomics | |||
| Reclaiming Human Machine Nature | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 588-599 | |
| Didier Fass | |||
| Extending and modifying his domain of life by artifact production is one of
the main characteristics of humankind. From the first hominid, who used a wood
stick or a stone for extending his upper limbs and augmenting his gesture
strength, to current systems engineers who used technologies for augmenting
human cognition, perception and action, extending human body capabilities
remains a big issue. From more than fifty years cybernetics, computer and
cognitive sciences have imposed only one reductionist model of human machine
systems: cognitive systems. Inspired by philosophy, behaviorist psychology and
the information treatment metaphor, the cognitive system paradigm requires a
function view and a functional analysis in human systems design process.
According that design approach, human have been reduced to his metaphysical and
functional properties in a new dualism. Human body requirements have been left
to physical ergonomics or "physiology". With multidisciplinary convergence, the
issues of "human-machine" systems and "human artifacts" evolve. The loss of
biological and social boundaries between human organisms and interactive and
informational physical artifact questions the current engineering methods and
ergonomic design of cognitive systems. New development of human machine systems
for intensive care, human space activities or bio-engineering systems requires
grounding human systems design on a renewed epistemological framework for
future human systems model and evidence based "bio-engineering". In that
context, reclaiming human factors, augmented human and human machine nature is
a necessity. Keywords: Augmented human; human machine nature; human systems integration; functional
parameters; human factors; non-functional parameters; organism | |||
| Evacuation Support System for Everyday Use in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 600-611 | |
| Akari Hamamura; Taku Fukushima; Takashi Yoshino; Nobuyuki Egusa | |||
| Numerous natural disasters occur in Japan, such as earthquakes, typhoons,
and volcanic eruptions. Information technology is expected to facilitate
evacuation support when a disaster strikes, but networks cannot be used in many
cases. Moreover, if a disaster occurs in a town that people do not frequent
often, they may find it difficult to cope initially. It is difficult to access
software online immediately at the time of a disaster. Thus, we have developed
an evacuation support system called AkariMap, which can be used offline in the
aftermath of a disaster. AkariMap is also a system that is suitable for
everyday use. AkariMap has two functions: a function that notifies a user about
evacuation support information each day and a disaster mode function that users
can access at times of emergency. Based on the results of our experiments, we
report the following findings. (1) Subjects increasingly accessed local
evacuation support information for about 10 days. (2) Even if people did not
use the notification function in the long-term, they were still accustomed to
using the system. (3) If people need to find a shelter using AkariMap, they can
identify a safer shelter by displaying the flooded areas. Keywords: disaster system; evacuation support; everyday use; offline support system | |||
| Safe Walker -- Shoes That Alert the Wearer to a Danger | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 612-619 | |
| Motoki Ishida; Hisashi Sato; Takayuki Kosaka | |||
| We propose new device that gives the user a warning against walking in a
dangerous area. This device provides the warning to avoid crashing an
automobile into a user. Keywords: Shoes Device; Pedestrian; Warning System | |||
| Using the Critical Path Method in Analyzing the Interdependencies of Critical Services -- Feasibility Study | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 620-629 | |
| Andro Kull | |||
| Everyday life is more and more dependent on critical services and no one can
argue that interruptions in transportation, electricity, etc. cause big
problems in everyday lives. The interdependencies inside of certain sector
services are growing, for example financial services are interrupted in losing
internet banking system. Also, the interdependencies between critical
infrastructure (CI) services are growing -- in case of the power failure, the
financial services are not usable etc. The aim of this paper is to propose
another approach to describe the interdependencies between critical services.
There is a lot of research done in analyzing and modelling the
interdependencies between critical services, for example a survey performed by
Idaho National Lab under the sponsorship of U.S. Technical Support Working
Group identified 30 tools for critical infrastructure interdependency modeling
[1]. Our research is adding some specialties in modelling CI interdependencies. Keywords: critical infrastructure; critical path method; interdependency analysis;
recovery objectives | |||
| COMPAss: A Space Cognitive Behavior Modeling and Performance Assessment Platform | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 630-636 | |
| Yanfei Liu; Zhiqiang Tian; Yu Zhang; Qi Sun; Junsong Li; Jing Sun; Feng Fu | |||
| Based on cognitive architecture, COMPAss (Cognitive behaviOr Modeling and
Performance Assessment) -- an integrated research & development platform
oriented space manual control task is proposed. MRvD (Manual rendezvous and
docking) control task is selected for cognitive modeling and human performance
assessment. The MRvD cognitive behavior model is built on the platform by
extract model declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge and model parameters
on the basis of experimental data, and the model's validation is verified by
comparing the process and results between model's run and actual control. The
verification result shows that the model is effective and model's specific
parameter can map human certain cognitive characteristic. Finally by comparing
model performance with adjusting model's parameter the human performance is
evaluated. As an example how skillful degree influence on human performance for
MRvD task is evaluated and a report for skillful degree vs. MRvD performance is
produced on COMPAss platform. Keywords: Cognitive architecture; Manual rendezvous and docking; Cognitive behavior
modeling; Performance assessment | |||
| HCI Challenges for Community-Based Disaster Recovery | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 637-648 | |
| Jan Willem Streefkerk; Martijn Neef; Kenny Meesters; Reinout Pieneman; Kees van Dongen | |||
| In disaster recovery, responding professional organizations traditionally
assess the needs of communities following a disaster. Recent disasters have
shown that volunteer capacities within the community are not yet integrated in
recovery activities. To improve the efficiency of responding professionals and
utilize the potential capacity from within the community, a platform is needed
that identifies needs and capacities and provides situational overviews of
recovery activities for different stakeholders. The proposed COBACORE platform
aims to 1) bring community needs and capacities directly together, 2) allow
professionals to better maintain awareness of recovery activities and to better
deploy their capacities and 3) facilitate collaboration between professionals
and responding communities. For each function and feature, the Human-Computer
Interaction (HCI) challenges are outlined. In ongoing work, a first prototype
of this platform is implemented and evaluated with stakeholders in simulated
disaster recovery activities. Keywords: disaster recovery; collaboration; information exchange; conceptual design;
community engagement; training; coordination | |||
| Service-Oriented Emergency Management Collaboration System Design | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 649-660 | |
| Fang You; Ri-Peng Zhang; Ping-Ting Li; Jian-Min Wang | |||
| Nowadays, the fast development of mobile devices and web technologies has
greatly changed every aspect of the society. But in terms of emergency
management, most of the existing collaboration systems are implemented on
desktop platforms, so a collaboration system designed for mobile environment
will be of great value. This paper presented an emergency management
collaboration system CoSpace, which is designed base on Service-oriented
Architecture. We analyzed user behaviors in emergency management and extract
reusable atomic services. After that we define data exchange format and pack
these atomic services as web service. Finally we designed UI interaction for
CoSpace and realize the whole system. Keywords: Mobile Collaboration System; Emergency Management; SOA; CBM | |||
| Modeling Human Control Strategies in Simulated RVD Tasks through the Time-Fuel Optimal Control Model | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 661-670 | |
| Shaoyao Zhang; Yu Tian; Chunhui Wang; Shoupeng Huang; Yan Fu; Shanguang Chen | |||
| Human performance modeling has become more and more popular in cognitive
science recently. This paper applies a time-fuel optimal control model to model
the human control strategies in a simplified RVD task. Preliminary comparisons
had been made between the model performance and the performance of human
operators. Results show that the model can model the performance of human
operators and individual differences. Discussion reveals that the human control
strategies in the simplified RVD task depend on a ratio of two time estimates.
This finding can provide useful guide for the further cognitive modeling of the
RVD tasks. Keywords: Human Performance Modeling; RVD; Time-Fuel Optimal Control model | |||