982 research outputs found
ASSESSMENT OF BODY ARMOR DESIGN ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE DURING SIMULATED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
No full textThe objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of current body armor design on physical performance during simulated law enforcement activities. Twenty participants completed three trials of 13 individual activities representative of routine law enforcement activities. Three body armor configurations were evaluated: baseline (i.e., no armor), concealable body armor, and external body armor. Dependent variables included task completion time, heart rate, and center of pressure (COP). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to test the dependant variables, with Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests used where appropriate. Results showed that the vertical and horizontal components of COP were affected by armor condition, time was not affected by armor condition, and heart rate was found to have significance in the EBA condition. The findings show that there is evidence to suggest that armor can affect the physical performance of wearers as they go about completing physical activities
The effects of gloves on muscle activation while moving small containerized plants
No full textA study involving the movement of small-sized nursery plant containers was conducted using surface electromyography (EMG) to assess the effect that glove type has on forearm and shoulder muscle activation. A total of 24 participants were asked to move weighted nursery containers simultaneously with both left and right hands (one one-gallon, two one-gallon and one three-gallon) from a floor location to a table located twenty feet away while wearing one of four glove treatments (1. No Glove; 2. Thick Leather; 3. Grip Assist Mechanics; 4. Thin Nitrile). Muscle activation was evaluated as a percentage of the participants' maximum voluntary exertion (MVE). The results show no glove effect difference for the smaller pot configuration. With the larger container treatments, muscle activity was affected by glove treatment, specifically for the left and right flexor and extensor radialis muscles
Evaluating the validity of latency effects in robotics simulation
No full textLatency is a common issue found in robotics teleoperation that is not currently addressed in simulation. This study examined the effects of latency on operator performance for a robot teleoperation navigation task. Operators used a Logitech gamepad controller to teleoperate a robot through both a simulated environment and real-world environment. Both environments had the same dimensions and provided a path with obstacles the participant had to navigate. Participants performed this navigation task under three latency conditions, zero, low and high. Completion time, number of collisions, NASA-TLX, System Usability Survey, and User Experience survey were collected and participant performance compared for all latency conditions across the simulated and real-world environments. Results indicated a significant difference in participant performance between the simulated and real-world scenarios
Exploring feedback mode redundancy in handheld scanning tasks
No full textThis study was conducted to determine whether or not combining feedback modes resulted in improved operator performance, given a specific task and environment. A common industrial handheld scanner with multiple feedback settings was used to assess four experimental feedback conditions (auditory, auditory-visual, auditory-tactile, and auditory-visual-tactile) during simulated box scanning tasks. Participants completed four-50 box trials in a single test session where boxes were scanned and located based on the feedback provided regarding the scan. Task completion time and ranks, hit rate and false alarms were recorded. While the auditory-visual-tactile feedback combination produced the fastest performance time, there was no statistically significant improvement in operator performance between the four feedback settings tested. By understanding the most important feedback modes, or combination of such, identification of the best scanner settings for this device and task can be made
EFFECT OF BACKREST ANGLE ON OPERATOR DISCOMFORT
No full textAn optimal automotive seat backrest angle has not been identified, and currently, no universal method for analyzing sitting discomfort exists. The purposes of this study were to: (1) identify an optimum seat backrest angle or range of angles based on objective and subjective discomfort measures, and (2) evaluate existing methods for analyzing sitting discomfort data. Eight participants (4 male 4 female) completed three, two hour test sessions in a driving simulator. Results showed that subjective and objective measures were moderately correlated. The 120° seat backrest angle (measured from horizontal) resulted in less discomfort than the 105° and 135° seat backrest angles. Time weighted subjective discomfort ratings were the most effective subjective measure of sitting discomfort. Results also indicated that participants were able to identify discomfort differences for few body regions
A framework for describing and assessing process capability for the automated creation of 3DCAD platforms for ETO products
No full textEngineered to Order (ETO) products can benefit from the concepts and tools offered by Product and Platforms Line Engineering (PLE) (such as increased variety offer and efficient use of resources), and CAD/PLM (Computer Aided Design/Product Life-cycle management) in order to gain competitiveness. This paper portrays a framework for describing and measuring the processes that conform that connection between PLE and CAD; presents a description of the key components of the entire process, their relationships, as well a set of metrics for assessing the ability of a process for creating Geometrical CAD Platforms. A case study of an ETO product development with the implementation of this framework is presented in two different scenarios for validating the concepts exposed and demonstrating the use of the framework for assessing the capability of an organization for creating 3DCAD platforms for ETO Products
INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF PROCESS COMPLEXITY ON QUALITY OF CARE IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
No full textThis research examined the impact of ED process complexity on hospital quality outcomes. Nine emergency department nurse managers from hospitals in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana were interviewed regarding processes of registration, laboratory testing, medication administration, radiology, and discharge. Interview data was coded according to variables in proposed equations for patientocused, providerocused, and overall process complexity. Hospital quality was measured using existing process of care, outcome of care, and patient satisfaction standards. Results showed a strong negative correlation between process complexity and overall quality, suggesting that hospitals with lower process complexity experience higher quality outcomes. Regression analysis showed that the average number of patient steps in a process and the overall complexity the registration process were significant predictors of overall quality. Methods of reducing patient steps and registration process complexity are discussed
Investigation of human subjectivity during Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)
No full textSeveral concerns with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), including acknowledgement that the process contains human subjectivity, can be found in literature; however very little research has been conducted to identify where and to what extent this variation is found. This thesis investigated sources of variation related to human decision making within FMEA. Participants were required to determine the effects of given failure modes by selection of a severity level given varied input information. The study found that participants were not able to sift through the provided information and identify the appropriate cues relating data relevance to the failure mode under analysis. Thus, it appeared that more information will reduce conservatism – however the quality of the information and experience level does not have an effect. The study concluded that FMEAs contain significant subjectivity and data quality assessment must form part of the FMEA framework
Evaluating user satisfaction and perceived quality of electronic health records in Mississippi
No full textElectronic Health Records (EHRs) is a health information technology that has already begun to change the way healthcare providers care for patients. EHRs can potentially enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care (Simon et al., 2010); however, some research shows that EHRs do not always do so. The lack of improved efficiency and quality of care can lead to frustrated and dissatisfied users. The effects of different aspects of EHR implementation could affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of EHRs. This study investigates the how time since implementation, training, and leadership affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of the EHR system in clinics in Mississippi. The results of the study indicate that training and leadership have an effect on users’ perceived quality and satisfaction with EHRs. These findings reveal that clinics and EHR providers should focus on training and leadership to improve user satisfaction and perceived quality of EHRs
EVALUATING WORKSTATION DESIGN GUIDELINES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE OBESE POPULATION
No full textFunctional limitation, postural stability, and muscle recruitment of different categories of obesity were evaluated while performing an assembly workstation task. Three workstations, those designed for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile workers based on anthropometric data tables, were included in the study. Functional limitation was measured using electro-goniometers and the maximum frontal functional reach (MFFR) evaluation to measure the difference in joint angles, forces plates were used to study the differences in postural stability, and EMG was used to evaluate the muscle recruitment of the soleus, frontal deltoid, and trapezius muscles. Also, a regression analysis was performed to evaluate if production efficiency rate could be predicted based on body mass index (BMI) group, gender, pace type, workstation configuration and 13 body dimensions. The results revealed that the body joint angles and muscle activation parameters were not significantly different based on the main factor BMI groups; however, significant differences were found in the two-way interactions of the BMI groups and the other factors. In regard to postural stability, the results indicated that the obese class 2 and obese class 3 groups anterior posterior sway was significantly larger than the normal weight groups. The results also revealed differences based on gender for the joint angles and muscle activation when performing the small part assemblies; however, postural sway was not affected by gender differences. Pace type (self –paced or timed-paced) significantly affected the postural stability and muscle activation when performing the work task. These differences in pace type were most prevalent when comparing the 95th percentile workstation configuration against the 5th percentile workstation configuration. In regards to productivity, gender, weight, waist-to-hip ratio and pace type seem to have a large role in the production efficiency rate. Even though an individual\u27s BMI and the workstation layout were found to impact the body functional limitation and stability, the results showed that it doesn\u27t affect production efficiency rate performance
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