Large and complex operations environments such as the one being designed for the Space Station Freedom will undoubtedly place many requirements on crewmembers to simultaneously perform multiple tasks; i.e., “multitasking.” Moreover, it is unlikely crewmembers will finish a task without being interrupted several times. Depending on the nature of these interruptions, crewmembers may be forced to suspend their activities. One danger in suspending activities is forgetting (e.g., forgetting what the activities were, or one's position within the activities, or certain procedures, etc.). Forgetting to complete even a single activity in space may have serious consequences. As a countermeasure to forgetting, the present study introduced the use of computer- based “reminders.” The purpose of this study was to: (1) establish a baseline measure of multitasking, (2) examine the effects of interruptions on task performance, and (3) explore the use of computer-based "reminders." The results revealed subjects could perform three and five simultaneous tasks with a response accuracy of 98 percent. A large portion of that performance was attributed to practice and response pacing. In addition, the interruption task chosen for this study did not affect reaction time or response error performance on the main tasks. The use of a computer-based checkmark reminder proved to be beneficial in reducing menu search time regardless of the number of items to be located. Search time decreased considerably when the reminder was available to subjects as opposed to when it was absent. This study concludes that with practice and pacing, people can perform at least five simple tasks simultaneously. Furthermore, the benefits of incorporating computer-based reminders should not be limited only to multitasking environments. / Master of Science

No / This study explores the experiences of health professionals in managerial roles at various levels in child and adult hospice care in northern England, studying perspectives around managing medical error, the issues that arise, and the challenges faced. A multicentred, descriptive, exploratory design was adopted. The sample comprised 10 hospice managers (five deputy and five senior managers) from four hospices (two adult and two children's) in the north of England. Participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews, which lasted between 45–60 minutes each. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by a team of three researchers, including two health psychologists and one nurse using a qualitative analytic framework. Emerging themes appeared to be inter-related and were ultimately linked to two meta-concepts; underpinning and fundamental to the data, these issues were intrinsically tied to all emerging themes. Primary themes were defined by their explanatory power and regularity. Primary themes highlighted the impact of managing error on management teams at a professional and personal level, the challenges for error management in hospice settings, the use of error management tools, and the conceptualization of blame in these settings. The strong influence of the health-care setting in which an error takes place on the outcomes of an error event for the health professional, managers, health-care organizations, and ultimately patients was evident.

This work contains two key contributions to the development of 3D displays. First a successful exploratory human trial research study. By comparing multiple real displays in human trials, the factors of ease of use, time, and accuracy were able to be examined in a general setting, instead of isolated to only a specific type of 3D display. These human tests showed that 3D displays in general offer better ease of use and accuracy compared to 2D displays when showing 3D media. This differs from previous studies where only a single display was examined or theoretical papers discussing factors on paper. After proving the validity and merit of 3D displays, the scope is narrowed to a single display - the volumetric display. The second bulk of work resulted in improvements to volumetric displays through iterative design and testing of 3D display apparatus. Testing reveals better materials to be use in image creation in terms of reliability, and leads to a more cost effective and smaller display. The creation of both large and small scale test apparatuses leads to further improvements in reliability through mass testing.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / 235 Class A Navy and Marine (Naval) aviation mishaps involving aircrew error between FY 90 and FY 98 are analyzed for the possibility of being weather related. In addition to determining the overall role of weather, weather related mishaps are compared to aircraft category, mishap characteristic, the Naval Safety Center human factors (HFACS) taxonomy, and flight phase. In addition, weather related mishap trends have been analyzed. Results show 19% of mishaps involving aircrew error are weather related with helicopter category and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) mishap characteristic having the largest percent of weather related mishaps for their respective groupings. Visibility related weather elements account for over half of all weather related mishaps, and nearly two-thirds of all weather related mishaps were judged to be preventable with a perfect weather forecast believed by aircrew. These and other findings are presented to develop intervention strategies for reducing the number of weather related flight mishaps (FMs) per year. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Xiong, Yan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 196-202). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; some appendixes in Chinese.

Chow Suk Pik. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2003-2004, design report." / Includes bibliographical references (leaf [93]). / Introduction --- p.1 / Issue --- p.7 / Experience --- p.14 / Study of Senses --- p.16 / Between Sane and Insane --- p.23 / Architectural Concepts --- p.28 / Idea of Spectrum --- p.26 / Connective Element in Architecture --- p.34 / Idea of Threshold --- p.38 / Site --- p.46 / Events --- p.52 / Construction --- p.54 / Perceived Spaces --- p.62 / Organisation of Spaces --- p.67 / Precedent Studies --- p.73 / Design --- p.82

Chiu Chui Ying Janus. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2005-2006, design report." / Includes bibliographical references.

Work Domain Analysis (WDA) and task analysis are methods that can be used to develop complex systems that support human operators. Task analysis can be used to describe the nominal tasks of many complex safety critical systems which are also highly proceduralized. However, complex systems may require human operators to have a greater understanding of the system's dynamics than can be obtained from procedures derived from a task analysis. This is particularly true when off-nominal events occur, for which there is no procedure. By concentrating on the constraints in the work domain instead of tasks, work domain analysis can complement task analysis by supporting operators during off-nominal events that do not have any predescribed procedures. The goal of this study was to use WDA and two forms of task analysis to derive interface and procedure modifications for a new aviation concept called interval management. Interval management is a new concept whose goal is to increase runway throughput by enabling aircraft to achieve a precise interval behind a lead aircraft. This study used data from a human-in-the-loop study conducted at NASA Langley Research Center to develop a Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA), Control Task Analysis (CTA), and WDA. The HTA was used to describe a nominal set or procedures, the CTA was used to describe strategies pilots could use to make decisions regarding the IM operation, and the WDA was used to determine representations and procedures that could convey complete and accurate knowledge of interval management to the flightcrew.

<p dir="ltr">An operating room (OR) is a complex, adaptive, and safety-critical system where various elements and agents continuously interact. The introduction of technologies, such as surgical robots, into ORs modifies these interactions and presents challenges for surgical teams, particularly surgeons. While robotic-assisted surgeries (RAS) improve precision and patient outcomes, many errors stem from deficiencies in non-technical aspects of performance (e.g., communication failures and poor decision-making) rather than technical skills alone. Human factors considerations focus on aligning technologies with human capabilities and limitations to enhance safety, efficiency, and usability. However, assessing these factors is challenging due to the subtle, often intangible nature of human behaviors and decision-making processes. Traditional subjective methods, such as observations and self-reports, offer valuable insights but are prone to bias. Objective methods, including sensor-based monitoring and data-driven models, offer reliable alternatives but require technical expertise, can be computationally intensive, and often rely on subjective ground truth, limiting their objectivity. This dissertation adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative insights from surgeons with objective, data-driven methodologies to explore human factors in RAS. First, a sensor-based framework was developed and tested in live RAS to assess inefficiencies in OR layout, workflow, and team dynamics, demonstrating that certain human factors can be objectively evaluated. Next, electroencephalogram-based neural insights determined intraoperative variations in surgeons’ cognitive workload during robotic teleoperation. These measures highlighted the need for targeted interventions to improve the non-technical aspects of surgeons’ performance. To address this, a dyadic video-reflection coaching framework was developed and effectively enhanced surgeons’ non-technical skills (NTS). This coaching solution also revealed rich, qualitative insights into the challenges surgeons face in RAS. While effective, dyadic NTS coaching was resource intensive. To scale this solution, machine learning and large language models were leveraged to predict surgeons’ behaviors and provide automated, coaching-style feedback for NTS training. Through these integrated approaches, this dissertation offers practical insights for human factors considerations in robotic integration, with implications for surgical education, surgical robot design, and the broader organizational and sociotechnical contexts in which RAS occur. This work offers new directions for improving surgeons’ intraoperative performance, team dynamics, and patient safety in RAS.</p>

This thesis examines the presence of ergonomics in the design process at IKEA of Sweden. It also attempts to describe how IKEA of Sweden can implement more ergonomics in their development process of new products. The study is based on interviews with employees at IKEA of Sweden and with an employee at the design bureau Veryday.  The thesis also includes a design process that has been conducted using a given brief by IKEA of Sweden with a predetermined way of production. The purpose of the design process should have an overall ergonomic perspective. The interviews were analysed using the theory presented which includes the perception and fallacies of ergonomics, anthropometrics and universal design. The result shows that ergonomic aspects are not included in a structured way common for all areas when developing products at IKEA of Sweden. The study also points to a need of information about ergonomics, like a guideline. Access to an expert as an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist would also improve the design process. The analysis of the design process and the products Höghult shows the importance of preparation in the design process using functional analysis, specifications and analysis of the way of production. To proceed with the implementation of the overall ergonomic perspective in the design process, it is important to test and evaluate the prototype using an expert and a test panel representing the potential customers. / Den här uppsatsen undersöker förekomsten av ergonomi i designprocessen på IKEA of Sweden. Den försöker även beskriva hur IKEA of Sweden kan föra in mer ergonomi i deras arbete med att ta fram nya produkter. Studien är baserad på intervjuer av medarbetare på IKEA of Sweden samt av företrädare för designbyrån Veryday. Parallellt med intervjustudien genomfördes en designprocess efter given brief av IKEA of Sweden med angivet produktionssätt där processen ska ha ett övergripande ergonomiskt perspektiv. Intervjuerna analyserades utifrån den teori som presenterats om bland annat föreställningar om ergonomi, antropometri och universell design. Resultatet visar att det inte finns ett strukturerat arbetssätt för ergonomiska frågeställningar gällande produktutveckling på IKEA of Sweden. Studien visar också på att det finns behov av information om ergonomi som t ex en guideline. Att ha tillgång till en expert, såsom t ex en arbetsterapeut eller fysioterapeut, skulle också berika designprocessen. Analysen av designprocessen och produkterna Höghult visar betydelsen av att noga förbereda designprocessen med hjälp av funktionsanalys, kravspecifikation samt analys av produktionssättet. För att komma vidare med implementeringen av det övergripande ergonomiska perspektivet i designprocessen är det viktigt att testa och utvärdera prototypen med hjälp av exempelvis en expert samt en testgrupp som representerar kundgruppen.