Designing for consumers.
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Consumer Product Safety↗
Biomedical subjects
C Baber
Publications and source records attributed to C Baber.
Human error identification techniques applied to public technology: predictions compared with observed use.
In this paper, we consider the use of human error identification (HEI) techniques as a possible alternative to observation studies for product evaluation. The HEI techniques used were Task Analysis for Error Identification (TAFEI) and Predictive Human Error Analysis (PHEA). The comparison was undertaken in connection with the prediction of errors in the use of a ticket vending machine. Two main findings emerged from the study. First, predictions derived from the HEI techniques compared favourably with errors observed in actual machine use. Second, the HEI techniques took far less time than direct observation to reach comparable levels of performance. Such rates suggest that these techniques can be usefully applied to the study of consumer products.
Journal Article↗
An experimental comparison of test and symbols for in-car reconfigurable displays.
As cars become more sophisticated, there is a corresponding increase in the range of information which needs to be presented to drivers. This increased information load is beyond the scope of conventional technology; space requirements on the dashboard limit the number of displays, which can be employed. The study reported in this paper is based on the premise that centralized information presentation could be employed for in-car warming systems. Forty subjects were tested on a computer-based task, in which they had to rate the urgency of displayed information. The information was presented in one of four formats: symbols only, symbols plus title, symbols plus action, or symbol, title and action. Results show that the most effective type of display for urgency rating was symbol plus action, and that symbol, title and action produced the fastest reaction times. These results are considered in terms of previous research, and implications for the design of in-car warnings are discussed.
Journal Article↗
Advanced prostatic carcinoma: pulmonary manifestations.
To clarify the role of standard chest radiography in prostatic adenocarcinoma, the pulmonary manifestations of 198 patients with Stage D disease were evaluated. All patients were treated with chemotherapeutic protocols allowing for adequate clinical and radiographic correlation. Retrospective interpretation of serial chest radiographs revealed that 35% of our patients had visible intrathoracic abnormalities; however, only 24% of the patients had abnormalities attributable to intrathoracic metastases. Twenty-two percent of patients had pleural effusions, 16% reticular opacities, 3.5% reticulonodular opacities, 8% isolated or discrete pulmonary nodules, and 4.5% adenopathy. Etiologies of these opacities included metastatic disease in 93.5% of those with adenopathy and nodular or reticulonodular opacities, but 39% of pleural effusions and 52% of reticular opacities were best attributed to concomitant processes. Four patients had intrathoracic metastases without bone metastases. Standard chest radiography is a valuable screening procedure that should be correlated with clinical data to differentiate metastases from concomitant processes.
Aged↗
Protrusio acetabuli in sickle-cell anemia.
Of 155 adults with sickle-cell anemia (SS, SC), radiographs of the pelvis or hip demonstrated protrusio acetabuli on at least one side in 14 (3 men and 11 women), as indicated by projection of the acetabular line medial to the ilio-ischial line by greater than or equal to 3 mm in men and greater than or equal to 6 mm in women. All 14 patients had bone changes attributable to sickle-cell anemia, including marrow hyperplasia and osteonecrosis; however, the severity of femoral or acetabular osteonecrosis did not appear directly related to the protrusion. The authors conclude that sickle-cell anemia can predispose to development of protrusio acetabuli.
Acetabulum↗
Obscured aortic arch on the lateral view as a sign of coarctation.
Forty patients with coarctation of the aorta were compared with 80 normal subjects matched by sex and age. The aortic arch was invisible on the lateral radiograph in 84% of patients preoperatively and 88% postoperatively. Only 6 normal subjects (8%) had a similar finding. The authors conclude that an obscured aortic arch on the lateral view could be a clue to the presence of coarctation. Possible explanations for this phenomenon include (a) dilatation of the brachiocephalic arteries (particularly the left subclavian artery), obscuring the superior margin of the arch; (b) hypoplasia and anteromedial displacement of the distal portion of the arch; and (c) diffuse hypoplasia of the arch combined with focal coarctation.
Adolescent↗
Peripheral middle lobe syndrome.
Classically, the middle lobe syndrome has been described as being caused by a central obstruction. Clinical records and radiologic findings were reviewed in 129 patients examined between 1955-1981 who had chronic disease in the right middle lobe and/or lingula. Fifty-eight patients (45%) had no evidence of a central obstructive lesion. The majority were middle-aged women with histories of chronic cough and chest pain. Bronchoscopic and radiologic evaluation served to exclude central lesions. Surgical confirmation was available in 38 patients. Pathologic study showed varying degrees of chronic inflammation, pneumonia, and bronchiectasis. Surgical results were excellent in isolated disease. Chronic atelectasis and pneumonitis of the right middle lobe and/or lingula do not always imply central obstruction. A lack of collateral ventilation is a plausible theory to explain the pathophysiology in such patients.
Bronchiectasis↗
Distributed situation awareness in dynamic systems: theoretical development and application of an ergonomics methodology.
The purpose of this paper is to propose foundations for a theory of situation awareness based on the analysis of interactions between agents (i.e. both human and non-human) in subsystems. This approach may help to promote a better understanding of technology-mediated interaction in systems, as well as helping in the formulation of hypotheses and predictions concerning distributed situation awareness. It is proposed that agents within a system each hold their own situation awareness, which may be very different from (although compatible with) that of other agents. It is argued that we should not always hope for, or indeed want, sharing of this awareness, as different system agents have different purposes. This view marks situation awareness as a dynamic and collaborative process binding agents together on tasks on a moment-by-moment basis. Implications of this viewpoint for the development of a new theory of, and accompanying methodology for, distributed situation awareness are offered.
Awareness↗