The influence of the search complexity and the familiarity with the website on the subjective appraisal of aesthetics,mental effort and usability

The user experience is defined as ‘a person's perceptions and responses that result from the use and/or anticipated use of a product, system or service’ (ISO FDIS 9241-210, 2009 ISO FDIS 9241-210, 2009. Ergonomics of human system interaction Ergonomics of human system interaction – Part 210: human-centered design for interactive systems (formerly known as 13407). Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization. [Google Scholar]) [Ergonomics of human system interaction Ergonomics of human system interaction – Part 210: human-centered design for interactive systems (formerly known as 13407). Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization]. Accordingly, some authors have argued that an interactive system has to be evaluated not only with regard to its usability and utility levels, but also with regard to emotional, attractiveness, and aesthetic levels. These last aspects play a substantial role on the general assessment of such systems and on the satisfaction of users. Some studies focused on the immediate aesthetic subjective perception of systems, on their subjective usability and preference perceptions. However, few studies, at least to our knowledge, have been focused on the reverse, that is, on the effect of difficulties experienced by individuals in using systems on the aesthetic appraisal. The present study aimed at determining the role of familiarity level with the website and the search complexity on the search performance and post-experiment appraisals of aesthetics, usability, and mental effort. The main results revealed that the search complexity affected negatively search performance, whereas the familiarity level affected only the re-reading of the search questions. The post-use assessments of aesthetics, mental effort, and usability satisfaction were affected by search performance. In addition, these variables were correlated except the expressive aesthetics, which seemed to be independent from the search performance and other subjective appraisals. Then, we discuss these findings in line with prior studies and present future ways of research.     

Change of search time and non-search time in X-ray baggage screening due to training

As found in studies of aircraft structural inspection, the time used for judging if a part of an aircraft shows tiny cracks is composed of search time, used for actively scanning, and non-search time, used for matching and decision while fixating a region of interest (Drury et al. 1997 Drury, C. G., Spencer, F. W. and Schurman, D. . Measuring human detection performance in aircraft visual inspection. Proceedings of the 41st annual Human Factors and Ergonomics Society meeting. Albuquerque, NM. pp.304–308. NM. Santa Monica, CA: HFES.  [Google Scholar]). These findings can be applied to detection of threats by X-ray screening of passenger bags at airports. To investigate whether search time and non-search time change when an experienced screener is given additional training in recognising threat objects in passenger bags, data from a European airport were analysed. A comparison of detection performance and reaction time between two large groups of screeners, one trained for 6 months, shows a large impact of training on overall performance and on both search and non-search components of the task. There was also a small but consistent decline in performance measures with screener age. This study shows a way to localise the effect of training on threat detection performance for aviation security screening. Analysis of the time needed for screening each passenger bag showed that training had a significant effect, particularly on the non-search part of the searching process (i.e. identification, recognition, decision, response execution, etc.).     

Effects of seat structural dynamics on current ride comfort criteria

The ISO 2631-1 (1997 ISO 2631-1 (International Organisation for Standardisation). 1997. Mechanical Vibration and Shock – Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration – Part 1: General Requirements. Geneva: ISO 2631-1, International Organisation for Standardisation. [Google Scholar]) provides methodologies for assessment of the seated human body comfort in response to vibrations. The standard covers various conditions such as frequency content, direction and location of the transmission of the vibration to the human body. However, the effects of seat structural dynamics mode shapes and corresponding resonances have not been discussed. This study provides important knowledge about the effects of vehicle seat structural vibration modes on discomfort assessment. The occupied seat resonant frequencies and corresponding vibration modes were measured and comfort test was carried out based on the paired comparison test method. The results show that the ISO 2631-1 (1997 ISO 2631-1 (International Organisation for Standardisation). 1997. Mechanical Vibration and Shock – Evaluation of Human Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration – Part 1: General Requirements. Geneva: ISO 2631-1, International Organisation for Standardisation. [Google Scholar]) method significantly underestimates the vibration discomfort level around the occupied seat twisting resonant frequencies. This underestimation is mainly due to the ISO suggested location of the accelerometer pad on the seatback. The centre of the seatback is a nodal point at the seat twisting mode. Therefore, it underestimates the total vibration transferred to the occupant body from the seatback.     

The training and practice of crew resource management: recommendations from an inductive in vivo study of the flight deck

Abstract

Crew resource management (CRM) is credited with saving 185 lives at Sioux City. While the theory behind CRM is well documented, there are few studies of how CRM manifests on the line. This inductive in vivo study had three objectives. First, to describe how CRM manifests. Secondly, to evaluate the efficacy of CRM vis-à-vis flight safety. Thirdly, to suggest improvements to the CRM training syllabus. The study produced five conclusions: First, CRM is durable under conditions of moderate strain. Secondly, crews embed and refine CRM through reflection and action. Thirdly, CRM facilitates and shapes social relations. Fourthly, mindlessness (Langer 1989 Langer, E. J. 1989. Minding matters: The consequences of mindlessness-mindfulness. In Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, edited by L. Berkowitz, New York, NY: Academic Press.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) undermines CRM. Finally, the interruption of flight-deck routines by third-parties poses a threat to flight-safety. The paper recommends multi-profession CRM training as a means of improving communication and co-ordination in and around aircraft. The study’s limitations include a monocultural flight-deck: flights were operated by pilots with European backgrounds. Mindful of Hofstede’s (1980 Hofstede, G. 1980. Culture’s Consequences. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage. [Google Scholar]), Engle's (2000 Engle, M. 2000. “Culture in the Cockpit — CRM in a Multicultural World.” Journal of Air Transportation World Wide 5 (1): 107–114. [Google Scholar]) and Helmreich and Merritt's (2001 Helmreich, R. L., and A. Merritt. 2001. Culture at Work in Aviation and Medicine. Aldershot, England: Ashgate. [Google Scholar]) examination of the relationship between culture and performance, the author suggests the study be repeated with carriers that employ pilots from a variety of cultures.

Practitioner Summary: This in vivo study evaluates the efficacy of CRM vis-à-vis flight safety and supports a critique of the CRM syllabus. The author observed twenty sectors and attended a CRM training day. To improve safety and efficiency, it is recommended that airlines run multi-profession (inclusive) CRM training courses.     

The XTS-AES Disk Encryption Algorithm and the Security of Ciphertext Stealing

Abstract

This paper describes the importance of the XTS-AES encryption mode of operation and concludes with a new proof for the security of ciphertext stealing as used by XTS-AES. The XTS-AES mode is designed for encrypting data stored on hard disks where there is not additional space for an integrity field. Given this lack of space for an integrity field, XTS-AES builds on the security of AES by protecting the storage device from many dictionary and copy/paste attacks. The operation of the XTS mode of AES is defined in the IEEE 1619-2007 standard [3 IEEE Std 1619–2007 . April 18, 2008 . The XTS-AES Tweakable Block Cipher. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.  [Google Scholar]], and has been adopted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as an approved mode of operation under FIPS 140-2 [2 Dworkin , M. December 2009 . NIST SP 800-38E, “Recommendation for Block Cipher Modes of Operation: The XTS-AES Mode for Confidentiality on Storage Devices”.  [Google Scholar]]. XTS-AES builds on the XEX (Xor-Encrypt-Xor) mode originally proposed by Rogaway [8 Rogaway , P. 2004 . Efficient Instantiations of Tweakable Block ciphers and Refinements to Modes OCB and PMAC. Advances in Cryptology–Asiacrypt 2004, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 3329, Springer-Verlag, pp. 16–31. Available at http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/rogaway/papers/offsets.pdf (Accessed 6 January 2012) . [Google Scholar]].     

From the Guest Editor

Abstract

After Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX 404) was released, developing a computer auditing system became more important for management and auditors. In this study, the researchers aim to: (1) explore the crucial control items of the purchasing and expenditure cycle in meeting the conditions of SOX 404; (2) develop a computer auditing system based on the recognized control items and requirements of SOX 404; and (3) validate the applicability of the system by using an ISO/IEC 9126 model in meeting organizational needs (ISO, 2001 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (2001). ISO/IEC 9126-1:2001. http://www.iso.org/iso/en/CatalogueDetailPage.CatalogueDetail?CSNUMBER=22749 (Accessed: 15 January 2006).  [Google Scholar]). The Gowin's Vee research strategy developed by Novak &; Gowin (1984) Novak, J. D. and Gowin, D. B. 1984. Learning How to Learn, Cambridge: Cambridge University. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] was used in the study. In theory, researchers have identified eight operational procedures and 34 critical control items for the purchasing and expenditure cycle. The prototype computer auditing system of this study was then developed. On the experimental side, the researchers conducted two case studies based on the ISO/IEC 9126 software assessment criteria, the result of which showed that the system can provide company internal auditing personnel and their external auditors with a simple, continuous, timely, and analytical tool, which may promptly and effectively help in detecting problem control issues. We believe this study can contribute to the development of a sufficient and manageable computer auditing system, and provide prospective researchers and businesses with future directions in this subject area.     

La numération de position : où en sont les connaissances d'élèves québécois?

RÉSUMÉ

La numération a fait l'objet d'études importantes, notamment au Québec, durant les années 1980–2000. Les études ont révélé sa complexité ainsi que les difficultés que posent à la fois son enseignement et son apprentissage. La présente étude s'inscrit dans le prolongement d'une suite d'études didactiques sur ces difficultés. Plus précisément, elle investigue les connaissances d'élèves québécois de 3^e année primaire sur la numération de position et les compare à celles d'une recherche phare menée par Bednarz et Dufour-Janvier dont les résultats ont fait l'objet de plusieurs publications (1982 Bednarz, N. et Dufour-Janvier, B. (1982). The understanding of numeration in primary school. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 13, 33–57. [Google Scholar], 1984a Bednarz, N. et Dufour-Janvier, B. (1984a). La numération: les difficultés suscitées par son apprentissage ; une stratégie didactique cherchant à favoriser une meilleure compréhension. Grand N, 33, 5–31. [Google Scholar], 1984b Bednarz, N. et Dufour-Janvier, B. (1984b). La numération: une stratégie didactique cherchant à favoriser une meilleure compréhension. Grand N, 34, 1–17. [Google Scholar], 1988 Bednarz, N. et Dufour-Janvier, B. (1988). A constructivist approach to numeration in primary school: Results of a three year intervention with the same group of children. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 19, 299–331. [Google Scholar]). Les résultats de notre étude montrent que si 30 ans ont passé depuis la recherche de Bednarz et Dufour-Janvier, peu de changements sont observés dans les conduites mathématiques des élèves en numération. Quelques hypothèses, relatives à la fois aux contraintes d'enseignement et aux difficultés spécifiques d'appropriation de la numération sont, au terme de l'article, formulées pour expliquer ces résultats.     

Haptic discrimination of different types of pencils during writing

Professional artists seem to develop a preference for certain types of pencils and paper (Akyuz 1995 Akyuz, U. 1995. Creation of a model for 2-dimensional pencil marks, Thesis (PhD). De Montford University.  [Google Scholar]). While theaesthetic outcome may be the obvious reason for this preference, haptic feedback may also play a role in selecting media (Prytherch and Jerrard 2001 Prytherch, D. and Jerrard, R. The visualisation and making of sculpture and its potential implications for computer interfaces and three dimensional modelling. Proceedings of EuroHaptics 2001. July1–42001. pp.135–137. Birmingham, , UK: The University of Birmingham.  [Google Scholar], 2003 Prytherch, D. and Jerrard, R. Haptics, the secret sense; the covert nature of the haptic senses in creative tacit skills. Proceedings of EuroHaptics 2003. July6–92003. pp.384–396. Trinity College, Dublin, , Republic of Ireland [Google Scholar]). This suggestion implies that artists may be sensitive to vibrotactile signals resulting from the interaction between pencil and paper during drawing. Tribological tests showed that H-range leads generate more resistance than B-range pencils when writing on a standard 80 g/m 2 2.?A 2IFC is a special case of the general two-alternative-force (2AFC) procedure, which is widely used to determine the discrimination thresholds (i.e. the minimum intensity difference between two physical stimuli, which is necessary to be perceived as different) of a physical property of an object or event. In principle, depending on the spatiotemporal characteristics of stimulus presentation, the 2AFC procedures can be classified as follows: (i) 2IFC, in which two stimuli are presented at different time intervals (e.g. two visual stimuli presented at the same location in succession); (ii) spatial 2AFC, in which two different stimuli are presented at different location (e.g. two visual stimuli presented at different parts of the visual field); (iii) spatiotemporal 2AFC, in which two different stimuli are presented at different locations at different time intervals (e.g. two visual stimuli presented at different parts of the visual field in succession). The two stimuli have different intensities (e.g. different levels of brightness) and the observer is asked to indicate which stimulus had the higher intensity (e.g. the first is brighter than the second in the case of a 2IFC). paper. Moreover, a constant stimulus 2IFC procedure showed that Fine Arts students found it easier to discriminate between H-range and HB than B-range and an HB. This suggests that the human haptic system may be sensitive to the vibrotactile signals generated by the differences in resistance resulting from the interaction of leads with the paper's textured surface. Implications for pencil manufacturing and simulations of virtual writing are discussed.

Statement of Relevance: The study assesses the tactile sensitivity of Fine Artists to the physical properties of the interaction between different types of lead and a standard printing paper. The results may help in designing more responsive drawing instruments as well as more realistic virtual drawing interfaces.     

A comparative assessment of IRS-P4 (MSMR)-derived sea surface temperature and sea surface wind speed over the north Indian Ocean

Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-P4) multi-frequency scanning microwave radiometer (MSMR) provides geophysical parameters like sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface wind speed (SSWS), integrated water vapour (IWV) and cloud liquid water (CLW). The retrieval procedure of these parameters given by Gohil et al. (2000 Gohil, B.S., Mathur, A.K. and Varma, A.K. Geophysical parameter retrieval over global oceans from IRS-P4 (MSMR). Preprints, Fifth Pacific Ocean Remote Sensing Conference. December5–82000, Goa. pp.207–211. Goa, , India: National Institute of Oceanography.  [Google Scholar], Geophysical parameter retrieval over global oceans from IRS-P4 (MSMR). In Preprints, Fifth Pacific Ocean Remote Sensing Conference, 5–8 December 2000, Goa, India (Goa: National Institute of Oceanography), pp. 207–211) was summarized by Sharma et al. (2002 Sharma, R., Babu, K.N., Mathur, A.K. and Ali, M.M. 2002. Identification of large scale atmospheric and oceanic features from IRS-P4 multifrequency scanning microwave radiometer: preliminary results. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19: 1127–1134. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], Identification of large scale atmospheric and oceanic features from IRS-P4 multifrequency scanning microwave radiometer: preliminary results. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19, pp. 1127–1134) and Jena (2007 Jena, B. 2007. Studies on the retrieval, validation and applications of geophysical parameters from IRS-P4 (MSMR) data, Orissa: PhD thesis, Berhampur University.  [Google Scholar], Studies on the retrieval, validation and applications of geophysical parameters from IRS-P4 (MSMR) data. PhD thesis, Berhampur University, Orissa). Demonstration of self-consistency of these parameters has primary scientific importance. This article deals with the validation of MSMR geophysical parameters such as SST and SSWS with in situ observations (buoy data) over the north Indian Ocean during 2000. Result shows that the MSMR-derived SST and SSWS can be utilized for several applications because of their reasonable accuracy and coverage even under cloudy condition.     

Fuzzy graphs and networks repairs

In Ref. [3] McAllister L. N. (1992) A simulation technique under uncertainty Proceedings of the 1992 NAFIPS Conference Puerto Vallarta Mexico pp. 555–563  [Google Scholar], this author provided a new definition of fuzzy graph that differs from the original definition.

In this paper, the author shows how the new definition provides with efficient numerical techniques to repair a failed link or a failed node of a network.