Effect of load position on physiological and perceptual responses during load carriage with an internal frame backpack

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of load position in an internal frame backpack on physiological and perceptual variables. Ten female participants walked on a level treadmill for 10 min carrying 25% of their body weight in a high, central, or low position. The variables measured included oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (R), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (VE), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). VO2, VE, and RPE were significantly lower in the high position (18.6 +/- 2.3 ml/kg/min, 31.7 +/- 5.0 l/min, 2.8 +/- 0.8, respectively) compared to the low position (22.2 +/- 3.0 ml/kg/min, 38.6 +/- 7.5 l/min, 3.7 +/- 1.0, respectively). HR, R, and RR did not change significantly as the load was moved from the high (129.8 +/- 16.8, 0.89 +/- 0.06, 30.3 +/- 4.2, respectively) to the low position (136.0 +/- 25.3, 0.92 +/- 0.04, 33.8 +/- 5.2, respectively). The results of this study suggest that load placement is an important factor in the physiological and perceptual responses to load carriage, and that packing heavy items high in the backpack may be the most energy efficient method of carrying a load on the back.     

Movement abnormalities and the progression of prodromal symptomatology in adolescents at risk for psychotic disorders.

The link between movement abnormalities and psychotic disorders is presumed to reflect common neural mechanisms that influence both motor functions and vulnerability to psychosis. The prodromal period leading to psychotic disorders represents both a viable point for intervention and a developmental period that, if studied, could shed light on etiology; however, no published studies have examined the temporal progression of this link. A group with high levels of prodromal symptomatology (i.e., adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder [SPD]; n = 42) and both psychiatric controls (with other personality disorders or conduct disorder [OD]; n = 30) and nonpsychiatric controls ([NC]; n = 49) were recruited. Videotapes of structured psychiatric interviews were coded for movement abnormalities by raters blind to participants' diagnostic status, and follow-up assessments were conducted 1 year later. Controlling for psychotropic medications, the authors found that adolescents with SPD exhibited significantly more motor abnormalities in the face and upper body than did OD and NC controls. At baseline, movement abnormalities were positively correlated with the severity of positive, negative, and total prodromal symptoms. Within the SPD group, baseline movement abnormalities predicted symptom severity 1 year later. Movement abnormalities represent an early risk indicator that may be predictive of later symptom severity and potentially of psychosis onset. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in mediated communication: Women connect more than do men

Past research in gender differences in the overall Internet use has been contradictory. Some asserted men used it more than women, while others asserted there were no gender difference. Both camps concluded that men and women differed in their motivation and utilization of time spent online. The purpose of the present research was to take a contemporary look at these gender differences. Using an online survey, we asked participants about their experiences with multiple forms of mediated communication: social networking sites, e-mail, video calls, instant messaging, texting, and phone calls. Our results indicated that women, compared to men, are generally more frequent mediated communication users. Compared to men, women prefer and more frequently use text messaging, social media, and online video calls. These results suggest that the nature of mediated social interaction is changing.     

Accessibility and interoperability in e-government systems: outlining an inclusive development process

The multidisciplinary nature of e-government demands a research agenda that includes issues related to social inclusion, universal accessibility, interoperability, privacy, security, and citizen participation, to name a few. Understanding the underlying cultural context, the involvement of citizens in the proposal and evaluation of services, and the promotion of quality in use are aspects that need special consideration in the development of systems to support government. This paper provides an outline for a process model for promoting the identification and specification of accessible e-government services with the participation of the interested parties. A socially shared perspective is adopted toward the comprehension of the involved problems and the elaboration of potential solutions. The proposed model is a result of practice in the domain, using organizational semiotics artifacts to stimulate participation and discussion.     

全世界的设计都是相通的 2008年Andrew martin室内设计大奖

2008年10月29日,由缤纷杂志与ANDREW MARTIN联合主办的"2008 ANDREW MARTIN国际室内设计年奖获奖作品全国巡回展".在北京博洛尼家居体验馆拉开帷幕。并于10月31日在杭州.11月21日在上海、11月25日在深圳、11月26日在广州盛大开展。     

The Computer Aversion, Attitudes, and Familiarity Index (CAAFI): A validity study

This study’s purpose was to provide additional psychometric data on the Computer Aversion, Attitudes, and Familiarity Index (CAAFI). The CAAFI is comprised of 40 items, yielding a total score and four factor scores with 10 items each (one familiarity, one attitudes, two aversion). The measure was administered to a sample of undergraduate psychology students (N = 293) along with the Computer Understanding and Experience Scale, the Computer Attitude Scale, and the Computer Aversion Scale. The factor structure of the CAAFI was supported via confirmatory factor analytic procedures and analysis of internal consistency reliability coefficients. In relation to the other measures of computer-related constructs, the strongest validity support was found for the CAAFI total score and Factors 1 (computer familiarity) and 3 (computer aversion-discomfort), followed by Factor 2 (computer attitudes). With regard to Factor 4 (computer aversion-fear), given the results of the analyses the decision was made to remove these items from the CAAFI in order to enhance the measure’s psychometric properties and practical utility.     

Usability of product X-lessons from a real product

Using the example of a real product, this paper shows how various usability assessments, conducted by different human factors engineers, in several phases of the product's development life-cycle, identified similar potential usability problems. Circumstances dictated that no remedial action was taken, so it was possible to track these potential usability defects to customer sites, where it was found that most of the important problems did indeed occur. Thus, it can be demonstrated that human factors advice was valid and reliable. In simpler terms, early usability evaluation by human factors engineers can save hours of wasted development effort and customer frustration, and can help to ensure that a more usable product is produced.