Mapping for Design Decision Support in Industry

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Eng ◽  
Marco Aurisicchio ◽  
Rob Bracewell ◽  
Gareth Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Significant Loss ◽  
Spatial Thinking ◽  
Design Decision ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Industrial Practice ◽  
Experience Levels ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Human Thinking ◽  
Future Work

There has been a significant loss of spatial thinking support in the move from paper to computer-based work. Map-based software methods reported here fill this gap while resolving general challenges in deploying software tools into active industrial practice. The Decision Rationale editor (DRed) has been in use over nine years and 700 engineers have been trained within the partner company. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 13 engineers from diverse departments and with a range of experience levels. Collected examples were analysed for successful methods (what), common contexts of use (where) and advantages over existing tools (why). Map use seems to focus on problems where multiple poorly defined options need sorting in order to progress work. The diversity of use cases demonstrates a need for increased investment in flexible visual tools to aid human thinking. Future work will expand on the set of collected examples, including attempts to generalize lessons to other software. More detailed experiments are also needed to better understand specific cognitive benefits in the work environment.

A Framework for a Motorcycle Design Computer-Based Intelligent Tool

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Agius ◽  
Philip Farrugia ◽  
Emmanuel Francalanza
Keyword(s):  
Design Solution ◽  
Design Decision ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Emotional Value ◽  
Design Support Tool ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Intelligent Computer

Abstract Motorcycle riders’ road experience, attitude and position have a large impact on safety. Besides these aspects, a motorcycle designer has to consider the aesthetical emotional value of such artefacts. This paper contributes a novel framework architecture supports designers to develop a rider-centred, safer motorcycle design, while at the same time considering human factors and the emotional values of such artefacts. This paper explores the requirements for this framework through a validated mixed method approach, gaining input from interviewed designers, stakeholders as well as surveyed riders. The proposed framework takes a user-centred approach, placing designers and riders at the framework’s core. Riders are an essential aspect as they assist in generating the knowledge which is critical to the operation of the framework. The framework acts as a support to the motorcycle designer, where it couples the intellectual resources of the designer with the knowledge capabilities of the framework to proactively support motorcycle design decision making. The proposed framework is driven by a harmonisation engine, where the aesthetic, ergonomic, persona and market trend domains are harmonised to achieve a balanced motorcycle design solution. The framework architecture will be employed to implement an intelligent computer-based motorcycle design support tool, in future work.

A Retrospective Comparison of American Women’s Spontaneous Conceptions and Gestational Surrogate Pregnancies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lahl ◽  
Kallie Fell ◽  
Kate Bassett ◽  
Frances Broghammer ◽  
Maggie Eastman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Retrospective Comparison ◽  
Caucasian Women ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the retrospective pregnancy experiences of American women by comparing spontaneous pregnancies with gestational surrogate pregnancies. Methods: Data were collected via structured interviews following an approved survey tool utilizing an online video platform. In total, 97 interviews were conducted. Results: Demographic data was collected on age, ethnicity, primary language, country of birth, education, and income level. Data revealed that a woman was more likely to have a pregnancy that was high-risk during a surrogate pregnancy than a non-surrogate pregnancy, independent of maternal age or gravidity (OR 7.22, p<0.001). A surrogate pregnancy had 4 times higher odds of resulting in a c-section (p<0.001) as well as delivering at an earlier gestational age (p<0.001). Further, women were more likely to experience adverse effects, including postpartum depression, following delivery of a surrogate child than their own biological child (p<0.001). Finally, the rate of new post-surrogacy chronic health issues for non-Caucasian women was significantly higher than for Caucasians (p<0.001). Women reported using the payment they received for their surrogacy for basic needs. Almost half of the women reported using the money to pay bills or get out of debt.Conclusions: These results are among the first of their kind. This study reveals that surrogate health disparities exist and that there may be long-term complications after a surrogate pregnancy. This raises important social, economic, and ethical issues related to surrogacy which must be further explored. Future work will build on this study and help elucidate the circumstances and consequences surrounding this complex issue.

scholarly journals Investigation of International Students’ Perception of ‘Community’ in a British Higher Education Institute

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrine Angela Jackson ◽  
Fay Harris ◽  
Russell Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Global Community ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Student Community ◽  
Research Students ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Future Work

This paper investigates the perceptions of members of our international student community by giving them a voice and a platform to explore their feelings as part of a Higher Education institute in the UK and whether they consider that the university is a global environment. Our data is based on a series of structured interviews with twelve students from twelve different countries, inclusive of four postgraduate research students. Our findings reveal that our international students commonly feel part of multiple smaller communities but interestingly, they were less sure of their part within an institute-wide community. The postgraduate students’ perceptions of community were quite divergent when compared to the undergraduate perceptions, which we will continue to explore in our future work. Our data supports the perception from international students that their university is a global community, but there were distinct differences in how individuals defined it and some limitations to consider. Some defined it as students and staff of different nationalities being present at a university whilst other definitions relied on cultural characteristics within the institution as a whole. We reflect upon the implications of our research as these perceptions shape international student opinion of Higher Education institutes and what is understood by the term ‘global community’.

scholarly journals I’m Not Creative in That Way: Older Adults’ Differential Experiences of an Arts-Based Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 835-835
Author(s):  
Colette Brown ◽  
Andrea Chirino ◽  
Cristina Cortez ◽  
Cassandra Gearhart
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Conceptual Art ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Art Activities ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract A recent 12-week intervention study revealed that making conceptual art is linked to improved cognitive health among community-dwelling older adults (Brown et al., 2020). Unknown, however, is whether the intervention experience differed for participants who exhibited more versus less improvement. This pilot study examined 163 excerpts from semi-structured interviews with cognitively normal, older adult participants (N = 11, Mean age = 72.82). Using thematic analysis and data displays on Dedoose, key themes were distilled regarding intervention acceptability. Participants exhibiting less cognitive improvement more often mentioned personally connecting to topics of dementia and aging through art, but more often mentioned scheduling conflicts. Conversely, participants exhibiting greater cognitive improvement more often mentioned experiencing intellectual enrichment, but feeling insecure about their art capabilities. Novel art activities may be personally meaningful and cognitively stimulating for some participants, but emotionally frustrating for others. Future work should explore ways to optimize arts-based interventions for older participants.

The Importance of Training for Interactive Trade Space Exploration: A Study of Novice and Expert Users

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wolf ◽  
Jennifer Hyland ◽  
Timothy W. Simpson ◽  
Xiaolong (Luke) Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Design Decision ◽  
Support Design ◽  
Computing Power ◽  
Training Video ◽  
Engine Combustion ◽  
Interactive Data ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
Trade Space Exploration ◽  
Future Work

Thanks to recent advances in computing power and speed, engineers can now generate a wealth of data on demand to support design decision-making. These advances have enabled new approaches to search multidimensional trade spaces through interactive data visualization and exploration. In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of interactive trade space exploration strategies by conducting human subject experiments with novice and expert users. A single objective, constrained design optimization problem involving the sizing of an engine combustion chamber is used for this study. Effectiveness is measured by comparing the best feasible design obtained by each user, and efficiency is assessed based on the percentage of feasible designs generated by each user. Results indicate that novices who watch a 5-min training video before the experiment obtain results that are not significantly different from those obtained by expert users, and both groups are statistically better than the novices without the training video in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Frequency and ordering of the visualization and exploration tools are also compared to understand the differences in each group’s search strategy. The implications of the results are discussed along with future work.

scholarly journals Teaching Genomic Pathology: Translating Team-Based Learning to a Virtual Environment Using Computer-Based Simulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Haspel ◽  
Asma M. Ali ◽  
Grace C. Huang ◽  
Matt H. Smith ◽  
James B. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Interactive Simulation ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Computer Tools ◽  
Team Based Learning ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Genomics Education ◽  
Future Work

Context.— Developing skills related to use of computer-based tools is critical for practicing genomic pathology. However, given the relative novelty of genomics education, residency programs may lack faculty members with adequate expertise and/or time to implement training. A virtual team-based learning (TBL) environment would make genomic pathology education available to more trainees. Objective.— To translate an extensively implemented in-person TBL genomic pathology workshop into a virtual environment and to evaluate both knowledge and skill acquisition. Design.— Using a novel interactive simulation approach, online modules were developed translating aspects of the TBL experience into the virtual environment with a goal of acquisition of necessary computer-related skills. The modules were evaluated at 10 postgraduate pathology training programs using a pre-post test design with participants deidentified. A postmodule anonymous survey obtained participant feedback on module quality and efficacy. Results.— There were 147 trainees who received an email request to voluntarily participate in the study. Of these, 43 trainees completed the pretest and 15 (35%) subsequently completed the posttest. Mean overall scores were 45% on the pretest compared with 70% on the posttest (P &lt; .001; effect size = 1.4). Posttest improvement of results was similar for questions testing acquisition of knowledge versus skills. Regarding the 19 participants who took the survey, 18 (95%) would recommend the modules to others and believed they met the stated objectives. Conclusions.— A simulation-based approach allows motivated pathology trainees to acquire computer-related skills for practicing genomic pathology. Future work can explore efficacy in a nonvoluntary setting and adaptation to different specialties, learners, and computer tools.

How Motion Shapes Thought in Cinema

Projections ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-47
Author(s):  
Maarten Coëgnarts
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Spatial Thinking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fixed Frame ◽  
Eric Rohmer ◽  
Dynamic Patterns ◽  
Human Thinking ◽  
Film Style

This article provides an embodied study of the film style of the French filmmaker Éric Rohmer. Drawing on insights from cognitive linguistics, I first show how dynamic patterns of containment shape human thinking about relationships, a concept central to Rohmer’s cinema. Second, I consider the question of how film might elicit this spatial thinking through the use of such cinematic devices as mobile framing and fixed-frame movement. Third, using Rohmer’s Comedies and Proverbs series as a case study, I demonstrate how the filmmaker applies these devices—and with them the spatial thinking they initiate—systemically to shape the relationships of his films visually. Lastly, I use the results of this analysis to provide discussion and suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Unemployment as a liminoid phenomenon: Identity trajectories in times of crisis

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1153-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Daskalaki ◽  
Maria Simosi
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Career Paths ◽  
Professional Identities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Economic Stagnation ◽  
Neoliberal Restructuring ◽  
The Unemployed ◽  
Future Work

This article explores the formation of work identities in times of financial crisis and extreme austerity. In particular, we build upon prior studies of liminality, a state of in-betweenness and ambiguity, and explore how individuals, whose employment opportunities and career paths have been disrupted, construct their work/professional identities. The study draws on 39 semi-structured interviews conducted in Greece, where high levels of unemployment and economic stagnation prevail. Persistent crisis and austerity have prompted extended periods of instability and unpredictability during which the unemployed narratively (re)construct their past, present and future work selves. We propose that frequent job changes and persistent lack of work are not linear experiences but, instead, require multiple and, at times, ambiguous, fluid and incomplete identifications. These identifications include attempts to re-affirm prior stable professional identities, to institute new, yet still unidentified, careers or to enact what we term ‘liminoid identity positions’. When in liminoid positions, instead of pursuing intangible work futures, the unemployed create anti-structural spaces in which they collectively practice alternative forms of work and organization. Concluding, the article provides grounds for the study of individuals’ capacity to challenge the neoliberal restructuring of work and the possibilities for transformation in periods of unemployment and crisis.

Towards a Standardized Engineering Framework for Distributed, Collaborative Product Realization

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae-Jin Choi ◽  
Jitesh H. Panchal ◽  
Janet K. Allen ◽  
David Rosen ◽  
Farrokh Mistree
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Product ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Product Realization ◽  
Future Work

In this paper, we propose a standardized computer-based engineering framework to support distributed product realization. The requirements for a standardized distributed product realization framework are developed based on the Open Engineering Systems paradigm. Existing computer frameworks are evaluated against the requirements and the missing features are identified. Our efforts towards development of such a framework — eXtensible Distributed Product Realization (X-DPR) environment are discussed. X-DPR is flexible and applicable to general industrial product realization processes. It is used to integrate distributed, collaborative product realization activities over the Internet. We trace the development of the framework based on design requirements. Features of X-DPR are implemented to satisfy each requirement. X-DPR is compared to existing engineering frameworks based on the required features. Limitations and future work are presented.

A Framework Supporting Life-Cycle Guidance for Fabricating Micro Components by Compression Moulding

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Farrugia ◽  
P. Vella ◽  
M. Mifsud
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Typical Case ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Compression Moulding ◽  
Micro Manufacturing ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Design And Manufacture ◽  
Future Work

Micro-products and components are rapidly increasing in a range of sectors. This demand requires industrial technologies capable of mass producing polymer micro products at a reasonable price. These two requirements are satisfied by the use of replication technologies such as micro compression moulding (μCM). A literature review that we conducted revealed that there is indeed little if any work explicitly related to the domain of micro compression moulding. In addition, a design methodology in micro manufacturing is still in its infancy and that there is a shortage of relevant DFX guidelines. Thus, this research aims at developing a framework for a computer-based tool whereby micro-product stakeholders are guided to select the correct mould features, material, machine and process parameters for fabricating components via micro compression moulding. The paper presents a framework developed to meet this goal. A proof-of-concept tool has also been implemented based on this framework. This tool was evaluated by typical case studies and also presented to a number of experts in the field. Preliminary evaluation results provide a degree of evidence that technology based on the framework contributes a step towards providing guidance for the design and manufacture of mould tools for fabricating μ-components by compression moulding. Another contribution of this paper is the preliminary fabrication platform using μCM. Future work is however required mainly to assess the economic feasibility of the fabrication platform, to address the limitations of the implemented tool, and to assess its effectiveness in practice.

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