The Influence of Cross-Cultural Differences on the Interpretation and Understanding of Aircraft Passenger Safety Briefing Cards

Aircraft passenger safety briefing cards are an important part of passenger safety education aboard commercial aircraft. The cards must be understood by all readers, regardless of age, gender, or culture. Related research indicates that passengers from different cultures might misunderstand the highly specialized instructions on safety cards. A self-developed test was administered to 172 students from four cultures (British, French, German, U.S.) at seven universities in five countries. Significant differences (

Transitioning Crew Resource Management into Healthcare

Crew Resource Management (CRM) originated in the field of aviation in the early 1980s after a large proportion of transport category airplane crashes were found to have been caused by preventable nontechnical skills, i.e., crew communication and coordination. Today, CRM is applied in training by exemplifying how to effectively work with coworkers while trying to accomplish a centralized goal. CRM transitioned from aviation to healthcare through the subfield of anesthesia in the early 1990s. It then began spreading to other areas of healthcare, such as operating rooms and obstetrics departments, after the release of a report from the Institute of Medicine (2000) which reported that, the estimated national cost of preventable medical errors was $17 billion and the average number of deaths per year was 98,000. There are many ways in which CRM training is deployed in healthcare, and thus standardization of aspects of CRM training such as length of the session, people involved, topics discussed, and assessment measures are lacking. For example, healthcare CRM training programs may last as little as an hour to as long as a few days. This is an issue because, without standardization, it is extremely difficult and unlikely to implement a consistent skill set for the medical community or accurately understand if CRM training is transferring into the healthcare setting as well as fitting into the unique scheduling that is present in healthcare. To address this concern, the current proposed paper describes the results of a literature review and analysis of how CRM is applied in healthcare. For example, Clay‐Williams, Greenfield, Stone, and Braithwaite (2014) found that full-day training sessions for CRM did not work well with the typical 12-hour rotating shift schedule in healthcare settings. To work around this, the researchers developed a modular training, based on two sets of two-hour workshops, in which participants could self-schedule and complete the modules they felt were relevant to their personal work environment on their own time. The modules included in this study focused on communication and situational awareness. The participants found the modules to be helpful and educational. This type of modular training seems as though it could potentially benefit the healthcare field. However, more research needs to be done to determine the actual real-world impact as well as if the modular training truly aids in error prevention when skills are transferred to real-world environments. In summary, healthcare is still in the process of implementing CRM into the different subfields of healthcare (e.g. cardiology, pediatrics, radiology, etc.) and molding the training to be more standardized and validated, however training transfer has not been properly assessed. Future research should focus on creating a more consistent training that can be soundly measured and evaluated. The longitudinal carryover effect of skill persistence involved with modular trainings versus standard 8 hour trainings has yet to be fully researched and could shed light on the most efficient and most effective version of CRM training for the medical community

User Interface Design Recommendations for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)

The number of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) has dramatically increased in recent years. As a consequence, the number of incidents involving manned and unmanned aircraft has soared. For this reason, the Federal Aviation Administration has released a notice of proposed rulemaking to delineate the operational limitations for sUAS. Many efforts have been introduced to regulate the operations of these systems and educate operators. Despite these efforts, there are no clear standards related to the type of information that should be available to operators, or how this information should be conveyed during flight operations. For this reason we present a series of design recommendations in order to encourage a discussion within the aviation community about the need to develop visual displays that could aid sUAS users unfamiliar with the intricacies of a complex air system to operate in a safe and efficient manner

“Minimum Necessary Rigor” in empirically evaluating human–AI work systems

The development of AI systems represents a significant investment of funds and time. Assessment is necessary in order to determine whether that investment has paid off. Empirical evaluation of systems in which humans and AI systems act interdependently to accomplish tasks must provide convincing empirical evidence that the work system is learnable and that the technology is usable and useful. We argue that the assessment of human–AI (HAI) systems must be effective but must also be efficient. Bench testing of a prototype of an HAI system cannot require extensive series of large-scale experiments with complex designs. Some of the constraints that are imposed in traditional laboratory research just are not appropriate for the empirical evaluation of HAI systems. We present requirements for avoiding “unnecessary rigor.” They cover study design, research methods, statistical analyses, and online experimentation. These should be applicable to all research intended to evaluate the effectiveness of HAI systems

Latent Factor Modeling of Four Schizotypy Dimensions with Theory of Mind and Empathy

Preliminary evidence suggests that theory of mind and empathy relate differentially to factors of schizotypy. The current study assessed 686 undergraduate students and used structural equation modeling to examine links between a four-factor model of schizotypy with performance on measures of theory of mind (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test [MIE]) and empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index [IRI]). Schizotypy was assessed using three self-report measures which were simultaneously entered into the model. Results revealed that the Negative factor of schizotypy showed a negative relationship with the Empathy factor, which was primarily driven by the Empathic Concern subscale of the IRI and the No Close Friends and Constricted Affect subscales of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. These findings are consistent with a growing body of literature suggesting a relatively specific relationship between negative schizotypy and empathy, and are consistent with several previous studies that found no relationship between MIE performance and schizotypy

Usability of Image Generation Platforms to Produce Oblique World Views

The interpretation of oblique aerial views in UAV operations is an important task, yet one that provides unique challenges. The human visual system is mal-adapted to visual perception from the air, especially when oblique views are involved. Hence, UAV operators have to be given training in the interpretation of oblique aerial visual stimuli. A novel way to train operators on how to accurately inspect and perceive oblique aerial images is to administer multiple trials of discrimination tasks for paired oblique images. In discrimination training, trainees view pairs of oblique aerial views and determine whether the images are taken from comparable positions, or contain similar information, etc. For such training, a number of images need to be developed. There are a number of ways that these training images can be generated: The methods differ in the amount of detail they provide and with respect to the resources they require for their development. This paper examines the feasibility and usability of different methods of image generation for aerial UAV imagery. Development of stimuli from sources such as aerial photographs, web-based models, and off-the-shelf simulations are discussed

VRAC: molecular identification as LRRC8 heteromers with differential functions

Abstract A major player of vertebrate cell volume regulation is the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC), which conducts halide ions and organic osmolytes to counteract osmotic imbalances. The molecular entity of this channel was unknown until very recently, although its biophysical characteristics and diverse physiological roles have been extensively studied over the last 30 years. On the road to the molecular identification of VRAC, experimental difficulties led to the proposal of a variety of false candidates. In 2014, in a final breakthrough, two groups independently identified LRRC8A as indispensable component of VRAC. LRRC8A is part of the leucine-rich repeat containing 8 family, which is comprised of five members (LRRC8A-E). Of those, LRRC8A is an obligatory subunit of VRAC but it needs at least one of the other family members to mediate the swelling-induced Cl − current I Cl,vol . This review discusses the remarkable journey which led to the molecular identification of VRAC, evidence for LRRC8 proteins forming the VRAC pore and their heteromeric assembly. Furthermore, first major insights on the role of LRRC8 proteins in cancer drug resistance and apoptosis and the role of LRRC8D in cisplatin and taurine transport will be summarized

Measuring Recoiling Nucleons From the Nucleus with the Future Electron Ion Collider

Short range correlated nucleon-nucleon (NN) pairs are an important part of the nuclear ground state. They are typically studied by scattering an electron from one nucleon in the pair and detecting its spectator correlated partner (“spectator-nucleon tagging”). The Electron Ion Collider (EIC) should be able to detect these nucleons, since they are boosted to high momentum in the laboratory frame by the momentum of the ion beam. To determine the feasibility of these studies with the planned EIC detector configuration, we have simulated quasielastic scattering for two electron and ion beam energy configurations: 5 GeV e− and 41 GeV/A ions, and 10 GeV e− and 110 GeV/A ions. We show that the knocked-out and recoiling nucleons can be detected over a wide range of initial nucleon momenta. We also show that these measurements can achieve much larger momentum transfers than current fixed target experiments. By detecting both low and high initial-momentum nucleons, the planned EIC has the potential to provide the data that should allow scientists to definitively show if the European Muon Collaboration effect and short-range correlation are connected, and to improve our understanding of color transparency

GrassPlot - a database of multi-scale plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands

GrassPlot is a collaborative vegetation-plot database organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) and listed in the Global Index of Vegetation-Plot Databases (GIVD ID EU-00-003). GrassPlot collects plot records (releves) from grasslands and other open habitats of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. It focuses on precisely delimited plots of eight standard grain sizes (0.0001; 0.001;... 1,000 m(2)) and on nested-plot series with at least four different grain sizes. The usage of GrassPlot is regulated through Bylaws that intend to balance the interests of data contributors and data users. The current version (v. 1.00) contains data for approximately 170,000 plots of different sizes and 2,800 nested-plot series. The key components are richness data and metadata. However, most included datasets also encompass compositional data. About 14,000 plots have near-complete records of terricolous bryophytes and lichens in addition to vascular plants. At present, GrassPlot contains data from 36 countries throughout the Palaearctic, spread across elevational gradients and major grassland types. GrassPlot with its multi-scale and multi-taxon focus complements the larger international vegetationplot databases, such as the European Vegetation Archive (EVA) and the global database " sPlot". Its main aim is to facilitate studies on the scale-and taxon-dependency of biodiversity patterns and drivers along macroecological gradients. GrassPlot is a dynamic database and will expand through new data collection coordinated by the elected Governing Board. We invite researchers with suitable data to join GrassPlot. Researchers with project ideas addressable with GrassPlot data are welcome to submit proposals to the Governing Board

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world\u27s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (−0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications