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Title: IMPROVING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING INTO ORGANIZATIONS USING A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING APPROACH.
Creator: Philippart, Monica, Karwowski, Waldemar, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Most organizations today understand the valuable contribution employees as people (rather than simply bodies) provide to their overall performance. Although efforts are made to make the most of the human in organizations, there is still much room for improvement. Focus in the reduction of employee injuries such as cumulative trauma disorders rose in the 80's. Attempts at increasing performance by addressing employee satisfaction through various methods have also been ongoing for several...
Show moreMost organizations today understand the valuable contribution employees as people (rather than simply bodies) provide to their overall performance. Although efforts are made to make the most of the human in organizations, there is still much room for improvement. Focus in the reduction of employee injuries such as cumulative trauma disorders rose in the 80's. Attempts at increasing performance by addressing employee satisfaction through various methods have also been ongoing for several years now. Knowledge Management is one of the most recent attempts at controlling and making the best use of employees' knowledge. All of these efforts and more towards that same goal of making the most of people's performance at work are encompassed within the domain of the Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics field. HFE/E provides still untapped potential for organizational performance as the human and its optimal performance are the reason for this discipline's being. Although Human Factors programs have been generated and implemented, there is still the need for a method to help organizations fully integrate this discipline into the enterprise as a whole. The purpose of this research is to develop a method to help organizations integrate HFE/E into it business processes. This research begun with a review of the ways in which the HFE/E discipline is currently used by organizations. The need and desire to integrate HFE/E into organizations was identified, and a method to accomplish this integration was conceptualized. This method consisted on the generation of two domain-specific ontologies (a Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics ontology, and a Business ontology), and mapping the two creating a concept map that can be used to integrate HFE/E into businesses. The HFE/E ontology was built by generating two concept maps that were merged and then joined with a HFE/E discipline taxonomy. A total of four concept maps, two ontologies and a taxonomy were created, all of which are contributions to the HFE/E, and the business- and management-related fields.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002445, ucf:47716
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002445

Title: A STUDY OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SELF-REPORTED ANOMALIES IN CIVIL AVIATION.
Creator: Andrzejczak, Chris, Karwowski, Waldemar, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A study investigating what factors are present leading to pilots submitting voluntary anomaly reports regarding their flight performance was conducted. The study employed statistical methods, text mining, clustering, and dimensional reduction techniques in an effort to determine relationships between factors and anomalies. A review of the literature was conducted to determine what factors are contributing to these anomalous incidents, as well as what research exists on human error, its causes...
Show moreA study investigating what factors are present leading to pilots submitting voluntary anomaly reports regarding their flight performance was conducted. The study employed statistical methods, text mining, clustering, and dimensional reduction techniques in an effort to determine relationships between factors and anomalies. A review of the literature was conducted to determine what factors are contributing to these anomalous incidents, as well as what research exists on human error, its causes, and its management. Data from the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) was analyzed using traditional statistical methods such as frequencies and multinomial logistic regression. Recently formalized approaches in text mining such as Knowledge Based Discovery (KBD) and Literature Based Discovery (LBD) were employed to create associations between factors and anomalies. These methods were also used to generate predictive models. Finally, advances in dimensional reduction techniques identified concepts or keywords within records, thus creating a framework for an unsupervised document classification system. Findings from this study reinforced established views on contributing factors to civil aviation anomalies. New associations between previously unrelated factors and conditions were also found. Dimensionality reduction also demonstrated the possibility of identifying salient factors from unstructured text records, and was able to classify these records using these identified features.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003463, ucf:48382
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003463

Title: The Relationship between Agile Project Management and Project Success Outcomes.
Creator: Bergmann, Thomas, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Agile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be...
Show moreAgile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be conducted in new project management domains.This study is intended to determine the impact of the adoption of APM on project success as perceived by project managers. This investigative approach can be applied to any project domain. In addition, the influencing effects of project complexity on the results of projects are analyzed. Through an analysis of the existing literature, critical success factors and success criteria are identified to develop a model that can be used to assess current APM practice.The research questions are answered by means of an empirical study that collected data using an online survey that was distributed to project managers located across the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are performed to gauge the validity of the proposed research model.The study results show a significant positive relationship between APM and project success. Furthermore, a weak negative association is identified between project complexity and project success, suggesting a need for further research into and refinement of the project complexity construct. Finally, the results reveal an apparent need for additional education and certification in the field of project management, which are expected to lead to an increased use of agile approaches to project management in the future.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007391, ucf:52070
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007391

Title: Simultaneous Use of Physiological Sensors for a Neuromarketing Task.
Creator: Descheneaux, Charles, Reinerman, Lauren, Barber, Daniel, Karwowski, Waldemar, Goldiez, Brian, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACTPhysiological measurements have become more popular in Psychological research over the past ten years. These advancements allowed different objective sensors to become another measurement tool in a scientific arsenal of collecting data. Traditionally, performance and after task subjective measures have been used for most studies in Psychological research. With the opportunity to use these subjective measures along with objective measures, more data can be collected during research and...
Show moreABSTRACTPhysiological measurements have become more popular in Psychological research over the past ten years. These advancements allowed different objective sensors to become another measurement tool in a scientific arsenal of collecting data. Traditionally, performance and after task subjective measures have been used for most studies in Psychological research. With the opportunity to use these subjective measures along with objective measures, more data can be collected during research and therefore potentially produce better quality conclusions.Eye Tracking (ET), functional near infrared (fNIR), transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), electrocardiogram (EKG) and the electroencephalogram (EEG) have shown great promise in their ability to produce reliable and powerful objective data for research. Consequently, these devices are being used at the same time. The simultaneous use has the potential for interference between devices. Further, these devices are used on human subjects who can find these devices uncomfortable. These issues have the ability to skew data simply due to the measurement devices used.The effort of this study was to determine if the above devices could be used simultaneously without affecting their data quality, determine if difference combinations are more or less beneficial and determine if the combination of sensors have an effect on participant experience. A negative effect from discomfort has the potential to effect data. A study was conducted utilizing the ET, EEG, EKG, fNIR and TCD together in various combinations and also alone to determine if data is compromised and to determine if the combinations have an effect on participant experience.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007323, ucf:52130
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007323

Title: Assessment of Information Security Culture in Higher Education.
Creator: Glaspie, Henry, Karwowski, Waldemar, Wan, Thomas, Hancock, Peter, Caulkins, Bruce, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Information security programs are instituted by organizations to provide guidance to their users who handle their data and systems. The main goal of these programs is to protect the organization's information assets through the creation and cultivation of a positive information security culture within the organization. As the collection and use of data expands in all economic sectors, the threat of data breach due to human error increases. Employee's behavior towards information security is...
Show moreInformation security programs are instituted by organizations to provide guidance to their users who handle their data and systems. The main goal of these programs is to protect the organization's information assets through the creation and cultivation of a positive information security culture within the organization. As the collection and use of data expands in all economic sectors, the threat of data breach due to human error increases. Employee's behavior towards information security is influenced by the organizations information security programs and the overall information security culture. This study examines the human factors of an information security program and their effect on the information security culture. These human factors consist of stringency of organizational policies, behavior deterrence, employee attitudes towards information security, training and awareness, and management support of the information security programs. A survey questionnaire was given to employees in the Florida College System to measure the human aspects of the information security programs. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationships between the variables in the study using IBM(&)#174; SPSS(&)#174; Amos 24 software. The study results show that management support and behavior deterrence have a significant positive relationship with information security. Additionally, the results show no significant association between information security culture and organization policies, employee commitment and employee awareness. This suggests a need for further refinement of the model and the survey tool design to properly assess human factors of information security programs and their effects on the organizational security culture.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007184, ucf:52272
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007184

Title: A Study of Perceptions on Incident Response Exercises, Information Sharing, Situational Awareness, and Incident Response Planning in Power Grid Utilities.
Creator: Garmon, Joseph, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The power grid is facing increasing risks from a cybersecurity attack. Attacks that shut off electricity in Ukraine have already occurred, and successful compromises of the power grid that did not shut off electricity to customers have been privately disclosed in North America. The objective of this study is to identify how perceptions of various factors emphasized in the electric sector affect incident response planning. Methods used include a survey of 229 power grid personnel and the use...
Show moreThe power grid is facing increasing risks from a cybersecurity attack. Attacks that shut off electricity in Ukraine have already occurred, and successful compromises of the power grid that did not shut off electricity to customers have been privately disclosed in North America. The objective of this study is to identify how perceptions of various factors emphasized in the electric sector affect incident response planning. Methods used include a survey of 229 power grid personnel and the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling to identify causal relationships. This study reveals the relationships between perceptions by personnel responsible for cybersecurity, regarding incident response exercises, information sharing, and situational awareness, and incident response planning. The results confirm that the efforts by the industry on these topics have advanced planning for a potential attack.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007805, ucf:52349
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007805

Title: Factors Affecting Systems Engineering Rigor in Launch Vehicle Organizations.
Creator: Gibson, Denton, Karwowski, Waldemar, Rabelo, Luis, Kotnour, Timothy, Kern, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Systems engineering is a methodical multi-disciplinary approach to design, build, and operate complex systems. Launch vehicles are considered by many extremely complex systems that have greatly impacted where the systems engineering industry is today. Launch vehicles are used to transport payloads from the ground to a location in space. Satellites launched by launch vehicles can range from commercial communications to national security payloads. Satellite costs can range from a few million...
Show moreSystems engineering is a methodical multi-disciplinary approach to design, build, and operate complex systems. Launch vehicles are considered by many extremely complex systems that have greatly impacted where the systems engineering industry is today. Launch vehicles are used to transport payloads from the ground to a location in space. Satellites launched by launch vehicles can range from commercial communications to national security payloads. Satellite costs can range from a few million dollars to billions of dollars. Prior research suggests that lack of systems engineering rigor as one of the leading contributors to launch vehicle failures. A launch vehicle failure could have economic, societal, scientific, and national security impacts. This is why it is critical to understand the factors that affect systems engineering rigor in U.S. launch vehicle organizations.The current research examined organizational factors that influence systems engineering rigor in launch vehicle organizations. This study examined the effects of the factors of systems engineering culture and systems engineering support on systems engineering rigor. Particularly, the effects of top management support, organizational commitment, systems engineering support, and value of systems engineering were examined. This research study also analyzed the mediating role of systems engineering support between top management support and systems engineering rigor, as well as between organizational commitment and systems engineering rigor. A quantitative approach was used for this. Data for the study was collected via survey instrument. A total of 203 people in various systems engineering roles in launch vehicle organizations throughout the United States voluntarily participated. Each latent construct of the study was validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between the variables of the study. The IBM SPSS Amos 25 software was used to analyze the CFA and SEM.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007806, ucf:52348
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007806

Title: A study of nonlinear dynamics of EEG responses to simulated unmanned vehicle tasks.
Creator: Xu, Ziqing, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Reinerman, Lauren, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In the contemporary world, mental workload becomes higher as technology evolves and task demand becomes overwhelming. The operators of a system are usually required to complete tasks with higher complicity within a shorter period of time. Continuous operation under a high level of mental workload can be a major source of risk and human error, thus put the operator in a hazardous working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and assess mental workload. In this study, an unmanned...
Show moreIn the contemporary world, mental workload becomes higher as technology evolves and task demand becomes overwhelming. The operators of a system are usually required to complete tasks with higher complicity within a shorter period of time. Continuous operation under a high level of mental workload can be a major source of risk and human error, thus put the operator in a hazardous working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and assess mental workload. In this study, an unmanned vehicle operation with visual detection tasks was investigated by means of nonlinear analysis of EEG time series. Nonlinear analysis is considered more advantageous compared with traditional power spectrum analysis of EEG. Besides, nonlinear analysis is more capable to capture the nature of EEG data and human performance, which is a process that subjects to constant changes. By examining the nonlinear dynamics of EEG, it is more likely to obtain a deeper understanding of brain activity.The objective of this study is to investigate the mental workload under different task levels through the examination of brain activity via nonlinear dynamics of EEG time series in simulated unmanned ground vehicle visual detection tasks.The experiment was conducted by the team lead by Dr. Lauren Reinerman Jones at Institute for Simulation (&) Training, University of Central Florida. One hundred and fifty subjects participated the experiment to complete four visual detection task scenarios (1) change detection, (2) threat detection task, (3) dual task with different change detection task rates, and (4) dual task with different threat detection task rates. Their EEG was recorded during performing the tasks at nine EEG channels. This study develops a massive data processing program to calculate the largest Lyapunov exponent, correlation dimension of the EEG data. This study also develops the program for performing 0-1 test on the EEG data in Python language environment. The result of this study verifies the existence of chaotic dynamics in EEG time series, reveals the change in brain activity as the effect of changing task demand in more detailed level, and obtains new insights from the psychophysiological mental workload measurement used in the preliminary study. The results of this study verified the existence of the chaotic dynamics in the EEG time series. This study also supported the hypothesis that EEG data exhibits change in the level of nonlinearity corresponding to differed task levels. The nonlinear analysis of EEG time series data is able to discriminate the change in brain activity derived from the changes in task load. All nonlinear dynamics analysis techniques used in this study is able to find the difference of nonlinearity in EEG among task levels, as well as between single task scenario and dual task scenario.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007558, ucf:52615
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007558

Title: Equivalency Analysis of Sidestick Controller Modes During Manual Flight.
Creator: Rummel, Alex, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Equivalency analysis is a statistical procedure that can enhance the findings of an analysis of variance in the case when non-significant differences are identified. The demonstration of functional equivalence or the absence of practical differences is useful to designers introducing new technologies to the flight deck. Proving functional equivalence is an effective means to justify the implementation of new technologies that must be (")the same or better(") than previous technology. This...
Show moreEquivalency analysis is a statistical procedure that can enhance the findings of an analysis of variance in the case when non-significant differences are identified. The demonstration of functional equivalence or the absence of practical differences is useful to designers introducing new technologies to the flight deck. Proving functional equivalence is an effective means to justify the implementation of new technologies that must be (")the same or better(") than previous technology. This study examines the functional equivalency of three operational modes of a new active control sidestick during normal operations while performing manual piloting tasks. Data from a between-subjects, repeated-measures simulator test was analyzed using analysis of variance and equivalency analysis. Ten pilots participated in the simulator test which was conducted in a fixed-base, business jet simulator. Pilots performed maneuvers such as climbing and descending turns and ILS approaches using three sidestick modes: active, unlinked, and passive. RMS error for airspeed, flight path angle, and bank angle were measured in addition to touchdown points on the runway relative to centerline and runway threshold. Results indicate that the three operational modes are functionally equivalent when performing climbing and descending turns. Active and unlinked modes were found to be functionally equivalent when flying an ILS approach, but the passive mode, by a small margin, was not found to be functionally equivalent.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007242, ucf:52226
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007242

Title: Modeling the innovation ecosystem and development of a dynamic innovation index.
Creator: Schoen, Henriette, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hoekstra, Robert, Shumaker, Randall, Akbas, Mustafa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The topic of innovation currently generates a tremendous amount of interest around the world. Innovation is considered an essential part of the solution to creating more jobs and improving the socio-economic conditions of many countries around the globe. Innovation comes about through the existence of many interrelated solutions to socio-economic problems in an extensively interconnected network, which create value for each other. Such a complex creativity and innovation value-creating...
Show moreThe topic of innovation currently generates a tremendous amount of interest around the world. Innovation is considered an essential part of the solution to creating more jobs and improving the socio-economic conditions of many countries around the globe. Innovation comes about through the existence of many interrelated solutions to socio-economic problems in an extensively interconnected network, which create value for each other. Such a complex creativity and innovation value-creating network is here called an Innovation Ecosystem (IE). The main objective of this dissertation research is to improve the current understanding of the IE by developing a simulation model that uses a broad set of relevant static and dynamic variables and incorporates the principles of system dynamics (SD). The proposed model, which is named the IECO-model is based on the relationships between 91 variables and the combined influences of the 43 parameters. Available data for 32 countries, representing a full span of GDP worldwide, was used to study the level of innovation in each of these countries. The result of the developed IECO-model is a novel ranking of the level of innovation through a dynamic innovation index, called the DII. The DII is a new tool to evaluate the innovation and entrepreneurship level of a given country in the context of the global economy. The most significant differentiator from other existing indices of innovation is that the DII is focusing more on the entrepreneurship qualities in 19 of the 43 parameters by looking at cultural values and belief systems, the social context, existing entrepreneurial culture, innovation attitudes, and mentality of each of the considered countries. According to DII-based ranking, the ten most innovative countries in the world are 1. Switzerland, 2. USA, 3. Finland, 4. Netherlands, 5. Iceland, 6. Sweden, 7. Germany, 8. Denmark, 9. The United Kingdom, and 10. Austria.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007586, ucf:52537
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007586

Title: A Methodology for Data-Driven Decision-Making in Last Mile Delivery Operations.
Creator: Gutierrez Franco, Edgar, Rabelo, Luis, Karwowski, Waldemar, Zheng, Qipeng, Sarmiento, Alfonso, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Across all industries, from manufacturing to services, decision-makers must deal day to day with the outcomes from past and current decisions that affect their business. Last-mile delivery is the term used in supply chain management to describe the movement of goods from a hub to final destinations. This research proposes a methodology that supports decision making for the execution of last-mile delivery operations in a supply chain. This methodology offers diverse, hybrid, and complementary...
Show moreAcross all industries, from manufacturing to services, decision-makers must deal day to day with the outcomes from past and current decisions that affect their business. Last-mile delivery is the term used in supply chain management to describe the movement of goods from a hub to final destinations. This research proposes a methodology that supports decision making for the execution of last-mile delivery operations in a supply chain. This methodology offers diverse, hybrid, and complementary techniques (e.g., optimization, simulation, machine learning, and geographic information systems) to understand last-mile delivery operations through data-driven decision-making. The hybrid modeling might create better warning systems and support the delivery stage in a supply chain. The methodology proposes self-learning procedures to iteratively test and adjust the gaps between the expected and real performance. This methodology supports the process of making effective decisions promptly, optimization, simulation, and machine learning models are used to support execution processes and adjust plans according to changes in conditions, circumstances, and critical factors. This research is applied in two case studies. The first one is in maritime logistics, which discusses the decision process to find the type of vessels and routes to deliver petroleum from ships to villages. The second is in city logistics, where a network of stakeholders during the city distribution process is analyzed, showing the potential benefits of this methodology, especially in metropolitan areas. Potential applications of this system will leverage growing technological trends (e.g., machine learning in supply chain management and logistics, internet of things). The main research impact is the design and implementation of a methodology, which can support real-time decisions and adjust last-mile operations depending on the circumstances. The methodology allows taking decisions under conditions of stakeholder behavior patterns like vehicle drivers, customers, locations, and traffic. As the main benefit is the possibility to predict future scenarios and plan strategies for the most likely situations in last-mile delivery. This will help determine and support the accurate calculation of performance indicators. The research brings a unified methodology, where different solution approaches can be used in a synchronized form, which allows researches and other interested people to see the connection between techniques. With this research, it was possible to bring advanced technologies in routing practices and algorithms to decrease operating cost and leverage the use of offline and online information, thanks to connected sensors to support decisions.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007645, ucf:52505
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007645

Title: An Agent Based Model to assess crew temporal variability during U.S. Navy shipboard operations.
Creator: Muhs, Kevin, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Sjoden, Glenn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Understanding the factors that affect human performance variability as well as their temporal impacts is an essential element in fully integrating and designing complex, adaptive environments. This understanding is particularly necessary for high stakes, time-critical routines such as those performed during nuclear reactor, air traffic control, and military operations. Over the last three decades significant efforts have emerged to demonstrate and apply a host of techniques to include...
Show moreUnderstanding the factors that affect human performance variability as well as their temporal impacts is an essential element in fully integrating and designing complex, adaptive environments. This understanding is particularly necessary for high stakes, time-critical routines such as those performed during nuclear reactor, air traffic control, and military operations. Over the last three decades significant efforts have emerged to demonstrate and apply a host of techniques to include Discrete Event Simulation, Bayesian Belief Networks, Neural Networks, and a multitude of existing software applications to provide relevant assessments of human task performance and temporal variability. The objective of this research was to design and develop a novel Agent Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) methodology to generate a timeline of work and assess impacts of crew temporal variability during U.S. Navy Small Boat Defense operations in littoral waters.The developed ABMS methodology included human performance models for six crew members (agents) as well as a threat craft, and incorporated varying levels of crew capability and task support. AnyLogic ABMS software was used to simultaneously provide detailed measures of individual sailor performance and of system-level emergent behavior. This methodology and these models were adapted and built to assure extensibility across a broad range of U.S. Navy shipboard operations.Application of the developed ABMS methodology effectively demonstrated a way to visualize and quantify impacts/uncertainties of human temporal variability on both workload and crew effectiveness during U.S. Navy shipboard operations.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007592, ucf:52549
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007592

Title: Evaluating Human-Robot Implicit Communication through Human-Human Implicit Communication.
Creator: Richardson, Andrew, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Shumaker, Randall, Reinerman, Lauren, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research is examining ways to make human-robot (HR) communication more natural. Incorporating natural communication techniques is expected to make HR communication seamless and more natural for humans. Humans naturally incorporate implicit levels of communication, and including implicit communication in HR communication should provide tremendous benefit. The aim for this work was to evaluate a model for human-robot implicit communication. Specifically, the...
Show moreHuman-Robot Interaction (HRI) research is examining ways to make human-robot (HR) communication more natural. Incorporating natural communication techniques is expected to make HR communication seamless and more natural for humans. Humans naturally incorporate implicit levels of communication, and including implicit communication in HR communication should provide tremendous benefit. The aim for this work was to evaluate a model for human-robot implicit communication. Specifically, the primary goal for this research was to determine whether humans can assign meanings to implicit cues received from autonomous robots as they do for identical implicit cues received from humans.An experiment was designed to allow participants to assign meanings to identical, implicit cues (pursuing, retreating, investigating, hiding, patrolling) received from humans and robots. Participants were tasked to view random video clips of both entity types, label the implicit cue, and assign a level of confidence in their chosen answer. Physiological data was tracked during the experiment using an electroencephalogram and eye-tracker. Participants answered workload and stress measure questionnaires following each scenario.Results revealed that participants were significantly more accurate with human cues (84%) than with robot cues (82%), however participants were highly accurate, above 80%, for both entity types. Despite the high accuracy for both types, participants remained significantly more confident in answers for humans (6.1) than for robots (5.9) on a confidence scale of 1 - 7.Subjective measures showed no significant differences for stress or mental workload across entities. Physiological measures were not significant for the engagement index acrossentity, but robots resulted in significantly higher levels of cognitive workload for participants via the index of cognitive activity.The results of this study revealed that participants are more confident interpreting human implicit cues than identical cues received from a robot. However, the accuracy of interpreting both entities remained high. Participants showed no significant difference in interpreting different cues across entity as well. Therefore, much of the ability of interpreting an implicit cue resides in the actual cue rather than the entity. Proper training should boost confidence as humans begin to work alongside autonomous robots as teammates, and it is possible to train humans to recognize cues based on the movement, regardless of the entity demonstrating the movement.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004429, ucf:49352
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004429

Title: Simulation-Based Cognitive Workload Modeling and Evaluation of Adaptive Automation Invoking and Revoking Strategies.
Creator: Rusnock, Christina, Geiger, Christopher, Karwowski, Waldemar, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Reinerman, Lauren, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In human-computer systems, such as supervisory control systems, large volumes of incoming and complex information can degrade overall system performance. Strategically integrating automation to offload tasks from the operator has been shown to increase not only human performance but also operator efficiency and safety. However, increased automation allows for increased task complexity, which can lead to high cognitive workload and degradation of situational awareness. Adaptive automation is...
Show moreIn human-computer systems, such as supervisory control systems, large volumes of incoming and complex information can degrade overall system performance. Strategically integrating automation to offload tasks from the operator has been shown to increase not only human performance but also operator efficiency and safety. However, increased automation allows for increased task complexity, which can lead to high cognitive workload and degradation of situational awareness. Adaptive automation is one potential solution to resolve these issues, while maintaining the benefits of traditional automation. Adaptive automation occurs dynamically, with the quantity of automated tasks changing in real-time to meet performance or workload goals. While numerous studies evaluate the relative performance of manual and adaptive systems, little attention has focused on the implications of selecting particular invoking or revoking strategies for adaptive automation. Thus, evaluations of adaptive systems tend to focus on the relative performance among multiple systems rather than the relative performance within a system.This study takes an intra-system approach specifically evaluating the relationship between cognitive workload and situational awareness that occurs when selecting a particular invoking-revoking strategy for an adaptive system. The case scenario is a human supervisory control situation that involves a system operator who receives and interprets intelligence outputs from multiple unmanned assets, and then identifies and reports potential threats and changes in the environment. In order to investigate this relationship between workload and situational awareness, discrete event simulation (DES) is used. DES is a standard technique in the analysis of systems, and the advantage of using DES to explore this relationship is that it can represent a human-computer system as the state of the system evolves over time. Furthermore, and most importantly, a well-designed DES model can represent the human operators, the tasks to be performed, and the cognitive demands placed on the operators. In addition to evaluating the cognitive workload to situational awareness tradeoff, this research demonstrates that DES can quite effectively model and predict human cognitive workload, specifically for system evaluation.This research finds that the predicted workload of the DES models highly correlates with well-established subjective measures and is more predictive of cognitive workload than numerous physiological measures. This research then uses the validated DES models to explore and predict the cognitive workload impacts of adaptive automation through various invoking and revoking strategies. The study provides insights into the workload-situational awareness tradeoffs that occur when selecting particular invoking and revoking strategies. First, in order to establish an appropriate target workload range, it is necessary to account for both performance goals and the portion of the workload-performance curve for the task in question. Second, establishing an invoking threshold may require a tradeoff between workload and situational awareness, which is influenced by the task's location on the workload-situational awareness continuum. Finally, this study finds that revoking strategies differ in their ability to achieve workload and situational awareness goals. For the case scenario examined, revoking strategies based on duration are best suited to improve workload, while revoking strategies based on revoking thresholds are better for maintaining situational awareness.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004927, ucf:49607
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004927

Title: Critical Success Factors for Evolutionary Acquisition Implementation.
Creator: Bjorn, Brig, Kotnour, Timothy, Karwowski, Waldemar, Mollaghasemi, Mansooreh, Farr, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Due to extensive challenges to the efficient development and fielding of operationally effective and affordable weapon systems, the U.S. employs a complex management framework to govern defense acquisition programs. The Department of Defense and Congress recently modified this process to improve the levels of knowledge available at key decision points in order to reduce lifecycle cost, schedule, and technical risk to programs. This exploratory research study employed multiple methods to...
Show moreDue to extensive challenges to the efficient development and fielding of operationally effective and affordable weapon systems, the U.S. employs a complex management framework to govern defense acquisition programs. The Department of Defense and Congress recently modified this process to improve the levels of knowledge available at key decision points in order to reduce lifecycle cost, schedule, and technical risk to programs. This exploratory research study employed multiple methods to examine the impact of systems engineering reviews, competitive prototyping, and the application of a Modular Open Systems Approach on knowledge and risk prior to funding system implementation and production. In-depth case studies of two recent Major Defense Acquisition Programs were conducted to verify the existence and relationships of the proposed constructs and identify potential barriers to program success introduced by the new process. The case studies included program documentation analysis as well as interviews with contractor personnel holding multiple roles on the program. A questionnaire-based survey of contractor personnel from a larger set of programs was executed to test the case study findings against a larger data set. The study results indicate that while some changes adversely affected program risk levels, the recent modifications to the acquisition process generally had a positive impact on levels of critical knowledge at the key Milestone B decision point. Based on the results of this study it is recommended that the Government improve its ability to communicate with contractors during competitive phases, particularly with regard to requirements management, and establish verifiable criteria for compliance with theModular Open Systems Approach. Additionally, the Government should clarify the intent of competitive prototyping and develop a strategy to better manage the inevitable gaps between program phases. Contractors are recommended to present more requirements trade-offs and focus less on prototype development during the Technology Development phases of programs. The results of this study may be used by policy makers to shape future acquisition reforms; by Government personnel to improve the implementation of the current regulations; and by contractors to shape strategies and processes for more effective system development. This research may be used by the Government to improve the execution of acquisition programs under this new paradigm. The defense industrial base can use this research to better understand the impacts of the new process and improve strategic planning processes. The research methodology may be applied to new and different types of programs to assess improvement in the execution process over time.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004358, ucf:49442
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004358

Title: A System Dynamics Model for Manpower and Technology Implementation Trade-off and Cost Estimation.
Creator: Jiang, Hong, Karwowski, Waldemar, Kincaid, John, Reinerman, Lauren, Ahram, Tareq, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The U.S. Navy has been confronted with budget cuts and constraints during recent years. This reduction in budget compels the U.S. Navy to limit the number of manpower and personnel to control costs. Reducing the total ownership cost (TOC) has become a major topic of interest for the Navy as plans are made for current and future fleets. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO, 2003), manpower is the most influential component of determining the life cycle cost of a ship....
Show moreThe U.S. Navy has been confronted with budget cuts and constraints during recent years. This reduction in budget compels the U.S. Navy to limit the number of manpower and personnel to control costs. Reducing the total ownership cost (TOC) has become a major topic of interest for the Navy as plans are made for current and future fleets. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO, 2003), manpower is the most influential component of determining the life cycle cost of a ship. The vast majority of the TOC is comprised of operating and support (O(&)S) costs which account for approximately 65 percent of the TOC. Manpower and personnel costs account for approximately 50 percent of O(&)S costs. This research focused on tradeoff analysis and cost estimation between manpower and new technology implementation. Utilizing concepts from System Dynamics Modeling (SDM), System Dynamics Causal Loop diagrams (CLD) were built to identify major factors when implementing new technology, and then stocks and flows diagrams were developed to estimate manpower cost associated with new technology implementation. The SDM base model reflected an 18 months period for technology implementation, and then compared different technology implementation for different scenarios. This model had been tested by the public data from Department of the Navy (DoN) Budget estimates.The objective of this research was to develop a SDM to estimate manpower cost and technology tradeoff analysis associated with different technology implementations. This research will assist Navy decision makers and program managers when objectively considering the impacts of technology selection on manpower and associated TOC, and will provide managers with a better understanding of hidden costs associated with new technology adoption. Recommendations were made for future study in manpower cost estimation of ship systems. In future studies, one particular type of data should be located to test the model for a specific manpower configuration.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004869, ucf:49662
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004869

Title: Applied Error Related Negativity: Single Electrode Electroencephalography in Complex Visual Stimuli.
Creator: Sawyer, Benjamin, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Error related negativity (ERN) is a pronounced negative evoked response potential (ERP) that follows a known error. This neural pattern has the potential to communicate user awareness of incorrect actions within milliseconds. While the implications for human-machine interface and augmented cognition are exciting, the ERN has historically been evoked only in the laboratory using complex equipment while presenting simple visual stimuli such as letters and symbols. To effectively harness the...
Show moreError related negativity (ERN) is a pronounced negative evoked response potential (ERP) that follows a known error. This neural pattern has the potential to communicate user awareness of incorrect actions within milliseconds. While the implications for human-machine interface and augmented cognition are exciting, the ERN has historically been evoked only in the laboratory using complex equipment while presenting simple visual stimuli such as letters and symbols. To effectively harness the applied potential of the ERN, detection must be accomplished in complex environments using simple, preferably single-electrode, EEG systems feasible for integration into field and workplace-ready equipment. The present project attempted to use static photographs to evoke and successfully detect the ERN in a complex visual search task: motorcycle conspicuity. Drivers regularly fail to see motorcycles, with tragic results. To reproduce the issue in the lab, static pictures of traffic were presented, either including or not including motorcycles. A standard flanker letter task replicated from a classic ERN study (Gehring et al., 1993) was run alongside, with both studies requiring a binary response. Results showed that the ERN could be clearly detected in both tasks, even when limiting data to a single electrode in the absence of artifact correction. These results support the feasibility of applied ERN detection in complex visual search in static images. Implications and opportunities will be discussed, limitations of the study explained, and future directions explored.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005885, ucf:50886
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005885

Title: Systems Geometry: A Methodology for Analyzing Emergent System of Systems Behaviors.
Creator: Bouwens, Christina, Sepulveda, Jose, Karwowski, Waldemar, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Kapucu, Naim, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Recent advancements in technology have led to the increased use of integrated 'systems of systems' (SoS) which link together independently developed and usable capabilities into an integrated system that exhibits new, emergent capabilities. However, the resulting SoS is often not well understood, where secondary and tertiary effects of tying systems together are often unpredictable and present severe consequences. The complexities of the composed system stem not only from system integration,...
Show moreRecent advancements in technology have led to the increased use of integrated 'systems of systems' (SoS) which link together independently developed and usable capabilities into an integrated system that exhibits new, emergent capabilities. However, the resulting SoS is often not well understood, where secondary and tertiary effects of tying systems together are often unpredictable and present severe consequences. The complexities of the composed system stem not only from system integration, but from a broad range of areas such as the competing objectives of different constituent system stakeholders, mismatched requirements from multiple process models, and architectures and interface approaches that are incompatible on multiple levels. While successful SoS development has proven to be a valuable tool for a wide range of applications, there are significant problems that remain with the development of such systems that need to be addressed during the early stages of engineering development within such environments. The purpose of this research is to define and demonstrate a methodology called Systems Geometry (SG) for analyzing SoS in the early stages of development to identify areas of potential unintended emergent behaviors as candidates for the employment of risk management strategies. SG focuses on three dimensions of interest when planning the development of a SoS: operational, functional, and technical. For Department of Defense (DoD) SoS, the operational dimension addresses the warfighter environment and includes characteristics such as mission threads and related command and control or simulation activities required to support the mission. The functional dimension highlights different roles associated with the development and use of the SoS, which could include a participant warfighter using the system, an analyst collecting data for system evaluation, or an infrastructure engineer working to keep the SoS infrastructure operational to support the users. Each dimension can be analyzed to understand roles, interfaces and activities. Cross-dimensional effects are of particular interest since such effects are less detectable and generally not addressed with conventional systems engineering (SE) methods. The literature review and the results of this study have identified key characteristics or dimensions that should be examined during SoS analysis and design. Although many methods exist for exploring system dimensions, there is a gap in techniques to explore cross-dimensional interactions and their effect on emergent SoS behaviors. The study has resulted in a methodology for capturing dimensional information and recommended analytical methods for intra-dimensional as well as cross-dimensional analysis. A problem-based approach to the system analysis is recommended combined with the application of matrix methods, network analysis and modeling techniques to provide intra- and cross-dimensional insight. The results of this research are applicable to a variety of socio-technical SoS analyses with applications in analysis, experimentation, test and evaluation and training.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005135, ucf:50696
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005135

Title: The Relationship Between DNA's Physical Properties and the DNA Molecule's Harmonic Signature, and Related Motion in Water--A Computational Investigation.
Creator: Boyer, Victor, Proctor, Michael, Thompson, William, Karwowski, Waldemar, Calloway, Richard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This research investigates through computational methods whether the physical properties of DNA contribute to its harmonic signature, the uniqueness of that signature if present, and motion of the DNA molecule in water. When DNA is solvated in water at normal 'room temperature', it experiences a natural vibration due to the Brownian motion of the particles in the water colliding with the DNA. The null hypothesis is that there is no evidence to suggest a relationship between DNA's motion and...
Show moreThis research investigates through computational methods whether the physical properties of DNA contribute to its harmonic signature, the uniqueness of that signature if present, and motion of the DNA molecule in water. When DNA is solvated in water at normal 'room temperature', it experiences a natural vibration due to the Brownian motion of the particles in the water colliding with the DNA. The null hypothesis is that there is no evidence to suggest a relationship between DNA's motion and strand length, while the alternative hypothesis is that there is evidence to suggest a relationship between DNA's vibrational motion and strand length. In a similar vein to the first hypothesis, a second hypothesis posits that DNA's vibrational motion may be dependent on strand content. The nature of this relationship, whether linear, exponential, logarithmic or non-continuous is not hypothesized by this research but will be discovered by testing if there is evidence to suggest a relationship between DNA's motion and strand length. The research also aims to discover whether the motion of DNA, when it varies by strand length and/or content, is sufficiently unique to allow that DNA to be identified in the absence of foreknowledge of the type of DNA that is present in a manner similar to a signature. If there is evidence to suggest that there is a uniqueness in DNA's vibrational motion under varying DNA strand content or length, then additional experimentation will be needed to determine whether these variances are unique across small changes as well as large changes, or large changes only. Finally, the question of whether it might be possible to identify a strand of unique DNA by base pair configuration solely from its vibrational signature, or if not, whether it might be possible to identify changes existing inside of a known DNA strand (such as a corruption, transposition or mutational error) is explored. Given the computational approach to this research, the NAMD simulation package (released by the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) with the CHARMM force field would be the most appropriate set of tools for this investigation (Phillips et al., 2005), and will therefore be the toolset used in this research. For visualization and manipulation of model data, the VMD (Visual Molecular Dynamics) package will be employed. Further, these tools may be optimized and/or be aware of nucleic acid structures, and are free. These tools appear to be sufficient for this task, with validated fidelity of the simulation to provide vibrational and pressure profile data that could be analyzed; sufficient capabilities to do what is being asked of it; speed, so that runs can be done in a reasonable period of time (weeks versus months); and parallelizability, so that the tool could be run over a clustered network of computers dedicated to the task to increase the speed and capacity of the simulations. The computer cluster enabled analysis of 30,000 to 40,000 atom systems spending more than 410,000 CPU computational hours of hundreds of nano second duration, experimental runs each sampled 500,000 times with two-femtosecond (")frames.(")Using Fourier transforms of run pressure readings into frequencies, the simulation investigation could not reject the null hypotheses that the frequencies observed in the system runs are independent on the DNA strand length or content being studied. To be clear, frequency variations were present in the in silicon replications of the DNA in ionized solutions, but we were unable to conclude that those variations were not due to other system factors. There were several tests employed to determine alternative factors that caused these variations. Chief among the factors is the possibility that the water box itself is the source of a large amount of vibrational noise that makes it difficult or impossible with the tools that we had at our disposal to isolate any signals emitted by the DNA strands. Assuming the water-box itself was a source of large amounts of vibrational noise, an emergent hypothesis was generated and additional post-hoc testing was undertaken to attempt to isolate and then filter the water box noise from the rest of the system frequencies. With conclusive results we found that the water box is responsible for the majority of the signals being recorded, resulting in very low signal amplitudes from the DNA molecules themselves. Using these low signal amplitudes being emitted by the DNA, we could not be conclusively uniquely associate either DNA length or content with the remaining observed frequencies. A brief look at a future possible isolation technique, wavelet analysis, was conducted. Finally, because these results are dependent on the tools at our disposal and hence by no means conclusive, suggestions for future research to expand on and further test these hypothesis are made in the final chapter.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005930, ucf:50835
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005930

Title: A Generic Framework For Multi-Method Modeling and Simulation of Complex Systems Using Discrete Event, System Dynamics and Agent Based Approaches.
Creator: Mykoniatis, Konstantinos, Karwowski, Waldemar, Kincaid, John, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Akbas, Ilhan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Decisions about Modeling and Simulation (M(&)S) of Complex Systems (CS) need to be evaluated prior to implementation. Discrete Event (DE), System Dynamics (SD), and Agent Based (AB) are three different M(&)S approaches widely applied to enhance decision-making of complex systems. However, single type M(&)S approaches can face serious challenges in representing the overall multidimensional nature of CS and may result in the design of oversimplified models excluding important factors....
Show moreDecisions about Modeling and Simulation (M(&)S) of Complex Systems (CS) need to be evaluated prior to implementation. Discrete Event (DE), System Dynamics (SD), and Agent Based (AB) are three different M(&)S approaches widely applied to enhance decision-making of complex systems. However, single type M(&)S approaches can face serious challenges in representing the overall multidimensional nature of CS and may result in the design of oversimplified models excluding important factors. Conceptual frameworks are necessary to offer useful guidance for combining and/or integrating different M(&)S approaches. Although several hybrid M(&)S frameworks have been described and are currently deployed, there is limited guidance on when, why and how to combine, and/or integrate DE, SD, and AB approaches. The existing hybrid frameworks focus more on how to deal with specific problems rather than to provide a generic way of applicability to various problem situations.The main aim of this research is to develop a generic framework for Multi-Method Modeling and Simulation of CS, which provides a practical guideline to integrated deployment or combination of DE, SD, and AB M(&)S methods. The key contributions of this dissertation include: (1) a meta-analysis literature review that identifies criteria and generic types of interaction relationships that are served as a basis for the development of a multi-method modeling and simulation framework; (2) a methodology and a framework that guide the user through the development of multi-method simulation models to solve CS problems; (3) an algorithm that recommends appropriate M(&)S method(s) based on the user selected criteria for user defined objective(s); (4) the implementation and evaluation of multi method simulation models based on the framework's recommendation in diverse domains; and (5) the comparison of multi-method simulation models created by following the multi-method modeling and simulation framework.It is anticipated that this research will inspire and motivate students, researchers, practitioners and decision makers engaged in M(&)S to become aware of the benefits of the cross-fertilization of the three key M(&)S methods.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005980, ucf:50762
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005980

EEG (4)	+ -
System Dynamics (4)	+ -
workload (4)	+ -
Simulation (3)	+ -
human error (3)	+ -

human factors (3)	+ -
systems engineering (3)	+ -
Classification (2)	+ -
Knowledge Management (2)	+ -
Modeling (2)	+ -
Neuroergonomics (2)	+ -
Performance (2)	+ -
Safety Culture (2)	+ -
Safety Performance (2)	+ -
SysML (2)	+ -
Systems Engineering (2)	+ -
TCD (2)	+ -
critical success factors (2)	+ -
fNIR (2)	+ -
simulation (2)	+ -
visual search (2)	+ -
3D Spatial Relationship (1)	+ -
Acquisition (1)	+ -
Active Video Games (1)	+ -
Adaptive Automation (1)	+ -
Adaptive neuro fuzzy inference systems (1)	+ -
Adders Approximate (1)	+ -
Adverse events (1)	+ -
Agent Based (1)	+ -
Agent-Based (1)	+ -

Karwowski, Waldemar (55)	+ -
University of Central Florida (55)	+ -
Hancock, Peter (18)	+ -
Xanthopoulos, Petros (17)	+ -
Elshennawy, Ahmad (14)	+ -

Mikusinski, Piotr (12)	+ -
Kincaid, John (9)	+ -
Rabelo, Luis (8)	+ -
Reinerman, Lauren (8)	+ -
Lee, Gene (6)	+ -
Thompson, William (5)	+ -
Shumaker, Randall (4)	+ -
Ahram, Tareq (3)	+ -
McCauley, Pamela (3)	+ -
O'Neal, Thomas (3)	+ -
Wan, Thomas (3)	+ -
Zheng, Qipeng (3)	+ -
Barber, Daniel (2)	+ -
Geiger, Christopher (2)	+ -
Kotnour, Timothy (2)	+ -
Mollaghasemi, Mansooreh (2)	+ -
Mouloua, Mustapha (2)	+ -
Pazour, Jennifer (2)	+ -
Sala-Diakanda, Serge (2)	+ -
Sawyer, Benjamin (2)	+ -
Sottilare, Robert (2)	+ -
Williams, Kent (2)	+ -
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Akbas, Mustafa (1)	+ -
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