Usability evaluation of augmented reality visualizations on an optical see-through head-mounted display for assisting machine operations.

This study explores the effect of using different visual information overlays and guiding arrows on a machine operation task with an optical see-through head-mounted display (OST-HMD). Thirty-four participants were recruited in the experiment. The independent variables included visual information mode (text, animation, and mixed text and animation) and the use of guiding arrows (with and without arrows). In addition, gender difference was also an objective of this study. The task performance indicators were determined based on task completion time and error counts as well as subjective measures (system usability scale, NASA task load index, and immersion scale). This study used the mixed analysis of variance design to evaluate the main and interaction effects. The results showed that males performed better when using the mixed text and animation mode. Females performed better when using the text mode. In addition, using the mixed text and animation mode demonstrated the best outcome in system usability scale and NASA task load index. For the use of guiding arrows, the task completion time was reduced and the system usability scale, NASA task load index, and immersion scale showed positive effects.

How recreational farm operators use dynamic capabilities to respond to COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has devastated economic activities around the world. The tourism industry is facing severe challenges, such as reduced tourist flow and the lack of tourist consumption at destinations. Recreational farms are one of the business types of agricultural tourism in Taiwan and have the characteristics of small and medium-sized agriculture businesses. The operator is facing an uncertain environment in the epidemic market, and the operator's dynamic capability is considered to be effective in coping with the current environment. In this study, 20 selected recreational farms were interviewed to explore how operators use dynamic capabilities to make responses. The results show that recreational farms have the three elements of dynamic capabilities: sense, seize, and transform, to change farm marketing channels and develop new products or services to respond to the new market. Recreational farm operators adopted resource optimization, computerization, and cost control strategies to respond to the market. Management implications: A successful implementation of recreational farm offers requires-the reallocation of resources,-the planning of new products and services, and - the improvement of service processes to create new business and to address additional target groups.The COVID-19 pandemic forces a systematic positioning or repositioning of the business.

Determining Work-Rest Schedules for Visual Tasks That Use Optical Head-Mounted Displays Based on Visual Fatigue and Visually Induced Motion Sickness Recovery.

This study aimed to determine work-rest schedules for visual tasks of different lengths by evaluating visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) using an optical head-mounted display (OHMD). Thirty participants were recruited to perform 15 and 30 min visual tasks using an OHMD. After completing each visual task, participants executed six levels of rest time. Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) values, relative electroencephalography indices, and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) scores were collected and analyzed. Results indicated that after completing the 15 and 30 min visual tasks, participants experienced visual fatigue and VIMS. There was no significant difference between baseline CFF values, four electroencephalography relative power index values, and SSQ scores when participants completed a 15 min visual task followed by a 20 min rest and a 30 min visual task followed by a 30 min rest. Based on our results, a 20 min rest for visual fatigue and VIMS recovery after a 15 min visual task on an OHMD and a 25 min rest for visual fatigue and VIMS recovery after a 30 min visual task on an OHMD are recommended. This study suggests a work-rest schedule for OHMDs that can be used as a reference for OHMD user guidelines to reduce visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness.

Artificial neural network can improve the accuracy of a markerless skeletal model in L5/S1 position estimation during symmetric lifting.

This study investigated whether using an artificial neural network (ANN) method for L5/S1 position estimation based on the Kinect markerless skeletal model can produce more accurate data than measurements using the original Kinect skeletal model during symmetric lifting tasks. Twenty participants performed three symmetric lifting tasks twice at three vertical lifting height paths. Their postural data were simultaneously collected by a Kinect and a reference motion tracking system (MTS). The Kinect-based data are used as the model inputs, while its outputs are based on MTS. Three-layer ANN models to predict the L5/S1 position over the entire lifting duration were trained by identifying the relationship between the seven inputs (the participant's height and weight and the Kinect-based trunk angle, left knee angle, and left hip joint coordinates on the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) and three outputs (the reference L5/S1 position on the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). As a measure of error, the distances between the reference anatomical L5/S1 position and the predicted positions (by the ANN-Kinect system and the Kinect system) were calculated and compared. The results showed that introducing the ANN method can significantly (p < 0.0001) reduce the L5/S1 position estimation error (5.12 ± 1.83 cm) in comparison with directly using the original data output from the skeletal model driven by Kinect data (20.54 ± 3.24 cm). This method provides an alternative for L5/S1 position estimation while retaining the advantages of using Kinect such as portability, easy of use, and being equipped with the function of automatic skeletal identification.

Multimodal Integration of Active Learning in the Veterinary Classroom.

Historically, pre-clinical professional veterinary instruction has relied heavily on didactic methods. With the shift toward competency-based education in health professions teaching, instructors at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine are exploring alternative engagement strategies to focus on learner outcomes. In this article, we report on the integration of competency-based active learning techniques in a large-lecture setting, along with preliminary outcomes from the student perspective. A total of 110 students from Zoonotic Diseases, a two-credit core course offered in the second year of the 4-year professional curriculum, participated in the learning techniques and retrospective pre-/post-questionnaire. Results of the questionnaire indicated improvement in learners' perceived competency. For practical skills (e.g., donning and doffing of personal protective equipment), students also reported improved self-efficacy. Students enjoyed the interactive and self-directed learning techniques and described an improvement in their ability to evaluate their own understanding of relevant course concepts. The active learning techniques described herein may be used to supplement, and even transform, primarily lecture-based courses to better achieve professional competency and develop practice-ready veterinarians.