Volume 1, No. 1 (2016)
Published online on 1 September 2016
Articles
Rabi MUSTAPHA, Azizi Ab AZIZ, Yuhanis YUSOF
Page 1 – 8 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
Driving is defined as a process of moving from one destination to another with the main aim to get to the destination safely. This study proposes a computational situation awareness model to assist drivers in effective performance of action based on his decision. The model incorporates cognitive factors that will influence action performance (yes/no) of the driver. To illustrate the proposed model, simulation scenarios based on overtaking maneuvers has been conducted. The experimental results show that the external factors attention and expectation have contributed to the effect on the safe and risky driving behavior and by suggestion on the driver’s action to perform the overtaken maneuvers based on his decision. Moreover, this model has been verified using an automated verification tool by checking its traces with the existing results from the literature.
Alwis N1, Muhammad Syafiq Syed Mohamed2 and Shamsul BMT3
Page 9 – 15 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
This study aims to evaluate the usability of new Kansei navigation system interface features versus. existing interface design features in automotive navigation system. The Study population consist of participants which are chosen using purposive sampling technique consist of male professional drivers (PD) and non-professional drivers (NPD) of a local University in Malaysia. A total of 60 participant ranging from 18 – 39 years old participated in this study. Participants were tested using a customized driving simulator which participant will drive according to the route shown by the GPS navigation system( GPS system based on Kansei versus existing system) drivers were tested in terms of their 1) completion time for each task given 2) the number of error produce from each task 3) the satisfaction level from each feature in the GPS system using System Usability Scale (SUS) 4) a kansei survey to measure participant understanding and perception towards usability of GPS interface designs…
Steven J. Kerr, Carmen Siau
Page 16 – 26 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
Professionals such as public safety workers have to use communication devices as part of their job which can be high stress and involve demands on their cognitive resources that would be better applied to their task at hand. Multi Modal User Interfaces (MMUI), have been proposed as a way of supporting more flexible, efficient interfaces, appropriately conveying information to users whilst they are busily involved in their tasks. In this paper we describe a usability study dealing with two types of MMUI environments, redundant and complementary, under a controlled driving simulation environment and explore how these two approaches plus increasing modality impacts user interactions with their primary task of driving plus their secondary task of communicating.
Results show that increasing modalities potentially help users communicate more effectively in high stimuli environments though modality conflict has to be considered when the user cannot ignore it e.g. audio instructions on driving whilst talking to someone. Whilst complementary modalities show a slightly higher cognitive load rating, in general there appears little difference between redundant and complementary approaches.
Tsau Kar Yen1, *, Izran Sarrazin Mohammad2, Rohaya Abdul Jalil3, Abdul Hakim Bin Mohammed4
Page 27 – 32 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
This paper reviews the importance of incorporating human factors and ergonomics (HFE) in the development of Malaysian green buildings. Apparently, the development of green buildings is often focussed on achieving energy efficiency, low carbon emission, and lower operation and maintenance cost. However, green buildings should not only be environmentally and economically sustainable. Instead, it should also be socially sustainable. Social sustainability is connected to HFE and this could help to improve the quality of green development. It is imperative to consider HFE in green buildings as it is a discipline related to the understanding of the interaction among humans and other elements of a system in order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance. However, many tend to overlook the importance of human factors in green buildings and this may lead to some of the green features failed to be implemented, performed or not utilised in a way that maximises the performance of green buildings, thus restraining the green features’ usability and their potential benefits….
Zulhaidi MOHD JAWI1, Mohd Hafzi MD ISA1, 2, Mohd Syazwan SOLAH1, Aqbal Hafeez ARIFFIN1, Azhani ALI3
Page 33 – 39 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of automotive tinting popularity among car users in Malaysia. While comfort (heat and glare) and security stand among the main reasons behind the popularity, there is however, some notable safety arguments about the automotive tinting. The prevailing regulation on auto tinting, which is dubbed as “outdated and unfair”, had caused public uproar about the permissible limit in terms of Visible Light Transmission (VLT). The results from the most recent survey on automotive consumerism are used in the discussion, together with two previous MIROS’ studies i.e. on weather issues and the auto tinting consultation report to the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT). The highlights, among others, were about the aftermarket behavior among car users in Klang Valley. Out of 265 respondents, approximately 70% of them had done the tinting to their current (main) car with the declared mean and maximum cost of MYR 780.81 and MYR 4,000.00, respectively. Also, the result has supported that the auto tinting together with the tires are the most popular aftermarket items for modification and retrofitting among the car users.
Ezrin Hani SUKADARIN1, Norraphat Uttraphan PIM1, Junaidah ZAKARIA1, Baba Md DEROS2, Nur Syazwani Md NAWI2
Page 40 – 44 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
Hospital nurses receive enormous amounts of physical and mental workload which causes them to develop work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and occupational stress. In this research, a cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the prevalence of WRMSDs, to evaluate the level of stress, and also to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) and stress level among one hundred and eight hospital nurses (n=108) in a government hospital. Data collection was done using three instruments, namely Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment Tool (WERA), and Stress Overload Scale Instrument (SOS). Based on the results obtained, a majority of the nurses suffer lower back pain whereas in terms of stress level, the nurses face relatively high stress level from their work. The relationship between MSCs and stress level was found to be absent. WRMSDs and stress are both multifactorial thus making it hard to conclude that the WRMSDs experienced by the nurses are caused by stress. Because of that, further study in relation to WRMSDs and stress is required to explore this issue.
Azizi Ab AZIZ
Page 45 – 54 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
The human mind is undoubtedly one of the most complicated entities in this world. The collection of processes that are performed by the human mind is indicated by cognition. Much progress has been made to allow scientists to understand this fundamental concept of mind. Formal analysis is one of the methods to unravel the mechanisms of mind. This is in line with the aim of cognitive modellers in their quest to explain the structures and the processes of the mind by building them. In this article, the foundations to develop a cognitive computational model will be discussed and a case study (model in anxiety state and traits) is presented as a basis to visualize those concepts (foundations). A number of well-known relations between events and the course of anxiety are summarized from the literature and it is shown that the model exhibits those patterns. In addition, the formal model has been mathematically analysed to find out which stable situations exist. Finally, it is pointed out how this model can be used in virtual simulation environment, supported by a software agent.
Hayder M. A. Ghanimi, Azizi Ab Aziz, Faudziah Ahmad
Page 55 – 61 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
One of the main challenges that hugely effect readers’ performance is cognitive load. It plays a pivotal role to facilitate readers to learn, memorize, and digest a piece of novel information. However, cognitive load can also have insignificant impacts on reading task when the cognitive demands of the reading task when to solve a complex problem. This article proposed a computational model of cognitive load during reading task, based on Cognitive Load theory, to get deep understandings on the dynamics of cognitive load and how the different types of load like intrinsic, extraneous and germane load are affecting the level of cognitive load. A number of simulation experiments were conducted and the results showed that the model is able to produce realistic behaviours under different personalities and conditions. Furthermore, an automated verification was implemented to evaluate the model.
Ahmad Syamil Mohd HAMID, Shamsul Bahri Mohd TAMRIN
Page 62 – 67 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a recommended permissible weight standard for different types of lifting, horizontal distances, gender and body mass index (BMI) among Asian population.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional experimental study recruited 72 young adults using criteria of gender and BMI (underweight, normal and overweight). Two sessions were used 1) first session is to determine maximum lifting strength (MLS), 2) second session is to determine the maximum acceptable weight to lift (MAWL). Both sessions need the respondents of two-handed exertions in four lifting types (back lifting, upper-body lifting, arm lifting and shoulder lifting) across two horizontal distances (toes aligned with and posterior to the exerted handle). Total of 8 lifting tasks were performed by each of respondent in each session. Wilcoxon sign test was used to compare between MLS and MAWL and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare MLS and MAWL between 3 different BMI.
Shamsul Bahri Mohd TAMRIN, Nur Sabreena ZAKARIA
Page 68 – 76 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among the frontline counter workers and the associated risks. A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 frontline counter staffs whose working at the telecommunication company in Klang Valley area. A stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents. Respondents were interviewed by using structured questionnaire and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). The structured questionnaire is used to determine demographic data, meanwhile CMDQ is to measure the discomfort of both right and left hands. A Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) is designed instrument to quantify exposure to office work environment. ROSA is a picture based posture checklist to obtain the risk level of workstation. The finding revealed that the prevalence of CTS among counter workers of the telecommunication company was 63%….
Fatin Nasuha Abdul Rahim1, Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin1
Page 77 – 85 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
Numerous studies are conducted to study the ergonomics risk factors among schoolchildren and office workers. No study had been conducted yet on the ergonomic risk factors for university students in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal discomfort among the university students. This is a cross-sectional study. The respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method. Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) was recorded using MSD Questionnaire. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess awkward posture of student’s torso namely bending forward movement, leaning, sitting and twisting. Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) was used to quantify risk associated with the work station of the students with computer related activities. Anthropometric measurement which consist of weight and sitting measurement of a respondents using anthropometry set to measure the possible mismatch between the body dimension of the students and furniture dimension…
Irwan Syah Md YUSOFF1, Ahmad Zuhairi ABDUL MAJID1, Shamsul Bahri Mohd TAMRIN2
Page 86 – 96 | Vol. 1, No. 1 (2016) | Available online on 1 Sept 2016
Purpose: Elderly taxi drivers among the whole taxi drivers are rapidly growth in Malaysia. The older taxi community may continue to serve their service even after retirement age of sixty years old. Therefore, older taxi drivers need to take specific consideration during driving activities according to ability and capability to sustain their life and minimizing injuries and avoiding accidents.
Objective: This study is aimed to determine the characteristics and discomfort seating posture among elderly taxi drivers.
Methodology: A pilot study was conducted with elderly taxi drivers using a self-administered questionnaire. It included questions on socio- demographic data, work characteristics and discomfort seating posture of the affected body part. Purposive method sampling used base on inclusive criteria; age 60 years old and above, self-driving taxi more than 1 year, no disabilities and driving using a national car. SPSS software used to analyse data.