AHFE International 2012,   July 21-25, 2012-San Francisco, California, USA

Final Deadline for Posters/Demonstrations Submission: 15 May 2012. More info Available at: http://www.ahfe2012.org/deadlines.html

The objective of this book series on Human Factors and Ergonomics is to provide researchers and practitioners a platform where important issues related to these changes can be discussed, and methods and recommendations can be presented for ensuring that emerging technologies provide increased productivity, quality, satisfaction, safety, and health in the new workplace and the information society. The Series Editor is Professor Gavriel Salvendy. For more information and ordering now to SAVE 20% on the latest volumes in the series view brochure at:
http://www.ahfe2012.org/files/MBRERF1 MBR_480GE_1up-Salvendy.pdf

- A NEW EDITION of the Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics, Edited by Gavriel Salvendy
- Was there anything new at the International Consumer Electronic in Las Vegas (CES 2012)?
- Invitation to Exhibit at AHFE International 2012
- Call For Authors for Book Series  
-  Specialized Journals and Newsletters
- Interesting Articles
- Upcoming Conferences and Events in Ergonomics
- Contribute to the Applied Ergonomics International NEWS
- About Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics International NEWS

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 Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics
A new edition of the leading reference on human factors and ergonomics: Completely Updated and Revised

The field of human factors and ergonomics has attracted a lot of attention in recent decades, owing in large part to the wide-ranging influence of the Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. Now in its fourth edition, this bestselling, award winning work continues to provide indispensable advice on the design of workplace environments and human-machine interfaces, while examining the latest thinking on how to best use this knowledge to reduce health and safety risks and improve productivity. With highly regarded authority Gavriel Salvendy at the helm, the Fourth Edition brings together contributions from more than 130 of the top experts in the field, offering in one complete, self-contained volume an encyclopedic collection of topics culled from over 7,500 sources. Numerous case studies and examples, as well as hundreds of figures and tables, are also included. All chapters in this edition have been completely rewritten, first explaining the scientific essentials, then exploring detailed practical applications. Some of the new topics in this edition include:

• Managing the risk of lower back pain in the workplace
• Neuroergonomics, office ergonomics, and user requirements
• Online interactivity and social networking
• Human factors in ambient intelligent environments
• Human factors and ergonomics in motor vehicles and aviation

A value-packed resource for all human factors and ergonomics specialists as well as engineers, industrial hygienists, safety engineers, and human-computer interaction (HCI) specialists, the Fourth Edition is also available electronically through the Wiley Interscience website.

ISBN: 978-0-470-52838-9, Hardcover, 1752 pages, March 2012
Visit wiley.com and select your local region to find out more about pricing and availability.
www.wiley.com/buy/9780470528389

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Was there anything new at the International Consumer Electronic in Las Vegas (CES 2012)?

The CES is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow covering global consumer electronics, and it was held in Las Vegas from January 10 to 13, 2012.  Obviously, it is difficult to offer a summary of all the products and technologies presented in only a few lines, yet, I will try to provide my general impression and the trends that I observed after many hours of reviewing and touring the show as a human factors and ergonomics professional.

Overall, 3D- LED-TVs were the stars of the show. Major companies such as Sony, Samsung, and LG, as well as a few others, occupied a large showroom floor with their big screen televisions.

The second area that caught one's attention would be the smart home appliances. Major manufacturers were showing intelligent kitchen appliances and washing machines, to name just a few, items with new touch screen panels and fancy interfaces.

Energy saving and management systems were also a highlighted area, where everything from cars to home energy management was being offered.  Advances we are sure to see in the upcoming market.

Other noticeable facets included the innovated technology of home networking and sound systems, as well as the new 3D cameras.

Despite the promising advances in technology and smarter appliances that offer a variety of features to consumers, it was hard not to notice that no significant changes in the ergonomics and usability had been achieved in making the smart devices easier to use. As the intelligence of these devices increases, it seems that the usage of them becomes more complicated and the problem solving more difficult. For instance, I counted more than 40 different variables to select and control on one of the new washing machines from a major brand.

Smarter homes cannot be achieved if the systems, as a whole, are not easy to install, configure, and monitor. Hopefully, the necessary changes will be made, so the days of the future will arrive soon…

A.M.

“The Health and Safety Report,” The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), January 2012 http://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/liaison/current.html

“Human Factor sand Ergonomics Society Bulletin,” January 2012, Volume 55 Number 1.
http://www.hfes.org/web/HFESBulletin/Jan2012Main.html

NIOSH eNews, Volume 9 Number 9 January 2012,  .
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsV9N9.html

 

“In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad,” New York Times, January 25, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=apple&st=cse

“With Prevalence of Nanomaterials Rising, Panel Urges Review of Risks,” New York Times. January 25, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/science/nanomaterials-effects-on-health-and-environment-unclear-panel-says.html?ref=technology

“In Rating Pain, Women Are the More Sensitive Sex,” New York Times, January 23, 2012.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/in-rating-pain-women-are-the-more-sensitive-sex/?ref=research

“Hazards: Pedestrians Are Advised to Keep Ears Open,” New York Times, January 23, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/health/research/accident-risk-seen-for-pedestrians-wearing-headphones.html?ref=research

“Confusion and Then Anger Heard in Audio Recordings of Calls to Cruise Ship Captain,” New York Times, January 23, 2012.
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/transcripts-of-calls-to-cruise-ship-captain-published-by-italian-media/?scp=2&sq=Doomed%20Cruise%20Ship&st=cse

“Can Too Much Information Harm Patients? ,” scientificamerican.com, January 27, 2012.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-too-much-information

“Thinking, Fast and Slow,” scientificamerican.com, January 27, 2012.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mind-reviews-thinking-fast-and-slow

“A physiological marker for false memories,” Guardian, January 27, 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/neurophilosophy/2012/jan/27/1

“Autofocus and the importance of 'defocusing',” Guardian , January 14 , 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2012/jan/15/digital-auto-focus-defocus-technology

“The importance of observation,” Guardian, January 14, 2012.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/15/pay-attention-people-faces

“U.S. survey finds respondents' stress level far from ideal,” Los Angeles Times, January 12, 2012.
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-la-stress-20120112,0,7275379.story

AHFE 2012 expects hundreds of scientists, academics and professionals, representing research institutions, universities, and companies from all over the world. AHFE 2012 will be held July 21-25, 2012, in San Francisco, California, one of the most exciting locations in the USA.

AHFE 2012 aims to attract a variety of related product and technology companies with its Exhibitions. We have created a very attractive package for registration at the Exhibition.

Exhibitors who complete registration early will have a better opportunity in booth location selection, plus the opportunity to be listed in the Final Program and AHFE 2012 website.
For more information, please contact Dr. Abbas Moallem
Exhibits@ahfe2012.org , Communication and Exhibit Chair.

For more information visit:
http://www.ahfe2012.org/exhibits.html