Instructional Strategies for Scenario-Based Training of Human Behavior Cue Analysis with Robot-Aided Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance

The U.S. Army desires to improve safety during Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) operations by removing Warfighters from direct line-of-fire by enhancing ISR operational capabilities with unmanned systems, also known as Robot-Aided ISR (RAISR) (DOD, 2013). Additionally, RAISR presents an opportunity to fulfill ISR capability requirements of modern combat environments including: detection of High-Value Individuals (HVI) from safer distances, identification of baseline behavior, and interpretation of adversarial intent (U.S. Army, 2008). Along with the demand and projected acquisition of RAISR technology, there is the added need to design training requirements for system operation and task execution instruction. While documentation identifying specific training standards and objectives for ISR tasks utilizing unmanned systems is limited (DOD, 2013), simulation-based training has been identified as a critical training medium for RAISR (U.S. Army, 2008). ISR analysts will primarily conduct RAISR tasks via Indirect Vision Displays (IVD) which transition well into multimodal simulations (Salcedo, Lackey, & Maraj, 2014). However, simulation alone may not fulfill the complex training needs of RAISR tasks, therefore, incorporating instructional support may improve the effectiveness of training (Oser, Gualtieri, Cannon-Bowers, & Salas, 1999). One method to accomplish this is to utilize a Scenario-Based Training (SBT) framework enhanced with instructional strategies to target specific training objectives. The purpose for the present experiment was to assess the effectiveness of SBT enhanced with selected instructional strategies for a PC-based RAISR training simulation. The specific task type was the identification of HVIs within a group through behavior cue analysis. The instructional strategies assessed in this experiment, Highlighting and Massed Exposure, have shown to improve attentional weighting, visual search, and pattern recognition skills, which are critical for successful behavior cue analysis. Training effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing the impact of the instructional strategies on performance outcomes, including detection accuracy, classification accuracy, and median response time, and perceptions of the level of engagement, immersion, and presence during training exercises. Performance results revealed that the Massed Exposure strategy produced significantly faster response times for one subtle and one familiar target behavior cue. Perception results indicated that Highlighting was the least challenging instructional strategy and the Control offered the preferred level of challenge. The relationships between performance and perception measures revealed that higher levels of engagement, immersion, and presence were associated with better performance in the Control, but this trend did not always hold for Massed Exposure and Highlighting. Furthermore, presence emerged as the primary predictor of performance for select target behavior cues in the Control and Massed Exposure conditions, while immersion and engagement predicted performance of select cues in the Highlighting condition. The findings of the present experiment point to the potential benefit of SBT instructional strategies to improve effectiveness of simulation-based training for behavior cue analysis during RAISR operations. Specifically, the findings suggest that the Massed Exposure strategy has the potential to improve response time when detecting both familiar and novel targets. The results also highlight directions for future research to investigate methods to alter instructional strategy design and delivery in order to improve trainee perceptions of the instruction

The Development of an Intelligent Health Monitoring System for Micrometeoroid and Space Debris Protection Systems and Spacecraft Structural Components

RÉSUMÉ Le début des activités humaines dans l’espace, en 1957, a marqué aussi le début de la pollution graduelle de cet environnement avec des débris orbitaux (DO). Aujourd'hui, ce problème crée ce qui est appelé «l’impact à de très haute vitesse», un des principaux dangers pouvant se produire (impact a hyper vitesse) entre des débris orbitaux et un véhicule spatial ou satellite en cours de vol atour de l'orbite terrestre. À la suite de ces collisions plus de débris sont formés en basse orbite (région inférieure à 2000 km d'altitude) et un phénomène dit «collision potentielle en cascade» (également connu sous le nom de «syndrome de Kessler») peut survenir. La collision en cascade est mentionnée par plusieurs études de modélisation de l'environnement spatial effectuées par des agences spatiales comme la NASA ou l'ESA. Un autre type de danger qui peut conduire au même risque d'impact à une très grande vitesse dans l’espace sont les micrométéorites. Les micrométéorites et les débris spatiaux voyagent en orbite terrestre basse à des vitesses allant de 17 à 20 Km/s et 70 à 80 Km/s respectivement, et leur impact sur les véhicules spatiaux peut varier d'une dégradation des performances jusqu’à la perte totale de l’engin. Actuellement, il y a plus de 22000 morceaux de débris orbitaux qui sont suivis et répertoriés, et cela pour des objets avec des dimensions supérieures à 5 cm, pour lesquels la prévention des collisions est la seule option, et pour lesquelles aussi des dizaines de conjonctions d’avertissements sont émises quotidiennement par les centres d'opérations satellitaires. En revanche, Il y a plus de 500000 morceaux de débris orbitaux avec des dimensions inférieures à 5 cm représentant aussi un haut risque de collision pour les satellites qui sont en orbite basse. Le cas de l'impact de DO ayant des dimensions allant jusqu'à 5 mm pourrait créer une dégradation des fonctions opérationnelles d'un véhicule spatial. Les DO ayant des dimensions de 0,5 à 1 cm sont la principale menace pour les véhicules spatiaux en orbite basse et pour lesquels les solutions actuelles sont juste représentées par des systèmes de protection. Le maintien d'une structure sûre et saine de satellites ou de véhicules spatiaux et une meilleure compréhension de l'interaction des MMOD avec les systèmes spatiaux motive en effet la création d'un système de surveillance (Health Monitoring System) intégré afin de surveiller en temps réel ou en temps quasi réel la dégradation de la structure ou du système de protection.----------ABSTRACT Human activity in the space environment began in 1957. From this moment forward, these activities have created another phenomena; the gradual pollution of space with orbital debris (OD). Today this accumulated debris is one of the main hazards in the near–Earth space environment. More specifically, hypervelocity impact between OD and every satellite and space vehicle that is launched or is currently orbiting the Earth. As each collision occurs more OD is created and, in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) zone (the region below 2000 km altitude), a potential ongoing collision cascade effect (also known as the “Kessler Syndrome”) can occur. This potential for collision cascade has been identified during space environment modeling studies performed by space agencies such as NASA or ESA. Increased space activity combined with poor standardization of space activity and the limited options for cleaning the space environment will lead to an increased frequency of collisions. Within the next few decades we will not be able to use the LEO for practical purposes. Another type of particle that creates the same primary risk of hypervelocity impact in the space environment is micrometeoroids. Micrometeoroids and space debris travel in low earth orbit at velocities up to 17-20 Km/s (OD) and 70-80 Km/s respectively, and their impact on space assets can vary from degraded performance to catastrophic loss. More than 22000 pieces of OD are currently tracked. These are objects with dimensions larger than 5 cm for which collision prevention is the only option, and for which tens of conjunction warnings are issued daily by satellite operations centers. In addition, there are more than 500,000 pieces of OD with dimensions less than 5 cm that present a high risk for collisions with satellites that are orbiting in the LEO. Solutions for debris in this dimensional range still have to be developed and include concepts capable of preventing and blocking the huge energy of hypervelocity impact and/or concepts for OD removal. Impact between OD with dimensions up to 5 mm and spacecraft is a special case because it could create a degradation of operational functions. OD in the 0.5 to 1 cm dimensional range, which represents 80 % of debris larger than 0.5 cm, is the main threat to spacecraft in the LEO. The only current solutions are protection systems or shields. To evaluate the risks associated with spacecraft impact with micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) we have to analyze factors such as: environment (the fluxes of particles), damage prediction (number of impacts) and damage tolerance (how much damage the structure can stand)

Safety and Security through the Design of Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle Systems and Intelligent Infrastructure in the Smart City

Our article is discussing the methodical basics of planning smart mobility. Smart mobility is one the main elements of a smart system. According to the methodology presented in our article, transportation in a smart city can be developed in a safe form, focusing on two main elements: safety and security planning of smart mobility. Intelligent (transportation) infrastructures and autonomous intelligent vehicles will be integrated in a common system in order to achieve the digital transformation of the transportation system. The aim of this research is to examine questions raised in relation to the control and communication of autonomous vehicles and vehicle systems. The development of autonomous intelligent vehicles and vehicle systems is based on the further development of the cooperating intelligent transportation systems to achieve smart mobility. The research aims to find such methods and procedures which help the safety planning of increasingly complex cyber-physical systems and system elements used in autonomous intelligent vehicles and transport systems, in view of aspects of safety and operational risks

Advanced driver assistance systems information management and presentation

With the development of advanced driving assistance systems, in-vehicle communication and information systems, there are situations where the driver becomes overloaded by information, creating potentially dangerous conditions. In this Thesis a novel strategy is proposed, to prioritise and present information. Firstly two main criteria are extracted, that allow the ability to rank messages: the risk associated with the non-presentation of the message, and its relevance to the environment. Fuzzy cognitive maps enable to represent expert knowledge and model these relationships. Secondly, a strategy to present information is proposed. Using an importance index, calculated from the previous risk and relevance indices, but also information nature, time constraints and access frequency, a set of best interfaces is selected. Furthermore design a model of driver workload is designed, based on the multiple resources theory. By estimating in real time the workload of the driver, the system enables to choose an optimal interface, that should prevent overload. This Thesis presents then the tools developed for the implementation and testing of the model. A video capture and data transfer program, based on the IEEE-1394 bus, enable in-vehicle real-time data capture and collection. Moreover, a software package for replay of the acquired data, analysis and simulation is developed. Finally, the implementation of the prioritisation and presentation strategy is outlined. The last part of this work is dedicated to the experiments and results. Using an experimental vehicle, data in different driving conditions are collected. the experiment is completed by creating data to simulate potentially dangerous situations, where driver is overloaded with information. The results show that the information management and presentation system is able to prevent overload in most conditions. Its structure and design allow to incorporate expert knowledge to refine the classification.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Research and technology

Significant research and technology activities at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) during Fiscal Year 1990 are reviewed. Research in human factors engineering, the Space Shuttle, the Space Station Freedom, space exploration and related topics are covered

Volume 1 – Symposium: Tuesday, March 8

Group A: Digital Hydraulics Group B: Intelligent Control Group C: Valves Group D | G | K: Fundamentals Group E | H | L: Mobile Hydraulics Group F | I: Pumps Group M: Hydraulic Components:Group A: Digital Hydraulics Group B: Intelligent Control Group C: Valves Group D | G | K: Fundamentals Group E | H | L: Mobile Hydraulics Group F | I: Pumps Group M: Hydraulic Component

Health-Related Emergency Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM)

Disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, heat waves, nuclear accidents, and large scale pollution incidents take lives and cause exceptionally large health problems. The majority of large-scale disasters affect the most vulnerable populations, which are often comprised of people of extreme ages, in remote living areas, with endemic poverty, and with low literacy. Health-related emergency disaster risk management (Health-EDRM) [1] refers to the systematic analysis and management of health risks surrounding emergencies and disasters; it plays an important role in reducing hazards and vulnerability along with extending preparedness, response, and recovery measures. This concept encompasses risk analyses and interventions, such as accessible early warning systems, timely deployment of relief workers, and the provision of suitable drugs and medical equipment, to decrease the impact of disaster on people before, during, and after disaster events. Disaster risk profiling and interventions can be at the personal/household, community, and system/political levels; they can be targeted at specific health risks including respiratory issues caused by indoor burning, re-emergence of infectious disease due to low vaccination coverage, and gastrointestinal problems resulting from unregulated waste management. Unfortunately, there has been a major gap in the scientific literature regarding Health-EDRM. The aim of this Special Issue of IJERPH was to present papers describing/reporting the latest disaster and health risk analyses, as well as interventions for health-related disaster risk management, in an effort to address this gap and facilitate major global policies and initiatives for disaster risk reduction

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 05)

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1363 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. Topics covered include technology development and mission design according to system, interactive analysis and design, structural and thermal analysis and design, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, assembly concepts, propulsion and solar power satellite systems

Towards healthy tendon ageing

Program and abstractbook of ISTS201