Providing Information on the Spot: Using Augmented Reality for Situational Awareness in the Security Domain

For operational units in the security domain that work together in teams, it is important to quickly and adequately exchange context-related information to ensure well-working collaboration. Currently, most information exchange is based on oral communication. This paper reports on different scenarios from the security domain in which augmented reality (AR) techniques are used to support such information exchange. The scenarios have been designed with a User Centred Design approach, in order to make the scenarios as realistic as possible. To support these scenarios, an AR system has been developed and evaluated in two rounds. In the first round, the usability and feasibility of the AR support has been evaluated with experts from different operational units in the security domain. The second evaluation round then focussed on the effect of AR on collaboration and situational awareness within the expert teams. With regard to the usability and feasibility of AR, the evaluation shows that the scenarios are well defined and the AR system can successfully support information exchange in teams operating in the security domain. The second evaluation round showed that AR can especially improve the situational awareness of remote colleagues not physically present at a scene.Multi Actor SystemsTechnology, Policy and Managemen

Variability of the bushcricket Ephippiger ephippiger: RAPDs and song races

The tettigoniid bushcricket, Ephippiger, shows extensive variability in morphology and behaviour in Western Europe. Several species and subspecies have been described, but many may only represent local forms of uncertain origin. Within Ephippiger ephippiger, patterns of variation differ between morphology (upon which most taxonomic forms are defined) and behaviour. There is sufficient variation in a sexual signal (calling song) within the species that 'song races' have been described, which show strong premating isolation from each other. Here RAPD markers (138 fragments from 10 primers) have been used to examine the extent and pattern of genetic differentiation within the species and between two congeneric species. Ephippiger ephippiger is clearly distinguished from its relatives. High genetic similarity has been found within E. ephippiger, Nei and Li's S averaging 0.67. Using both distance and parsimony methods resolves the relationships of the song races and morphological forms of E. ephippiger with the exception of one population. The song races represent the deepest division within the species, but the lack of concordance in different traits suggests that a complex pattern of subspecific variation is found within this species.</p

Lisbon Symbol Database - LSD : Subjective norms for 600 symbols

This article presents subjective rating norms for a new set of 600 symbols, depicting various contents (e.g., transportation, technology, and leisure activities) that can be used by researchers in different fields. Symbols were evaluated for aesthetic appeal, familiarity, visual complexity, concreteness, valence, arousal, and meaningfulness. The normative data were obtained from 388 participants, and no gender differences were found. Descriptive results (means, standard deviations, and confidence intervals) for each symbol in each dimension are presented. Overall, the dimensions were highly correlated. Additionally, participants were asked to briefly describe the meaning of each symbol. The results indicate that the present symbol set is varied, allowing for the selection of exemplars with different levels on the seven examined dimensions. This set of symbols constitutes a tool with potential for research in different areas. The database with all of the symbols is available as supplemental materials.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT