Attention Allocation Aid for Visual Search

This paper outlines the development and testing of a novel, feedback-enabled attention allocation aid (AAAD), which uses real-time physiological data to improve human performance in a realistic sequential visual search task. Indeed, by optimizing over search duration, the aid improves efficiency, while preserving decision accuracy, as the operator identifies and classifies targets within simulated aerial imagery. Specifically, using experimental eye-tracking data and measurements about target detectability across the human visual field, we develop functional models of detection accuracy as a function of search time, number of eye movements, scan path, and image clutter. These models are then used by the AAAD in conjunction with real time eye position data to make probabilistic estimations of attained search accuracy and to recommend that the observer either move on to the next image or continue exploring the present image. An experimental evaluation in a scenario motivated from human supervisory control in surveillance missions confirms the benefits of the AAAD.Comment: To be presented at the ACM CHI conference in Denver, Colorado in May 201

Counterstrike: The Untold Story of America's Secret Campaign Against Al Qaeda

Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker present their book "Counterstrike," detailing the US's war on terror and the group of military analysts at intelligence agencies and in law enforcement developed a new strategy to fight terrorism that many never knew about

Platelet membrane CD154 and sCD154 in progressive peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study

NoThe expression and potential role of platelet membrane CD154 and sCD154 in atherosclerosis was investigated in patients with peripheral arterial disease. This prospective observational study measured the expression of platelet-bound CD154 and soluble CD154 (sCD154) in 39 patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI, n = 15), stable intermittent claudication (SIC, n = 12) and age-matched controls (AMC, n = 12). Basal and agonist-stimulated CD154, P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding was measured by whole blood flow cytometry, while sCD154 was measured in paired plasma samples by ELISA. Basal expression of CD154 on the platelet surface was enhanced in both groups of patients with peripheral arterial disease. However, the critical limb ischaemics showed the highest level of basal expression 0.7 ± 0.3 [median ± IQR] and was significantly increased compared to both stable intermittent claudicants and age-matched controls (P < 0.001). On agonist stimulation with either ADP or thrombin critical limb ischaemics demonstrated greater platelet reactivity and propensity to express CD154 compared to age-matched controls (P < 0.05). Confirmation of the cellular expression of CD154 results was obtained by measuring sCD154 concentrations in autologous plasma samples. Here plasma levels of sCD154 in critical limb ischaemics were significantly greater than both stable intermittent claudicants and age-matched controls (P < 0.005)