A Multivariate Randomization Text of Association Applied to Cognitive Test Results

Randomization tests provide a conceptually simple, distribution-free way to implement significance testing. We have applied this method to the problem of evaluating the significance of the association among a number (k) of variables. The randomization method was the random re-ordering of k-1 of the variables. The criterion variable was the value of the largest eigenvalue of the correlation matrix

Accounting for the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Quantifying Human-In-The-Loop Error Probabilities

Human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations cannot collect enough data from human operators to validate estimates of error probabilities for task components. Error rates for tasks have been estimated by using laboratory data for error rates depending on variables such as the cognitive complexity of the task. The limited channel capacity of human operators compels error rates to be strongly related to the time available for the task, the speed-accuracy trade-off. HITL simulations can provide valuable data on the time available for the operator's tasks. We propose that the response times be used in conjunction with measured speed-accuracy curves to estimate the operator error rates contributing to mission failure. Such analyses should be especially important in the estimation of error rates in off-nominal situations

Perceptual learning in parafoveal vision

AbstractThe present study tests the effects of practice on parafoveal vernier and resolution acuity. By measuring task specificity, transfer of training to other retinal locations in the trained eye and transfer of training to the untrained eye, we directly address whether improvement on these tasks is the result of changes in the underlying physiological processes or simply the development of new cognitive strategies. We found that: (1) significant learning can occur for both vernier and resolution acuity in many (but not all) individuals; (2) there were significant individual differences in the degree and time-course of learning: (3) learning transfers to the untrained task; and (4) learning transfers to the other eye particularly when the visual pathway leads to the trained hemisphere. These results suggest that both physiological and cognitive processes contribute to the improvement seen after repetitive practice on these visual tasks

The Insertion of Human Factors Concerns into NextGen Programmatic Decisions

Since the costs of proposed improvements in air traffic management exceed available funding, FAA decision makers must select and prioritize what actually gets implemented. We discuss a set of methods to help forecast operational and human performance issues and benefits before new automation is introduced. This strategy could minimize the impact of politics, assist decision makers in selecting and prioritizing potential improvements, make the process more transparent and strengthen the link between the engineering and human factors domains

The Fine Motor Skills and Cognition Test Batteries: Normative Data and Interdependencies

Fine motor skills and cognitive abilities are major contributors to crew performance on essentially all extravehicular and intra-vehicular activities during spaceflight. It is critical for the crews safety, and for mission productivity, to know if, and when, motor skills or cognitive abilities are compromised so that countermeasures may be introduced. NASA has developed two test batteries to measure and monitor astronaut cognitive and fine motor skills. The Cognition Test Battery contains 10 sub-tests that assess cognitive behaviors ranging from low level visual perception to high level decision-making. The Fine Motor Skills Test Battery contains 4 sub-tests that assess finger dexterity, manual dexterity and wrist-finger speed. This study sought to determine acceptable norms for both batteries in an astronaut-like population and to identify the extent to which fine motor skills contribute to cognitive test scores

How Thoroughly Do Proposed Nextgen Mid-Term Operational Improvements Address Existing Threats?

The goals of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) include improved safety, increased capacity, increased efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. The FAA has developed 46 mid-term Operational Improvements (OIs) to facilitate initial realization of these benefits in the 2015 – 2018 timeframe. These OIs describe changes in technologies, policies and procedures from current-day air and ground operations designed to mitigate safety, capacity, efficiency, and environmental issues. The main goal of this project was to investigate how thoroughly threats to safety present in today’s operations are addressed by the OIs. These threats, without mitigation, could remain threats in the mid-term, potentially compromising the intended NextGen safety benefits. To address this concern, we extracted threats to safety from 200 Aviation Safety Reporting System incident reports filed by tower air traffic controllers over a five-year period. We then evaluated whether these threats are addressed by the mid-term OIs

Human-Automation Allocations for Current Robotic Space Operations

Within the Human Research Program, one risk delineates the uncertainty surrounding crew working with automation and robotics in spaceflight. The Risk of Inadequate Design of Human and Automation/Robotic Integration (HARI) is concerned with the detrimental effects on crew performance due to ineffective user interfaces, system designs and/or functional task allocation, potentially compromising mission success and safety. Risk arises because we have limited experience with complex automation and robotics. One key gap within HARI, is the gap related to functional allocation. The gap states: We need to evaluate, develop, and validate methods and guidelines for identifying human-automation/robot task information needs, function allocation, and team composition for future long duration, long distance space missions. Allocations determine the human-system performance as it identifies the functions and performance levels required by the automation/robotic system, and in turn, what work the crew is expected to perform and the necessary human performance requirements. Allocations must take into account each of the human, automation, and robotic systems capabilities and limitations. Some functions may be intuitively assigned to the human versus the robot, but to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, purposeful role assignments will be required. The role of automation and robotics will significantly change in future exploration missions, particularly as crew becomes more autonomous from ground controllers. Thus, we must understand the suitability of existing function allocation methods within NASA as well as the existing allocations established by the few robotic systems that are operational in spaceflight. In order to evaluate future methods of robotic allocations, we must first benchmark the allocations and allocation methods that have been used. We will present 1) documentation of human-automation-robotic allocations in existing, operational spaceflight systems; and 2) To gather existing lessons learned and best practices in these role assignments, from spaceflight operational experience of crew and ground teams that may be used to guide development for future systems. NASA and other space agencies have operational spaceflight experience with two key Human-Automation-Robotic (HAR) systems: heavy lift robotic arms and planetary robotic explorers. Additionally, NASA has invested in high-fidelity rover systems that can carry crew, building beyond Apollo's lunar rover. The heavy lift robotic arms reviewed are: Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), Japanese Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), and the European Robotic Arm (ERA, designed but not deployed in space). The robotic rover systems reviewed are: Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Science Laboratory rover, and the high-fidelity K10 rovers. Much of the design and operational feedback for these systems have been communicated to flight controllers and robotic design teams. As part of the mitigating the HARI risk for future human spaceflight operations, we must document function allocations between robots and humans that have worked well in practice

Strain Typing Methods and Molecular Epidemiology of Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Several typing methods, with different strengths and weaknesses, are available for studies of Pneumocystis pneumonia

Primary Pneumocystis Infection in Infants Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Tract Infection

Primary P. jirovecii infection may appear as a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection in infants

NextGen Operational Improvements: Will They Improve Human Performance

Modernization of the National Airspace System depends critically on the development of advanced technology, including cutting-edge automation, controller decision-support tools and integrated on-demand information. The Next Generation Air Transportation System national plan envisions air traffic control tower automation that proposes solutions for seven problems: 1) departure metering, 2) taxi routing, 3) taxi and runway scheduling, 4) departure runway assignments, 5) departure flow management, 6) integrated arrival and departure scheduling and 7) runway configuration management. Government, academia and industry are simultaneously pursuing the development of these capabilities. For each capability, the development process typically begins by assessing its potential benefits, and then progresses to designing preliminary versions of the tool, followed by testing the tool’s strengths and weaknesses using computational modeling, human-in-the-loop simulation and/or field tests. We compiled research studies of the tools, assessed the methodological rigor of the studies and served as referee for partisan conclusions that were sometimes overly optimistic. Here we provide the results of this review