Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Visual attention”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

On the acquisition and representation of procedural knowledge

Historically knowledge acquisition has proven to be one of the greatest barriers to the development of intelligent systems. Current practice generally requires lengthy interactions between the expert whose knowledge is to be captured and the knowledge engineer whose responsibility is to acquire and represent knowledge in a useful form. Although much research has been devoted to the development of methodologies and computer software to aid in the capture and representation of some of some types of knowledge, little attention has been devoted to procedural knowledge. NASA personnel frequently perform tasks that are primarily procedural in nature. Previous work is reviewed in the field of knowledge acquisition and then focus on knowledge acquisition for procedural tasks with special attention devoted to the Navy's VISTA tool. The design and development is described of a system for the acquisition and representation of procedural knowledge-TARGET (Task Analysis and Rule Generation Tool). TARGET is intended as a tool that permits experts to visually describe procedural tasks and as a common medium for knowledge refinement by the expert and knowledge engineer. The system is designed to represent the acquired knowledge in the form of production rules. Systems such as TARGET have the potential to profoundly reduce the time, difficulties, and costs of developing knowledge-based systems for the performance of procedural tasks.

Saito, T.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Ultrafast nano-imaging and nano-spectroscopy

Ultrafast pump–probe nano-imaging combines scanning probe-based optical near-field microscopy with ultrafast spectroscopy to enable imaging with deep sub-wavelength spatial resolution, femtosecond temporal resolution and simultaneous spectral resolution. Ultrafast nano-imaging has gained increased attention for its ability to provide far-from-equilibrium excitation and excited-state contrast. With coherent and nonlinear probing, coupled electron, spin and lattice dynamics on elementary timescale and length scale can be resolved. Through nano-movies, ultrafast nano-imaging visualizes correlated quantum dynamics underlying the properties of solid-state materials, semiconductors, molecular electronic, photonic, photovoltaic and other functional materials. With nanometre spatial resolution, this method probes elementary dynamic processes across multiple length scales that are otherwise obscured in conventional ultrafast spectroscopy in which heterogeneities are spatially averaged. Furthermore, this Primer describes the theoretical background and experimental implementation of ultrafast nano-imaging; signal interpretation and modelling; representative examples and a perspective for the future development of the field.

Microscopy↗
NASA NTRS1975

Psychological aspects of aeronautical flight simulation

Attention is given to the class of ground based devices which have been used by scientists, engineers, and test pilots to evaluate current or future aircraft systems. The characteristics of a flight simulator and its major subsystems are considered, taking into account simulator cockpits, visual scene attachments, aspects of visual attachment fidelity, simulator motion systems, motion system fidelity, and simulation computer systems. Questions related to psychological research and simulation are examined. Simulator validity criteria are discussed along with problems of subsystem fidelity.

Huff, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Hot-wire measurements of a single lateral jet injected into swirling crossflow

In the present experiments documenting the time-mean and turbulent flowfield of a deflected turbulent jet in a combined, swirling crossflow, attention is given to a jet-to-crossflow velocity ratio of 4 at swirler vane angles of 45 and 70 deg. The results obtained are presented in the form of r-x plots in order to aid in three-dimensional flowfield visualization. The time-mean velocity measurements were found to closely correspond to pitot-probe data obtained in identical flow conditions. The lateral jet was found to deflect the axis of the precessing vortex core.

Lilley, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Contrasts in winter-summer cloudiness over the Western Hemisphere during the FGGE

An examination is undertaken of techniques for the representation of satellite-derived seasonal cloud climatology statistics, together with the phenomenological contrasts evident in extended cloud fields from one season to the next. Attention is given to results from a winter and a summer period over the Western Hemisphere in 1979. Cloud cover information has been derived from the GOES-East geosynchronous satellite; the data sets used consist of 15-day periods of hourly, 8-km resolution visual and IR digital measurements.

Smith, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Nonverbal working memory of humans and monkeys: rehearsal in the sketchpad?

Investigations of working memory tend to focus on the retention of verbal information. The present experiments were designed to characterize the active maintenance rehearsal process used in the retention of visuospatial information. Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta; N = 6) were tested as well as humans (total N = 90) because these nonhuman primates have excellent visual working memory but, unlike humans, cannot verbally recode the stimuli to employ verbal rehearsal mechanisms. A series of experiments was conducted using a distractor-task paradigm, a directed forgetting procedure, and a dual-task paradigm. No evidence was found for an active maintenance process for either species. Rather, it appears that information is maintained in the visuospatial sketchpad without active rehearsal.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1990

New computational control techniques and increased understanding for stereo 3-D displays

While conventional asymptotic transformations for mapping a visual scene onto a stereo viewing volume allow a single, specific scene-distance to be fixed at the screen location, the present piecewise linear approach allows creative partitioning of the depth viewing volume and affords the freedom to place depth-cueing emphasis wherever desired. Attention is given to the results of an experiment with the novel system which attempted to ascertain the effective region of stereopsis cueing. A practical viewing volume falls between -25 and +60 percent of the viewer-to-screen distance. The data indicate that increased viewer-to-CRT distances furnish increasing usable depth.

Williams, Steven P.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Evaluation of Synthetic Vision Display Concepts for Improved Awareness in Unusual Attitude Recovery Scenarios

A recent study conducted by the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) determined 40 percent of all fixed-wing fatal accidents, between 2001 and 2011, were caused by Loss-of-Control (LOC) in flight (National Transportation Safety Board, 2015). Based on their findings, CAST recommended manufacturers develop and implement virtual day-visual meteorological conditions (VMC) display systems, such as synthetic vision or equivalent systems (CAST, 2016). In a 2015 simulation study conducted at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), researchers gathered to test and evaluate virtual day-VMC displays under realistic flight operation scenarios capable of inducing reduced attention states in pilots. Each display concept was evaluated to determine its efficacy to improve attitude awareness. During the experiment, Evaluation Pilots (EPs) were shown the following three display concepts on the Primary Flight Display (PFD): Baseline, Synthetic Vision (SV) with color gradient, and SV with texture. The baseline configuration was a standard, conventional 'blue over brown' display. Experiment scenarios were simulated over water to evaluate Unusual Attitude (UA) recovery over 'featureless terrain' environments. Thus, the SV with color gradient configuration presented a 'blue over blue' display with a linear blue color progression, to differentiate attitude changes between sky and ocean. The SV with texture configuration presented a 'blue over blue' display with a black checkerboard texture atop a synthetic ocean. These displays were paired with a Background Attitude Indicator (BAI) concept. The BAI was presented across all four Head-Down Displays (HDDs), displaying a wide field-of-view blue-over-blue attitude indicator. The BAI aligned with the PFD and showed through the background of the navigation displays with opaque transparency. Each EP participated in a two-part experiment series with a total seventy-five trial runs: Part I included a set of twenty-five Unusual Attitude Recovery (UAR) scenarios; Part II included a set of fifty Attitude Memory Recall Tasks (AMRT). At the conclusion of each trial, EPs were asked to complete a set post-run questionnaires. Quantitative results showed that there were no significant statistical effects on UA recovery times when utilizing SV with or without the presence of a BAI. Qualitative results show the SV displays (color, texture) with BAI On are most preferred for both UA recognition and recovery when compared with the baseline display. When only comparing SV display concepts, EPs performed better when using the SV with texture, BAI On, than any other display configuration. This is an interesting find considering most EPs noted their preference towards the SV with color gradient when the BAI was on.

Nicholas, Stephanie↗
NASA NTRS1982

Transonic aerodynamics; Transonic Perspective Symposium, Moffett Field, CA, February 18-20, 1981, Technical Papers

After an historical account of the development of transonic aerodynamics before 1940 and in the period 1945-1975, attention is given to the design for cruise performance efficiency of commercial transport aircraft, with emphasis on transonic wing design, the practical aerodynamic problems of military aircraft, with emphasis on store carriage and separation, experimental testing in transonic wind tunnels capable of Reynolds number simulation and aerodynamic flow visualization, and such mathematical techniques as potential equation methods for flow prediction and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computations of transonic flows. Also considered are transonic design using computational aerodynamics, the application of computation methods to transonic wing design, computational experience with advanced tactical aircraft, the evaluation of full potential flow methods, and the application of a shock-turbulent boundary layer interaction theory to transonic flowfield analysis.

Nixon, D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Regional dust deposits on Mars - Physical properties, age, and history

This paper presents a description of the use of Viking infrared thermal mapper (IRTM), earth-based radar, and visual observations for the study of the existence of regional dust deposits. It is pointed out that these observations provide estimates of particle size, rock abundance, surface texture, thermal emissivity, and albedo. These estimates can be used to characterize surface deposits and to determine the degree of surface mantling. Attention is given to the regolith properties, atmospheric dust properties, and a model for formation of low-inertia regions. It is found that global dust storms deposit currently approximately 25 microns of material per year in the equatorial region. Over geologic time this value may vary from 0 to 250 microns due to variations in atmospheric conditions produced by orbital variations.

Christensen, P. R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Probing polarization dynamics at specific domain configurations: Computer-vision based automated experiment in piezoresponse force microscopy

Topological defects in ferroelectric materials have attracted much attention due to the emergence of conductive, ferroic, and magnetic functionalities. However, many topological configurations dynamically evolve during the switching processes, making them a challenge to characterize via traditional techniques. Here, we implement an automated experimentation approach for the exploration of functional properties in BiFeO 3 thin films. Specifically, we visualize the ferroelectric domain structures via single frequency piezoresponse force microscopy and implement a computer vision-based algorithm to discover features of interest at which spectroscopic measurements are taken. Subsequently, we employ dimensionality reduction techniques to reveal characteristic polarization behaviors at these features. This approach can be extended to other spectroscopies and modalities to probe only specific features of interest, ultimately enabling dynamical processes in ferroelectrics to be studied.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2002

Ocular input for human melatonin regulation: relevance to breast cancer

The impact of breast cancer on women across the world has been extensive and severe. As prevalence of breast cancer is greatest in industrialized regions, exposure to light at night has been proposed as a potential risk factor. This theory is supported by the epidemiological observations of decreased breast cancer in blind women and increased breast cancer in women who do shift-work. In addition, human, animal and in vitro studies which have investigated the melatonin-cancer dynamic indicate an apparent relationship between light, melatonin and cancer, albeit complex. Recent developments in understanding melatonin regulation by light in humans are examined, with particular attention to factors that contribute to the sensitivity of the light-induced melatonin suppression response. Specifically, the role of spectral characteristics of light is addressed, and recent relevant action spectrum studies in humans and other mammalian species are discussed. Across five action spectra for circadian and other non-visual responses, a peak sensitivity between 446-484 nm was identified. Under highly controlled exposure circumstances, less than 1 lux of monochromatic light elicited a significant suppression of nocturnal melatonin. In view of the possible link between light exposure, melatonin suppression and cancer risk, it is important to continue to identify the basic related ocular physiology. Visual performance, rather than circadian function, has been the primary focus of architectural lighting systems. It is now necessary to reevaluate lighting strategies, with consideration of circadian influences, in an effort to maximize physiological homeostasis and health.

Review↗
NASA NTRS1999

Is the spatial distribution of brain lesions associated with closed-head injury predictive of subsequent development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Analysis with brain-image database

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is an association between the spatial distribution of lesions detected at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain in children after closed-head injury and the development of secondary attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data obtained from 76 children without prior history of ADHD were analyzed. MR images were obtained 3 months after closed-head injury. After manual delineation of lesions, images were registered to the Talairach coordinate system. For each subject, registered images and secondary ADHD status were integrated into a brain-image database, which contains depiction (visualization) and statistical analysis software. Using this database, we assessed visually the spatial distributions of lesions and performed statistical analysis of image and clinical variables. RESULTS: Of the 76 children, 15 developed secondary ADHD. Depiction of the data suggested that children who developed secondary ADHD had more lesions in the right putamen than children who did not develop secondary ADHD; this impression was confirmed statistically. After Bonferroni correction, we could not demonstrate significant differences between secondary ADHD status and lesion burdens for the right caudate nucleus or the right globus pallidus. CONCLUSION: Closed-head injury-induced lesions in the right putamen in children are associated with subsequent development of secondary ADHD. Depiction software is useful in guiding statistical analysis of image data.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
DOE OSTI2024

Materials Characterization: A Primer for Solid Phase Processing Applications

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) undertook the Materials Characterization, Prediction, and Control (MCPC) Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Project to advance understanding of nuclear material processing and enable multifold acceleration in the development and qualification of new material systems produced via advanced manufacturing methods, such as solid phase processing, for use in national security and advanced energy applications (Smith 2021). As a two-year LDRD investment requiring focused research, the MCPC project applied only a subset of the wide range of available destructive and nondestructive characterization methods to provide data to the predictive modeling and data analytics tasks. The purpose of this report is to review a wide range of destructive and nondestructive characterization methods that are relevant in solid-phase processing (SPP) applications, but not necessarily applied in the MCPC Project as a guide to the planning of characterization activities in future research. Particular attention is given to measured characteristics that can correlate to other material characteristics, with a particular interest in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) that can be applied to samples obtained in the MCPC Project. Destructive examinations include tensile tests, optical and electron microscopy, micro-hardness, and residual stress tests. NDE tests include surface visual inspection, eddy current examination for cracks, 4-point potential drop, ultrasound, x-ray, and computed tomography.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1978

Shear strength of fillet welds in aluminum alloy 2219

Fillet size is discussed in terms of theoretical or design dimensions versus as-welded dimensions, drawing attention to the inherent conservatism in the design load sustaining capabilities of fillet welds. Emphasis is placed on components for the solid rocket motor, external tank, and other aerospace applications. Problems associated with inspection of fillet welds are addresses and a comparison is drawn between defect counts obtained by radiographic inspection and by visual examination of the fracture plane. Fillet weld quality is related linearly to ultimate shear strength. Correlation coefficients are obtained by simple straight line regression analysis between the variables of ultimate shear strength and accumulative discontinuity summation. Shear strength allowables are found to be equivalent to 57 percent of butt weld A allowables (F sub tu.)

Lovoy, C. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Infrared observations of low-mass star formation in Orion - HH objects

The results of a preliminary analysis of IR data on Herbig-Haro objects in the Orion nebula are reported. The observations were made with the high angular resolution IR photometry equipment on the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory and the NASA facility on Mauna Kea, HI. Data were taken in the 1-200 microns region with 40, 6, and 8 arcsec resolution. Attention was focused on NGC 1999 (HH1-3) and M78 (HH24-25) and the determination of absolute luminosities of the exciting stars. Measurements were also made of the IR energy distribution in the thermally emitting dust clouds and the point sources. Herbig-Haro objects featured compact and far IR sizes and large visual extinction, in addition to a steeply rising energy distribution up to 50-100 microns, where the luminosity emitted was concentrated.

Harvey, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Twenty-five years of aerodynamic research with infrared imaging

A review is presented of the commercial introduction of IR imaging systems in the midsixties that has opened the possibilities to visualize viscous interactions between a body and the surrounding airflow by mapping the surface temperature distributions on configurations of interest. The capability of IR imaging systems to produce in real-time thermograms, which can be interpreted both locally and globally, makes them useful for heat transfer and skin-friction aerodynamic studies. Attention is given to IR systems and data processing, supersonic and hypersonic studies, Space Shuttle flight experiments, subsonic and transonic studies, and propulsion studies.

Gartenberg, Ehud↗
NASA NTRS1993

Silhouettes - An automated three-dimensional plume visualization and tracking system for environmental monitoring

The method of silhouettes proceeds from the premise that the 3D location and shape of an arbitrary object can be approximated via the cross section of a series of conical volumes whose focal points are arranged at sites surrounding the object; the projection of each conical volume onto a picture plane at each focal point is identical to a projection of the outline of the object onto that picture plane. Attention is presently given to the use of the silhouettes method for gas plume dispersion monitoring through the 3D reconstruction of plumes from imagery acquired at strategically located stations in the plumes' path.

Cambridge, Vivien J.↗