Publications

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Creation of streaming video stimuli that allow for strict experimental control while providing ease of scene manipulation is difficult to achieve but desired by researchers seeking to approach ecological validity in contexts that involve processing streaming visual information. To that end, we propose leveraging video game modding tools as a method of creating research quality stimuli. As a pilot effort, we used a video game sandbox tool (Garry’s Mod) to create three steaming video scenarios designed to mimic video feeds that physical security personnel might observe. All scenarios required participants to identify the presences of a threat appearing during the video feed. Each scenario differed in level of complexity, in that one scenario required only location monitoring, one required location and action monitoring, and one required location, action, and conjunction monitoring in that when an action was performed it was only considered a threat when performed by a certain character model. While there was no behavioral effect of scenario in terms of accuracy or response times, in all scenarios we found evidence of a P300 when comparing response to threatening stimuli to that of standard stimuli. Results therefore indicate that sufficient levels of experimental control may be achieved to allow for the precise timing required for ERP analysis. Thus, we demonstrate the feasibility of using existing modding tools to create video scenarios amenable to neuroimaging analysis.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Analysts across national security domains are required to sift through large amounts of data to find and compile relevant information in a form that enables decision makers to take action in high-consequence scenarios. However, even the most experienced analysts are unable to be 100 % consistent and accurate based on the entire dataset, unbiased towards familiar documentation, and are unable to synthesize and process large amounts of information in a small amount of time. Sandia National Laboratories has attempted to solve this problem by developing an intelligent web crawler called Huntsman. Huntsman acts as a personal research assistant by browsing the internet or offline datasets in a way similar to the human search process, only much faster (millions of documents per day), by submitting queries to search engines and assessing the usefulness of page results through analysis of full-page content with a suite of text analytics. This paper will discuss Huntsman’s capability to both mirror and enhance human analysts using intelligent web crawling with analysts-in-the-loop. The goal is to demonstrate how weaknesses in human cognitive processing can be compensated for by fusing human processes with text analytics and web crawling systems, which ultimately reduces analysts’ cognitive burden and increases mission effectiveness.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

A hypothetical scenario is utilized to explore privacy and security considerations for intelligent systems, such as a Personal Assistant for Learning (PAL). Two categories of potential concerns are addressed: factors facilitated by user models, and factors facilitated by systems. Among the strategies presented for risk mitigation is a call for ongoing, iterative dialog among privacy, security, and personalization researchers during all stages of development, testing, and deployment.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Visual search data describe people’s performance on the common perceptual problem of identifying target objects in a complex scene. Technological advances in areas such as eye tracking now provide researchers with a wealth of data not previously available. The goal of this work is to support researchers in analyzing this complex and multimodal data and in developing new insights into visual search techniques. We discuss several methods drawn from the statistics and machine learning literature for integrating visual search data derived from multiple sources and performing exploratory data analysis. We ground our discussion in a specific task performed by officers at the Transportation Security Administration and consider the applicability, likely issues, and possible adaptations of several candidate analysis methods.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Over the last three years the Neurons to Algorithms (N2A) LDRD project teams has built infrastructure to discover computational structures in the brain. This consists of a modeling language, a tool that enables model development and simulation in that language, and initial connections with the Neuroinformatics community, a group working toward similar goals. The approach of N2A is to express large complex systems like the brain as populations of a discrete part types that have specific structural relationships with each other, along with internal and structural dynamics. Such an evolving mathematical system may be able to capture the essence of neural processing, and ultimately of thought itself. This final report is a cover for the actual products of the project: the N2A Language Specification, the N2A Application, and a journal paper summarizing our methods.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

A key challenge in developing complete human equivalence is how to ground a synoptic theory of cognition in neural reality. Both cognitive architectures and neural models provide insight into how biological brains work, but from opposite directions. Here the authors report on initial work aimed at interpreting connectomic data in terms of algorithms. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. © 2011 The authors and IOS Press. All rights reserved.