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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.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Deficits in Sustained Attention and Changes in Dopaminergic Protein Levels Following Exposure to Proton Radiation are Related to Basal Dopaminergic Function

The current report assessed the effects of low-level proton irradiation in inbred adult male Fischer 344 and Lewis rats performing an analog of the human Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), commonly utilized as an object risk assessment tool to quantify fatigue and sustained attention in laboratory, clinical, and operational settings. These strains were used to determine if genetic differences in dopaminergic function would impact radiation-induced deficits in sustained attention. Exposure to head-only proton irradiation (25 or 100 cGy) disrupted rPVT performance in a strain-specific manner, with 25 cGy-exposed Fischer 344 rats displaying the most severe deficits in sustained attention (i.e., decreased accuracy and increased premature responding); Lewis rats did not display behavioral deficits following radiation. Fischer 344 rats displayed greater tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter levels in the frontal cortex compared to the Lewis rats, even though radiation exposure increased both of these proteins in the Lewis rats only. Tyrosine hydroxylase was decreased in the parietal cortex of both rat strains following radiation exposure, regardless of proton dose. Strain-specific cytokine changes were also found in the frontal cortex, with the Lewis rats displaying increased levels of putative neurotrophic cytokines (e.g., CNTF). These data support the hypothesis that basal dopaminergic function impacts the severity of radiation-induced deficits in sustained attention.

Catherine M Davis↗
DOE OSTI2026

Patch Hierarchical Attention Transformer for Efficient Particle Jet Tagging

Real-time jet tagging is critical for identifying short-lived particle decays in the high-throughput detectors of the Large Hadron Collider, where real-time trigger systems responsible for deciding which collision events to store impose strict latency and accuracy constraints. While transformer architectures achieve the highest jet tagging accuracy when compute is unconstrained, their quadratic self-attention cost makes inference restrictive on trigger budget. Existing efficient variants reduce the computational cost, but hinder the classification performance. To address this limitation, we introduce the Patch Hierarchical Attention Transformer (PHAT-JeT), which combines two mechanisms: a physics-inspired geometric message-passing module that encodes local detector-plane structure, and a hierarchical patch-based attention scheme that computes exact attention within small particle groups while preserving global context through lightweight patch-token communication. Within a restricted budget, PHAT-JeT achieves state-of-the-art accuracy and background rejection among all resource-constrained jet tagging models on four benchmarks (\textsc{hls4ml}, JetClass, Top Tagging, and Quark--Gluon). Our code is available at https://github.com/aaronw5/PHAT-JeT.

Wang, Aaron [Illinois U., Chicago] (ORCID:00000003↗
NASA NTRS2003

Sleep deprivation influences some but not all processes of supervisory attention

Does one night of sleep deprivation alter processes of supervisory attention in general or only a specific subset of such processes? Twenty college-aged volunteers, half female, performed a choice reaction time task. A cue indicated that compatible (e.g., right button, right-pointing arrow) or incompatible (e.g., left button, right-pointing arrow) responses were to be given to a stimulus that followed 50 or 500 ms later. The paradigm assessed response inhibition, task-shifting skill, and task strategy-processes inherent in supervisory attention. Performance, along with heart rate, was assessed for 12 hr following normal sleep or a night of complete sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation altered neither preparation for task shifting nor response inhibition. The ability to use preparatory bias to speed performance did decrease with sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation appears to selectively affect this supervisory attention process, which is perceived as an active effort to cope with a challenging task.

NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology↗
NASA NTRS2002

The footprints of visual attention in the Posner cueing paradigm revealed by classification images

In the Posner cueing paradigm, observers' performance in detecting a target is typically better in trials in which the target is present at the cued location than in trials in which the target appears at the uncued location. This effect can be explained in terms of a Bayesian observer where visual attention simply weights the information differently at the cued (attended) and uncued (unattended) locations without a change in the quality of processing at each location. Alternatively, it could also be explained in terms of visual attention changing the shape of the perceptual filter at the cued location. In this study, we use the classification image technique to compare the human perceptual filters at the cued and uncued locations in a contrast discrimination task. We did not find statistically significant differences between the shapes of the inferred perceptual filters across the two locations, nor did the observed differences account for the measured cueing effects in human observers. Instead, we found a difference in the magnitude of the classification images, supporting the idea that visual attention changes the weighting of information at the cued and uncued location, but does not change the quality of processing at each individual location.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS2018

Mitigation of Attentional Tunneling in the Flight Deck Using a Spatial Auditory Display

The role of attentional bias to a specific form of information, e.g., visual versus aural instructions, was evaluated to address the issue of attentional fixation (i.e., "cognitive tunneling") in the flight deck. A method of mitigating attentional tunneling using a spatial auditory display was evaluated in the presence and absence of a biasing factor. Data were gathered for participant recognition, accuracy and response times to aural and visual instructions under different conditions of distractor stimuli. Results showed a significant main effect for target acquisition with the use of spatial audio techniques. No significant main effects or interactions were found for target acquisition timing. Target acquisition was not affected by a "gaming score" biasing factor associated with the distractor tasks.

readback errors↗
NASA NTRS2016

A Touchpad-Based Method for Inducing Attentional Tunneling

Attentional tunneling is a recognized problem for aviation safety in the flight deck. A prototype system (touchpad and associated application and experimental software) was developed and evaluated for its success in inducing attentional tunneling in a reliable and predictable manner in training and experimental contexts. Two experiments involving a total of sixteen participants examined baseline performance for visual memory of a color or number sequence, simultaneous with performing a competing auditory detection task. Spatial auditory separation of the auditory stimuli was also evaluated. Data are provided for various aspects of touchpad entry (accuracy, speed) as well as hit and false alarm rates for the auditory task. The results will help determine means of inducing attentional tunneling in more complex flight simulator experiments, and for developing an inexpensive prototype for pilots to measure cognitive fixation and develop mitigation strategies.

aviation safety↗
DOE OSTI2025

Attention to quantum complexity

The imminent era of error-corrected quantum computing demands robust methods to characterize quantum state complexity from limited, noisy measurements. We introduce the Quantum Attention Network (QuAN), a classical artificial intelligence (AI) framework leveraging attention mechanisms tailored for learning quantum complexity. Inspired by large language models, QuAN treats measurement snapshots as tokens while respecting permutation invariance. Combined with our parameter-efficient miniset self-attention block, this enables QuAN to access high-order moments of bit-string distributions and preferentially attend to less noisy snapshots. We test QuAN across three quantum simulation settings: driven hard-core Bose-Hubbard model, random quantum circuits, and toric code under coherent and incoherent noise. QuAN directly learns entanglement and state complexity growth from experimental computational basis measurements, including complexity growth in random circuits from noisy data. In regimes inaccessible to existing theory, QuAN unveils the complete phase diagram for noisy toric code data as a function of both noise types, highlighting AI’s transformative potential for assisting quantum hardware.

Kim, Hyejin [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United Sta↗
NASA NTRS1977

Visual evoked potentials and selective attention to points in space

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded to sequences of flashes delivered to the right and left visual fields while subjects responded promptly to designated stimuli in one field at a time (focused attention), in both fields at once (divided attention), or to neither field (passive). Three stimulus schedules were used: the first was a replication of a previous study (Eason, Harter, and White, 1969) where left- and right-field flashes were delivered quasi-independently, while in the other two the flashes were delivered to the two fields in random order (Bernoulli sequence). VEPs to attended-field stimuli were enhanced at both occipital (O2) and central (Cz) recording sites under all stimulus sequences, but different components were affected at the two scalp sites. It was suggested that the VEP at O2 may reflect modality-specific processing events, while the response at Cz, like its auditory homologue, may index more general aspects of selective attention.

Van Voorhis, S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Required attention for synthesized speech perception for three levels of linguistic redundancy

The study evaluates the attention required for synthesized speech perception with reference to three levels of linguistic redundancy. Twelve commercial airline pilots were individually tested for 16 cockpit warning messages eight of which consisted of two monosyllabic key words and eight of which consisted of two polysyllabic key words. Three levels of linguistic redundancy were identified: monosyllabic words, polysyllabic words, and sentences. The experiment contained a message familiarization phase and a message recognition phase. It was found that: (1) when the messages are part of a previously learned and recently heard set, and the subject is familiar with the phrasing, the attention needed to recognize the message is not a function of the level of linguistic redundancy, and (2) there is a quantitative and qualitative difference between recognition and comprehension processes; only in the case of active comprehension does additional redundancy reduce attention requirements.

Simpson, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Error rate information in attention allocation pilot models

The Northrop urgency decision pilot model was used in a command tracking task to compare the optimized performance of multiaxis attention allocation pilot models whose urgency functions were (1) based on tracking error alone, and (2) based on both tracking error and error rate. A matrix of system dynamics and command inputs was employed, to create both symmetric and asymmetric two axis compensatory tracking tasks. All tasks were single loop on each axis. Analysis showed that a model that allocates control attention through nonlinear urgency functions using only error information could not achieve performance of the full model whose attention shifting algorithm included both error and error rate terms. Subsequent to this analysis, tracking performance predictions for the full model were verified by piloted flight simulation. Complete model and simulation data are presented.

Faulkner, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Prediction of pilot reserve attention capacity during air-to-air target tracking

Reserve attention capacity of a pilot was calculated using a pilot model that allocates exclusive model attention according to the ranking of task urgency functions whose variables are tracking error and error rate. The modeled task consisted of tracking a maneuvering target aircraft both vertically and horizontally, and when possible, performing a diverting side task which was simulated by the precise positioning of an electrical stylus and modeled as a task of constant urgency in the attention allocation algorithm. The urgency of the single loop vertical task is simply the magnitude of the vertical tracking error, while the multiloop horizontal task requires a nonlinear urgency measure of error and error rate terms. Comparison of model results with flight simulation data verified the computed model statistics of tracking error of both axes, lateral and longitudinal stick amplitude and rate, and side task episodes. Full data for the simulation tracking statistics as well as the explicit equations and structure of the urgency function multiaxis pilot model are presented.

Onstott, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The effects of stress on attentional resources

A new perspective is presented from which to view the action of stress on human behavior. At a behavioral level, the action of stress is related to notions of human attention and an indication of an isomorphic relationship between modes of control at a physiological and behavioral level is presented. Examples of this phenomenon are extracted from performance under heat stress, since this is one of the most simple stress circumstances. It is suggested that stress sufficient to overcome adaptive capability, that is efficient homeostasis, acts to drain attentional resources. The manner in which such resources fail approximates that function typical of a positive feedback system, which also characterizes the breakdown of physiological response under severe environmental stress. The end point of this draining sequence is the absence of all attentional resources, which is taken to be unconsciousness, to be rapidly followed by the failure of physiological adaptability upon which life sustaining functions depend. This overall picture preserves the inverted-U shaped relationship between stress and performance, yet is in distinct contrast to the traditional arousal account of such behavior. The theoretical and practical ramifications of these observations are explored.

Hancock, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Attentional limitations with Head-Up Displays

Recent models of visual information processing suggest that visual attention can be focussed on either Head-Up Displays (HUD) or on the world beyond them, but not on both simultaneously. This hypothesis was tested in a part-task simulation in which subjects viewed a simulated approach to a runway with a HUD superimposed. An alphanumeric cue ('IFR' or 'VFR') appeared on either the HUD or the runway and was followed by two sets of three geometric forms; one set on the HUD and one set on the runway. Each set contained one potential target, either a stop sign or a diamond. If the cue spelled 'IFR', subjects made a speeded response based on the identity of the HUD target; if the cue spelled 'VFR', subjects made a speeded response based on the identity of the runway target. Regardless of cue location (HUD or Runway), responses were faster when the cue and the relevant target were part of the same perceptual group (i.e., both on the HUD or both on the runway) than when they were part of different perceptual groups. These results, as well as others, suggest that attentional constraints place severe limits on the ability of pilots to process HUD-referenced information and world-referenced information simultaneously. In addition, they provide direct evidence that transitioning from processing HUD information to processing world information requires an attention shift. Implications for HUD design are considered.

Mccann, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Can Attention be Divided Between Perceptual Groups?

Previous work using Head-Up Displays (HUDs) suggests that the visual system parses the HUD and the outside world into distinct perceptual groups, with attention deployed sequentially to first one group and then the other. New experiments show that both groups can be processed in parallel in a divided attention search task, even though subjects have just processed a stimulus in one perceptual group or the other. Implications for models of visual attention will be discussed.

McCann, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Spatial Attention Enhances Perceptual Processing of Single-Element Displays

Shiu and Pashler (1993) reported that precueing masked, single-element displays had negligible effects on identification accuracy. They argued that spatial attention does not actually enhance stimulus perceptibility, but only reduces decision noise. Alternatively, such negative results may arise if cues are sub-optimal, or if masks place an insufficient premium on timely deployment of attention. We report results showing that valid cueing enhances processing of even single-element displays. Spatial attention does indeed enhance perceptual processes.

Bacon, William↗
NASA NTRS2004

Head-Up Displays and Attention Capture

The primary role of head-up displays (HUDs) is to provide primary flight, navigation, and guidance information to the pilot in a forward field-of-view on a head-up transparent screen. Therefore, this theoretically allows for optimal control of an aircraft through the simultaneous scanning of both instrument data and the out-the-window scene. However, despite significant aviation safety benefits afforded by HUDs, a number of accidents have shown that their use does not come without costs. The human factors community has identified significant issues related to the pilot distribution of near and far domain attentional resources because of the compellingness of symbology elements on the HUD; a concern termed, attention or cognitive capture. The paper describes the phenomena of attention capture and presents a selected survey of the literature on the etiology and potential prescriptions.

Prinzel, Lawrence J., III↗
NASA NTRS2002

Attentional sensitivity and asymmetries of vertical saccade generation in monkey

The first goal of this study was to systematically document asymmetries in vertical saccade generation. We found that visually guided upward saccades have not only shorter latencies, but higher peak velocities, shorter durations and smaller errors. The second goal was to identify possible mechanisms underlying the asymmetry in vertical saccade latencies. Based on a recent model of saccade generation, three stages of saccade generation were investigated using specific behavioral paradigms: attention shift to a visual target (CUED paradigm), initiation of saccade generation (GAP paradigm) and release of the motor command to execute the saccade (DELAY paradigm). Our results suggest that initiation of a saccade (or "ocular disengagement") and its motor release contribute little to the asymmetry in vertical saccade latency. However, analysis of saccades made in the CUED paradigm indicated that it took less time to shift attention to a target in the upper visual field than to a target in the lower visual field. These data suggest that higher attentional sensitivity to targets in the upper visual field may contribute to shorter latencies of upward saccades.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS1998

A common network of functional areas for attention and eye movements

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and surface-based representations of brain activity were used to compare the functional anatomy of two tasks, one involving covert shifts of attention to peripheral visual stimuli, the other involving both attentional and saccadic shifts to the same stimuli. Overlapping regional networks in parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes were active in both tasks. This anatomical overlap is consistent with the hypothesis that attentional and oculomotor processes are tightly integrated at the neural level.

Non-NASA Center↗