In human information processing, what happens in the sensation stage?

Regarding designing to aid perception, how can we maximize top-down processing for times when bottom-up pathways may be degraded? 

We know that associations in long-term memory can impact decay and ease of retrieval. What else impacts memory decay or ease of retrieval? 

We are designing an automated system to be used in an operating room; the system is going to pull data from several different patient vital signs monitors and integrate this data. The system can highlight individual vital signs that pass thresholds set by the surgeons (such as a heart rate that is under 60 beats per minute or over 100 beats per minute). Based on the vital signs data, the system can also provide surgeons with early warning sign alerts (EWS) for a patient that is beginning to deteriorate from normal to critical condition during long surgeries. It does this by integrating the data, identifying relevant patterns, and calculating a final EWS score; when the score crosses the critical threshold, it alerts the surgeons and gives them a set of recommended actions (such as “provide supplementary oxygen” or “stop operation and transfer to critical care”). The system has a “Quick Quiet” function so alerts can be instantly silenced if an emergency occurs with the patient until physicians are ready to reactivate the system; it will still integrate & display vital signs data until it is completely disconnected. First, what stage(s) of human information processing is this automation replacing or augmenting? 

How do we organize and interpret task data during task analysis? 

We are designing the dashboard of a city bus that has a head-up display. Some visual information presented to the driver includes a high level of fine detail that the driver must see and resolve to interact with the system. Where should this information be presented to the driver? 

A pilot flying at night over the ocean is becoming confused about her orientation in space. She cannot see any lights or visual signals from land and due to clouds, there is no moon or starlight. Her instruments tell her she is in a turn to the right, but she is positive that she is flying straight and level. What is most likely happening to this pilot? 

Why is it important to use the usability heuristic of consistency and standards?

Consider mandatory vs. discretionary use of systems. Which of the following is true about mandatory use and how it impacts expertise? 

Consider the following sequence: X F D U. How many perceptual chunks is this?