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Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operator training and selection procedures are still being refined to effectively address challenges related to performance, workload, and stress in UAS operation. Research suggests that experience with commercial videogames may test skills relevant to modern UAS operation. This study investigated the ability of videogame experience to predict operator performance, workload, and stress. Forty-nine participants performed 9 trials of a simulated search and rescue mission. It was expected that participants who more frequently played videogames would report lower levels of distress and workload, higher task engagement, and better overall performance. Results showed that gaming experience was negatively correlated with subjective workload and positively correlated with multiple measures of performance. Furthermore, nearly all observed gender-related differences were not present when gaming experience was controlled for. These results have implications for the role of gaming experience in remotely operated systems operator recruitment, selection, and training. Practitioner summary: This study examined how gaming experience influences UAS operator success in simulated search and rescue missions. Participants reported on their experience playing videogames before completing multiple experimental trials on a desktop computer. Results indicated that experience playing videogames significantly impacted performance, workload, and stress.

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Automated aids are engineered to support operators' decision-making in complex and task-saturated environments, alerting them of system status and critical incidents. However, even the most advanced technologies are susceptible to failure. Monitoring imperfect automated systems poses unique challenges related to operator attention and workload. This study empirically examined the effect of unreliable automation on monitoring performance and responses to auditory stimuli in a multi-tasking environment. Participants completed an experimental trial consisting of four flight-related tasks while monitoring for automation failures at one of three levels of automation reliability. Participants in a high reliability condition responded more quickly and frequently to auditory messages. No performance differences were found in system monitoring performance between reliability conditions. These results are relevant to the design of automated system and delivery of automated alerts, and they have implications for operator attention allocation strategies in multi-tasking environments.

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INTRODUCTION: The majority of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders in renal transplant patients are of the B-cell phenotype, while the T-cell phenotype is rare. We report a case of Epstein Barr Virus-positive, T-cell lymphoma in a renal transplant patient, presenting unusually as acute appendicitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old Hispanic male renal transplant patient presented with right-side abdominal pain 17 years after transplant. The laboratory studies were unremarkable. Laparoscopic exploration showed an inflamed appendix so a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Pathology of the appendix showed large cells positive for CD3, CD56 and Epstein Barr Virus-encoded RNA staining, and negative for CD20 and CD30. The tissue tested positive for T-cell receptor gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Treatment management involved reduction of immunosuppression and initiation of chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide, gemcitabine, and solumedrol followed by cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). He recovered and the allo-grafted kidney is fully functional. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of post-renal transplant large T-cell lymphoma, with an unusual presentation of acute appendicitis and Epstein Barr Virus-positivity, which responded well to chemotherapy.