Read Online Blind Eye by Jan Coffey - Free Book Online Page A

we’re moving beyond previous studies with our work. Using our own computer formulas, we’re actually ‘reading’ images in the subject’s brain using this scanning equipment.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œWell, it’s complicated, but we do that, partly, by measuring changes in the brain’s blood-oxygen level, which have strong links to neural activity,” he explained. “So just like you said, the collected data is used to teach a computer program to associate certain blood-flow patterns with particular kinds of images.”
    â€œWhat happens in the case of images that the patient has not seen initially?” she asked.
    â€œThat’s the second part of the study,” Conway explained. “The same participants are shown a second set of images they have never encountered before. Now the model is programmed to take what it learned from the previous pairings and figure out what is being shown in the new set.”
    â€œWhat’s the accuracy level of a test like this?”
    Sid looked over at Desmond, who was watching Jennifer intently.
    â€œIn our last trial,” he said, “we were at ninety-five-percent accuracy.”
    â€œBut you said the test was done on patients who were cognizant. Is this the same sequence that will be done on JD?” Jennifer asked.
    Nat Rosen came around from his computer and smiled at her as he readjusted an electrode and went back to his seat. “What the heck are you doing working here? You ask more intelligent questions than our advisory committee.”
    â€œYou’ll go far brownnosing me like that,” she told the young man.
    Sid double-checked the connections for JD’s wiring. “We’ll try to follow the same sequence. But there’s no guarantee that JD sees or processes anything that we put in front of her. So, at the same time, we try to use data from another test group and compare the second set of readings.”
    â€œI’m ready,” Desmond told them.
    Nat handed Sid a folder. Jennifer assumed these were the initial images. She moved to the foot of the bed, guessing the neurologist needed JD’s full attention.
    â€œWhat do you hope for with the first run?” she asked.
    â€œAnything,” Sid told her, opening the folder. “We’ll be happy with anything she’s willing to show us.”
    Jennifer watched the young neurologist take a stack of photographs from the folder. He held them one by one in front of the patient. Everything was timed. The other two physicians operated behind the computers. JD’s eyes were open. She seemed to be staring at the images.
    The answers this test would provide were both exciting and terrifying. Jennifer was glad for the young woman. JD’s family had to be out there somewhere, wondering what had become of her. At the same time, Jen feared for JD. Someone had pushed her out of amoving car on the dark highway on a winter night. That person had intended to kill her.
    â€œWe have visuals,” Desmond announced.
    â€œI haven’t shown her the second set of images yet,” Sid replied.
    â€œThe other model has established a match. It’s already giving us visuals.”
    The other two physicians joined Desmond behind the computer. Jennifer didn’t think it was right for her to join them. So far they hadn’t minded her sticking around. She hoped they’d retain that attitude.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Nat asked suddenly. “What happened?”
    â€œNothing happened,” Desmond responded. “It’s another visual.”
    â€œAre you sure it’s not a malfunction?” Nat asked.
    â€œNo, it’s a visual,” Desmond said adamantly. “Look.”
    â€œHave you seen anything like this?” Nat asked Sid.
    â€œNo…it has to be that we don’t have the right model match for her.”
    The curiosity was killing her. Jennifer looked at JD. The young woman’s eyes