Visual target separation determines the extent of generalisation between opposing visuomotor rotations

Here we investigated the influence of angular separation between visual and motor targets on concurrent adaptation to two opposing visuomotor rotations. We inferred the extent of generalisation between opposing visuomotor rotations at individual target locations based on whether interference (negative transfer) was present. Our main finding was that dual adaptation occurred to opposing visuomotor rotations when each was associated with different visual targets but shared a common motor target. Dual adaptation could have been achieved either within a single sensorimotor map (i.e. with different mappings associated with different ranges of visual input), or by forming two different internal models (the selection of which would be based on contextual information provided by target location). In the present case, the pattern of generalisation was dependent on the relative position of the visual targets associated with each rotation. Visual targets nearest the workspace of the opposing visuomotor rotation exhibited the most interference (i.e. generalisation). When the minimum angular separation between visual targets was increased, the extent of interference was reduced. These results suggest that the separation in the range of sensory inputs is the critical requirement to support dual adaptation within a single sensorimotor mapping.

Mapping worlds? Excavating cartographic encounters in Plantation Ireland through GIS

This paper uses the analytical potential of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to explore processes of map production and circulation in early-seventeenth century Ireland. The paper focuses on a group of historic maps, attributed to Josias Bodley, which were commissioned in 1609 by the English Crown to assist in the Plantation of Ulster. Through GIS and digitizing map-features, and in particular by quantifying map-distortion, it is possible to examine how these maps were made, and by whom. Statistical analyses of spatial data derived from the GIS are shown to provide a methodological basis for ‘excavating’ historical geographies of Plantation map-making. These techniques, when combined with contemporary written sources, reveal further insight on the ‘cartographic encounters’ taking place between surveyors and map-makers working in Ireland in the early 1600s, opening up the ‘mapping worlds’ which linked Ireland and Britain through the networks and embodied practices of Bodley and his map-makers.

Grey Level Co-Occurrence Matrices: Generalisation And Some New Features

Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrices (GLCM) are one of the earliest techniques used for image texture analysis. In this paper we defined a new feature called trace extracted from the GLCM and its implications in texture analysis are discussed in the context of Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). The theoretical extension of GLCM to n-dimensional gray scale images are also discussed. The results indicate that trace features outperform Haralick features when applied to CBIR.

Robust non-orthogonal space-time block codes over highly correlated channels: a generalisation

Little has so far been reported on the robustness of non-orthogonal space-time block codes (NO-STBCs) over highly correlated channels (HCC). Some of the existing NO-STBCs are indeed weak in robustness against HCC. With a view to overcoming such a limitation, a generalisation of the existing robust NO-STBCs based on a 'matrix Alamouti (MA)' structure is presented.

Empirical generalisation as an inadequate cognitive scaffold to theoretical generalisation of a more complex concept

The impact of prior learning on new learning is highlighted by the case of Dean, a Year 8 student who developed his own method to find the sum of the interior angles of a polygon without knowing why his method worked. Enriched transcripts and visual displays of the cognitive, social (Dreyfus, Hershkowitz, & Schwarz, 2001) and affective elements (Williams, 2002) of Dean's interrupted abstraction process informed the identification of factors that inhibited Dean's constructing process. It was found Dean possessed an empirical, not theoretical, generalization (Davydov, 1990) about sums of interior angles of triangles that was an inadequate cognitive artifact for constructing the new more complex theoretical generalization. The study suggests use of tasks designed with the opportunity develop assumed knowledge in conjunction with new concepts.

One line lacks density : A study of the associations between cartographic representation and ontology

One way to represent and communicate density in the spatial disciplines including architecture, town planning and geography is through the map, plan or aerial photograph. These media and tools are generally perceived to be objective and analytical modes of practice. But what else do these modes of representation mediate? The paper will respond to this question by exploring notions of ontology, notions of dwelling and being in relation to lines and drawing techniques. A map or plan is an image, in addition to a mode of communication, and affects visual pleasure. As proposals of an unbuilt world and documents of existing environment, drawings contain lines of desire. The thesis is that the lines provide a corporeal framework for an imaginary projection between the viewer and a ‘real’ built environment. The paper becomes focussed on the specifics of the ‘green line’ that has represented post-war Beirut, and is typical of representation of sites of conflict.

In the plans of post-war Beirut an almost straight line running from the top to the bottom of the page is highlighted and represents a trajectory from the Place des Martyr to the Pine Forest. To descend from this metaphoric height of the map into the streets of Beirut is to confront urban density, traffic congestion, pollution exacerbated by dust, and a lack of greenery. During the war much of the fighting occurred across this marker, and since, it has been described as an empty neutral space due to the destruction of edifices on either side, and is often proposed as the only appropriate site for building projects of national significance. Is its emptiness an a priori condition of imaginary projections? Will it remain forever empty of the density everywhere else in Beirut? Who wants to dwell there?
This paper will examine the several nuances of the ‘green line’ and what role it plays between representation and defining ontological environments.

Hierarchical rule generalisation for speaker identification in fiction books

This paper presents a hierarchical pattern matching and generalisation technique which is applied to the problem of locating the correct speaker of quoted speech found in fiction books. Patterns from a training set are generalised to create a small number of rules, which can be used to identify items of interest within the text. The pattern matching technique is applied to finding the Speech-Verb, Actor and Speaker of quotes found in ction books. The technique performs well over the training data, resulting in rule-sets many times smaller than the training set, but providing very high accuracy. While the rule-set generalised from one book is less effective when applied to different books than an approach based on hand coded heuristics, performance is comparable when testing on data closely related to the training set.

Evaluation of the Cartographic Communication Performance of a Route Guidance and Navigation System

This study evaluates the influence of different cartographic representations of in-car navigation systems on visual demand, subjective preference, and navigational error. It takes into account the type and complexity of the representation, maneuvering complexity, road layout, and driver gender. A group of 28 drivers (14 male and 14 female) participated in this experiment which was performed in a low-cost driving simulator. The tests were performed on a limited number of instances for each type of representation, and their purpose was to carry out a preliminary assessment and provide future avenues for further studies. Data collected for the visual demand study were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analyses. Results confirmed previous research that showed that different levels of design complexity significantly influence visual demand. Non-grid-like road networks, for example, influence significantly visual demand and navigational error. An analysis of simple maneuvers on a grid-like road network showed that static and blinking arrows did not present significant differences. From the set of representations analyzed to assess visual demand, both arrows were equally efficient. From a gender perspective, women seem to took at the display more than men, but this factor was not significant. With respect to subjective preferences, drivers prefer representations with mimetic landmarks when they perform straight-ahead tasks. For maneuvering tasks, landmarks in a perspective model created higher visual demands.