Perceptual Organization

Perceiving the world of real objects seems so easy that it is difficult to grasp just how complicated it is. Not only do we need to construct the objects quickly, the objects keep changing even though we think of them as having a consistent, independent existence (Feldman, 2003). Yet, we usually get it right, there are few failures. We can perceive a tree in a blinding snowstorm, a deer bounding across a tree line, dodge a snowball, catch a baseball, detect the crack of a branch breaking in a strong windstorm amidst the rustling of trees, predict the sounds of a dripping faucet, or track a street musician strolling down the road

A Computational Model of Creative Design as a Sociocultural Process Involving the Evolution of Language

The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanisms of creative design within the context of an evolving language through computational modelling. Computational Creativity is a subfield of Artificial Intelligence that focuses on modelling creative behaviours. Typically, research in Computational Creativity has treated language as a medium, e.g., poetry, rather than an active component of the creative process. Previous research studying the role of language in creative design has relied on interviewing human participants, limiting opportunities for computational modelling. This thesis explores the potential for language to play an active role in computational creativity by connecting computational models of the evolution of artificial languages and creative design processes. Multi-agent simulations based on the Domain-Individual-Field-Interaction framework are employed to evolve artificial languages with features that may support creative designing including ambiguity, incongruity, exaggeration and elaboration. The simulation process consists of three steps: (1) constructing representations associating topics, meanings and utterances; (2) structured communication of utterances and meanings through the playing of “language games”; and (3) evaluation of design briefs and works. The use of individual agents with different evaluation criteria, preferences and roles enriches the scope and diversity of the simulations. The results of the experiments conducted with artificial creative language systems demonstrate the expansion of design spaces by generating compositional utterances representing novel concepts among design agents using language features and weighted context free grammars. They can be used to computationally explore the roles of language in creative design, and possibly point to computational applications. Understanding the evolution of artificial languages may provide insights into human languages, especially those features that support creativity

Sampling the inner experience of bulimic and other individuals

This study investigated the inner experience of five bulimic subjects, ages 18 to 56 years, using the descriptive experience sampling method (Hurlburt, 1990). Subjects were signaled at random intervals by a programmed beeping device, asked to freeze any inner events, such as thoughts, images, or feelings, at the moment of the beep, and to record this experience in a notebook. Subjects met with investigators within 24 hours to discuss each sampled moment in detail. Investigators then examined subjects\u27 descriptions for emerging salient characteristics. All bulimic subjects reported multiple inner events ongoing simultaneously, a characteristic seldom found, using this method, among nonbulimic subjects. Some bulimics reported that they put thoughts on hold while they processed others--another unusual characteristic. Additionally, the bulimics exhibited confusion in differentiating thoughts from feelings, thus sometimes thinking their feelings and feeling their thoughts. Characteristics of the bulimic subjects\u27 inner experience support past findings that bulimics are emotionally turbulent, depressed, and somatically preoccupied. Two nonbulimic individuals were also investigated using the same procedure

Mapping and Monitoring Forest Cover

This book is a compilation of six papers that provide some valuable information about mapping and monitoring forest cover using remotely sensed imagery. Examples include mapping large areas of forest, evaluating forest change over time, combining remotely sensed imagery with ground inventory information, and mapping forest characteristics from very high spatial resolution data. Together, these results demonstrate effective techniques for effectively learning more about our very important forest resources

Brain Computer Interfaces and Emotional Involvement: Theory, Research, and Applications

This reprint is dedicated to the study of brain activity related to emotional and attentional involvement as measured by Brain–computer interface (BCI) systems designed for different purposes. A BCI system can translate brain signals (e.g., electric or hemodynamic brain activity indicators) into a command to execute an action in the BCI application (e.g., a wheelchair, the cursor on the screen, a spelling device or a game). These tools have the advantage of having real-time access to the ongoing brain activity of the individual, which can provide insight into the user’s emotional and attentional states by training a classification algorithm to recognize mental states. The success of BCI systems in contemporary neuroscientific research relies on the fact that they allow one to “think outside the lab”. The integration of technological solutions, artificial intelligence and cognitive science allowed and will allow researchers to envision more and more applications for the future. The clinical and everyday uses are described with the aim to invite readers to open their minds to imagine potential further developments

Effects of pain catastrophising on behavioural and cortical responses to pain-related stimuli

Pain catastrophising is an exaggerated negative mental set brought to bear during actual or anticipated pain experience (Sullivan et al., 2001b). People with high pain catastrophising were reported to perceive stronger pain intensity, attribute more pain to others, and solicit higher levels of social support from others when exposed to pain, relative to low pain catastrophisers (Sullivan et al., 2001b, Quartana et al., 2009). Three important models of pain catastrophising, the appraisal model, the attentional model, and the communal coping model, have been proposed to investigate the influence of pain catastrophising on pain-related outcomes. However, the neural basis of pain catastrophising in the social-emotional context among healthy people is poorly understood. This thesis utilised neuroimaging methods and novel experimental paradigms to explore effects of pain catastrophising on behavioural and cortical responses to pain-related stimuli in healthy people. It also investigates the associations between pain catastrophising and structural brain features. A comprehensive review of previous experimental findings was performed to identify novel research questions. Behavioural, eye movement, EEG and MRI data for 6 unique studies were collected. Chapter One features a review of relevant theories, studies, and findings pertaining to pain catastrophising. The specific research problems and hypotheses investigated in the thesis are explicitly described. Chapter Two describes the theory of the EEG, MRI and eye tracking methods used in the experimental chapters of the thesis. Chapter Three outlines the methods and materials used for each individual study. Chapter Four describes the experimental findings of the thesis. In the first study, a paradigm using a varying level of background noise was applied to evaluate the sensitivity to pain cues in high and low pain catastrophisers. No significant differences were found. In the second and third study, the eye tracking method and a dot-probe paradigm were used to measure the attentional processing to pain-related stimuli. High pain catastrophisers responded to probes after pain scenes slower compared to low pain catastrophisers. In the fourth study, ERP data revealed that high pain catastrophisers exhibited differences in ERP components and source activation patterns during the observation of pain pictures. The first four studies of this thesis reported that high pain catastrophisers attributed stronger pain to pain in others. In the fifth study, LEP data showed that high pain catastrophisers reduced perceived pain during viewing of comforting hand postures, and displayed enhanced ipsilateral operculo-insular activation to pictures not showing comforting gestures. In the final study of the thesis, a morphological analysis of cortical and subcortical structures was performed using high-resolution T1-weighted MR images. It demonstrated that alterations to the morphology of selected cortical regions and the dorsal striatum were associated with pain catastrophising. Chapter Five discusses the findings of each individual study in light of previous research and the implications and inferences that can be drawn from the data. Chapter Six represents a general discussion of the main findings of the thesis. This chapter examines how the findings of each individual study relate to the theories of pain catastrophising. The limitations of the thesis and the implications of the findings for future research are also discussed

New Indicators for the Assessment and Prevention of Noise Nuisance

This Special Issue was launched to promote a subject that is deserving of more attention: the study of new metrics, indicators or evaluation methods for noise exposure, and the relationship of noise with annoyance or other health effects, thus not relying only on an average noise exposure measure. This Special Issue on the theme of the New Indicators for the Assessment and Prevention of Noise Nuisance has attracted the interest of authors from all over the world, with the publication of two reviews and two communications, as well as original research papers. Progress has been made in the investigated topic; however, it is still necessary to increase the awareness of the population, both in geographical terms and for workers in specific sectors, such as the marine industry. It emerged that it is essential to carry out future studies that distinguish better between different sound sources with respect to their sound quality in terms of frequency, time pattern (fluctuation, emergence), and psychoacoustic indices, because a differential human reaction to sound sources is increasingly evident. More longitudinal studies are required. However, cross-sectional studies employing a more detailed soundscape description (including background) by competing sound indices are also useful to further the required knowledge to understand the human response in terms of the broad spectrum of potential adverse effects on health and quality of life

Audiovisual particles: parameter mapping as a framework for audiovisual composition

This thesis investigates the role of cross-modal correspondence within audiovisual composition, presenting both a conceptual model and a methodological framework for the creation of abstract audiovisual art. While this research is specifically aimed at the field of abstract digital animation it is also intended to act as a platform for the future development of concurrent audiovisual synthesis techniques within the general field of audiovisual art. Referencing literature regarding the psychophysiological bases for audiovisual integration, it is argued that temporal congruence offers a mechanism for the manipulation of cross-modal correspondence within audiovisual media. Further to this, electroacoustic and formalist theory is discussed with specific reference to the interrelationship of medium structures to enable the identification of a conceptual model for audiovisual composition. Referencing theory from the fields of musical instrument design and algorithmic composition, parameter mapping is identified as a mechanism for the modulation of temporal congruence. Its implementation within audiovisual composition is then discussed. Derived from both this and a conceptual parallel between the organisational structures of audio grains and visual particles, the audiovisual particles framework is presented as a methodological basis for the creation of abstract audiovisual art. The presented theory is supported by a series of demonstrative studies exploring both the practical application of the audiovisual particles framework and the role of parameter mapping within the process of audiovisual media generation. Experiential observations are discussed for each to inform future praxis. In addition, two audiovisual compositions are presented as both implementations of developed theory and as artworks in their own right