Chinese-character crowding—I. Effects of structural similarity

Crowding impedes the identification of flanked objects in peripheral vision. Prior studies have shown crowding strength decreases with target–flanker similarity. Research on crowding in Chinese-character recognition has been scarce in the literature. We aimed to fill the research gap by examining the effects of structural similarity on Chinese-character crowding. Regularity in within-character configuration, i.e., orthographic legality, of flankers was manipulated in Experiment 1. Target–flanker similarity in orthographic legality did not affect crowding strength, measured as contrast threshold elevation. Crowding weakened only when the strokes in the flankers were scrambled. Contour integrity of flankers was manipulated by randomly perturbing the phase spectra of the stimulus images in Experiments 2a and 2b. Crowding by perturbed-phase flankers remained robust but was weaker compared with intact-phase flankers. Target–flanker similarity in contour integrity modulated crowding strength. Our findings were consistent with the postulation that faulty integration of low-level visual features contributed to crowding of Chinese characters. Studies on Chinese-character recognition and crowding can provide important insights into how the visual system processes complex daily objects.published_or_final_versio

In vivo study of neuropeptide Y in focal cerebral ischaemia

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A topological hierarchy-based approach to layered manufacturing of functionally graded multi-material objects

This paper presents an approach based on topological hierarchy to representation and subsequent fabrication of functionally graded multi-material (FGM) objects by layered manufacturing. The approach represents an FGM object by material control functions and discretisation of slice contours. Based on the topological hierarchy of slice contours, material control functions are associated with contour families of some representative layers across the X-Y plane and along the Z-plane. The material composition at any location is calculated from the control functions, and the slice contours are discretised into sub-regions of constant material composition. The discretisation resolution can be varied to suit display and fabrication requirements. In comparison with pixel- or voxel-based representation schemes, this approach is computationally efficient, requires little memory, and facilitates fabrication of large and complex objects, which can be assemblies of FGM and discrete materials. The proposed approach has been incorporated with a virtual prototyping system to provide a practical and effective tool for processing FGM objects. © 2009.postprin

A multi-material virtual prototyping system

This paper proposes a virtual prototyping system for digital fabrication of multimaterial prototypes. It consists mainly of a topological hierarchy-sorting algorithm for processing slice contours, and a virtual simulation system for visualisation and optimisation of multi-material layered manufacturing (MMLM) processes. The topological hierarchysorting algorithm processes the hierarchy relationship of complex slice contours. It builds a parent-and-son list that defines the containment relationship of the slice contours, and subsequently arranges the contours in an appropriate sequence which facilitates optimisation of toolpath for MMLM by avoiding redundant movements. The virtual simulation system simulates MMLM processes and provides vivid visualisation of the resulting multi-material prototypes for quality analysis and optimisation of the processes.published_or_final_versio

Neuropeptide Y and its analogs modulate cell viability in in vitro models of ischemia

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Digital fabrication of multi-material biomedical objects

This paper describes a multi-material virtual prototyping (MMVP) system for modelling and digital fabrication of discrete and functionally graded multi-material objects for biomedical applications. The MMVP system consists of a DMMVP module, an FGMVP module and a virtual reality (VR) simulation module. The DMMVP module is used to model discrete multi-material (DMM) objects, while the FGMVP module is for functionally graded multi-material (FGM) objects. The VR simulation module integrates these two modules to perform digital fabrication of multi-material objects, which can be subsequently visualized and analysed in a virtual environment to optimize MMLM processes for fabrication of product prototypes. Using the MMVP system, two biomedical objects, including a DMM human spine and an FGM intervertebral disc spacer are modelled and digitally fabricated for visualization and analysis in a VR environment. These studies show that the MMVP system is a practical tool for modelling, visualization, and subsequent fabrication of biomedical objects of discrete and functionally graded multi-materials for biomedical applications. The system may be adapted to control MMLM machines with appropriate hardware for physical fabrication of biomedical objects.postprin

Digital Fabrication of Multi-Material Objects for Biomedical Applications

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A multi-material virtual prototyping system for biomedical applications

This paper describes a multi-material virtual prototyping (MMVP) system for modelling and digital fabrication of discrete and functionally graded multi-material objects for biomedical applications. The MMVP system consists of a DMMVP module, an FGMVP module, and a virtual reality (VR) simulation module. The DMMVP module is used for design and process planning of discrete multi-material (DMM) objects, while the FGMVP module is for functionally graded multimaterial (FGM) objects. The VR simulation module integrates these two modules to perform digital fabrication of multimaterial objects, which can be subsequently visualized and analyzed in a virtual environment to optimize MMLM processes for fabrication of product prototypes. Using the MMVP system, two biomedical objects, including a human dextrocardic heart made of discrete multi-materials and a hip joint assembly of FGM are modelled and digitally fabricated for visualization and analysis in a VR environment. These studies show the MMVP system is a practical tool for modelling, visualization, process planning, and subsequent fabrication of biomedical objects of discrete and functionally graded multi-materials for biomedical applications. ©2009 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe IEEE International Conference on Virtual Environments, Human-Computer Interfaces and Measurements Systems (VECIMS) 2009, Hong Kong, 11-13 May 2009. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Virtual Environments, Human-Computer Interfaces and Measurements Systems, 2009, p. 73-7

Initial motion of a rectangular object being pushed or pulled

Techniques are described for determining the location of the initial center of rotation (COR) of a rectangular bar being pushed or pulled. The initial COR is the point about which the bar first rotates when the pushing or pulling force is applied. This point characterizes the initial motion of the bar. Also investigated is how the location of the initial COR varies with the magnitude of the exerted force. The minimum effort criterion is proved to be able to predict the quasi-static centre of rotation. It is found that the initial COR always lies between the quasi-static and the impulsive CORs and that it will move towards the impulsive COR as the magnitude of the applied force increases. It is shown that there exists a point on an object such that, when the force is applied at that point, the object will start to rotate about a known point.published_or_final_versio

Predictors and outcomes of experiences deemed religious: A longitudinal investigation

Experiences deemed religious (EDRs) are events that a person regards as religious and/or supernatural. This study considered four such experiences—miraculous healing, glossolalia, unusual joy and peace during meditation or prayer, and prayer answered. We proposed a process model and conducted a longitudinal study to address three main research questions: (a) Who are more likely to have EDRs? (b) What effects would the experiences have on the person's subsequent spiritual and psychological conditions? (c) Are all EDRs alike? Findings suggest that EDRs can be predicted through certain common individual characteristics, such as vertical faith maturity (i.e., intimacy with the divine). However, there are also individual predictors that are EDR-specific. Regarding outcomes, the experience of unusual joy and peace during prayer and meditation heightens vertical faith maturity, motivates more religious practices, predicts better sleep quality at a later time, and perhaps improves quality of life. However, tongue speaking results in no change in any measured outcome variables. Neither does having prayers answered. Surprisingly, being healed from serious physical illness can have negative consequences. Results demonstrate that the EDRs should not be treated as the same when it comes to their antecedents and consequences.postprin