How well do computer-generated faces tap face expertise?

The use of computer-generated (CG) stimuli in face processing research is proliferating due to the ease with which faces can be generated, standardised and manipulated. However there has been surprisingly little research into whether CG faces are processed in the same way as photographs of real faces. The present study assessed how well CG faces tap face identity expertise by investigating whether two indicators of face expertise are reduced for CG faces when compared to face photographs. These indicators were accuracy for identification of own-race faces and the other-race effect (ORE)-the well-established finding that own-race faces are recognised more accurately than other-race faces. In Experiment 1 Caucasian and Asian participants completed a recognition memory task for own- and other-race real and CG faces. Overall accuracy for own-race faces was dramatically reduced for CG compared to real faces and the ORE was significantly and substantially attenuated for CG faces. Experiment 2 investigated perceptual discrimination for own- and other-race real and CG faces with Caucasian and Asian participants. Here again, accuracy for own-race faces was significantly reduced for CG compared to real faces. However the ORE was not affected by format. Together these results signal that CG faces of the type tested here do not fully tap face expertise. Technological advancement may, in the future, produce CG faces that are equivalent to real photographs. Until then caution is advised when interpreting results obtained using CG faces

Comparative Study of the Effects of Rare Earth Ions in a High Frequency Ni-Zn Ferrite

Some effects of the rare-earth ions on the properties of the polycrystalline stoichiometric ferrite with formula Ni0.7Zn0.3Fe1.98R0.02O4(R=Yb, Er, Dy, Tb, Gd, Sm and Ce) are described. The results obtained reveal that by introducing a relatively small amount of R2O3 instead of Fe2O3, an important modification of both structure and properties can be obtained. R2O3 facilitates the formation of the crystalline secondary phases (orthoferrite, garnet) on the grain boundary which inhibit the ferrite grain growth. The R ions tend to flatten the µi- T curve, shift the Curie point to lower temperature and increase the electrical resistivity. The variation of these properties with the R species has been explained as an effect of the ionic radius size which varies from 0.86 for Yb to 1.07 for Ce

Lithium Ferrite Nanocrystals Embedded in a non-Magnetic Glass Matrix

Nanocrystalline LiFe5O8 particles embedded in an amorphous matrix were obtained by heat treatments of the non-magnetic oxide glass 32Li2O-8FeO3-60B2O3, between 200 and 770°C. The X-ray spectra reveal the formation of the spinel phase of Li-ferrite in the initially amorphous materials only for annealing temperatures higher than 440°C and the hybrid structure becomes more evident with the increase of temperature. The occurrence of the magnetic spinel phase (LiFe5O8) was proved by magnetization and Curie temperature measurements too. The evolution of the magnetic properties of these glass-ceramic compounds in terms of annealing temperature was investigated. The magnetic properties (σs, Hc) are correlated with the average size of the LiFe5O8 nanoparticles dispersed in the glass matrix. The X-ray diffraction data indicated an evident increase in the average crystal block size from 3.5 to 50 nm with the increase of annealing temperature from 440° to 770°C

Magnesium-zinc ferrite with copper substitutions

The effects of Mg substitution by Cu on the properties of MgZn ferrites sintered at low temperature are investigated. The densification of MgCuZn ferrites is dependent upon Cu content in the composition Mg0.5-xCuxZn0.5Fe2O4 + 0,5 MgO. From the sintering experiments carried out between 800 and 1100° C it was established the optimum amount of CuO (x = 0.3) which is sufficient to promote sintering at low temperature (1050°C) and to yield a dense material (4,5 g/cm3). It was evidenced a break in the resistivity for x > 0,3 when it decreases by four orders of magnitude. The strong dependence of the material parameters on the Cu ions content is consistent with the microstructural changes induced by copper ions which favour the lattice diffusion process

Ignat M. “Nanostructured lanthanum manganite perovskites in catalyst applications

Finding less expensive alternatives to noble metals catalysts is vital for implementing catalytic combustion on a wide scale, and lead substituted lanthanum manganites are a promising option. Nanometer particles of La 0.6 Pb 0.4 MnO 3 and La 0.6 Pb 0.4 MnO 3 + 0.2MeO (where Me = Mg or Ca) with perovskite structure were prepared by self-combustion method followed by heat treatment at 1000 o C in air. The effects of excess divalent ions (Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ) in La 0.6 Pb 0.4 MnO 3 manganite perovskite on the catalyst properties were investigated. The morphological and surface properties are of great importance in the catalyst activity. Structure, specific surface area and grain size were determined using XRD, nitrogen adsorption (BET) and SEM analysis. X-ray diffraction evidenced the crystallinity and the nanosize of the perovskite crystallites. Following Mg or Ca addition to La 0.6 Pb 0.4 MnO 3 , a decrease in the grain size was detected by SEM. Rather large values for specific surface areas were obtained (of about 8 m 2 /g).The perovskite manganite powders have been tested in the catalytic combustion of three diluted gases: acetone/air, ethanol/air and methanol/air. The experimental results revealed that it was possible to start the catalytic combustion of the gases over the surface of the three perovskite at much lower temperatures than catalyst-free combustion

Unfakeable facial configurations affect strategic choices in trust games with or without information about past behavior

Background Many human interactions are built on trust, so widespread confidence in first impressions generally favors individuals with trustworthy-looking appearances. However, few studies have explicitly examined: 1) the contribution of unfakeable facial features to trust-based decisions, and 2) how these cues are integrated with information about past behavior. Methodology/Principal Findings Using highly controlled stimuli and an improved experimental procedure, we show that unfakeable facial features associated with the appearance of trustworthiness attract higher investments in trust games. The facial trustworthiness premium is large for decisions based solely on faces, with trustworthy identities attracting 42% more money (Study 1), and remains significant though reduced to 6% when reputational information is also available (Study 2). The face trustworthiness premium persists with real (rather than virtual) currency and when higher payoffs are at stake (Study 3). Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate that cooperation may be affected not only by controllable appearance cues (e.g., clothing, facial expressions) as shown previously, but also by features that are impossible to mimic (e.g., individual facial structure). This unfakeable face trustworthiness effect is not limited to the rare situations where people lack any information about their partners, but survives in richer environments where relevant details about partner past behavior are available