The Effects of Motion on Perceived Size and Other Perceptual Processes

Optical illusions provide important insights into how we process visual information and illusions that alter the perceived size of an object are a valuable tool to study size perception. Studied for over a century, the classic size illusions have informed us about the complex mechanisms underlying how our brains derive the experience of how big or small objects appear to be. However, these illusions have all been static in nature and thus have ignored motion’s effect on size perception. This review discusses observations of novel dynamic versions of these illusions. Motion has a profound impact on the strength of the illusions tested, with added motion typically creating a stronger effect. Some dynamic versions of these images create an illusion twice as strong as the classic static version. Motion-related manipulations lead to uncertainty in the image size representation of the target, specifically due to added noise at the level of retinal input. We propose a hypothesis that each visual cue involved in size perception is reweighted based on the level of precision or uncertainty in their neural representation. Thus, more weight is given to contextual information when the stimulus and/or eye is moving. Biologically accurate models of size perception need to be able to account for the observed effects of motion

Bases for cluster algebras from surfaces

We construct two bases for each cluster algebra coming from a triangulated surface without punctures. We work in the context of a coefficient system coming from a full-rank exchange matrix, for example, principal coefficients.Comment: 53 pages; v2 references update

Multi-Criteria Analysis Of Offshore Wind Energy Site Suitability In North Carolina

There is growing social, political, and economic interest in developing renewable energy technologies in an effort to create a more sustainable and secure energy market. Wind energy has potential to satisfy energy needs with fewer negative impacts than conventional energy production. North Carolina has some of the greatest offshore wind potential in the US; however, a multitude of barriers prevent the construction of wind farms. Planners must consider a variety of exclusion variables when deciding where to allow development, including environmental, economic, and socio-political factors. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management first released potential leasing blocks totaling approximately 474,016 hectares, based on applicable exclusion variables to gauge stakeholder interest and opinion. Based on responses, official Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) were defined. At 124,477 hectares, the WEAs are remarkably smaller than the original call areas, greatly limiting NC's potential in this new market. However, many of the variables limiting the WEAs have mitigation potential allowing for expansion of offshore wind. This study utilizes public comment data and GIS layers for key exclusion variables used to define WEAs. By treating variables of interest as distinct layers, GIS was used to identify variations in the suitability in the ocean space off North Carolina's coastline. By analyzing wind feasibility while taking into consideration site-specific mitigation techniques, four site suitability maps were developed: environmental, economic, social, and overall site suitability. Policy-makers and planners in NC can use these maps in the future to mitigate inherently local variables and to inform communication strategies that build public acceptance of offshore wind development, further improving chances of successful implementation.M.S

Aquatic exercise and pain management: An examination of the effects of frequency and duration of participation on older adults with arthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of disability for adults in the United States making the chronically progressive condition one of the most common causes of chronic pain. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of frequency and duration in a community-based Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) on the pain level of older adults with arthritis. The study population consisted of 27 adults with arthritis currently attending AFAP classes at the local wellness center. Data were collected using a facility developed self-report form. Results indicated a significant decrease in pain from Time 1 to Time 2. However, results demonstrated that there were no significant associations between the frequency or/and duration of their involvement in the aquatic exercise program and this improvement in arthritis pain. This research study suggests that AFAP is assisting in the treatment of the symptoms and pain management in older adults with arthritis

Mom Made Me: Students Respond to the Flu Shot

The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s on-campus Student Health Center publicizes the opportunity for students to receive the influenza immunization for $25 during the flu season. Despite on-campus convenience, many students are still deterred from receiving the shot. Advertising and Public Relations research students used survey research to sample more than 200 students in six major colleges across the University of Tennessee’s campus. The research team gathered relevant information about student perceptions of a healthy lifestyle, flu experience (diagnosis and shot), motivations and deterrence from the flu shot, and general knowledge of the Student Health Center. Results show that 27.5% of student respondents received a flu shot in the past year; key deterrents from receiving the immunization for both genders are inconvenience and lack of experience with the virus. The survey results indicate relationships among class year in school and the influences on individual health. Through these findings, the research team developed recommendations for the Student Health Center in regards to advertising campaigns, media relations, and specific targeting associated with year in school

Phone a Friend or Ask Alexa? Children’s Trust in Voice-Activated Devices

Voice-activated devices such as Google Home, Siri, and Alexa are in many homes and children are interacting with these devices. It is unclear if they treat these devices the way they treat human informants. Children prefer human informants that are reliable and familiar. This study examined whether children believe voice-activated devices provide accurate information. Participants included 40 4- and 5-year-olds and 40 7- and 8-year-olds. Children were introduced to two informants: the experimenter’s good friend and the experimenter’s new device. Children heard questions about personal information (e.g., the experimenter’s favorite color), facts that do not change (e.g., the color of a kiwano fruit), and timely information (e.g., which state had the most rain yesterday). After the informant provided an answer, the child indicated whether the answer was correct. Older children were significantly more likely to trust the device’s stable fact responses and the human informant’s personal fact responses. Surprisingly, younger children did not show greater trust for either informant for stable facts, but were significantly more likely to trust personal facts given by the device. These findings suggest that younger children have greater difficulty than older children trusting the appropriate informant, and thus need more guidance from adults to understand and use voice-activated devices.https://ir.library.louisville.edu/uars/1036/thumbnail.jp

Detection of toxins and harmful algal bloom cells in shellfish hatcheries and efforts toward removal

As the start of the supply chain for the aquaculture industry, hatcheries are a crucial component in the success of oyster and northern quahog (hard clam) aquaculture on the East Coast of the US. Intermittent failures in hatchery production slow industry growth and reduce profits. To begin investigations into the possible role of algal toxins in hatchery production failure, post-treatment hatchery water from one research and four commercial hatcheries in lower Chesapeake Bay, USA, was sampled for (1) toxin presence and (2) harmful algal bloom (HAB) cell enumeration. Overall, seven toxin classes, likely produced by six different HAB species, were detected in post- treatment hatchery water, despite a lack of visually identifiable HAB cells within the facility. Toxins detected include pectenotoxin-2, goniodomin A, karlotoxin-1 and karlotoxin-3, okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-1, azaspiracid-1 and azaspiracid-2, brevetoxin-2, and microcystin-LR. In a second, more targeted study, two batches of source water were followed and sampled at each step of a water-treatment process in the VIMS Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center research hatchery in Gloucester Point, Virginia, USA. Two treatment steps showed particular promise for decreasing the concentrations of the three toxins detected in the source water, 24-h circulation through sand filters and activated charcoal filtration. Toxin concentrations of pectenotoxin-2, 3.53 ± 0.56 pg m