Sound-Induced Flash Illusion is Resistant to Feedback Training

A single flash accompanied by two auditory beeps tends to be perceived as two flashes (Shams et al. Nature 408:788, 2000, Cogn Brain Res 14:147–152, 2002). This phenomenon is known as ‘sound-induced flash illusion.’ Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that this illusion is correlated with modulation of activity in early visual cortical areas (Arden et al. Vision Res 43(23):2469–2478, 2003; Bhattacharya et al. NeuroReport 13:1727–1730, 2002; Shams et al. NeuroReport 12(17):3849–3852, 2001, Neurosci Lett 378(2):76–81, 2005; Watkins et al. Neuroimage 31:1247–1256, 2006, Neuroimage 37:572–578, 2007; Mishra et al. J Neurosci 27(15):4120–4131, 2007). We examined how robust the illusion is by testing whether the frequency of the illusion can be reduced by providing feedback. We found that the sound-induced flash illusion was resistant to feedback training, except when the amount of monetary reward was made dependent on accuracy in performance. However, even in the latter case the participants reported that they still perceived illusory two flashes even though they correctly reported single flash. Moreover, the feedback training effect seemed to disappear once the participants were no longer provided with feedback suggesting a short-lived refinement of discrimination between illusory and physical double flashes rather than vanishing of the illusory percept. These findings indicate that the effect of sound on the perceptual representation of visual stimuli is strong and robust to feedback training, and provide further evidence against decision factors accounting for the sound-induced flash illusion

Extreme low frequency acoustic measurement system

The present invention is an extremely low frequency (ELF) microphone and acoustic measurement system capable of infrasound detection in a portable and easily deployable form factor. In one embodiment of the invention, an extremely low frequency electret microphone comprises a membrane, a backplate, and a backchamber. The backchamber is sealed to allow substantially no air exchange between the backchamber and outside the microphone. Compliance of the membrane may be less than ambient air compliance. The backplate may define a plurality of holes and a slot may be defined between an outer diameter of the backplate and an inner wall of the microphone. The locations and sizes of the holes, the size of the slot, and the volume of the backchamber may be selected such that membrane motion is substantially critically damped

A hybrid lagrangian-eulerian approach for simulation of bubble dynamics

A mutiscale numerical approach is developed for the investigation of bubbly flows in turbulent environments. This consists of two different numerical approaches capable of capturing the bubble dynamics at different scales depending upon the relative size of the bubbles compared to the grid resolution: (i) fully resolved simulations (FRS) wherein the bubble dynamics and deformation are completely resolved, and (ii) subgrid, discrete bubble model where the bubbles are not resolved by the computational grid. For fully resolved simulations, a novel approach combining a particle-based, mesh-free technique with a finite-volume flow solver, is developed. The approach uses marker points around the interface and advects the signed distance to the interface in a Lagrangian frame. Interpolation kernel based derivative calculations typical of particle methods are used to extract the interface normal and curvature from unordered marker points. Unlike front-tracking methods, connectivity between the marker points is not necessary. For underresolved bubbles, a mixture-theory based Eulerian-Lagrangian approach accounting for volumetric displacements due to bubble motion and size variations is developed. The bubble dynamics is modeled by Rayleigh-Plesset equations using an adaptive timestepping scheme. A detailed verification and validation study of both approaches is performed to test the accuracy of the method on a variety of single and multiple bubble problems to show good predictive capability. Interaction of bubbles with a traveling vortex tube is simulated and compared with experimental data of Sridhar and Katz [1] to show good agreement.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84270/1/CAV2009-final74.pd

Sub-Surface Windscreen for Outdoor Measurement of Infrasound

A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone

Exploring and conceptualising attestation

When formalising the rules of trust in the remote attesta- tion of TPM-based computer systems it is paramount that the rules are precisely understood, supporting unambiguous communication of infor- mation about system requirements between engineers. We present a dia- grammatic approach to modelling rules of trust using an extended version of concept diagrams. Within the context of our proof-of-concept Net- work Function Virtualisation and Attestation environment, these rules allow different level of trust to be explored and, importantly, allow us to identify when a computer system should not be trusted. To ensure that the modelling approach can be applied to general systems, we in- clude generic patterns for extending our domain model and rules of trust. Consequently, through the use of a formal, yet accessible, diagrammatic notation, domain experts can define rules of trust for their systems.Leverhulme Trust gran

Infrasonic Stethoscope for Monitoring Physiological Processes

An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece

Infrasonic Stethoscope for Monitoring Physiological Processes

An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece

Role of Private Sector in HIgher Education of Pakistan: Predicaments and Insights

The nationalization of industry and education in the early 1970s resulted in the deterioration of private sector with minimal investment in this field. This continued into late 90s with Pakistan recording comparatively low public spending on education as a percentage of GDP . Thus the government of Pakistan, in an effort to enhance intellectual capital and enrollments, established the Higher Education Commission (HEC) assigned to evaluate, improve and promote the higher education and research culture in both public and private sectors in Pakistan. Since its establishment in 2002, the HEC has “undertaken a systematic process of implementation of the five-year agenda for reform outlined in the HEC Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) . Thus, with the inception of HEC, the number of private sector universities has surged from 25 (2001) to 53 (2010) and the private sector enrolments in higher education institutions increased from 43,873 a 15.8% of the total enrolment of 276,274 (2001) to 115,369 a 14% of the total enrolment which is 803,507(2009) . The contribution of private sector has been criticized for not being aligned with the national priority paradigm or core strategic aims proposed by HEC in its Medium Term Development Framework 2005-2010 (MTDF). The MTDF stressed upon the importance of improving access to education; promoting excellence in learning and research; faculty development; and industrial linkages relevant to the economy . Although HEC has granted charter to the private sector as “general institutes”, the focus of autonomous private sector institutions has remained on demand-led subjects producing graduates specifically in the fields of management sciences, medical, engineering and information technology. Also the expansion in the institutional capacity of private educational sector may not guarantee employability. Critics of private sector have always perceived its efforts delinked from government’s intention of enhancing the quality of research and growth in pure/basic disciplines of science, social sciences and humanities. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to analyze the strategic targets envisaged in the HEC Policy and Educational Reforms in Pakistan; to appreciate the participation of private sector institutions towards improving the access to higher education; to objectively evaluate its role and initiatives in the development of human capital suitable for national and international socio-economic milieu; and also to examine the contribution of private sector in promoting research culture. The paper concludes that HEC needs to revisit its strategies set out in the MTDF and introduce new guidelines for private sector in higher education