Individual differences in object versus spatial imagery: from neural correlates to real-world applications

This chapter focuses on individual differences in object and spatial–visual imagery both from theoretical and applied perspectives. While object imagery refers to representations of the literal appearances of individual objects and scenes in terms of their shape, color, and texture, spatial imagery refers to representations of the spatial relations among objects, locations of objects in space, movements of objects and their parts, and other complex spatial transformations. First, we review cognitive neuroscience and psychology research regarding the dissociation between object and spatial–visual imagery. Next, we discuss evidence on how this dissociation extends to individual differences in object and spatial imagery, followed by a discussion showing that individual differences in object and spatial imagery follow different developmental courses. After that we focus on cognitive and educational research that provides ecological validation of the object–spatial distinction in individual differences—in particular, on the relationship of object and spatial–visual abilities to mathematics and science problem solving and then to object–spatial imagery differences between members of different professions. Finally, we discuss applications of the object–spatial dissociation in imagery for applied fields, such as personnel selection, training, and education

From Cognitive Maps to Cognitive Graphs

We investigate the structure of spatial knowledge that spontaneously develops during free exploration of a novel environment. We present evidence that this structure is similar to a labeled graph: a network of topological connections between places, labeled with local metric information. In contrast to route knowledge, we find that the most frequent routes and detours to target locations had not been traveled during learning. Contrary to purely topological knowledge, participants typically traveled the shortest metric distance to a target, rather than topologically equivalent but longer paths. The results are consistent with the proposal that people learn a labeled graph of their environment

Transformation of dl Limonene into Aromatic Compounds Using Supported Heteropolyacid Catalysts

International audienceThe transformation of DL limonene (mixture of D- and L-form ~ 1:1) that came from the pyrolysis of scrap tires rubber was studied using four heteropolyacid catalysts (H3PW12O40, H3PMo12O40, H4SiW12O40 and H4PMo11VO40) supported on Q-10, SBA-15, MCM-41, and KIT-6. The catalyst activity was measured using a py/GC/FID under a nitrogen atmosphere. The active phase and support were characterized using various technical methods (XRD, Raman, TEM, N2 adsorption–desorption, NH3-TPD, and py-FTIR). The highest weak acidity and largest number of Lewis acid sites promoted the conversion of DL limonene. The isomerization reactions seemed to be more favored than disproportionation reactions. The p-cymene yield was favored, with a high weak acidity and high Lewis/Brønsted acid sites ratio. Moreover, the results show that the use of amorphous support with a higher pore size seems to promote the conversion of DL limonene and the production of p-cymene