Neural Dynamics of 3-D Surface Perception: Figure-Ground Separation and Lightness Perception

This article develops the FACADE theory of three-dimensional (3-D) vision to simulate data concerning how two-dimensional (2-D) pictures give rise to 3-D percepts of occluded and occluding surfaces. The theory suggests how geometrical and contrastive properties of an image can either cooperate or compete when forming the boundary and surface representations that subserve conscious visual percepts. Spatially long-range cooperation and short-range competition work together to separate boundaries of occluding ligures from their occluded neighbors, thereby providing sensitivity to T-junctions without the need to assume that T-junction "detectors" exist. Both boundary and surface representations of occluded objects may be amodaly completed, while the surface representations of unoccluded objects become visible through modal processes. Computer simulations include Bregman-Kanizsa figure-ground separation, Kanizsa stratification, and various lightness percepts, including the Munker-White, Benary cross, and checkerboard percepts.Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Office of Naval Research (N00014-95-1-0409); National Science Foundation (IRI 94-01659, IRI 97-20333); Office of Naval Research (N00014-92-J-1309, N00014-95-1-0657

Assistive trajectories for human-in-the-loop mobile robotic platforms

Autonomous and semi-autonomous smoothly interruptible trajectories are developed which are highly suitable for application in tele-operated mobile robots, operator on-board military mobile ground platforms, and other mobility assistance platforms. These trajectories will allow a navigational system to provide assistance to the operator in the loop, for purpose built robots or remotely operated platforms. This will allow the platform to function well beyond the line-of-sight of the operator, enabling remote operation inside a building, surveillance, or advanced observations whilst keeping the operator in a safe location. In addition, on-board operators can be assisted to navigate without collision when distracted, or under-fire, or when physically disabled by injury

mLearning, development and delivery : creating opportunity and enterprise within the HE in FE context

This research project was funded by ESCalate in 2006-7 to support Somerset College in developing the curriculum, as well as widening participation via the use of mobile communications technologies such as mp3 players and mobile phones. The Project represents a highly topical and timely engagement with the opportunities for learning provided by the burgeoning use of mobile computing/ communications devices. Activities bring together colleagues from Teacher Education and Multimedia Computing in an innovative approach to designing for and delivering the curriculum. The Project addresses pedagogic issues and also vitally involves current and future learners, providing them with a new context for skills development and entrepreneurship. Anticipated outcomes include informed development of new HE modules and professional CPD activities which address the skills and context of this emerging approach to delivering the curriculum. The Project also intends to trial and evaluate the use of mobile technologies to support a blended learning approach to programme delivery and the development of a FD module which could be delivered via a mobile computing device. An interim report and a final project report are available as Word and PDF file

A Framework for Mouse Emulation that Uses a Minimally Invasive Tongue Palate Control Device utilizing Resistopalatography

The ability to interface fluently with a robust Human Input Device is a major challenge facing patients with severe levels of disability. This paper describes a new method of computer interaction utilizing Force Sensitive Resistor Array Technology, embedded into an Intra-Oral device (Resistopalatography), to emulate a USB Human Interface Device using standard Drivers. The system is based around the patient using their tongue to manipulate these sensors in order to give a position and force measurement; these can then be analyzed to generate the necessary metrics to control a mouse for computer input

The treatment of a severe ataxic dysarthria, using electropalatography. Single case study

Electropalatography has been used successfully with several client groups (Hardcastle et al 1991). Intelligibility has been improved in children with articulation difficulties as a result of cleft palate, or with dyspraxia, or long standing phonological difficulties. There has been less work with adults and a very limited amount with acquired dysarthrics (Gibbon 1997). In the majority of cases reported, there has been a degree of improvement in intelligibility (eg Goldstein et al 1994). This is not a miraculous return to "normal speech", but an improvement, often where conventional speech therapy has failed. The Canterbury and Thanet Speech and Language Therapy Department, together with the local Community Dental Department and the University of Kent Medical Electronics Research Team, have undertaken a clinical trial. The intention was to have a subject group of at least 24 adult, acquired dysarthrics, and to compare the effects of electropalatography with conventional speech and language therapy in each case. Dr Rosemarie MorganBarry acted as a Speech and Language Therapy adviser and the research was funded by SE Thames Regional Health Authority. The results of this clinical trial will be fully reported in a separate paper. This paper reports on a single case history from within the trial

Liquidity and fire sales

A “fire sale” occurs when the owner of a good offers it for sale at a price strictly below the price that some buyers would willingly pay for the good. He does so because the advantage of the quick sale made possible by the lower price outweighs the higher price that other potential buyers would pay, given the likely delay in locating these buyers in the latter case. Fire sales can occur only in illiquid markets. This paper generalizes earlier treatments of illiquid markets by assuming that the asset can be offered for sale at any time, rather than only after its owner loses his capacity to operate it profitably. Also, it specifies that profitability follows a random walk.Liquidity (Economics) ; Econometric models

Limits of small functors

For a small category K enriched over a suitable monoidal category V, the free completion of K under colimits is the presheaf category [K*,V]. If K is large, its free completion under colimits is the V-category PK of small presheaves on K, where a presheaf is small if it is a left Kan extension of some presheaf with small domain. We study the existence of limits and of monoidal closed structures on PK.Comment: 17 page