Cross-Modal Cues Improve the Detection of Synchronized Targets during Human Foraging.

In two experiments, we explored whether cross-modal cues can be used to improve foraging for multiple targets in a novel human foraging paradigm. Foraging arrays consisted of a 6 × 6 grid containing outline circles with a small dot on the circumference. Each dot rotated from a random starting location in steps of 30°, either clockwise or counterclockwise, around the circumference.

A Study of Parallel and Competitive Reaction Schemes in Kinetic Modeling of Plastic Pyrolysis.

Pyrolysis is a technology capable of harnessing energy from challenging-to-recycle plastics, thus mitigating the necessity for incineration or landfill disposal. To optimize the plastic pyrolysis process, reliable models for product yield prediction are imperative. This study endeavors to determine the suitability of lumped models, a widely used approach for modeling biomass and coal pyrolysis, in accurately estimating product yields in the context of plastic pyrolysis.

The effects of visual and auditory synchrony on human foraging.

Can synchrony in stimulation guide attention and aid perceptual performance? Here, in a series of three experiments, we tested the influence of visual and auditory synchrony on attentional selection during a novel human foraging task. Human foraging tasks are a recent extension of the classic visual search paradigm in which multiple targets must be located on a given trial, making it possible to capture a wide range of performance metrics. Experiment 1 was performed online, where the task was to forage for 10 (out of 20) vertical lines among 60 randomly oriented distractor lines that changed color between yellow and blue at random intervals.

Energy Harvesting Technologies for Structural Health Monitoring of Airplane Components-A Review.

With the aim of increasing the efficiency of maintenance and fuel usage in airplanes, structural health monitoring (SHM) of critical composite structures is increasingly expected and required. The optimized usage of this concept is subject of intensive work in the framework of the EU COST Action CA18203 "Optimising Design for Inspection" (ODIN). In this context, a thorough review of a broad range of energy harvesting (EH) technologies to be potentially used as power sources for the acoustic emission and guided wave propagation sensors of the considered SHM systems, as well as for the respective data elaboration and wireless communication modules, is provided in this work.

Dataset of biomass characteristics and net output power from downdraft biomass gasifier integrated power production unit.

This dataset includes 1032 runs from a biomass downdraft gasifier integrated with power production unit that is fed by 86 different types of biomasses from different groups (e.g. wood and woody biomasses, herbaceous and agricultural biomasses, animal biomasses, mixed biomasses and contaminated biomasses) and under various operating conditions.

The intensity order illusion: temporal order of different vibrotactile intensity causes systematic localization errors.

Haptic illusions serve as important tools for studying neurocognitive processing of touch and can be utilized in practical contexts. We report a new spatiotemporal haptic illusion that involves mislocalization when the order of vibrotactile intensity is manipulated. We tested two types of motors mounted in a 4 × 4 array in the lower thoracic region.

Measuring relative vibrotactile spatial acuity: effects of tactor type, anchor points and tactile anisotropy.

Vibrotactile displays can compensate for the loss of sensory function of people with permanent or temporary deficiencies in vision, hearing, or balance, and can augment the immersive experience in virtual environments for entertainment, or professional training. This wide range of potential applications highlights the need for research on the basic psychophysics of mechanisms underlying human vibrotactile perception. One key consideration when designing tactile displays is determining the minimal possible spacing between tactile motors (tactors), by empirically assessing the maximal throughput of the skin, or, in other words, vibrotactile spatial acuity.

Evaluation of an Audio-haptic Sensory Substitution Device for Enhancing Spatial Awareness for the Visually Impaired.

Significance: Visually impaired participants were surprisingly fast in learning a new sensory substitution device, which allows them to detect obstacles within a 3.5-m radius and to find the optimal path in between. Within a few hours of training, participants successfully performed complex navigation as well as with the white cane.

Relative vibrotactile spatial acuity of the torso.

While tactile acuity for pressure has been extensively investigated, far less is known about acuity for vibrotactile stimulation. Vibrotactile acuity is important however, as such stimulation is used in many applications, including sensory substitution devices. We tested discrimination of vibrotactile stimulation from eccentric rotating mass motors with in-plane vibration.

Methane yield enhancement via electroporation of organic waste.

An experimental study with pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment was conducted to investigate its effect on methane production. PEF pre-treatment converts organic solids into soluble and colloidal forms, increasing bioavailability for anaerobic microorganisms participating in methane generation process. The substrates tested were landfill leachate and fruit/vegetable.

Enhanced methane production from pig slurry with pulsed electric field pre-treatment.

Intensive amount of manure produced in pig breeding sectors represents negative impact on the environment and requires optimal management. Anaerobic digestion as a well-known manure management process was optimized in this experimental study by pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment. The effect of PEF on methane production was investigated at three different intensities (15, 30 and 50 kWh/m).

Designing sensory-substitution devices: Principles, pitfalls and potential1.

An exciting possibility for compensating for loss of sensory function is to augment deficient senses by conveying missing information through an intact sense. Here we present an overview of techniques that have been developed for sensory substitution (SS) for the blind, through both touch and audition, with special emphasis on the importance of training for the use of such devices, while highlighting potential pitfalls in their design. One example of a pitfall is how conveying extra information about the environment risks sensory overload.

The Sound of Vision Project: On the Feasibility of an Audio-Haptic Representation of the Environment, for the Visually Impaired.

The Sound of Vision project involves developing a sensory substitution device that is aimed at creating and conveying a rich auditory representation of the surrounding environment to the visually impaired. However, the feasibility of such an approach is strongly constrained by neural flexibility, possibilities of sensory substitution and adaptation to changed sensory input. We review evidence for such flexibility from various perspectives.

Translational research-the need of a new bioethics approach.

Translational research tries to apply findings from basic science to enhance human health and well-being. Many phases of the translational research may include non-medical tasks (information technology, engineering, nanotechnology, biochemistry, animal research, economy, sociology, psychology, politics, and so on). Using common bioethics principles to these areas might sometimes be not feasible, or even impossible.