Evaluation of critical flicker-fusion frequency measurement methods using a touchscreen-based visual temporal discrimination task in the behaving mouse.

The critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF), defined as the frequency at which a flickering light is indistinguishable from a continuous light, is a useful measure of visual temporal resolution. The mouse CFF has been studied by electrophysiological approaches such as recordings of the electroretinogram (ERG) and the visually evoked potential (VEP), but it has not been measured behaviorally. Here we estimated the mouse CFF by using a touchscreen based operant system.

Relationship between vection and motion perception in depth.

This study examined the effects of cues to motion in depth - namely, stereoscopic (i.e., changing-disparity cues and interocular velocity differences) and changing-size cues on forward and backward vection.

Up-down asymmetry in vertical vection.

To investigate whether up-down asymmetry similar to that reported in vertical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), that is, larger OKN responses for upward motion than for downward motion, would appear in vertical vection, we conducted three experiments. In all three experiments, participants viewed a vertically moving random-dot pattern. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants reported vection using a joystick.

Single stimulus color can modulate vection.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of single color on forward and backward vection. The approaching or receding optical flow observed during forward or backward locomotion was simulated by using random dots with changing size, velocity, and disparity. The dots were presented on a black (Experiments 1 and 2) or white background (Experiment 3) in equiluminant colors; namely, white (or gray), red, yellow, green, or blue.

Tradeoff between manual response speed and pursuit accuracy revealed by a deadline procedure.

To examine the tradeoff between manual reaction times (RTs) and smooth pursuit accuracy, we manipulated manual RTs to a visual target presented during pursuit by using a deadline procedure that required different response speeds to a target (300, 400, or 500 ms). Participants attempted to pursue a moving row of circles as accurately as possible, while responding to a target within a preset time. Stimulus velocity and target position were manipulated.

Up-down asymmetry in vertical induced motion and optokinetic nystagmus.

We investigated the effects of pursuit effort against the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) on induced motion (IM) by measuring vertical IM and eye movements. Participants viewed an inducing stimulus (a random dot pattern) moving either upward or downward at the velocity of 10 or 40 °/s. A horizontally moving target (a single dot) was then presented within the inducing stimulus.

Effect of depth order on linear vection with optical flows.

In the present study, the effects of depth order on forward and backward vection were examined using optical flows simulating motion in depth (i.e., approaching or receding).

Useful field of view in simulated driving: Reaction times and eye movements of drivers.

To examine the spatial distribution of a useful field of view (UFOV) in driving, reaction times (RTs) and eye movements were measured in simulated driving. In the experiment, a normal or mirror-reversed letter "E" was presented on driving images with different eccentricities and directions from the current gaze position. The results showed significantly slower RTs in the upper and upper left directions than in the other directions.

The minimal time required to process visual information in visual search tasks measured by using gaze-contingent visual masking.

To estimate the minimal time required to process visual information (i.e., "effective acquisition time") during a visual search task, we used a gaze-contingent visual masking method.

Rule for scaling shoulder rotation angles while walking through apertures.

Background: When an individual is trying to fit into a narrow aperture, the amplitude of shoulder rotations in the yaw dimension is well proportioned to the relative aperture width to body width (referred to as the critical ratio value). Based on this fact, it is generally considered that the central nervous system (CNS) determines the amplitudes of shoulder rotations in response to the ratio value. The present study was designed to determine whether the CNS follows another rule in which a minimal spatial margin is created at the aperture passage; this rule is beneficial particularly when spatial requirements for passage (i.

Attentional capture without awareness in complex visual tasks.

Abrupt onsets of visual cues capture an observer's attention, even when the cues do not reach the observer's visual awareness. In the present study, we investigated the effects of subthreshold cues on the performance of a useful field of view task. Participants localized a target stimulus presented in the peripheral visual field while identifying a character presented at the fovea.

Spatial attention and reaction times during smooth pursuit eye movement.

To examine the spatial shift of attention during smooth pursuit, we measured reaction times (RTs) to a visual target that appeared during pursuit. Participants pursued a moving row of circular frames and responded to a target presented within one of the frames. The results showed large RT differences between stimulus velocities up to 5º/s and 10º/s or above.

Athletic experience influences shoulder rotations when running through apertures.

In order to pass through apertures safely and efficiently, individuals must perceive the width of the aperture relative to (1) the width of the person-plus-object system and to (2) their (anticipated) movement speed. The present study investigated whether athletes who have extensive experience playing sports that require running through narrow spaces while wearing shoulder pads control their shoulder rotations differently while performing this behavior than athletes who lack such experience. Groups of athletes with experience competing in different sports (American football, rugby, and control athletes) performed a behavioral task in which they ran or walked between two tucking dummies with or without wearing shoulder pads.

Tradeoff between response speed and pursuit accuracy.

We examined simple and choice reaction times (RTs) to a visual target that appears during smooth pursuit. Participants pursued a moving fixation stimulus accurately before a target stimulus was presented either above or below the fixation stimulus. In the simple RT task, the participants responded to the onset of the target as soon as possible.