Vibratory sources as compound stimuli for the octavolateralis systems: Dissection of specific stimulation channels using multiple behavioral approaches.

Underwater vibratory sources simultaneously present acoustic and hydrodynamic disturbances. Because vibratory dipole sources are poor sonic projectors, most researchers have assumed that such sources are of greatest relevance to the lateral line system. Both hydroacoustic principles and empirical studies have shown that dipole sources are also a potent stimulus to the inner ear. Responses to vibratory sources in mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) were assessed using unconditioned orienting, differential and nondifferential conditioning. Orienting responses are dominated by lateral line inputs and eliminated by lateral line inactivation. Simple conditioning depends on inputs from other systems and was not affected by lateral line inactivation. Differential conditioning alters behavioral control, and sculpin could be conditioned to ignore substrate-borne vibrations and respond only to hydroacoustic stimulation of the ear. The lateral line and inner ear of mottled sculpin do not necessarily exhibit range fractionation, as both systems operate over a similar distance (within 1.5 body lengths) and respond to many of the same sources. Vibratory dipole sources generate compound stimuli that simultaneously activate multiple octavolateralis systems, and sculpin make use of the channels differentially under different behavioral tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Deconstructing the McGurk–MacDonald illusion.

Cross-modal illusions such as the McGurk–MacDonald effect have been used to illustrate the automatic, encapsulated nature of multisensory integration. This characterization is based in the widespread assumption that the illusory percept arising from intersensory conflict reflects only the end-product of the multisensory integration process, with the mismatch between the original unisensory events remaining largely hidden from awareness. Here the authors show that when presented with desynchronized audiovisual speech syllables, observers are often able to detect the temporal mismatch while experiencing the McGurk–MacDonald illusion. Thus, contrary to previous assumptions, it seems possible to gain access to information about the individual sensory components of a multisensory (integrated) percept. On the basis of this and similar findings, the authors argue that multisensory integration is a multifaceted process during which different attributes of the (multisensory) object might be bound by different mechanisms and possibly at different times. This proposal contrasts with classic conceptions of multisensory integration as a homogeneous process whereby all the attributes of a multisensory event are treated in a unified manner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The multisensory image and emotion in poetry.

The manner in which multisensory aspects of complex linguistic imagery cohere was examined. A total of 377 participants brought to mind a meaningful, vivid, mental image and then constructed a prose paragraph and a poem about the image. Those aspects of sensory imagery and expressed emotions that cohere in forming the linguistic units were identified. Visual images are most likely to be the trigger that accesses information about a specific episode, with tactile and auditory images next in order of importance. Correlational analysis using the categories of sensory imagery and emotion found that romantic/sensual/sexual emotions were strongly linked to olfactory and taste sensory images. Embarrassment was significantly correlated with tactile imagery, while tactile imagery showed a negative relationship with love/family/friendship. It was concluded that mental imagery is a pervasive form of subjective experience that structures and creates order, with powerful mnemonic and hypermnesic potential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impairments in the perception of odor-induced tastes and their relationship to impairments in taste perception.

Certain odors have tastelike qualities when sniffed. To the extent that these qualities are akin to real taste experiences, impairment in perception of odor-induced tastes should be accompanied by taste impairment, and vice versa. Twelve patients were selected with possible odor-induced taste impairments or general taste impairments via a screening test, along with a further 6 patients with a probable taste impairment (insular lesion). These 18 patients, along with 19 normal controls, completed a battery of odor, taste, visual control, and neuropsychological tests to assess impairments in odor-induced taste perception and general taste perception. Four patients had an odor-induced taste impairment and were also impaired on taste perception. A further analysis, using regression on the whole sample, indicated that taste impairments were associated with odor-induced taste abnormalities independent of other predictors. This pattern also held for the patient group alone. The insular patients also exhibited both taste and odor-induced taste impairments. This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between impaired taste perception and the perception of odor-induced tastes and suggests that both may rely on certain common neural substrates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

HIT/DLR HandⅡ类人形五指灵巧手机构的研究

为了使灵巧手的外观和结构功能更加类人化,研制了新一代类人形机器人五指灵巧手--HIT/DLR Hand Ⅱ.该灵巧手由一个独立的手掌和5个完全相同的具有4个关节3个自由度的模块化手指构成.机电集成的设计思想保证了所有驱动器,传动系统和电路系统都集成在手指和手掌的内部.钢丝耦合机构的采用,保证了手指末端关节在整个运动范围内都能够保证精确定1:1传动比.包装件同结构功能件融合的设计思想不但进一步缩减的灵巧手的外形尺寸,而且使灵巧手外形更加类人化.所有的创新型设计使灵巧手的手指外形尺寸仅是上一代手指的1/3.此外,为了提高灵巧手的多感知能力,重新设计的力/力拒传感器,位置传感器及温度传感器通巧妙的集成在手指的内部.试验表明,所设计的灵巧手不但达到了设计目标,也表现出了很强的抓握能力.     

两轮自平衡机器人多传感器数据融合方法研究

为了对机器人运行状态进行有效的识别,提出一种基于支持向量机的多传感器数据两级融合方法,从分类的角度实现了运行状态识别,解决了识别正确率较低的问题.将此方法应用于两轮自平衡机器人进行运行状态识别实验,当每种状态采集的独立样本数超过20个时,正确率可以达到98%以上.实验结果表明应用该方法可以对两轮自平衡机器人的运行状态进行有效、可靠的识别,能够满足两轮自平衡机器人快速机动过程中的实时性要求.     

基于加速度信息修正的四旋翼位置估计算法研究

针对单一的微传感器无法准确进行四旋翼无人机空间定位的问题,设计了一种多元信息融合的互补滤波算法用于无人机空间位置估计。该算法的核心思想为利用一类通用的辅助传感器如气压传感器,全球定位系统（GPS）以及微基站的测量信息对加速度传感器的测量信息进行实时修正,然后利用修正后的加速度信息积分估计四旋翼无人机的空间位置。本文在自主研制的飞行控制平台上验证了这种互补滤波算法的有效性。通过对比实验验证,利用本文设计的互补滤波算法可以使得无人机运动速度估计值以及空间位置估计值无偏差的收敛。飞行实验证明,将该互补滤波算法输出的速度以及位置估计信息应用于位置控制器中,可以实现无人机稳定的位置控制。     

A neural implementation of Bayesian inference based on predictive coding

Predictive coding (PC) is a leading theory of cortical function that has previously been shown to explain a great deal of neurophysiological and psychophysical data. Here it is shown that PC can perform almost exact Bayesian inference when applied to computing with population codes. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm, based on PC, can: decode probability distributions encoded as noisy population codes; combine priors with likelihoods to calculate posteriors; perform cue integration and cue segregation; perform function approximation; be extended to perform hierarchical inference; simultaneously represent and reason about multiple stimuli; and perform inference with multi-modal and non-Gaussian probability distributions. PC thus provides a neural network-based method for performing probabilistic computation and provides a simple, yet comprehensive, theory of how the cerebral cortex performs Bayesian inference.     

Multimodal Stimulation in a Microfluidic Device Facilitates Studies of Interneurons in Sensory Integration in C. elegans

Animals' perception and behavior involve integration of multiple sensory modalities. Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful model for studying multimodal sensory integration, as it has well‐characterized neuronal circuits in a relatively simple nervous system. However, most studies based on functional imaging have only been conducted on single modal stimuli, because well‐controlled multimodal experiments for C. elegans are technically difficult. For instance, no single systems currently deliver precise stimuli with spatial, temporal, and intensity control, despite prior hypotheses that interneurons do integrate these sensory inputs to control behavior. Here, a microfluidic platform that can easily deliver spatially and temporally controlled combination stimuli to C. elegans is presented. With this platform, both sensory and interneuron activity is measured in response to mechanical and chemical stimulations in a quantitative and high‐throughput manner. It is found that the activity of command interneuron PVC can be modulated by prior stimulation both within the same and across different modalities. The roles of monoaminergic and peptidergic signaling are further examined on the process of multimodal integration through PVC activity. The approach exemplified here is envisioned to be broadly applicable in different contexts to elucidate underlying mechanisms and identify genes affecting multisensory integration.