568 research outputs found
Attention
No full textAttention is the scientific term primarily usedto describe all processes and mechanisms thatgovern the subjective constraints imposed by thehuman organism on the flow and interpretationof external and internal information, and on theorganization and selection of responses, in the serviceof goal-directed behavior. In some cases, attentioncan also be automatically captured bysudden changes in the situation, or by well-trainedstimulus–response tendencie
Evaluation of multimodal feedback effects on the time-course of motor learning in multimodal VR platform for rowing training
No full textThis study focused on the benefits of feedback augmentation for multi-session training of a complex motor-cognitive skill of indoor rowing in virtual environment. Specifically, we compared the effectiveness of augmented information feedback provided per training trial either visually, haptically or visual- haptically to the non-augmented condition, where no on-line feedback on task performance was afforded during training sessions. Surprisingly, the non-augmented training group was in general as successful in the long-term learning of a rowing skill as the augmented groups and according to some measures even superior to them. Our results also highlight important differences in the course of learning and skill representation upon different feedback conditions provided during training and may provide useful insights to the optimization for both sport and rehabilitation training protocols in V
Comparing learning curves of experts and novices: A novel approach to the study of simulator effectiveness and fidelity.
No full textWe describe a new approach to the study of simulator fidelity and training efficiency. It is based on comparing learning curves of novice trainees and domain experts in a simulator. The major claim is that if a simulator represents a relevant environment for the training of the operational task, domain experts performanceshould show a major advantage over novice trainees. Two measures of domain expert performance are important in the evaluation of the simulator. One is the distance (in training hours or sessions) between performance levels of novices anddomain experts. It reflects the difficulty of the measured ability and the predicted amount of training required by novices to reach expert levels. A second measure, which represents simulator fidelity, is the distance between expert performance and performance asymptote in the simulator. The approach has been successfully applied in the study of a desktop, partial task flight simulator
Effects of task difficulty and invested mental effort on peripheral vasoconstriction
No full textWe conducted four experiments to test the effects of task difficulty and invested mental effort on peripheral vasoconstriction. Finger pulse wave amplitude was recorded from male undergraduatestudents by means of a newly developed finger plethysmographthat measures peripheral arterial tone (PAT) during both rest and cognitive performance. The difference in PAT amplitude between rest and task periods suggests that PAT amplitude reflects changes in sympathetic activity due to task engagement. As the demands of the task increase, PAT amplitude tends to decrease. Our results seem to suggest that peripheral vasoconstriction may be more sensitive to the amount of voluntary effort invested in task performance rather than to the objective task demands
Effects of task difficulty and invested mental effort on peripheral vasoconstriction
No full textWe ran two experiments to investigate whether peripheral arterial tone reflects changes in mental effort. Finger pulse wave amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse variability in the mid- and high-frequency bands were recorded by means of a newly developed finger plethysmograph during both rest and cognitive performance. Using a modified version of the Sternberg memory task, we selectively manipulated either the difficulty of the task (Experiment 1) or the subjects' level of engagement in the task (Experiment 2). We found a significant difference in finger pulse wave amplitude between rest and task periods, suggesting that the measure reflects changes in sympathetic activity due to task engagement. In addition, our results suggest that reduced pulse wave amplitude, signaling vasoconstriction, occurs when subjects are investing effort
Peripheral arterial tone as an on-line measure of flight load.
No full textWe investigated variations in continuous and discrete flight demands in a simulated flight mission employing a novel physiological measure of invested effort, Peripheral Arterial Tone (PAT). Twelve male subjects performed a computer-simulated agricultural flight task. They were required to fly over a specific lane of a field (continuous task) and change lanes in response to flags, which were presented at varying intervals (discrete task). The difficulty of the flight task was manipulated by changing the plane control (single- vs. dual-axis control), while the difficulty associated with the discrete events was manipulated byvarying the amount of lateral change signalled by the flag (no change vs. 1.5 or 3 lanes of change). PAT amplitude values were lower in the difficult level of the continuous task and was further attenuated following the appearance of the flag whena change in the flight position was required
Peripheral arterial tone as an on-line measure of load in a simulated flight task
No full textVariations in continuous and discrete flight demands were investigated in a simulated flight mission measuring peripheral arterial tone (PAT) from the tip of the finger. A total of 12 participants performed a computer-simulated agricultural flight task. They were required to fly over a specific lane of asimulated corn field (continuous task) and change lanes in response to flags, which appeared at varying intervals (discrete task). The difficulty of the flight task was manipulated by varying the airplane control (single- vs. dual-axis control), while the difficulty of the discrete task was manipulated by varyingthe amount of lateral change signalled by the flag. PAT amplitude was lower in the difficult level of the continuous task and was further attenuated following the appearance of the flag only when a change in the flight position was required. These results suggest the potential utility of PAT as an on-line measure of the joint continuous and discrete demands of a flight mission
COMPARISON OF GOPHER TORTOISE AND NINE BANDED ARMADILLO COMMENSAL FAUNA**
No full textBurrows excavated by the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) are utilized by hundreds of species. For this reason, the gopher tortoise is considered an ecosystem engineer as well as a keystone species. However, throughout its range in the southeastern United States, the gopher tortoise is now syntopic with another species that excavates burrows: the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). While many studies have investigated gopher tortoise commensals, relatively few studies have examined armadillo commensals, and no study to date that we are aware of has compared and contrasted burrow commensals in areas where the armadillo and gopher tortoise co-occur. The goal of the present study is to compare and contrast burrow commensals via the deployment of 20 motion activated game cameras placed at burrow entrances (10 armadillo & 10 gopher tortoise burrows) within a mixed-pine hardwood stand at the Lake Louise Field station in Lowndes County, Georgia. Camera deployment was initiated in August 2019 and trapping will occur over a one to two-year period. During preliminary data collection we observed five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus), mouse species, and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) entering both gopher tortoise and armadillo burrows at nearly every sampled burrow. In addition, we observed a bobcat (Lynx rufus) investigating entrances of both burrow types. This research will be valuable for determination of whether or not the introduced nine-banded armadillo can function as a potential surrogate keystone species in areas where gopher tortoise populations have been reduced
Geomys bursaries or pocket gopher of Kansas
No full textCitation: Pape, Charles Wesley. Geomys bursaries or pocket gopher of Kansas. Senior thesis, Kansas State Agricultural College, 1895.Morse Department of Special CollectionsIntroduction: In the preparation of this little work the author has endeavored to set forth, in a clear and concise manner, his experiences and observations of the Geomys bursaries. As to its usefulness, the author sees none except in special soils as described under that head. The gopher’s destructiveness, however by far exceeds that which generally calculated by the average tiller of the soil. This is principally due to the gopher’s work in so much underground that much of its depredations are hidden from the eyes of man. In giving the amounts, as paid in bounties in certain states, the author gives thanks to the Agricultural Department at Washington D.C. for the information given in bulletins #4 of the division of Ornithology and mammalogy for 93 and the authors would advise everyone interested in the subject, to consult the above bulletin and see the vast amounts that have been spent in contesting against the gopher. The author’s experience in killing the gopher extends over a period of eight years, during which time all the methods herein described have been tried and his success and opinions of each method are given under each respective method
The Role of Gopher Tortoise Burrows (Gopherus polyphemus) in Shaping Herpetofaunal Diversity in the Sandhills of Southeast Georgia
No full textAuthor\u27s abstract: Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are known to have large numbers of invertebrate and vertebrate species associated with their burrows. I compared herpetofaunal species diversity and richness at Gopher Tortoise burrows and random points not near burrows on a sandhill in Southeast Georgia. I also compared habitat structure between burrows and random arrays. Trapping took place from March 1, 2007 to August 30, 2007. Species richness for all months combined was significantly higher at Gopher Tortoise burrows than random arrays (Random = 3.60 ± 0.43, Burrow = 5.20 ± 0.57). Species diversity was not significantly different between burrow and random arrays; however, there was a trend showing higher diversity at burrows (Random = 0.67 ± 0.08, Burrow = 0.78 ± 0.06). Species diversity and richness were analyzed separately for each month. Species diversity and richness did not differ between months (March August) or between arrays. Percent canopy cover and plant species richness were significantly lower at Gopher Tortoise burrows, and there was a trend towards more ground cover at burrows as well. The results of this study show that species may take refuge in the burrow of the Gopher Tortoise, especially when temperatures are relatively low. This study has provided some evidence to support the status of the Gopher Tortoise as a keystone species in sandhill habitats
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