Young Children's Perception of Diagrammatic Representations

Diagrams and pictorial representations are common in children's lives and require abstraction away from visual perception. In three experiments, we investigated 4- to 8-year-olds’ comprehension of such representations. In Experiment 1 (N = 80), children were shown photographs of geometric objects and asked to choose the corresponding line drawing from among sets of four, or vice versa. Results showed considerable developmental progression, especially around age 6. Experiment 2 (N = 16) ruled out that 4-year-olds’ difficulties were due to problems with the visual matching task itself. Experiment 3 (N = 32) showed comparable performance for matching diagrams to 3D objects rather than to photographs. Findings suggest increasing understanding of diagrammatic representations around the time of school entry.     

火星探测出舱机构的识别定位与坡度测量

为实现火星探测两器分离过程中出舱机构的坡度测量,提出一种基于立体视觉技术的出舱机构识别定位与坡度测量方法。首先,采用特征匹配的方法对场景中的出舱机构进行识别定位。针对巡视器导航相机成像视角变化以及出舱机构倾角变化导致图像产生几何形变,火星表面光照因素的影响以及巡视器硬件的计算能力,并结合出舱机构自身特点,提出一种区域特征与Blob特征相融合的识别定位方法。采用加速鲁棒性特征（SURF）算法检测图像中的局部不变特征,并用最大稳定极值区域（MSER）算法检测图像最稳定极值区域,两种特征相融合之后构造SURF描述算子并进行特征匹配。同时,采用M估计抽样一致性（MSAC）算法计算对应点变换矩阵,实现出舱机构在场景中的初步定位。然后,通过对出舱机构上人工标志的精确定位以及三维重建,并采用主成分分析法进行平面拟合,实现出舱机构的坡度测量。试验结果表明,该方法对成像视角变化以及光照变化具有鲁棒性,提取的有效特征数以及计算时间均优于尺度不变特征变换（SIFT）算法,基本满足火星探测中出舱机构坡度测量要求。     

Interface Familiarity Restores Active Advantage in a Virtual Exploration and Reconstruction Task in Children

Abstract

Active exploration is reportedly better than passive observation of spatial displacements in real environments, for the acquisition of relational spatial information, especially by children. However, a previous study using a virtual environment (VE) showed that children in a passive observation condition performed better than actives when asked to reconstruct in reality the environment explored virtually. Active children were unpractised in using the input device, which may have detracted from any active advantage, since input device operation may be regarded as a concurrent task, increasing cognitive load and spatial working memory demands. To examine this possibility, 7–8-year-old children in the present study were given 5 minutes of training with the joystick input device. When compared with passive participants for spatial learning, active participants gave a better performance than passives, placing objects significantly more accurately. The importance of interface training when using VEs for assessment and training was discussed.     

UltraFlex太阳电池阵的结构优化

以提高圆形太阳电池阵的展开过程稳定性和固有频率为优化目标,以UltraFlex太阳电池阵为模型,采用有限元软件SAMCEF对其进行结构优化。以承重梁材料、斜梁开口高度、斜梁位置、梁截面高度及厚度5种结构参数为优化变量,进行了多种工况的展开动力学仿真和模态计算。经分析发现,结构展开后期太阳毯与支撑梁拉扯会导致支撑梁剪切应力激增;梁材料、斜梁位置与支撑梁截面高度对太阳电池阵的展开过程稳定性影响较大;当梁材料为碳纤维,斜梁位置为1100 mm,梁截面高度为20 mm时,展开过程稳定性最好;斜梁位置和承重梁截面厚度对结构固有频率影响较大;当斜梁位置为900 mm或1100 mm、承重梁截面厚度从3 mm增至3.5 mm时,系统固有频率涨幅最大,由此带来的质量增加可以接受。     

月球探测器着陆中基于被动图像的着陆场搜索及斜坡估计

在无人探测器月面软着陆技术研究中,因为月球表面障碍物对探测器着陆 安全构成的威胁,所以首先需要解决的是安全着陆区域确定及其坡度估计的问题。从被 动图像角度出发,研究了基于灰度变化的着陆区域确定和基于两视图几何的候选着陆区域坡 度估计的方法。首先,研究了一种基于多尺度窗口区域内灰度变化标准差的安全着陆候选区 域确定方法;其次,为了计算基础矩阵F和单应矩阵H,本文利用SIFT算法和RANSAC策略 进行特征点检测和跟踪;最后,本文利用平面单应H和基础矩阵F的相容性原理,提出了一种 斜坡坡度估计方法。和同类方法相比,该方法无需探测器位姿转移参数。利用该方法得到的 斜坡估计结果和其他方法的结果比较后可知：本文提出的方法检测出的坡度误差能够满足着 陆过程中斜坡检测的要求。     

Function,geometry and spatial prepositions: Three experiments

In this paper the results of three experiments are reported whichaddress the issue of the relative extent to which functionalrelations versus geometric relations affect spatial language. Theexperiments examine the role of a discourse context on the useand rating of the preposition in to describe a visual scenewhere the constraint of spatial containment between figure(object located) and ground (reference object) does not hold. Allthree experiments demonstrate that in is used more andrated to be significantly more appropriate in a functionalcontext than in a no context condition. The implications of thesestudies for spatial language and spatial representation arediscussed.     

仿真技术在球阀特性研究中的应用

航天领域火箭发动机上的球阀性能要求高、工作条件恶劣,对球阀流场分布特性、流量系数特性和力矩特性的研究一直是关注的焦点,要得到较为精确的计算结果又节省大量试验经费,对球阀流场进行仿真研究是有效途径.以液体火箭发动机用球阀为例,建立了三维稳态仿真数学模型并进行仿真计算,然后与试验结果进行比较,验证了计算模型的正确性.     

Is Route Learning More Than Serial Learning?

Abstract

The nature of route learning in terms of the memorizing of landmarks was investigated. In Experiment 1, participants memorized landmarks while being guided through a computer-simulated hallway (dynamic, with spatial context), or while viewing the landmarks one by one in front of a black background (static, without context). Two more conditions completed the 2 × 2 design. One condition preserved the dynamic landmark viewing properties (observers approached each object, passed it, turned to the next object, and so on), but the background was black (dynamic, without context). In the other condition the observer saw a stationary display of each object within a hallway, but did not approach the object (static, with context). Serial recall was much better after viewing the landmarks in the dynamic presentation format with spatial context than in the other conditions. Experiment 2 showed that the superior performance in the dynamic condition with context was abolished when all hallway segments were equally long. This implies that metric information is a component of route knowledge at a very early stage, which is incompatible with the dominant framework, but is compatible with the alternative framework for spatial microgenesis.     

The interaction of symmetry and verbal codability in children's reconstruction of spatial configurations

Although the physical organization of spatialinformation clearly influences how it is recognized,recalled, and mentally transformed, few studies haveexplored how different levels of organizationinteract. This study focused on 4- and 6-year-oldchildren's memory for spatial configurations andexamined the relative influence of two levels oforganization: symmetry (vertical, horizontal, or none)and codability (verbal or nonverbal). We predictedthat the influence of symmetry would be lesspronounced among the older children for whom thepatterns were more codable. The results partiallysupported this prediction: Older children'sreconstructions were accurate regardless of patternsymmetry; younger children's reconstructions ofvertically-symmetric patterns were more accurate thantheir reconstructions of horizontally-symmetric andasymmetric patterns. Taken together, the resultsrevealed an interaction between age and symmetry onthe accuracy of children's reconstructions, suggestingthat younger children were more sensitive than olderchildren to differences in pattern symmetry. Thus,different levels of organization may influencechildren's ability to recall spatial information andthe relative influence of these levels may changeduring development.     

密封舱内漂浮小球运动规律的数值模拟研究

"天宫二号"空间实验室开展了首次人机协同在轨维修技术试验,机械臂操作终端抓取漂浮小球试验为在轨试验任务之一。为研究漂浮小球与机械臂操作终端运动特性之间的匹配性,文章建立了在轨微重力环境下小球运动的物理模型与数学模型,采用动网格方法对不同小球的运动特性进行数值模拟,得到小球的运动规律,由此确定小球的设计参数范围,作为机械臂操作终端系统方案设计的依据。最终,数值模拟结果与"天宫二号"空间实验室在轨试验数据的对比初步验证了该计算结果的正确性。     

Modeling visuospatial reasoning

I apply my proposed modification of Soar/Spatial/Visual System and Kosslyn’s (1983) computational operations on images to problems within a 2 × 2 taxonomy that classifies research according to whether the coding involves static or dynamic relations within an object or between objects (Newcombe & Shipley, 2015). I then repeat this analysis for problems that are included in mathematics and science curricula. Because many of these problems involve reasoning from diagrams Hegarty’s (2011) framework for reasoning from visual-spatial displays provides additional support for organizing this topic. Two more relevant frameworks specify reasoning at different levels of abstraction (Reed, 2016) and with different combinations of actions and objects (Reed, 2018). The article concludes with suggestions for future directions.     

惯组飞行角振动环境测量与环境条件设计

在多维振动环境下的惯组动态导航精度试验是考核惯组在接近真实飞行环境下精度指标能否满足要求的重要试验,如何合理制定多维振动环境条件一直是型号面临的难题。本文提出了一种火箭飞行中惯组角振动环境的测量方案,通过多个振动传感器的合理布置方式,并进行数据分析处理,实现了利用普通振动传感器测量飞行过程的角振动环境。应用此技术,在某型号飞行试验中首次成功获取惯组在主动段和再入段飞行的角振动环境,制定出了接近真实飞行状态的多维振动环境试验条件,避免了以往仅凭经验制定试验条件带来的风险。     

The Challenger accident and public opinion : Attitudes towards the space programme in the USA

This article reports on a major survey of American attitudes towards the space programme in general, and the Shuttle in particular. The survey was carried out in three waves: before the January 1986 Challenger accident, immediately afterwards, and five months later. It was found that the net effect of the accident was a strong shift of public sentiment in favour of the space programme and the Shuttle. Expectation was high for a timely resumption of Shuttle flights, although there was a delayed recognition that the impact of the accident on the space programme was more significant than originally thought by most Americans. There was a shift towards a more positive assessment of the benefits and costs of space exploration. Positive attitudes towards funding increased even more markedly. These shifts were of a magnitude rarely found in studies of public attitudes.     

The influence of object size on judgments of lateral separation

The size of a previously experienced object has a significant effect on depth judgments in visually sparse environments. The present research explored whether familiar object size also significantly influences judgments of lateral separation. Experiment 1 required participants to detect changes in lateral separation using a one-shot change detection paradigm with a closer/same/farther forced-choice response. Participants accurately detected changes in lateral separation, although concurrent changes in object size significantly reduced the accuracy of their judgments such that increases (or decreases) in object size caused a relative underestimation (or overestimation) of separation. Experiment 2 replicated these results using a distance reproduction methodology. These results indicate that familiar object size exhibits a significant effect on judgments of lateral separation.     

Numerical studies of fluid oscillation problems by boundary integral techniques

A numerical technique has been developed to investigate the axisymmetric large amplitude oscillations of an inviscid and incompressible liquid drop about its spherical equilibrium shape. The drop is placed into a microgravity environment. Thus the only forces acting on the drop are surface tension forces. The internal flow field of the fluid drop is assumed to be irrotational, so that the methods of classical potential theory can be applied. A solution for the Laplace equation for the velocity potential is posed in form of the potential of the simple layer, where the sources are placed on rings (circles) covering the bounding surface of the drop. Discretization of the drop into discs and caps at the poles, application of the dynamic and kinematic boundary condition and numerical integration with respect to time of the latter allows to study the behaviour of the deformed drop and to determine the eigenfrequencies.     

Risk-taking during wayfinding is modulated by external stressors and personality traits

ABSTRACT

Two experiments examined cue reliance and risk-taking during desktop virtual wayfinding, and how they might be modulated by personality traits and external stressors. Participants navigated a series of virtual buildings and we manipulated the strength of probabilistic cues available to guide turn decisions. Navigators frequently discounted probabilistic cues and instead took risks, particularly when costs were low and potential benefits were high. Risk-taking was predicted by higher sense of direction and lower need for structure. Introducing a time stressor lowered risk-taking, with a higher relative reliance on probability-based information. This was most pronounced in females and those with a high need for structure. Results provide novel evidence that spatial cue reliance is modulated by individual differences and contextual constraints.     

拦截高速目标的比例与反比例导引捕获区分析

针对拦截高速目标的作战特点,分析了比例导引(PN)与反比例导引(RPN)的捕获区。首先,通过分析拦截弹与目标的相对运动关系,推导得到了顺轨和逆轨的零控拦截条件,此条件由目标和拦截弹的速度前置角以及二者速度比确定;其次,以拦截弹和目标速度前置角为坐标系,推导得到了PN以及RPN捕获区以及各自导航比设置范围。PN的捕获区由逆轨零控拦截条件以及与其相切且斜率为1/(N-1)的两条直线构成,RPN的捕获区由顺轨零控拦截条件以及与其相切且斜率为1/(-N-1)的两条直线构成;然后,利用函数对称性将PN与RPN捕获区转换到同一坐标区间,得到了相同条件下RPN捕获区要大于PN捕获区的结论;最后,开展了四种情形下的仿真,验证了本文捕获区分析的合理性及有效性。     

滚珠式推力终止装置可靠性研究

对滚珠式推力终止装置可靠性进行了分析。指出起爆管装药量是影响推力终止装置工作可靠性的关键因素。用试验确定工作状态下的起爆管极限药量。并用其评估滚珠式推力终止装置的结构可靠性,在置信度0.9时,可靠性下限为0.9999。     

An Investigation into Vertical Bias Effects

ABSTRACT

In three experiments, after exploring a virtual environment (VE), adult participants made spatial judgments about the location of target objects that were higher and lower than their perceived test location within the VE. In Experiment 1, the locations of the target objects were inferred from verbal instructions. The main results were a tendency to judge objects as closer to the horizontal plane than their true locations, and more efficient downward than upward judgments. Both effects generally accord with findings reported by Wilson et al. (2004a Wilson, P. N., Foreman, N., Stanton, D. and Duffy, H. 2004a. Memory for targets in a multilevel simulated environment: Evidence for vertical asymmetry in spatial memory. Memory & Cognition, 32: 283–297. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], 2004b Wilson, P. N., Foreman, N., Stanton, D. and Duffy, H. 2004b. Memory for targets in a multi-level simulated-environment: A comparison between able-bodied and physically disabled children. British Journal of Psychology, 95: 325–338.  [Google Scholar]). In Experiments 2 and 3, which were closely modeled on the design of the Wilson et al. studies, regression to the horizontal plane was noted but no downward bias was observed. A misperception in the viewing height between the floors and ceilings of the virtual rooms was apparent in both experiments. The results from the present study together with earlier investigations suggest different hierarchical encoding of between-axis and within-axis information.