用半实物仿生技术探索昆虫飞行路径的规律

从半实物昆虫仿生研究的现状出发，提出了一种新的借助于计算机智能控制探索半实物昆虫仿生引导规律的方法，讨论了建立一个新型的智能化的仿生实验室，在计算机仿生环境下通过实验数据和图像研究生物传感器作用下昆虫的引导规律的方法。最后探讨了在这种仿生研究中的大量时空数据的存储和处理问题，提出了一种新的思路，即采用基于Realms的时空分析数据库管理系统来实现，并从理论上证明了它的可行性。     

提高三维ICT成像空间分辨率的扫描方式及其重建算法

对三维工业计算机层析成像(Three Dimensional Industrial Computed Tomography, 3D-ICT)空间分辨率提高技术进行了研究, 提出了一种通过1/4面阵探测器偏置扫描提高成像空间分辨率的锥束3D-ICT扫描方式, 推导了它的基于平行束重排的滤波反投影重建算法.这种方法首先通过面阵探测器中心相对于旋转中心偏移四分之一个探测单元宽度的扫描结构获取二维投影序列, 再对其进行平行束投影重排, 最后利用平行射束特点实现投影水平方向采样频率加倍, 从而提高3D-ICT水平方向的重建空间分辨率.计算机仿真结果证明了该扫描方式和重建算法的正确性.利用该种方法, 可使3D-ICT水平方向重建空间分辨率提高近1倍.      

On Nonlinear-Evolution of C-type Instability in Nonparallel Boundary Layers

The process of evolution, especially that of nonlinear evolution, of C-type instability of laminar-turbulent flow transition in nonparallel boundary layers are studied by means of a newly developed method called parabolic stability equations （PSE）. Initial conditions, which are very important for the nonlinear problem, are investigated by computing initial solution of the harmonic waves, modifying the mean-flow-distortion, and giving initial value of TS wave and its subharmonic waves at initial station by solving linear PSE. A numerical method with high-order accuracy are developed in the text, the key normalization conditions in the PSE are satisfied, and nonlinear PSE are solved efficiently and implemented stably by the spatial marching. It has been shown that the computed process of nonlinear evolution of C-type instability in Blasius boundary layer is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

欠膨胀自由射流密度场的丙酮平面激光诱导荧光显示与测量

介绍了利用丙酮平面激光诱导荧光(PLIF)技术测量自由射流密度场的原理,并对两种射流总压下含有丙酮蒸气示踪剂的欠膨胀自由射流的密度场结构进行了显示.所得图像直观地显示了射流的桶状激波和马赫盘等特征信息,从中可以看出射流欠膨胀度主要影响马赫盘以前的流场,射流欠膨胀度越高,则射流直径越大,马赫盘越远离喷口,桶状激波越向外凸出.为检验丙酮PLIF技术测量密度场的精度,对实验流场进行了数值仿真.仿真所得到的密度场结构以及沿射流轴线的归一化密度变化曲线与实验得到的相应结果符合较好.     

An annual variation analysis of the ionospheric spatial gradient over a regional area for GNSS applications

An ionospheric spatial gradient represents the ionosphere delay difference between different locations, and its variation over a specific area is important for implementing differential GNSS systems. An estimation method for the ionospheric spatial gradient over a small regional area is proposed. A plate map model is implemented for the direct estimation of the gradients. Nine years of GPS data were processed to figure out the annual variation of the mean gradient at the mid-geomagnetic latitude of 30° N. Gradients along the north–south direction have a mean of 0.65 mm/km and follow solar-cycle variations.     

Heading south with a north-up map: A choice processing analysis of map alignment effects

This study employed an information accumulation model of choice reaction times to investigate alignment effects in mental representations of maps. University students studied a map from a single orientation (with north at the top). In a subsequent two-choice reaction time task, the students’ spatial knowledge of the map was assessed employing spatial left/right judgments, which were made from imagined perspectives that were either north-aligned or south-aligned. Data showed a standard alignment effect, favoring north- over south-aligned trials. To examine the locus of this effect, data were fit using the Linear Ballistic Accumulator (LBA) model of speeded decisions (Brown & Heathcote, 2008). Of interest were three model parameters: drift rate, the speed at which evidence accumulates toward a response; response threshold, the amount of evidence demanded from the decision maker before selecting a response; and non-decision time, the time consumed by pre- and postdecisional processes. The best-fitting model suggested that non-decision time accounted for the alignment effect. The difference in non-decision time between north and south-aligned judgments suggests a mental alignment stage on south-aligned trials, accounting for the longer reaction times for judgements misaligned with the presented north orientation of the map.     

Spatial memory exclusivity: Examining performance of multiple object-location memories

Research on location memory suggests that integration of separate sources of information does not occur when recalling the position of a common target object. In a relatively simple task, previous research shows no observable benefit from holding two spatial memories compared to one. It has been suggested that exclusively utilizing only one of two memories may account for this finding. The current research tests the robustness of this idea as well as an alternative in the form of an averaging approach to combining spatial information. The results suggest that exclusivity may not be the best account for performance of multiple object-location memories. Rather, memories may well combine in a manner similar to averaging, where information is available for each memory but combined in a nonbeneficial way.     

Investigating behavioural and computational approaches for defining imprecise regions

People often communicate with reference to informally agreed places, such as “the city centre”. However, views of the spatial extent of such areas may vary, resulting in imprecise regions. We compare perceptions of Sheffield’s City Centre from a street survey to extents derived from various web-based sources. Such automated approaches have advantages of speed, cost and repeatability. We show that footprints from web sources are often in concordance with models derived from more labour-intensive methods. Notable exceptions however were found with sources advertising or selling residential property. Agreement between sources was measured by aggregating them to identify locations of consensus.     

Spatial working memory is enhanced for movement experts in traditional and embodied tasks

Movement experts tend to outperform non-experts on some tasks of spatial ability, suggesting that movement experts possess enhanced spatial-cognitive abilities, which may be developed over years of practice. In the current study, movement experts (dancers and athletes) and non-experts completed one verbal working memory task and two spatial working memory tasks—a traditional Corsi block-tapping task and a new full-bodied version of the Corsi task, nicknamed the “Twister Task.” Movement experts outperformed non-experts on both the Corsi and Twister tasks but not on the verbal task, suggesting that movement experience may relate to spatial working memory specifically. Additionally, the Twister task significantly correlated with the traditional Corsi task, providing validation for a new measure of spatial working memory.     

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.