Human Perception Research Articles

Ordinal information, but not metric information, matters in binding feature with depth location in three-dimensional contexts.

A basic function of human visual perception is the ability to recognize and locate objects in the environment. It has been shown that two-dimensional (2D) location can reliably bias judgments on object identity (spatial congruency bias; Golomb et al., 2014), suggesting that 2D location information is automatically bound with object features to induce such a bias. Although the binding problem of feature and location has been vigorously studied under various 2D settings, it remains unclear how depth location can be bound with object features in a three-dimensional (3D) setting. Here we conducted five experiments in various 3D contexts using the congruency bias paradigm, and found that changes of object's depth location could influence perceptual judgments on object features differently depending on whether its relative depth order with respect to others changed or not. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that the judgments on an object's color could be affected by changes in its ordinal depth, but not by changes in its absolute metric depth. Experiment 3 showed that the bias was asymmetric-changes in an object's color did bias the judgments on metric-depth location, but not if its depth order had changed. Experiments 4 and 5 investigated whether these findings could be generalized to a peripersonal near space and a large-scale far space, respectively, using more ecological virtual environments. Our findings suggest that ordinal depth plays a special role in feature-location binding: an object may be automatically bound with its relative depth relation, but not with its absolute metric-depth location. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

From Avatars to Agents: Self-Related Cues Through Embodiment and Personalization Affect Body Perception in Virtual Reality.

Our work investigates the influence of self-related cues in the design of virtual humans on body perception in virtual reality. In a $2\times 2$ mixed design, 64 participants faced photorealistic virtual humans either as a motion-synchronized embodied avatar or as an autonomous moving agent, appearing subsequently with a personalized and generic texture. Our results unveil that self-related cues through embodiment and personalization yield an individual and complemented increase in participants' sense of embodiment and self-identification towards the virtual human. Different body weight modification and estimation tasks further showed an impact of both factors on participants' body weight perception. Additional analyses revealed that the participant's body mass index predicted body weight estimations in all conditions and that participants' self-esteem and body shape concerns correlated with different body weight perception results. Hence, we have demonstrated the occurrence of double standards through induced self-related cues in virtual human perception, especially through embodiment.

Artificial Tactile Sensory Finger for Contact Pattern Identification Based on High Spatiotemporal Piezoresistive Sensor Array.

Human fingertip tactile perception relies on the activation of densely distributed tactile receptors to identify contact patterns in the brain. Despite significant efforts to integrate tactile sensors with machine learning algorithms for recognizing physical patterns on object surfaces, developing a tactile sensing system that emulates human fingertip capabilities for identifying contact patterns with a high spatiotemporal resolution remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we present the development of an artificial tactile finger for accurate contact pattern identification, achieved through the integration of a high spatiotemporal piezoresistive sensor array (PRSA) and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Spatiotemporal characterization tests reveal that the artificial finger exhibits a fast temporal resolution of approximately 7 ms and achieves a two-point threshold of 1.5 mm, surpassing that of the human fingertip. To compare the performance of the artificial finger with the human finger in recognizing different patterns, we acquired pressure images by pressing the artificial finger, coated with a flexible PRSA film, onto both simple embossed and complex curved patterns while also recording human recognition results of perceiving these patterns. Experimental findings demonstrate that the artificial finger achieves higher classification accuracy in recognizing both simple and complex patterns (99.0 and 96.1%, respectively) compared to the human fingertip (69.1 and 22.7%). This artificial finger serves as a promising platform with great potential for various robotic tactile sensing applications including prosthetics, skin electronics, and robotic surgery.

Bidirectional Photovoltage-Driven Oxide Transistors for Neuromorphic Visual Sensors.

Biological vision is one of the most important parts of the human perception system. However, emulating biological visuals is challenging because it requires complementary photoexcitation and photoinhibition. Here, the study presents a bidirectional photovoltage-driven neuromorphic visual sensor (BPNVS) that is constructed by monolithically integrating two perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with dual-gate ion-gel-gated oxide transistors. PSCs act as photoreceptors, converting external visual stimuli into electrical signals, whereas oxide transistors generate neuromorphic signal outputs that can be adjusted to produce positive and negative photoresponses. This device mimics the human vision system's ability to recognize colored and color-mixed patterns. The device achieves a static color recognition accuracy of 96% by utilizing the reservoir computing system for feature extraction. The BPNVS mem-reservoir chip is also proposed for handing object movement and dynamic color recognition. This work is a significant step forward in neuromorphic sensing and complex pattern recognition.

DOMAIN: Explainable credibility assessment tools for empowering online readers coping with misinformation

Despite all the fact-checking initiatives on news and social media aimed at countering misinformation, they remain insufficient to promptly address the wide array of misleading information disseminated by both news and social media outlets. Rather than attempting to identify or filter misleading information, this work advocates new tools for assisting online readers in identifying misinformation among the massive online content pushed every day through multiple platforms. We introduce DOMAIN, an article assessment resource bundle comprising a multidimensional indicator to categorize articles into different types (hard news, soft news, opinion, satire, and conspiracy), a set of explanatory metrics to help users understand the results, a tool for verifying the reliability of the article’s source, and a text summary of the assessment. This work also studies how DOMAIN tools impact online readers, specifically focusing on i) understanding the extent to which computer-generated assessments influence human perceptions of credibility; ii) evaluating the effectiveness of automatic article categorization in human assessment of credibility; and iii) identifying the most relevant explanatory metrics for promoting informed and critical consumption of information.

Compound prepositions in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Abstract The subject of this study is a particular type of compound preposition found in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The compound consists of a simple preposition followed by a noun which it governs, the noun in question often pertaining to human perception or activity. The membership of this ‘nominal’ prepositional class, as will be seen, is quite extensive, so that the category in question, as well as refining the reach, and extending enormously the range, of prepositional activity, adds a separate, often somewhat picturesque, dimension to syntax in the languages in question.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Auditing and the Future of Human Workforce Replacement

The advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) over the recent years have been drastic and stunning, and they have revolutionized the world in such ways as influencing the advancement of other fields such as accounting. This research paper aims to study the deep influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the auditing profession. They plan to assess the strengths and the existing applications to auditing: machine learning, natural language processing, deep learning, and robotic process automation. These technologies allow the auditors to identify issues that they were previously unable to, or it would have taken them so much of their time to be able to locate. The paper also brings out the various risks related to the application of AI to auditing tasks. Some challenges include data quality and its privacy, ethical dilemmas, opaqueness, and regulatory matters on the use of Artificial Intelligence. Also, the soundness of AI choices and the ability to explain such decisions remain an issue, especially with complex financial data that depend on human perception and experience. Additionally, the paper also examines the possibility of AI imposing to replace human auditors in the future while comparing the technological aspects of the audit together with the humanistic aspects.

Category-dependent contribution of dog facial and bodily cues in human perception of dog emotions

The increasing popularity of human-dog interaction in our society calls for fuller understanding of humans’ ability to appraise dogs’ affective states, yet most research only focuses on recognizing dog facial expressions of primary/basic emotions. While the face is the dominant human emotional expression channel, bodily cues are also informative indicators of dog emotional states. In this online study, with dynamic and naturalistic videos depicting a common range of dog primary (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise) and secondary emotions (appeasement, frustration, pain, positive anticipation, separation-distress), we compared human performance from 447 participants in categorizing dog facial expressions (with a visible dog face only) and bodily expressions (with a visible dog face and body). The analysis revealed when averaging across all tested emotions, bodily expression tended to attract higher categorization accuracy than facial expression. However, the two expression channels demonstrated category-dependent modification of dog emotion categorization accuracy (e.g., higher accuracy in recognizing facial expressions of anger and surprise, but bodily expressions of happiness and fear) and bias (e.g., mistaking fear facial expression as happiness, but fear bodily expression as sadness). Furthermore, the impact of owner experience on recognizing dog emotions was also modulated by the expression channel and emotion category (e.g., prolonged experience with dogs tended to improve performance in recognizing the fear facial expression, and the appeasement bodily expression). Taken together, these results suggest that different channels of emotional expression by dogs may transmit category-specific diagnostic emotional cues, which aid human appraisal of their affective states.

The Role of Sound in Shaping Architectural Spaces: A Multisensory Approach

The integration of sound within the built environment represents a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect of architectural design. This study explores the multifaceted dimensions of sound incorporation, emphasizing its potential to profoundly impact spatial experience and individual well-being. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the study elucidates the diverse roles sound plays in shaping human perception, social interactions, and environmental quality. Sound, as a fundamental element of sensory experience, significantly influences our perception of space and place. Whether through the subtle ambiance of natural sounds or the deliberate orchestration of architectural acoustics, sound has the power to evoke emotions, establish atmosphere, and define spatial boundaries. Incorporating sound consciously into architectural processes presents opportunities to enhance the quality of life for inhabitants. By prioritizing acoustic comfort and fostering sonic diversity, designers can create environments that promote relaxation, productivity, and social cohesion. Furthermore, leveraging technology and design strategies enables the optimization of soundscapes to mitigate negative sounds and improve overall environmental sustainability.

The Experiences and Perceptions of Telehealth in Patients Living With Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

To systematically identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research evidence which examined the impact of telehealth on the experiences and perceptions of patients living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to inform the development of patient-centred telehealth. Qualitative evidence synthesis. CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PUBMED, MEDLINE, EThOS, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Lenus, DART, RIAN and ProQuest were searched for primary qualitative studies undertaken between 2008 and 2023. A thematic synthesis of studies was undertaken to identify descriptive themes relating to patient views. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme framework, and confidence in review findings was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. Four analytical themes were generated (1) telehealth as a facilitator of independence, (2) the influence of patient and healthcare provider relationship on successful engagement with telehealth, (3) usability of telehealth to patients living with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (4) trusting virtual health services and facilitating confidence in the patient/service user. Five descriptive themes emerged: (i) individualised telehealth chronic obstructive pulmonary disease care (ownership and control), (ii) managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, (iii) being heard and feeling understood, (iv) telehealth as an education aid and (v) aging and virtual technology. Understanding the experiences of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their engagement with telehealth is a necessary determinant of how best to utilise telehealth in this population and may serve to inform policymakers to further develop and implement telehealth into practice. Future research on patients and healthcare professionals' views on telehealth use in the palliative stage of this illness may also be valuable. Findings add value by providing healthcare providers with additional evidence to improve understanding of both telehealth complexity and human experiences and perceptions. It is anticipated that a deeper understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' experiences and perceptions will inform the development of strategies to maximise and enhance the application of patient-centred telehealth within the context of coping and living with a debilitating condition. No patient or public contribution was utilised in this study.

POI VizNet: New QGIS Tool to construct Visibility Networks in Cities

Abstract. Network science and graph theory offer attractive models to describe urban phenomena and examine cases of urban planning and design. However, none of the existing network analysis tools consider simultaneously human visual perception and locations of urban activities. In this paper we introduce POI VizNet, a new QGIS plug-in that constructs various 2-dimentianal undirected graphs of unobstructed lines of sight. The plug-in integrates an increasing amount of available GIS-based data of Point Of Interest (POI) and visibility into one readily accessible analytical framework. Graphs are created between two types of decision points during urban travel – street intersections and POIs, origins, and destinations of travel, by connecting these potential observer’s decision locations in an open space between buildings. In addition, POI VizNet provides advanced options to build graphs using a predefined viewing distance and perceptual perspective. Visibility graphs are constructed and visualised as new layers in QGIS and delivered as network files suitable for further exploration, analysis, and visualisation in various network software packages.

Impact of SCN10A Polymorphism on Abdominal Pain Perception and Visceral Hypoalgesia in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Hypoalgesic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may provide critical insights into human abdominal pain. This condition was previously associated with homozygosity for a polymorphism (rs6795970,A1073V;1073val/val) related to Nav1.8, a voltage-gated sodium channel preferentially expressed on nociceptors. It was unclear whether this relationship existed for both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This study evaluated a larger, carefully phenotyped IBD cohort to investigate this question. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs6795970 were compared among study cohorts characterized by concomitant assessment of intestinal inflammatory status and abdominal pain experience. Visceral sensory perception was performed in healthy individuals using rectal balloon distension(RBD). We analyzed 416 IBD patients (261CD:155UC) and 142 healthy controls. In the IBD cohort, 84 individuals (43CD:41UC) were determined to have hypoalgesic disease. The allelic frequency of rs6795970 was significantly higher in hypoalgesic IBD patients when compared to other IBD patients and healthy controls. Hypoalgesic IBD patients were also more likely to be homozygous for this polymorphism when compared to other IBD patients and healthy controls. Hypoalgesic CD (30%vs.12%,p=0.004) and hypoalgesic UC (32%vs.15%,p=0.036) were each significantly more likely to be associated with homozygosity for the rs6795970 polymorphism. In a cohort of healthy individuals(n=50), rs6795970 homozygotes(n=11) also demonstrated reduced abdominal discomfort to RBD. These findings indicate that Nav1.8 plays a key role in human visceral pain perception, and could serve as a novel diagnostic target in the management of hypoalgesic CD and UC, and potential therapeutic target for conditions associated with chronic abdominal pain.

Hand’s Vibration Perception Thresholds—A Systematic Review

The term vibration perception threshold (VPT) refers to the minimum amplitude required for a vibration to be consciously perceived. Knowledge of VPTs can be used to aid in the diagnosis of various pathologies, or to support design decisions during human-machine interface development. However, several factors affect VPT measurements (e.g., contactor size and pressure), thus, comparing VPT results from multiple studies should not be done without considering both the similarities and differences between said studies. This paper presents a systematic review on VPT results obtained across multiple studies, taking into consideration the different factors affecting the values reported in the literature. We intended to answer the following question: “What are the Vibration Perception Thresholds assessed on the glabrous skin of the hands and fingers of healthy humans?” To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt at conducting a systematic review focused specifically on numerical VPT results. Starting from 936 records, VPT results from 37 studies were organized according to various factors (gender, age, probe size, contact pressure, psychophysical method, room temperature, skin temperature, and hand location). This data was organized into a table, the Organization Table that is available for readers. This review can help future researchers and developers working on or working with the topic of human perception of vibrations by examining the factors that affect VPTs and discussing strategies to address them. We offer recommendations for future research and insights on how design engineers can utilize VPTs in the development of new haptic devices.

Research into the Influence Mechanisms of Visual-Comfort and Landscape Indicators of Urban Green Spaces

Urban green spaces play a crucial role in providing social services and enhancing residents’ mental health. It is essential for sustainable urban planning to explore the relationship between urban green spaces and human perceptions, particularly their visual comfort. However, most current research has analyzed green spaces using two-dimensional indicators (remote sensing), which often overlook human visual perceptions. This study combined two-dimensional and three-dimensional methods to evaluate urban green spaces. Additionally, the study employed machine learning to quantify residents’ visual comfort in green-space environments and explored the relationship between green spaces and human visual perceptions. The results indicated that Kitakyushu exhibited a moderate FCV and an extremely low Green View Index (GVI). Yahatanishi-ku was characterized as having the highest visual comfort. Tobata-ku demonstrated the lowest visual comfort. Natural, GVI, openness, enclosure, vegetation diversity, landscape diversity, and NDBI were positively correlated with visual comfort. FCV and ENVI were negatively correlated with visual comfort. Vegetation diversity had the most impact on improving visual comfort. By integrating remote sensing and street-view data, this study introduces a methodology to ensure a more holistic assessment of green spaces. Urban planners could use it to better identify areas with insufficient green space or areas that require improvement in terms of green-space quality. Meanwhile, it could be helpful in providing valuable input for formulating more effective green-space policies and improving overall urban environmental quality. The study provides a scientific foundation for urban planners to improve the planning and construction of healthy and sustainable cities.

Examining Environmental Influences on Pain Perception Using Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) and biophilic design are two emerging areas of research in interior design and medical settings. VR is a rapidly developing technology which has revolutionized the field of interior design. This technology allows designers to create immersive environments that simulate the scale and depth of spaces in reality. Biophilic design focuses on incorporating natural elements into interior spaces to promote a human centered approach to design. Studies have found an association between the use of biophilic design and improvement in patient outcomes within the medical setting. However, little research has been conducted on how changes in the virtual environment may impact pain perception. This study aims to explore the impact of VR and biophilic design on human pain perception. Pain perception was measured via pain-pressure threshold (PPT) using a pressure algometer in kilogram-force (kgf) and Numeric Pain Rating Scales (NPRS). The study involved a series of measurements comparing participants' pain perceptions through PPTs and NPRS scores. Measurements were taken on five separate occasions. The first set of measurements were recorded outside of VR to establish baselines, and the remaining four measurements were taken within VR. Participants viewed a series of VR rooms modeled after a hospital setting with each room exhibiting increasing levels of environmental stimulation. This study examined the relationship between environmental stimuli and pain perception. The level of environmental stimuli that each participant was exposed to was increased by presenting a higher degree of biophilic elements. Biophilic elements incorporate plants, colors, natural materials, and the manipulation of architectural surfaces to provide a naturally calming effect to spaces. Results from this study support the idea that increasing the level of environmental stimuli in a virtual environment decreases the pain perception of those viewing the environment.

Exploring the coherence and divergence between the objective and subjective measurement of streetscape perceptions at the neighborhood level: A case study in Shanghai

Understanding micro-level perceptions of street scenes is highly concerned with residents’ behaviors and socioeconomic outcomes. While many studies rely on objective measures, such as physical features extracted from Street View Imagery (SVI) to proxy perceptions using derived formulas, others employ subjective measures from visual surveys to capture more subtle human perceptions. We argue that the two measurements can diverge significantly over the same perception concept, which might lead to opposite spatial implications in policy if not properly understood. Moreover, as perceptions are often examined individually, few studies have investigated their joint distribution patterns to reflect perceptions’ multi-dimensional nature. To fill the gaps, we collected five pairwise perceptions from SVIs (i.e., complexity, enclosure, greenness, imageability, and walkability) at the neighborhood level in Shanghai. Each perception consists of pairwise values subjectively measured using a GeoAI-based approach and objectively quantified using formulas. We statistically and spatially compared the coherence and divergence of the two measures, further examining the perceptual differences. Advanced techniques including cluster analysis and factor analysis were employed to jointly evaluate their spatial distribution discrepancy. Our results revealed more differences than similarities between the two measures statistically and spatially, confirming any spatial implications concluded from one approach can vary significantly from the other. The joint spatial pattern further corroborated our conclusions. Our study enriches the literature on micro-level street perception measures, uncovers their critical differences to guide future comparative studies, and offers new approaches for urban perception mapping.

A Survey of Multimodal Perception Methods for Human–Robot Interaction in Social Environments

Human–robot interaction (HRI) in human social environments (HSEs) poses unique challenges for robot perception systems, which must combine asynchronous, heterogeneous data streams in real time. Multimodal perception systems are well-suited for HRI in HSEs and can provide more rich, robust interaction for robots operating among humans. In this article, we provide an overview of multimodal perception systems being used in HSEs, which is intended to be an introduction to the topic and summary of relevant trends, techniques, resources, challenges, and terminology. We surveyed 15 peer-reviewed robotics and HRI publications over the past 10+ years, providing details about the data acquisition, processing, and fusion techniques used in 65 multimodal perception systems across various HRI domains. Our survey provides information about hardware, software, datasets, and methods currently available for HRI perception research, as well as how these perception systems are being applied in HSEs. Based on the survey, we summarize trends, challenges, and limitations of multimodal human perception systems for robots, then identify resources for researchers and developers and propose future research areas to advance the field.

Local contour features contribute to figure-ground segregation in monkey V4 neural populations and human perception

Figure-ground (FG) segregation is a crucial step towards the recognition of objects in natural scenes. Gestalt psychologists have emphasized the importance of contour features in perception of FG. Recent electrophysiological studies have identified a neural population in V4 that shows FG-dependent modulation (FG neurons). However, whether the contour features contribute to the modulation of the response patterns of the neural population remains unclear. In the present study, we quantified the contour features associated with Gestalt factors in local natural stimuli and examined whether salient contour-features evoked reliable perceptual and neural responses by analyzing response consistency (stability) across trials. The results showed the tendency that the more salient contour-features evoked the greater consistencies in the perceptual FG judgments and population-based neural responses in FG determination; a greater partial correlation for curvature and weaker correlations for closure and parallelism. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that the perceptual consistency depended similarly on curvature and closure, and the neural consistency depended significantly on curvature but weakly on closure. We further observed a strong correlation between the consistencies in the perceptual and neural responses, i.e., stimuli that evoked more stable percepts tended to evoke more stable neural responses. These results indicate that local contour-features modulate the responses of the neural population in V4 and contribute to the perception of FG organization.

Анализ рынка нейромаркетинговых технологий и оценка их роли в повышении эффективности восприятия контента

The results of a study of the dynamics of the global market of neuromarketing technologies, in particular the market of eye movement tracking technology (eyetracking), are presented. The conclusion is made about the existing positive dynamics: in recent years, the market has been showing annual growth and, according to experts, by 2032 it may reach a value of $ 3.2 billion.; as well as the high demand for neuromarketing technologies in various fields such as healthcare, retail, the gaming industry, automotive, advertising, etc., due to the growing needs of businesses in monitoring consumer behavior, uncovering subconscious motives and emotional triggers in order to adapt company strategies to the needs of the target audience. The analysis of the market structure by region is carried out: the largest market share belongs to North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. The dominant regions in the eyetracking market are North America and Europe. Neuromarketing tools are applicable for conducting research and experiments in various fields and allow you to measure responses to product advertising, packaging, price, ease of use, assessment of emotional state, as well as human perception of content posted on a website, advertising surface or presentation slides. Experiments with the use of trackers make it possible to understand how a person perceives information, what he reads first of all, what he looks at. The results of existing experiments with the use of eye trackers allow you to make decisions about content and its rational placement on the surface (slides, website, advertising banners, etc.), maximizing meaningful interaction. Further research and experiments are needed to optimize marketing efforts and increase the effectiveness of interaction with consumers.

An Introduction to the Modular Forensic Handwriting Method

ABSTRACTThe forensic examination of handwriting utilizes complex human perceptual and cognitive processes that can be difficult to accurately and validly describe since, for the most part, these processes are unseen. The series of articles published in this WIREs special issue present the agreed general approach that government practitioners in Australia use in the majority of the handwriting comparisons that they carry out. The systematic modular approach is informed by research and developments in the fields of motor control of handwriting, human factors, validation of handwriting examination, and evidence evaluation and reporting. The method is based around a process outline which structures the comparison process and provides the reader with a guide to the tasks to undertake and issues to consider at the different stages commonly worked through in practical handwriting examinations. Where decision or assessment points occur within the course of the method, a series of modules have been developed which describe the nature of the matter under consideration and address relevant theoretical and practical issues. Each module (published as an article in this special issue) is, as far as is practical, independent of other modules in the method. This will facilitate changes in the process over time that may result from theoretical, practical or technological advances in the field. The document as a whole can be used by practitioners actively involved in casework, or individuals such as researchers, academics, and legal professionals with an interest in understanding or exploring aspects of the practice of forensic handwriting examination.