Visual Experience Research Articles

Color/Transparent Bi‐Customizable Solar Antifogging Nanofilms

AbstractAlmost all reported solar anti‐/defogging surfaces are black and opaque. However, aesthetics and transparency are preferred to enhance security, privacy, and visual experience without sacrificing antifogging in some practical scenarios, such as automotive windshields, architectural glass facades, and sports goggles. Herein, a color and transparency bi‐customizable solar antifogging heterostructure nanofilms is reported, which only consists of a Ti–TiOx layer for partial visible light transmission and a narrow bandgap Ti2O3 layer for broadband sunlight absorption. By precisely controlling each monolayer thickness, various vibrant structural colors (covering yellow/green/purple/blue) through interference effects, along with tunable visible light transparency (from 0% to 30%), and broadband solar absorption (up to 90%) are obtained, providing personalized options for various applications. Simultaneously, the nanofilms exhibit remarkable photothermal performance (110.3 °C under 1 kW m−2 irradiation) compared to blank samples, demonstrating sustained and superior defogging (3.5‐fold improvement) and antifogging capabilities, even in extremely cold (–20 °C) or high temperature and high humidity (50 °C, 100%) conditions. Importantly, the nanofilms are just 174 nm thick, and can be easily upgraded and scalable fabricated by sputtering on various rigid, flexible and portable substrates, such as glass, metals, textiles, plastics, enabling a wide range of direct applications.

Refractive and ocular motor status in autistic adults without learning disabilities: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Refractive and ocular motor anomalies may be more prevalent among autistic adults without learning disabilities, compared to a non-autistic clinical population. In line with current guidance, optometrists should exclude these anomalies prior to prescribing tinted lenses. Background Autistic adults report various visual experiences with largely negative consequences on daily living. Some of these overlap with symptoms of refractive and ocular motor anomalies. Therefore, this study investigated refractive and ocular motor status, and pattern glare, in autistic adults without learning disabilities. The impact of appropriate treatment on visual experiences was explored. Methods Twenty four autistic adults, aged 19–67 years, underwent an eye examination involving refraction, ocular motor and pattern glare assessments. Based on pre-determined criteria, anomalies were treated with spectacles, orthoptic exercises, or tinted lenses. Participants completed three questionnaires (Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire, Visual Function Index and Convergence Insufficiency Symptoms Survey) at the start and end of the study to assess the impact of treatment. Results Relative to population norms, a notable proportion of participants had: a significant change in refractive correction (83.3%); accommodative infacility (72.7%); convergence insufficiency (37.5%); uncompensated distance dissociated heterophoria (33.3%); significant accommodative inaccuracy (27.2%); and positive pattern glare (25%). All participants required treatment. 16.7% were given orthoptic exercises only. New spectacles were dispensed to 79.2%, followed by 16.7% requiring orthoptic exercises and 4.2% dispensed tinted lenses. Questionnaire scores did not significantly change post-treatment. Conclusion This exploratory study suggests autistic adults may be more likely to present with refractive, ocular motor and pattern glare issues. Impacts on autistic visual sensory experiences, vision-related quality of life and visual function remain unclear. Pattern Glare Test scores of autistic adults appear to be reduced by appropriate refractive and/or ocular motor management. Therefore, optometrists should take a conservative approach, managing refraction and ocular motor status of autistic patients prior to considering tinted lenses.

3D Multiview Holographic Display with Wide Field of View Based on Metasurface

Abstract3D display technology offers a more realistic visual experience by allowing users to perceive depth and spatial awareness, enhancing interactivity and immersion. Among various approaches, multiview display technology constructs 3D images by offering multiple smooth views along the horizontal plane. Metasurfaces, with ultra‐thin physical structures and flexible functional designs, are positioned to make significant contributions to the evolution of 3D display technologies. Here, a 3D multiview holographic display system based on metasurfaces is proposed. Using generalized Snell's law, a spatially multiplexed metasurface is designed with nine views and achieves 3D display by cascading the metasurface with a spatial light modulator (SLM). By projecting holograms onto different areas of the metasurface via the SLM, corresponding reconstructed images can be observed from specific designed directions. Thanks to the large numerical aperture (NA) of the metasurface, the system successfully achieves nine views within a 120° field of view (FOV, with a theoretical maximum of 180°), validated experimentally. This system promises potential applications in VR/AR display, surgical navigation, geographic information system (GIS), and other fields.

Sensory experience steers representational drift in mouse visual cortex

Representational drift—the gradual continuous change of neuronal representations—has been observed across many brain areas. It is unclear whether drift is caused by synaptic plasticity elicited by sensory experience, or by the intrinsic volatility of synapses. Here, using chronic two-photon calcium imaging in primary visual cortex of female mice, we find that the preferred stimulus orientation of individual neurons slowly drifts over the course of weeks. By using cylinder lens goggles to limit visual experience to a narrow range of orientations, we show that the direction of drift, but not its magnitude, is biased by the statistics of visual input. A network model suggests that drift of preferred orientation largely results from synaptic volatility, which under normal visual conditions is counteracted by experience-driven Hebbian mechanisms, stabilizing preferred orientation. Under deprivation conditions these Hebbian mechanisms enable adaptation. Thus, Hebbian synaptic plasticity steers drift to match the statistics of the environment.

DARKNESS MATTERS

Darkness Matters displays historic lightscapes, specifically at night, from petroglyphs to James Webb Telescope images. The exposition constructs a sort of cabinet of curiosities and wants to take the visitor on a private journey to a virtual exhibition space to re-embrace the endeavors under and around the nocturnal vault, an underrepresented micro-story of our times. By researching archive material, image recordings and other available data Costanza Julia Bani creates speculative reconstructions of our nights and our relationship to the universe behind the sky we can see with our naked eye. Starting from fireflies in olive groves, alpine forests and the Milky Way, the exposition becomes a visual experience around darknesses and light pollution that has been transforming our nocturnal habitat since the introduction of artificial light.

On prior visual experience in mental map navigation using allocentric and egocentric perspectives in the visually impaired.

Using new developments in the mental comparison task paradigm, this study addresses the question of the influence of prior visual experience in the natural use of mental perspective to achieve mental spatial tasks without any protocol-imposed perspective. During the experiment, 39 participants (11 early blind, 13 late blind, and 15 blindfolded-sighted) explored two corridor maps to memorise the spatial arrangement of 10 objects disposed along corridors. After the learning phase, several tasks addressing spatial memory and reasoning used in the mental spatial representation were performed. Blindfolded-sighted participants preferred an egocentric perspective, while the two visually impaired groups showed no overriding preference between egocentric and allocentric perspectives. Results showed a performance advantage for egocentric over allocentric perspectives, regardless of visual experience. Our results shed light on previous assumptions regarding cognitive mental map construction, suggesting the need to reflect on previous results and their dependence on imposed mental perspectives.

Research on Target Image Classification in Low-Light Night Vision.

In extremely dark conditions, low-light imaging may offer spectators a rich visual experience, which is important for both military and civic applications. However, the images taken in ultra-micro light environments usually have inherent defects such as extremely low brightness and contrast, a high noise level, and serious loss of scene details and colors, which leads to great challenges in the research of low-light image and object detection and classification. The low-light night vision image used as the study object in this work has an excessively dim overall picture and very little information about the screen's features. Three algorithms, HE, AHE, and CLAHE, were used to enhance and highlight the image. The effectiveness of these image enhancement methods is evaluated using metrics such as the peak signal-to-noise ratio and mean square error, and CLAHE was selected after comparison. The target image includes vehicles, people, license plates, and objects. The gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was used to extract the texture features of the enhanced images, and the extracted image texture features were used as input to construct a backpropagation (BP) neural network classification model. Then, low-light image classification models were developed based on VGG16 and ResNet50 convolutional neural networks combined with low-light image enhancement algorithms. The experimental results show that the overall classification accuracy of the VGG16 convolutional neural network model is 92.1%. Compared with the BP and ResNet50 neural network models, the classification accuracy was increased by 4.5% and 2.3%, respectively, demonstrating its effectiveness in classifying low-light night vision targets.

Cybersickness Abatement from Repeated Exposure to VR with Reduced Discomfort.

Cybersickness, or sickness induced by virtual reality (VR), negatively impacts the enjoyment and adoption of the technology. One method that has been used to reduce sickness is repeated exposure to VR, herein Cybersickness Abatement from Repeated Exposure (CARE). However, high sickness levels during repeated exposure may discourage some users from returning. Field of view (FOV) restriction reduces cybersickness by minimizing visual motion in the periphery, but also negatively affects the user's visual experience. This study explored whether CARE that occurs with FOV restriction generalizes to a full FOV experience. Participants played a VR game for up to 20 minutes. Those in the Repeated Exposure Condition played the same VR game on four separate days, experiencing FOV restriction during the first three days and no FOV restriction on the fourth day. Results indicated significant CARE with FOV restriction (Days 1-3). Further, cybersickness on Day 4, without FOV restriction, was significantly lower than that of participants in the Single Exposure Condition, who experienced the game without FOV restriction only on one day. The current findings show that significant CARE can occur while experiencing minimal cybersickness. Results are considered in the context of multiple theoretical explanations for CARE, including sensory rearrangement, adaptation, habituation, and postural control.

Visual experience shapes bodily representation of emotion.

Philosophers and experimentalists have long debated whether bodily representation of emotion is grounded in our sensory experience. Indeed, we are used to observe emotional reactions expressed through the bodies of others, yet it is still unknown whether this observation influences how we experience affective states in our own bodies. To delve into this question, we developed a naturalistic haptic task and asked a group of early (n = 20) and late (n = 20) blind, as well as sighted individuals (n = 20) to indicate where in the body they perceive changes associated with affective states. Our results show that visual experience shapes bodily representation of emotion. Blind and sighted individuals attribute different importance to body regions in relation to specific emotional states, as sighted people focus more on visceral sensations, while blind report as more relevant the mouth and the hand areas. We also observe differences in the coherence of bodily maps of specific emotions, such as aggressiveness, for which early and late blind are homogenous in reporting the mouth, while sighted subjects demonstrate a scattered pattern of activation across the body. Finally, our findings show that blind people rely on a different organization of affect, as only sighted categorize bodily maps of emotion through the valence and arousal dimensions. In summary, we demonstrate that sensory experience impacts the bodily representation of affect by modulating the relevance that different body parts have in emotional reactions, modifying the weights attributed to interoceptive and exteroceptive signals, and changing how emotions are conceptualized in the body. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for Visual Experience Shapes Bodily Representation of Emotion

Supplemental Material for Visual Experience Shapes Bodily Representation of Emotion

Thalamic Roles in Conscious Perception Revealed by Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation.

The neural basis of conscious perception remains incompletely understood. While cortical mechanisms of conscious content have been extensively investigated, the role of subcortical structures, including the thalamus, remains less explored. We aim to elucidate the causal contributions of different thalamic regions to conscious perception using transcranial low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) neuromodulation. We hypothesize that modulating different thalamic regions would result in distinct perceptual outcomes. We apply LIFU in human volunteers to investigate region-specific and sonication parameter-dependent effects. We target anterior (transmodal-dominant) and posterior (unimodal-dominant) thalamic regions, further divided into ventral and dorsal regions, while participants perform a near-threshold visual perception task. Task performance is evaluated using Signal Detection Theory metrics. We find that the high duty cycle stimulation of the ventral anterior thalamus enhanced object recognition sensitivity. We also observe a general (i.e., region-independent) effect of LIFU on decision bias (i.e., a tendency toward a particular response) and object categorization accuracy. Specifically, high duty cycle stimulation decreases categorization accuracy, whereas low duty cycle shifts decision bias towards a more conservative stance. In conclusion, our results provide causal insight into the functional organization of the thalamus in shaping human visual experience and highlight the unique role of the transmodal-dominant ventral anterior thalamus.

Concurrent perception of competing predictions: A "split-stimulus effect".

Visual illusions are systematic misperceptions that can help us glean the heuristics with which the brain constructs visual experience. In a recently discovered visual illusion (the "frame effect"), it has been shown that flashing a stimulus inside of a moving frame produces a large misperception of that stimulus's position. Across two experiments, we investigated a novel illusion (the "split stimulus effect") where the symmetrical motion of two overlaid frames produces two simultaneous positional misperceptions of a single stimulus. That is, one stimulus is presented but two are perceived. In both experiments, a single red dot was flashed when the moving frames reversed direction, and participants were asked to report how many dots they saw. Naïve participants sometimes reported seeing two dots when only one was presented, indicating spontaneous perception of the illusion. A Bayesian analysis of the population prevalence of this effect was conducted. The dependence of this effect on the frames' speed, the dot's opacity, spatial attention, as the presence/absence of pre-flash motion ("postdiction") was also investigated, and the features of this illusion were compared to similar motion position illusions within a predictive processing framework. In demonstrating this illusory "splitting" effect, this study is the first to show that it is possible to be simultaneously aware of two opposing perceptual predictions about a single object and provides evidence of the hyperpriors that limit and inform the structure of visual experience.

The visual experience dataset: Over 200 recorded hours of integrated eye movement, odometry, and egocentric video.

We introduce the Visual Experience Dataset (VEDB), a compilation of more than 240hours of egocentric video combined with gaze- and head-tracking data that offer an unprecedented view of the visual world as experienced by human observers. The dataset consists of 717 sessions, recorded by 56 observers ranging from 7 to 46 years of age. This article outlines the data collection, processing, and labeling protocols undertaken to ensure a representative sample and discusses the potential sources of error or bias within the dataset. The VEDB's potential applications are vast, including improving gaze-tracking methodologies, assessing spatiotemporal image statistics, and refining deep neural networks for scene and activity recognition. The VEDB is accessible through established open science platforms and is intended to be a living dataset with plans for expansion and community contributions. It is released with an emphasis on ethical considerations, such as participant privacy and the mitigation of potential biases. By providing a dataset grounded in real-world experiences and accompanied by extensive metadata and supporting code, the authors invite the research community to use and contribute to the VEDB, facilitating a richer understanding of visual perception and behavior in naturalistic settings.

Development of a virtual teaching module for advanced semiconductor fabrication and its learning effectiveness analysis

AbstractSemiconductor fabrication is the process of manufacturing semiconductor devices, typically integrated circuits (ICs) such as microprocessors and memory. This involves transferring circuit diagrams onto a silicon wafer using photomasks and photoresists. After a series of fabrication processes, ICs are created on the wafer surface and then diced into individual chips, which are packaged and tested with quality control procedures to become the final products. Virtual reality (VR) simulates imaginary experiences or environments difficult to achieve in the real world through human senses and immersive equipment, allowing users to interact in a virtual 3D space in real time, making it well suited for applications in science education and industrial training. This study transforms the essential knowledge of advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes into an easily understandable virtual teaching module, thereby creating educational resources for high school and college students. The objective is to enhance their scientific and technological literacy, yielding substantial benefits for the general public. This study utilized VR technology to simplify and clarify the knowledge about the semiconductor manufacturing process, making it more engaging for learners. The virtual teaching module's learning content includes an overview of wafer preparation, semiconductor fabrication, chip packaging, and IC testing. Users can interact with the virtual teaching module and conduct virtual experiments to enhance their understanding by trial and error. Experimental results show that it can improve students' learning achievement and learning motivation. Therefore, the virtual teaching module is suitable for high‐school students and the general public to understand semiconductor technology and its applications. The effectiveness of the virtual teaching module is heavily dependent on the availability and quality of VR hardware and software. Limited access to advanced VR equipment or technical issues could have affected the learning experience, thereby influencing the learning outcomes.

Feeling senseless sensations: a crossmodal EEG study of mismatched tactile and visual experiences in virtual reality.

To create highly immersive experiences in virtual reality (VR) it is
important to not only include the visual sense but also to involve multimodal sensory
input. To achieve optimal results, the temporal and spatial synchronization of these
multimodal inputs is critical. It is therefore necessary to find methods to objectively
evaluate the synchronization of VR experiences with a continuous tracking of the
user. In this study a passive touch experience was incorporated in a visual-tactile
VR setup using VR glasses and tactile sensations in mid-air. Inconsistencies of
multimodal perception were intentionally integrated into a discrimination task. The
participants' electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded to obtain neural correlates of
visual-tactile mismatch situations. The results showed significant differences in the
event-related potentials (ERP) between match and mismatch situations. A biphasic
ERP configuration consisting of a positivity at 120 ms and a later negativity at 370 ms
was observed following a visual-tactile mismatch. This late negativity could be related
to the N400 that is associated with semantic incongruency. These results provide a
promising approach towards the objective evaluation of visual-tactile synchronization
in virtual experiences.

Vision-sharing system for android avatars to enable remote eye contact

Maintaining eye contact is a fundamental aspect of non-verbal communication, yet current remote communication tools, such as video calls, struggle to replicate the natural eye contact experienced in face-to-face interactions. This study presents a cutting-edge vision-sharing system for android avatars that enables remote eye contact by synchronizing the eye movements of the operator and the avatar. Our innovative system features an eyeball integrated with a wide-angle lens camera, meticulously designed to mimic human eyes in both appearance and functionality. This technology is seamlessly integrated into android avatars, enabling operators to perceive the avatar’s surroundings as if physically present. It provides a stable and immersive visual experience through a head-mounted display synchronized with the avatar’s gaze direction. Through rigorous experimental evaluations, we demonstrated the system’s ability to faithfully replicate the operator’s perspective through the avatar, making eye contact more intuitive and effortless compared with conventional methods. Subjective assessments further validated the system’s capacity to reduce operational workload and enhance user experience. These compelling findings underscore the potential of our vision-sharing system to elevate the realism and efficacy of remote communication using android avatars.

7604 Examining Disparities in Diabetes Control and Complications: A Comparative Study of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Rural and Urban Saudi Arabia

Abstract Disclosure: S.F. Alqifari: None. O. Alkomi: None. P. Amirthalingam: None. T. Alrasheed: None. M. Muqresh: None. H. Hamad: None. A. Khojah: None. N. Alshehri: None. B. Alhunayhani: None. B. AbuAlhasan: None. N. Alajlan: None. S. Alatawi: None. N. Alsabeelah: None. A. Wasel: None. A. Alqifari: None. Background: The escalating global prevalence of diabetes is also mirrored in Saudi Arabia. Approximately one in four individuals in the country is diagnosed with diabetes, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Ministry of Health has taken steps to address the needs of patients with diabetes by creating more than 20 specialized diabetes care centers in various regions throughout Saudi Arabia. However, disparities in access and utilization of primary healthcare facilities persist between rural and urban provinces within the country. Highlighting these disparities would bridge healthcare gaps between rural and urban areas to enhance diabetes management, ensure better access to specialized care, and improve the overall well-being of individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study aims to examine disparities in diabetes control and complications in patients with T2DM in rural and urban Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is an observational retrospective study conducted from November 2022 until May 2023, we collected data from 13 diabetes care centers across Saudi Arabia to assess diabetes control and complications of T2DM among patients who received their care in rural and urban Saudi Arabia. Results: Among 709 patients residing in rural and urban areas, rural area patients' recent HbA1c readings were generally within the range of 7-8%. Among these patients, around 2.6% had a history of heart disease, and 6.08% had experienced cerebrovascular events. Limb numbness was reported by 44.34% of subjects, 47.82% experienced vision complications, and renal impairment was observed in 10.43% of the participants. Additionally, among male patients, 26.41% suffered from erectile dysfunction. Remarkably, 21% of the rural patients reported having been hospitalized due to diabetes complications at least once in the past 12 months. Conclusion: The study findings emphasize the importance of considering regional disparities and socio-environmental factors when managing diabetes and its complications. Additional research is needed to understand the underlying causes and develop targeted interventions for improved diabetes care in rural and urban populations in Saudi Arabia. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Research of Surface Materials for Children’s Household Medical Products Based on Visual and Tactile Experience

Research of Surface Materials for Children’s Household Medical Products Based on Visual and Tactile Experience

Psychedelic: An Illustration that Reveals False Power in Rhythm 0 Performance Art

The performance art entitled Rhythm 0 by Marina Abramovic is controversial, raising various questions regarding its power and influence in the context of art. This research aims to illustrate the microphysical approach to power in the performing arts Rhythm 0, where power emerges from fear and shifts to the dominance of the ideology of power. A qualitative approach with visual analysis techniques was used in this research to explain the phenomenon of this performing arts from a very subjective view. This created illustration entitled "Psychedelic" reveals false powers in the form of intense hallucinations involving auditory, visual and feeling experiences in the Rhythm 0. The basic principles of art were used as the basis for creating this illustrative work. In this case, the use of gold leaf, peony flower elements and halos in the illustration also has a solid symbolic value, so semiotics is used as a basis for giving meaning to the symbols used. The results of this research show that the apparent power contained in the Rhythm 0 performing arts can be revealed through an illustration entitled "Psychedelic", which describes the context of the artwork in depth. This research contributes to understanding Rhythm 0's artwork and enriches knowledge about using psychedelic illustrations as a medium for artistic expression. This research also highlights how these illustrations can communicate complex themes in the performing arts, strengthening our understanding of power dynamics in arts contexts.

Children’s Plight to Life of Poverty and Injustice Captured in F.H. Batacan’s Smaller and Smaller Circles

This research paper analyzes how children's experiences of poverty and injustice are imagined and articulated in F. H. Batacan's novel Smaller and Smaller Circles. By employing content analysis, passages and excerpts from the novel were identified and subjected to in-depth analysis using sociological and philosophical approaches to literary criticism. The study aims to explore the novel’s portrayal of the causes and effects of these experiences, and how it reflects the broader discourse on the morality of children's suffering. The findings reveal that the novel imagines children's experiences of poverty and injustice as resulting from a complex interplay of societal norms, such as generational responsibility, the culture of silence, and toxic masculinity. Institutional failures, including the church’s complicity, inefficient law enforcement, and barangay deficiencies, further exacerbate these conditions. Additionally, media and societal attitudes, particularly misplaced faith and victim blaming, contribute to the perpetuation of these harmful conditions. The novel portrays these imagined experiences as leading to psychosocial trauma, delayed or denied justice, delinquency, and even suicide. Through this portrayal, the novel positions itself within the discourse on the morality of children's suffering, raising questions about the ethical implications of these societal failures.