Do we know what we're simulating?:information loss on transferring unconscious perceptual simulation to conscious imagery

Perceptual simulations are unconscious and automatic, whereas perceptual imagery is conscious and deliberate, but it is unclear how easily one can transfer perceptual information from unconscious to conscious awareness. We investigated whether it is possible to be aware of what one is mentally representing; that is, whether it is possible to consciously examine the contents of a perceptual simulation without information being lost. Studies 1 and 2 found that people cannot accurately evaluate the perceptual content of a representation unless attention is explicitly drawn to each modality individually. In particular, when asked to consider sensory experience as a whole, modality-specific auditory, gustatory, and haptic information is neglected, and olfactory and visual information distorted. Moreover, information loss is greatest for perceptually complex, multimodal simulations. Study 3 examined if such information loss leads to behavioral consequences by examining performance during lexical decision, a task whose semantic effects emerge from automatic access to the full potential of unconscious perceptual simulation. Results showed that modality-specific perceptual strength consistently outperformed modality-general sensory experience ratings in predicting latency and accuracy, which confirms that the effects of Studies 1 and 2 are indeed due to information being lost in the transfer to conscious awareness. These findings suggest that people indeed have difficulty in transferring perceptual information from unconscious simulation to conscious imagery. People cannot be aware of the full contents of a perceptual simulation because the act of bringing it to awareness leads to systematic loss of information

Optimizing Bus Routes in Nicosia

In this report the conclusions by the team of experts that took the ”Trans- portation Organization of the Nicosia District (OSEL)” challenge are provided. The challenge was to identify ways to improve efficiency of the bus network and increase the utilization of the network by the public. A thorough analysis of the various factors that affect bus route planning is provided. Moreover, a demonstration of a simplified route planning problem is described in order to motivate further work on this topic. Recommendations are provided to the company on the way to move forward towards solving the problem of creating a bus network with increased efficiency and grater appeal to the public. Specific recommendations include the collection of a larger amounts of data that can be used to generate models used in simulation analysis. Data include demographic data on bus usage and bus usage preferences by the public. In addition, data is required on bus travel times, walking distance to the nearest bus stop by the commuter, and traffic data

The curious case of the refrigerator-TV: similarity and hybridization

This paper examines the role of similarity in the hybridization of concepts, focusing on hybrid products as an applied test case. Hybrid concepts found in natural language, such as singer songwriter, typically combine similar concepts, whereas dissimilar concepts rarely form hybrids. The hybridization of dissimilar concepts in products such as jogging shoe mp3 player, and refrigerator TV thus poses a challenge for understanding the process of conceptual combination. It is proposed that models of conceptual combination can throw light on the judged future success and desirability of hybrid products in general. The composite prototype model proposes two stages of conceptual combination. In the first stage, the concepts are aggregated into an additive hybrid, simply by forming the union of the two sets of attributes. In the second stage, any conflicting attributes are identified and resolved, often with the introduction of emergent attributes, resulting in an integrative hybrid. Across four studies that varied the similarity and type of hybrid products, similar and integrative hybrids were valued more than dissimilar and additive hybrids. Critically, though, dissimilar hybrids were also highly valued if they were integrative. Results supported the two stages proposed by the composite prototype model, and implications for other models of hybrid formation are discussed

Hopewell Archeology: Volume 1, Number 1, May 1995

1. Editorial Policy and Numbering Procedure This newsletter is intended to provide an informal forum for distributing and exchanging news about research, data, interpretation, public education, and events relating to Hopewell archeology in the Ohio River valley. It will promote the study of Hopewell archeology, cooperation between researchers, and public education about Hopewell archeology. The Newsletter is a joint effort of the Midwest Archeological Center in Lincoln, Nebraska and Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe, Ohio. Hopewell Archeology is published twice a year, and is numbered consecutively. Hopewell Archeology publishes short news items, book reviews, short research papers and research notes relating to Hopewell archeology in the Ohio River valley. Information about other Middle Woodland cultures that relate to the Hopewell will also be considered for publication. Items for potential inclusion to the newsletter may be submitted to either office. 2. From the Editor, Mark J. Lynott When I first visited Ross County in 1978, I felt very fortunate to get to see some of the Hopewell sites which are so well known in North American archeology. I was very impressed with the number, size and configuration of the earthworks that had been described by Squier and Davis in 1848. At that time, the National Park Service was involved in what they called a new area study of the Hopeton Earthworks. The Hopeton Earthworks was recommended for inclusion in the National Park System as an important manifestation of the Hopewell culture, and because the Hopewell culture remains a fascinating and important part of humanity\u27s past. 3. 1992 Legislation Means Change On May 27, 1992, Public Law 102-294 mandated significant changes for Mound City Group National Monument and Hopewell archeology. In addition to changing the name of Mound City Group National Monument to Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, it expands the boundary of the park to include: a. additions to Hopeton Earthworks, b. High Banks Works, c. Hopewell Mound Group, d. Seip Earthworks. 4. Profile of an Archeologist: Bret J. Ruby On January 23, 1995, Bret J. Ruby started a new phase in his life when he began his duties as Park Archeologist at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. Bret was hired as part of the National Park Service\u27s Cultural Resources Professionalization Initiative. This initiative is designed to improve cultural resource management in the parks by increasing the number of professionals assigned to park staffs. 5. Research Notes Hopeton In August, 1994, Mark Lynott (NPS) directed a crew from the Midwest Archeological Center in test excavations. The testing was conducted in the area where the parallel walls entered the floodplain of the Scioto River. Fifteen square meters were excavated, and a light scatter of habitation debris was found across the entire landform. A single pit feature containing firecracked rock, macrobotanical remains, and a small amount of lithic debris was exposed. Analysis of this material is ongoing at the Midwest Archeological Center. Further studies relating to Hopeton will continue in 1995. 6. 1995 Research at the Hopeton Earthworks The National Park Service and The Ohio State University are planning a cooperative research program at a site near the Hopeton Earthworks. The site is located on lands owned by the Chillicothe Sand and Gravel Company, who have agreed to make the site available for research. The Ohio State University will offer a fieldschool in archeological methods, and the National Park Service will provide equipment and personnel to participate in the research. The project will begin June 19, 1995 and continue through July 25, 1995. The National Park Service plans to sponsor a series of public lectures in association with the field school. 7. Recent Archeological Explorations at the Newark Earthworks By Dr. Bradley Lepper of the Ohio Historical Society In 1815, Robert Walsh, Jr. made a map of the Newark Earthworks which represents one of the earliest efforts to record the grand complex of Hopewellian geometric enclosures in the Raccoon Creek valley. This map, while neither remarkably accurate, nor complete, is significant for historical reasons certainly, but also because Walsh made observations which document features not noted by previous or subsequent students of the Newark Works. Recent developments at Octagon State Memorial afforded the opportunity for archeologists from the Ohio Historical Society (OHS) to look for surviving traces of one of these features. 8. Ceramic Compositional Analysis 9. Hopewell Archeology at the British Museum 10. Education: Reaching Out to Schools 11. Investigations at the Flint Ridge State Memorial, Ohio, 1987-1988 By Richard W. Yerkes, Ohio State University 12. Meeting and Events Calende