Biology subjects

Smale, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Smale, N..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Visual Perception of 3D Space and Shape in Time - Part III: 2D Shape Recognition by Log-Scaling

Human vision has a remarkable ability to recognize complex 3D objects such as faces that appear with any size and 3D orientations at any 3D location. If we initially memorize a face only with a normalized size and viewed from directly head on, the direct comparison between the one-sized memory and a new incoming image would demand tremendous mental frame translations in 7D. How can we perform such a demanding task so promptly and reliably as we experience the objects in the world around us? Intriguingly, our primary visual cortex exhibits a 2D retinotopy with a log-polar coordinate system, where scaling up/down of shape is converted to linear frame translation. As a result, mental scaling can be performed by linearly translating the memory or the perceptual image until they overlap with each other. According to our new model of NHT (Neural Holography Tomography), alpha brainwaves traveling at a constant speed can conduct this linear translation. With this scheme, every scaling up/down by a factor of two should take the same amount of extra mental time to recognize a smaller/larger face. To test this hypothesis, we designed a reaction time (RT) experiment, where participants were first asked to memorize sets of unfamiliar faces with a given specific size (4{degrees} or 8{degrees}). Following the memorization phase, similar stimuli with a wide range of sizes (from 1{degrees} to 32{degrees}) were presented, and RTs were recorded. As predicted, the increase in RT was proportional to the scaling factor in the log scale. Furthermore, we observed that RTs were fastest for 8{degrees} faces even if the memorized face was 4{degrees}. This supports our hypothesis that we always memorize faces at the exact size of ~8 {degrees}. To our surprise, the increases in RT were also consistent with the mentally-estimated depth sensation, which indicates that the apparent size of the recognized face can create a proper depth sensation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

The History, Advocacy and Efficacy of Data Management Plans

Data management plans (DMPs) have increasingly been encouraged as a key component of institutional and funding body policy. Although DMPs necessarily place administrative burden on researchers, proponents claim that DMPs have myriad benefits, including enhanced research data quality, increased rates of data sharing, and institutional planning and compliance benefits.\n\nIn this manuscript, we explore the international history of DMPs and describe institutional and funding body DMP policy. We find that economic and societal benefits from presumed increased rates of data sharing was the original driver of mandating DMPs by funding bodies. Today, 86% of UK Research Councils and 63% of US funding bodies require submission of a DMP with funding applications. Given that no major Australian funding bodies require DMP submission, it is of note that 37% of Australian universities have taken the initiative to internally mandate DMPs.\n\nInstitutions both within Australia and internationally frequently promote the professional benefits of DMP use, and endorse DMPs as best practice. We analyse one such typical DMP implementation at a major Australian institution, finding that DMPs have low levels of apparent translational value. Indeed, an extensive literature review suggests there is very limited published systematic evidence that DMP use has any tangible benefit for researchers, institutions or funding bodies.\n\nWe are therefore led to question why DMPs have become the go-to tool for research data professionals and advocates of good data practice. By delineating multiple use-cases and highlighting the need for DMPs to be fit for intended purpose, we question the view that a good DMP is necessarily that which encompasses the entire data lifecycle of a project. Finally, we summarise recent developments in the DMP landscape, and note a positive shift towards evidence-based research management through more researcher-centric, educative, and integrated DMP services.

scientific communication and education↗