Instrumentation and software report: Computer-assisted coding of videotape material

The coding system described was originally devised to facilitate the analysis of mother-infant interaction. Our aims were to provide accurate measures of the duration of different activities, to enable identification of particular actions in order to carry out sequential analyses, and to allow systematic assessment and improvement of reliability. At the time recording began, there appeared to be no readily available systems which achieved all of these aims. The system described here enables coded videotape material to be examined with the assistance of a computer. This is implemented through two subsystems, those of record and playback. In the playback subsystem the behaviour units identified by a coder are mapped on to this record. This results in a protocol of behaviour on a highly accurate time base.     

An improved video multiplexer for behavioral research

Wellens and Revert (1979) described a solid-state circuit that allowed two sources of video information to be multiplexed and recorded using one videotape machine. On playback, the demultiplexed video signal allowed the original video channels to be viewed independently on separate television monitors. Recent changes in videocassette recorder technology have improved the playback quality of recorded images but disrupt the demultiplexing process when freeze frame or search options are selected. Improved multiplexing techniques that overcome these limitations are described.     

A minicomputer-based learning analysis system for optimizing PSI instructional materials for the visually handicapped

Visually handicapped students learn tape-recorded materials in PSI format while a minicomputer interfaced to the student-operated, tape playback mechanisms collects data on independent study activities. The minicomputer hardware and software system is described and typical learning data are discussed.     

A system for recording individualized behavioral data in a token program

A data matrix system used to record and summarize individual behavioral data is described. The major characteristics of the system are: (1) it provides a place to record and summarize all patient token exchanges, whether for standard contingencies or for idiosyncratic behavior; (2) it serves as a record and summary for time samples observed during a 24-hr period and as a record of reliability data on time sample measures; (3) it provides a place where the new token balance for each patient can be calculated and recorded for use the next day; (4) it provides for calculation of an individual patient's token balance at any given moment; and (5) it is a permanent record of each patient's daily participation in the program and documents progress in terms of his economic status as well as in changes in critical target behaviors.     

Simultaneous electronic recording of video and digital information on the video channel of a VTR or VCR

A technique is described that permits precise synchronization of video recorded behavior with discrete stimuli and responses. These discrete events are recorded as digital data on the video channel of a video recorder on a horizontal line that lies above the visible video information. These data may be observed in single-frame playback mode by underscanning the playback monitor. A circuit is described for computerized decoding of the digital data. Because each video field is uniquely coded, an updating of the data is possible 60 times each second. The described technique has several advantages over current approaches for synchronizing discrete stimulus and response events with video recorded behavior.     

A portable four-channel cassette recording system for short-term electroencephalogram in the field

A portable four-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) cassette recording system has been designed which offers good performance, is simple to construct, and moderate in cost. The recorder is compatible with a commercially available, portable, battery-operated power source, and is therefore usable in the field where line power is unavailable. The system incorporates a small, lightweight, portable, battery-powered oscilloscope which provides monitoring and playback capability. While a few experimental portable EEG recorders have been reported in recent years with more channel capacity or perhaps lighter weight, the engineering details of these units are rarely published and, in any event, would require a substantial effort for most electronics support shops to reproduce. The recording system described here, however, should be within the capability of most electronics support groups to assemble in a very short time and provide good performance.     

VIDEOLOGGER: A computerized multichannel event recorder for analyzing videotapes

A microcomputer-assisted system that permits multiple events to be coded from videotape to a common time base is described. The system allows an operator, by pressing a button, to record the onset and offset times of any number of events. It requires a video recorder, an Apple II microcomputer, a John Bell 6522 timing card, and a pair of switches. The software package consists of five programs: one to make timing signals on the videotape, one to record the onset time and duration of the operator’s buttonpresses, one to read and print the coding data from disk, one to operate the timer, and one to process the compiled code used in the software package. All necessary wiring diagrams are shown. Software is available gratis from the authors on request.     

Editing silent hesitation from speech recordings

A simple method of increasing speech rate by shortening or removing silent hesitation from speech recordings is described. Two tape recorders and a voice key are used. The transmitting tape recorder is modified to have two playback heads in line. The onset and offset of speech signals fed from the first head, via a voice key, control the tape transport of the receiving tape recorder. The speech signals from the second playback head are fed directly to the line input of the receiving tape recorder. Time delays can be arranged so that the tape transport of the receiving machine is only in motion for the duration of the speech signals. The logic circuit of a suitable voice key with independently variable onset and offset delay times is also described.     

A time-division multiplexer-demultiplexer for duplex video recording and playback

A solid state circuit is described that allows two sources of video information to be multiplexed and recorded by one videotape machine. On playback, the same circuit is used to demultiplex the recorded video signal so that each of the original video channels may be independently viewed on separate television monitors.     

A neural cognitive architecture

It is difficult to study the mind, but cognitive architectures are one tool. As the mind emerges from the behaviour of the brain, neuropsychological methods are another method to study the mind, though a rather indirect method. A cognitive architecture that is implemented in spiking neurons is a method of studying the mind that can use neuropsychological evidence directly. A neural cognitive architecture, based on rule based systems and associative memory, can be readily implemented, and would provide a good bridge between standard cognitive architectures, such as Soar, and neuropsychology. This architecture could be implemented in spiking neurons, and made available via the Human Brain Project, which provides a good collaborative environment. The architecture could be readily extended to use spiking neurons for subsystems, such as spatial reasoning, and could evolve over time toward a complete architecture. The theory behind this architecture could evolve over time. Simplifying assumptions, made explicit, such as those behind the rule based system, could gradually be replaced by more neuropsychologically accurate behaviour. The overall task of collaborative architecture development would be eased by direct evidence of the actual neural cognitive architectures in human brains. While the initial architecture is biologically inspired, the ultimate goal is a biological cognitive architecture.     

Emotions in action through the looking glass1

Abstract: The paper aims at highlighting how our primary understanding of others’ actions is rooted in the mirror mechanism. To this end, the anatomical architecture of the mirror neuron system for action will be outlined as well as its role in grasping goals and intentions in others’ motor behaviour. One further step through the looking glass of social cognition will be referring to the ubiquitous emotional colouring of actions and considering its links with the motor domain. This will allow a clearer perspective on the mechanism underlying our abilities for emotional understanding and on cases in which these abilities are amiss, as in autistic spectrum disorders.     

Addiction and Self‐Deception: A Method for Self‐Control?

Neil Levy argues that while addicts who believe they are not addicts are self‐deceived, addicts who believe they are addicts are just as self‐deceived. Such persons accept a false belief that their addictive behaviour involves a loss of control. This paper examines two implications of Levy's discussion: that accurate self‐knowledge may be particularly difficult for addicts; and that an addict's self‐deceived belief that they cannot control themselves may aid their attempts at self‐control. I argue that the self‐deceived beliefs of addicts in denial and of self‐described addicts differ in kind. Unlike the self‐deception of an addict in denial, that of the self‐described addict allows them to acknowledge their behaviour. As such, it may aid an addict to develop more self‐control. A paradoxical implication is that this self‐deception may allow an addict more self‐knowledge.     

Godot: A real-time data acquisition and control program for the PET microcomputer

This article discusses a program for the PET microcomputer that is used to record the amount of time a human infant spends attending to one of two stimuli presented via 35-mm slides and a slide projector. The program records the number of attention episodes for either stimulus, the duration of slide presentation, and the number of slides presented. Also controlled are the transfer of data onto cassette tape at the end of the session, the detection of buttonpresses from an external keyboard, and the changing of stimuli. The interfacing used in the system and specialized subroutines are also described.     

Combining EEG,MIDI, and motion capture techniques for investigating musical performance

This article describes a setup for the simultaneous recording of electrophysiological data (EEG), musical data (MIDI), and three-dimensional movement data. Previously, each of these three different kinds of measurements, conducted sequentially, has been proven to provide important information about different aspects of music performance as an example of a demanding multisensory motor skill. With the method described here, it is possible to record brain-related activity and movement data simultaneously, with accurate timing resolution and at relatively low costs. EEG and MIDI data were synchronized with a modified version of the FTAP software, sending synchronization signals to the EEG recording device simultaneously with keypress events. Similarly, a motion capture system sent synchronization signals simultaneously with each recorded frame. The setup can be used for studies investigating cognitive and motor processes during music performance and music-like tasks—for example, in the domains of motor control, learning, music therapy, or musical emotions. Thus, this setup offers a promising possibility of a more behaviorally driven analysis of brain activity.     

An economical system for collecting and reducing heart-rate data,using someone else’s small computer

Hardware and program are described for a heart-rate data collection and reduction system that uses a small computer at a time removed from the actual data collection. The system is portable and inexpensive; exclusive of the computer, it can cost under $1,500. It uses an ordinary tape recorder to record discrete signals upon each occurrence of a heart beat, and it returns edited second-by-second averages of interheart-beat intervals.     

The measurement of human oral forces

This paper reviews the types of instruments used and problems encountered in the measurement of human biting forces. A new instrument, developed for this purpose, which employs strain gauges mounted on a cantilever bridge bite element is described. Associated circuitry, which includes a Wheatstone bridge, amplifier, and integrator, is described. The integrator enables the investigator to record accumulative force over time. Biting force values recorded at five different areas of the mouth are presented from 11 male and 8 female Ss.     

Daily and long-term consequences of support seeking in Chinese couples: Between-person differences and within-person processes

It is widely accepted that support-seeking behaviour is culture-specific, such that Asians are less likely to seek support when stressed compared with Westerners. However, mounting evidence is based on the vignette methodology or the cross-sectional survey and utilised students sample. Little is known about how such behaviour manifests in real life and incurs relational consequences. Moreover, psychological theories predict both differences in support-seeking behaviour between persons and the variability of such behaviour within persons. The current study aims to explore between-and within-person associations between support seeking and relationship satisfaction in Chinese couples. Eighty-four Chinese couples reported their daily stressors, support seeking behaviour, and relationship satisfaction every evening for 7 days and overall relationship satisfaction before the diary study and 1 year later. We found that support seeking matters in Asian couples: On days when couples sought more support, they would be more satisfied with their relationship. Notably, no negative associations between couples' own support seeking and partners' relationship satisfaction were found. This study advances our understanding of general and temporal support-seeking processes in Asian couples in the course of everyday life and over time. Results entail important theoretical and practical implications.     

先秦时期战功名称问题——上博简《曹沫之陈》的一个启示

上博简《曹沫之陈》简文“一人又（有）多,四人皆赏”,是简帛材料上关于“伍”之间相保的明确记载,也是“战功曰多”的又一条注解。先秦时期以“多”作为战功的代称,当与自古以来战争的杀伐性质有关。而以“多”释战功,可能源自远古狩猎后的论功行赏之俗。“战功曰多”之事,秦汉以降逐渐退出人们的视野,这从一个角度让人们看到了上古时代人们的战争观念的变化。     

What time reversal invariance is and why it matters

David Albert's Time and Chance (2000) provides a fresh and interesting perspective on the problem of the direction of time. Unfortunately, the book opens with a highly non-standard exposition of time reversal invariance that distorts the subsequent discussion. The present article not only has the remedial goal of setting the record straight about the meaning of time reversal invariance, but it also aims to show how the niceties of this symmetry concept matter to the problem of the direction of time and to related foundation issues in physics.