Converting an electronic calculator into a combination stopwatch-calculator

A method for adding electronic stopwatch capabilities to a calculator is described. An integrated circuit (NE555) is used for a time base. The circuit drives an opto-isolator or light-emitting diode that operates a photocell. The opto-isolator or photocell substitutes for a switch closure to increment the calculator in .10-sec intervals.     

Apparatus noiseless electronic switch and timer

In psychoacoustic testing and experimentation the avoidance of extraneous stimuli is most important, but the elimination of such cues is often difficult. A circuit is described which enables sound stimuli to be switched on and off in a manner which produces no unwanted transient signals. The circuit may be adapted to function as a noiseless changeover switch.     

Modular solid state behavioral training system

A system of multifunction solid state modules to perform most behavioral training schedules is described. The system takes advantage of integrated circuit size, speed, reliability, economy, and sophistication to overcome the problems inherent in relay systems. However, unlike other approaches with solid state units, knowledge of circuit design is not required. The usual complexity of changing from one program to another is reduced to the simplicity of turning a switch.     

A delay timer for presenting auditory and visual probes

A circuit designed to present auditory or visual probes is described. The circuit allows the probes to be delayed by a specified amount of time, and the volume (for auditory probes) or intensity (for visual probes) may also be adjusted. The circuit may be triggered by any device capable of emitting an electronic pulse-such as a computer or a tachistoscope.     

An automated open-field apparatus utilizing an improved resistance detection circuit

An open-field apparatus that can be automatically operated is described. Detection of movement is electronic and based upon the fact that the S will complete a circuit path when crossing an open field. The circuit is very sensitive yet quite immune to the usual problem of 60-Hz interference.     

An electronic audio switch

This article describes an electronic switch that allows presentation of sine wave stimuli without the often undesirable transient thump, thud, or click usually caused by ordinary electromechanical switches.     

A circuit to permit an electronic drinkometer to operate during footshock

A circuit to permit an electronic drinkometer to operate during footshock is described. The circuit employs a diode matrix that allows all grid bars to be connected at one point to form one electrode of the drinkometer; it is isolated at another point so as not to shortcircuit the impressed footshock.     

An inexpensive circuit for beta,alpha, theta,or delta EEG biofeedback

An inexpensive circuit is described for EEG biofeedback or measurement. The circuit is designed to interface easily with most basic EEG machines. It taps the output from a single recording channel of the basic EEG instrument and provides the following for each EEG band (beta, alpha, theta, and delta): (a) very selective bandpass discrimination, (b) variable center frequency, (c) variable threshold at which feedback will be provided, or the measurement made, and (d) use with any biofeedback stimulus or measurement device that one wishes to switch contingent with S’s EEG rhythms.     

Improving methodological and technological analyses of adaptive switch use of individuals with profound multiple impairments

Basic response–event relations can be difficult to demonstrate with individuals with profound multiple impairments who participate in adaptive switch programs. Numerous variables that impede learning and contribute to performance variability present challenges to assessment methods. As switch use may be the only operant under stimulus control with some individuals, however, improvement in assessment methods and measurement technology is important. In three case studies, response–event relations were examined in individuals who were provided with an adaptive switch that could activate an electronic leisure device. With two individuals, evidence of learning was assessed in a novel alternating‐treatments design. Switch use was compared under conditions in which switch closures produced activation and conditions in which closures deactivated the device. With the remaining individual, the effects of momentary activation by switch closure were compared to timed activation. Data were collected with a combination of data collection technologies. Whole‐session rate and response‐duration data provided some evidence of learning in all participants. Data also were converted into within‐session cumulative graphs, which aided data interpretation. The results demonstrate advances in assessment of learning in people with profound multiple impairments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A method for the precise switching of speech

A simple procedure by which a speech signal may be switched on or off (or from one ear to the other) at a precise instant of time is described. The speech sample is first recorded on a magnetic tape loop. A reference pulse is then recorded preceding the speech signal. This reference pulse triggers an adjustable time delay which in tum operates an electronic switch at an appropriate time.     

The preservation of amplitude information in burst phenomena in physiological recordings

This paper describes an inexpensive and simple electronic circuit that rectifies and smooths high-frequency burst data and holds the peak value of the burst for predetermined time intervals.     

Simplified method based on an intelligent model to obtain the extinction angle of the current for a single-phase half wave controlled rectifier with resistive and inductive load

With the aim of calculating the extinction angle of the current of a single-phase half wave controlled rectifier with resistive and inductive load, present work shows a method to obtain a regression model based on intelligent methods. This type of circuit is a typical non-linear case of study that requires a hard work to solve it by hand. To create the intelligent model, a dataset has been obtained with a computational method for the working range of the circuit. Then, with the dataset, to achieve the final solution, several methods of regression were tested from traditional to intelligent types. The model was verified empirically with electronic circuit software simulation, analytical methods and with a practical implementation. The advantage of the proposed method is its low computational cost. Then, the final solution is very appropriate for applications where high computational requirements are not possible, like low-performance microcontrollers or web applications.     

A multipurpose activity platform utilized in the open-field setting

An automated multipurpose activity platform (MAP) that can be used to measure activity in the horizontal plane is described. Detection of the position of a small-bodied animal is based on completion of an electronic circuit in one or several cells of a 21 by 21 matrix below the floor. The MAP is constructed on the basis of an 11 by 11 matrix, but, through electronic averaging, operates functionally on the basis of a 21 by 21 matrix. The MAP has no built-in data storage facility and needs to be interfaced with a recording system. The system has been successfully utilized in measuring open-field activity of the rats.     

A rotator for X/Y oscilloscope displays

A simple and relatively inexpensive electronic circuit is described that will generate the Cartesian coordinates of a rotated display for both the X- and Y-axes of a conventional oscilloscope type of display monitor. The device will rotate the display through fixed angles and possesses the merits of very low intrinsic noise and extremely high speeds of response. It is particularly suited for computer control of stimulus orientation in psychophysical investigations of spatial contrast vision.     

A simple stereo television system with application to the measurement of three-dimensional coordinates of fish in schools

Stereo television is achieved through a rapid switch circuit that alternately selects fields from a pair of matched television cameras. Images are recorded with conventional VCRs. After image positions are digitized, stereo coordinates are estimated relative to a calibration grid, which may be removed during an experiment. Necessary geometry, including calibration and iteration procedures, is detailed. The method is flexible and accurate enough to allow the use of zoom, pan, and tilt on both cameras when a calibration grid is retained in view. Examples of the system’s application are given for the measurement of three-dimensional coordinates of fish in schools, both for glass-fronted aquarium tanks and in the natural environment using underwater television in sea cages.     

On-line,real-time recording of eye orientation using the corneal reflection method

The orientation of a subject’s eyes can be automatically sampled in real time at 60 Hz using Mackworth’s corneal reflection method, a closed circuit TV system with a brightness-amplitude trigger, and a minicomputer. The organization of the electronic interface and software (for recording and behavioral control) is described, along with the characteristics of the recording system and potential sources of artifact. Sample calibration and experimental data are presented.     

Durable,efficient, and economical electronic toilet-training devices for use with retarded children

Instrumented behavior observation and modification is typically an expensive process, yet the instruments used are often relatively simple and limited in function. Two sets of electronic devices were constructed to aid in training correct toileting behavior with retarded children. The body-worn alerting unit monitors the residents’ elimination as he moves through his environment. This set consists of a moisture detection circuit enclosed in a durable plastic box which is worn by the resident in either a harness or vest. The body-worn alerting unit is connected, via a cord, to underwear which have pliable wires running along their midline. The other set of units monitors elimination on a commode or toilet, and consists of a signaling box containing the moisture-detection circuit and a circular plate which is hung on the toilet or commode. Over 3 years of field testing have shown the units to be very durable and efficient.     

An electronic visual stimulator

A group of circuits is described that produce various patterns on an oscilloscope screen that are useful in studying vision. These patterns are: a flashing bar, a drifting bar, a flashing grating, and a drifting grating. The circuits have controls for: contrast, velocity, width, position, and orientation with respect to the vertical. This article describes the principles of design and use of these circuit modules as a precise electronic visual stimulator.     

语言转换的认知及其神经机制

语言转换是双语研究领域的焦点问题之一,抑制控制模型、语言特异性选择模型、任务设置惯性模型和序列难度效应模型从不同的角度解释了语言转换的认知机制。认知神经科学的一些研究发现,语言转换与任务转换具有类似的神经机制,说明语言转换代价与任务转换代价的本质可能是相同的。抑制控制和语言熟练程度如何影响语言的转换,语言转换代价与任务转换代价的本质是否相同,一般领域的抑制机制是否可以迁移到语言转换领域等问题是未来需要进一步研究的问题。     

Minicomputer controller for a behavioral primate laboratory

To keep pace with the increased animal carrying load and research productivity of our facilities by perpetual modification of and additions to rigid hardwired equipment would have been a costly and time-consuming enterprise. Thus, a computer controller for the laboratory was an inevitable choice to replace our highly individualized analog and digital units. Our system is based on a minimally configured PDP-8/e, devoid of peripherals except for a Teletype, in which the first phase was guided by the intent to replace separate component instrumentation with a unified digital computer system. The interface design was confined to five different printed circuit boards which in combination could handle computer I/O, switch contact inputs, analog threshold inputs, and medium current output control. Our software package can be divided functionally into three parts: the program interrupt handler, the background control programs, and the resident subroutines.