Physics 101: The visual systems ability to learn and integrate Newtonian predictions

This chapter explores altered states of consciousness in interactive video games and virtual reality applications. First, a brief overview of advances in the sound and graphics of video games is provided, which has led to ever-more immersive capabilities within the medium. Following this, a variety of games that represent states of intoxication, drug use, and hallucinations are discussed, in order to reveal how these states are portrayed with the aid of sound and music, and for what purpose. An alternative trajectory in games is also explored, as various synaesthetic titles are reviewed, which provide high-adrenaline experiences for ravers, and simulate dreams, meditation, or psychedelic states. Through the analysis of these, and building upon the previous chapters of Inner Sound, this chapter presents a conceptual model for ‘Altered States of Consciousness Simulations’: interactive audio-visual systems that represent altered states with regards to the sensory components of the experience.

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Sea urchin larvae utilize light for regulating the pyloric opening

BMC Biology ◽

10.1186/s12915-021-00999-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Junko Yaguchi ◽

Shunsuke Yaguchi

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Digestive Tract ◽

Sea Urchin ◽

Visual Information ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Regulatory System ◽

Sister Group ◽

Animal Evolution ◽

Deuterostome Evolution ◽

Visual Systems

Abstract Background Light is essential for various biological activities. In particular, visual information through eyes or eyespots is very important for most of animals, and thus, the functions and developmental mechanisms of visual systems have been well studied to date. In addition, light-dependent non-visual systems expressing photoreceptor Opsins have been used to study the effects of light on diverse animal behaviors. However, it remains unclear how light-dependent systems were acquired and diversified during deuterostome evolution due to an almost complete lack of knowledge on the light-response signaling pathway in Ambulacraria, one of the major groups of deuterostomes and a sister group of chordates. Results Here, we show that sea urchin larvae utilize light for digestive tract activity. We found that photoirradiation of larvae induces pyloric opening even without addition of food stimuli. Micro-surgical and knockdown experiments revealed that this stimulating light is received and mediated by Go(/RGR)-Opsin (Opsin3.2 in sea urchin genomes) cells around the anterior neuroectoderm. Furthermore, we found that the anterior neuroectodermal serotoninergic neurons near Go-Opsin-expressing cells are essential for mediating light stimuli-induced nitric oxide (NO) release at the pylorus. Our results demonstrate that the light>Go-Opsin>serotonin>NO pathway functions in pyloric opening during larval stages. Conclusions The results shown here will lead us to understand how light-dependent systems of pyloric opening functioning via neurotransmitters were acquired and established during animal evolution. Based on the similarity of nervous system patterns and the gut proportions among Ambulacraria, we suggest the light>pyloric opening pathway may be conserved in the clade, although the light signaling pathway has so far not been reported in other members of the group. In light of brain-gut interactions previously found in vertebrates, we speculate that one primitive function of anterior neuroectodermal neurons (brain neurons) may have been to regulate the function of the digestive tract in the common ancestor of deuterostomes. Given that food consumption and nutrient absorption are essential for animals, the acquirement and development of brain-based sophisticated gut regulatory system might have been important for deuterostome evolution.

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Synthesis of wafer-scale graphdiyne/graphene heterostructure for scalable neuromorphic computing and artificial visual systems

Nano Research ◽

10.1007/s12274-021-3381-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhi-Cheng Zhang ◽

Yi Li ◽

Jing-Jing Wang ◽

De-Han Qi ◽

Bin-Wei Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuromorphic Computing ◽

Wafer Scale ◽

Visual Systems

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Integrating constructivist and ecological approaches

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x02450029 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 117-118

Author(s):

Wayne Shebilske

Keyword(s):

Skill Development ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Visual Systems ◽

Complex Skill ◽

Two Visual Systems

Norman relates two theoretical approaches, the constructivist and ecological, to two cortical visual streams, the ventral and dorsal systems, respectively. This commentary reviews a similar approach in order to increase our understanding of complex skill development and to advance Norman's goal of stimulating and guiding research on the two theoretical approaches and the two visual systems.

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