scholarly journals Volume Estimation Through Mental Simulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Perfecto ◽  
Kristin Donnelly ◽  
Clayton R. Critcher

Although mental simulation underlies many day-to-day judgments, we identified a new domain influenced by simulation: volume estimation. Previous research has identified various ways in which volume estimates are biased but typically has not presented a psychological process by which such judgments are made. Our simulation-informs-perception account proposes that people often estimate a container’s size by simulating filling it. First, this produces an orientation effect: The same container is judged larger when right side up than when upside down because of the greater ease of imagining filling an upright container. Second, we identified a cavern effect: Imagining pouring water through a narrow opening toward a relatively wide base produces a sense that the container is cavernous and large (compared with identically sized, wide-topped, narrow-based containers). By testing for and demonstrating the importance of simulation to these effects, we showed how complex perceptual judgments can be distorted by higher level cognitive influences even when they are necessarily informed by modularly processed perceptual input.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sau-Chin Chen ◽  
Bjorn de Koning ◽  
Rolf Antonius Zwaan

Language comprehenders have been argued to mentally represent the implied orientation of objects. However, compared to the effects of shape, size, and color, the effect of orientation is rather small. We examined a potential explanation for the relatively low magnitude of the orientation effect: object size moderates the orientation effect. Theoretical considerations led us to predict a smaller orientation effect for small objects than for large objects in a sentence-picture verification task. We furthermore investigated whether this pattern generalizes across languages (Chinese, Dutch, and English) and tasks (picture-naming task). The results of the verification task show an orientation effect overall, which is not moderated by object size (contrary to our hypothesis) and language (consistent with our hypothesis). Meanwhile the preregistered picture-picture verification task showed the predicted interaction between object size and orientation effect. We conducted exploratory analyses to address additional questions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Ducey ◽  
Michael S. Williams

Abstract Two modern methods, centroid sampling and the paracone model, have been shown to be accurate approaches for obtaining the volumes of trees and logs when taper functions are unavailable or local volume estimates are desired. We show that the equation for whole-tree volume using Hossfeld's method, an older method that has all but disappeared from the North American literature, is nearly identical to that for centroid sampling and the paracone model. Hossfeld's method may be slightly simpler to implement in the field, and like the modern methods, it can be used either for whole trees or for unmerchantable tops. In comparison with detailed measurements taken on 186 ponderosa pine trees from the Black Hills of South Dakota, the paracone model was most accurate for whole trees, but Hossfeld's method was slightly more accurate than centroid sampling. Hossfeld's method was substantially more accurate than either modern method for estimating the volume in tops.


1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Forslund

Formulae are presented for calculating the volume, surface area, centre of gravity, centre of mass, form, taper, and instantaneous slope of the power function. A profile plotting technique is also used that allows visual comparisons between average stem profiles independent of the size and taper of individual stems. The technique is used to demonstrate that the position near 30% of the height from the base of the stem is a position of form stability for volume estimation. Using the paracone profile model (a power function midway between a paraboloid and a cone) with the diameter at the 30% position and the total stem height, individual stem volume estimates within 10% of the true volume (95% confidence) are obtained once again using a sample of 50 yearling aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.). The plotting technique is then applied to the aspen sample, and the average profiles support the hypothesis that juvenile stems may begin life as paraboloids. The average centre of gravity, the average centre of mass, the sectional form, the average form, and the taper of the stems are also examined and are shown to be quantitative indicators of the plotted profile characteristics.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2313-2333 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Frey ◽  
H. Machguth ◽  
M. Huss ◽  
C. Huggel ◽  
S. Bajracharya ◽  
...  

Abstract. Ice volume estimates are crucial for assessing water reserves stored in glaciers. Due to its large glacier coverage, such estimates are of particular interest for the Himalayan–Karakoram (HK) region. In this study, different existing methodologies are used to estimate the ice reserves: three area–volume relations, one slope-dependent volume estimation method, and two ice-thickness distribution models are applied to a recent, detailed, and complete glacier inventory of the HK region, spanning over the period 2000–2010 and revealing an ice coverage of 40 775 km2. An uncertainty and sensitivity assessment is performed to investigate the influence of the observed glacier area and important model parameters on the resulting total ice volume. Results of the two ice-thickness distribution models are validated with local ice-thickness measurements at six glaciers. The resulting ice volumes for the entire HK region range from 2955 to 4737 km3, depending on the approach. This range is lower than most previous estimates. Results from the ice thickness distribution models and the slope-dependent thickness estimations agree well with measured local ice thicknesses. However, total volume estimates from area-related relations are larger than those from other approaches. The study provides evidence on the significant effect of the selected method on results and underlines the importance of a careful and critical evaluation.


Author(s):  
Sau-Chin Chen ◽  
Bjorn B. de Koning ◽  
Rolf A. Zwaan

Abstract. Language comprehenders have been arguing to mentally represent the implied orientation of objects. However, compared to the effects of shape, size, and color, the effect of orientation is rather small. We examined a potential explanation for the relatively low magnitude of the orientation effect: Object size moderates the orientation effect. Theoretical considerations led us to predict a smaller orientation effect for small objects than for large objects in a sentence–picture verification task. We furthermore investigated whether this pattern generalizes across languages (Chinese, Dutch, and English) and tasks (picture-naming task). The results of the verification task show an orientation effect overall, which is not moderated by object size (contrary to our hypothesis) and language (consistent with our hypothesis). Meanwhile, the preregistered picture–picture verification task showed the predicted interaction between object size and orientation effect. We conducted exploratory analyses to address additional questions.


Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhib A Khan ◽  
Joshua Rodriguez-Srednicki ◽  
Grayson Baird ◽  
Roderick Elias ◽  
Sandra Yan ◽  
...  

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volumes are frequently used for prognostication and inclusion of patients in clinical trials. There are three commonly used methods for volume estimation: the original ABC/2 method a simplified version (sABC/2), and the planimetric method. We sought to compare the ABC/2 and sABC/2 methods with the planimetric method. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed admission CT scans of consecutive ICH patients admitted to a single academic center from July 2012 to April 2013. Only patients with spontaneous ICH were included. We assessed ICH volume on the admission CT. In the ABC/2 method, C is the number of approximate cuts the hemorrhage is seen on (weighted by area as 75%), while in the sABC/2 method, C is the total number of cuts in which the ICH is seen. Planimetric analysis was performed with the Analyze software. Band-Altman plots were generated for both the ABC/2 and sABC/2 methods in comparison to the planimetric method; all units were log transformed. Results: 135 patients with spontaneous ICH were included in the final analysis. Band-Altman analysis illustrated that both ABC/2 and sABC/2 were concordant with the planimetric method. ABC/2 had more bias than sABC/2 (47% vs 5%, respectively) with no evidence of a linear trend. At a lower volume threshold of 30 mL, ABC/2 was less sensitive but more specific than sABC/2 (sensitivity 77.9% and specificity 98.9% vs sensitivity 93.3% and specificity 91.1%, respectively, p<.0001). Overall, sABC/2 performed better than ABC/2 (c-stat 0.92 vs 0.88, respectively). Conclusion: Simplified ABC/2 (sABC/2) method performs better than ABC/2 in differentiating volumes greater than 30 ml. Both ABC/2 and sABC/2 methods accurately measure hematoma volumes in spontaneous ICH patients, in comparison with the planimetric method. These findings may have implications for outcomes prediction and clinical trials inclusion.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Monika Sedmíková ◽  
Radim Löwe ◽  
Martin Jankovský ◽  
Pavel Natov ◽  
Rostislav Linda ◽  
...  

Harvesters produce one third of timber in Czechia. The aim of this study was to analyze the over- and under-bark volume estimates of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) timber produced by a mid-performance harvester. The data were collected between March 2017 and June 2018. In total, 4661 stems cut into 29,834 logs were analyzed. For volume estimation, StanForD offers several price categories using various algorithms. Three of these price categories are relevant for Czech forestry—M3s, M3toDE, and M3miDE. The M3s price category is based on the estimation of partial volumes of 10 cm long sections, which are summed. Therefore, this price category represents the volume estimation closest to the true volume. By comparison, the M3toDE and M3miDE price categories use the same algorithm for volume estimation, which is based on the Huber formula using a midspan diameter rounded down to the nearest whole centimeter. The M3toDE price category underestimated the over-bark volume by 6.48% compared to the reference price category M3s. The mean log volume estimated through the M3s price category was significantly higher than the M3toDE volume both in individual grades and without grading. We found significant differences between under-bark volume estimates by the diameter band bark deduction method (DBM) and the parametric linear bark deduction method (PLM) used in harvester’s systems according to the Guidelines for Electronic Scaling of Timber for Harvesters in Czechia (GEH) for Scots pine butt logs with rough bark, and also for other logs with normal bark thickness. To obtain under-bark volume estimates of Scots pine timber that are comparable with the Guidelines for Timber Scaling in Czechia (GTS) using the parametric nonlinear bark deduction method (PNM), we recommend using the algorithm of the M3toDE price category, with double bark thickness determined by the diameter band bark deduction method.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie S Haussmann

Mammal burrowing plays an important role in soil translocation and habitat creation in many environments. As a consequence, many burrowing mammals have at some point been studied in an ecosystem engineering context. From a geomorphological point of view, one of the focus areas of burrowing mammal research is on the amount of soil that is excavated and the rate at which this happens. As such, reviews exist on the volumes and rates of sediment removal by burrowing mammals in specific environments or for specific groups of species. Here, a standardised comparison of mammal burrowing across a broad range of burrowing mammal species and environments is provided, focussing on both burrow volume and excavation rate. Through an ISI Web of Science-based literature search, articles presenting estimates of burrow volumes and/or excavation rate were identified. Relationships between species body size and burrow volume/excavation rate were explored and the influence of sociality and method of burrow volume estimation were assessed. The results show that, although larger species construct larger burrows, it is the smaller species that remove more sediment per unit time at larger, site-level spatial scales. Burrow volume estimates are, however, independent of species sociality (solitary versus group-living) and method of burrow volume estimation (excavation-based versus mound-based). These results not only confirm previously established relationships between species body size and burrow volume, but, more importantly, they also add to this, by exploring larger scale impacts of burrowing mammals along a body size gradient.


Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Löwe ◽  
Sedmíková ◽  
Natov ◽  
Jankovský ◽  
Hejcmanová ◽  
...  

Timber is the most important source of revenue in forestry and, therefore, is necessary to precisely estimate its volume. The share of timber volume produced by harvesters is annually growing in many European countries. Suitable settings of harvesters will allow us to achieve the most accurate volume estimates of the produced timber. In this study, we compared the different methods of log volume estimation applied by control and information systems of harvesters. The aim was to analyze the price categories that can be set up in the StanForD standard and to determine the differences between the algorithms used for log volume estimations. We obtained the data from *.STM files collected from March 2017 until June 2018 on a medium-size harvester. We analyzed price categories and found seven different algorithms used to estimate the log volumes. Log volume estimates according to Algorithm A2 were considered as standard because these estimates should be closest to the true log volumes. Significant differences, except the difference between Algorithm A2 and Algorithm A3, were found between log volumes estimated by different algorithms. After categorization of logs to assortments, the results showed that significant differences existed between algorithms in each assortment. In the roundwood assortment, which contains the most valuable logs, a difference of more than 6% was found between the log volumes estimated by Algorithm A5 and Algorithm A2. This is interesting because Algorithm A5 is widely used in some Central European countries. To obtain volumes closest to the true volumes, we should use Algorithm A2 for the harvester production outputs. The resulting differences between the algorithms can be used to estimate the volume difference between harvester outputs using the different price categories. Understanding this setting of harvesters and the differences between the price categories will provide users useful information in applied forest management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe De Brigard ◽  
Natasha Parikh

Our tendency to engage in episodic counterfactual thinking—namely, imagining alternative ways in which past personal events could have occurred but did not—is ubiquitous. Although widely studied by cognitive and social psychologists, this autobiographically based variety of counterfactual thought has been connected only recently to research on the cognitive and neuroscientific basis of episodic memory and mental simulation. In the current article, we offer an empirical characterization of episodic counterfactual thinking by contrasting it with related varieties of mental simulation along three dimensions: temporal context, degree of episodic detail, and modal profile (i.e., perceived possibility or impossibility). In so doing, we offer a practical strategy to navigate the nascent literature on episodic counterfactual thinking within the context of other mental simulations, and we argue that the evidence surveyed strongly indicates that although connected along the aforementioned dimensions, episodic counterfactual thinking is a psychological process different from episodic memory, episodic future thinking, and semantic counterfactual thinking.


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