Orientation-Dependent Dielectric Anomalies in Relaxor-Based Crystal (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.68(PbTiO3)0.32 (PMN-32%PT)

Dielectric permittivities and polarization-electric-field (P-E) hysteresis loops have been measured as a function of temperature in relaxor-based ferroelectric single crystals (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)0.68(PbTiO3)0.32 (PMN-32%PT) for <110>cub and <211>cub orientations. Contrary to the pure PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (PMN), PMN-32%PT exhibits apparent orientation dependences of dielectric permittivities, polarizations, and phase transitions. With a prior fieldcooled treatment, a field-induced state, perhaps of orthorhombic symmetry, is evidenced and coexists with the rhombohedral symmetry in the low-temperature region. This field-induced phase is manifested by an extra dielectric peak observed near 373 K for the <211>cub orientation.

Illumination-Induced Apparent Shift in Orientation of Human Heads

Changing the position of a light source illuminating a human face induces an apparent shift of the perceived orientation of that face. The direction of this apparent shift is opposite to the shift of the light source. We demonstrated the illumination-induced apparent orientation shift (IAOS), quantified it in terms of the physical orientation shift needed to compensate for it, and evaluated the results in the context of possible mechanisms underlying orientation judgment. Results indicate that IAOS depends not only on the angle between the two light source positions, but also on the mean orientation of the face. Availability of cues coded in the visual texture of the face did not affect IAOS. The most effective cue was the location of the visible outline of the face. IAOS seems to be due to a shift of this outline when shadowed areas on the face merge with the black background. We conclude that an important mechanism for orientation judgment is based on a comparison of visible parts left and right of the profile line.

Measurements of the Relative Tilt of Corresponding Vertical and Horizontal Meridians in the Two Eyes as a Function of Elevation and Eccentricity in the Visual Field

Helmholtz first reported that when the horizontal meridians of the two eyes are aligned, the vertical meridians of the two eyes are tilted outwards (with respect to each other) by approximately 2°. We adapted Nakayama's technique (1977 Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrument Engineers120 2 – 9) using the minimal apparent motion of alternating dichoptic images to measure the relative tilt of corresponding vertical and horizontal meridians located up to 20 deg away from the fovea. Observers were presented with the alternating dichoptic images of a pair of dots or a pair of extended lines which had a relative tilt (binocular orientation difference) of between −5° and +5°. The images were alternated at a rate of 0.2 Hz. Observers were asked to select the pair of images which produced the smallest amount of apparent orientation change. The vergence angle of the binocularly visible fixation point was varied between 28 cm and infinity. On the assumption that minimal apparent motion is a valid indicator of binocular correspondence, the corresponding vertical meridians of the two eyes remained offset by around 2 deg even when they were located 20 deg eccentrically. The corresponding horizontal meridians remained approximately aligned even when they were elevated by up to 20 deg. Corresponding horizontal meridians were altered when the vergence angle was changed but corresponding vertical meridians were unaffected for most individuals. With the eyes held in an elevated position, both vertical and horizontal meridians were altered by a similar amount when the vergence angle was altered, indicating a change in cyclovergence.

Judging the Orientation of Human Faces: Effects Induced by Varying the Illumination

How do people estimate the orientation of other people's faces? We observed that two images of a face seen from the same orientation, but illuminated from different angles, appeared to have different orientations. The first experiment was designed to document and quantify this phenomenon with respect to the average orientation of the face. The images were rendered on a black background that made it impossible to discriminate the shadowed facial parts from the background. We determined the physical orientation shift necessary to compensate for the illumination-induced effect. Results showed that the measured illumination-induced apparent orientaion shift (IAOS) correlates positively with the average orientation of the face and reaches values of up to 9°. This correlation implies that the mechanism is not based on local surface attitude judgements. We propose a model in which the symmetry plane of the face is detected, and then a comparison is made between the visible parts on both sides of this plane. The effect of the shadow occluding parts of the faces would then be responsible for the apparent orientation shift. To test this hypothesis we repeated the first experiment using a background colour that allowed subjects to perceive the true outline of the faces. We found that the IAOS was reduced to values of less than 2° and no longer depended on the average orientation of the faces. The results imply that orientation may be judged by comparing the size of the visible parts of the left and right halves of the face.

The Dependence of Two-Dimensional Shape Perception on Orientation

While it is true that in daily life we generally recognize objects regardless of their orientation, previous experiments involving novel shapes indicate a decline in recognition when these are tested in altered orientation. Here the question is raised of whether there is a component of shape perception based purely on the geometry of an object, independent of orientation. By means of two tests designed to eliminate awareness of change of orientation, one more stringent than used heretofore, it was found that shape perception is dependent on orientation. The apparent contradiction between these findings and the apparent orientation-free character of recognition in daily life is discussed.

Spatial Orientation in Weightless Environments

Illusions of body inversion and of vehicle inversion can be evoked by exposure to weightlessness in the microgravity conditions of orbital and parabolic flight. Such illusions can involve all possible combinations of self-inversion and vehicle inversion. In the absence of any patterns of external stimulation, individuals may lose all sense of body orientation to their surroundings while retaining a sense of their overall body configuration and cognitive awareness of their actual position. Touch and pressure cues provide a perceptual ‘down’ in the absence of visual input. When vision is allowed, apparent orientation is influenced by a variety of factors including the direction of gaze, the architectural layout of the vehicle, and sight of the body. The relative importance of the various factors affecting orientation changes with repeated exposure. The virtual absence of sensations of falling during exposure to free-fall emphasizes the role of cognitive factors in experienced orientation.

Polarization and apparent dipole moments of some symmetrical molecules

Polarization and apparent dipole moments of a series of symmetrical molecules were determined by the standard method in three solvents: benzene, p-xylene, and mesitylene. Their explanation by complex formation with solvent applies only in the case of 1,4-dicyanobenzene and 4,4’-dicyanobiphenyl since the apparent orientation polarizations (PO.app) are large and depend strongly on solvent. On the other hand, 1,4-dihalogenbenzenes do not form any complexes and PO.appis virtually zero. 1,4-Dihalogenbicyclo[2,2,2]octanes reveal also considerable PO.app which is attributed mainly to enhanced atomic polarization but – in the case of heavier halogens – also partly to complexes of unknown structure.