We present a method for visualizing the important adaptive dynamics in evolving systems. The method consists of measuring evolutionary activity, (as conceived by Bedau and Packard) of components of evolving systems and then plotting this as a function of time. This method has already been applied to individual alleles and whole genotypes. We extend the method to phenotypically equivalent types ...

It is well-documented that the intensity of a self-generated somatosensory stimulus is perceived to be attenuated in respect to an identical stimulus generated by others. At present, it is not clear whether such a phenomenon, known as somatosensory attenuation, is based not only on feedforward motor signals but also on re-afferences towards the body. To answer this question, in the present pilo...

Variable results of pain alleviation in response to acupuncture have been reported, complicating its interpretation. Sources of variability are probably multi-factorial, including the contribution of gender related effects. Gender related variation in perceived pain has been discussed frequently, but documented effects of acupuncture referring to gender are sparse. Furthermore, factors such as ...

Stochastic resonance (SR) occurs when the detection of a subthreshold signal is aided by the presence of random energy fluctuations in the signal modality, commonly called noise. SR is counterintuitive because such noise usually worsens performance. Nonetheless, SR has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally in human sensory systems. Using a psychophysically sophisticated paradi...

In forced-choice detection, incorrect responses are routinely ascribed to internal noise, because experienced psychophysical observers do not act as if they have a sensory threshold, below which all perceived intensities would be identical. To determine whether inexperienced observers have sensory thresholds, we examined psychometric functions (percent correct versus log contrast) for detection...

We assessed reproducibility of measurements of rectal compliance and sensation in health in studies conducted at two centres. We estimated samples size necessary to show clinically meaningful changes in future studies. We performed rectal barostat tests three times (day 1, day 1 after 4 h and 14-17 days later) in 34 healthy participants. We measured compliance and pressure thresholds for first ...

This paper describes the design of a new instrumental technique, Gas Chromatography Recomposition-Olfactometry (GC-R), that adapts the reconstitution technique used in flavor chemistry studies by extracting volatiles from a sample by headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME), separating the extract on a capillary GC column, and recombining individual compounds selectively as they elute off o...

Large variability in thresholds to sensory stimuli is observed frequently even in healthy populations. Much of this variability is attributed to genetics and day-to-day fluctuation in sensitivity. However, false positives are also contributing to the variability seen in these tests. In this study, random number generation was used to simulate responses in threshold methods using different "stop...

This review is provided as a service to the membership of the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM). This paper discusses quantitative sensory testing (QST) equipment using the following sensory modalities: 1) light touch, 2) vibration, 3) thermal, and 4) pain. First, is a summary of the different QST equipment and the equipments’ specifications as reported in the literature...