A set of C and C+2 routines are described that allow the efficient estimation of sensory thresholds in psychophysical experiments using a maximum-likelihood staircase procedure. They have been used effectively in visual, auditory, gustatory, and olfactory psychophysics.

The responses of (i) groups of crowd-reared mature males of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria to a choice of two columns of air, one permeated with different concentrations of phenylacetonitrile (PAN), the major component of gregarious-phase male-produced pheromone, and the other untreated, and (ii) individual crowd-reared mature males of the insect to varying concentration gradients of PAN,...

When performance is limited by stochastically defined masks, (psychophysical) reverse correlation has proven to be an especially efficient tool for estimating the templates used by detection and discrimination mechanisms. Here I describe a maximum-likelihood approach to quantifying the significance of differences between estimates of template. Four methodologically related experiments illustrat...

The efficacy of any animal signal is constrained by the range over which it remains above the sensory threshold of potential receivers. The spatial area in which reliable detection occurs defines active space; this is influenced by signal structure, the signalling environment and the sensory characteristics of receivers. Identification of the factors influencing active space has provided valuab...

The study of marine heat waves as extreme temperature events has a wide range applications, from gauge for ecological and socioeconomic impact to climate change indicator. Various definitions sea exist account its broad applicability, with statistical based on percentile thresholds being widespread in use. Using satellite model data the Mediterranean Sea, we analyze implications choosing baseli...

After an overview of the problems concerning early rain-gauges and their thresholds, a study is made to investigate impact that instrumental threshold rain-gauge has on distribution precipitation frequency amount. Tests are performed using two historical datasets, i.e., observations by Giovanni Poleni in Padua from 1725 1760, Jacopo Bartolomeo Beccari Bologna 1723 1765, modern records, taken at...

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...