Noons Thoughts - Science & Slavery

PLoS ONE: Sub-Second Dopamine Detection in Human Striatum

2011-08-08T02:59:00.000-07:00

PLoS ONE: Sub-Second Dopamine Detection in Human Striatum

Really interesting article, and if only we could have this ability without having to give someone deep brain stimulation treatment. Although theses case studies do pave the way, at least next time they will have the tools and could have some nice paradigm to look at the release of the dopamine.

Categorical properties of the color term “GOLD”

2011-07-31T17:06:00.000-07:00

Categorical properties of the color term “GOLD”

So I came across this excellent article on Journal of Vision. The article looks at the perceptual colour space that we use in reference to glossy surfaces. Without the gloss gold is just yellow, and silver is grey. Well that easy enough for me to say, but where is that boundary and what are the specific qualities of Silver and Gold that give rises to it's perceptual boundaries?

In a series of three experiments these researchers tested psychophysically what the properties were. The explanation is brilliant, and I recommend you read the paper yourself. However, if you don't have time the core findings are this: 1) Gold & Silver are distinct perceptual categories; 2) These perceptual categories are reported by observers in high spectral reflectance (when it looks really glossy); 3) Humans use the glossy nature of a colour to categorise it (i.e. we don't just see a colour as a chromatic value - we see it has other properties that that!).

BBC News - Brain waves can cut braking distances, researchers say

2011-07-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

BBC News - Brain waves can cut braking distances, researchers say OK so what is new with this? This is totally non viable and unnecessary as a concept. I understand that it could be viable for people that are handicapped and unable to use a motor response to break, but in terms of people starting to wear EEG caps, this is totally unnecessary. And especially if you consider the 3 meter reduction in braking distance - due to the reaction benefit. I know it is some amount but it seems like research should focus on making the cars brake better and provide better protection in a crash, rather than try to prevent it by "reading" the mind. The headlines now:- series of pile-ups created by spate of false positives.

I must note that the research itself seems really nice and it has applications. But it is definitely not novel, and not worthy to get into the BBC website, especially considering the way that the writer (the BBC one) has inflated its significance of the use to the general public.

Isolation of Succinivibrionaceae Implicated in Low Methane Emissions from Tammar Wallabies

2011-07-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Isolation of Succinivibrionaceae Implicated in Low Methane Emissions from Tammar Wallabies

Saw this amazing article in this weeks Science magazine. I'm not sure on the validity of the methods -- as I'm no expert in the fields, but if what it says is true then this could have massive uses for the livestock industry. Just think about the reduction of methane production of the worlds Cow population. Actually lets quickly do the math: So there is 18 % of the worlds Greenhouse gases come from the... so only so a 14.5 % reduction in Greenhouse gas omissions. (source of % of greenhouse gases and cows)

How to Use Your iMac as a Second Screen - Popular Mechanics

2011-07-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

This seems like a really handy way to increase the screen space that you have. Plus especially for Mac users it saves on always lugging around those pesky screen adapters. Will try this tonight. Oh and I'm going to try and start using this Blog a lot more. I know it feels a little mid-00s but you know you got to keep things going.

How to Use Your iMac as a Second Screen - Popular Mechanics

Oh and currently listening to Ben Harper. Using AirPlay, a great feature, now I just have to fork out money so that I can use AirFoil, and resultantly Quicktime over the Airport Express. Sometimes it seems that Apple do release half arsed products, I'm sure if the small company of AirFoil can work out how to get the video in Sync Apple surely can --- well that is one excuse that they post in the support forums. They just want is all to buy Apple TVs.

Nicholas Peatfield - Top Rank

2010-02-11T02:36:00.001-08:00

After years of worrying about my position within google searches i've reached the top!

First Blog of the Year and It''s More Than Half Gone

2008-07-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

Well not much has really changed since i did the last blog... well personally not a lot but in terms of this site not much to write about. Apart from my Revision3 obsession which started at the end of the year and has continued throughout - although i am now mostly down to just watching TRS and Diggnation!!

So here is a Screenshot

2007-10-14T04:53:00.001-07:00

Windows Live Writer

2007-10-14T04:51:00.001-07:00

Hi there,

Created this blog using Windows Live Writer, and I must say that I am very impressed! It has a good view and I'm sure it will improved how much I use this service.

Just an update.

Nick

PS. Get InRainbows

Where is that picture from?

2007-06-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Two posts down there is a picture.

Any guesses on its location?

Google Analytics

2007-06-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Well, its incredible i have this site tracked with Google Analytics.

The features on it seem so good and to think that it is free. Least i know some people do actually read or skim this site. Found out there was a visit from the Caribbean. So if you have a site then get it going it doesn't take to long to set up and with small sites its' free!!

As for Big Brother - i am still watching it and feel that the program seems rather controlled this yeah. It feels very similar to a soap opera, we no longer see them eat or just have normal lives, it seems all very dramatic and OTT. Any thoughts?

Anyways i'm off, will post some stuff later.

The Noon

2007-06-08T05:01:00.000-07:00

Big Brother cont...

2007-06-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Well, how confused am I watched Big Brother last night and they seem to show last Fridays stuff with that Ziggy character going into the house. Seems a little odd the timings this year - maybe i just havn't adapted yet!

So more bitchiness has been taking place and i really get irrated by the seemingly acted way in which it is taking place (anyone else agree?).

Anyways best get back to analysis of data - always a joy!

Nick

Big Brother

2007-06-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Well doesn't it seem that this years big brother won't reach the heights of CBB or BB:7 - it's dire. I know there seems to be a perennial issue when it comes to strong female characters, but, making a house full of them has instantly alienated a proportion of the viewers (well it has me). With the skrawking mismatch of wannabes sent it to a even further deluded iterior design dive. Perhaps it's just me, or are Channel 4 trying to shred their skin of Big Brother in one final insane hurrah!!

Anyways, I find it rather interesting to talk about so i will keep this updated regulary over the coming months. Plus, will finally get around to posting some consumer psychology related stuff.

Regards World,

Nick

Roman Roaming

2007-05-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

Well it seems like facebook is a heavy addiction. But i won't forget this blog people! Although i know nobody would read it. I suppose thats because it's not very interesting.

I've been doing some research about Bangor and it's roman history, and as yet have not found much out. Not being a Historian myself it's quite tricky, so i'm thinking about roping my brother into the endeavor. And if you come to this via one of the labels attached then please feel free to comment some advice.

Will talk later.

Nick

FaceBook

2007-05-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

The news is full of Prince Williams fake facebook so i thought i ought to have myself a proper one.

Will make a longer and more interesting post some time in the far future.

Nick

I'm Not Doing my Critique

2007-04-03T01:25:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Well my blog title suggests that there is some sort of critique of questions - where are they. Well for starters I need a questions that I feel will interest people (any suggestions?). Perhaps not as it seems no one reads this.

My brother is down at the moment and he certainly seems to question the snip bits of my course (i tell him) that i am undertaking. Highlighting some fundamental misunderstandings and "well" flaws of psychology. Although, others and it definitely seems to more of the Philosophcentric people seem to find psychology almost repulsing. Which it would seem very odd indeed as the two subjects are very much tied within similar shackles (apart from the obvious differences) - you don't get a good psychologist who isn't aware and in tune with philsophy - but it would seem that some philosophers feel that you don't need to be aware of psychology to philosophise. Any thoughts on this I would greatly welcome.

Thats all folks!

Nick

At Tokens House

2007-03-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

I'm currently at tokens house! Wow isn't that incredible. Whats going on in the world today then?

Well, lets break it down into two things: 1) We are worms. 2) We will always be worms.

Keep it Wormy - or "composty" (sic).

Nick

The Red Campaign

2007-03-05T09:27:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

Well I thought that perhaps this may happen Bono's Costly Red Campaign.

And I felt that perhaps would be the direction of the campaign and it seems a little bit unfortunate as the money that was spent on marketing was ill directed and ill conceived. And perhaps there were less good intentions. Hopefully it will make some money - but other charities should take heed from this.

"Its not a told you so!"

Nick

Envirofone

2007-02-20T04:40:00.000-08:00

Hey discovered a cool company that takes your old phones and gives you money. It's at www.envirofone.com

Check it out £20 for me thank you!

Nobody Listenning

2007-02-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well I've had my blog up for about 4 days now and it seems like nobody actually is aware of its existence. Which would make sense as i have so far not told anybody about it. Don't feel i should force the issue either. Eventually someone will click to it and when they do they will probably be very bored and just click next blog.

Perhaps then I'm doing this for myself - which would be why most people do it. Boredom i suppose is one of the drivers but expression is my reason (honestly).

Hope the world is ticking gently out of time.

Nick

Brand Loyalty

2007-02-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

What is Brand Loyalty?
What creates Brand Loyalty?
And how should / could one measure it?

These questions will be probed during the next while.

Well Get Reading

2007-02-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

Hope if you read the product red post then you make a comment. I'm currently working on some new electrical water cleaner. If anyone reads this and knows anything about the market then please comment. I will be posting some findings from it soon. Which should be interesting.

Going to discuss lots of things on this blog but as i am currently doing a MSc in Psychology the main themes will be how that is going.

Peace be with you.

Nick