Here we offer a thorough review of the empirical literature on the conditions under which an object, such as a tool or a prosthetic (whether real or virtual), can be experienced as being in some sense a part or extension of one's body. We discuss this literature both from the standpoint of the apparent malleability of our body representations, and also from within the framework of radical embodied cognition, which understands the phenomenon to result not from an alteration to a representation, but rather from the achievement of a certain kind of sensory/motor coupling. We highlight both the tensions between these frameworks, and also areas where they can productively complement one another for future research.

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The free energy principle (FEP) has been presented as a unified brain theory, as a general principle for the self-organization of biological systems, and most recently as a principle for a theory of every thing. Additionally, active inference has been proposed as the process theory entailed by FEP that is able to model the full range of biological and cognitive events. In this

The solution of the Laplace–Young equation determines the equilibrium height of the free surface of a liquid contained in a vessel under the action of gravity and surface tension. There are only two non-trivial exact solutions known; one corresponds to a liquid occupying a semi-infinite domain bounded by a vertical plane wall while the other relates to the case when the liquid is constrained between parallel walls. A technique called boundary tracing is introduced; this procedure allows one to modify the geometry of the domain so that both the Laplace–Young equation continues to be satisfied while the necessary contact condition on the boundary remains fulfilled. In this way, new solutions of the equation are derived and such solutions can be found for certain boundaries with one or more sharp corners and for others that possess small-scale irregularities that can be thought of as a model for roughness. The method can be extended to construct new solutions for a variety of other physically significant partial differential equations.

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A proposal for a fully post-phrenological neuroscience that details the evolutionary roots of functional diversity in brain regions and networks. The computer analogy of the mind has been as widely adopted in contemporary cognitive neuroscience as was the analogy of the brain as a collection of organs in phrenology. Just as the phrenologist would insist that each organ must have its particular function, so contemporary cognitive neuroscience is committed to the notion that each brain region must have its fundamental computation. In After Phrenology, Michael Anderson argues that to achieve a fully post-phrenological science of the brain, we need to reassess this commitment and devise an alternate, neuroscientifically grounded taxonomy of mental function. Anderson contends that the cognitive roles played by each region of the brain are highly various, reflecting different neural partnerships established under different circumstances. He proposes quantifying the functional properties of neural assemblies in terms of their dispositional tendencies rather than their computational or information-processing operations. Exploring larger-scale issues, and drawing on evidence from embodied cognition, Anderson develops a picture of thinking rooted in the exploitation and extension of our early-evolving capacity for iterated interaction with the world. He argues that the multidimensional approach to the brain he describes offers a much better fit for these findings, and a more promising road toward a unified science of minded organisms. Bradford Books imprint

A primary limiting factor in the design and operation of small, Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) is energy. Current models have unsatisfactory range and endurance, and other enhanced capabilities must be omitted from their design because there is not sufficient energy to power them. One proposed solution to this energy problem is to imitate birds by "perching", a definition which was broadly stated as any low-energy-expenditure state in which Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) could be conducted. Over onehundred innovative perching UAV concepts were generated and assessed for feasibility and potential mission enhancement. The most promising concepts were further analyzed and prototyped. Among those, the Sticky-Pad Plane was the most successful and was prototyped at the alpha and beta levels. It is able to attach to vertical surfaces from straight and level flight, reposition to conduct ISR, then detach from the wall and relaunch into flight without any additional power requirements. The Sticky-Pad Plane is a robust design that is adaptable to a wide range of aircraft configurations and is capable of perching multiple times in different locations during a given mission. The Sticky-Pad Plane has been successfully demonstrated on three separate aircraft, and it has the potential to increase the duration of ISR missions by an order of magnitude or more.

While having the potential to significantly improve heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system performance, advanced (e.g., optimal, robust and various forms of adaptive) controllers have yet to be incorporated into commercial systems.Controllers consisting of distributed proportional-integral (PI) control loops continue to dominate commercial HVAC systems. Investigation into advanced HVAC controllers has largely been limited to proposals and simulations, with few controllers being tested on physical systems. While simulation can be insightful, the only true means for verifying the performance provided by HVAC controllers is by Preprint submitted to Energy and Buildings 4 January 2006 actually using them to control an HVAC system. The construction and modeling of an experimental system for testing advanced HVAC controllers, is the focus of this article.A simple HVAC system, intended for controlling the temperature and flow rate of the discharge air, was built using standard components. While only a portion of an overall HVAC system, it is representative of a typical hot water to air heating system. In this article, a single integrated environment is created that is used for data acquisition, controller design, simulation, and closed loop controller implementation and testing. This environment provides the power and flexibility needed for rapid prototyping of various controllers and control design methodologies.