Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1 LN166 -93 THE RESPONSE SENSITIVITY OF PHYSIOLOGICALLY EXTRAOCULAR SIGHT PERCEPTION TO LIGHT OF FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF WAVELENGTHS Authors: Zhang Yunzhi, Yang Jianhua, Ye Ziquan (from the Biophysics Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences); Liu Yicheng, Tan Dajun, and Tian Jingfa (from the Physics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) We knew earlier that, in normal ocular sight perception, light of different wave lengths produces different response sensitivity, and from this we constructed the sight spectrum sensitivity curve. The recent reports of some authors [1] show that physiologically extraocular sight perception, just like normal ocular sight perception, is also capable of producing different sensations of color for light of different wave lengths. What then, with respect to extraocular sight perception and light of different wavelengths, is the difference in the degree of response sensitivity? This essay utilizes the methods of psychology and physics to make a rough comparison of the corresponding values of the response sensitivity of physiological extraocular sight perception to light of four different kinds of wave lengths (636 Mmu, 560 Mmu, 491 Mmu,and 452 Mmu). The results show that the extraocular sight perception of the tested persons by us have different response sensitivity to the light of four different kinds of wave lengths. Due to the limits of the test, the contents of this report can only be used as qualitative observation material; the data in this report have no quantitative significance. METHOD 1. For a diagram of the equipment used in the experiment see diagram one. The monochromatic light meter shown in the diagram is a WDS-d2 model ; the light source was a 30W filament bulb; we made our own collimator to establish the relative value of the capacity of the light wave lengths generated by the monochromatic light meter. We regulated the intensity of each monochromatic light by a neutral light filter placed between the light source and the point where the light entered the monochromatic light meter. 2. The standard we used for selecting the wavelengths is: the freshest sense of color, and the greatest distance between the wave lengths. We did this in order to diminish discrepancies in the test. Based on this, we selected four kinds of wave lengths, a red color of 636Mmu, a yellow of 560 Mmu, a green of 491 Mmu, and a blue color of 452 Mmu, for use in our survey. 3. The test process: The test began by having the test proctor randomly select one kind of light from among the four kinds of wave lengths described above and by placing a neutral light filter between the illuminating lamp of the monochromatic light meter and the point where the light enters the monochromatic light meter. Following this, the test proctor had the person tested place an extraocular part of the body (the palm of the hand) at the point where the light exits the monechromatic light meter and thereby start the extraocular "recognition" until the person tested becomes aware of the sense of color,whereupon the person tested reported this awareness to the proctor, Finally, the above described process was repeated while the proctor steadily diminished the transparency of the neutral light filter until the person tested said that the sense of color had ceased. At this point, the proctor recorded the wave length being tested and the transparency rate of the neutral light filter. This transparency rate was then designated the threshold transparency rate eta. Eta and the corresponding relative value of the Light wave length were multiplied and inverted to produce the corresponding value of the sensitivity response of the person tested's extraocular sight sensitivity to the wave length of this light. Once the proctor obtained the corresponding values of the sensitivity response for all four wave lengths, the test was completed. Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1 LN166-93 Diagram 1: A diagram of the principal equipment used in the experiment. A. Point where light exits the monochromatic light meter. B. The hand of the person being tested. Cc. The monochromatic light meter. D. The covering (for the tested person's hand). E. Point where light enters the monochromatic light meter. F. The neutral filter. G. The electricity gauge. H. The lamp. I. The electricity stabilizer. In order to prevent the tested person's normal ocular vision from interfering with the test process, [the area]from the point where the light exits the monochromatic light meter to the tested person's extraocular body part (the palm of the hand) was enclosed in a covering. Participating in the test were two young girls, Miss Li (ten years old) and Migs Miao (also ten), both of whom possess extraocular sight perception. Results and Discussion 1. The relative value of the two tested persons' sensitivity response to light of four different wavelengths is as follows: Miss Li's relative sensitivity value for light of a wave length of 636 Mmu was 3%; for wave length 560 Mmu,22%; for wave length 491 Mmu, 51%; and for wave length 452Mmu, 81%. Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1 LN166-93 Miss Miao's relative sensitivity value for light of a wave length of 636 Mmu was 4%; £or wave length 560 Mmu, 8%;for wave length 491 Mmu, 24%; and for wave length 452 Mmu, 38%. Diagram 2 shows the above described results of the relationship between wave length and sensitivity. From the test results we can clearly see that the two tested persons' extraocular sight perception of light of four different wave lengths had different sensitivity responses. Among the four kinds of light, the tested persons were most sensitive to the blue light of 452 Mmu,and next most sensitive to the green light of 491 Mmu; but least sensitive to the red light of 636 Mmu. 2. Comparing the above described results to the spectrum sensitivity curve of physiologically normal sight perception we can see that: the extraocular sight perception of the two tested persons had different sensitivity responses to light of four different wavelengths; moreover, the wave length to which the two tested persons were most sensitive was also different. Normal ocular sight perception during daylight is most sensitive to Light of 550 Mmu but, during evening, most sensitive to light of 505 Mmu. Normal ocular sight perception can deal with pale green light whereas extraocular sight perceptions more sensitive to blue light than to pale green. Differences in the degree of sensitivity of normal ocular sight perception to light of different wave lengths is determined by the special light sensing characteristics of the tiny light sensing cells in the sclera. Because of this, the part that produces these differences is the primary gensing organ in the whole vision perception system. How are differences in the degree of sensitivity to the light spectrum of extraocular sight perception constructed? In which part of this system are these produced? These are problems worth our consideration. This test informs us that light of different wavelengths is capable of producing different perceptions of color. The problem of color perception, however, is an even more complex problem. The recognition of color information in physiologically normal ocular vision is not only related to the special characteristics of the organs of light perception but also related to the special processing characteristics of the optical nerve system to color information. At present, according to some authors,these two special characteristics of normal ocular sight perception are explained by the three colors theory of Yangyi-xiamu-huoerci [phonetic] and the four colors theory of Xylene [phonetic]. While testing extraocular sight perception, we discovered that "ocular sight" and "extraocular sight" have the same sense of color with regard to the same kind of color information (regardless of whether the color is monochromatic or polychromatic). This leads us to think that perhaps between them “ocular sight" and "extraocular sight" have a similar transmitting and processing channel for color information. Our present experiment, however, tells us that their response to the light spectrum is not quite similar and this leads us to think that their color information transmitting and processing channels are also different as well. In that case then what relationship do these two "sight perception" systems have in receiving, transmitting, and processing spatial color information? This is also worth our consideration. 3. This experiment only compared extraocular sight perception sensitivity with respect to light of four kinds of wave lengths. Although we can see differences in the degree of sensitivity, we have not however obtained a most sensitive light wave length value. We suggest that the appropriate 3 Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1 LN166-93 work units can continue with this work in order to complete the curve for spectrum sensitivity of extraocular sight perception. 4, The relative value for the monochromatic light meter's spectrum used in the present experiment was obtained using a standard produced by an illuminator of our own manufacture. Although this illuminator was previously checked for accuracy, that was some time ago and therefore the results produced by this experiment are only for qualitative use. We take the opportunity here to call the reader's attention to this point. [1] Wang Shengli, et al "Nature Magazine,"3(1980) 336 o—o rs x——— x sti ©) 460 500° «BBO 600 650 BK (mp) oy) A. Relative value of the degree of sensitivity given as a percentage. B. The results for Miss Li. Cc. The results for Miss Mial. D. Wave length (Mmu). Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1
Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1 LN166-93 THE SECOND PLENUM OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (PREPARATORY) CONVENES IN SHANGHAI Author: Qin Yue The Second Plenum of the Committee of the Research Association of Chinese Physiological Sciences convened in Shanghai on November 9, 1981. Twenty six committee members from twenty four provinces, cities, and autonomous areas attend the plenum. The committee passed three documents: "(Draft) Regulations of the Research Association of Chinese Physiological Sciences," "Essential Notes of the Committee," and "A Report Concerning a Recommendation That an Organization of National Science Committees Undertake Experimental Verification of Physiologically Unique Skills." Looking back at the work done over the last half year, the committee acknowledged that, under the leadership and concern of party committees at each level, and with the support of the science committees and associations of each area, and due to the efforts of science and technology workers, the work situation of the Research Association of Physiological Sciences is excellent; and the preparatory plans for local research associations at every level have made progress. The committee decided to convene, at an appropriate time in 1982, at a specialized scholarship symposium to discuss physics, biology, inner strength [trans. note: "qigong," a branch of traditional Chinese medicine] and their relationship to unique skills, how they tie into unique skills, and other aspects. Committee delegates proceeded to analyze the question of society's denial of the true nature of physiologically unique skills. The delegates recognized that it is a good thing and not a bad thing to use explanations from different branches of learning to debate a new science because only by repeated, rigorous, learned debate together with strict experimental verification can we rid ourselves of falsehood and find truth, distinguish between right and wrong, and cause research work to progress healthily in the correct direction. However, the plenum and each individual delegate recognize that they are unable to accept the view that these skills are "unscientific," a view based on the fact that the phenomenon of physiologically unique skills is difficult to explain using present scientific theories. Nor can they accept the lumping of physiologically unique skills together with feudal superstitions and the "soul only theory" of the philosophic idealists. The committee sees this attitude as incompatible with objective real conditions and especially harmful to the future progress of China's scientific undertakings. The committee pointed out that, since the March 1979 discovery of the phenomenon of "reading words with the ears," the whole country has continued to discover many children with this kind of ability. Moreover a good many science and technology workers have proceeded with a large number of experimental investigations the results of which show that physiologically unique skills objectively exist. The phenomenon of physiologically unique skills cannot even today be fully explained by conventional scientific theories. This clearly shows the scientific need for and importance of proceeding with this research work. Using scientific methods to research this phenomenon and striving to explain it directly opposes feudal superstition and also thoroughly destroys the fundamental methods of superstition. At the moment, the debate centers on whether "reading words with the ears," this kind of physiologically unique skill, really exists or not. The best way to resolve this debate is through scientific experiments. Therefore, the committee proposed that, under the leadership of the national science committees, formal experimental proofs of the real nature of "reading words Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000300030001-1