scholarly journals A New Method for Haptic Shape Discriminability Detection

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7049
Author(s):  
Yulong Liu ◽  
Jiajia Yang ◽  
Yinghua Yu ◽  
Yiyang Yu ◽  
Wu Wang ◽  
...  

Touch shape discrimination is not only closely related to tactile mechanoreceptors but also higher cognitive function. However, previous shape discrimination methods are difficult to complete in a short time, and the devices are complicated to operate and not user-friendly for nonprofessionals. Here, we propose a new method, the evaluation quantity of which is the angle discrimination threshold. In addition, to make this method easy to use for nonprofessionals, we designed a haptic angle sorting system, including the device and software. To evaluate this method, the angle sorting and two-angle discrimination experiments were compared, and it was found that participants spent significantly less time in the former experiment than in the latter. At the same time, there is a strong correlation between the performance of angle sorting and two-angle discrimination, which shows that the angle threshold obtained by the new method can also be used to evaluate the ability of touch discrimination. Moreover, the angle sorting results of different age groups also further demonstrate the feasibility of the method. The efficiency of this new method and the effectiveness of the system also provide a convenient means for evaluating haptic shape discrimination, which may have potential clinical application value in the early diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and even in the evaluation of cognitive function.

2016 ◽  
Vol 167 (5) ◽  
pp. 294-301
Author(s):  
Leo Bont

Optimal layout of a forest road network The road network is the backbone of forest management. When creating or redesigning a forest road network, one important question is how to shape the layout, this means to fix the spatial arrangement and the dimensioning standard of the roads. We consider two kinds of layout problems. First, new forest road network in an area without any such development yet, and second, redesign of existing road network for actual requirements. For each problem situation, we will present a method that allows to detect automatically the optimal road and harvesting layout. The method aims to identify a road network that concurrently minimizes the harvesting cost, the road network cost (construction and maintenance) and the hauling cost over the entire life cycle. Ecological issues can be considered as well. The method will be presented and discussed with the help of two case studies. The main benefit of the application of optimization tools consists in an objective-based planning, which allows to check and compare different scenarios and objectives within a short time. The responses coming from the case study regions were highly positive: practitioners suggest to make those methods a standard practice and to further develop the prototype to a user-friendly expert software.


Author(s):  
Émilie Perez

The role of children in Merovingian society has long been downplayed, and the study of their graves and bones has long been neglected. However, during the past fifteen years, archaeologists have shown growing interest in the place of children in Merovingian society. Nonetheless, this research has not been without challenges linked to the nature of the biological and material remains. Recent analysis of 315 children’s graves from four Merovingian cemeteries in northern Gaul (sixth to seventh centuries) allows us to understand the modalities of burial ritual for children. A new method for classifying children into social age groups shows that the type, quality, quantity, and diversity of grave goods were directly correlated with the age of the deceased. They increased from the age of eight and particularly around the time of puberty. This study discusses the role of age and gender in the construction and expression of social identity during childhood in the Merovingian period.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anying Bai ◽  
Liyuan Tao ◽  
Jia Huang ◽  
Jing Tao ◽  
Jue Liu

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the effect of physical activity on different cognitive domains among patients with diabetes. Methods We used two waves of data from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2013–2015), a nationally representative dataset of Chinese population aged over 45. Total physical activity scores were calculated based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Executive function and episodic memory were used as measures of cognitive function. We conducted lagged dependent variable models to explore the association between physical activity and cognitive function in full sample as well as two different age groups (45–65, ≥65). Results: 862 diabetic patients were included. We found that diabetic participants who had greater level of physical activity at baseline were associated with better episodic memory function in 2 years (p < 0.05). Moreover, physical activity was significantly associated with less decline in episodic memory in fully adjusted models, and the associations were stronger among patients aged 45–65 years (p < 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between physical activity and executive function in all age groups. Conclusions Physical activity may prevent some of the potential decline in episodic memory in diabetic patients. Clinicians and public health departments should strengthen the promotion of physical activity and develop early screening tools among diabetic participants to prevent the progression of cognitive impairment.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3503
Author(s):  
Yanning Zhao ◽  
Toshiyuki Yamamoto

This paper presents a review on relevant studies and reports related to older drivers’ behavior and stress. Questionnaires, simulators, and on-road/in-vehicle systems are used to collect driving data in most studies. In addition, research either directly compares older drivers and the other drivers or considers participants according to various age groups. Nevertheless, the definition of ‘older driver’ varies not only across studies but also across different government reports. Although questionnaire surveys are widely used to affordably obtain massive data in a short time, they lack objectivity. In contrast, biomedical information can increase the reliability of a driving stress assessment when collected in environments such as driving simulators and on-road experiments. Various studies determined that driving behavior and stress remain stable regardless of age, whereas others reported degradation of driving abilities and increased driving stress among older drivers. Instead of age, many researchers recommended considering other influencing factors, such as gender, living area, and driving experience. To mitigate bias in findings, this literature review suggests a hybrid method by applying surveys and collecting on-road/in-vehicle data.


1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 628-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement W. Meighan

One aspect of the recent article by Drennan (1976) merits some additional discussion. This has to do with the units of time that can be discriminated by seriation methods. One advance claimed for the new method proposed is that it allows for time placement within 25 years or so, stated as “ … finer than most traditional seriation.” In an article published 17 years ago, I showed this degree of time discrimination, with a much simpler graphical method of seriation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiao Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang ◽  
Yangdong Feng ◽  
Hehua Li ◽  
Kai Wu ◽  
...  

AbstractIt was still unclear how homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cognitive deficits change in patients with schizophrenia of various ages. The present article attempts to assess the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia across age groups, especially in young people. Totals of 103 patients and 122 healthy controls were included. All participants were stratified into four groups according to their age: 18–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, and 50–59 years. Clinical data, plasma Hcy levels, and cognitive function score were collected. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery of tests assessing speed of processing, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, working memory, and attention/vigilance. Compared with the healthy group, Hcy levels increased significantly, and all the measured cognitive function score were significantly lower in all age groups of patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). Hcy levels were negatively associated with speed of processing (SoP), working memory (WM), and visual learning and memory (Vis Lrng) score in 18–29 years. Further multiple regression analysis showed that SoP were independently associated with Hcy levels in patients with schizophrenia aged 18–29 years (B = 0.74, t = 3.12, p = 0.008). Based on our results, patients with schizophrenia performed worse on cognitive assessments and Hcy levels were more closely related to cognition in young patients.


Author(s):  
Reeta Sharma ◽  
P. K. Bhattacharya ◽  
Shantanu Ganguly ◽  
Arun Kumar

Today's world is technology-driven. Technology has penetrated almost every sphere of human life. Digital marking is one of the technologies that have attracted people from different age groups all over the world with their advanced nature of applications and uses. One of the foremost reasons why patrons like to use this technology is because these are not only user-friendly in nature and innovativeness but also carry the knowledge economies. Marketing and branding through digital media channels are very decent ventures that have steadily increased in value and are thereby considered safe and secure investments. In this chapter, the authors discuss a case study of ICDL 2016 conference where social media and other technology is widely used to market this event and catch prospective users.


2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 185-188
Author(s):  
B Kamath Jagannath ◽  
Bhardwaj Praveen

ABSTRACTOptimal tension during tendon transfer is the most important surgeon-controlled factor, which determines the final outcome of surgery. To attain optimal tension, the joints have to be maintained in proper position during the final attachment of the transferred tendon. Maintaining this desired position requires one extra assistant and is difficult. We herein describe a modular splint designed by us, which can be used for most of the commonly done tendon transfers in practice. It is very versatile as it can be used for all the age groups and for both right and left sides. A single splint, which is autoclavable and can be used for most commonly done tendon transfers, makes it user-friendly


Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 2400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanjun Sheng ◽  
Xiangfu Wang ◽  
Yong Tao ◽  
Xiaohong Yan

We report a new method for detecting variable resistance during short time intervals by using an optical method. A novel variable-resistance sensor composed of up-conversion nanoparticles (NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is designed based on characteristics of a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistive element. The fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology based on green and red emissions is used to detect variable resistance. Combining the Boltzmann distributing law with Steinhart–Hart equation, the FIR and relative sensitivity SR as a function of resistance can be defined. The maximum value of SR is 1.039 × 10−3/Ω. This work reports a new method for measuring variable resistance based on the experimental data from fluorescence spectrum.


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