Gaze–mouse coordinated movements and dependency with coordination demands in tracing.

Eye movements have been shown to lead hand movements in tracing tasks where subjects have to move their fingers along a predefined trace. The question remained, whether the leading relationship was similar when tracing with a pointing device, such as a mouse; more importantly, whether tasks that required more or less gaze–mouse coordination would introduce variation in this pattern of behaviour, in terms of both spatial and temporal leading of gaze position to mouse movement. A three-level gaze–mouse coordination demand paradigm was developed to address these questions. A substantial dataset of 1350 trials was collected and analysed. The linear correlation of gaze–mouse movements, the statistical distribution of the lead time, as well as the lead distance between gaze and mouse cursor positions were all considered, and we proposed a new method to quantify lead time in gaze–mouse coordination. The results supported and extended previous empirical findings that gaze often led mouse movements. We found that the gaze–mouse coordination demands of the task were positively correlated to the gaze lead, both spatially and temporally. However, the mouse movements were synchronised with or led gaze in the simple straight line condition, which demanded the least gaze–mouse coordination

A nonlinear updating algorithm captures suboptimal inference in the presence of signal-dependent noise

Bayesian models have advanced the idea that humans combine prior beliefs and sensory observations to optimize behavior. How the brain implements Bayes-optimal inference, however, remains poorly understood. Simple behavioral tasks suggest that the brain can flexibly represent probability distributions. An alternative view is that the brain relies on simple algorithms that can implement Bayes-optimal behavior only when the computational demands are low. To distinguish between these alternatives, we devised a task in which Bayes-optimal performance could not be matched by simple algorithms. We asked subjects to estimate and reproduce a time interval by combining prior information with one or two sequential measurements. In the domain of time, measurement noise increases with duration. This property takes the integration of multiple measurements beyond the reach of simple algorithms. We found that subjects were able to update their estimates using the second measurement but their performance was suboptimal, suggesting that they were unable to update full probability distributions. Instead, subjects’ behavior was consistent with an algorithm that predicts upcoming sensory signals, and applies a nonlinear function to errors in prediction to update estimates. These results indicate that the inference strategies employed by humans may deviate from Bayes-optimal integration when the computational demands are high

Techniques And Parameters Investigations On Crosslinked Rubber Foam Formations.

Single Stage. Heat Tranfer and Heat and Chill techniques were applied to determine suitable methods for crosslinked rubber foam formation. Various parameters such as expansion temperature and blowing agent concentration were also investigated

Reshaping Regional Institutions: APEC and the IMF in East Asia

One of the most striking aspects of attempts to manage the crisis in East Asia has been the very differing roles played by APEC and the IMF. Although both organisations have similar market-centred reform agendas, APEC has been conspicuous by its absence in the wake of the crisis. This paper considers the actions of both organisations, and their very dfferent approaches to institutional reform. It is suggested that the crisis in general and the actions of these two organisations in particular provides a timely opportunity to review the more influential varieties of institutional theory to see whether they provide either useful tools for understanding the roles and activities of APEC and the IMF, or plausible models of reform for policy makers

Crosslinking of polyolefin foam II. Applicability of parameters to assess crosslinking/foam density relationships

The effect of introducing triallyl cyanurate (TAC) monomer, into dicumyl peroxide (DCP) crosslinking systems for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is considered. In the foam formation, chemical blowing used in a fixed amount of 8.0 phr. Effects are characterised as a function of relative concentrations in solid, melt and foamed states. It was observed that gel content could only be used as a reasonable indicator to predict foaming behaviour only for traditional crosslinking with DCP alone. The results also showed that melt modulus seemed a better indicator when TAC was incorporated in the system but appeared only to be particularly relevant at a specific TAC concentration. It was found that swell ratio better controls expansion prediction whereas foam density determines physical and mechanical properties independent of formulation. Moreover, swell ratio appeared to be able to define expansion characteristics not only of traditional crosslinking systems but also those containing triallyl cyanurate monomer

Dysfunctional gut microbiome networks in childhood IgE-mediated food allergy

The development of food allergy has been reported to be related with the changes in the gutmicrobiome, however the specific microbe associated with the pathogenesis of food allergy remainselusive. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the gut microbiome and identify individual or group gut microbes relating to food-allergy using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with networkanalysis. Faecal samples were collected from children with IgE-mediated food allergies (n = 33) andwithout food allergy (n = 27). Gut microbiome was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. OTUsobtained from 16S rRNA gene sequencing were then used to construct a co-abundance network usingWeighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and mapped onto Kyoto Encyclopediaof Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. We identified a co-abundance network module to bepositively correlated with IgE-mediated food allergy and this module was characterized by a hubtaxon, namely Ruminococcaceae UCG-002 (phylum Firmicutes). Functional pathway analysis of all thegut microbiome showed enrichment of methane metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism in the gutmicrobiome of food-allergic children and enrichment of ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinonebiosynthesis in the gut microbiome of non-food allergic children. We concluded that RuminococcaceaeUCG-002 may play determinant roles in gut microbial community structure and function leading tothe development of IgE-mediated food allergy

A space vector PWM algorithm for a three-level asymmetrical six-phase motor drive

A space vector pulse-width modulation (SVPWM) algorithm for a three-level asymmetrical six-phase drive based on vector space decomposition (VSD) approach is presented in this paper. A modification in zero plane of the transformation matrix is proposed in order to meet the requirement that the realisation of sinusoidal output phase voltages can be obtained through the chosen output leg voltage space vectors. Furthermore, a method of choosing the switching sequences based on all possible one-level transitions of the leg voltages, i.e. a permutation method, is introduced. The algorithm is then validated experimentally and obtained results show that the developed method successfully achieves the desired fundamental phase voltage, although low order harmonics are present due to uncompensated inverter dead time. Last but not least, the performance of the proposed SVPWM algorithm is compared to several carrier-based PWM algorithms including in-phase disposition with ‘double min-max injection’ (PD-DI). This is a little known type of injection, which is verified to obtain identical performance as the presented multilevel algorithm

Patterns of myocardial injury in recovered troponin-positive COVID-19 patients assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND: Troponin elevation is common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but underlying aetiologies are ill-defined. We used multi-parametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to assess myocardial injury in recovered COVID-19 patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight patients (64 ± 12 years, 70% male) with severe COVID-19 infection [all requiring hospital admission, 48 (32%) requiring ventilatory support] and troponin elevation discharged from six hospitals underwent convalescent CMR (including adenosine stress perfusion if indicated) at median 68 days. Left ventricular (LV) function was normal in 89% (ejection fraction 67% ± 11%). Late gadolinium enhancement and/or ischaemia was found in 54% (80/148). This comprised myocarditis-like scar in 26% (39/148), infarction and/or ischaemia in 22% (32/148) and dual pathology in 6% (9/148). Myocarditis-like injury was limited to three or less myocardial segments in 88% (35/40) of cases with no associated LV dysfunction; of these, 30% had active myocarditis. Myocardial infarction was found in 19% (28/148) and inducible ischaemia in 26% (20/76) of those undergoing stress perfusion (including 7 with both infarction and ischaemia). Of patients with ischaemic injury pattern, 66% (27/41) had no past history of coronary disease. There was no evidence of diffuse fibrosis or oedema in the remote myocardium (T1: COVID-19 patients 1033 ± 41 ms vs. matched controls 1028 ± 35 ms; T2: COVID-19 46 ± 3 ms vs. matched controls 47 ± 3 ms). CONCLUSIONS: During convalescence after severe COVID-19 infection with troponin elevation, myocarditis-like injury can be encountered, with limited extent and minimal functional consequence. In a proportion of patients, there is evidence of possible ongoing localized inflammation. A quarter of patients had ischaemic heart disease, of which two-thirds had no previous history. Whether these observed findings represent pre-existing clinically silent disease or de novo COVID-19-related changes remain undetermined. Diffuse oedema or fibrosis was not detected

Evaluation of health workforce competence in maternal and neonatal issues in public health sector of Pakistan: an Assessment of their training needs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>More than 450 newborns die every hour worldwide, before they reach the age of four weeks (neonatal period) and over 500,000 women die from complications related to childbirth. The major direct causes of neonatal death are infections (36%), Prematurity (28%) and Asphyxia (23%). Pakistan has one of the highest perinatal and neonatal mortality rates in the region and contributes significantly to global neonatal mortality. The high mortality rates are partially attributable to scarcity of trained skilled birth attendants and paucity of resources. Empowerment of health care providers with adequate knowledge and skills can serve as instrument of change.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We carried out training needs assessment analysis in the public health sector of Pakistan to recognize gaps in the processes and quality of MNCH care provided. An assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Health Care Providers on key aspects was evaluated through a standardized pragmatic approach. Meticulously designed tools were tested on three tiers of health care personnel providing MNCH in the community and across the public health care system. The Lady Health Workers (LHWs) form the first tier of trained cadre that provides MNCH at primary care level (BHU) and in the community. The Lady Health Visitor (LHVs), Nurses, midwives) cadre follow next and provide facility based MNCH care at secondary and tertiary level (RHCs, Taluka/Tehsil, and DHQ Hospitals). The physician/doctor is the specialized cadre that forms the third tier of health care providers positioned in secondary and tertiary care hospitals (Taluka/Tehsil and DHQ Hospitals). The evaluation tools were designed to provide quantitative estimates across various domains of knowledge and skills. A priori thresholds were established for performance rating.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The performance of LHWs in knowledge of MNCH was good with 30% scoring more than 70%. The Medical officers (MOs), in comparison, performed poorly in their knowledge of MNCH with only 6% scoring more than 70%. All three cadres of health care providers performed poorly in the resuscitation skill and only 50% were able to demonstrate steps of immediate newborn care. The MOs performed far better in counselling skills compare to the LHWs. Only 50 per cent of LHWs could secure competency scale in this critical component of skills assessment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>All three cadres of health care providers performed well below competency levels for MNCH knowledge and skills. Standardized training and counselling modules, tailored to the needs and resources at district level need to be developed and implemented. This evaluation highlighted the need for periodic assessment of health worker training and skills to address gaps and develop targeted continuing education modules. To achieve MDG4 and 5 goals, it is imperative that such deficiencies are identified and addressed.</p

What is ‘anti’ about anti-reaches? Reference frames selectively affect reaction times and endpoint variability

Reach movement planning involves the representation of spatial target information in different reference frames. Neurons at parietal and premotor stages of the cortical sensorimotor system represent target information in eye- or hand-centered reference frames, respectively. How the different neuronal representations affect behavioral parameters of motor planning and control, i.e. which stage of neural representation is relevant for which aspect of behavior, is not obvious from the physiology. Here, we test with a behavioral experiment if different kinematic movement parameters are affected to a different degree by either an eye- or hand-reference frame. We used a generalized anti-reach task to test the influence of stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) in eye- and hand-reference frames on reach reaction times, movement times, and endpoint variability. While in a standard anti-reach task, the SRC is identical in the eye- and hand-reference frames, we could separate SRC for the two reference frames. We found that reaction times were influenced by the SRC in eye- and hand-reference frame. In contrast, movement times were only influenced by the SRC in hand-reference frame, and endpoint variability was only influenced by the SRC in eye-reference frame. Since movement time and endpoint variability are the result of planning and control processes, while reaction times are consequences of only the planning process, we suggest that SRC effects on reaction times are highly suited to investigate reference frames of movement planning, and that eye- and hand-reference frames have distinct effects on different phases of motor action and different kinematic movement parameters