Using a serious game to assess spatial memory in children and adults

Short-term spatial memory has traditionally been assessed using visual stimuli, but not auditory stimuli. In this paper, we design and test a serious game with auditory stimuli for assessing short-term spatial memory. The interaction is achieved by gestures (by raising your arms). The auditory stimuli are emitted by smart devices placed at different locations. A total of 70 participants (32 children and 38 adults) took part in the study. The outcomes obtained with our game were compared with traditional methods. The results indicated that the outcomes in the game for the adults were significantly greater than those obtained by the children. This result is consistent with the assumption that the ability of humans increases continuously during maturation. Correlations were found between our game and traditional methods, suggesting its validity for assessing spatial memory. The results indicate that both groups easily learn how to perform the task and are good at recalling the locations of sounds emitted from different positions. With regard to satisfaction with our game, the mean scores of the children were higher for nearly all of the questions. The mean scores for all of the questions, except one, were greater than 4 on a scale from 1 to 5. These results show the satisfaction of the participants with our game. The results suggest that our game promotes engagement and allows the assessment of spatial memory in an ecological way

A catalog of planetary nebula candidates in the Sculptor spiral galaxy NGC 300

[OIII]5007 on-band off-band images, obtained with the VLT and FORS2 spectrograph in two zones (center and outskirts) of the spiral galaxy NGC300, are analyzed searching for emission line objects. In particular we search for planetary nebula (PN) candidates to analyze their distribution and luminosity properties, to perform follow-up spectroscopy, and to study the planetary nebula luminosity function, PNLF. In the continuum-subtracted images, a large number of emission line objects were detected. From this sample we selected as PN candidates those objects with stellar appearance and no detectable central star. [OIII]5007 instrumental magnitudes were measured and calibrated by using spectrophotometric data from the follow-up spectroscopy. We identified more than a hundred PN candidates and a number of compact HII regions. The PN sample is the largest one reported for this galaxy so far. For all the objects we present coordinates, instrumental [OIII]5007 magnitudes and apparent nebular [OIII]5007 fluxes and magnitudes. The [OIII]5007 observed luminosity function for PNe (PNLF) was calculated for the whole sample and for the central and outskirts samples. The three PNLF are similar within uncertainties. We fit the empirical PNLF to the observed PNLF for all the samples. From our best fit for the whole sample we derived a maximum value for the apparent magnitudes of m*(5007)=22.019\pm0.022 and we obtained a tentative estimate of the distance modulus m(5007)-M(5007)= 26.29 {+0.12} {-0.22} mag, which agrees well with the recent value derived from Cepheid stars.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, one long table. Accepted by A&

Could people with stereo-deficiencies have a rich 3D experience using HMDs?

People with stereo-deficiencies usually have problems for the perception of depth using stereo devices. This paper presents a study that involves participants who did not have stereopsis and participants who had stereopsis. The two groups of participants were exposed to a maze navigation task in a 3D environment in two conditions, using a HMD and a large stereo screen. Fifty-nine adults participated in our study. From the results, there were no statistically significant differences for the performance on the task between the participants with stereopsis and those without stereopsis. We found statistically significant differences between the two conditions in favor of the HMD for the two groups of participants. The participants who did not have stereopsis and could not perceive 3D when looking at the Lang 1 Stereotest did have the illusion of depth perception using the HMD. The study suggests that for the people who did not have stereopsis, the head tracking largely influences the 3D experience

Percolation-based precursors of transitions in extended systems

Abrupt transitions are ubiquitous in the dynamics of complex systems. Finding precursors, i.e. early indicators of their arrival, is fundamental in many areas of science ranging from electrical engineering to climate. However, obtaining warnings of an approaching transition well in advance remains an elusive task. Here we show that a functional network, constructed from spatial correlations of the system’s time series, experiences a percolation transition way before the actual system reaches a bifurcation point due to the collective phenomena leading to the global change. Concepts from percolation theory are then used to introduce early warning precursors that anticipate the system’s tipping point. We illustrate the generality and versatility of our percolation-based framework with model systems experiencing different types of bifurcations and with Sea Surface Temperature time series associated to El Niño phenomenon.V.R.-M. was supported by the European Commission Marie-Curie ITN program (FP7-320 PEOPLE-2011-ITN) through the LINC project (Grant no. 289447). We also acknowledge support from FEDER and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project INTENSE@COSYP (FIS2012-30634) and from the European Commission through project LASAGNE (FP7-ICT- 318132). J.J.R. acknowledges funding from the Ramón y Cajal program of MINECO.EUR 1,165 APC fee funded by the EC FP7 Post-Grant Open Access PilotPeer reviewe

Design and Control Properties of Arrangements for Distillation of Four Component Mixtures Using Less Than N-1 Columns

The design and study of dynamic properties of distillation sequences using side-stream columns with less than N-1 columns for separation of four-component mixtures were studied. Total annual cost and dynamic properties (using singular value decomposition) were used to compare properties of arrangements with less than N-1 columns to base cases with three columns (conventional case). Quaternary feeds containing four hydrocarbons were analyzed. For systems with low concentrations of one component in the feed, side-stream cascades often show significantly lower operating, capital costs and best dynamic properties compared to the base cases. Low purity requirements also favor side-stream cascades. Some rules are presented to predict which sequence will have the lowest energy consumption capital cost and better dynamic properties

Tratamiento quirúrgico de los síndromes dolorosos regionales complejos tipo II y utilidad de la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria

ResumenEl propósito de esta revisión era presentar las bases bilógicas y fisiopatológicas de la formación de neuromas como causa de los síndromes dolorosos regional (SDRC) tipo II y el uso de la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria en el tratamiento de los SDRC tipo II secundarios a neuromas en continuidad y en nervios adheridos en cicatrices tras cirugías previas.AbstractThe purpose of this review article was to present the biological and physiological bases of the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type II and the use of iIntraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in the treatment of CRPS type II secondary to neuroma-in-continuity and scar-tethered nerves

Using a Virtual Maze Task to assess spatial short-term memory in adults

In this paper, we present the Virtual Maze Task that assesses spatial short-term memory in adults involving physical movement and immersion. For physical movement, we used a real bicycle. For immersion, we used a VR HMD. We compared the exposure to the task using two different interaction types (physical active vs. physical inactive conditions). The erformance and sensations of the participants were compared in both conditions. We also compared the performance on the virtual task with classical neuropsychological tests. A total of 89 adults participated in our study. The participants ability to learn a route within the Virtual Maze Task was tested. Then, the participants assessed their experience scoring the following aspects: interaction and satisfaction. The data were analyzed and we found no differences in satisfaction and interaction scores between the physical active and the physical inactive conditions. However, the condition used for interaction affected the score obtained in the task. There were also significant effects of gender and/or interaction used in other measures of performance on the task. Finally, the performance on the task correlated with the performance on other classical neuropsychological tests for the assessment of short-term memory and spatial memory.This work was mainly funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the CHILDMNEMOS project (TIN2012-37381-C02-01) and cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Other financial support was received from the Government of Aragon (Department of Industry and Innovation), the European Social Fund for Aragon, and the Government of the Republic of Ecuador through the Scholarship Program of the Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT).Cárdenas-Delgado, S.; Méndez-López, M.; Juan, M.; Pérez-Hernández, E.; Lluch, J.; Vivó, R. (2017). Using a Virtual Maze Task to assess spatial short-term memory in adults. SCITEPRESS. 46-57. https://doi.org/10.5220/0006093200460057465