Research on Contactless Bio-Signal Measurement Technology for Improving Social Awareness of Individuals with Communication Challenges

Youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder have poor skills such as communication, qualitative interaction, and emotional expression resulting in low social awareness. In this paper, we propose and explore a contactless bio-signal measurement and functional contents for improving social awareness of individuals with communication challenges. We implemented four individual methods for collecting and analyzing the bio data of the individuals without requiring their attention: (1) heart rate, (2) respiration, (3) facial expression, and (4) interaction. The four techniques are all based on image data received and analyzed from a normal web camera. The data were analyzed in a real-time, fully functional algorithm: implementing the algorithm on a mobile device will require future work. However, we have evaluated our method by developing a functional content including the four methods. Based on the analysis of the collected data from the content and qualitative responses from the field, the contactless bio-signal measurement technology combined with friendly designed user interfaces for the individuals with communication challenges could train them to improve their social awareness

Autumn Olive (<i>Elaeagnus umbellata</i> Thunb.) Berries Improve Lipid Metabolism and Delay Aging in Middle-Aged <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>

This study evaluated the positive effects of autumn olive berries (AOBs) extract on delaying aging by improving lipid metabolism in middle-aged Caenorhabditis elegans that had become obese due to a high-glucose (GLU) diet. The total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging abilities of freeze-dried AOBs (FAOBs) or spray-dried AOBs (SAOBs) were examined, and FAOBs exhibited better antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis confirmed that catechin is the main phenolic compound of AOBs; its content was 5.95 times higher in FAOBs than in SAOBs. Therefore, FAOBs were used in subsequent in vivo experiments. FAOBs inhibited lipid accumulation in both the young adult and middle-aged groups in a concentration-dependent manner under both normal and 2% GLU conditions. Additionally, FAOBs inhibited ROS accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner under normal and 2% GLU conditions in the middle-aged worms. In particular, FAOB also increased body bending and egg production in middle-aged worms. To confirm the intervention of genetic factors related to lipid metabolism from the effects of FAOB, body lipid accumulation was confirmed using worms deficient in the daf-16, atgl-1, aak-1, and akt-1 genes. Regarding the effect of FAOB on reducing lipid accumulation, the impact was nullified in daf-16-deficient worms under the 2% GLU condition, and nullified in both the daf-16- and atgl-1-deficient worms under fasting conditions. In conclusion, FAOB mediated daf-16 and atgl-1 to regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis in middle-aged worms. Our findings suggest that FAOB improves lipid metabolism in metabolically impaired middle-aged worms, contributing to its age-delaying effect

Development of a Virtual Object Weight Recognition Algorithm Based on Pseudo-Haptics and the Development of Immersion Evaluation Technology

In this work, we propose a qualitative immersion evaluation technique based on a pseudo-haptic-based user-specific virtual object weight recognition algorithm and an immersive experience questionnaire (IEQ). The proposed weight recognition algorithm is developed by considering the moving speed of a natural hand tracking-based, user-customized virtual object using a camera in a VR headset and the realistic offset of the object’s weight when lifting it in real space. Customized speeds are defined to recognize customized weights. In addition, an experiment is conducted to measure the speed of lifting objects by weight in real space to obtain the natural object lifting speed weight according to the weight. In order to evaluate the weight and immersion of the developed simulation content, the participants’ qualitative immersion evaluation is conducted through three IEQ-based immersion evaluation surveys. Based on the analysis results of the experimental participants and the interview, this immersion evaluation technique shows whether it is possible to evaluate a realistic tactile experience in VR content. It is predicted that the proposed weight recognition algorithm and evaluation technology can be applied to various fields, such as content production and service support, in line with market demand in the rapidly growing VR, AR, and MR fields

Development of a Virtual Object Weight Recognition Algorithm Based on Pseudo-Haptics and the Development of Immersion Evaluation Technology

In this work, we propose a qualitative immersion evaluation technique based on a pseudo-haptic-based user-specific virtual object weight recognition algorithm and an immersive experience questionnaire (IEQ). The proposed weight recognition algorithm is developed by considering the moving speed of a natural hand tracking-based, user-customized virtual object using a camera in a VR headset and the realistic offset of the object&rsquo;s weight when lifting it in real space. Customized speeds are defined to recognize customized weights. In addition, an experiment is conducted to measure the speed of lifting objects by weight in real space to obtain the natural object lifting speed weight according to the weight. In order to evaluate the weight and immersion of the developed simulation content, the participants&rsquo; qualitative immersion evaluation is conducted through three IEQ-based immersion evaluation surveys. Based on the analysis results of the experimental participants and the interview, this immersion evaluation technique shows whether it is possible to evaluate a realistic tactile experience in VR content. It is predicted that the proposed weight recognition algorithm and evaluation technology can be applied to various fields, such as content production and service support, in line with market demand in the rapidly growing VR, AR, and MR fields