An evaluation of the Tekscan I-Scan System for the assessment of tongue movement during oral processing of semi-solid foods

The main objective of this dissertation is to evaluate the scope of a commercial pressure sensor device, the Tekscan I-Scan System (Tekscan, South Boston, MA, USA), to study tongue movement whilst eating foods that are predominantly manipulated with the tongue during oral processing. Initially, methodology to use the sensor sheet in mouth had to be developed as this application of the system was novel. To measure tongue pressures the approach of fixing the sensory sheet, wrapped into cling film to protect it from saliva and food residues, to the upper palate was taken. Ten subjects were then asked to consume seven selected semi-liquid / semi-solid commercial food products with the sensor fixed in place. The foods ranged from liquid to gel-like and their textural attributes were analyzed instrumentally. The data sets obtained with the Tekscan I-Scan System included pressure, area and force data over sampling time. Initial and final values, mean values and peak values as well as average values were provided. Area data referred to the pressure cells that had been activated by the probe (attached on the tongue). To assess the scope of the Tekscan I-Scan system relationships between the results from texture analysis and in-vivo measurement were explored through principle component analysis. The tongue pressure distribution during whole eating process is available as movie recordings. This revealed higher pressure distributed near the gums of two sides of molars at the time of maximum contact pressure between tongue and palate while pressure was distributed in the middle region of the palate in other periods. Also, the time of maximum tongue variables attained was close to 70% of whole eating duration and it was interpreted as the moment the subject swallowed. The frequency of tongue moving rhythm was one per second and tongue pressures were produced evenly whether food was consumed in oral cavity or no sample was present in mouth. Total contact pressure and number of contact pressure peaks showed linear correlations to finish time as well as the textural properties. This research shows that the behavior of tongue movement was comparatively stable during eating process independent of subjects and the kinds of semi-solid foods, except for the moment that maximum contact pressure was recorded which implied swallow was happening. The textures of the selected products are not all differentiated obviously but there are close correlative PCA results with some tongue variables. Linear relationships between texture data and tongue variables reveal the high interaction between food texture and tongue manipulation. The capacity of Tekscan I-Scan System on the study of tongue movement is proved. However, the shape of sensor sheet and the sensory assessment of food texture are the two main works in the future for further study of tongue movement

An evaluation of the Tekscan I-Scan System for the assessment of tongue movement during oral processing of semi-solid foods

The main objective of this dissertation is to evaluate the scope of a commercial pressure sensor device, the Tekscan I-Scan System (Tekscan, South Boston, MA, USA), to study tongue movement whilst eating foods that are predominantly manipulated with the tongue during oral processing. Initially, methodology to use the sensor sheet in mouth had to be developed as this application of the system was novel. To measure tongue pressures the approach of fixing the sensory sheet, wrapped into cling film to protect it from saliva and food residues, to the upper palate was taken. Ten subjects were then asked to consume seven selected semi-liquid / semi-solid commercial food products with the sensor fixed in place. The foods ranged from liquid to gel-like and their textural attributes were analyzed instrumentally. The data sets obtained with the Tekscan I-Scan System included pressure, area and force data over sampling time. Initial and final values, mean values and peak values as well as average values were provided. Area data referred to the pressure cells that had been activated by the probe (attached on the tongue). To assess the scope of the Tekscan I-Scan system relationships between the results from texture analysis and in-vivo measurement were explored through principle component analysis. The tongue pressure distribution during whole eating process is available as movie recordings. This revealed higher pressure distributed near the gums of two sides of molars at the time of maximum contact pressure between tongue and palate while pressure was distributed in the middle region of the palate in other periods. Also, the time of maximum tongue variables attained was close to 70% of whole eating duration and it was interpreted as the moment the subject swallowed. The frequency of tongue moving rhythm was one per second and tongue pressures were produced evenly whether food was consumed in oral cavity or no sample was present in mouth. Total contact pressure and number of contact pressure peaks showed linear correlations to finish time as well as the textural properties. This research shows that the behavior of tongue movement was comparatively stable during eating process independent of subjects and the kinds of semi-solid foods, except for the moment that maximum contact pressure was recorded which implied swallow was happening. The textures of the selected products are not all differentiated obviously but there are close correlative PCA results with some tongue variables. Linear relationships between texture data and tongue variables reveal the high interaction between food texture and tongue manipulation. The capacity of Tekscan I-Scan System on the study of tongue movement is proved. However, the shape of sensor sheet and the sensory assessment of food texture are the two main works in the future for further study of tongue movement

Interactive Generalized Additive Model and Its Applications in Electric Load Forecasting

Electric load forecasting is an indispensable component of electric power system planning and management. Inaccurate load forecasting may lead to the threat of outages or a waste of energy. Accurate electric load forecasting is challenging when there is limited data or even no data, such as load forecasting in holiday, or under extreme weather conditions. As high-stakes decision-making usually follows after load forecasting, model interpretability is crucial for the adoption of forecasting models. In this paper, we propose an interactive GAM which is not only interpretable but also can incorporate specific domain knowledge in electric power industry for improved performance. This boosting-based GAM leverages piecewise linear functions and can be learned through our efficient algorithm. In both public benchmark and electricity datasets, our interactive GAM outperforms current state-of-the-art methods and demonstrates good generalization ability in the cases of extreme weather events. We launched a user-friendly web-based tool based on interactive GAM and already incorporated it into our eForecaster product, a unified AI platform for electricity forecasting

Effects of Mountain Rivers Cascade Hydropower Stations on Water Ecosystems

China is rich in hydropower resources, and mountain rivers have abundant water resources and huge development potential, which have a profound impact on the pattern of water resources allocation in China. As the main way of water resources and hydropower development, the construction of cascade hydropower stations, while meeting the requirements of water resources utilization for social development, has also brought adverse effects on river ecosystems. Therefore, the impact of the construction of cascade hydropower stations on mountainous river ecosystems, where the minimum ecological flow of rivers must be ensured and reviewed. In addition, this paper proposed the deficiencies and outlooks for cascade hydropower stations based on previous research results

Discussion on the Construction of Ecological Water Network in Guangxi Province of China

The water network plays an important role in maintaining the stability of regional water resource and ecological environment. It is also affecting the harmonious development between environment and economy. Guangxi is one of the provinces with relatively rich water resources in China, while the ecological water network exists deficiencies and faces challenges. The current situation and defects of ecological water network in Guangxi province will be discussed. By studying the experience of the establishing and the preserve of ecological water network in various regions at home and abroad, some suggestions and targeted measures will be mentioned for a better ecological water network in Guangxi