A Comparison of a Brain-Computer Interface and an Eye Tracker: Is There a More Appropriate Technology for Controlling a Virtual Keyboard in an ALS Patient?

The ability of people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injuries to physically interact with the environment, is usually reduced. In some cases, these patients suffer from a syndrome known as locked-in syndrome (LIS), defined by the patient’s inability to make any move-ment but blinks and eye movements. Tech communication systems available for people in LIS are very limited, being those based on eye-tracking and brain-computer interface (BCI) the most useful for these patients. A comparative study between both technologies in an ALS patient is carried out: an eye tracker and a visual P300-based BCI. The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to show that the choice of the technology could depend on user´s preference. The evaluation of performance, workload and other subjective measures will allow us to determine the usability of the systems. The obtained results suggest that, even if for this patient the BCI technology is more appropriate, the technology should be always tested and adapted for each user.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Advice manual for the organisation of collective marketing activities by small-scale farmers

This manual is designed to assist the staff of service-providers (SPs) supporting small-scale farming communities to advise farmers on how best to work together to increase the value of the goods they sell using group marketing strategies. The manual outlines the benefits of collective marketing and the types of strategies that could be used by different types of farming communities in Uganda. It offers a step-by step-guide on how to achieve these aims beginning with suggestions on how to bring groups of farmers together to discuss all the issues involved. Further guidance is offered on how the group might chose which strategies to adopt depending on their circumstances, the rights and obligations of each member and the practices needed to achieve a successful outcome. These include the use of democratic decision-making systems, the allocation of specific tasks to individual members, accurate record-keeping, the group's relationship with traders and credit providers, making use of available market information and how to negotiate with produce buyers and input providers

Stimulus modality influences session-to-session transfer of training effects in auditory and tactile streaming-based P300 brain–computer interfaces

Despite recent successes, patients suffering from locked-in syndrome (LIS) still struggle to communicate using vision-independent brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). In this study, we compared auditory and tactile BCIs, regarding training effects and cross-stimulus-modality transfer effects, when switching between stimulus modalities. We utilized a streaming-based P300 BCI, which was developed as a low workload approach to prevent potential BCI-inefficiency. We randomly assigned 20 healthy participants to two groups. The participants received three sessions of training either using an auditory BCI or using a tactile BCI. In an additional fourth session, BCI versions were switched to explore possible cross-stimulus-modality transfer effects. Both BCI versions could be operated successfully in the first session by the majority of the participants, with the tactile BCI being experienced as more intuitive. Significant training effects were found mostly in the auditory BCI group and strong evidence for a cross-stimulus-modality transfer occurred for the auditory training group that switched to the tactile version but not vice versa. All participants were able to control at least one BCI version, suggesting that the investigated paradigms are generally feasible and merit further research into their applicability with LIS end-users. Individual preferences regarding stimulus modality should be considered

Proof-of-Principle of a Brain-Computer Interface approach to support post-stroke arm rehabilitation in hospitalized patients: design, acceptability and usability

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of brain-computer interface (BCI)-assisted motor imagery training to support hand/arm motor rehabilitation after stroke during hospitalization. Design Proof-of-principle study. Setting Neurorehabilitation hospital. Participants Convenience sample of patients (N=8) with new-onset arm plegia or paresis caused by unilateral stroke. Interventions The BCI-based intervention was administered as an "add-on" to usual care and lasted 4 weeks. Under the supervision of a therapist, patients were asked to practice motor imagery of their affected hand and received as a discrete feedback the movements of a "virtual" hand superimposed on their own. Such a BCI-based device was installed in a rehabilitation hospital ward. Main Outcome Measures Following a user-centered design, we assessed system usability in terms of motivation, satisfaction (by means of visual analog scales), and workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index). The usability of the BCI-based system was also evaluated by 15 therapists who participated in a focus group. Results All patients successfully accomplished the BCI training. Significant positive correlations were found between satisfaction and motivation (P=.001, r=.393). BCI performance correlated with interest (P=.027, r=.257) and motivation (P=.012, r=.289). During the focus group, professionals positively acknowledged the opportunity offered by BCI-assisted training to measure patients' adherence to rehabilitation. Conclusions An ecological BCI-based device to assist motor imagery practice was found to be feasible as an add-on intervention and tolerable by patients who were exposed to the system in the rehabilitation environment. © 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Industrial Utilization of Sorghum in India

Patterns of human consumption of sorghum are well documented. Much less is known about the industrial utilization of the crop and the market opportunities this presents for poor sorghum producers. This study documents the emerging patterns of industrial utilization and provides evidence that between 10-40% of rainy-season sorghum is used for nonfood uses. Postrainy-season sorghum utilization remains solely for food purposes as it is not price competitive as an industrial raw material. The main utilization sectors are the poultry feed sector (approximately 0.5 million t per year); the dairy feed sector (approximately 0.2 million t per year); and the grain alcohol sector (approximately 0.1 million t per year). In the most important utilization sector, poultry feed, sorghum utilization is related to the price of competing cereals, particularly maize. Sorghum is used when prices are 20-30% lower than that of maize. With the demand for poultry feed estimated to be 15% per year, and with limited opportunities for increased maize production, the demand for sorghum is likely to strengthen. However, the impact of trade liberalization and particularly maize imports will have to be considered. Institutional arrangements linking the key utilization industries and related public sector research have in the past been weak. Improving these linkages through public-private sector partnerships would help to further support private sector market development for a commodity produced by some of India's poorest farmers. This publication is an output from a research project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID [R 6687 : Crop Post-Harvest Programme]. © 2000 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi -Ar id Tropics ( ICRISAT) . Al l rights reserved. Except for quotations of short passages for the purposes of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission of ICRISAT. It is hoped that this copyright declaration wi l l not diminish the bona fide use of its research findings in agricultural research and development in or for the tropics. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not impl y the expression of any opinion of the material in this publication whatsoever on the part of ICRISAT concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Where trade names are used this does not constitute endorsement of or discrimination against any product by the Institute

Analysis of seed yam varieties, sources and quantity demanded by farmers in major yam producing districts in Ghana

The study analysed the varieties, sources and quantities of seed yam demanded by farmers for cultivation in order to inform policies aimed at ensuring adequate supply of quality seed yam of desirable varieties at an affordable price to boost yam productivity for improved income and livelihoods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 380 randomly selected yam farmers in three major yam producing districts in Ghana in 2015. The data analysis was done using STATA statistical software. The study identified Pona/Punjo, Lariboko, Asana, Afebetuye, Dente, Olondo and Kparinjo as the yam varieties mainly cultivated by farmers in a reducing order with high market demands by consumers. Own production remains the major source of seed yam for farmers. The estimated monetary value of quantity of seed yam used by farmers for cultivation in 2014 farming season was GH¢ 198, 552,841.0 (USD 51,706,469.0) in the study locations. About GH¢ 5,679,979.0 (USD 1,479,161.2) worth of quantities of seed yam was obtained from the market and other sources. The results demonstrate the existence of market potential for commercial seed yam production and supply in Ghana. Commercial seed yam certification system and yam breeding activities should target the identified yam varieties

Effects of training and motivation on auditory P300 brain–computer interface performance

Objectives Brain–computer interface (BCI) technology aims at helping end-users with severe motor paralysis to communicate with their environment without using the natural output pathways of the brain. For end-users in complete paralysis, loss of gaze control may necessitate non-visual BCI systems. The present study investigated the effect of training on performance with an auditory P300 multi-class speller paradigm. For half of the participants, spatial cues were added to the auditory stimuli to see whether performance can be further optimized. The influence of motivation, mood and workload on performance and P300 component was also examined. Methods In five sessions, 16 healthy participants were instructed to spell several words by attending to animal sounds representing the rows and columns of a 5 × 5 letter matrix. Results 81% of the participants achieved an average online accuracy of ≥70%. From the first to the fifth session information transfer rates increased from 3.72 bits/min to 5.63 bits/min. Motivation significantly influenced P300 amplitude and online ITR. No significant facilitative effect of spatial cues on performance was observed. Conclusions Training improves performance in an auditory BCI paradigm. Motivation influences performance and P300 amplitude. Significance The described auditory BCI system may help end-users to communicate independently of gaze control with their environment

Combining quantitative and qualitative survey work. Methodological framework, practical issues, and case studies

This document is an output of the DFID funded research project R7033 "Methodological Framework for Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches for Socio-Economic Survey Work". The project's main objective was to improve survey methodologies used in the natural resources sector, leading in turn to improved quality of information required for decision-making at the various stages of natural resources programmes and projects. The project, which was jointly implemented by the Natural Resources Institute and the Statistical Services Centre, attempted to bridge the gap between informal I qualitative methods on the one hand and formal I quantitative ones on the other. The document is presented in the form of a manual, allowing the user to read each of its parts and sections independently of each other. Nevertheless, cross references indicate links to other parts of the document where appropriate. Part I provides a methodological framework, which will also be available as a Best-Practice Guideline published by the Natural Resources Systems Programme of DFID. Part 11, which contains six theme papers, looks into a number of practical issues encountered when combining quantitative and qualitative survey techniques. And finally, in Part III case studies are used to demonstrate how the two approaches can be integrated in survey work and experiments related to the natural resources sector. The framework document, theme papers and case studies have been produced between 1998 and 2000

Boiled yam end-user preferences and implications for trait evaluation

Open Access Article; Published online: 06 July 2020This study aimed to establish the quality characteristics of raw and boiled yam by involving stakeholders along the food chain using a methodology that includes a state of knowledge review, focus group discussion and individual interviews, participatory processing diagnosis with processors and consumer testing. Predictive characteristics of yam for producing a high‐ and low‐quality boiled yam were related to morphological or physicochemical characteristics: peeled yam discoloration and mucilage content being negatively appreciated while the ease of peeling, viscous state of cooking water and the ease of breaking yam into pieces positively valued. High‐quality boiled yam should be white or yellowish, sticky to the fingers, nonfibrous, easy to chew, crumbly/friable, with a sweet taste and a good smell. The overall liking of boiled yam is greatly penalised by a too dark colour, hard to the touch, no sweet taste and no friability while eating

Exploitation of distributed solar radiation databases through a smart network: the project SoDa

The project SoDa answers the needs of industry and research for information on solar radiation parameters with a satisfactory quality. The methodology is user-driven with a large involvement of users in the project, who will gauge the progresses and achievements. A prototype service will be developed, using Internet technology, that will integrate and efficiently exploit diverse networked information sources to supply value-added information. A multi-disciplinary consortium has been assembled, which gathers companies and researchers with the necessary expertise in solar radiation and information and communication technologies. Customers and potential users are also represented as partners in the consortium via the involvement of commercial private vendors of solar radiation databases and of representatives of large research and development programs. A call is launched to recruit customers to assess the prototype. The project SoDa builds on the expertise gained in previous projects, such as the digital atlases MeteoNorm and European Solar Radiation Atlas, the Web servers Satel-Light and Helioserve, and the Guide of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers of United Kingdom. Access to data and applications will be improved; efforts will be made on interpolation methods and satellite data processing to achieve better quality; emphasis will be put on applications to supply information actually needed by customers, instead of raw data