Dynamic lighting sign system for way-finding by people with low vision

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科情報システムWe developed and proposed a dynamic lighting sign (DLS for short) system for people with poor vision to use to find their way. The DLS system uses a chain of lighting units with LED to indicate the way and is controlled by means of a PC. We implemented the DLS system for helping people to find their way and evaluated it in terms of light-flashing time, spatial interval and colour. We also carried out an experiment to evaluate its effectiveness in helping people find their way. © Springer-Verlag 2004

Ester-Amide Exchange Reactions Using 2-Pyridone derivatives as Tautomeric Catalysts

The application of 2-pyridone as a tautomeric catalyst for ester-amide exchange reactions was investigated. This compound was found to be most effective at accelerating these reactions when 4-nitrophenyl acetate was used as an acylating agent in toluene. Primary amines without branching at the α-position were determined to be the most suitable substrates. Various 2-pyridone derivatives having an electron-donating group at the 5-position (including methoxy and pirrolidino groups) exhibited superior performance. Acylation reactions of mixtures of primary and secondary amines preferentially acylated the latter compounds in the absence of a catalyst or with N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as the catalyst, whereas primary amines were acylated in the case that a 2-pyridone derivative with a pirrolidino group was employed. The reaction mechanism associated with this preferential acylation process was evaluated and is discussed herein

Association of the Yips and Musculoskeletal Problems in Highly Skilled Golfers: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study in Japan

The yips are a set of conditions associated with intermittent motor disturbances that affect precision movement, especially in sports. Specifically, skilled golfers suffer from the yips, although its clinical characteristics and pathophysiology have not been well-studied. We surveyed skilled golfers to characterize their yips-related symptoms, to explore potential confounding factors associated with the yips. Golfers’ demographic information, golfing-career-related history, musculoskeletal status and manifestations of the yips are surveyed. Among the 1576 questionnaires distributed, 1457 (92%) responses were received, of which 39% of golfers had experienced the yips. The median age and golfing careers were 48 and 28 years, respectively. Golfers who had experienced the yips were older and had longer golfing careers and more frequent musculoskeletal problems than those without experience of the yips. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a longer golfing career and musculoskeletal problems were independent factors associated with yips experience. More severe musculoskeletal problems were associated with higher odds of experiencing the yips. A positive association between the yips and musculoskeletal problems was also observed. The yips have similar characteristics to task-specific movement disorders, with a detrimental effect caused by excessive repetition of a routine task. These findings support the notion that the yips are a type of task-specific dystonia