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Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2024This article aims to present a new argument on the validity of utilizing karate in youth safety education. First, the important role of safety education and the need to...
This article aims to present a new argument on the validity of utilizing karate in youth safety education. First, the important role of safety education and the need to seek new means of influencing young people is presented and the significant role of sport in this area. The field of Far Eastern combat sports was underlined here as being particularly important because they contain internal codes of moral conduct. Therefore, the new argument is to take the perspective of karate as a combat sport, martial art, and self defence system in one. Karate as a combat sport refers to fighting skills in the following directions: traditional, sport and Olympic; and in the following systems: semi contact, knockdown, full contact, mix fighting. Karate as a martial art has a health-promoting character and emphasises the psycho-physical development of practitioners and the recognition of ethical codes. And karate as a self defence system is concerned with proficiency in out-of-sport confrontations, but also in risk assessment. Karate has been found to be an effective means in educating young people to safety, but in order for it to be effective, it needs to be adopted in its entirety. Because the combat sport perspective activates youth in physical culture, the martial art perspective educates according to norms and rules; and the self defence system perspective teaches how to act in difficult situations.
PubMed: 38873226
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1400920 -
Frontiers in Robotics and AI 2024Force is crucial for learning psychomotor skills in laparoscopic tissue manipulation. Fundamental laparoscopic surgery (FLS), on the other hand, only measures time and...
Force is crucial for learning psychomotor skills in laparoscopic tissue manipulation. Fundamental laparoscopic surgery (FLS), on the other hand, only measures time and position accuracy. FLS is a commonly used training program for basic laparoscopic training through part tasks. The FLS is employed in most of the laparoscopic training systems, including box trainers and virtual reality (VR) simulators. However, many laparoscopic VR simulators lack force feedback and measure tissue damage solely through visual feedback based on virtual collisions. Few VR simulators that provide force feedback have subjective force metrics. To provide an objective force assessment for haptic skills training in the VR simulators, we extend the FLS part tasks to haptic-based FLS (HFLS), focusing on controlled force exertion. We interface the simulated HFLS part tasks with a customized bi-manual haptic simulator that offers five degrees of freedom (DOF) for force feedback. The proposed tasks are evaluated through face and content validity among laparoscopic surgeons of varying experience levels. The results show that trainees perform better in HFLS tasks. The average Likert score observed for face and content validity is greater than 4.6 ± 0.3 and 4 ± 0.5 for all the part tasks, which indicates the acceptance of the simulator among subjects for its appearance and functionality. Face and content validations show the need to improve haptic realism, which is also observed in existing simulators. To enhance the accuracy of force rendering, we incorporated a laparoscopic tool force model into the simulation. We study the effectiveness of the model through a psychophysical study that measures just noticeable difference (JND) for the laparoscopic gripping task. The study reveals an insignificant decrease in gripping-force JND. A simple linear model could be sufficient for gripper force feedback, and a non-linear LapTool force model does not affect the force perception for the force range of 0.5-2.5 N. Further study is required to understand the usability of the force model in laparoscopic training at a higher force range. Additionally, the construct validity of HFLS will confirm the applicability of the developed simulator to train surgeons with different levels of experience.
PubMed: 38873121
DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1363952 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Jun 2024Several compounds with taste-modulating properties have been investigated, improving the taste impression without having a pronounced intrinsic taste. The best-known...
Several compounds with taste-modulating properties have been investigated, improving the taste impression without having a pronounced intrinsic taste. The best-known representatives of umami taste-modulating compounds are ribonucleotides and their derivatives. Especially the thio derivatives showed high taste-modulating potential in structure-activity relationship investigations. Therefore, this study focuses on the formation of guanosine 5'-monophosphate derivatives consisting of Maillard-type generated compounds like the aroma-active thiols (2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-furfurylthiol) and formaldehyde to gain insights into the potential of combinations of taste and aroma-active compounds. One literature-known (-(furfurylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate) and three new derivatives (-(2-methyl-1-furylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate, -((5-hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-1-furylthiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate, -((2-pentanon-1-yl)thiomethyl)-guanosine 5'-monophosphate) were successfully produced using green natural deep eutectic solvents and isolated, and their structures were completely elucidated. Besides the intrinsic taste properties, the kokumi and umami taste-modulating effects of the four derivatives were evaluated via psychophysical investigations, ranging from 19 to 22 μmol/L.
Topics: Maillard Reaction; Guanosine Monophosphate; Taste; Humans; Flavoring Agents; Male; Female; Molecular Structure; Adult; Young Adult
PubMed: 38869215
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c03485 -
Digestive Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024An early detection of low-grade Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is of high importance. The aim of the study was to compare a neuropsychological with a psychophysical test on...
INTRODUCTION
An early detection of low-grade Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is of high importance. The aim of the study was to compare a neuropsychological with a psychophysical test on the basis of the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) regarding effectiveness in diagnosing minimal HE (MHE).
METHODS
In our prospective controlled observational study, we examined a total of 103 patients with liver cirrhosis for HE. The PHES, CFF and EncephalApp were performed in all patients. Graduation was based on the result of the PHES. Patients without evidence for HE 1&2 according to the mental state (West-Haven criteria) with a PHES < -4 value points and no clinical symptoms were defined as having MHE. Patients were considered as HE 0 when in the PHES none of the psychometric subtest results was abnormal or with a PHES -4 value points. Patients with clinical symptoms were considered HE 1&2 patients. Different Cut-Off values were determined and their specificity and sensitivity calculated.
RESULTS
Ninety-six of the involved patients had liver cirrhosis and 25 acted as a healthy control group. The ROC analysis for the classification resulted in an AUC of .806, with the highest Youden index for the Cut-Off time > 224 seconds, for which the sensitivity was 82% and the specificity 75%. Cases of withdrawals were seen in 10.74% of all tested patients. Discussion/ Conclusion: The EncephalApp distinguishes well between HE0 and MHE but has its limitations in grading higher forms of HE. Diagnosis using only the EncephalApp is not sufficient.
PubMed: 38865987
DOI: 10.1159/000538924 -
Science Robotics Jun 2024Electrotactile stimulus is a form of sensory substitution in which an electrical signal is perceived as a mechanical sensation. The electrotactile effect could, in...
Electrotactile stimulus is a form of sensory substitution in which an electrical signal is perceived as a mechanical sensation. The electrotactile effect could, in principle, recapitulate a range of tactile experience by selective activation of nerve endings. However, the method has been plagued by inconsistency, galvanic reactions, pain and desensitization, and unwanted stimulation of nontactile nerves. Here, we describe how a soft conductive block copolymer, a stretchable layout, and concentric electrodes, along with psychophysical thresholding, can circumvent these shortcomings. These purpose-designed materials, device layouts, and calibration techniques make it possible to generate accurate and reproducible sensations across a cohort of 10 human participants and to do so at ultralow currents (≥6 microamperes) without pain or desensitization. This material, form factor, and psychophysical approach could be useful for haptic devices and as a tool for activation of the peripheral nervous system.
Topics: Humans; Elastomers; Touch; Electric Conductivity; Psychophysics; Adult; Female; Male; Equipment Design; Electric Stimulation; Young Adult; Polymers; Electrodes; Calibration; Touch Perception
PubMed: 38865475
DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adk3925 -
Journal of Neurophysiology Jun 2024Everyday actions like moving the head, walking around and grasping objects are typically self-controlled. This presents a problem when studying the signals encoding such...
Everyday actions like moving the head, walking around and grasping objects are typically self-controlled. This presents a problem when studying the signals encoding such actions because active self-movement is difficult to control experimentally. Available techniques demand repeatable trials, but each action is unique, making it difficult to measure fundamental properties like psychophysical thresholds. We present a novel paradigm that recovers both precision and bias of self-movement signals with minimal constraint on the participant. The paradigm relies on linking image motion to previous self-movement, and two experimental phases to extract the signal encoding the latter. The paradigm takes care of a hidden source of external noise not previously accounted for in techniques that link display motion to self-movement in real time (e.g. virtual reality). We use head rotations as an example of self-movement, and show that the precision of the signals encoding head movement depends on whether they are being used to judge visual motion or auditory motion. We find that perceived motion is slowed during head movement in both cases. The 'non-image' signals encoding active head rotation (motor commands, proprioception and vestibular cues) are therefore biased towards lower speeds and/or displacements. In a second experiment, we trained participants to rotate their heads at different rates and found that the imprecision of the head rotation signal rises proportionally with head speed (Weber's Law). We discuss the findings in terms of the different motion cues used by vision and hearing, and the implications they have for Bayesian models of motion perception.
PubMed: 38863427
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00370.2023 -
Perception Jun 2024Researchers have been focusing on perceptual characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in terms of sensory hyperreactivity. Previously, we demonstrated that...
Researchers have been focusing on perceptual characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in terms of sensory hyperreactivity. Previously, we demonstrated that temporal resolution, which is the accuracy to differentiate the order of two successive vibrotactile stimuli, is associated with the severity of sensory hyperreactivity. We currently examined whether an increase in the perceptual intensity of a tactile stimulus, despite its short duration, is derived from high temporal resolution and high frequency of sensory temporal summation. Twenty ASD and 22 typically developing (TD) participants conducted two psychophysical experimental tasks to evaluate of vibrotactile stimulus with same amplitude and to evaluate temporal resolution. The sensory hyperreactivity was estimated using self-reported questionnaire. There was no relationship between the temporal resolution and the duration of detectable stimuli in both groups. However, the ASD group showed severe sensory hyperreactivity in daily life than TD group, and the ASD participants with severe sensory hyperreactivity tended to have high temporal resolution, not high sensitivity of detectable duration. Contrary to the hypothesis, there might be different processing between temporal resolution and sensitivity for stimulus detection. We suggested that the atypical temporal processing would affect to sensory reactivity in ASD.
PubMed: 38863412
DOI: 10.1177/03010066241259729 -
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics Jun 2024Humans and animals share the cognitive ability to quickly extract approximate number information from sets. Main psychophysical models suggest that visual approximate...
Humans and animals share the cognitive ability to quickly extract approximate number information from sets. Main psychophysical models suggest that visual approximate numerosity relies on segmented units, which can be affected by Gestalt rules. Indeed, arrays containing spatial grouping cues, such as connectedness, closure, and even symmetry, are underestimated compared to ungrouped arrays with equal low-level features. Recent evidence suggests that non-spatial cues, such as color-similarity, also trigger numerosity underestimation. However, in natural vision, several grouping cues may coexist in the scene. Notably, conjunction of grouping cues (color and closure) reduces perceived numerosity following an additive rule. To test whether the conjunction-effect holds for other Gestalt cues, we investigated the effect of connectedness and symmetry over numerosity perception both in isolation and, critically, in conjunction with luminance similarity. Participants performed a comparison-task between a reference and a test stimulus varying in numerosity. In Experiment 1, test stimuli contained two isolated groupings (connectedness or luminance), a conjunction (connectedness and luminance), and a neutral condition (no groupings). Results show that point of subjective equality was higher in both isolated grouping conditions compared to the neutral condition. Furthermore, in the conjunction condition, the biases from isolated grouping cues added linearly, resulting in a numerosity underestimation equal to the sum of the isolated biases. In Experiment 2 we found that conjunction of symmetry and luminance followed the same additive rule. These findings strongly suggest that both spatial and non-spatial isolated cues affect numerosity perception. Crucially, we show that their conjunction effect extends to symmetry and connectedness.
PubMed: 38858304
DOI: 10.3758/s13414-024-02908-4 -
PloS One 2024This body image study tests the viability of transferring a complex psychophysical paradigm from a controlled in-person laboratory task to an online environment. 172...
This body image study tests the viability of transferring a complex psychophysical paradigm from a controlled in-person laboratory task to an online environment. 172 female participants made online judgements about their own body size when viewing images of computer-generated female bodies presented in either in front-view or at 45-degrees in a method of adjustment (MOA) paradigm. The results of these judgements were then compared to the results of two laboratory-based studies (with 96 and 40 female participants respectively) to establish three key findings. Firstly, the results show that the accuracy of online and in-lab estimates of body size are comparable, secondly that the same patterns of visual biases in judgements are shown both in-lab and online, and thirdly online data shows the same view-orientation advantage in accuracy in body size judgements as the laboratory studies. Thus, this study suggests that that online sampling potentially represents a rapid and accurate way of collecting reliable complex behavioural and perceptual data from a more diverse range of participants than is normally sampled in laboratory-based studies. It also offers the potential for designing stratified sampling strategies to construct a truly representative sample of a target population.
Topics: Humans; Female; Body Image; Adult; Psychophysics; Young Adult; Adolescent; Body Size; Visual Perception; Judgment; Internet
PubMed: 38857270
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302747 -
Optometry and Vision Science : Official... May 2024We aimed to develop a paradigm that can efficiently characterize motion percepts in people with low vision and compare their responses with well-known misperceptions... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
We aimed to develop a paradigm that can efficiently characterize motion percepts in people with low vision and compare their responses with well-known misperceptions made by people with typical vision when targets are hard to see.
METHODS
We recruited a small cohort of individuals with reduced acuity and contrast sensitivity (n = 5) as well as a comparison cohort with typical vision (n = 5) to complete a psychophysical study. Study participants were asked to judge the motion direction of a tilted rhombus that was either high or low contrast. In a series of trials, the rhombus oscillated vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Participants indicated the perceived motion direction using a number wheel with 12 possible directions, and statistical tests were used to examine response biases.
RESULTS
All participants with typical vision showed systematic misperceptions well predicted by a Bayesian inference model. Specifically, their perception of vertical or horizontal motion was biased toward directions orthogonal to the long axis of the rhombus. They had larger biases for hard-to-see (low contrast) stimuli. Two participants with low vision had a similar bias, but with no difference between high- and low-contrast stimuli. The other participants with low vision were unbiased in their percepts or biased in the opposite direction.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that some people with low vision may misperceive motion in a systematic way similar to people with typical vision. However, we observed large individual differences. Future work will aim to uncover reasons for such differences and identify aspects of vision that predict susceptibility.
Topics: Humans; Motion Perception; Male; Female; Adult; Vision, Low; Contrast Sensitivity; Visual Acuity; Middle Aged; Psychophysics; Young Adult; Bayes Theorem; Photic Stimulation
PubMed: 38857038
DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002139