Classification of Right/Left Hand Motor Imagery by Effective Connectivity Based on Transfer Entropy in EEG Signal

The right and left hand Motor Imagery (MI) analysis based on the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal can directly link the central nervous system to a computer or a device. This study aims to identify a set of robust and nonlinear effective brain connectivity features quantified by transfer entropy (TE) to characterize the relationship between brain regions from EEG signals and create a hierarchical feature selection and classification for discrimination of right and left hand MI task. TE is calculated among EEG channels as the distinctive, effective connectivity features. TE is a model-free method that can measure nonlinear effective connectivity and analyze multivariate dependent directed information flow among neural EEG channels. Then four feature subset selection methods namely Relief-F, Fisher, Laplacian and local learning based clustering (LLCFS) algorithms are used to choose the most significant effective connectivity features and reduce redundant information. Finally, support vector machine (SVM) and LDA methods are used for classification. Results show that the best performance in 29 healthy subjects and 60 trials is achieved using the TE method via Relief-F algorithm as feature selection and SVM classification with 91.02% accuracy. Consequently, TE index and a hierarchical feature selection and classification could be useful for discrimination of right and left hand MI task from multichannel EEG signal.

Domain General Processes for Interactive Touch

The nexus model of social processing proposes that the right temporal parietal junction (rTPJ) serves as a neural hub for cognitive social functions. We test the hypothesis that the rTPJ is a domain general region including somatosensory social functions. Neuroimaging findings and cross-brain coherence for right- and left-hand handclasps with real vs. simulated hands were consistent with the domain general model.

A Brief Review of Chiral Chemical Potential and Its Physical Effects

Nontrivial topological gluon configuration is one of the remarkable features of the Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Due to chiral anomaly, the chiral imbalance between right- and left-hand quarks can be induced by the transition of the nontrivial gluon configurations between different vacuums. In this review, we will introduce the origin of the chiral chemical potential and its physical effects. These include: (1) the chiral imbalance in the presence of strong magnetic and related physical phenomena; (2) the influence of chiral chemical potential on the QCD phase structure; and (3) the effects of chiral chemical potential on quark stars. Moreover, we propose for the first time that quark stars are likely to be a natural laboratory for testing the destruction of strong interaction CP.

EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIENCE IN STUDYING THE WEIGHT DYNAMICS OF ROTATING GYROSCOPES AND THEIR ROTATION FEATURES AT CRITICALLY LOW SPEEDS, INCLUDING AT SUNRISE AND DURING A LUNAR-SOLAR ECLIPSE

The cycle of experiments with free-rolling gyroscopes at different angular velocity intervals including those on scales with continuous-discrete weight registration was carried out. We concluded that the free-running time of gyroscopes in one interval of angular velocities can vary greatly (within hundreds of percent). Measuring the free running time of a gyroscope during a solar eclipse has shown a connection between registered fluctuations in the gyroscope behavior and the eclipse stroke. The data obtained during the periods of sunrise indicate that the gyroscope can react at the moment of the sunrise while recording the true ascent, as well as the ascent preceding the true one with a difference of 8 minutes. Statistical analysis of the graphs of weight changes of the disk at right and left-hand free rotation in the speed range from 5000 to 250 rpm showed that the abnormal weight changes recorded at certain “critical” frequencies with different directions of rotation reliably differ in amplitude characteristics.

Variations of finger dermatoglyphics among the Esan ethnic group of Edo State, Nigeria

Patterns in fingers, palms, and soles; a term refers to as ‘dermatoglyphics’, are now been studied for ethno-historic facts and ancestry tracing. However, there is paucity of information on Esan people dermatoglyphics. Hence, this study investigates the variations in finger dermatoglyphics among Esan speaking tribe of Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 500 indigenes were sampled from 3 randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the ink method was used to collect finger-prints from both palms. The loop was the most predominant pattern (54.44%) while the whorl and arches represent 30.96% and 14.60% respectively. Overall, the loop fingerprint pattern was highest in all the LGAs. Esan West LGA presented highest in the arches fingerprints (56.44%) as compared to Esan North East LGA (24.38%) and Esan Central LGA (19.18%). The right hand was observed to present higher in the different primary fingerprints but the different was not significant. There was no significant different (p>0.05) in the distribution of the primary fingerprints pattern between the right and left hand in the different LGAs. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the distribution of the primary fingerprints between genders. Female represented higher in the arches pattern while male represented higher in the whorl pattern. The loop pattern was male dominant in Esan West and Esan Central LGAs but female dominated in Esan North East LGA. The findings demonstrated gender and LGAs variations of primary fingerprints among the Esan speaking tribe and may suggest different ancestry. This result could play important role for forensic anthropologist in the study area. Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, Fingerprints, Esan, Edo State, Nigeria

Puzzle of Tamil Society – Right and Left Hand Sects

The right hand and left and sect was a peculiar system prevailed in the Medieval period of Tamil Nadu. This system consists 98 castes in the two sects. This system dominated the Tamil society for hundreds of years. It is believed that Karikala Chola established this system. In course of time many clashes arrived between them and it ends with death. Due to this system society diverted in to two. The Tamil kings gave full support to this system. In the beginning of 19th century this system disappeared suddenly from Tamil society. Nobody came to a conclusion that why this system appeared and disappeared in our society.

The study of functional asymmetry in students and schoolchildren practicing martial arts

Background and Study Aim. The study of functional asymmetry in students and schoolchildren practicing martial arts using a computer test. Material and Methods. The study involved students and schoolchildren (n = 38) practicing the martial arts (taekwondo, karate). Participants were divided into groups according to the sports’ skill level. The first group included experienced athletes (n = 15, age – 19.00 ± 0.45 years). The second group included beginners (n = 23, age - 9.78 ± 0.65 years). The functional asymmetry was determined using «Reaction SM Dual» software for tablets with iOS. Two visual tests were used. The duration of each test was 100 s. Each test was divided into 5 stages. Each stage lasts 20 s. The first test (simple reaction) – the participant pushes against the circles on the screen with two hands. The second test (differentiated reaction) – the participant pushes against the circles of the same color (out of five possible) on the screen. The following indicators were determined: the number of pushes with the right and left hand (abs); reaction time with the right and left hand (s); duration of pushes with the right and left hand (ms). It was estimated the following indicators: total number of pushes; average reaction time; average duration of pushes. Results are estimated using parametric and nonparametric statistical indicators. Results. The number of pushes in the test, the reaction rate, and the duration of pushes were significantly higher in experienced athletes. It was determined the asymmetry due to the lower duration of pushes with the right hand compared to the left hand in beginners. The asymmetry was not confirmed in experienced athletes. The reaction rate for the left hand significantly increased compared to stage 1 in beginners: at stage 2 (t = -2.41), at stage 3 (t = -2.23), at stage 4 (t = -2.30) and at stage 5 (t = -2.68). This dependency was less expressed for the right hand. It was confirmed the increase of the reaction rate in comparison with stage 1: at stage 3 (t = -2.39), at stage 4 (t = -2.00) and at stage 5 (t = -2.32). The differences in the dynamics of the test were more expressed in experienced athletes. It was determined the decrease in the number of pushes compared to stage 1: stage 2 (t = 2.53), stage 4 (t = 2.89) and stage 5 (t = 2.61). For the right hand, this pattern was more expressed. The decrease in the number of pushes was determined compared with stage 1: stage 2 (t = 2.17), stage 3 (t = 2.07), stage 4 (t = 2.39) and stage 5 (t = 2.94). Experienced athletes have confirmed significant changes in the reaction rate with their left hand compared to stage 1: stage 4 (t = -2.33) and stage 5 (t = -2.06). For the right hand, this pattern was confirmed only for the final stage of the test (t = -2.35). Conclusions. It was confirmed the legitimacy of using a special computer test to study functional asymmetry in students and schoolchildren practicing martial arts. The test division into several stages can significantly increase the information content of the results. The applied battery of indicators provides the necessary information for the analysis of asymmetry. It was determined the best functional condition of experienced athletes compared to beginners. Experienced athletes demonstrate the best ability to mobilize and concentrate on extreme conditions. The dynamics of the test also confirms the asymmetry in athletes with less training experience. Performing a test with a differentiated stimulus confirmed the revealed patterns. The lack of asymmetry in experienced athletes confirms optimal training tactics. The asymmetry in beginners stipulates the correction of training. Used computer test can be recommended for martial arts athletes’ condition monitoring.