Independence of Contour and Biological-Motion Cues for Motion-Defined Animal Shapes

Perception ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Bellefeuille ◽  
Jocelyn Faubert
Keyword(s):  
Biological Motion ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Motion Cues ◽  
Fourth Condition ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Form Representation

The effects of different kinds of cues on the perception of second-order motion-defined animal shapes were assessed. In the first experiment discrimination thresholds for motion-defined animals without biological motion (non-BioM) were compared with motion-defined animals with biological motion (BioM). The results show no significant difference between the two conditions, suggesting that BioM does not interact with simple contour motion. In order to isolate the relative strength and interaction between the motion cues a second experiment was conducted where four conditions were used. The first condition consisted of animal contours with non-BioM, the second condition consisted of animal contours with BioM, the third condition was composed of dots present at the joints of the animals with non-BioM, and the fourth condition was composed of dots with BioM. In all cases the animal shapes traveled across the screen for a given number of frames. As in the first experiment, the results of the second study show no interaction between cues. Furthermore, the data show that the thresholds are similar whether BioM or contour cues are presented. The only condition which is significantly different is the condition without either contour or BioM cues. It is concluded that the form representation generated from these cues in motion-defined animal shapes consists of separate mechanisms which appear equally efficient for discrimination and which do not interact with one another.

scholarly journals Publication activity of chief and consultant general/visceral surgeons in German university hospitals—a ten-year analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva C. Böckmann ◽  
E. S. Debus ◽  
R. T. Grundmann
Keyword(s):  
Impact Factor ◽  
Publication Activity ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
University Departments ◽  
The Third ◽  
Publication Number ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Publications

Abstract Purpose The publication activity of 38 German general/visceral surgery university departments, documented by first or last authorship from staff surgeons (chief and consultants), was evaluated. Methods The observation period extended from 2007 to 2017 and all PubMed-listed publications were considered. Impact factor (IF) was evaluated through the publishing journal’s 5-year IF in 2016, as was the IF for each individual publication. Ranking was expressed in quartiles. Results The staff surgeons of the 38 departments comprised 442 surgeons, of which only 351 (79.4%) were active as first or last authors. Four thousand six hundred and ninety-nine publications published in 702 journals were recorded. The four leading departments in publication number published as much as the last 20 departments (1330 vs. 1336 publications, respectively). The mean of the first (most active) department quartile was 19.6 publications, the second 15.4, the third 11.0, and the last quartile 7.6 per publishing surgeon. The total cumulative impact factor was 14,130. When examining the mean number of publications per publishing surgeons per the 10 year period, the mean of the first quartile was 57.9 cumulative IF, the second 45.0, the third 29.5, and the fourth quartile 17.1. With 352 (7.5%) publications, the most frequently used journal was Chirurg, followed by Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery with 274 (5.8%) publications. Pancreas-related topics led in terms of publication number and IF generated per individual publication. Conclusion A significant difference in publication performance of individual departments was apparent that cannot be explained by staff number. This indicates that there are as yet unknown factors responsible for minor publication activity in many university departments.

scholarly journals Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity Using Nano-Hydroxyapatite Pastes: A Randomized Three-Month Clinical Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E93-E101 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wang ◽  
AC Magalhães ◽  
LF Francisconi-dos-Rios ◽  
MP Calabria ◽  
DFG Araújo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Home Care ◽  
General Linear Model ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Dentin Hypersensitivity ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Final Score ◽  
Nested Analysis

SUMMARY Objectives: This randomized clinical trial tested the three-month desensitizing effect of two protocols using nano-hydroxyapatite formulations compared with Pro-Argin and fluoride varnish. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects with 137 teeth presenting dentin exposure with a minimal hypersensitivity of four on the visual analog scale (VAS) took part of this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: Desensibilize Nano-P paste (20% hydroxyapatite [HAP], potassium nitrate, and sodium fluoride [NaF]; 9000 ppm fluoride [F]); Desensibilize Nano-P associated with experimental home-care pastes (10% HA, potassium nitrate, and NaF; 900 ppm F); Pro-Relief professional paste (8% arginine with Pro-Argin technology) associated with home-care toothpaste (8% arginine, sodium monofluorophosphate, 1450 ppm F); and Duraphat professional varnish (NaF varnish, 22,600 ppm F). The professional treatments were performed in weekly appointments over three weeks. The home-care products were used continuously for three months. A VAS was used to assess the tooth sensitivity response after standardized evaporative stimulus at baseline and after one month and three months. The baseline score was deducted from the final score, and the means were analyzed using nested analysis of variance, while the comparison between times was performed by a general linear model (p<0.05). Results: At the first month all treatments were effective, but there were no significant differences among them (p=0.94). At the third month, despite the fact that NaF varnish had the lowest effect in reducing hypersensitivity, no significant difference was found among the treatments (p=0.09). Only Pro-Relief increased its effect over time (p=0.049). Conclusions: Nano-hydroxyapatite formulations (with or without home->care product association) were as effective as the other treatments in reducing dentin hypersensitivity over three months.

Individual Observer Differences in the Use of Form and Motion to Perceive the Actor’s Sex in Biological Motion Displays

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110529
Author(s):  
Eric Hiris ◽  
Sean Conway ◽  
William McLoughlin ◽  
Gaokhia Yang
Keyword(s):  
Biological Motion ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Motion Cues ◽  
Motion Imagery ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Participant Characteristics ◽  
Perception Of Biological Motion ◽  
Form Information

Recent research has shown that the perception of biological motion may be influenced by aspects of the observer’s personality. In this study, we sought to determine how participant characteristics (including demographics, response inhibition, autism spectrum quotient, empathy, social anxiety, and motion imagery) might influence the use of form and motion to identify the actor’s sex in biological motion displays. We varied the degree of form and motion in biological motion displays and correlated 76 young adult participants’ performances for identifying the actor’s sex in these varied conditions with their individual differences on variables of interest. Differences in the separate use of form and motion cues were predictive of participant performance generally, with use of form most predictive of performance. Female participants relied primarily on form information, while male participants relied primarily on motion information. Participants less able to visualize movement tended to be better at using form information in the biological motion task. Overall, our findings suggest that similar group level performances across participants in identifying the sex of the actor in a biological motion task may result from quite different individual processing.

Tone of Postcards in Increasing Survey Response Rates

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Price ◽  
Faith Yingling ◽  
Eileen Walsh ◽  
Judy Murnan ◽  
Joseph A. Dake
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Second Wave

This study assessed differences in response rates to a series of three-wave mail surveys when amiable or insistently worded postcards were the third wave of the mailing. Three studies were conducted; one with a sample of 600 health commissioners, one with a sample of 680 vascular nurses, and one with 600 elementary school secretaries. The combined response rates for the first and second wave mailings were 65.8%, 67.6%, and 62.4%, respectively. A total of 308 amiable and 308 insistent postcards were sent randomly to nonrespondents as the third wave mailing. Overall, there were 41 amiable and 52 insistent postcards returned, not significantly different by chi-square test. However, a separate chi-square test for one of the three studies, the nurses' study, did find a significant difference in favor of the insistently worded postcards.

scholarly journals Applicability of auriculotherapy in reducing stress and as a coping strategy in nursing professionals

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 980-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonice Fumiko Sato Kurebayashi ◽  
Juliana Rizzo Gnatta ◽  
Talita Pavarini Borges ◽  
Maria Júlia Paes da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
The Third ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Needle Control ◽  
Nursing Professionals ◽  
Reducing Stress

AIMS: randomized clinical trial aimed at evaluating the auriculotherapy in reducing stress levels in 75 nursing professionals and analyze the coping domains that have changed after treatment. METHODOLOGY: volunteers were divided into 3 groups (Control, Needles and Seeds) and received eight sessions at Shenmen, Kidney and Brainstem points. The Control Group didn't receive any intervention. RESULTS: ANOVA test showed statistical differences in stress levels for Needle/Control Groups in the third and fourth assessments, according to Stress Symptoms List when compared the three groups in four assessments. For the Inventory of Folkman/Lazarus, a significant difference was obtained for Spacing domain between needle/control. In analysis within the same group, differences were found for Confrontation in fourth assessment between Needle/Control Groups and for Social Support in the third one between Seeds/Control Groups. CONCLUSION: The auriculotherapy decreased stress levels, changed Coping domains after treatment, suggesting that both Auriculotherapy with needles and seeds can produce positive impact to improve strategy Coping in the nursing team. However, more studies are needed to conceive the extent of the technique.

scholarly journals Longitudinal electrophysiological study of auditory pathway in small for gestational age infants

CoDAS ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanna Giaffredo Angrisani ◽  
Edna Maria Albuquerque Diniz ◽  
Ruth Guinsburg ◽  
Alexandre Archanjo Ferraro ◽  
Marisa Frasson de Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Electrophysiological Study ◽  
Auditory Pathway ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

PURPOSE: To follow the maturation of the auditory pathway of infants born small for gestational age term, by studying absolute and interpeak latencies of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) in the first six months of life.METHODS: Multicentric prospective longitudinal study. The ABR was carried out in the neonatal period in 96 newborn infants, 49 small for gestational age (SGA) and 47 appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Of these, 77 infants (39 SGA and 38 AGA) returned for a second evaluation. In the third evaluation, 70 infants (35 SGA and 35 AGA) returned.RESULTS: SGA and AGA did not present significant differences in the neonatal period and at three months of life. However, at six months, there was statistical significant difference between SGA and AGA groups for the latencies of wave III and interpeak I-III. Latencies of ABR waves decreased more rapidly in the first three months than the third to the sixth month of life for the SGA. AGA group showed progressive decrease in latency of ABR waves during the six months.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, for SGA infants, the maturational process of the auditory pathway occurs in different rate when compared to AGA infants. The SGA infants have faster maturation especially at the first three months of life, while in infants AGA, this process occurred in a constant and gradual way throughout the six months studied.

The influence of nutrition on egg-production and longevity in unmated female body-lice (Pediculus humanus corporis: Anoplura)

Parasitology ◽  
1941 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Haddow
Keyword(s):  
Female Body ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
The Body ◽  
Unmated Female ◽  
Pediculus Humanus ◽  
The Third ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Body Lice

1. Isolated unmated female body-lice were worn in pillboxes between the skin and the clothes. They were kept constantly on the body but, by a simple device, groups of ten were permitted feeding periods of different length. These groups were fed for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. per day respectively. Another group of ten were never allowed to feed after the last moult.2. Some of the figures for egg yield were high. Lice in the 24 hr. group were able to maintain a rate of ten eggs per day for 4−5 days at a time.3. No significant difference in longevity or rate of egg-laying was found to exist between the 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. groups nor between the 4 and 8 hr. groups but a pronounced and significant difference exists between the 8 and 12 hr. groups. Below 12 hr. there is a sharp fall in longevity and rate of egg production. The unfed group all died, without laying, on the third day.4. The rate of laying as shown by the mode increases progressively with increase in time allowed daily for feeding.5. With regard to the mean eggs per louse the position is less clear. It is felt that the 24 hr. group may differ significantly from the 12, 16 and 20 hr. groups but this is uncertain.

scholarly journals Standardized fluoroscopy-guided implantation technique enables optimal electrode placement in sacral neuromodulation: a cadaver study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Müller ◽  
L. F. Reissig ◽  
S. Argeny ◽  
W. J. Weninger ◽  
S. Riss
Keyword(s):  
Sacral Neuromodulation ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Cadaver Study ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Implantation Technique ◽  
The Third ◽  
Median Distance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an established treatment option for patients with faecal incontinence. The location of the stimulating electrode is considered to be essential for treatment success. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the position of SNM electrodes after using a standardized fluoroscopy-guided implantation technique. Methods For this cadaver study, SNM electrodes were implanted bilaterally in 5 lower body specimens. The lower edge of the sacroiliac joint and the medial edge of the sacral foramina were marked using fluoroscopy to draw an ‘H’ with the crossing points identifying S3. After electrode placement the pelvis was dissected to describe the exact position of the SNM electrodes. Results The electrodes were inserted at an angle with a median degree measure of 60° (range 50–65°) to the skin, with a median distance of 9 mm (range 0–13 mm) from the S3 marking. All electrodes entered the third sacral foramen. The median distance of the electrodes to the sacral nerve was 0 mm (range 0–3 mm) for the most proximal, 0.5 mm (range 0–5 mm) for the second, 2.25 mm (range 0–11 mm) for the third and 1.75 mm (range 0–16 mm) for the most distant electrode. There was neither a significant difference in the proximity of the electrodes to the nerve between the right and left side (proximal to distal electrode: p = 0.18, p = 0.16, p = 0.07, p = 0.07) nor between male and female cadavers (p = 0.25, p = 0.21, p = 0.66, p = 0.66). Conclusions A standardized fluoroscopy-guided implantation technique enables a close contact between electrode and nerve. This can potentially result in an improved clinical outcome.

scholarly journals The Importance of Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) Training on Physical Fitness Preparation for Malaysian Female Hockey Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.7) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Kassim Mohar ◽  
Rahman Fariq
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Sprint Performance ◽  
T Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hockey Players

A vast amount of research has been performed illustrating that the execution of certain conditioning activities at maximal or near-maximal intensities can acutely enhance subsequent athletic performance with given sufficient recovery. This phenomenon is known as post-activation potentiation (PAP) and its use within the field of strength and conditioning has grown rapidly as performance enhancing effects have been demonstrated within athletic movements such as jumping and sprinting. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of PAP training on sprint performance and power production among Malaysian female hockey player. Methods: A total of 18 well-trained athletes (age 25 ± 3.7; mass 54 ± 4.9; height 160.8 ± 2.8; relative strength half-squat 1.9 ± 0.3; relative strength hex-bar deadlift 1.7 ± 0.5; relative strength hang clean 0.8 ± 0.1) were tested for 20 meter sprint time and counter-movement jump (CMJ) test during the preparation phase. This study used two different groups such as experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) and each player were randomly assigned. Both groups were completed training in twice per week for a period of eight week training program. The EG performed a total of 16 session by having 2 different training blocks. Each block has a period practice of training for 4 weeks and each block also has different types of exercise. Meanwhile, CG completed 16 session based on coach training program and did not practice at the same time with the EG. The study intervention program including pre-test and post-test activities were conducted before and after the study. Result: A data analysis of paired t-test and independent t-test was used and the level of significance in all statistical analyses was set at p ≤ 0.05. The result showed that 8-weeks of EG displayed significantly improved in sprint performance (p ≤ 0.005) and power production (p ≤ 0.005). Moreover, result also revealed a significant difference between EG and CG in sprint performance (p ≤ 0.000) and power production (p ≤ 0.008). Conclusion: In short, the result emphasized the contribution of kinetic and kinematic parameters for sprint and power performance. The EG result seem significant for athletic performance. Therefore, this findings is of great practical interest for coaches and fitness trainers and relevant to female hockey players and consequently maybe used in training program.  

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