scholarly journals Optimizing the usage of pupillary based indicators for cognitive workload

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict Fehringer

The Index of Cognitive Activity (ICA) and its open-source alternative, the Index of Pupillary Activity (IPA), are pupillary-based indicators for cognitive workload and are independent of light changes. Both indicators were investigated regarding influences of cognitive demand, fatigue and inter-individual differences. In addition, the variability of pupil changes between both eyes (difference values) were compared with the usually calculated pupillary changes averaged over both eyes (mean values). Fifty-five participants performed a spatial thinking test, the R-Cube-Vis Test, with six distinct difficulty levels and a simple fixation task before and after the R-Cube-Vis Test. The distributions of the ICA and IPA were comparable. The ICA/IPA values were lower during the simple fixation tasks than during the cognitively demanding R-Cube-Vis Test. A fatigue effect was found only for the mean ICA values. The effects of both indicators were larger between difficulty levels of the test when inter-individual differences were controlled using z-standardization. The difference values seemed to control for fatigue and appeared to differentiate better between more demanding cognitive tasks than the mean values. The derived recommendations for the ICA/IPA values are beneficial to gain more insights in individual performance and behavior during, e.g., training and testing scenarios.

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 482-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marili Doro Andrade Deonizio ◽  
Gilson Blitzkow Sydney ◽  
Antonio Batista ◽  
Roberto Pontarolo ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Bittencourt Guimarães ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the influence of apical patency, root filling removal technique and cleaning of the apical foramen, concerning the amount of debris extruded during root canal retreatment. Forty mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to 4 groups - GIM (n=10), GIIM (n=10), GIPT (n=10) and GIIPT (n=10), which were named according to leaving (I) or not (II) apical patency during canal preparation and filling removal technique (manual - M or ProTaper system - PT). After filling material removal, each specimen of each group had the apical foramen cleaned by sizes 15, 20 and 25 instruments, generating 12 subgroups: GIM15, GIM20, GIM25, GIIM15, GIIM20, GIIM25, GIPT15, GIPT20, GIPT25, GIIPT15, GIIPT20 and GIIPT25. Extruded filling debris was collected by a Milipore filtration system, an HV-durapore, 0.45 µm pore filter with a 25 mm diameter. The filters were weighed before and after the collection on an analytical scale (10–5 g), and the difference was calculated. The mean weight of extruded filling debris was analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman ANOVA tests (α=0.05). The mean values found in the groups (in mg) were: GIM (0.95±0.94), GIIM (0.47±0.62), GIPT (0.30±0.31) and GIIPT (0.32±0.44). There was no statistically significant difference among any of the groups or subgroups (p>0.05). ProTaper provided the smallest amount of extruded filling material, regardless of presence or absence of apical patency, followed by manual technique, without and with apical patency. Additional amounts of debris were collected during cleaning of the apical foramen, regardless of the instrument, presence/absence of patency or root filling removal technique.


2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Goldírová ◽  
M. Fialkovičová ◽  
M. Benková ◽  
C. Tóthová ◽  
M. Harčárová

Abstract Short-term intensive exercise may be associated with many short-lasting metabolic changes. These changes depend on the duration and intensity of the exercise. The aim of our study was to determine potential changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and selected haematological and biochemical parameters in clinically healthy German shepherd dogs before short duration high-intensity exercise and 6 hours after the exercise. During the study, the dogs were subjected to the following defensive training: detaining a figurant running away from a dog (2×) and detaining with a counterattack (2×). The running distance was 200 m at a mean speed of 28 km.h-1. The investigation of haematological parameters revealed a significant decrease in the mean values of platelet haematocrit (PCT) 6 hours after the training. Significant differences in the levels determined before and after exercise were observed also for phosphorus (P) and for iron (Fe). At the same time, we observed a significant increase in the mean calcium (Ca) level and a significant decrease in sodium (Na) and chlorides (Cl). The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) significantly increased after exercise. Concentrations of acute phase C-reactive proteins were increased 6 hours after exercise in comparison to those before exercise but the difference was insignificant. Although the concentration of CRP was increased insignificantly after the exercise, when interpreting concentrations of this nonspecific indicator of inflammation, one should keep in mind that intensive exercise may also affect its concentrations.


2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Gurney ◽  
D.S.L. Lawrence

Seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater were investigated in a sub-arctic, mountainous, but non-glacial, catchment at Okstindan in northern Norway based on analyses of δ18O and δD. Samples were collected during four field periods (August 1998; April 1999; June 1999 and August 1999) at three sites lying on an altitudinal transect (740–970 m a.s.l.). Snowpack data display an increase in the mean values of δ18O (increasing from a mean value of −13.51 to −11.49‰ between April and August), as well as a decrease in variability through the melt period. Comparison with a regional meteoric water line indicates that the slope of the δ18O–δD line for the snowpacks decreases over the same period, dropping from 7.49 to approximately 6.2.This change points to the role of evaporation in snowpack ablation and is confirmed by the vertical profile of deuterium excess. Snowpack seepage data, although limited, also suggest reduced values of δD, as might be associated with local evaporation during meltwater generation. In general, meltwaters were depleted in δ18O relative to the source snowpack at the peak of the melt (June), but later in the year (August) the difference between the two was not statistically significant. The diurnal pattern of isotopic composition indicates that the most depleted meltwaters coincide with the peak in temperature and, hence, meltwater production.


1969 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-585
Author(s):  
K. Schollberg ◽  
E. Seiler ◽  
J. Holtorff

ABSTRACT The urinary excretion of testosterone and epitestosterone by women in late pregnancy has been studied. The mean values of 22 normal women in pregnancy mens X are 12.9 ± 9.2 μg/24 h in the case of testosterone and 16.1 ± 16.2 μg/24 h in the case of epitestosterone. Both values do not differ significantly from those of non-pregnant females. The excretion values of mothers bearing a male foetus (17.3 ± 8.9 μg/24 h) are higher than those of mothers with a female foetus (6.4 ± 4.8 μg/24 h). The difference is statistically significant with P = 0.01.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 3780-3784
Author(s):  
P.Vani ◽  
◽  
Sharan B Singh M ◽  

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is a prime risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Chronic smoking results in autonomic dysfunction leading to increased cardiovascular risk in smokers. The present study was planned to study the effect of smoking on the Cardiovascular Autonomic Functions among smokers. Materials and Methods: Fifty male subjects who were in the age group of 25 to 45 years. They were grouped into 25 smokers and 25 non-smokers. The participant subjects were selected among the staff members, residents and the patients from the routine OPD in SVIMS. Prior to study, they were informed about the procedure and the purpose of the study tests and written consents were obtained from them. The Cardiovascular Autonomic Function Tests were assessed by using a POLYGRAPH which was available in the department. Results and Conclusion: After applying the ‘t’-test for the difference between the two sample means, it was observed that there was a highly significant difference between the mean values of the BMI(i.e.p<0.01) and the para-sympathetic function tests among the smokers and the non – smokers(i.e.p<0.00). The Resting Heart Rate had significantly increased and the Deep breathing difference, the postural tachycardial index (Response to standing) and the Valsalva Ratio had significantly decreased in the smokers as compared to those in the non – smokers. After applying the ‘t’-test for the difference between the two sample means, it was observed that there was no significant difference between the mean values of the Postural hypotension test (i.e. p>0.05) and that there was a highly significant difference between the mean values of the Sustained handgrip test in the smokers and the non – smokers (i.e. p<0.00). KEY WORDS: Cardiovascular autonomic function tests, Smoking, Resting heart rate.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1041-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Bekir Unal ◽  
Kemal Gokkus ◽  
Evrim Sirin ◽  
Eren Cansü

Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the availability of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) autograft for acute or delayed repair of segmented digital nerve injuries. Patients and Methods: 13 digital nerve defects of 11 patients; treated with interposition of LACN graft that harvested from ipsilateral extremity were included in the study. Mean follow up period was 35, 7 months. The mean time from injury to grafting is 53, 3 days. The results of the mean 2PDT and SWMT values of injured /uninjured finger at the end of follow up period were evaluated with Paired T test. The correlation between the defect length and the difference of 2PDT, SWMT values between the uninjured and injured finger at the end of follow up period; were evaluated with Pearson - correlation analysis. Results: The mean value of our 2PDT and SWMT results are ~5,923, ~3, 52, respectively in which can be interpreted between the normal and diminished light touch. The defect length and difference percentage of SWMT values is positively and significantly correlated statistically. Mean length of interposed nerve grafts was 18.5 mm. The age of the patient and the mean values of 2PDT and SWMT with the difference % of 2PDT and % of SWMT are not statistically correlated. Conclusion: Based on results regarding sensory regaining at recipient side and negligible sensory deficit at harvesting side, we suggest that lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve might be a valuable graft option for digital nerve defects.


2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 457-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucélia Donatti ◽  
Edith Fanta

The Antarctic fish Trematomus newnesi (Boulenger, 1902) occurs from benthic to pelagic habitats, in seasonally and daily varied photic conditions that induce retinomotor movements. Fish were experimentally kept under constant darkness or light, and 12Light/12Dark for seven days. The retinomotor movement of the pigment epithelium was established through the pigment index, while that of the cones was calculated as the length of the myoid. The retinomotor movement of the pigment epithelium in T.newnesi,revealed that the adaptation to constant light occurred in the one hour of exposure, remaining constant for the next seven days. However, the adaptation to constant darkness, was slower. The difference between the mean values of the pigment indices in the time intervals of sampling was significant in the first hours of the experiment, and only after six hours they were not significant any more. The myoid of cones became elongated in darkness and contracted in light. In the experiments where T.newnesiwas exposed initially to 12 hours light followed by 12 hours darkness 12 was evidenced that the speed and intensity of the retinomotor movements was higher when darkness changed into light, than when light changed into darkness.


1978 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. W. Preece

Substantial test-retest stability of individual differences in indices of response availability and overlap in a continued word-association test was found over an interval of 3 yr. An increase in the mean values of the indices over the 3-yr. period for 20 subjects initially aged 12 yr. was confirmed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-44
Author(s):  
Aryunani Aryunani ◽  
Pipit Festi Wilianarti

Developmental growth disorders in children under five will result in a decrease in the formation of attitudes and behavior of children in the future. These disorders can be prevented by stimulating development. This study used a quasy experimental design. This research was carried out for 4 months in Privately Practising Midwives in Sidotopo village of Semampir sub-district of North Surabaya with a sample of infants aged 6 to 12 months. Data sampling used consecutive sampling collected through observation using the observation sheet. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test to see the difference in gross motor before and after treatment in  the treatment group. In  the treatment group 40% infant experienced an increase of 1-2 segment of motor development and 60% had an increase of 3-4 segments.  


Author(s):  
Sitti Nur Djannah ◽  
Sulistyawati Sulistyawati ◽  
Tri Wahyuni Sukesi ◽  
Surahma Asti Mulasari ◽  
Fatwa Tentama

<span>Lacking knowledge among adolescents affects their understanding of some problems related to sexual-reproduction health. Electronic media recognized as the favored source of information for adolescents. This research aimed to assess the effect of audio-visual media to the increasing of sexual-reproduction knowledge. We conducted a before and after without control informal experimental study design into 153 students in the 1st-3rd grade of junior high school. The effect of the intervention was assessed through the difference between pre- and post-intervention by using the Wilcoxon test. The mean score of the respondent pre and post-intervention was significantly increasing. The audiovisual increased the knowledge of the adolescent regarding sexual-reproduction health</span>


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