From touching to communicating

Infants can extend their index fingers soon after birth, yet pointing gestures do not emerge until about 10 to 12 months. In the present study, we draw on the process-relational view, according to which pointing develops as infants learn how others respond to their initially non-communicative index finger use. We report on a longitudinal maternal diary study of 15 infants and describe four types of index finger use in the first year. Analysis of the observations suggests one possible developmental pathway: index finger extension becomes linked to infants’ attention around 7 to 9 months of age with the emergence of fingertip exploration and index finger extension towards out-of-reach objects infants wish to explore. Through parental responses infants begin to use index finger touch to refer in some situations, including asking and answering questions and to request, suggesting that some functions of pointing might originate in early index finger use.

New Optical Methods for Liveness Detection on Fingers

This paper is devoted to new optical methods, which are supposed to be used for liveness detection on fingers. First we describe the basics about fake finger use in fingerprint recognition process and the possibilities of liveness detection. Then we continue with introducing three new liveness detection methods, which we developed and tested in the scope of our research activities—the first one is based on measurement of the pulse, the second one on variations of optical characteristics caused by pressure change, and the last one is based on reaction of skin to illumination with different wavelengths. The last part deals with the influence of skin diseases on fingerprint recognition, especially on liveness detection.

Operative Precautions in HIV and Other Bloodborne Virus Diseases

Mathematical means have suggested that the surgical team is at particular risk of acquiring HIV (or other bloodborne viruses) from a source patient. To reduce this risk, it is mandatory to avoid accidental injuries during operative procedures. The surgeon must handle tissues with instruments and must minimize finger use. Sharp instruments should be passed through a neutral zone to ensure that the surgeon and nurse do not touch the same instrument at the same time. Instruments should not be handled blindly, but instead should be accompanied by eye and verbal contact. We find these changes in surgical technique are necessary for present and future generations of surgeons.