Leroi-Gourhan and the Evolution of Forms

The prehistorian André Leroi-Gourhan envisages technological behaviour along a continuum of manual activity extending to artistic production. His work on Palaeolithic cave art, which dominates the final phase of his career, builds on parameters set out in the 1950s and 1960s, and indeed early works on figuration ( Bestiaire du bronze chinois (1936) and Documents pour l'art comparé (1943)) already use the methodology which characterizes his Préhistoire de l'art occidental (1965). Nevertheless, there is a qualitative shift in Leroi-Gourhan's post-war work in response to structuralism and in dialogue with his work on human evolution. Le Geste et la Parole (1964–5) represents an important point of mediation, describing the physiological foundations of aesthetic experience and the stages of development which precede figuration. Leroi-Gourhan argues for the normality of Palaeolithic art as an artistic tradition while insisting on its absolute otherness. The mind in the cave is capable of the most abstract and esoteric variations of form and content, but also represents an alternative world to our own.

EXPRESS: Manual training of mental rotation performance: Visual representation of rotating figures is the main driver for improvements

Studies have demonstrated that manual and mental rotation show common processes. Training studies have shown that a manual and concurrent visual rotation improves mental rotation performance. In this study, we separated the visual rotation from the manual rotation. 121 participants were randomly assigned to visual training, manual rotation training, or manual training without rotational movement. Before and after the training session of 30 minutes, they had to solve a chronometric mental rotation test. Data were analyzed with linear mixed models and showed an improvement in mental rotation performance for all groups. However, this improvement did not differ between groups. Due to the independence of the form and occurrence of the manual activity, this suggests that it is not the motor activity but the concurrent visual rotation that leads to improvements in mental rotation tasks. Therefore, the visual component in mental rotation tasks has to be investigated in more detail.

Grid-based Genetic Operators for Graphical Layout Generation

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have gained primacy among the means of interacting with computing systems, thanks to the way they leverage human perceptual and motor capabilities. However, the design of GUIs has mostly been a manual activity. To design a GUI, the designer must select its visual, spatial, textual, and interaction properties such that the combination strikes a balance among the relevant human factors. While emerging computational-design techniques have addressed some problems related to grid layouts, no general approach has been proposed that can also produce good and complete results covering color-related decisions and other nonlinear design objectives. Evolutionary algorithms are promising and demonstrate good handling of similar problems in other conditions, genetic operators, depending on how they are designed. But even these approaches struggle with elements' overlap and hence produce too many infeasible candidate solutions. This paper presents a new approach based on grid-based genetic operators demonstrated in a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) setting. The operators use grid lines for element positions in a novel manner to satisfy overlap-related constraints and intrinsically improve the alignment of elements. This approach can be used for crossovers and mutations. Its core benefit is that all the solutions generated satisfy the no-overlap requirement and represent well-formed layouts. The new operators permit using genetic algorithms for increasingly realistic task instances, responding to more design objectives than could be considered before. Specifically, we address grid quality, alignment, selection time, clutter minimization, saliency control, color harmony, and grouping of elements.

A Dynamic Model for Limb Selection

Two experiments and a model on limb selection are reported. In Experiment 1 left-handed and right-handed participants (N = 36) repeatedly used one hand for grasping a small cube. After a clear switch in the cube’s location, perseverative limb selection was revealed in both handedness groups. In Experiment 2 the cubes were presented in a clockwise and counter-clockwise sequence to right-handed participant (N = 15). A spatial delay in the switch point between right-hand use and left-hand use was observed. The model simulates the experiments, by implementing the multiple-timescale dynamics of the action-selection process underlying limb selection. It integrates two mechanisms that were earlier proposed to underlie this selection aspect of manual activity: limb dominance and attentional information. Finally, the model is used to simulate Gabbard et al.’s (1997) experiment, offering a concise coupling of strength and direction of handedness.

Fluid Lubrication and Cooling Effects in Diamond Grinding of Human Iliac Bone

Background and Objectives: Although there have been research on bone cutting, there have been few research on bone grinding. This study reports the measurement results of the experimental system that simulated partial laminectomy in microscopic spine surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the fluid lubrication and cooling in bone grinding, histological characteristics of workpieces, and differences in grinding between manual and milling machines. Materials and Methods: Thiel-fixed human iliac bones were used as workpieces. A neurosurgical microdrill was used as a drill system. The workpieces were fixed to a 4-component piezo-electric dynamometer and fixtures, which was used to measure the triaxial power during bone grinding. Grinding tasks were performed by manual activity and a small milling machine with or without water. Results: In bone grinding with 4-mm diameter diamond burs and water, reduction in the number of sudden increases in grinding resistance and cooling effect of over 100 °C were confirmed. Conclusion: Manual grinding may enable the control of the grinding speed and cutting depth while giving top priority to uniform torque on the work piece applied by tools. Observing the drill tip using a triaxial dynamometer in the quantification of surgery may provide useful data for the development of safety mechanisms to prevent a sudden deviation of the drill tip.

EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY USE IN COMPLEX REHABILITATION OF MANUAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Background. It is necessary to develop new rehabilitation methods for children with cerebral palsy (CP), and also methods using virtual reality. Objective of the study. To evaluate effectiveness of rehabilitation impact on increase in supination volume in patients with spastic forms of CP with additional use of virtual reality (VR) technologies. Material and methods. The study was observational, retrospective-prospective, cohort and comparative. The study included 58 pediatric patients with spastic forms of CP 2 and 3 levels by the MACS. Rehabilitation in combination with VR technologies was used in 30 patients, 28 patients underwent rehabilitation without these technologies. Evaluation was made 19 days after rehabilitation started. Results. The function of hands by the MACS scale remained at the initial level in all the patients. Comparison of case frequency with dynamics of supination angle increase by 5° and more in groups with and without VR use showed significant differences: 93.3% (28 cases) and 35.7% (10 cases), respectively, pCochrane-Mantel-Hanzel <0.001. Conclusion. Using computer 3D technologies and virtual reality in complex rehabilitation gives 25 times more chances to increase supination in hand by more than 5° OR=25.2 with 95% DI [4.94; 128.57].

Induced Contention Therapy and functional bandage in children with cerebral palsy: Case report

Background: The decrease in the manual activity of hemiparetic children, affects their functionality and independence. Among the therapies used to improve manual function, there is Induced Contention Therapy (ICT) and functional bandaging (FB). Such approaches aim to improve the use and decrease the disuse learned from the upper limb in subjects with hemiparesis. Objective: Identify the effect of ICT, associated with the application of functional bandaging on the affected upper limb, in the function of the upper limb and on the handgrip of a child with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: A 5-year-old child received ICT for three hours daily for three consecutive weeks associated with FB in the right upper limb. The use of the upper limb was evaluated using the Pediatric Upper Extremity Motor Activity Log (PMAL) scale, the acquisition of new motor standards using the Inventory of New Motor Activities and Program (INMAP) scale, the motor skill by the Pediatric Arm Functional Test (PAFT) and the handgrip strength by the dynamometer. Results: There was an improvement in the quantity and quality of use of the paretic upper limb after the application of ICT, which remained after one month of therapy. In addition, it was observed the acquisition of new motor skills and improvement in handgrip strength. Conclusion: This study had a potential positive effect on handgrip strength, functionality and quality of use of the paretic upper limb of a child with spastic CP after the application of ICT associated with functional bandaging.

415 OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE RISK OF GORD, BARRETT’S OESOPHAGUS AND OESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY IN UK BIOBANK

Recreational physical activity has been shown to protect against the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), but such effects have not been demonstrated for non-recreational activity. We examined whether high levels of occupational physical activity (heavy manual labour or physical work) were associated with the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma as well as its sequential precursor diseases; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), reflux oesophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus. Methods In this population-based prospective cohort study, participants aged between 37 to 73 years were recruited from 22 regions across the United Kingdom. Baseline occupational information of job type and levels of heavy manual activity was assessed using both questionnaires and verbal interviews. Incident cases were identified by linkage with routinely collected hospital inpatient and cancer registry data for England, Scotland and Wales. Primary clinical outcomes were GORD without oesophagitis, GORD with oesophagitis (reflux oesophagitis), Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The effects of heavy manual activity on disease risk were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results Between 2006 and 2010, 502 524 men and women were enrolled. Main analyses were limited to the working population with a full set of variables of interest (n = 266 453). Compared to jobs with low levels of heavy manual activity, high level jobs had increased hazard ratios (HRs) for GORD (1.20, 95% CI 1.11–1.30), reflux oesophagitis (1.17, 95% CI 1.04–1.31) and Barrett’s oesophagus (1.13, 95% CI 0.98–1.32), but not oesophageal adenocarcinoma (0.91 95% CI 0.54–1.56). Conclusion High levels of occupational heavy manual activity could be used as a risk factor for GORD and reflux oesophagitis, the precursor diseases of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Formation of Seedlings of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner and Weed Control Under Application of Herbicides Oxyfluorfen and Pendimethalin

One of the most relevant factors for the formation of coffee crops is to use quality seedlings. However, the competition of weeds for nutrients and water from the soil can negatively affect your obtaining. Thus, the control of weeds in nursery is often dependent on the use of herbicides, considering that the manual activity is costly. In this way, this work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of weed control and the effects on the development of clonal seedlings of coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner) by application of herbicides oxyfluorfen and pendimenthalin in nursery conditions. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design in factorial scheme 2 &times; 5, two herbicides: Pendimethalin and Oxifluorfen in five doses: corresponding to 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 L.ha-1 of commercial products. Was evaluated during the experiment the emergence of weeds and to end (140 days), were evaluated: seedling Height, stem diameter, leaf area, number of sheets, number of roots, root length, root volume, dry mass of roots and shoot dry matter. There was significant effect for seedling height, shoot dry matter and total dry mass, in which the pendimethalin caused damage to seedlings in comparison to oxyfluorfen. The use of the herbicides Pendimethalin and Oxyfluorfen obtained satisfactory control of weeds with application of 1080g and 648 g a.i. ha-1, respectively.

Some Studies on the Design Analysis and Fabrication of Wheat Cutting Machine

In this study, collecting of wheat utilizing crop shaper was evaluated. Results demonstrated that the field limit of yield express was 2.44 occasions higher than the manual activity. The work prerequisite was 32.74 and 149.25 man-hr/ha for harvest shaper and manual activity, individually. If there should arise an occurrence of wheat, the field limit of product shaper was 2.23 occasions more noteworthy than manual reaping and work contribution was 23.20 and 115.74 man - hr/ha for yield shaper and manual task, separately. It is expected by the use of this harvesting machine the farmers will be benefiting in terms of money as well as the physical task will be reduced significantly. Overall the cost of this manufactured machine was approx. 6000 INR.