Digital Test Research Articles

Development of wall volley digital test in badminton

Abstract: Introduction. Badminton is a sport that is popular with all levels of society, because it is easy to play and does not require a large field, and can even be played indoors or outdoors. Therefore, the game of badminton in Indonesia can develop rapidly. One of the tests in badminton definitely uses the wall volleyball test to determine the skill level of training children or students. As is known, the wall volleyball test is a very good test to see how far a person’s hitting ability in badminton is. The form of solving existing problems is by conducting research and developing wall volleyball tests so that teachers and coaches, especially athletes, no longer have doubts about their badminton skills. Objective. To develop one of the skills test tools in badminton, namely wall volleyball. Method. This research uses the research and development method which is used to produce certain product designs, test the effectiveness and validity of the designs that have been created so that the product is tested and can be used by the public. Results. Questionnaire results from small-scale tests on the development of digital-based wall volleyball tests in PB. Persada Kulon Progo Yogyakarta, showed an assessment percentage of 95.38% and was categorized as “Decent”. With such results, it is very feasible to continue this development to large-scale testing to see how feasible the results are with more people trying it and from different places. Large-scale trials were carried out at the PB club. PWS Godean Sleman and PB. Arjuna Bantul with a total of 35 athletes who met the criteria. Questionnaire results from a large-scale test of the development of a digital-based wall volleyball test in PB. PWS Godean Sleman and PB. Arjuna Bantul showed an assessment percentage of 99.56% and was categorized as “Decent”. With such results, this development is very feasible to continue to the next stage, namely effectiveness. Testing the validity of this digital-based wall volleyball test instrument includes testing material with a score of 11 out of 13 maximum scores and getting a percentage of 84.61% (Decent). Practitioner testing with a score of 11 out of 13 maximum scores and obtained a percentage of 84.61% (Layal). Meanwhile, testing the validity of test equipment experts with a score of 30 out of 32 maximum scores received a percentage of 93.75% (Decent). Based on the results of the data percentage above, what has been developed by the researchers received the title “feasible” and was declared valid. The first trial test between digital and manual tests was not significant because the results obtained were the same. Meanwhile, for the 2 digital and manual experimental tests, t = 4.779 and sig = 0.000 Sig < α (0.000 < 0.05), thus meaning that the 2 digital experimental tests are significantly different from the 2 manual tests. Conclusion. The development of a digital-based wall volleyball test was stated to be significant in achieving better results than the manual one.

Research on microstructure, mechanical property and wear mechanism of AlCoCrFeNi/WC composite coating fabricated by HVOF

In this study, HVOF spraying technology was utilized to prepare AlCoCrFeNi/WC composite coatings with varying WC content on 40CrMnMoA steel substrate. The microstructure, elemental distribution, phase structure and chemical valence states of wear scratches of the composite coatings were analyzed using the SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS. Microhardness was measured using single-point digital microhardness tester, while nanohardness and elastic modulus were determined using a nano-indenter. The bonding strength of the composite coatings was evaluated using a tensile tester. Friction and wear tests were conducted to assess the wear behavior of the composite coatings. The results indicated that the microstructure, microhardness, nanohardness and elastic modulus of AlCoCrFeNi HEA coating increased with the addition of WC, attributed to the hard phase effects of WC. However, the bonding strength first decreased and then increased. Compared to the W 0 coating, the wear rates of the other composite coatings decreased by 30.5 %, 46.1 %, 65.3 %, and 82.1 %, respectively, which demonstrating that the effect strengthening of WC. After the friction and wear tests, the wear mechanism of the W 0 and W 1 coatings represents adhesive wear, abrasive wear and severe oxidation wear. In contrast, the W 2 and W 3 coatings exhibited slight adhesive wear, slight abrasive wear and slight oxidation wear, while the W 4 coating showed the slightest abrasive wear, the slightest adhesive wear and the slightest oxidation wear.

Using Dual-Target rTMS, Single-Target rTMS, or Sham rTMS on Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment.

The clinical application of 10 Hz repetitive transcranil magnetic stimulation (rTMS) remains limited despite its demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing cortical excitability and improving cognitive function. The present study used a novel stimulus target [left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex + primary motor cortex] to facilitate the enhancement of cognitive function through the bidirectional promotion of cognitive and motor functions; Methods: Post-stroke cognitive impairment patients (n = 48) were randomly assigned to receive either dual-target, single-target, or sham rTMS for 4 weeks. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, participants were asked to complete the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the Trail-making Test (TMT), and the Digital Span Test (DST). In addition, the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum were also measured. After adjusting for pre-intervention (baseline) MoCA scores, the post-intervention MoCA scores varied significantly. After post-hoc analysis, differences existed between the post-treatment scores of the dual-target rTMS group and the sham rTMS group (the experimental group scores were significantly higher), and between those of the dual-target rTMS group and the single-target rTMS group (the dual-target rTMS scores were significantly higher). The serum VEGF levels of the dual-target rTMS group were significantly higher those that of the sham rTMS group. The present study presented data showing that a dual-target rTMS therapy is effective for Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The stimulation exhibited remarkable efficacy, suggesting that dual-target stimulation (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex+motor cortex (L-DLPFC+M1)) holds promise as a potential target for TMS therapy in individuals with cognitive impairment after stroke. No: ChiCTR220066184. Registered 26 November, 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn.

Digital Cognitive Test for Early Detection of Dementia.

Dementia poses a significant global health problem, necessitating early detection for effective intervention. A literary review was conducted to examine current mobile-based cognitive tests. The limitations of the reviewed applications varied from accessibility to reliability. The paper addresses these limitations by proposing a digital, self-administered version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, with future research focusing on validating the effectiveness of the proposed mobile application in early detection.

A Digital Clock Drawing Test on Tablet for the Diagnosis of Neurocognitive Disorders in Older Adults.

The diagnosis of neurocognitive diseases is an important health issue for patients, families and healthcare professionals. The need to develop rapid, high-performance screening tools would improve access to care. The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is widely used and validated with the older adults, and its digital version is becoming increasingly widespread. We propose to confirm its validity in a population of old patients hospitalized in a geriatric unit, and secondly to verify its performance in comparison with the reference diagnosis made by a specialized team in a memory consultation. CDTs were collected from older hospitalized patients, both in paper form and digitally on a touchscreen tablet. The results show good agreement between the paper and digital versions (kappa coefficient = 0.81). Sensitivity and specificity of the digital CDT were 0.84 and 0.59 respectively for the diagnosis of major cognitive disorders. The corresponding values were 0.72 and 0.59 for the diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorders. User questionnaires indicate that older participants find the digital tablet easy to use. However, they prefer to use paper, even if they are open to learning how to use the tablet.

Contribution of a Tablet-Based Tests to the Diagnosis of Neurocognitive Disorders in Older Adults: A Feasibility Study.

Neurocognitive diseases are diagnosed in specialized centers such as memory clinics, where the waiting time can be long. The reference assessment involves a battery of tests carried out by a specialized team. Facilitating screening in primary care using new technologies could make it possible to appropriately direct care pathways towards specialist care. This work aimed to set up a battery of questionnaires, cognitive and manual dexterity tests on a digital tablet to screen people with cognitive impairment. Three groups of people are recruited from a memory consultation: people with major neurocognitive disorders, people with mild neurocognitive disorders and people with no cognitive impairment. Initial results in geriatric settings show that the digital tablet assessment test is feasible and well accepted, but that manual dexterity assessment needs to be adapted to the bodily particularities of the very old.

Investigation of Digital Calibration Certificate - Digital Test Report Sharing in Metrology Network

Investigation of Digital Calibration Certificate - Digital Test Report Sharing in Metrology Network

Development of multiplex digital PCR based droplex NSCLC panel test for detecting major mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

46 Background: Recently, in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patient, immunotherapies and targeted therapies aimed at various genes have been developed. Next-Generation Sequencing(NGS) technology is currently known as the only method for detecting genetic alterations in many different genes simultaneously. However, this technology requires a substantial amount of DNA or RNA input from patients to obtain high-quality results in a clinical setting. We have developed a Droplex NSCLC Panel Test Kit based on multiplex digital PCR, which is known as ideal molecular diagnostic technique due to its simple workflow, minimal sample input, high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, it has a one-day TAT (Turn around time) and low costs compared NGS, resulting in a lower financial burden for patients. Recently, the development of non-invasive liquid biopsy diagnostics as an alternative to tissue biopsy is emerging important issue. The kit, applying a digital PCR platform, enables multiple mutation detection using plasma samples of blood. The digital PCR-based Droplex NSCLC Panel Test Kit is designed to detect over 170 key mutations in 11 genes, namely EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, KRAS, HER2, NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, using DNA and RNA extracted from NSCLC FFPET and plasma samples. Methods: The Droplex NSCLC Panel Test Kit consists of four Oligo Mixtures (OMs) for detecting mutations of 4 genes on DNA and two OMs for detecting 7 gene rearrangements on RNA. After extracting DNA and RNA from a single sample, cDNA synthesis from RNA is prioritized, followed by simultaneous execution of droplet generation, PCR processes, and data analysis. The kit test was based on QX600 droplet digital PCR system of Bio-rad with 6 fluorescent channels. To validate the analytical performance of the Droplex NSCLC Panel Test Kit for each type of sample, DNA and RNA samples were extracted from FFPET sections and plasma isolated from NSCLC patients. Each type of samples, contrived samples were manufactured and tested for analytical performance. Results: The results showed that DNA/RNA multiple mutations can be detected simultaneously on a 6-fluorescent channel system. The kit was highly sensitive for low-input sample in dilutions studies ranging from 5 to 20ng DNA or RNA for FFPET samples and plasma sample. The Digital PCR NSCLC panel test detected an analytical specificity of 100% and detection limit of 0.25% or higher for all genes included in the kit. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the performance of the Droplex NSCLC Panel Test is reliable and effective for the detection of above 170 clinically relevant mutations of 11 genes in FFPET and plasma samples of patients with NSCLC. Additionally, it will be necessary to evaluate the utility of the kit through further clinical studies with NSCLC patients, as well as expanding its compatibility to various digital PCR platforms.

Safety, Feasibility, and Utility of Digital Mobile Six-Minute Walk Testing in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: The DynAMITE Study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening progressive cardiopulmonary disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Changes in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) provide prognostic information and help guide treatment decisions for PAH. However, since 6MWT requires in-clinic visits, clinical interventions to address disease progression may be delayed. Wearable technologies could reduce this delay by allowing the performance of 6MWT in the community and delivering data to clinicians remotely. To perform a pilot study to determine the safety and feasibility of performing 6MWT in PAH outpatients using a wearable app-based tool. PAH patients recruited at Stanford University were provided an Apple Watch with an app to perform daily, self-administered 6MWT over 12 weeks. Bland-Altman plots and correlations were used to assess the agreement and reliability of in-clinic vs. app-based 6MWT data at the beginning and end of the 12-week trial. From 55 PAH participants, we collected 3,139 app-recorded walks during 979.7 patient-weeks of exposure. On average, participants performed 3±2.3 weekly walks. No serious adverse events were reported. App-derived walk distance was highly correlated ( r ≥ 0.9) to the baseline in-clinic 6MWD and showed excellent reliability (ICC=0.9). Correlation and agreement were significantly lower at the 12-week follow-up visit. App-derived metrics beyond 6MWD showed promising associations with disease status. App-based outpatient 6MWT is feasible, safe, reasonably accurate, likely clinically relevant, and reliable in PAH patients but long-term measurement stability may be a concern. App-derived digital measures beyond distance show promise for future applications.

AROMHA Brain Health Test: A Remote Olfactory Assessment as a Screen for Cognitive Impairment.

Cost-effective, noninvasive screening methods for preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurocognitive disorders remain an unmet need. The olfactory neural circuits develop AD pathological changes prior to symptom onset. To probe these vulnerable circuits, we developed the digital remote AROMHA Brain Health Test (ABHT), an at-home odor identification, discrimination, memory, and intensity assessment. The ABHT was self-administered among cognitively normal (CN) English and Spanish speakers (n=127), participants with subjective cognitive complaints (SCC; n=34), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=19). Self-administered tests took place remotely at home under unobserved (among interested CN participants) and observed modalities (CN, SCC, and MCI), as well as in-person with a research assistant present (CN, SCC, and MCI). Olfactory performance was similar across observed and unobserved remote self-administration and between English and Spanish speakers. Odor memory, identification, and discrimination scores decreased with age, and olfactory identification and discrimination were lower in the MCI group compared to CN and SCC groups, independent of age, sex, and education. The ABHT revealed age-related olfactory decline, and discriminated CN older adults from those with cognitive impairment. Replication of our results in other populations would support the use of the ABHT to identify and monitor individuals at risk for developing dementia.

Performance of a Rapid Digital PCR Test for the Detection of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Variants.

Next-generation sequencing is widely used for comprehensive molecular profiling for many cancers including lung cancer. However, the complex workflows and long turnaround times limit its access and utility. ChromaCode's High Definition PCR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Panel (HDPCR™ NSCLC Panel) is a low-cost, rapid turnaround, digital polymerase chain reaction assay that is designed to detect variants in nine NSCLC genes listed in National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. This assay uses TaqMan® probe limiting chemistry and proprietary analysis software to enable multi-target detection within a single-color channel. We compared the performance of the HDPCR™ NSCLC Panel against an in-house, laboratory-developed, targeted next-generation sequencing panel used in the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the University of Minnesota Medical Center to detect biomarkers for NSCLC. The overall accuracy of the HDPCR panel was 99.48% (95% confidence interval 99.01-99.76) with a sensitivity of 95.35% (95% confidence interval 88.52-98.72) and a specificity of 99.69% (95% confidence interval 99.29-99.90). The HDPCR wet lab workflow was 4 h, and the time to generate variant calls from raw data using the ChromaCode Cloud was 2 minutes. We demonstrated that the HDPCR™ NSCLC Panel provides timely, comprehensive, and sensitive mutation detection in NSCLC samples with results in less than 24 h.

Consistency and repeatability verification for vehicle in the loop test platform based on digital twin of proving ground

Abstract A high-confidence vehicle-in-the-loop test method based on the digital twin of proving ground (DTPG-VIL) is proposed for the test of autonomous driving vehicles. The overall architectural design of the DTPG-VIL and the corresponding components are introduced, with a focus on describing the scene simulation system based on the digital twin of the proving ground. A King Long intelligent driving sightseeing bus for test verification is introduced, and its positioning performance is verified by the high-definition positioning base station and GPS/INS combined navigation system to verify the accuracy of its positioning precision and meet the requirements of the digital twin test so that the DTPG-VIL can obtain more information from the bus. Taking the automatic emergency avoidance function as an example, the method, process, and experimental results of the control test between the DTPG-VIL test and the real vehicle test in a proving ground are designed. Through the correlation coefficient analysis and transient response analysis, consistency and repeatability comparisons are carried out to verify the high confidence of the digital twin test.

The Effect of Chemical Disinfectants on Maxillofacial Silicone With the Addition of Silver Nanoparticles: An Original Research.

Background and objective Silicone has emerged as the most widely accepted material for facial prosthesis fabrication.However, silicone materials have certain limitations. Several techniques have been investigated to lessen the degradation of the polymer, such as the use of nanoparticles and nano-oxides, etc.In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of various chemical disinfectants on color stability, hardness, and surface roughness of maxillofacial silicone, after the addition of silver nanoparticles. Materials and methods This was an in vitro study carried out in the Department of Prosthodontics, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital; 80 samples of maxillofacial silicone incorporated with silver nanoparticles (in a concentration of 20 ppm) were fabricated in a mold of 3 x 10 mm dimension disc. The samples were then tested for surface roughness (using a digital roughness tester), Shore A hardness (using a durometer), and color stability (using a spectrophotometer). The samples were then classified into four groups according to various disinfectants used: sodium hypochlorite (1% w/w), chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2%), and neutral soap, and distal water was deemed the control group. After 48 hours, the samples underwent retesting to assess for changes in readings under the same parameters (i.e., surface roughness, Shore A hardness, and color stability)to obtain results, i.e., the samples were testedafter fabrication, before immersion, and 48 hours after immersion in disinfectants. Results When taking into account the surface roughness, the maximum roughness value was observed in the sodium hypochlorite group and the least roughness value in distilled water (mean % change of 38.359 to negligible change in the distilled water group). As for the Shore A hardness, the maximum hardness value was seen in the sodium hypochlorite group and the least hardness value in distilled water (mean % change of 15.780 to 2.125 in distilled water). Regarding color stability, the maximum increase in color values was seen in the sodium hypochlorite group (mean: 2.4) followed by the neutral soap group (mean: 1.653); the chlorhexidine gluconate group (mean: -0.287)showed the maximum decrease in color value from the initial to the final phase. Conclusions Based on our findings, surface roughness altered the most when samples were immersed in 1% sodium hypochlorite disinfectant and the leastwhen samples were immersed in neutral soap disinfectant. Shore A hardness altered the most when samples were immersed in 1% sodium hypochlorite disinfectant, but altered the least when samples were immersed in neutral soap disinfectant. Color stability altered the most when samples were immersed in neutral soap disinfectant, but altered the least when samples were immersed in 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection with neutral soap seems to lead to fewer changes in physical properties (i.e., surface roughness and Shore A hardness) and hence is recommended as a disinfectant for silicone prosthesis. However, our study also showed that 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate had the least effect on the parameter of color stability, and hence it could be the disinfectant of choice for prostheses with high esthetic requirements.

The Evaluation of the Trueness of Dental Mastercasts Obtained through Different 3D Printing Technologies.

In contemporary dentistry, several 3D printing techniques, including a stereolithography apparatus (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), and PolyJet 3D inkjet printing technology (PolyJet), are employed for model production. Despite their widespread use, there remains a paucity of the literature regarding the trueness and precision of these devices in dental applications. Existing studies comparing the accuracy of dental models manufactured by different printing technologies yield disparate conclusions regarding dental prosthesis manufacturing. This study aimed to test two null hypotheses: first, that the trueness of various new-generation 3D printers is equivalent, and second, that the trueness of printing by these printers is sufficient for achieving high-precision mastercasts in dental prosthodontics manufacturing. The research focuses on evaluating the trueness of five contemporary dental 3D printers: Anycubic Mono X 6Ks (Hongkong Anycubic Technology Co., Hongkong, China), Asiga Max (Asiga, Sydney, Australia), Creo C5 (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland), Form 3B (Formlabs, Boston, MA, USA), and J5 Dentajet (Stratasys Ltd., Eden Prairie, MN, USA). The methodology employed involved the creation of a digital test object using Blender software, adhering meticulously to the dimensions outlined in ISO standard 20896-1. These dimensions were chosen to be both relevant for this study and representative of clinical scenarios. Subsequently, the test object was printed and precise measurements were conducted utilizing a metrology-type Nikon XTH225 ST Reflection target in conjunction with VGStudio MAX analysis software. The results of our investigation revealed clinically negligible deviations in ball dimensions across all printers, with the maximum observed deviations ranging between 1.17% and 2.03% (notably observed in the Creo C5 printer). Transversal distortion exhibited variance based on the linear accuracy of each printer, with Stratasys21 and Formlabs 3B demonstrating superior accuracy among the evaluated printers. Distortions in the analyzed dimensions (specifically, anterior b-c, posterior a-d, and oblique a-c) were found to be uniform. In conclusion, while the first null hypothesis was rejected, indicating variations in trueness among the 3D printers assessed, our findings affirm the suitability of all five analyzed 3D printers for clinical applications. Consequently, these printers can be utilized for the fabrication of high-precision mastercasts in dental prosthodontics manufacturing.

Development and evaluation of a point-of-care ultrasound curriculum for paramedics in Germany – a prospective observational study and comparison

BackgroundPoint-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is steadily growing in use in prehospital emergency medicine. While currently used primarily by emergency physicians, POCUS could also be employed by paramedics to support diagnosis and decision-making. Yet to date, no paramedicine-targeted POCUS curricula exist in Germany. Furthermore, given time and resource constraints in paramedic training, it is unclear whether paramedics could feasibly learn POCUS for prehospital deployment. Hence, this study outlines the development and implementation of a comprehensive POCUS curriculum for paramedics. Through this curriculum, we investigate whether paramedics can attain proficiency in POCUS comparable to other user groups.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, we first developed a blended learning-based POCUS curriculum specifically for paramedics, focusing on basic principles, the RUSH-Protocol and ultrasound guided procedures. Participants underwent digital tests to measure their theoretical competence before (T1) and after the digital preparation phase (T2), as well as at the end of the on-site phase (T3). At time point T3, we additionally measured practical competence using healthy subjects and simulators. We compared the theoretical competence and the practical competence on a simulator with those of physicians and medical students who had also completed ultrasound training. Furthermore, we carried out self-assessment evaluations, as well as evaluations of motivation and curriculum satisfaction.ResultsThe paramedic study group comprised n = 72 participants. In the theoretical test, the group showed significant improvement between T1 and T2 (p < 0.001) and between T2 and T3 (p < 0.001). In the practical test on healthy subjects at T3, the group achieved high results (87.0% ± 5.6). In the practical test on a simulator at T3, paramedics (83.8% ± 6.6) achieved a lower result than physicians (p < 0.001), but a comparable result to medical students (p = 0.18). The results of the study group’s theoretical tests (82.9% ± 9.2) at time point T3 were comparable to that of physicians (p = 0.18) and better than that of medical students (p < 0.01). The motivation and attitude of paramedics towards the prehospital use of POCUS as well as their self-assessment significantly improved from T1 to T3 (p < 0.001). The overall assessment of the curriculum was positive (92.1 ± 8.5).ConclusionWith our tailored curriculum, German paramedics were able to develop skills in POCUS comparable to those of other POCUS learners. Integration of POCUS into paramedics’ training curricula offers opportunities and should be further studied.

Empowering the on-site detection of nucleic acids by integrating CRISPR and digital signal processing

Addressing the global disparity in cancer care necessitates the development of rapid and affordable nucleic acid (NA) testing technologies. This need is particularly critical for cervical cancer, where molecular detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as an accurate screening method. However, implementing this transition in low- and middle-income countries has been challenging due to the high costs and centralized facilities required for current NA tests. Here, we present CreDiT (CRISPR Enhanced Digital Testing) for on-site NA detection. The CreDiT platform integrates i) a one-pot CRISPR strategy that simultaneously amplifies both target NAs and analytical signals and ii) a robust fluorescent detection based on digital communication (encoding/decoding) technology. These features enable a rapid assay (<35 minutes) in a single streamlined workflow. We demonstrate the sensitive detection of cell-derived HPV DNA targets down to single copies and accurate identification of HPV types in clinical cervical brushing specimens (n = 121).

Acceptability of Home Monitoring for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Reactivation: A Qualitative Study.

This study formed part of a diagnostic test accuracy study to quantify the ability of three index home monitoring (HM) tests (one paper-based and two digital tests) to identify reactivation in Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The aim of the study was to investigate views about acceptability and explore adherence to weekly HM. Semi-structured interviews were held with 98 patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. A thematic approach was used which was informed by theories of technology acceptance. Various factors influenced acceptability including a patient's understanding about the purpose of monitoring. Training and ongoing support were regarded as essential for overcoming unfamiliarity with digital technology. Findings have implications for implementation of digital HM in the care of older people with nAMD and other long-term conditions.

A Characterization of Central Auditory Processing in Parkinson's Disease.

Research indicates that people with Parkinson's disease (PwPs) may experience challenges in both peripheral and central auditory processing, although findings are inconsistent across studies. Due to the diversity of auditory measures used, there is a need for standardized, replicable hearing assessments to clarify which aspects of audition are impacted in PWPs and whether they are linked to motor and non-motor symptoms. To characterize auditory processes and their possible alteration in PwPs. To address this, we collected a comprehensive set of standardized measures of audition using PART, a digital testing platform designed to facilitate replication. Additionally, we examined the relationship between auditory, cognitive, and clinical variables in PwPs. We included 44 PwPs and 54 age and education matched healthy controls. Assessments included detection of diotic and dichotic frequency modulation, temporal gaps, spectro-temporal broad-band modulation, and speech-on-speech masking. We found no statistically significant differences in auditory processing measures between PwPs and the comparison group (ps > 0.07). In PwPs, an auditory processing composite score showed significant medium size correlations with cognitive measures (0.39 < r<0.41, ps < 0.02) and clinical variables of motor symptom severity, quality of life, depression, and caretaker burden (0.33 < r<0.52, ps < 0.03). While larger datasets are needed to clarify whether PwPs experience more auditory difficulties than healthy controls, our results underscore the importance of considering auditory processing on the symptomatic spectrum of Parkinson's disease using standardized replicable methodologies.

Experimental Investigation of Hardness and Impact Variability in Wooden Agricultural Equipment

This study was conducted to determine the hardness testing and Impact testing of selected Timbers to be used in agricultural implements in Pantnagar, Udam Singh Nagar, between September 2015 and April 2016. The Rockwell hardness test is generally performed when quick and direct reading is desirable. The Rockwell hardness test was carried on the Digital Hardness testing machine on HRV-Scale. The impact strength of a material is determined with a Charpy or Izod impact test named after their inventors. the hardness of different types of timber, namely, Teak, Sal, Java plum, Eucalyptus, Yellow teak, North Indian Rose timber, red cedar, Mango, Margosa and Lebbeck was found to be 75.4, 79.1, 68.2, 69.1, 64.0, 87.1, 30.8, 63.2, 61.7 and 64.3 respectively. the Impact Strength of different types of timber, namely, Eucalyptus, Yellow teak, Teak, Lebbeck, Java plum, Mango, Red cedar, North Indian Rose timber, Margosa and Sal was found to be 49.2, 39.23, 56.71, 52.21, 46.3, 48.37, 49.2, 45.23, 41.6 and 58.89 KJ/m2 respectively. And their standard deviations were as follows: yellow teak (0.67), Red cedar (1.09), North Indian Rose timber (2.12), Teak (0.23), Lebbeck (7.95), Java plum (0.34), Eucalyptus (0.34), Margosa (0.71), Mango (0.87) and Sal (1.36) respectively. The timber of North Indian rose timber and Sal was found suitable for making Plankar, pulley and bearing block. The timber of North Indian rose timber, Sal and Eucalyptus was found best for making plough bottom.

Orbital-Rail-Type Automatic Inspection Device for Pipeline Welds Using Radiation Dose Prediction Results from FLUKA Simulation

Pipeline welds typically do not have secondary reinforcement, rendering welds highly vulnerable to leakage accidents caused by the movement of gases or liquids. Therefore, identifying internal defects in welds through radiographic testing (RT) is critical for a visual and quantitative evaluation of weld defects. In this study, we developed a device that can automatically inspect the circumferential connection between pipes by applying a digital radiography testing (DRT) technique that can convert radiation signals into real-time electrical signals by using a digital detector array (DDA). Gamma rays were used to minimize spatial constraints in the inspection environment and optimization was performed to satisfy quality requirements set by international standards. Furthermore, FLUKA simulation was performed to predict radiation intensity for accurate radiation leakage identification to enable the shielding design to be supplemented with lead rubber. This measure considerably reduces the safe distance for radiation leakage during field testing. The results confirmed the feasibility of a novel automated inspection technique that integrates automatic inspection devices and ensures safety using radiation, the byproduct of which is a hazardous material.