Finger Length Research Articles

Association of 2D:4D finger length ratio of People Working in different professions with personality traits

BackgroundThe ratio of the index finger (2nd finger) to the ring finger (4th finger) (2D:4D) can give information about harmony between personality and career of individuals. The developing technology makes it difficult to choose a profession. AimThis study aims to contribute to the career choice of individuals by analyzing the relationship between the 2D:4D finger digit ratio and personality traits of individuals working in different professions (Educator, Worker, Housewife, Civil servant, Healthcare professional/EWHCH). MethodThe participants were three hundred twenty-five individuals living in the province of Malatya. The SPSS 26.0 software was utilized in the data analysis. The p value of 0.05 was accepted as significance level in comparison tests. ResultsA statistically significant difference was determined between the participants, who had the 2D shorter than the 4D in right hand, in terms of professional groups (p < 0.05). In healthcare workers, a low level (r = 0.305) positive correlation was found between right hand 2D4D and both control (r = 0.264) and curiosity and left hand 2D:4D, and a low level (r = 0.255) negative correlation was found between Conscientiousness and right hand 2D:4D in housewives. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (educator, worker, housewife, civil servant, healthcare professional) in terms of total score of the Five-Factor Personality Inventory (FFPI) and scores of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience subscales (p < 0.05). A weak positive statistically significant correlation was detected between the healthcare professionals’ score of Career Adapt-abilities Scale (CAAS) control subscale and the right-hand 2D:4D ratio. Conclusions: It is suggested to investigate the 2D:4D ratio over different professional groups. The present study is important since it gives information about personality and associates such information with the 2D:4D ratio.

Performance Evaluation of Different Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) Cultivars for Growth, Productivity and Nutrient Quality of Grains Under Hot and Subhumid Region of Odisha

Millets are cultivated world-wide and are more prominent in South Asian and African countries. Among different millets, finger millets hold a significant position in terms of area and productivity. Due to negligence in various cultivation practices and improper selection of genotypes, most farmers fail to achieve optimum yields. In this scenario, the choice of a suitable cultivar is essential. Considering the above, an experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Research Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, to evaluate suitable cultivars of finger millet. The study consisted of eight treatments comprising of V1: VL Mandua, V2: Hima, V3: Indravathi, V4: Vegavathi, V5: Champavathi, V6: Suvarnamukhi, V7: Bharathi, V8: Sri Chaitanya. The treatments were replicated thrice and the randomized block design was implemented. The results revealed that the highest plant height (158 cm) was observed with the cultivar Bharathi. Indravathi recorded the highest dry matter accumulation at harvest (776 g m-2), leaf area index at 50 DAT (3.56) and number of tillers at 50 DAT (66). However, the highest effective tillers per m2 (2.3) were recorded with the cultivar Sri Chaitanya, and the highest number of grains per ear head and weight per ear head were registered in the Bharathi variety. Further, the highest numbers of fingers per ear head (8.4), 1000 grain weight (2.82g), weight of grains hill-1 (6.72g) and length of finger (7.7cm) were recorded in the variety Indravathi. The cultivar Indravathi recorded the highest grain (2315 kg ha-1), stover (5372 kg ha-1) and biological yield (7687 kg ha-1) and Sri Chaitanya followed it. The study concludes that Indravathi and Sri Chaitanya can be considered short-duration and Hima as long duration cultivar for obtaining higher yield during Kharif season (July to September) under the hot and subhumid regions of Odisha.

Using a Sensor-Embedded Baseball to Identify Finger Characteristics Related to Spin Rate and Pitching Velocity in Pitchers.

Previous investigations have shown a positive relationship between baseball pitching velocity and the kinetic chain involved in pitching motion. However, no study has examined the influence of finger characteristics on pitching velocity and rate of spin via a sensor-embedded baseball. Twenty-one pitchers volunteered and were recruited for this study. An experimental baseball embedded with a force sensor and an inertial measurement unit was designed for pitching performance measurement. Finger length and strength were measured as dependent variables. Spin rate and velocity were independent variables. Pearson product-moment correlations (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) determined the relationship between finger characteristics and pitching performance. Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch strength, index finger RFD (rate of force development), middle finger impulse, and force discrepancy had significant correlations with spin rate (r = 0.500~0.576, p ≤ 0.05). Finger length discrepancy, two-point pinch, three-point pinch strength, index and middle finger RFD, middle finger impulse, and force combination had significant correlations with fastball pitching velocity (r = 0.491~0.584, p ≤ 0.05). Finger length discrepancy, finger pinch strength, and pitching finger force including maximal force and RFD may be factors that impact fastball spin rate and fastball pitching velocity.

Alterations of tactile and anatomical spatial representations of the hand after stroke

Stroke often causes long-term motor and somatosensory impairments. Motor planning and tactile perception rely on spatial body representations. However, the link between altered spatial body representations, motor deficit and tactile spatial coding remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between motor deficits and alterations of anatomical (body) and tactile spatial representations of the hand in 20 post-stroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis. Anatomical and tactile spatial representations were assessed from 10 targets (nails and knuckles) respectively cued verbally by their anatomical name or using tactile stimulations. Two distance metrics (hand width and finger length) and two structural measures (relative organization of targets positions and angular deviation of fingers from their physical posture) were computed and compared to clinical assessments, normative data and lesions sites. Over half of the patients had altered anatomical and/or tactile spatial representations. Metrics of tactile and anatomical representations showed common variations, where a wider hand representation was linked to more severe motor deficits. In contrast, alterations in structural measures were not concomitantly observed in tactile and anatomical representations and did not correlate with clinical assessments. Finally, a preliminary analysis showed that specific alterations in tactile structural measures were associated with dorsolateral prefrontal stroke lesions. This study reveals shared and distinct characteristics of anatomical and tactile hand spatial representations, reflecting different mechanisms that can be affected differently after stroke: metrics and location of tactile and anatomical representations were partially shared while the structural measures of tactile and anatomical representations had distinct characteristics.

2D/4D Finger Length Ratio in the Screening of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

To investigate whether there is a relationship between the 2nd finger and 4th finger length measurement ratios and developmental dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of the Study:Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Meram Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Konya, Turkiye, from January 2020 to May 2023. Infants were screened for DDH with Graff method for the ultrasounds of both hips. Lengths of the 2nd and 4th fingers of both hands were measured and recorded. Patients with additional risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (breech birth, family history, oligohydramnios, swaddling) were excluded. Two hundred and fifty-six babies were screened including 55.1% (n = 141) girls and 44.9% (n = 115) boys. Their mean age was 2.51 ± 0.80 months. The average lengths were 31.73 ± 3.05 mm, for the left 2nd finger and 34.26 ± 3.48 mm for the left 4th finger. In the hip USG measurements, the mean alpha angles were 62.91 ± 3.12° for the right hip and, 63.20 ± 3.55° for the left hip. Eighteen (7%) of babies who underwent hip ultrasound (USG) had unilateral or bilateral DDH. Among these cases, 2.7% (n = 7) had right, 2.3% (n = 6) had left, and 2% (n = 5) had bilateral DDH. There was no statistically significant correlation between the ratios of right 2/4 finger lengths and the right alpha angle (rs = 0.051; p = 0.421). There was a statistically positive and statistically significant correlation between the ratios of left 2/4 finger lengths and the left alpha angle (rs = 0.154; p = 0.013). Only the left-hand finger ratio among the parameters in the model had a statistically significant effect on DDH. Therefore, the left hand 2D/4D finger length may be of value in screening for DDH. Developmental dysplasia of the hip, Second to fourth finger digit ratio, Ring finger, Digit ratios.

Biases in hand perception are driven by somatosensory computations, not a distorted hand model

To sense and interact with objects in the environment, we effortlessly configure our fingertips at desired locations. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the underlying control mechanisms rely on accurate knowledge about the structure and spatial dimensions of our hand and fingers. This intuition, however, is challenged by years of research showing drastic biases in the perception of finger geometry.1,2,3,4,5 This perceptual bias has been taken as evidence that the brain's internal representation of the body's geometry is distorted,6 leading to an apparent paradox regarding the skillfulness of our actions.7 Here, we propose an alternative explanation of the biases in hand perception-they are the result of the Bayesian integration of noisy, but unbiased, somatosensory signals about finger geometry and posture. To address this hypothesis, we combined Bayesian reverse engineering with behavioral experimentation on joint and fingertip localization of the index finger. We modeled the Bayesian integration either in sensory or in space-based coordinates, showing that the latter model variant led to biases in finger perception despite accurate representation of finger length. Behavioral measures of joint and fingertip localization responses showed similar biases, which were well fitted by the space-based, but not the sensory-based, model variant. The space-based model variant also outperformed a distorted hand model with built-in geometric biases. In total, our results suggest that perceptual distortions of finger geometry do not reflect a distorted hand model but originate from near-optimal Bayesian inference on somatosensory signals.

HAND ANALYSIS FOR DIAGNOSING NEUROTICISM DIMENSIONS

This study investigates the feasibility of hand analysis for diagnosing neuroticism dimensions. Neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, and susceptibility to stress, can have significant impacts on individuals' mental health and well-being. The study examines the relationship between certain hand features and neuroticism dimensions, aiming to develop a diagnostic tool for identifying neurotic tendencies based on hand analysis. Key hand features such as finger length ratios, palm size, and ridge patterns are analyzed in relation to neuroticism dimensions. Through empirical research and data analysis, the study assesses the accuracy and reliability of hand analysis as a diagnostic method for neuroticism dimensions. The findings offer insights into the potential use of hand analysis in psychological assessment and highlight its implications for understanding neuroticism traits.

Hanges in force generation by two-finger striking methods: An experimental study

Purpose: Acute sagittal injury in boxer’s knuckle causes extensor tendon subluxation. We analyzed anatomical measurements for posture-related hand parts and measured the force generated when striking the fingers.Methods: In 120 healthy adults (55 males, 65 females), the palm area, finger length, finger length, finger circumference, and wrist circumference were measured. Using a digital force gauge, the force generated by striking with finger flexion (FFF) performed by the middle finger was measured. The forces generated during extension flicking (FEFs) by the index and ring fingers were also measured. The forces exerted by the hand and fingers was measured using a grip force meter. The relationships of measured values with sex and age were statistically analyzed.Results: The FFF of the middle finger was 12.9±7.0 N, and the FEFs of the index and ring fingers were 6.8±2.5 N and 5.8±2.3 N, respectively. The grip force was 343.3±134.7 N in the four fingers excluding the thumb, 108.4±41.6 N in the index finger, 110.5±45.4 N in the middle finger, and 83.6±36.5 N in the ring finger. Males had higher FFF for the middle finger (17.9±6.6 N) than females (8.6±3.9 N) (p&lt;0.001), and greater FEFs for the index (8.5±2.0 N) and ring fingers (7.1±2.2 N) compared to females (5.3±1.7 N and 4.7±.8 N, respectively) (p&lt;0.001). Cross-analysis results showed differences by sex and age. The circumference of the index finger exceeded that of the ring finger.Conclusion: The study findings shed light on the relationship between the forces generated in the process of finger flicking.

Comparison of Regression Analysis and Mathematical Methods for Stature Estimation from the Upper Limb Measurements of the Modern South Indian Population

This study aimed to establish reliable mathematical and regression analysis (RA) methods for estimating stature using upper limb (UL) anthropometric parameters in the modern South Indian (MSI) population. This study was conducted on a sample size (117 men and 97 women) from the MSI population. Dead bodies within 3 hours of death were included in this study, as the study outcome is meant to apply to the dead and dismembered UL parts. Mathematical and linear RA methods were used to derive multiplication factors (MFs) and regression equations (REs) for the estimation of stature from UL measurements (arm length [AL], forearm length, palm length, and middle finger length [MFL]) and assess their prediction accuracy. A statistically significant correlation was found between UL measurements and stature, indicating their potential use for stature estimation. Both genders showed a statistically significant positive relationship between UL measurements and stature. Both MF and RA methods exhibited reasonable goodness of fit, albeit the RA method yielded a closer estimate of the actual stature than the former. The derived RE showed reasonable goodness of fit and precision in both genders, as evidenced by high R2 values and low standard errors. The RA and MF methods slightly over- and under-estimated the actual stature, respectively. The MFL and AL showed the strongest and weakest relationship with the stature. Both methods have practical significance though the precision is higher with RA methods. The MF method is simpler, as it is independent of statistical resources, while the RA method may be more useful in cases where there is a large amount of variation in the data. The outcome of this study has significant implications for the forensic and anthropology fields. The derived RE and MF provide a reliable framework for estimating stature from anthropometric measurements of dismembered UL remnants. This information can be valuable in forensic investigations, unidentified remains cases and archaeological studies.

Three new Geogarypidae (Pseudoscorpiones: Garypoidea) from South Africa, with an updated key to the country’s geogarypid species

Two new species of Afrogarypus Beier, 1931, A. haddadi sp. nov. and A. pseudotriangularis sp. nov., and a new species of Geogarypus Chamberlin, 1930, G. grandis sp. nov. are described. Afrogarypus haddadi sp. nov. is diagnosed by a reduced isb and five rami on the female galea. Afrogarypus pseudotriangularis sp. nov. is diagnosed by trichobothria eb, esb, ib, est, isb, b, sb and st grouping within the first half of the fixed finger length and ten rami on the female galea. Geogarypus grandis sp. nov. is unique from the rest of its South African conspecifics in having two additional basal setae on the cheliceral hand, pedipalps densely ornamented with distinct protuberances and a unique protuberance at the base of the movable chelal finger. An updated identification key to the Geogarypidae species of South Africa is also presented.

Comparing clinical and aesthetic outcomes of cross-finger and homodigital reverse digital artery island flap for fingertip injuries: A single-center retrospective cohort study

BackgroundReverse homodigital artery island flap (RHDI) has reported some postoperative complications. Cross-finger reverse digital artery island flap (CRDI), which is harvested from an adjacent intact finger, has been performed to decrease these complications. This study aimed to provide a review of the CRDI procedure and to compare the clinical outcomes of CRDI with RHDI. MethodsRHDI has been performed for fingertip amputations with the deficit of 1.5–2.5cm before 2018, and CRDI has been performed since 2018. We assessed functional and aesthetic outcomes, including finger length, nail deformity, finger motion, and Hand20 scores at the final follow-up. ResultsWe identified 22 patients who underwent RHDI and ten patients who underwent CRDI. The mean follow-up period was 10.3 ± 5.3 months. The median time required for wound healing in RHDI was 47.0 days (IQR: 34.3–55.8), and that in CRDI was 34.5 days (IQR: 29.3–44.3). The hook nail deformity occurred significantly more frequently in RHDI compared to in CRDI (40.9% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.03). Flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint greater than 15º was found significantly more in RHDI than in CRDI (36.4% vs. 0,0%, p = 0.04). The median postoperative total active motion of the donor site in CRDI was 278º (IQR: 260º–280º). The median postoperative Hand20 scores were similar between the two groups. ConclusionCRDI was associated with superior clinical outcomes in terms of lower rate of postoperative flexion contracture and hook nail deformity, potentially making it a better option compared to RHDI.

Effect of Green Manuring and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Banana CV. Grand Nain

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of green manuring and nutrient management on growth and yield of banana cv. Grand Nain during 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Instructional Farm of ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications, which included 12 treatment combinations viz., Main Plot (T): Different green manuring, T1 - Control, T2 - Single green manuring by dhaincha, T3 - Double green manuring by dhaincha and T4 - Triple green manuring by dhaincha; Sub Plot (N): Nutrient management, N1 - 100 % RDF (FYM: 10 kg plant-1, NPK: 300:90:200 g plant-1 year-1), N2 - 80 % RDF + N 20 % from Bio-compost, N3 - 60 % RDF + N 40 % from Bio-compost. The results revealed that soil application of triple green manuring by dhaincha was found superior with respect to vegetative characters like plant height, girth and number of leaves and yield characteristics like minimum days required for flower initiation and highest bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, weight of third hand, number of fingers per third hand, finger length and girth of third hand and fruit yield. While, 100 % RDF (FYM: 10 kg plant-1, NPK: 300:90:200 g plant-1year-1) treatment induced early flowering and gave the maximum values for vegetative and yield attributing characters. However, in case of interaction, triple green manuring by dhaincha and 100 % RDF (FYM: 10 kg plant-1, NPK: 300:90:200 g plant-1 year-1) resulted in the maximum plant girth, bunch weight, weight of third hand and fruit yield. It is therefore concluded that earlier and higher yield from banana could be obtained by incorporating triple green manuring by dhaincha along with 100 % RDF or 80 % RDF in combination with N 20 % from bio-compost.

Exploratory analysis using machine learning algorithms to predict pinch strength by anthropometric and socio-demographic features

Objectives. This study examines the role of different machine learning (ML) algorithms to determine which socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions can be used to accurately predict hand function. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 7119 healthy Iranian participants (3525 males and 3594 females) aged 10–89 years. Seventeen hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were measured by JEGS digital caliper and a measuring tape. Tip-to-tip, key and three-jaw chuck pinches were measured using a calibrated pinch gauge. Subsequently, 21 features pertinent to socio-demographic factors and hand–forearm anthropometric dimensions were used for classification. Furthermore, 12 well-known classifiers were implemented and evaluated to predict pinches. Results. Among the 21 features considered in this study, hand length, stature, age, thumb length and index finger length were found to be the most relevant and effective components for each of the three pinch predictions. The k-nearest neighbor, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) and random forest classifiers achieved the highest classification accuracy of 96.75, 86.49 and 84.66% to predict three pinches, respectively. Conclusions. Predicting pinch strength and determining the predictive hand–forearm anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics using ML may pave the way to designing an enhanced tool handle and reduce common musculoskeletal disorders of the hand.

Design and simulation of capacitive sensor for grain moisture detection

The high moisture content of grain would result in quality deteriorations such as mold and mildew during storage and transportation. For effective detection of grain moisture, a forked-finger capacitive sensor in the form of triangular prism is proposed. The effect of the sensor structural parameters on its capacitance, electric field distribution, sensitivity and penetration depth are investigated using finite element simulations. The results show that an optimised effective penetration depth of 2.73 mm for grain moisture detection can be achieved when the finger width, number, length and spacing are 50 μm, 25.4 mm and 50 μm, respectively. This work may provide a new approach for the structural design of capacitive grain moisture sensors.

Fluctuating asymmetry of human morphometric features as a marker of developmental instability caused by adverse environmental conditions.

This article is an attempt to apply fluctuating asymmetry as amorphometric method of studying changes in specific structures of the right and the left side of the body to determine variables which may affect morphogenesis and, consequently, human morphology in adulthood. The main aim of this study was to use the fluctuating asymmetry level as an indicator of adverse living conditions in childhood by determining the impact of environmental components (socio-economic factors and air pollution) on the level of body asymmetry in young women and men. Data were collected from 877 students from various Polish universities, including 483 women and 394 men. Anthropometric data and questionnaire responses were recorded. As part of the surveys, respondents provided information about their place of residence, socio-economic status and lateralisation. The composite body FA (cFA) was assessed based on six bilateral features: the length of fingers II and IV of both hands, the length and width of the ear, and the length and width of the foot. The present study supports the hypothesis that asymmetry increases as socioeconomic status decreases and air pollution levels increase. Differences in asymmetry, depending on environmental factors, socioeconomic status (SES) and air quality, were in most cases greater in men than in women. The results confirm that variable asymmetry is a sensitive indicator of an individual's exposure to unfavorable environmental factors during ontogenesis. Moreover, the results of the conducted research suggest that environmental factors may influence the structure of the human body, and irreversible morphological alterations are the result of unfavorable conditions occurring in the early stages of biological development.

Effect of Different Crop Establishment Methods and Organic Sources of Nutrients on Finger Millet in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha, India

Organic agriculture appears to be a way to maintain desired crop production in future. In terms of nutrients, organic farming practices vary with the availability of local resources of manures and its quantity needs to be identified to meet the nutritional needs of finger millet. So, a field experiment was conducted at Regional Research and Technology Transfer Sub-Station (OUAT), Malkangiri, Odisha during rainy season of 2019-2021 to find out the effect of organic nutrient sources on yield and economics of finger millet under different establishment methods. Three crop establishment methods (line sowing, transplanting and broadcasting) and six different organic sources of nutrients (FYM @ 5 t ha-1, VC @ 2 t ha-1, FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + VC @ 1 t ha-1, Compost prepared by Waste decomposer @ 5 t ha-1, FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1 and Gliricidia leaf manure @ 2.5 t ha-1) were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The recorded data revealed that significantly highest number of tillers (2.55 hill-1), fingers (5.52 ear head-1), finger length (6.53 cm) along with highest yield (1259 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 14709 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.48) were obtained with transplanted condition. Growth and yield attributes of finger millet was significantly varied by application of different organic sources of nutrients and it was observed that application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + VC @ 1 t ha-1 recorded highest number of tillers (2.52 hill-1), fingers (5.76 ear head-1), finger length (6.72 cm) and grain yield (1327 kg ha-1) followed by application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1and both were statistically at par in respect to all above parameters. But, highest net return (Rs. 18923 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.65) was obtained with the application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1. So, transplanting of finger millet with the application of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Bio NPK @ 5 kg ha-1 should be recommended for the studied region as organic nutrient management.

Design and simulation of a tunable comb-drive actuator with a wide frequency tuning range and low pull-in voltage

The presented paper describes the design, simulation, and analysis of a novel tunable comb-drive actuator that aims to increase the range of tuning resonance frequency while reducing the pull-in voltage. The conventional comb resonator has a limited resonant frequency tuning range, and hence, modifying the spring stiffness of the structure is crucial to obtaining a tunable comb resonator. The proposed design includes eight flexible beams on each side that support a set of comb finger parts. The actuator achieves the goal of shifting the resonance frequency both downwards and upwards by utilizing Serpentine nested-folded beams. A triangular comb with non-uniform varied finger lengths combined with variable gap fingers is designed to adjust the frequency downwards, while a comb with constant finger lengths combined with variable gap fingers is designed to adjust the frequency upwards. To simulate and design the structure, the IntelliSuite software is utilized. The results show that the actuator has a primary resonant frequency of 3052 Hz, which can be lowered to 335 Hz by applying a tuning voltage of 74 V to the downward tuning part. Similarly, the resonant frequency can be increased to 3159 Hz by applying a tuning voltage of 60 V to the upward tuning part. The resonator achieves a maximum frequency tuning range of 90%, and the simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. However, it is worth noting that the size of this resonator is relatively small, approximately 1077 × 328 μm2. This innovative design offers potential applications in various fields, including micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), micro-optics, and microsensors. Overall, the presented work demonstrates the feasibility of achieving a tunable comb resonator with a significantly improved resonant frequency tuning range and reduced pull-in voltage.

Perception, action, and the body model

In 1992, Goodale and Milner proposed to study the visual system based on function, thus dissociating vision for perception (ventral stream) and vision for action (dorsal stream). This became known as the Perception and Action model (PAM). Following the PAM in the visual system, a somatosensory PAM was proposed including a body representation for perception and a separate for action. This review explores the body model of the hand and how it relates to the PAM. The body model refers to the internal representation of the body that is responsible for position sense. Previous research has shown that the representation of the hand features systematic distortions: an overestimation of hand width and an underestimation of finger length. These distortions have been reported using different paradigms, different body parts, and in various settings. Thus, body model distortions appear to be a characteristic of human body representation. If the body model of the hand is distorted, how can actions like reaching and grasping be accurate? We review evidence that body model distortions may in fact provide a functional benefit to our actions, that cortical maps in the somatosensory and motor cortices reflect these distortions, and that actions rely on a distorted body model. We argue that the body model is a product of both the ventral and dorsal somatosensory streams. Further, we suggest that the body model is an example of the inextricable link between the two streams.

The Relationship of 2D:4D Finger Length Ratio with Biomotoric Characteristics and Sports Performance in Adolescent Basketball Players

Background. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship of 2D:4D finger length ratio (also known as digit ratio) with biomotoric features and sports performance in adolescent basketball players. 24 male basketball players with a mean age of 14.83±0.71 years and a training age of 7.08±1.92 years participated in the study. Materials and methods. The participants’ 2D and 4D finger lengths of both hands, height (cm), body weight (kg), some biomotoric characteristics and sports performances were determined by measurements. The German Heidelberger Basketball Test was conducted to evaluate the basketball-based sports performances of the participants. The SPSS 25.0 package program was performed in the statistical analysis of the obtained data. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine whether or not the data showed a normal distribution. Parametric tests were preferred for statistical analysis as the data were found to have a normal distribution. Results. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the 2D:4D finger length ratio, some motoric features and basketball-based sports performances of the participants (p&gt;0.05). It was concluded that the ratio of 2D:4D finger lengths in adolescent basketball players did not have an effect on biomotoric features and basketball-based sports performance. When the correlation between 2D:4D finger length ratio and sports performance parameters was examined, no statistically significant relationship was observed (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions. Although some studies show a significant negative correlation between performance tests and the 2D:4D ratio, it should be noted that the 2D:4D finger ratio is not the only determinant for sports performance.

Redesign of Rice Planting Tools Using an Ergonomics Approach

Farmers' work in planting rice is always with a bent posture, causing complaints of musculoskeletal disorders, this is a problem in research. The aim of the research is to identify farmers' complaints of musculoskeletal disorders when planting rice and determine the size of ergonomic tools. The method used is standard Nordic questionnaires to determine the point of complaint among farmers, anthropometry and percentiles are used to design the tool. Statistical tests are used to see valid, uniform, and normal data. Results and discussion, in the standard Nordiq questionnaire, it was found that farmers experienced more than 50% complaints of severe pain in the waist, left calf, right calf, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, and right foot. The design uses eight anthropometric dimensions: standing elbow height, palm length, palm width, middle finger length, shoulder width, body thickness, upper arm length, and hand length. All anthropometric dimensions were declared uniform, in the data adequacy test they were declared valid, and in the normality test, all data were declared normally distributed. The 5th percentile is used for the dimensions of shoulder width, standing elbow height, and palm length, and the 95th percentile is used for the dimensions of palm width, middle finger length, body thickness, upper arm length, and hand length.In conclusion, complaints of musculoskeletal disorders were identified as very painful, located at the point of complaint of the waist. The rice planting tool has ergonomic dimensions, the height of the tool is 88.1 cm, the diameter of the tool handle is 8.13 cm, the length of the handle is 11.4 cm, and the distance between the handle and the brake is 9.32 cm. The dimensions of the rice seed bag are 33.70 cm wide, the distance between the front and back of the bag is 23.19 cm, the bag height is 35.64 cm, and the bag length is 20.5 cm.