Hand Size Research Articles

Impact of bank-specific internal factors on the profitability of state-owned commercial banks in Bangladesh

Purpose of the Research : The aim of this study is to identify the bank-specific internal factors that affect the profitability of state owned commercial banks of Bangladesh. Methodology: The study applied explanatory research design and carried out based on secondary data only. The main source of data is annual reports (Audited Financial Statements) of the respective banks for the period of 2014 to 2018. Multiple Regression Model & Descriptive Statistics are used for data analysis which is being done through MS Excel 2013 version. In Multiple Regression Model considered ROA as dependent variable and internal factors as an independent variable. VIF test is also employed to check the Multicollinearity problem. Findings: The regression analysis reveals that independent variables (bank- specific internal factors) of the banks are important enough to explain the variation of the dependent variable (ROA) of the study. Moreover, the results show that there is a significant and negative relationship between ROA and NPL ratio & liquidity ratio. On the other hand, ROA and bank size have significant positive relationship. But leverage ratio and solvency ratio have statistically insignificant relationship with ROA. So, it is said that among five internal factors, NPL, liquidity and bank size are the most important bank specific internal factors that affect the profitability of banks. Implications: This study shall provide the regulators, managements, depositors and other concerned parties an important insight about State Owned Commercial Banks profitability and enhance the performance thereby. Originality: This study is a unique one in Bangladesh perspective because there is hardly any study about effect of bank-specific internal factors on the profitability of State Owned Commercial Banks of Bangladesh

Selective crack formation on stretchable silver nano-particle based thin films for customized and integrated strain-sensing system

Wrinkle structure effectively suppresses the crack formation in a material under tensile strain, thus enabling intrinsically brittle material to be strain-tolerant. If the brittle nature of the material can be selectively engineered on the wrinkle structure, combination of mechanically different structures can be obtained within the same material. In this work, we introduce a simple and facile approach to effectively turn strain-tolerant conductive metal thin film with wrinkle structure into crack-rich thin film. The intended phenomenon was controlled by additionally inkjet-printing Ag thin film onto the wrinkle structure, and the structure and performance were also systematically optimized to enhance sensitivity and stability of the sensor. Our strategy to induce intended cracks on corrugated metal thin film enables not only to stably combine stretchable interconnectors and strain sensors but also to fabricate an integrated strain sensor system that can be custom-tailored to the subject's hand size. We believe the facile strategy will be a good step to realize an integrated strain sensor system.

Soft Exoskeleton Glove with Human Anatomical Architecture: Production of Dexterous Finger Movements and Skillful Piano Performance.

This article developed and assessed a novel soft exoskeleton glove generating dexterous finger joint movements with little constraints on volitional motions. Four pneumatic artificial muscles were attached to each finger, which formed two antagonistic pairs of muscles similar to the human anatomy, and thereby, enabled various postural control of the individual joints. This unique structure provided 20 DOFs with the exoskeleton. A unique adjustable mechanism also allowed for fixing the soft exoskeleton suitable for user's hand shape and size semi-automatically. Our glove generated static force of approximately 8 N at the fingertip, and moved a single finger at approximately 10 Hz and all five digits sequentially at 25 Hz. Through co-contracting the antagonistic muscles, the fingertip force generated by the tapping was increased by 1.5 times. Compared with hard exoskeleton gloves, our soft exoskeleton glove had lower constraints on the volitional finger motions performed by pianists, and also enabled to passively move the fingers quicker. Finally, after the soft exoskeleton passively moved the fingers so as to play a musical excerpt with the piano over a half hour, force variability of the keypresses was reduced when playing even without wearing the glove. Passive movement guidance by the soft exoskeleton may facilitate fine control of sequential force production.

The relationship between the body and the environment in the virtual world: The interpupillary distance affects the body size perception.

Previous research suggests that the size of one’s body is used as a metric to scale the external world. On the other hand, the influence of information from the external world on the perception of body size is unclear. It has been suggested that increased inter-pupillary distance (IPD) leads people to perceive the external world as smaller than it actually is. The present study investigated the effect of the IPD on body size perception, and the relationship between the perceived scale of the body and the external world when the IPD is manipulated. To this end, in a virtual environment, we manipulated the IPD as well as the size and presence of participants’ hands, while participant’s eye height was increased vertically. Results showed that, when participants’ eye height was increased and their hands were enlarged, people with a fixed IPD perceived the size of their body to be large (like a giant) while the external world was perceived to be changed minimally. Alternatively, people with increased IPD perceived that the external world as having shrank, whereas their perception of their body size changed little. However, when a viewers’ virtual hands were not shown, the IPD did not affect the individual’s percept of body size, although the IPD did affect one’s perception of the external world. These results suggest that, when the ratio of the size between one’s body and the external world are explicit, the perceived size of one’s body is affected by the IPD or perceived scale of the external world that is affected by the IPD.

Comparing Advancement and Coverage of Anterograde Homodigital Neurovascular Island Flap Designs for Volar Fingertip Injuries Using a Cadaveric Model

BackgroundFollowing injury, normal interaction between the hand and its surrounding environment is dependent on the ability of the surgical intervention to maintain fingertip sensation. To do this, plastic surgeons can use the anterograde homodigital neurovascular island flaps (a‐HNIF) ‐ a technique that uses a pedicled skin flap (i.e., a flap that maintains its neurovascular supply) ‐ to reconstruct a fingertip with sensation. The triangular and step‐wise flap shapes have been described as suitable flap shapes; however, it remains unclear how much advancement and coverage can be expected from either as patient‐specific factors such as tissue elasticity, wound and hand size have limited comparison of the techniques in the clinic.Aim & ObjectivesTo control for these patient‐specific factors, this study uses paired, fresh (not embalmed) cadaveric hands as a model to investigate the amount of flap advancement and wound coverage provided by the triangular and step‐wise a‐HNIF. Comparison of the triangular and step‐wise flap designs was first examined by incrementally increasing proximal dissection to determine the amount of advancement afforded by each of the a‐HNIF techniques (Objective 1). Subsequently, we investigated which flap design ‐ when sutured in place ‐ provides the greatest wound coverage (Objective 2).MethodologyUsing paired digits (2–5), flap designs (triangular or step‐wise) were assigned in an alternating pattern to control for possible confounding patient‐specific factors (Fig. 1). All procedures were performed by a single investigator and 3D printed guides were used to standardize the flap designs as well as the injury elicited to each finger (p>0.05). For every 5mm of proximal dissection of the pedicle, the distance of advancement was measured while using a consistent force of tension (μtension = 0.31 ± 0.02N; p>0.05). Following 30mm of proximal dissection (i.e., approximately the origin of the digital arteries in the palm), the flap was sutured in place to cover the elicited injury and the percent wound coverage was calculated.ResultsOur preliminary results (n=14 digits) indicate that the triangular flap achieved significantly more advancement than the step‐wise flap at ≥25mm of proximal dissection into the hand (p<0.05). At 30mm of proximal dissection, the step‐wise flap provided 75.9 ± 6.9% wound coverage whereas the triangular flap covered 80.1 ± 6.1% of the wound (p>0.05). These findings suggest that both the triangular and step‐wise flap designs offer comparable reconstructive outcomes; however, triangular flaps may be able to achieve these results with less proximal dissection.ImplicationsOur study provides the first specimen‐matched comparison of advancement and coverage provided by the triangular and step‐wise a‐HNIF. The results of this study will help inform flap selection to improve outcomes for patients undergoing volar fingertip reconstruction.Support or Funding InformationNoneFigure 1

Not all fine-branch locomotion is equal: Grasping morphology determines locomotor performance on narrow supports

Fine-branch models have long played a central role in primate evolutionary research. Nevertheless, recent studies of positional behavior in nonprimate arboreal mammals have challenged the idea that synapomorphic primate features, such as grasping extremities, uniquely facilitated access to the fine-branch zone. We test the alternative hypothesis that grasping extremities specifically improve locomotor performance in a fine-branch environment by examining how support diameter influences locomotor mechanics in one sciurid rodent (Sciurus carolinensis) and two platyrrhine primates (Callithrix jacchus and Saimiri boliviensis). These species were chosen to broadly model different stages in the evolution of primate grasping morphology. The results showed that transitioning from broad to narrower supports required the greatest kinematic adjustment in squirrels and the least adjustment in squirrel monkeys, with marmosets displaying an intermediate level of adjustment. Moreover, on any given support, squirrels' locomotor mechanics differed from marmosets' in a manner consistent with a greater need for stability, despite superficial ecomorphological similarities between sciurid rodents and callitrichine primates. Morphological analyses of autopodial size and proportions suggest that variation in locomotor performance more closely tracked variation in overall hand and foot size rather than digit length per se. Indeed, a broad comparative analysis revealed that for their body mass, primates have longer hands than similarly sized arboreal rodents and marsupials (although only the primate-rodent comparison was significant after incorporating phylogenetic relatedness). Inclusion of fossil stem primates (plesiadapiforms) and euprimates (adapiforms) in these analyses suggests that this primate-wide grade shift in relative autopodial size must have occurred early in the evolutionary history of the group. Overall, our findings show that basal primate morphological adaptations may have specifically facilitated improved locomotor performance in a fine-branch niche, rather than merely permitting access to the environment. As such, future adaptive hypotheses of primate origins should incorporate the import of primate-like morphology on locomotor performance as well.

Perceptual Representation of Own Hand Size in Early Childhood and Adulthood

Hand size perceptual distortions characterize adult human cognition. Notwithstanding the importance of uncovering how hand size representation develops in humans, studies in this field are still at a preliminary stage. Indeed, it is yet to be understood whether hand size distortions are present and reliable in early childhood and whether they differ from adults’ distortions, offering a more in-depth insight into the emergence and development of such representations. We addressed this issue by comparing 4- to 6- year-old children and adults’ representation of their own hand size, as assessed with a 2-forced choice visual perceptual task. To test participants’ ability to estimate their own hand size, children and adults judged whether pictures of their own hand, resized to appear smaller or bigger than their own hand, matched or not its actual dimension. Results show that children aged 4 to 6 years tend to underestimate their own hand size, while adults underestimate their own hand more weakly. This evidence suggests that body-parts perceptual distortions are already in place in early childhood, and thus represent a characteristic of the human body representation.

Evaluation of Stage–Discharge Relationships in Alluvial Rivers (Case Study: Shahroud River, Qazvin province, Iran)

Many rivers are classified in alluvial rivers. Stage–discharge curve of these rivers is reliable just in measured conditions and for the sections by the use of measured data. Most of the stage–discharge equations are not able to consider flow resistance, and it causes some errors in qualitative and quantitative modeling. Therefore, it seems necessary to determine the accuracy of stage–discharge curve methods in the river sections without hydrometric stations. In this study, Einstein and Barbarossa (Trans ASCE 117:1121–1132, 1952), Engelund and Hansen (A monograph on sediment transport in alluvial streams. Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1967) and White et al. (A new general method for predicting the frictional characteristics of alluvial streams. Report No IT 187. Hydraulics Research Station, Wallingford, England, 1979) methods were investigated in four hydrometric stations in Shahroud River. To do so, after field data collection, the stage–discharge curve of studied hydrometric stations was obtained by the mentioned methods. Results revealed that effect of flow resistance factors increased in maximum discharge. Einstein and Barbarossa’s (1952) method enjoyed the most accuracy in the stations with ripple bed form and discharge less than 20 cms. By increasing discharge or changing the bed form, the accuracy of this method decreased, so in this condition Engelund and Hansen (1967) and White et al.’s (1979) methods showed reliable accuracy. In the rivers with anti-dune bed form, White et al.’s (1979) equation had the most accuracy. Additionally, evaluating the effect of bed form, discharge, bed slope and bed load sediment size indicated that all the methods are highly sensitive to discharge flow and river bed form; on the other hand, bed slope and bed load sediment size are not determining factors in choosing proper method for the development of stage–discharge curve in alluvial rivers.

Influence of hand and smartphone anthropometric measurements on hand pain and discomfort: A cross-sectional study.

A good mobile phone design may increase the productivity of users, as well as their comfort. To achieve mobile users’ satisfaction, there is a need to come up with an ideal measurement that would not strain the human's body parts used to control the devices.To investigate the correlation between smartphone and hand anthropometry measurements and the development of hand discomfort and pain.89 Ahlia University students between the ages of 17- and 30-year-old participated in this study. Participants completed a demographic data sheet and had both of their hand dimensions and grip strength measured.A total number of 89 participants were recruited in this study with (57.3%) females and (42.7%) males. 38% have had hand pain recently while 61.8% did not experience any hand pain. There was weak negative correlation between the phone size (r = −0.04, P = .7), hand size (r = −0.08, P = .5), and the hand grip strength (r = −0.03, P = .7) all with the reporting of hand pain. For the phone screen size and the hand lengths (r = 0.22, P = .13) there was weak positive correlation.Mobile phone manufacturers should take into account the users’ comfort when designing their phones as this could lead to hand pain and other musculoskeletal problems. Furthermore, hand pain is multifactorial so hand size; phone size and grip strength may be taken into account.

The development of a test battery to assess the hand-eye functions relevant in predicting easy and accurate tablet subdivision in older people: A pilot study.

Tablets may be subdivided for dose adaptations or to ease swallowing. The handling is common in older patients but can be difficult and inaccurate. Currently, it is not known which hand-eye functions determine the ability of older people to break tablets by hand and to do so with acceptable ease and accuracy. The aim of this study was to develop a test battery to assess the hand-eye functions relevant in predicting easy and accurate tablet subdivision in older people. A mixed methods study was conducted including literature reviews and a pilot experiment. The reviews were conducted in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Dutch journals and professional standards. The first review tried to identify the hand-eye functions relevant to tablet subdivision and the second the associated measuring instruments, testing protocols and normative data. A test battery was empanelled. A pilot experiment was conducted in 30 adult volunteers to optimize and evaluate the test battery. Five domains were considered relevant: hand size, hand strength, flexibility/manual dexterity, vision and coordination. Hand size could best be measured by finger circumference, hand strength by pinch- and grip strength, flexibility by active range of joint motion, manual dexterity (and flexibility, coordination, cognition, vision) by pegboard function, vision by near visual acuity. Older people preferred the use of tablet splitters over hand breaking. Easy and accurate tablet subdivision is essential to the good use of medicines. We developed a test battery for older people, but probably of value to all age groups.

Iatrogenic pulmonary edema as a cause of death in burns

Global mortality from the burn is decreasing while in Iraq is still rising. This study was designed to determine the paucity of data regarding the cause of death in the burn, which may be a participating factor and should eliminate it. A post-mortal field study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine in the province of Babylon, Iraq, for a year period, from the 1st of January 2017 to the 1st of January 2018. The total deaths were 1310, and the whole number of deaths by burn accidents in Babylon, Iraq, was 81(6.18% of all causes of death in a year). 65 were females (80.24%), 16 were males (19.75%). Deaths with no history of admission more than 3day in burn units, age over 45years, cardiovascular diseases patients, heavy smokers, inhalational injuries victims, all were excluded, so 68 burn victims were subjected to a full, typical autopsy at the Department of Forensic Medicine in the province of Babylon for one year period, with all necessary laboratory tests, in order to diagnose the direct cause of their death. For assessing small size area burn, we used small paper the size of the victim whole hand (represent 1% of TBSA), for a larger area, the Lund and Browder chart was used. Deaths were divided into 2 groups according to the period of admission at the burn unit. The first group (3-7 days of admission) with 60 victims, and the second (more than 7 days) with 8 victims. 17 victims with in the first group, had no prominent autopsy findings, but severe pulmonary edema, edema of other organs, no pathogenic organisms were isolated, the laboratory tests were accepted. Their medical records in the burn unit showed overestimation in the assessment of burn area size above the actual percentage by (20-35%). The major causes of death in the first group were septicemia 42.46%, pneumonia 32.35% and primary pulmonary edema 25%, caused mainly by overloading the circulation with fluids. Precise assessment of burn area size, ensuring proper fluid replacement and lowering the mortality rate.

A Model-Based RF Hand Motion Detection System for Shadowing Scenarios

With the explosive growth of mobile computing, new modes of human-computer interaction (HCI) are emerging and becoming feasible. Compared to vision-based systems that require lighting, radio frequency (RF)-based hand motion detection systems are becoming more popular in HCI applications. In real RF hand motion detection scenarios, the line-of-sight between the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) is usually blocked. Hence, shadowing significantly affects the detection accuracy. To design better RF hand motion detection systems, we propose a simple diffraction and interference model (DIM) to interpret the received signal strength (RSS) variation caused by hand motions in the shadowing scenario. Based on theories of knife-edge diffraction and mutual radio interference, DIM provides a simple theoretical foundation for analyzing the RSS variation with hand size, signal frequency, and Tx-Rx distance. Furthermore, a model-based RF hand motion detection system benefiting from DIM is presented. Unlike existing systems that require a large number of motion features to train a motion classifier, the model-based system achieves training-free motion classification, which has potential for hand motion detection on a real-time basis. Empirical data collected from a vector network analyzer validate our system as well as demonstrate a simple diffraction model can help hand motion detection processing for commonly growing HCI applications.

Dynamics of forearm muscle activity in slanted computer mice use.

Static muscular activity of muscles activated in the use of the conventional PC mouse is believed to represent a higher risk for the musculoskeletal health of the user than dynamic muscular activity. This paper presents a compounded muscular activity dynamics indicator (akin to percent relative range), enabling comparison between computer handheld pointing devices. This muscular dynamism approach considers baseline muscular activity (APL, ECR, ECU and ED) relative to the Maximum Voluntary Contraction as well as the dynamics of muscular activation. The latter is computed as the ratio of the difference between APDF90 and APDF10 divided by APDF50 (APDF-Amplitude Probability Distribution Function for the 90th, 50th and 10th percentiles). The paper demonstrates the approach with results of comparative evaluation of a horizontal, a slanted and a vertical PC mouse, through surface EMG monitoring of 20 participants performing standardized graphical task with the devices. Hand size impacts muscular activity dynamics in these four muscles, which supersedes differences in device geometry, across the range of devices tested. Smaller devices relative to hand size foster more dynamic muscular activity.

Mad Science is Provably Hard: Puzzles in Hearthstone's Boomsday Lab are NP-hard

We consider the computational complexity of winning this turn (mate-in-1 or finding lethal) in Hearthstone as well as several other single turn puzzle types introduced in the Boomsday Lab expansion. We consider three natural generalizations of Hearthstone (in which hand size, board size, and deck size scale) and prove the various puzzle types in each generalization NP-hard.

Optimization of Interface Elements Order in Virtual Reality (Virtual Reconstruction of Bely Gorod Historical Relief)

The article sets a problem focusing on how to optimize the order of 3D user interface for virtual reconstruction of Moscow historical center landscape in the 16th-18th centuries. To work with the interface a virtual reality headset, a motion tracking system and an eye-tracker were integrated. Spatial representation of the historical reconstruction is accompanied by a specialized interface that allows one to access the source database. The authors introduce a criterion that provides for estimating the optimum order of interface elements in the virtual space. The problem is handled in case there are unknown factors such as the size of user's hands, deviations in the position of an interactive object and restrictions related to the disposition of interface elements. The article sets the general problem and solves some internal problems related to the construction of acceptable multiple dispositions of interface elements and the modeling of eyesight movement from one interface element to another. The article is the first to suggest an algorithm to numerically optimize the interface in 3D virtual space modeling the relief and historical buildings in the center of Moscow. It provides for user’s movement and gives access to historical sources which are the basis for virtual reconstruction of the heritage understudy.

Paradigm Shift in Smartphone Designing Using Hand Anthropometry

Smartphones have become a necessity for each one of us in today’s world. We spend a large part of our time interacting with smartphones. Users need to perform different tasks on smartphones and each task requires different sizes of them. An individual should opt for the correct size for a great user experience and adeptness. Also, there is an increasing incongruity between screen size of smartphones and hand size of users as the screen become larger day-by-day. As per International Ergonomics Association, “Advanced technology could contribute in making the lives of the consumers a lot more exciting and deft. In this process of adopting technology and callous business expectations, risks related to human factors get ignored. Obtuseness towards these risks can lead to inimical sub sequential effects on manufacturers, suppliers and service enterprises” (IEA). That is why, it is important to consider human factors while designing mobile phones. This paper focuses on the relationship between different device characteristics like screen size, position and size of buttons and hand anthropometry and their effect on user adeptness in general. This study provides a basis for manufacturers and designers to apply ergonomics and human related factors to designing of smartphones and improving user experience for their brands.

Hand morphometrics, electrodermal activity, and stone tools haptic perception.

Tool use requires integration among sensorial, biomechanical, and cognitive factors. Taking into account the importance of tool use in human evolution, changes associated with the genus Homo are to be expected in all these three aspects. Haptics is based on both tactile and proprioceptive feedbacks, and it is associated with emotional reactions. Previous analyses have suggested a difference between males and females, and during haptic exploration of different typologies of stone tools. Here, we analyze the correlation between electrodermal reactions during stone tool handling and hand morphology to provide evidence of possible allometric factors shared by males and females. Electrodermal analysis was used to investigate some specific parameters involved in these reactions, such as changes in the level of attention and arousal. We analyzed the responses of 46 right-handed adults to 20 distinct stone tools while blindfolded. Females have smaller hands and a wider range of electrodermal reactions. Within males and females, hand diameters and general hand size do not correlate with the degree of electrodermal level and response. Sex differences in electrodemal reaction during stone tool handling are apparently not due to the effect of hand size or proportions. Differences between males and females are better interpreted as real sex differences, either due to a biological or cultural influences. Hand size does not influence the degree of arousal or attention during tool exploration, suggesting that other factors trigger individual reactions. These results add to a general cognitive approach on hand-tool evolution and tool sensing.

Development of Real-Time Electromyography Controlled 3D Printed Robot Hand Prototype

Developing an anthropomorphic robotic hand (ARH) has become a relevant research field due to the need to help the amputees live their life as normal people. However, the current state of research is unsatisfactory, especially in terms of structural design and the robot control method. This paper, which proposes a 3D printed ARH structure that follows the average size of an adult human hand, consists of five fingers with a tendon-driven actuator mechanism embedded in each finger structure. Besides that, the movement capability of the developed 3D printed robot hand validated by using motion capture analysis to ensure the similarity to the expected motion range in structural design is achieved. Its system functionality test was conducted in three stages: (1) muscular activity detection, (2) object detection for individual finger movement control, and (3) integration of both stages in one algorithm. Finally, an ARH was developed, which resembles human hand features, as well as a reliable system that can perform opened hand palm and some grasping postures for daily use.

Self-made finger flexion band and its application in patients with burn scar contracture on the back of hand

Scar contracture after burn on the back of hand can easily lead to the limitation of flexion function of fingers, which seriously affects daily life activities. Generally, comprehensive rehabilitation treatment is adopted for scar contracture on the back of hand, among which wearing braces is an effective treatment method. However, some braces will limit the normal finger joints or must wait until all the affected fingers heal before they can be worn, and the wearing operation is quite complicated. In order to solve these problems, the author designed and made a finger flexion band, which was used to stretch the patients with limited flexion of finger caused by scar contracture after burn on the back of hand, and achieved good therapeutic effect. According to the measured hand size, the finger flexion band is cut and spliced from the fabric commonly used in daily life. The finger flexion band is designed with finger sleeve, which will not limit the normal finger joints, can interfere with the healed finger in advance, fix the corresponding fingers better, and improve the treatment comfort, especially for children who do not cooperate with the braces wearing. This finger flexion band is simple to make, cheap, convenient to use, and suitable for clinical promotion.

Microstructural and Mechanical behaviour of Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloys

The present investigation reports on microstructure and mechanical characterization of permanent and shell moulded Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloy Castings (NAB) (AB2) melted in Medium Frequency coreless Induction furnace. The mechanical properties studied consisted of Tensile strength, Yield Strength, ductility on one hand, Optical microscopy and grain size measurements on the other. Effect of zirconium addition on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of Permanent and shell moulded castings have been studied. The results of this investigation reveal that microstructures consisted of dispersed particles in the matrix of copper solid solution both in permanent and shell moulded castings. Shell moulded castings exhibited extensive grain refinement compared to Permanent moulded castings. Very high values of Tensile Strength, Yield strength and Elongation values are obtained for the Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloys. Shell moulded castings have exhibited superior mechanical properties than Permanent moulded castings in all the characteristic/property values obtained.