Measurement Of Movement Research Articles

Study on movement measurement for internal defects in concrete structures by noncontact acoustic inspection method using correlation processing

The noncontact acoustic inspection method using acoustic irradiation induced vibration and a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer can detect internal defects in the surface layer of concrete structures, etc, over long distances and without contact. Since this method uses flexural vibration in principle, it can be used as an alternative method to tapping inspection. Therefore, there has been an increase in requests for realizing movement measurement. Thus, an experiment was conducted to verify whether movement measurement was possible by mounting multiple LDVs and sound sources that did not have scanning mechanisms on a moving cart. The experimental results revealed that by using cross-correlation processing between the emitted and received waveforms, it is possible to perform movement measurements at low speeds of about 2 km h−1.

A methodology for image-based measurement of plate movement in disengaged wet clutches

The drag loss behavior of a disengaged wet clutch is influenced, among other things, by the movement of the plates. Therefore, knowledge about the plate movement is essential for investigating and optimizing the drag loss behavior. This paper presents a methodology for image-based measurement of plate movement in disengaged wet clutches. A drag torque test rig is equipped with a camera to create the image series. The oil displacement from the measuring zone is crucial to obtain permanent optical access to the clutch pack. The rough plate positions are determined by segmentation using thresholding and template matching. Using the Canny edge detector significantly improves the accuracy of the position evaluation. The plate positions are finally converted into a metric unit based on the real plate thicknesses. The clearances are calculated from the determined positions of two adjacent plates. In the ideal case, an evaluation accuracy in the range of a few micrometers can be achieved. The image evaluation methodology is universally applicable to different clutch sizes, friction systems, plate types, and plate numbers. The methodology enables researchers to generate fundamental knowledge and derive design guidelines based on this, for example. In the development phase, it can also be used to optimize the design and operating parameters.

Exploring Cognitive Dysfunction in Long COVID Patients: Eye Movement Abnormalities and Frontal-Subcortical Circuits Implications via Eye-Tracking and Machine Learning

BackgroundCognitive dysfunction is regarded as one of the most severe aftereffects following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Eye movements, controlled by several brain areas, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal-thalamic circuits, provide a potential metric for assessing cortical networks and cognitive status. We aimed to examine the utility of eye movement measurements in identifying cognitive impairments in long COVID patients. MethodsWe recruited 40 long COVID patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints and 40 healthy controls and used a certified eye-tracking medical device to record saccades and antisaccades. Machine learning was applied to enhance the analysis of eye movement data. ResultsPatients did not differ from the healthy controls regarding age, sex, and years of education. However, the patients' Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score was significantly lower than healthy controls. Most eye movement parameters were significantly worse in patients. These included the latencies, gain (computed as the ratio between stimulus amplitude and gaze amplitude), velocities, and accuracy (evaluated by the presence of hypermetric or hypometria dysmetria) of both visually and memory-guided saccades; the number of correct memory saccades; the latencies and duration of reflexive saccades; and the number of errors in the antisaccade test. Machine learning permitted distinguishing between long COVID patients experiencing subjective cognitive complaints and healthy controls. ConclusionOur findings suggest impairments in frontal subcortical circuits among long COVID patients who report subjective cognitive complaints. Eye-tracking, combined with machine learning, offers a novel, efficient way to assess and monitor long COVID patients' cognitive dysfunctions, suggesting its utility in clinical settings for early detection and personalized treatment strategies. Further research is needed to determine the long-term implications of these findings and the reversibility of cognitive dysfunctions.

Heave in the Soil due to Driving Pile Foundations

GIS 150 KV Tambak Lorok III Semarang is a coastal area, stabilization is carried out with piles to reduce land subsidence in the area. In the piling process the soil grains are forced vertically and laterally when the pile foundation is driven into the ground, thus increasing the water pressure in the soil pore system. Nearby buildings will be affected and may suffer damage. The pile driving location for the GIS 150 KV Tambak Lorok III Semarang project is adjacent to other structures. So, the amount of land that needs to be cleared around the project must be calculated. This study uses methodology that makes theoretical predictions about the magnitude of heave caused by piles. Subsequently, vertical ground movement measurements made using the Finite Element Method (Plaxis Program) were compared with the theoretical predictions. Pile depth variations of 45 and 50 meters were performed in the plaxis analysis. In conclusion, the results of the two approaches will be contrasted. In the GIS 150 KV Tambak Lorok III Semarang project, soldier piles with a diameter of about 600 mm were driven 45 meters deep into the ground with hydraulic jacks. The theory led to the conclusion that the heave values for the effect of piling at -45 m depth and at -50 m depth were 0.1285 m and 0.1284 m, respectively. Based on Plaxis pile measurements at a depth of 45 meters, the vertical soil movement value was 5.80 cm, while 4.90 cm was recorded for a depth of 50 meters.

From land to ocean: One month for southern elephant seal pups to acquire aquatic skills prior to their first departure to sea

Weaned southern elephant seals (SES) quickly transition from terrestrial to aquatic life after a 5- to 6-week post-weaning period. At sea, juveniles and adult elephant seals present extreme, continuous diving behaviour. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of the post-weaning period for weanlings to prepare for the physiological challenges of their future sea life. However, very little is known about how their body condition during this period may influence the development of their behaviour and brain activities. To characterise changes in the behavioural and brain activity of weanlings prior to ocean departure, we implemented a multi-logger approach combining measurements of movements (related to behaviour), pressure (related to diving), and brain electrical activity. As pups age, the amount of time allocated to resting decreases in favour of physical activity. Most resting (9.6 ± 1.2 h/day) takes place during daytime, with periods of slow-wave sleep representing 4.9 ± 0.9 h/day during the first 2 weeks. Furthermore, an increasing proportion of physical activity transitions from land to shore. Additionally, pups in poorer condition (lean group) are more active earlier than those in better condition (corpulent group). Finally, at weaning, clear circadian activity with two peaks at dawn and dusk is observed, and this pattern remains unchanged during the 4 weeks on land. This circadian pattern matches the one observed in adults at sea, with more prey catches at dawn and dusk, raising the question of whether it is endogenous or triggered by the mother during lactation.

Multiple regression analysis for competitive performance assessment of professional soccer players.

Being in peak physical condition and having specific motor abilities are necessity for every top-level soccer player in order to achieve success in competition. In order to correctly assess soccer players' performance, this research uses laboratory and field measurements, as well as results of competitive performance obtained by direct software measurements of players' movement during the actual soccer game. The main goal of this research is to give insight into the key abilities that soccer players need to have in order to perform in competitive tournaments. Besides training adjustments, this research also gives insight into what variables need to be tracked in order to accurately assess the efficiency and functionality of the players. The collected data need to be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Collected data is also used as input for multiple regression models that can predict certain key measurements: total distance covered, percent of effective movements and high index of effective performance movements. Most of the calculated regression models have high predictability level with statistically significant variables. Based on the results of regression analysis it can be deduced that motor abilities are important factor in measuring soccer player's competitive performance and team's success in the match.

Doppler sonar records of fish movement through a strong tidal stream: 3-months of observations from Grand Passage Nova Scotia

Coastal passages with strong tidal streams present potential for renewable energy generation with in-stream hydrokinetic turbines. However, there are concerns that these systems will lead to environmental impacts when marine life interact with moving turbine blades. We explore measurements of fish movement using Doppler current profilers as a way of quantifying the frequency of such interactions. Fish are detected in Doppler sonar data using calibrated backscatter levels in each of the four acoustic beams; by reprocessing un-averaged data it is possible to extract both fish and water velocities independently. We analyzed three months of Doppler sonar data collected in Grand Passage Nova Scotia from September until December 2014. The data show fish detections in large numbers for only a few days on three occasions at the deployment site. Most of the observations show fish moving at the same speed as the water but there are times when there is significant difference in fish and water speeds.

Characterization and prediction of soil hydraulic and solute transport parameters using a random forest model

AbstractTo effectively control nonpoint source pollution and predict its transport and load, understanding water and solute transport processes, patterns and mechanisms is essential. However, the measurement of water movement and solute transport parameters is usually a laborious and time‐consuming task. It is important to predict water movement and solute transport parameters from more readily available soil physical and chemical properties. In this study, a database of soil hydraulic and solute transport parameters containing information retrieved from 83 published studies on soil properties, land use, management measures, etc. was established to characterize and simulate soil water movement and solute transport processes. Our results showed that the soil particle composition was closely related to all soil hydraulic and solute transport parameters. As the soil texture changed from sand to clay, the soil residual water content (θr) obviously increased. The soil porosity was significantly positively correlated with θr, saturated water content (θs), van Genuchten parameter α, dispersity (λ) and retardation factor (R) and negatively correlated with van Genuchten parameter n (p < 0.01). The use of random forest models allowed the prediction of soil hydraulic and solute transport parameters by inputting common or even incomplete soil property parameters. The bulk density and particle composition jointly contributed 66% to the prediction of the soil hydraulic parameters and 44% to the prediction of the solute transport parameters. The pH exerted a notable impact on the solute transport parameters, especially dispersion coefficient (D), λ and R. The results may be useful in providing data support and facilitating the development of watershed nonpoint source pollution models.

Towards an integration of physical activity and environmental awareness: analysis of students’ activity in physical education

ABSTRACT Background The need for greater attention to Environmental Education (EE) is increasing as awareness of the environmental emergency grows. However, Physical Education (PE), through its physical dimension and the diversity of activities that can take place in nature, seems to provide a favourable context for creating a sense of belonging to the environment, while actively pursuing greater human awareness of our negative impact on it. Purpose With this focus, we were interested in the behaviour of students within programmes integrating PE and EE, in outdoor activities, like orienteering. Methods A Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach was used to analyse the activity and experiences of 6th grade students during traditional orienteering lessons and during ‘environmental’ orienteering lessons. Accelerometric measurements of movements and audio recordings via dictaphone USB keys were undertaken to assess students’ levels of physical activity (PA) in both conditions and to evidence their communications. Findings Our results show a preservation of the active dimension of the lessons since the students’ PA levels are significantly higher during the ‘environmental’ condition compared to traditional lessons. Three student profiles emerge from analyses of audio recordings, highlighting heterogeneity of concerns between orienteering content, observation of the environment and off-task discussions. Conclusions These results demonstrate the usefulness of MMR for analysing students’ physical and cognitive activity in PE lessons. Data obtained show that it is possible to integrate environmental content into PE programmes, without compromising the active characteristic of the lesson.

Deep Upscale U-Net for automatic tongue segmentation.

In a treatment or diagnosis related to oral health conditions such as oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, an investigation of tongue's movements is a major part. In an automatic measurement of such movement, it must first start with a task of tongue segmentation. This paper proposes a solution of tongue segmentation based on a decoder-encoder CNN-based structure i.e., U-Net. However, it could suffer from a problem of feature loss in deep layers. This paper proposes a Deep Upscale U-Net (DU-UNET). An additional up-sampling of the feature map from a contracting path is concatenated to an upper layer of an expansive path, based on an original U-Net structure. The segmentation model is constructed by training DU-UNET on the two publicly available datasets, and transferred to the self-collected dataset of tongue images with five tongue postures which were recorded at a far distance from a camera under a real-world scenario. The proposed DU-UNET outperforms the other existing methods in our literature reviews, with accuracy of 99.2%, mean IoU of 97.8%, Dice score of 96.8%, and Jaccard score of 96.8%.

Superhydrophobic and Highly Elastic Strain‐Sensing Fiber Embedded with Carbon Nanotubes and Aerogels Based on the Dipping and Drying Method

AbstractFor a fiber‐based strain sensor to be used as a wearable device, its conductivity and sensing characteristics should be stably maintained even during repeated mechanical movements. Additionally, the sensing characteristics should remain unaffected by external contaminants, such as water or sweat, as the sensor is expected to be in contact with the human body. In this study, a superhydrophobic and highly elastic strain‐sensing fiber with durability against continuous tension and contraction while maintaining a stable sensing performance even when in contact with water and sweat is developed. A carbon nanotube is embedded, which is a highly conductive material, inside a spandex fiber with high elasticity and shape recovery rate, enabling the stable measurement of repetitive joint movements under various strain conditions. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic silica aerogel is embedded inside the spandex fiber to facilitate stable sensing without malfunction even when exposed to external contaminants. The proposed strain‐sensing fiber can monitor joints of the human body during various movements, such as dumbbell pressing, squatting, walking, and running. Therefore, the study findings can contribute to the development of wearable healthcare devices that warrant reliable sensing.

Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Non-Expandable Lung: A Prospective Observational Study of M-Mode, B-Mode, and 2D-Shear Wave Elastography.

Non-expandable lung (NEL) has severe implications for patient symptoms and impaired lung function, as well as crucial implications for the management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Indwelling pleural catheters have shown good symptom relief for patients with NEL; hence, identifying patients early in their disease is vital. With the inability of the lung to achieve pleural apposition following thoracentesis and the formation of a hydropneumothorax, traditionally, chest X-ray and clinical symptoms have been used to make the diagnosis following thoracentesis. It is our aim to investigate whether ultrasound measurement of lung movement during respiration can predict NEL before thoracentesis, thereby aiding clinicians in their planning for the optimal treatment of affected patients. A total of 49 patients were consecutively included in a single-centre trial performed at a pleural clinic. Patients underwent protocolled ultrasound assessment pre-thoracentesis with measurements of lung and diaphragm movement and shear wave elastography measurements of the pleura and pleural effusion at the planned site of thoracentesis. M-mode measurements of lung movement provided the best diagnostic ROC-curve results, with an AUC of 0.81. Internal validity showed good results utilising the calibration belt test and Brier test. M-mode measurement of lung movement shows promise in diagnosing NEL before thoracentesis in patients with known or suspected MPE. A validation cohort is needed to confirm the results.

A System for Monitoring Animals Based on Behavioral Information and Internal State Information.

Managing the risk of injury or illness is an important consideration when keeping pets. This risk can be minimized if pets are monitored on a regular basis, but this can be difficult and time-consuming. However, because only the external behavior of the animal can be observed and the internal condition cannot be assessed, the animal's state can easily be misjudged. Additionally, although some systems use heartbeat measurement to determine a state of tension, or use rest to assess the internal state, because an increase in heart rate can also occur as a result of exercise, it is desirable to use this measurement in combination with behavioral information. In the current study, we proposed a monitoring system for animals using video image analysis. The proposed system first extracts features related to behavioral information and the animal's internal state via mask R-CNN using video images taken from the top of the cage. These features are used to detect typical daily activities and anomalous activities. This method produces an alert when the hamster behaves in an unusual way. In our experiment, the daily behavior of a hamster was measured and analyzed using the proposed system. The results showed that the features of the hamster's behavior were successfully detected. When loud sounds were presented from outside the cage, the system was able to discriminate between the behavioral and internal changes of the hamster. In future research, we plan to improve the accuracy of the measurement of small movements and develop a more accurate system.

Evaluation of the repeatability of kinesiological measurements of spontaneous infant movements using OSESEC computer analysis algorithms.

Purpose: There is a need to create objective and reproducible tool for assessing the quality of infant movements. It's substantially important to detect movement disorders in infants as early as possible. The study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of kinesiological measurements of spontaneous movements performed by 51 infants (aged 6 to 15 weeks) recorded three times for two consecutive days using OSESEC computer analysis algorithms by determining numerical values of parameters, i.e., speed, acceleration, direction, and movement trajectory. Methods: The study group consisted of 51 infants. The diagnostic method of Prechtl was used for qualitative assessment. The quantitative assessment was based on the use of a OSESEC system. Numerical values for all movement parameters were determined, and the data obtained in the study were used for statistical analysis. Results: Analysis including movement parameter values on three consecutive recordings for the same infant revealed no statistically significant differences in location ( p = 0.073), range ( p = 0.557), shape ( p = 0.289), mean acceleration ( p = 0.124) and mean speed ( p = 0.767). This confirms the reproducibility of measurements of the proposed parameters of the objectification of spontaneous infant movements. Conclusions: The interpretability and accuracy of the presented parameters were proved. All parameters estimation is fully automated. Further research and testing requires a larger study group to create an objective diagnostic device for infants.

Effects of athletic tape on orofacial pain and jaw movements after 24 hours of use: a randomized clinical trial.

To analyze the sensation of pain and the range of mandibular movements of adult individuals with temporomandibular disorder, before and after the application of the athletic tape. This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial, in which 22 adults with temporomandibular disorder participated, randomly allocated into two groups, with group A comprising 10 women and one man (mean age 28.2±8.3 years) and group B comprising nine women and two men (mean age 26.2±3.9 years). Group A was submitted to the application of the athletic tape on the masseter with 40% stretch and the group B to the application of the athletic tape on the masseter without stretching. All participants underwent the application of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Pain threshold assessment was performed using an algometer to apply pressure to measurement points. The measurement of mandibular movements was performed using a caliper. The athletic tape was glued using the I technique, with a fixed point over the insertion and a movable point over the origin of the masseter muscle. Participants remained with the athletic tape for 24 hours and were re-evaluated. There was pain relief in the group A in the temporomandibular joint on the right and at the origin of the masseter on the left. The group B showed a reduction in pain in the left anterior temporal region. No differences were found in mandibular movements after intervention, as well as no difference was found in the comparison by groups. The use of the athletic tape over the masseter muscle, with stretching, for 24 hours produced relief from the sensation of pain, on the origin of the right masseter and in the right temporomandibular joint, and, without stretching, in the left anterior temporal muscle. There was no difference in the range of mandibular movements.

3D Measurement of Particle Movement in a Silo Using Magnetic Positioning and Inertial Navigation Technologies

3D Measurement of Particle Movement in a Silo Using Magnetic Positioning and Inertial Navigation Technologies

Persistence of primitive reflexes associated with asymmetries in fixation and ocular motility values.

This cross-sectional study examined eye movement performance in patients aged 4 to 16 years. Measurements of eye movements were obtained before and after performing therapy for inhibition of four primitive reflexes, asymmetric tonic neck reflex, symmetric tonic neck reflex, labyrinthine tonic reflex and Moro reflex. Subsequently the scores of the four primitive reflexes were compared with the results of five variables: fixation maintenance, % mean saccade size, motility excursions, fixations during excursions and mean duration of fixations. The comparisons showed a significant reduction in evidence of fixation maintenance as well as mean saccade size due to the inhibition of the four primitive reflexes. There was also a significant increase in ocular motility while fixations per saccade and average duration of fixations also decreased significantly. Visual balance between values of both eyes improved in all tests. A device called VisagraphTM III, which measures eye movements, was used for data collection. These results suggest that the oculomotor improvements reflect the involvement of other maturational processes such as the emergence and inhibition of primitive reflexes, the whole reorganization being key to future reading and attentional processes.

MRI Compatible Lumbopelvic Movement Measurement System to Validate and Capture Task Performance During Neuroimaging.

Research suggests that structural and functional changes within the brain are associated with chronic low back pain, and these cortical alterations might contribute to impaired sensorimotor control of the trunk and hips in this population. However, linking sensorimotor brain changes with altered movement of the trunk and hips during task-based neuroimaging presents significant challenges. An MRI-safe pressure measurement system was developed to ensure proper task completion during neuroimaging by capturing movement patterns of the trunk (sensors under the lower back) and hips (sensors embedded in the foam roll under the knees). Pressure changes were measured outside of the scanner by digital differential pressure sensors to capture time-series data and analog pressure gauges for real-time determination of task performance occurring within an MRI bore during brain imaging. This study examined the concurrent validity of air pressure changes between the digital and analog sensors. The digital and analog data were compared in 23 participants during the performance of modified bilateral and unilateral right and left hip bridges. Spearman's correlations were calculated for each sensor during the three bridging tasks and showed high positive correlations, indicating that over 87% of pressure change from the analog gauge can be explained by the pressure from the digital sensor. Bland-Altman plots showed no bias and mean differences were under three mmHg. This pressure system improves the rigor of future studies by validating the digital data from the system and increasing the capabilities of capturing lumbopelvic task performance occurring inside the scanner bore.

Advancements in eye movement measurement technologies for assessing neurodegenerative diseases.

Eye movements have long been recognized as a valuable indicator of neurological conditions, given the intricate involvement of multiple neurological pathways in vision-related processes, including motor and cognitive functions, manifesting in rapid response times. Eye movement abnormalities can indicate neurological condition severity and, in some cases, distinguish between disease phenotypes. With recent strides in imaging sensors and computational power, particularly in machine learning and artificial intelligence, there has been a notable surge in the development of technologies facilitating the extraction and analysis of eye movements to assess neurodegenerative diseases. This mini-review provides an overview of these advancements, emphasizing their potential in offering patient-friendly oculometric measures to aid in assessing patient conditions and progress. By summarizing recent technological innovations and their application in assessing neurodegenerative diseases over the past decades, this review also delves into current trends and future directions in this expanding field.

Performance of key physical tests for temporomandibular disorder via telehealth: Establishing validity and reliability.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals sought healthcare virtually. Physiotherapy is integral in managing temporomandibular disorders (TMDs); therefore, establishing how key physical tests can be appropriately adapted to telehealth is paramount. To establish the validity and reliability of telehealth (specifically videoconferencing) assessments against in-person assessments on a battery of TMD physical tests. A repeated-measures study design was undertaken. Thirty-six adult participants (19 healthy and 17 TMD) underwent concurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) physiological movement measurements via videoconferencing and in-person as per standard clinical practice. Inclusion criteria included the presence of central incisors and no significant comorbidities precluding a safe telehealth examination. Participants with TMD completed seven additional pain provocation physical tests. Agreement between telehealth and in-person physiological movement measures was excellent (ICC >0.90, 95% CI: 0.53 to >0.99). Inter- and intra-rater reliability for telehealth measures indicated excellent reliability (ICC >0.97, 95% CI: 0.91 to >0.99). Exact agreement between telehealth and in-person for provocation tests ranged between 58.8% and 94.1%. Fourteen of the twenty-six individual measures produced substantial to near perfect agreement (PABAK = 0.65-0.88), seven produced moderate agreement (PABAK = 0.53), while five produced poor to fair agreement (PABAK = 0.18-0.29). There is high level of agreement between telehealth and in-person measurements of TMJ physiological movement and pain provocation tests.