Pen Recorder Research Articles

MyDietCam: Development and usability study of a food recognition integrated dietary monitoring smartphone application.

Diet monitoring has been linked with improved eating habits and positive health outcomes such as prevention of obesity. However, this is often unsustainable as traditional methods place a high burden on both participants and researchers through pen and paper recordings and manual nutrient coding respectively. The digitisation of dietary monitoring has greatly reduced these barriers. This paper proposes a diet application with a novel food recognition feature with a usability study conducted in the real world. This study describes the development of a mobile diet application (MyDietCam) targeted at healthy Malaysian adults. Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out among dietitians and potential users to determine ideal features in a diet application. Thirty participants were recruited from a local university to log their meals through MyDietCam for six days and submit the Malay mHealth Application Usability Questionnaire (M-MAUQ) at the end of the study. The findings from the FGD led to the implementation of the main features: individualised recommendations, food logging through food recognition to reduce steps for data entry and provide detailed nutrient analyses through visuals. An average overall usability score of 5.13 out of a maximum of seven was reported from the M-MAUQ which is considered acceptable. The development of a local (Malaysian) mobile diet application with acceptable usability may be helpful in sustaining the diet monitoring habit to improve health outcomes. Future work should focus on improving the issues raised before testing the effectiveness of the application for improving health outcomes.

Remote diagnosis of dementia using AI methods on clock drawing images

AbstractBackgroundDetection of any form of cognitive impairment is challenging and the subjects have to undergo numerous evaluations and clinical tests. Hence, it would be of great importance to design a reliable and accessible procedure by which patients may get diagnosed for dementia remotely. The capability of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT)as an effective cognitive assessment tool has motivated us to develop an online diagnostic tool by leveraging artificial intelligence techniques.MethodDigital pen recordings of 3,263 normal subjects and 160 with dementia in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) were collected, where all subjects have completed two analog clock drawings, one drawn on command and the other by copying. Using the idea of transfer learning, we first modified and trained a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) pre‐trained on the ImageNet dataset to extract high level features of the CDT images, which generated a score associated with the likelihood of dementia for each patient. The proposed method integrates the scores of the CDT images and other demographic information. Therefore, the generated scores for both command and copy CDTs along with age were used to train a logistic regression model to classify individuals as demented or normal.ResultWe have evaluated the performance of the developed models by applying 5‐fold cross validation on the FHS dataset. On the test dataset, the model (modified pre‐trained CNN) based on command CDT images yielded an AUC of 0.81±0.043. The logistic regression model using age and the generated scores of command and copy CDTs, yielded an average AUC and average F1 score of 0.92±0.008 and 0.94±0.008, respectively.ConclusionOur method need not necessarily have access to digital biomarkers or clinical tests since the CDT can be completed using pen and paper, capturing the image using a smartphone. Hence, our method offers a cost‐effective and accurate screening tool to diagnose dementia and related diseases remotely.

The process of note-taking in consecutive interpreting

AbstractThis article reports the findings of an empirical study on the process of note-taking in consecutive interpreting (CI). The focus is on the data collected via digital pen recording and voice recording while professional interpreters performed CI between Chinese (L1) and English (L2). In both directions of interpreting, the study found that the interpreters preferred language to symbol and English to Chinese. It was also found that the physical and temporal demands of symbol and abbreviation notes were lower than those of language and full word notes, respectively, whereas the ear-pen span (EPS) of symbol notes was longer than that of language notes. As to the relationship between note-taking and interpreting performance, the data showed that a higher percentage of English notes was correlated with a worse performance in both directions of interpreting. There were also some differences between the directions: in E-C interpreting, the performance was better when the EPS was shorter, when the participants used more symbol notes, and when they used fewer language notes, but in C-E interpreting, the quality of performance was positively correlated with the quantity of notes.

Assessment of Cr, Cd and Pb levels in tobacco leaves and selected cigarette samples from Ilorin Metropolis Kwara State, Nigeria

The levels of Cr, Cd and Pb in tobacco leaves and some cigarette samples from Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria were collected and analyzed after wet digestion with a freshly prepared 65% HNO 3 and 35% HCl using atomic absorption spectrophotometry Model No PM 8251 single pen recorder. The results obtained reveal the presence of Cr and Cd in all samples including tobacco leaves. However, Pb was not found in all the samples within the limit of determination. The concentration ranges of Cr and Cd in the samples are 60-100 μg/g and 4-20 μg/g respectively, which was found to be lower than the WHO standard. Keywords: Cigarettes, Tobacco, Heavy metals, Digestion

A Pen-Eye-Voice Approach Towards The Process of Note-Taking and Consecutive Interpreting: An Experimental Design

Interpreting is a cognitively demanding language-processing task. Investigating the process of interpreting helps to explicate what happens inside the black box of interpreters’ minds, with implications on how the human mind processes language under taxing conditions. Since the interpreting process involves multitasking, it is challenging to develop an experimental design to investigate this process. In the case of consecutive interpreting (CI), it is particularly challenging because different methods need to be applied to tap into the two phases of CI, which involve different combinations of sub-tasks. This paper advocates the use of a triangulation of pen recording, eye tracking and voice recording to investigate the process of note-taking and CI.

Identification of serotonergic 5HT-3B type receptors in broiler’s small intestine

in broiler’s small intestine. Investigation were carried out on isolated smooth muscle of the circular and longitudinal layer of the broilers small intestine (strip dimension 3-4 mm x 2 cm). The muscle strips were placed in an isolated organ bath. The mechanical activity of the preparations were recorded via an isotonic force transducer coupled to a pen recorder. This was done following the addition of serotonin (nonselective 5-HT agonist), 2-Me-5HT (5-HT3B agonist) and Y-25130-hydrochloride (selective 5-HT3B antagonist). The research established a presence of serotonergic 5HT3B type receptors within the smooth musculature of the small intestines of broilers (COBB 500). The 5HT3B type receptors were present in smooth muscles of duodenum, jejunum and ileum, especially in longitudinal smooth muscles since this layer reacted even to low serotonin concentration (10-6). Statistical tests of obtained results showed significant differences (p< 0.001) in responses related to muscle layers, applied concentrations and intestinal parts which were observed. In the light of these findings, we suggest that investigated substances may have considerable physiological and therapeutic implications in disturbed function of small intestine of broiler’s.

Digitizing of Analogue Data-Charts from Thermohygrographs

A thermo-hygrograph is a chart recorder that measures and records both temperature and humidity in an analogue form. Converting the results into digital form is necessary to enhance evaluation of measurements archived on paper charts. Coordinate system of the charts is different than common Cartesian rectangular axis. Temperature and relative humidity axis are curved according to recorder pen holder ray. Different chart types, depending on particular thermohygrograph model, were used so far. In every case, however, the axis grid depicted in the background is geometrically precisely defined. So pattern recognition techniques could be used to find its location automatically. Temperature and relative humidity patterns can be retrieved automatically assuming that the color group of plotted lines is different than the background including the grid. Due to storing conditions, manual descriptions, discoloration and other factors, the plotted pattern cannot be unambiguously identified. Many randomly scattered pixels are interpreted as being part of a plotted line. Among additional measures, like excluding particular areas from analysis, manually removing and including points, a vector analysis of retrieved courses makes digitizing more effective.

Note-taking in consecutive interpreting: New data from pen recording

Note-taking provides a unique opportunity to investigate consecutive interpreting (CI). This study approaches note-taking from a cognitive perspective, combining product analysis with the process research method of pen recording. It investigates such variables as the choice of form, the choice of language, the relationship between note-taking and interpreting performance, and the relationship between note-taking and cognitive load in CI. In the context of CI between Chinese and English, the study finds that interpreters prefer language to symbol, abbreviation to full word, and English to Chinese regardless of the direction of interpreting. Interpreting performance is not directly related to either the quantity or the quality of notes; it is a function of both. Pen recording appears to be a powerful method to tap into the process of note-taking and CI, and the collected data could potentially serve as useful indicators of cognitive load.

The use of Livescribe&[trade] Echo® pen recordings to make videos of Jeopardy‐like questions to encourage spaced out, interleaved study by students

Oftentimes in the first semester of A&P, the structure and function of muscle fibers and neurons provides students with their first exposure to how things function at a molecular and mechanistic level which can be quite daunting and overwhelming. Exams assessing student understanding of those topics usually have the lowest average of all the unit exams. Trying to find ways to help students be successful in learning these foundational topics is of continual interest to the authors.Feedback from reflective questions on exams indicated that many students were making and using flashcards to study for the exams, in a one and done fashion, using them only for that exam despite the accumulative nature of exams over the course of the semester.In an effort to reduce the time students spend on making flashcards, a method that doesn't easily or always translate into durable learning and application of concepts, the Livescribe™ Echo® pen was used to make “Jeopardy‐like Flashcard” videos which were posted on a classroom management system and assigned in an interleaved, spaced out manner by the instructor. Enabled tracking statistics were used to ascertain student use of the Jeopardy‐like flashcard videos to see if viewing the videos could be linked to improved performance on content‐related test questions.Topics for the Jeopardy‐like flashcards, included in this preliminary study, were muscle anatomy, muscle physiology and neuron physiology which were all topics covered the on the subsequent unit exam. Preliminary results suggest that students who viewed the Jeopardy‐like flashcard videos tended to do better on the knowledge and comprehension part of the exam as well as the application part of the exam.

The construct of cognitive load in interpreting and its measurement

ABSTRACTThis article attempts to contribute to the study of cognitive load in interpreting by presenting an in-depth discussion of the construct and its measurement. Borrowing from mental workload and Cognitive Load Theory research, cognitive load in interpreting is defined as the portion of an interpreter’s limited cognitive capacity devoted to performing an interpreting task in a certain environment. The article then presents a methodological discussion on how to measure cognitive load, focusing on the major categories of cognitive load measures and a series of selection criteria. Considering that existing studies only focus on simultaneous interpreting, the article introduces some techniques that are potentially useful for measuring cognitive load in consecutive interpreting, including the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), pen recording, and eye tracking.

Review of unprecedented ULF electromagnetic anomalous emissions possibly related to the Wenchuan <i>M</i><sub>S</sub> = 8.0 earthquake, on 12 May 2008

Abstract. This work presents ground based ultra low frequency (ULF) electromagnetic field measurements in the frequency range 0.1–10 Hz from January 2007 to December 2008. In this time period a strong earthquake series hits the Wenchuan region with a main shock of magnitude MS = 8.0 on 12 May 2008. The Hebei ULF electromagnetic observation network includes eight observation stations in north China and the observation system named E-EM is employed to record the electric potential difference between two electrodes with an analog automatic real-time continuous pen recorder. First, weak electric signals appeared on 11 October 2007 at Ningjin station, most of which are with relative long periods ~0.4–3 s and unequal amplitudes ~0.5–20 mm. Then, similar signals appeared at Gaobeidian station at the end of October. Abnormal behavior with various time intervals appeared randomly and not every day. At the beginning of April 2008, one and a half months before the Wenchuan MS = 8.0 earthquake, the anomalies were gradually subject to an intensive increase mainly in Gaobeidian SN direction and Ningjin EW direction. The abnormal behavior appeared almost every day and the amplitudes of electric signals, with short periods of ~0.1–0.3 s, enhanced to ~3–30 mm. Qingxian station started to record marginally high frequency signals in SN and EW components in the middle of April. On 9 May, 3 days before the main shock, the amplitude of high frequency information increased sharply at the same time in two components at Gaobeidian station and the maximum amplitude was up to 70 mm, i.e. 1.3 mV m−1 for the electric field. This situation did not stop until 17 May, 5 days after the main event. However, this kind of climax phenomena did not happen at Ningjin station and Qingxian station. Then weak anomalous information lasted about four months again, and strong signals appeared again for a short time before several powerful aftershocks. It is the first time that an abnormity with so large an amplitude and so long a duration time in the observation history of this network though several strong earthquakes were recorded. Furthermore, no obvious interferences have been found during this period. So this event is possibly related to this shock although all these three stations are more than 1300 km away from the Wenchuan earthquake epicenter.

Handwriting in healthy people aged 65 years and over

Handwriting is an important activity that is commonly affected by neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Handwriting research has predominantly involved children. Little is known about handwriting behaviour in healthy older adults. This study aims to describe the handwriting practices of 30 unimpaired adults aged 65 years and over. In this cross-sectional observational study, data were collected from 30 older adults using a self-report questionnaire, digital pen recordings over three days and a handwriting log. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean age of participants was 75.1 years (standard deviation=6.9). Variations in handwriting were evident in letter size, slant and spacing. Participants wrote very little--a median of 18 words per occasion (interquartile range=10.5-26.9 words). Most handwriting involved self-generated text (85%), not copied or transcribed text. Participants stood while writing for 17% of handwriting occasions. The most common reasons for handwriting were note taking (23%) and puzzles (22%). Legibility may not depend exclusively on the handwriting script that a beginning writer is taught, but may be a result of other factors as the person ages. A comprehensive adult handwriting assessment and retraining programme should be relevant to older adults, including common handwriting activities, involving self-generated text and few words.

Identification of serotonergic (5HT1A-type) receptors in broiler small intestine by application of serotonin and its agonists and antagonists

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesised from L-tryptophan in serotonergic neurons and enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract. This neurotransmitter is widely distributed in the animal and plant kingdom and regulates some central and peripheral functions through several types of specific serotonergic (5-HT) receptors. Since it is known that the effect of serotonin, especially in pathological conditions, is very important, we believe that determining the types of receptors for this substance would make it possible to use their agonist or antagonists, which would undoubtedly enhance the pharmacotherapy of functional disruption of the small intestine in broilers. Investigations were carried out on isolated smooth muscle strips of the circular and longitudinal layer of the broiler small intestine (strip dimension 3-4 mm x 2 cm). The muscle strips were placed in an isolated organ bath. The mechanical activity of the preparations was recorded via an isotonic force transducer coupled to a pen recorder. This was done following the addition of serotonin (nonselective 5-HT agonist), 8-OH-DPAT (selective 5-HT1A agonist) and spiroxatrin (selective 5-HT1A antagonist). The sensitivity of the tissues to acetylcholine was tested before starting the experiments. Using the obtained results, it can be concluded that 5HT1A type receptors are present in smooth muscles of the broiler small intestine, duodenum and ileum, especially in the longitudinal smooth muscle layer which reacted with contractions even to low serotonin concentration (10-6), but not in the jejunum.

A proposal of a high‐resolution tunable visible laser source generation

AbstractA new system of a highly tunable visible laser source using a Gaussian pulse propagating within a nonlinear microring resonator system is proposed. Several Gaussian pulses with different center wavelengths are investigated using the designed system. The obtained results have shown that the very fine tuning wavelengths covering the visible laser wavelengths can be generated. With the very sharp peak and broad spectrum, for instance, when the Gaussian input pulse with the center wavelength at 700 nm, the spectral width of 20 pm is obtained. The interesting aspect is that the increasing in microscopic recording pen (i.e. peak) can be used to increase the imaging resolution, where the multicolor imaging, especially for multicolor bio‐cell microscopy is the target. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 406–408, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24903

High infusion pressure in conjunction with vitreous surgery alters the morphology and function of the retina of rabbits

To investigate the effects of high infusion pressure in conjunction with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on retinal morphology and function in rabbits. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed under urethane (0.8 mg/kg) anaesthesia in the right eye of albino rabbits following phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA). The left eyes were not touched. After PEA, the animals were divided into two groups. In six eyes, intraocular pressure (IOP) was increased to 80 mmHg for 30 mins (high-pressure group) and in five eyes IOP was maintained at 40 mmHg for 30 mins (low-pressure group). The IOPs were regulated by the height of the bottle of balanced salt solution (BSS) and monitored with a pressure transducer. After the pressure elevation, vitreous fluid was collected to measure the glutamate concentration. Then, PPV was performed for 15 mins in both groups under an infusion pressure of 40 mmHg. In five additional rabbits, PEA alone was performed in the right eye, and vitreous fluid was collected (PEA group). Functional alterations were assessed by recording visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and electroretinograms (ERGs). Ten days after the IOP changes, the animals were killed with intravenous pentobarbital sodium and the eyes were prepared for histological analysis. Damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was quantified by counting the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The contralateral eyes in the high-pressure group served as controls (n = 6). The mean implicit time (IT) of the VEPs in the high-pressure group was significantly longer than that before the IOP elevation, by 114-124% (p < 0.05, paired t-test), and also than that of control eyes (p < 0.05, anova followed by t-test). No significant changes in the VEPs were detected in either the low-pressure group or the PEA group. There were significantly fewer cells in the GCL in the high-pressure group (24.7/mm) than in the control animals (41.4/mm; p < 0.05, Dunnett's test). The number of cells in the GCL in the low-pressure and PEA groups did not significantly differ to that in the controls. The amplitudes of the ERG a- and b-waves were not significantly changed (p > 0.05, paired t-test). These results suggest that high infusion pressure in conjunction with PPV leads to morphological and functional changes in the retina. The absence of ERG changes and presence of VEP changes suggest that these changes were due to damage to RGCs, which supports the morphological observations.

Amino Acid Composition of Heterobranchus longifilis Fry, Fingerlings, and Broodstock

The whole-body amino acid composition of fry, fingerlings, and brood fish of Heterobranchus longifilis was determined using a Technicon Sequential Multisample Auto-Analyser, equipped with a pen recorder for drawing chromatograms. The fish samples consisted of nine essential amino acids (arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threo- nine, valine) and eight nonessential amino acids (alanine, aspartic acid, cystine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine). There were no significant differences among the three stages and all are closely related to those of other fish species.

Digital images in science: Fair or fraud?

Almost all scientific images are now collected and saved as digital data rather than physical photographs, pen recordings etc., making it far easier to alter their contents. This has led researchers to question what is valid practice and what is inappropriate manipulation of image data1. Some have even proposed that there should be rigid rules, but I argue that this is excessively restrictive and will do nothing to curb fraudulent practices.

Cyclic GMP, sodium nitroprusside and sodium azide reduce aqueous humour formation in the isolated arterially perfused pig eye

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on aqueous humour formation (AHF) and intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied using NO donors, sodium azide (AZ) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Using the porcine arterially perfused eye preparation, drug effects on AHF and IOP were measured by fluorescein dilution and manometry, respectively. Perfusion pressure of the ocular vasculature was also monitored using digital pressure transducer and pen recorder. L-Arginine (1.0 mM), a precursor of NO, but not D-arginine (1.0 mM), the inactive analogue, produced a significant reduction in AHF (28.5%) and IOP (21.1%). L-NAME (L-nitro-L-arginine) (10-100 microM), an NO synthase inhibitor, had no effect on AHF and IOP. However, L-NAME (100 microM) completely reversed L-arginine's effect. AZ and SNP reduced the AHF and IOP dose-dependently. AZ at 100 nM, 1 and 10 microM reduced AHF by 26.0, 39.7 and 51.7% and IOP by 10.8, 17.3 and 24.0%, respectively. SNP at 1, 10 and 100 microM reduced the AHF by 6.0, 24.2 and 35.4% and IOP by 3.5, 9.5 and 15.5%, respectively. 8-pCPT-cGMP (8-para-chlorophenyl-thioguanosine-3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate, 10 microM), a cGMP analogue, also reduced the AHF (34.9%) and IOP (15.9%). The effects of AZ and SNP on the AHF and IOP were blocked by a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ (10 microM), whereas ODQ alone or combined with 8-pCPT-cGMP had no effect on the AHF and IOP. None of the drugs had any significant effect on ocular vasculature. The reduction of the AHF and IOP in the arterially perfused pig eye by nitrovasodilators is likely to involve the NO-cGMP pathway.

The Antitussive Effect of Placebo Treatment on Cough Associated With Acute Upper Respiratory Infection

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a placebo treatment on cough in patients with cough associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Patients with dry or slightly productive cough associated with a history of URTI were recruited. Cough frequency (CF) over 15 minutes was recorded by means of a microphone connected to a pen recorder. Cough suppression time (CST) was recorded when patients were instructed by means of a red light to try not to cough. Patients received either a single dose of vitamin E (placebo treatment) or no treatment. CF and CST were recorded before and 15 minutes after treatment. Twenty-seven patients were randomized to placebo treatment and 27 to the no-treatment group (mean age 22.6 years). The median difference between post- and pretreatment CF was -3 in the no-treatment group and -18 in the placebo group (p = .0003). There was a significant increase in CST in the placebo group compared with no treatment (p = .027). The results demonstrate that placebo treatment has significant antitussive activity. This placebo effect may be related to generation of central neurotransmitters such as endogenous opioids.

A Real-time Interactive Educational Seismology Exhibit

Modern seismology has rapidly passed the level of many educational displays. While seismologists almost exclusively use digital data, the traditional pen and ink drum recorder remains the mainstay of many educational seismology exhibits in museums. Although a drum recorder retains several major advantages, such as familiarity and visual appeal, it also has several clear disadvantages, both technical and educational. Chief among the technical disadvantages are the poor data quality of many museum displays due to high noise levels and the difficulty and cost of replacing paper, pens, and ink on a routine basis. The use of a drum recorder also gives a misleading and antiquated impression of how modern seismologists work. Another feature of museum displays is that the sensor is usually kept well away from the actual display to reduce seismic noise levels. However, having a sensor near the display is useful for adding interaction to the display. Visitors can create their own seismic signals by jumping, a feature which is especially popular with children. In general, interactivity in museum displays has been shown to increase the attractiveness of the display. Interactivity is believed to promote learning, at least for some learning styles, although it is not always clear exactly what is being learned (Feher, 1990; Falk and Dierking, 1992). In this paper we describe an innovative exhibit that provides interactivity, displays high-quality seismic data, and transmits the data in real-time to a local seismic network. A strong-motion sensor is located under the display, allowing people to jump, stamp feet, and otherwise create seismic waves that appear almost immediately on a computer monitor. During periods of little museum activity, which is at least 14 hours per day, the sensor records useful low-noise data that can be merged with regional seismic network data for scientific analysis. In addition …