Task Performance Time Research Articles

Scrutinizing the effect of task complexity on operators’ task performance time in a digitalized main control room of a nuclear power plant

The TACOM (Task Complexity) measure was previously developed to quantify the complexity of tasks conducted by human operators in the main control room of nuclear power plants. The appropriateness of the TACOM measure was then confirmed in various validation studies mainly by comparing TACOM scores and operators’ task performance times in analog-type main control rooms. However, the suitability of the measure has not yet been validated using operators’ task performance times in digital-type main control rooms. This study aimed to further validate the suitability of the TACOM measure by analyzing task performance time data obtained from a digitalized full-scope simulator of a Korean domestic nuclear power plant and comparing the data with TACOM scores. The findings reveal a positive correlation between the task performance times in the digitalized main control room and the TACOM scores, meaning that the operators’ task performance time increases proportionally as the TACOM score increases. This strongly implies that the TACOM measure is also a reliable tool for predicting task complexity in a digitalized main control room.

Demystifying XAI: Requirements for Understandable XAI Explanations.

This paper establishes requirements for assessing the usability of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) methods, focusing on non-AI experts like healthcare professionals. Through a synthesis of literature and empirical findings, it emphasizes achieving optimal cognitive load, task performance, and task time in XAI explanations. Key components include tailoring explanations to user expertise, integrating domain knowledge, and using non-propositional representations for comprehension. The paper highlights the critical role of relevance, accuracy, and truthfulness in fostering user trust. Practical guidelines are provided for designing transparent and user-friendly XAI explanations, especially in high-stakes contexts like healthcare. Overall, the paper's primary contribution lies in delineating clear requirements for effective XAI explanations, facilitating human-AI collaboration across diverse domains.

An initial user model design for adaptive interface development in learning management system based on cognitive load

The cognitive aspect is crucial in developing interactive and adaptive systems, including learning management systems (LMS). By understanding human cognitive processes, developers can create adaptive systems that are sustainably used by targeted users. Cognitive traits need to be explored to become part of the user model, especially especially to develop an LMS with an adaptive interface based on cognitive load. However, there is limited research exploring the correlation between cognitive load and adaptive interfaces, as well as the visualization of information, within online learning settings, including those specifically within LMS platforms. Additionally, a lack of understanding of cognitive processes renders the use of LMS static and unable to adapt to learners’ abilities. Therefore, information regarding the specific characteristics or model of cognitive load that accurately represent LMS users as triggers for adaptive interfaces needs to be further examined. A total of four experts in the cognitive field were interviewed. The interview process was conducted in a semi-structured manner to obtain information about problems in the use of e-learning, the nature of cognitive, and the process of capturing cognitive load during learning using LMS. By using a soft system methodology, the results from the interviews are mapped into a cognitive load-based LMS user model design. The initial model design includes information on working memory capacity, task performance (time, true/false rate), learning behavior (learner log), physiological (in a lab scale), and self-reporting (Likert scale). This model design is a promising first step towards a more technical process in developing adaptive and interactive systems.

Super-agile satellites imaging mission planning method considering degradation of image MTF in dynamic imaging

Super-agile satellites with dynamic imaging capabilities can significantly improve the imaging efficiency of space-borne Earth observation. However, the image modulation transfer function (image MTF) of dynamic imaging varies dramatically with changes in the attitude maneuver status while improving observation efficiency. Therefore, both the observation efficiency and image MTF should be considered in the imaging mission planning of super-agile satellites. Existing imaging mission planning methods are mainly aimed at traditional agile satellites that are not capable of dynamic imaging, and the mainly optimization objectives are coverage revenue, spatial resolution, and task performance time, without considering the observation efficiency and image MTF as the optimization objectives. To overcome the problem of image MTF degradation caused by dynamic imaging, a mission planning method which considers the degradation of the image MTF and observation efficiency was proposed. Firstly, a mapping relationship between the angular velocity of the attitude maneuvering and the image MTF was constructed. On this basis, a Pareto multi-objective imaging mission planning model of partial order based was established. Considering the particularity of the model, the non-dominated sorting strategy of the NSGA-II algorithm was redesigned when solving the model using NSGA-II algorithm. Finally, the imaging tasks of different scales in single satellite and multi-satellite simulation scenes were set, and the proposed imaging mission planning method was verified. The planning results showed that the proposed method can achieve a balanced optimization of the image MTF and task efficiency under the premise of ensuing maximum observation coverage revenue.

Assessing self-regulated processes: what do primary school students do, say and think in the process of understanding a text?

Self-regulation has a positive impact on learning and academic achievement, but due to its nature, it is difficult to assess it in a valid and reliable manner. This study aims to explore the validity of three self-regulation assessment methods in text comprehension tasks (questionnaire, think-aloud and traces) as well as to identify the variables associated with reading performance. For this purpose, individual sessions were conducted with 96 sixth-grade primary education students, who were asked to read a text and complete two reading comprehension tasks working in a virtual environment. Task traces were recorded, think-aloud was recorded and coded, and participants answered a self-report questionnaire about the strategies used. A limited relationship was found between self-regulation measured by means of the questionnaire, think-aloud and traces, and the relationship between think-aloud and traces was moderate. Regarding the factors related to text comprehension task performance, think-aloud and task time measurements were found to be better predictors of performance than the questionnaire.

The Variance Learning Curve in Retail Order Picking

The notion that prior experience can improve future performance has reached general acceptance in the operations and supply chain management literature. However, prior experience may not only have a positive impact on average performance but in addition also on the variance of performance. We empirically examine this issue by considering the performance of 19 temporary workers in retail order picking new to this task, performing 22,603 storage location visits and use a two-stage estimation method of a heteroskedastic learning curve model. In the first stage, we estimate the impact of prior experience on task performance time. For the second stage, we extract the error terms from the first stage model and use it as the dependent variable in the second stage. Through this, we can estimate the impact of prior experience on performance variability. Our first stage model suggests that prior experience can improve average task performance on a system level for all new temporary order pickers observed. However, on an individual level, these learning curves are heterogeneous, with varying intercepts, slopes, and functional forms. Going beyond the impact of experience on average performance, our second stage model finds that one week of experience working in the examined warehouse can reduce performance variability by 26%, but at diminishing increments. These findings suggest that prior experience can mitigate variability in task performance time, which indicates that the recently discussed variance learning curve exists for order picking tasks. Our results allow managers to make informed decisions on how to benefit from the positive effects of prior experience on average performance and performance variability when employing a temporary workforce for the example case of retail warehouse order picking.

Requirements for Universally Accessible Upper-Body Exercise Equipment: The Case of People with Spinal Cord Injuries in Korea.

People with disabilities face considerable obstacles when exercising, which precludes them from the social and health benefits of physical activity. Especially for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries, it is necessary to maintain continuous participation in physical activity even after discharge, as it helps to maintain mobility and daily living activities through upper body strength. However, the participation rate of people with disabilities in physical activity in Korea is still low, mainly due to the lack of exercise equipment and facilities. The aim of this study is to identify aspects that can be improved for better accessibility to exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries and to reach a consensus on possible guidelines for accessible exercise equipment. This study reviews and evaluated the usability of four existing upper-body exercise equipment for individuals with paraplegia with spinal cord injuries. To assess usability, task performance scores and time were measured, and a survey was conducted on safety and satisfaction. Based on these results, areas for improvement were identified. Through literature review, usability results, and opinions from various stakeholders, eight requirements for universal accessibility were proposed. It is necessary to consider how wheelchair users access the exercise equipment. The access method to the exercise area (facility regulations, auxiliary equipment to be provided, etc.) and placement of exercise equipment should also be considered. Information such as explanations of the exercise equipment and how to use it should be located within the wheelchair user's field of vision. Considering the participation rate in sports for people with disabilities in Korea, it is necessary to explain the exact exercise equipment and exercise method. It is also necessary to consider how wheelchair users transfer from the wheelchair to the seat of the exercise equipment. Parts that require manipulation of each exercise equipment must be within the wheelchair user's range of motion. Various supports or assistive devices that provide body support according to each piece of equipment are needed. In addition to the wheelchair's own brake, it is necessary to provide a fixing device so that the wheelchair does not move during the exercise. For people with spinal cord injuries, the arm ergometer, aerobic exercise equipment, showed higher scores in performance, stability, and satisfaction compared to other exercise equipment. Among the strength exercise equipment, shoulder press had an effect on performance, seated lat pull-down had an effect on stability, and seated chest press had an effect on satisfaction. Therefore, when selecting exercise equipment, it is necessary to recommend aerobic and strength exercise equipment according to the preferences of people with spinal cord injuries. When developing strength exercise equipment, it is necessary to consider usability evaluation factors for individuals with spinal cord injury.

The Effectiveness of Instruction on Lumbar Spine Thrust Joint Manipulation Task Performance.

Uncertainty exists regarding the best method for teaching thrust joint manipulation (TJM) to student physical therapists. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Peyton's 4-step (P4) approach with the "see one, do one" (S1D1) approach for teaching students to perform a lumbar spine TJM task in an academic setting. Secondary objectives were to compare the effects of each instructional approach on students' attitudes and beliefs toward spinal TJM and on their motivation to learn to perform lumbar spine TJM. The S1D1 approach is used in the health care professions for teaching clinical tasks to students. It is unclear whether the P4 approach may better prepare students to practice TJM. Student physical therapists. Using a factorial quasi-experimental design, an equal number of students were assigned to a P4 or S1D1 instruction group for the TJM task. Students' performance accuracy, time, and outcome performing TJM in an academic setting were measured. Paper surveys were used to collect data about students' attitudes and beliefs toward spinal TJM and their motivation to learn TJM. A generalized estimating equations approach was used for data analysis. Fifty-eight students (29 per group) completed the study. There was an interaction between the instruction group and time on task performance accuracy favoring the P4 approach (P = .03). There was no interaction between the instruction group and task performance time, task performance outcome, attitudes and beliefs toward spinal TJM, or motivation to learn TJM (all P > .19). The P4 approach more effectively improved student accuracy when performing the TJM task in an academic setting than the S1D1 approach. However, no differences between instruction were found for performance time or outcome. Students reported a favorable perception of learning lumbar spine TJM. These preliminary results suggest that instructors may use the P4 approach to improve students' TJM procedural knowledge before task practice. However, limitations of the study may affect the internal validity and generalizability of results.

The Use of Modern Measuring Devices in the Evaluation of Movement in the Block in Volleyball Depending on the Difficulty of the Task Determined by Light Signals

The basic technical element that is a direct response to the opponent’s attack is the block. Blocking is related to setting the starting position of the player and choosing the most effective way to move. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time of movement in the block depending on the difficulty of the task determined by a response to light signals. The study included 14 players (17.36 ± 1.18 years). Eight discs of the FITLIGHT TrainerTM device placed at different heights near the center of the volleyball court were used for the measurements. The player’s task was to move as quickly as possible in a block after recognizing a light signal to take a specific action. Three types of tasks with different levels of difficulty were defined: reaction to the light signal on the player’s side (S1), reaction to the light signal of the upper or lower discs placed vertically over the net (S2), and reaction to the color of the light signal of the upper or lower discs placed vertically over the net (S3). The following time measurements were analyzed: indirect time (TI), time of movement to the jumping point (TJP), and total time (TT) on the right and left sides. In all measurements (TI, TJP, TT), the differences in the times obtained in tasks S1 and S2 and tasks S1 and S3 were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) for both the right and left sides. The comparison of the task performance times for S2 and S3 showed a difference only in the TJP measurement for the left side. An analysis of the results indicates a significant role of signal recognition and decision-making process in the player’s movement during blocking. The FITLIGHT TrainerTM device can be a useful tool for this purpose in coaching.

벽 등반 드론 자세에 따른 모듈형 영구자석 휠-레그의 부착력

Improving battery performance is crucial for increasing drone flight time. However, developing individual parts can also enhance mission performance and extend operating time. By attaching a drone to a wall instead of hovering in the air, the operating time and range of task performance can be extended. This study focuses on the adhesion force of a modular permanent magnet wheel leg for wall climbing drones. The wheel leg comprised several spokes without a rim. It could climb obstacles higher than wheel radius and provide a large adhesion area. An equation for the adhesion force of the wheel leg was derived, considering mechanical factors such as drone size, inclination of the ferromagnetic wall, and drone posture. A simple experimental model was created to verify the validity of the adhesive force equation. The effectiveness of the derived equation was confirmed by experimentally measuring the angle of the ferromagnetic wall that losT adhesion according to mechanical factors and comparing it with the derived adhesion force.

High-fat-sugar diet is associated with impaired hippocampus-dependent memory in humans

Overconsumption of high-fat and high-sugar (HFS) diet may affect the hippocampus, and consequently, memory functions. Yet, converging evidence is needed to demonstrate that the type of memory affected by HFS diet consumption is indeed hippocampus dependent. Moreover, the extent to which HFS diet can also affect executive functioning, and indirectly affect memory requires further examination. In this online study, we asked 349 young adults to report their HFS diet consumption and complete a word memory task, the Everyday Memory Questionnaire, and importantly two memory tasks that have been shown to robustly engage the hippocampus, i.e., the Pattern Separation and Associative Memory Tasks. Participants also completed two executive functioning tasks, the Trail Making Task (TMT) and the Stroop Task. These measures assess attention/cognitive flexibility and the ability to inhibit cognitive interference, respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, we found that participants who reported higher level consumption of a HFS diet performed worse on the Pattern Separation Task and that higher HFS intake was significantly associated with poorer TMT task performance and longer Stroop average reaction time (RT). TMT and Stroop RT scores indicative of reduced executive function also partially mediated the relationship between HFS diet and memory performance on the pattern separation task. Taken together, our results provide converging evidence that HFS diet may impair hippocampus-dependent memory. HFS diet may also affect executive functioning and indirectly impair memory function. The findings are consistent with human subject and animal studies and call for further investigations on the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the dietary effects on cognitive processes.

Application of Rasch Analysis to Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Low Vision: A Validation Study.

This work validates Rasch analysis of a performance-based low vision outcome measure evaluated in patients' own homes to ensure real-world relevance. Inclusion of sources of variance from the patient's home environment in functional outcome measures introduced nonuniform variance in measurements but did not preclude estimation of valid measures. This study aimed to validate Rasch analysis of a performance-based outcome measure with real-world relevance. Low vision patients (N = 161) receiving services from an occupational therapist performed Timed Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (TIADL) tasks in their homes. Rasch analysis was applied to error count and performance time data. Internal validity was assessed with evaluations of the accuracy and precision of estimated measures. External validity was assessed by comparing TIADL measures with measures estimated from the Activity Inventory (i.e., from self-reported difficulty ratings). Task measures were well targeted to person measures estimated from task performance time but were poorly targeted for measures estimated from task performance errors, for which most task trials (72%) were performed without error at baseline. Error-based person measures had larger standard errors with a smaller pseudo- R2 than time-based person or task measures and error-based task measures. Person measure infits for time- and error-based estimates conformed to expected values. The linear regressions between time-based person and task measures and corresponding error-based estimates had slopes of approximately 0.5, an observation consistent with larger estimation error variance for error-based measures than for time-based measures. Time-based TIADL person measures ( x ) and Activity Inventory person measures (estimated from all items, y ) were colinear but weakly correlated ( R = 0.19). Functional ability measures estimated from performance times of instrumental activity of daily living tasks in patients' homes demonstrate good internal and external validity. The ceiling effect from the infrequency of task performance errors in our data set limits use of TIADL error data to measure rehabilitation outcomes.

Cortical activation and functional connectivity during locomotion tasks in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait.

Freezing of gait (FoG) is a severely disabling symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). The cortical mechanisms underlying FoG during locomotion tasks have rarely been investigated. We aimed to compare the cerebral haemodynamic response during FoG-prone locomotion tasks in patients with PD and FoG (PD-FoG), patients with PD but without FoG (PD-nFoG), and healthy controls (HCs). Twelve PD-FoG patients, 10 PD-nFoG patients, and 12 HCs were included in the study. Locomotion tasks included normal stepping, normal turning and fast turning ranked as three difficulty levels based on kinematic requirements and probability of provoking FoG. During each task, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to capture concentration changes of oxygenated haemoglobin (ΔHBO2) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (ΔHHB) that reflected cortical activation, and recorded task performance time. The cortical regions of interest (ROIs) were prefrontal cortex (PFC), supplementary motor area (SMA), premotor cortex (PMC), and sensorimotor cortex (SMC). Intra-cortical functional connectivity during each task was estimated based on correlation of ΔHBO2 between ROIs. Two-way multivariate ANOVA with task performance time as a covariate was conducted to investigate task and group effects on cerebral haemodynamic responses of ROIs. Z statistics of z-scored connectivity between ROIs were used to determine task and group effects on functional connectivity. PD-FoG patients spent a nearly significant longer time completing locomotion tasks than PD-nFoG patients. Compared with PD-nFoG patients, they showed weaker activation (less ΔHBO2) in the PFC and PMC. Compared with HCs, they had comparable ΔHBO2 in all ROIs but more negative ΔHHB in the SMC, whereas PD-nFoG showed SMA and PMC hyperactivity but more negative ΔHHB in the SMC. With increased task difficulty, ΔHBO2 increased in each ROI except in the PFC. Regarding functional connectivity during normal stepping, PD-FoG patients showed positive and strong PFC-PMC connectivity, in contrast to the negative PFC-PMC connectivity observed in HCs. They also had greater PFC-SMC connectivity than the other groups. However, they exhibited decreased SMA-SMC connectivity when task difficulty increased and had lower SMA-PMC connectivity than HCs during fast turning. Insufficient compensatory cortical activation and depletion of functional connectivity during complex locomotion in PD-FoG patients could be potential mechanisms underlying FoG. Chinese clinical trial registry (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn, registration number: ChiCTR2100042813).

Near and Far Interaction for Outdoor Augmented Reality Tree Visualization and Recommendations on Designing Augmented Reality for Use in Nature

The application of augmented reality in nature and in the context of environmental education is not common. Moreover, augmented reality is often used mainly for visualization, which puts the user in a rather passive state. To promote a more active user experience, we have created an interactive AR environment for outdoor scenarios. In this article, we investigate how near and far interaction using a head-mounted display can be combined with visualization on a tree. We compare both interaction techniques to decide which is more suitable for future use. We present some educational use cases and investigate the interaction with virtual leaves on the ground in combination with a virtual-real interaction with a physical tree. Parameters such as type of interaction, different real environments, and task performance time as well as the combination and interconnection between them are discussed and studied. In addition, process visualizations in nature, such as clouds and rain, and tree root growth are included in the augmented reality modules and are evaluated in user tests followed by questionnaires. The results show that both near and far interaction can be beneficial for a future educational application. We further present a number of outdoor-specific recommendations for AR design and usage to support future researchers and AR practitioners outdoors in the nature.

Data-efficient crop pest recognition based on KNN distance entropy

With the development of deep learning technique, the intelligent pattern recognition studies mainly focus on the optimization of models but ignore the impact of data quality for a long time. From our viewpoint, data quality is very important to the sustainability of intelligent applications, in terms of task performance, power consumption and training time. In this paper, we proposed a novel data quality assessment method, called k-nearest neighbors distance entropy (KNN-DE), to evaluate the crop pest images and screen high informative data to complete the data-efficient pest recognition task. Many comparative experiments were carried out, and the results show that the high informative data selected by the proposed KNN-DE method outperform other related works. In specific, under the data budget of 100 samples per category, the performance of the model trained with high informative data is 17 % higher than that trained with low informative data. In addition, by referring to the model accuracy trained with 100 low informative samples per class, the alternative selection of high informative data can realize the improvement of data efficiency and training time efficiency by 2.5 times. Thus, this paper provides a data-centric research perspective, lays a foundation for data quality assessment, and makes a positive attempt to explore the data-efficient sustainable learning.

ПАРАМЕТРИЧЕСКИЙ СИНТЕЗ СИСТЕМЫ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ГРУППОВЫМ ДВИЖЕНИЕМ РОБОТОВ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ СТАТИСТИЧЕСКОГО ИМИТАЦИОННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ

The article proposes a parametric synthesis method of a multi-robot formation controller.The movement of the fo m tion i c ied out on the oute et by hum n ope to . Robot’ controlsystem corresponds to the modular-assembly principle based on common software, the jointfunctioning of which is implemented by middleware, for example, Robot Operating System. Errors inthe mobile robot control system are caused by: probabilistic application conditions, data-measuringsystem random errors, using simplified dynamic model within the development process. The influenceof the operating conditions on the communication system and the mobile robot autonomous drivingsystem performance reflects by the probabilistic-temporal characteristics: communications and informationsystem delay and the inten ity of mobi e obot’ top . method of t ti tic imu tionmodeling allowed taking into account the probabilistic-temporal characteristics of the mobile robotcommunication and the autonomous driving systems, as well as mobile robot dynamics. The coordinatedmovement of the multi-robot formation along a given path is provided by the method of a decentralizedvirtual structure. The task execution quality is evaluated by two indicators: the deviationof the form from the given one and the task-performance time. As an example, we consider the task ofthe movement of three robots along the route in a row-shaped formation, in which, for a given probabilistic-temporal characteristics, a multi-robot formation accomplish the given task in the shortesttime with minimal deviations of formation shape from the given one. Optimization solution allowedus to determine the optimal parameter of the formation control system. The optimization problem wassolved using the golden section method, statistical simulation was performed using MATLAB Simulinkand Parallel Computing Toolbox packages. A simulation of a homogeneous group of threemobile robots movement was performed for the task of driving along the route in the row-shapedformation with an interval of 5 m and a desired speed of 3 m/s. The quality of the autonomous drivingsystem ensures accident-free motion with an intensity of 1,2 stops per minute. The communicationsand information system with fully connected network topology provides communications flow betweenmobile robots with a frequency of no more than 10 Hz. Communications system delay vary inthe range from 0.1 to 0.5 s.

Multiple super-agile satellite collaborative mission planning for area target imaging

Collaboration between multiple super-agile satellites with dynamic imaging capabilities provides an opportunity for highly efficient observation of large-area targets. Reasonable allocation of multi-satellite resources and determination of the action sequences of each satellite are two key requirements for multiple super-agile satellite mission planning. We propose a multi-satellite collaborative mission planning approach for an area target imaging mission, considering the dynamic imaging characteristics, achieving integrated optimization of the allocation of multi-satellite resources and determination of the action sequences of each satellite. A multi-satellite mission planning model with two objectives was established, with the objective functions being to maximize the observation coverage revenue and minimize the task performance time. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm, represented by introducing particle learning/selection strategies and variable type-adaptive position updating methods, addresses the discrete–continuous hybrid variables in this optimization model. The proposed method was verified by constructing three groups of comparative experiments with area targets of different sizes. The proposed method showed consistent adaptability to various complexities and achieved synchronous optimization of the allocation of multi-satellite resources and determination of the action sequence of each satellite in areas of different sizes. Compared with existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm obtained superior imaging mission schemes with lower computational consumption, higher observation coverage revenues, or shorter task performance time. The experimental results showed that the proposed multi-satellite collaborative mission planning approach could be used to the ground operational systems of super-agile satellite constellations.

Importance of two-dimensional gaze analyses in the assessment of reading performance in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

The causes of reading difficulties in people with peripheral visual field loss are not fully understood. We conducted a two-dimensional gaze analysis on eye movements during reading in patients with retinitis pigmentosa to investigate the causes of reading difficulties in relation to the central visual field using a binocular eye mark recorder (EMR-9). Twenty-seven patients with retinitis pigmentosa whose central visual field narrowed to ≤ 20° using Goldmann kinetic perimetry (I/4 target) and this present study included eight healthy participants. The participants' visual acuities were corrected to better than +0.4 logMAR. Correlations and multivariate regression analyses were investigated between the number of letters read correctly, the I/4 central visual field, V/4 perifoveal and peripheral visual field, and visual acuity. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that all these parameters played almost equal roles in the number of letters read correctly. In the two-dimensional gaze analysis, the task performance time of patients during reading increased as the I/4 central visual field narrowed. The task performance time was more clearly correlated with the rotation saccade (r = 0.428, p <0.05) and the distance of the vertical direction (ΣY) of eye movements (r = 0.624, p < 0.01), but not with regressive saccade and the distance of the horizontal direction (ΣX). Visual acuity was correlated with the task performance time (-0.436, <0.05) but not with eye movement directionality. Reading difficulties in patients with retinitis pigmentosa result from impaired eye movement directionality. Understanding eye measurements for people with tunnel vision required a two-dimensional gaze analysis. The two-dimensional gaze analysis also showed that the involvement of the perifoveal and peripheral visual fields, visual acuity, and I/4 central visual field was important for reading in people with tunnel vision.

An analysis of the correlation between the efficacy of training using a high-fidelity disease-specific simulator and the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for congenital biliary dilatation in pediatric patients.

The present study clarified the efficacy of repeating laparoscopic surgery training using a disease-specific simulator and investigated the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) in pediatric patients after training. A high-fidelity laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy simulator was used. Four pediatric surgeons performed practice laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy three times using the simulator. The details of forceps manipulation during the task were analyzed. The clinical outcomes of 13 CBD cases treated with laparoscopic surgery in our institution were also evaluated based on medical records. The time required to complete the task became significantly shorter each successive time (1st: 1062.18 ± 346.79s vs. 3rd: 717.44 ± 260.80s, p = 0.039). There were no significant differences in the total path length of the right forceps (1st: 55.56 ± 23.21m vs. 3rd: 28.25 ± 17.01m, p = 0.17), total path length of the left forceps (1st: 47.79 ± 20.79m vs. 3rd: 31.83 ± 17.62m, p = 0.17), average velocity of the right forceps (1st: 58.78 ± 21.29mm/s vs.44.98 ± 10.25mm/s, p = 0.47), or the average velocity of the left forceps (1st: 50.39 ± 19.25mm/s vs. 52.26 ± 19.59mm/s, p = 0.78). Regarding the clinical outcome, all CBD patients underwent laparoscopic surgery performed by practiced pediatric surgeons who had no experience. The operative time was 545.53 ± 91.01min, and the blood loss was 24.2 ± 25.8ml. There were no cases of open conversion, intraoperative adverse events, or anastomotic leakage. Disease-specific simulator training significantly decreased the task performance time by improving the forceps manipulation economy. In addition, simulator training may improve the operative safety and quality of laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy in pediatric CBD patients.

Anticipatory Awareness and Actual Handwriting Performance Measures among Adolescents with Deficient Executive Functions.

This secondary analysis explores differences and correlations between handwriting anticipatory awareness (time estimation, expected performance, and expected difficulty) before a paragraph copying task and actual performance time and legibility among adolescents with executive function deficits (EFD) versus neurotypical adolescents. Eighty-one adolescents (10-18 years old; 41 with EFD and daily functioning difficulties as per parent reports) estimated their time, expected performance, and expected difficulty before the paragraph copying task using the Self-Awareness of Performance Questionnaire (SAP-Q). Time duration was assessed using the Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool (ComPET) software, and legibility was scored using the Handwriting Legibility Scale (HLS). Significant between-group differences were found in actual time duration (ComPET), HLS total score and legibility components, and three SAP-Q questions. Both groups estimated significantly more performance time than their actual performance duration. The adolescents with EFD underestimated their performance before the handwriting task. Significant correlations were found between actual performance, anticipatory awareness, and Executive Function (EF) in both groups. Their performance predictions were significantly correlated with their EF and product's legibility. The results highlight the potential relationships between anticipatory awareness and actual handwriting performance (time duration and legibility) of adolescents with and without EFD. Further studies may analyze the benefits of focusing on both EF and anticipatory awareness for handwriting improvement among populations with EF deficits.