Unrestricted Behavior Research Articles

Quality-Aware Signal Processing Mechanism of PPG Signal for Long-Term Heart Rate Monitoring.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is widely utilized in wearable healthcare devices due to its convenient measurement capabilities. However, the unrestricted behavior of users often introduces artifacts into the PPG signal. As a result, signal processing and quality assessment play a crucial role in ensuring that the information contained in the signal can be effectively acquired and analyzed. Traditionally, researchers have discussed signal quality and processing algorithms separately, with individual algorithms developed to address specific artifacts. In this paper, we propose a quality-aware signal processing mechanism that evaluates incoming PPG signals using the signal quality index (SQI) and selects the appropriate processing method based on the SQI. Unlike conventional processing approaches, our proposed mechanism recommends processing algorithms based on the quality of each signal, offering an alternative option for designing signal processing flows. Furthermore, our mechanism achieves a favorable trade-off between accuracy and energy consumption, which are the key considerations in long-term heart rate monitoring.

Coupled DEM-FEM methods for analyzing contact stress between railway ballast and subgrade considering real particle shape characteristic

To investigate the stress concentration at the interface between crushed ballast and soil subgrade, this study developed a coupling program of discrete element method (DEM) and finite element method (FEM) using OOFEM and YADE software. Based on the penalty function method, an interface element was introduced for the DEM-FEM coupling simulation. Moreover, an adaptive volume coupling algorithm was proposed to address the unrestricted behavior of the particles across the interface elements. Therefore, the change in the interface contact stress distribution was analyzed in the process of ballast particles penetrating the subgrade soil. Based on the statistical analysis of the ballast shape scanning results, a morphology reconstruction method was adopted to restore the real irregular shapes of the ballasts. Consequently, a DEM-FEM coupling model of a ballasted railway was established and validated through laboratory test results. The meso-scale mechanism revealed the discontinuous characteristics of the contact stress caused by the ballast aggregates. In addition, the adaptive volume coupling algorithm in the case of ballast penetrating subgrade soil was preliminarily proven to be reasonable. This study provides a more accurate approach for calculating the interface stress between ballast and subgrade, which can support a further refined analysis of ballast railway subgrade deterioration.

Neuroergonomics on the Go: An Evaluation of the Potential of Mobile EEG for Workplace Assessment and Design.

We demonstrate and discuss the use of mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) for neuroergonomics. Both technical state of the art as well as measures and cognitive concepts are systematically addressed. Modern work is increasingly characterized by information processing. Therefore, the examination of mental states, mental load, or cognitive processing during work is becoming increasingly important for ergonomics. Mobile EEG allows to measure mental states and processes under real live conditions. It can be used for various research questions in cognitive neuroergonomics. Besides measures in the frequency domain that have a long tradition in the investigation of mental fatigue, task load, and task engagement, new approaches-like blink-evoked potentials-render event-related analyses of the EEG possible also during unrestricted behavior. Mobile EEG has become a valuable tool for evaluating mental states and mental processes on a highly objective level during work. The main advantage of this technique is that working environments don't have to be changed while systematically measuring brain functions at work. Moreover, the workflow is unaffected by such neuroergonomic approaches.

The Effectiveness of Early Intensive Intervention in Modifying the Frequency of Repetitive Behavior for Children with ASD in Egypt

The present study aims to test the effectiveness of an integrated training program for early intervention based on Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to improve some of the repetitive behavior patterns (stereotyped behavior, self-harm behavior, compulsive behavior, ritual behavior, sameness behavior, unrestricted behavior) among a sample of children with autism. It uses an experimental approach, with experimental and control groups (N = 17 for each group) and three-time interval assessments (pre, post and follow-up). The study uses several assessments such as the Goddard Measure of Intelligence, a Socio-economic Status Form (Abo Hamza & Helal, 2013), and the Stereotyped Behavior Scale (RBS-R) [1]. Statistical analysis has been performed using the Pearson correlation, and Chi-square, Mann- Whitney, Eta-squared and Z tests for each time assessment from the two groups to identify interaction effects. Results indicate that the intervention program has a positive effect on modifying the stereotyped behavior patterns in both post- and first follow-up assessment (after two weeks). However, the study shows no positive effect for the second follow-up assessment (after two months).

TaiNi: Maximizing research output whilst improving animals\u2019 welfare in neurophysiology experiments

Understanding brain function at the cell and circuit level requires representation of neuronal activity through multiple recording sites and at high sampling rates. Traditional tethered recording systems restrict movement and limit the environments suitable for testing, while existing wireless technology is still too heavy for extended recording in mice. Here we tested TaiNi, a novel ultra-lightweight (<2 g) low power wireless system allowing 72-hours of recording from 16 channels sampled at ~19.5 KHz (9.7 KHz bandwidth). We captured local field potentials and action-potentials while mice engaged in unrestricted behaviour in a variety of environments and while performing tasks. Data was synchronized to behaviour with sub-second precision. Comparisons with a state-of-the-art wireless system demonstrated a significant improvement in behaviour owing to reduced weight. Parallel recordings with a tethered system revealed similar spike detection and clustering. TaiNi represents a significant advance in both animal welfare in electrophysiological experiments, and the scope for continuously recording large amounts of data from small animals.

Algorithmic design of perfectly reconstructing equalisers

We consider the transmission of a discrete data sequence via a communication channel that is subject to (additive) noise with a known upper bound on its magnitude but otherwise completely unrestricted behaviour. We provide a general recursive algorithm that can be used at the receiving end to perfectly reconstruct the transmitted sequence (possibly with some delay) when the existing necessary and sufficient conditions for perfect reconstruction hold, or to obtain all valid sequences that are consistent with the received sequence when the perfect reconstruction condition is violated. We also discuss the memory and computational requirements for the proposed algorithm.

In vivo dendritic calcium imaging with a fiberoptic periscope system

Dendritic recordings in freely moving animals present great challenges using the current approaches. Here we present in detail a microendoscopic technique (the 'periscope' method) for measuring intracellular calcium activity directly from the apical dendrites of L5 pyramidal neurons from the pia down to depths of approximately 700 mum in anesthetized and freely moving rats. This method gives high signal-to-noise dendritic fluorescence responses to sensory stimuli, and has been proven to be inexpensive, straightforward and reliable, allowing essentially unrestricted behavior. We describe refinements and practical optimizations of procedures aimed at achieving dendritic Ca(2+) imaging in freely moving animals. The periscope imaging technique presented here is also ideal for combining with other in vivo recording techniques. The protocol, from the beginning of anesthesia to starting dendritic imaging, can be completed in 5 h.

The use of radiotelemetry to evaluate electrographic seizures in rats with kainate-induced epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy in humans is a chronic condition with a highly variable temporal evolution. Animal models of this disorder have been developed to recapitulate many of the characteristics seen in humans with temporal lobe epilepsy. These animal models generate chronic spontaneous electrographic and motor seizures with a progressive increase in frequency over many months. In order to understand the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms driving epileptogenesis, a practical means for accurately assessing seizure progression over this extended time period must be devised. In this report, we describe the use of a three-channel radiotelemetry system to record spontaneous electrographic interictal “spikes” and seizure activity from the cortical surface and the two hippocampi. This approach has allowed continuous recording before, during, and several months after kainate-induced status epilepticus. The important advantages of this approach are the potential for long-term continuous electrographic recording with comparatively unrestricted behavior; the disadvantages include increased cost, surgical difficulty and lower frequency-response in the recordings.

Timer formulas and decidable metric temporal logic

We define a quantitative temporal logic that is based on a simple modality within the framework of monadic predicate logic. Its canonical model is the real line (and not an ω -sequence of some type). It can be interpreted either by behaviors with finite variability or by unrestricted behaviors. For finite variability models it is as expressive as any logic suggested in the literature. For unrestricted behaviors our treatment is new. In both cases we prove decidability and complexity bounds using general theorems from logic (and not from automata theory). The technical proof uses a sublanguage of the metric monadic logic of order, the language of timer normal form formulas. Metric formulas are reduced to timer normal form and timer normal form formulas allow elimination of the metric.

Mating behaviour of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei in concurrent infections in hamsters

Young adults of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei were recovered from hamsters previously infected with metacercarial cysts. Some worms of each species were exposed for 1 h to 3-H-tyrosine to label sperm and transplanted singly to uninfected hamsters with several unlabelled worms of the same or opposite species or both species. After 5 days, recovered worms were processed for paraffin sectioning and autoradiography. The resulting slides were observed for the location of radioactive sperm in the seminal receptacles of donor (labelled) and recipient (unlabelled) worms. When E. trivolvis was the donor with the recipient E. paraensei, self-insemination took place, but only one interspecies mating occurred out of 72 possible recipient worms. When E. paraensei served as the donor, self-insemination again occurred, but no cross-insemination was observed among the 59 E. trivolvis recipient worms. When single donor worms had a choice of either species of recipient worms, no interspecies mating took place, but both self- and cross-insemination occurred in the normal, unrestricted behaviour found in single species mating studies. Rates of both self- and cross-insemination were higher in concurrent infections of both recipient species than in single species mating studies. After transplant, both species localized in their natural habitat within the small intestine, with 1/3 overlapping in the duodenum, making interspecies mating a possibility. The correlation between mating and electrophoretic studies on the genetic relationship between 37-collar-spined echinostomes is discussed.

Mating behaviour of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei in concurrent infections in hamsters

Young adults of Echinostoma trivolvis and E. paraensei were recovered from hamsters previously infected with metacercarial cysts. Some worms of each species were exposed for 1 h to 3-H-tyrosine to label sperm and transplanted singly to uninfected hamsters with several unlabelled worms of the same or opposite species or both species. After 5 days, recovered worms were processed for paraffin sectioning and autoradiography. The resulting slides were observed for the location of radioactive sperm in the seminal receptacles of donor (labelled) and recipient (unlabelled) worms. When E. trivolvis was the donor with the recipient E. paraensei, self-insemination took place, but only one interspecies mating occurred out of 72 possible recipient worms. When E. paraensei served as the donor, self-insemination again occurred, but no cross-insemination was observed among the 59 E. trivolvis recipient worms. When single donor worms had a choice of either species of recipient worms, no interspecies mating took place, but both self- and cross-insemination occurred in the normal, unrestricted behaviour found in single species mating studies. Rates of both self- and cross-insemination were higher in concurrent infections of both recipient species than in single species mating studies. After transplant, both species localized in their natural habitat within the small intestine, with 1/3 overlapping in the duodenum, making interspecies mating a possibility. The correlation between mating and electrophoretic studies on the genetic relationship between 37-collar-spined echinostomes is discussed.

Wireless Transmission of Muscle Potentials During Free Flight of a Locust

ABSTRACT Scientists have long been interested in recording data from freely moving animals. For larger animals, several telemetric techniques are available not only for following the movement of unrestrained animals in the wild (White and Garrott, 1990) but also for transmitting measures of heartbeat, body temperature, wingbeat, respiration, etc. (e.g. Lord et al. 1962; Butler and Woakes, 1980; Funk et al. 1993; for an overview, see Amlaner and Macdonald, 1980). Because of the size of such transmission devices, however, data acquisition has been restricted to larger animals. The development of lightweight batteries and microchips has only recently facilitated efforts to transmit data from smaller animals such as insects. Such data should greatly enhance our understanding of the processes involved in the neuronal control of unrestricted behaviour. Eventually it should be possible to monitor the activity of individual units (neurones, muscles) under closed-loop conditions, which closely resemble free movement. It is to be expected that this new approach will surpass previous studies involving intact but surface-bound animals implanted with long flexible electrodes (for crickets, see Kutsch, 1969) or animals tethered in a windstream (for improvement of the flight balance device, compare Weis-Fogh, 1956, with Dombrowsky, 1991). Increased freedom has been achieved in experiments on ‘free flight’ of large insects (Möhl, 1988; Stolley, 1990), although even these animals were restricted to a short or stationary flight handicapped by several implanted flexible electrodes.

Functional Forms for Labor Supply and Commodity Demands with and without Quantity Restrictions

One of the most important current questions in economic analysis is whether or not labor markets clear in the short run. To answer this, it is necessary to be able to distinguish between restricted and unrestricted behavior by consumers supplying labor. This paper investigates the forms of preferences which lie behind linear models of labor supply, and derives the functional forms for commodity demands which accompany them, both with and without quantity restrictions in the labor market. Simple linkages between restricted and unrestricted demands are also considered as is the question of perfect aggregation over consumers in the presence of quantity restrictions.