Functional range of movement of the hand : declination angles to reachable space

 The measurement of the range of hand joint movement is an essential part of clinical practice and rehabilitation. Current methods use three finger joint declination angles of the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. In this paper we propose an alternate form of measurement for the finger movement. Using the notion of reachable space instead of declination angles has significant advantages. Firstly, it provides a visual and quantifiable method that therapists, insurance companies and patients can easily use to understand the functional capabilities of the hand. Secondly, it eliminates the redundant declination angle constraints. Finally, reachable space, defined by a set of reachable fingertip positions, can be measured and constructed by using a modern camera such as Creative Senz3D or built-in hand gesture sensors such as the Leap Motion Controller. Use of cameras or optical-type sensors for this purpose have considerable benefits such as eliminating and minimal involvement of therapist errors, non-contact measurement in addition to valuable time saving for the clinician. A comparison between using declination angles and reachable space were made based on Hume's experiment on functional range of movement to prove the efficiency of this new approach.

Infant and toddler responses to a redesign of their childcare outdoor play space

Researchers used an affordances-based conceptual framework to study infants' and toddlers' responses to the redesign of their play space. Behavior mapping and child tracking observations showed that the introduction of features such as edging, levels and inclines appeared to increase the level and variety of children's physical activity, and lead to greater utilization of the space. While researchers observed children engaging with natural affordances, this was less than expected, possibly due to educator constraints. Children's engagement with new features indicated unique child views of the space and a delight in challenge. Findings suggest the value of looking for children's perspective on affordances, and considering the effects of specific features and the influence of caregivers in evaluating design outcomes.

The whiteness of cinematic outer space

Bringing together scholarship from across the social sciences and humanities, this handbook critically examines the relationship between society and outer space, exploring the history, present and future of outer space and the place of humans within it.

Modeling, parameter measurement and sensorless speed estimation of IPM synchronous generator for direct drive variable speed wind turbine application

This paper presents simple methods of determining parameters of interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous generator such as magnet flux (λM), d-axis inductance (Ld) and q-axis inductance (Lq) of IPM synchronous generator, which are used to control the wind turbine generator. These methods are simple and do not require any complex theory, signal injection or special equipment. Moreover, a sensorless speed estimator is proposed to estimate the speed of the generator without using speed sensor. The measured parameters are used in this speed estimator. The elimination of speed sensor will enhance the system robustness and reduce the design complexity and system cost for a small-scale wind turbine considered in this paper. The effectiveness of parameter measurement methods and sensorless speed estimator is demonstrated by experimental results. Experimental results show that the proposed speed estimator that uses the measured parameters can estimate the generator speed with a small error.

Relative roles of glyceollin, lignin and the hypersensitive response and the influence of ABA in compatible and incompatible interactions of soybeans with Phytophthora sojae

The relative roles of glyceollin, lignin and the hypersensitive response (HR) in pathogen containment and restriction were investigated in soybean (Glycine max L. [Merr.]) cultivars that were inoculated with Phytophthora sojae Kaufmann and Gerdemann. Concentrations of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) levels in etiolated soybean hypocotyls were reduced by application of the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor norflurazon or raised by exogenous ABA application. Incompatible interactions in leaves and hypocotyls were characterized by HR, phenolic and lignin deposition and glyceollin accumulation. Compatible interactions resulted in light coloured, water-soaked spreading lesions with minimal lignin deposition or glyceollin accumulation and the absence of an HR. Norflurazon treatment restricted the spread of the pathogen and increased glyceollin accumulation in compatible tissues. Exogenous ABA addition caused spreading lesions in normally incompatible interactions and reduced glyceollin accumulation. Phenolic deposition and HR were unchanged by either treatment in incompatible or compatible interactions. The uncoupling of glyceollin synthesis from the HR and phenolic and lignin deposition by ABA and norflurazon treatment showed that glyceollin is a major factor in restriction of the pathogen during these interactions.

On the problem of algebraic completeness for the invariants of the Riemann Tensor: I

We present a new determining set, CZ, of Riemann invariants which possesses the minimum degree property. From an analysis on the possible independence of CZ, we are led to the division of all space-times into two distinct, invariantly characterized, classes: a general class M_G+, and a special, singular class M_S For each class, we provide an independent set of invariants (I_G+) ⊂ CZ and I_S ⊂ CZ, respectively) which, with the results of a sequel paper, will be shown to be algebraically complete.

Performance and narrative, bodies and movement in the construction of places and objects, spaces and knowledges: The case of the Maltese megaliths

The article explores the ways knowledge and space are co-produced performatively through bodily movement in an examination of the Maltese megaliths the first complex stone structures in the world. It is argued that knowledge is best seen as spatialized narratives of human actions and objects as materialized forms of those spatial narratives. Rewriting our social and historical narratives so that the performativity of place, space and knowledge is restored opens new possibilities for rethinking the social and material order.