Search

In this paper, exponential synchronization of semi-Markovian coupled neural networks (NNs) with bounded time-varying delay and infinite-time distributed delay (mixed delays) is investigated. Since semi-Markov switching occurs by time-varying probability, it is difficult to capture its precise switching signal. To overcome this difficulty, a tracker is used to track the switching information with some accuracy. Then a quantized output controller (QOC) is designed by using the tracked information. Novel Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals (LKFs) with negative terms and delay-partitioning approach, which reduce the conservativeness of the obtained results, are utilized to obtain LMI conditions ensuring the exponential synchronization. Moreover, an algorithm is proposed to design the control gains. Our results include both those derived by mode-dependent and mode-independent control schemes as special cases. Finally, numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of the methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates exponential stability of nonlinear delayed impulsive systems. The effects of impulses with sufficiently small input delays and arbitrary sizes of input delays are thoroughly examined according to whether the continuous dynamics of the systems is stable. Several exponential stability criteria are obtained and are then applied to study constant time-delay systems with linear input impulses. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the usefulness of the main study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the issue of sampled-data stabilization for T-S fuzzy systems with time-varying delays, where the mismatched membership function (MMF) approach is proposed. The superiority of the proposed method lies that delay interval is split into flexible terminals, and newly Lyapunov–Krasovskii function (LKF) is constructed. By employing the Wirtinger inequality and extended Jensen inequality, some sufficient conditions of the sampled-data control for T-S fuzzy systems are established, which are efficiently solved by using standard available numerical packages. Finally, the superiority of achieved result is illustrated by the truck-trailer model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the multisensory nature of perception, previous research on emotions has been focused on unimodal emotional cues with visual stimuli. To the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence on the extent to which incongruent emotional cues from visual and auditory sensory channels affect pupil size. Aims: To investigate the effects of audiovisual emotional information perception on the physiological and affective response, but also to determine the impact of mismatched cues in emotional perception on these physiological indexes. Method: Pupil size, electrodermal activity and affective subjective responses were recorded while 30 participants were exposed to visual and auditory stimuli with varied emotional content in three different experimental conditions: pictures and sounds presented alone (unimodal), emotionally matched audio-visual stimuli (bimodal congruent) and emotionally mismatched audio-visual stimuli (bimodal incongruent). Results: The data revealed no effect of emotional incongruence on physiological and affective responses. On the other hand, pupil size covaried with skin conductance response (SCR), but the subjective experience was partially dissociated from autonomic responses. Conclusion: Emotional stimuli are able to trigger physiological responses regardless of valence, sensory modality or level of emotional congruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns globally exponential synchronization for a class of impulsive networks with time-delays. The strategy is based on pinning control: single controller is designed to pin the whole network and realize synchronization. Some new conditions are imposed on impulsive sequences, which make the results obtained in this paper less conservative. A numerical example is supplied to illustrate the validity of the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article describes the development and evaluation of a distributed user interface (DUI) application to assess visuomotor organization ability. This application enables therapists to evaluate the acquired brain injury (ABI) on patients, and patients, to perform the assessment on a touch screen while therapists can observe the assessment process in real time on a separated monitor without interfering patients during the process as in traditional methodologies employing physical elements., Objectives: The main goal of this research is the evaluation of the quality in use of DUIs in the Pegboard Construction assessment with patients with ABI from the therapist perspective in the area of occupational therapy., Methods: To evaluate our system, we have performed a usability evaluation following the ISO/IEC 25010 and ISO/IEC 25062 standards to evaluate software usability and quality and it was conducted in collaboration with therapists and psychologists that have previously worked with people with ABI in diagnostic and assessment tasks., Results: We show the results of the evaluation collected in a table that shows the completeness rate for each user for both, assisted (i.e., the percentage of tasks where participants performed with test director assistance) and unassisted tasks (i.e., the percentage of tasks where participants completed tasks autonomously), the total time participants required to complete proposed tasks, the number of mistakes participants performed during the session, and the number of assists they required to finish proposed tasks. In addition, we also evaluated the user satisfaction regarding our application using the system usability scale., Conclusion: The use of information technologies in this field enables therapists to perform these evaluations in a simpler, efficient, and automated way. This proposal enables patients to perform the assessment as it is performed traditionally using paper providing them with a touch screen in which they can easily insert a set of pins into the holes. The usability evaluation of the proposal meets the appropriate design standards for applications of this type, and this is demonstrated by the high degree of satisfaction of the participants., Competing Interests: C. C. reports and the application D-Pegboard have been developed with the consent of the original authors of the LOTCA test, where the Pegboard subtest is included., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Objective: The present editorial is part of the focus theme of Methods of Information in Medicine entitled "Technologies solutions schemes for Patients' Rehabilitation: Methodologies, Models and Algorithms". The focus theme aims to present nowadays most innovative solutions to improve patients' rehabilitation by applying and using sophisticated and pioneering Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and human factors., Methods: The focus theme explores the different existent research works and tools used, applied and developed for incapable people in terms of rehabilitation and health care, as to look into the extent methodologies, models and algorithms by means of ICT in this process., Results: The focus theme lists a group of research works, which are presenting various solutions using ICT systems to improve the rehabilitation process of people with physical incapacities and to help them in carrying out their daily life.

Background: The methods used for the motor rehabilitation of patients with neurological disorders include a number of different rehabilitation exercises. For patients who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), the performance of motor rehabilitation exercises is essential. Nevertheless, this rehabilitation may be tedious, negatively influencing patients' motivation and adherence to treatment., Objective: We present RemoviEM, a system based on Kinect that uses virtual reality (VR) and natural user interfaces (NUI) to offer patients with MS an intuitive and motivating way to perform several motor rehabilitation exercises. It offers therapists a new motor rehabilitation tool for the rehabilitation process, providing feedback on the patient's progress. Moreover, it is a low-cost system, a feature that can facilitate its integration in clinical rehabilitation centers., Methods: A randomized and controlled single blinded study was carried out to assess the influence of a Kinect-based virtual rehabilitation system on the balance rehabilitation of patients with MS. This study describes RemoviEM and evaluates its effectiveness compared to standard rehabilitation. To achieve this objective, a clinical trial was carried out. Eleven patients from a MS association participated in the clinical trial. The mean age was 44.82 (SD 10.44) and the mean time from diagnosis (years) was 9.77 (SD 10.40). Clinical effectiveness was evaluated using clinical balance scales., Results: Significant group-by-time interaction was detected in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale (P=.011) and the Anterior Reach Test in standing position (P=.011). Post-hoc analysis showed greater improvement in the experimental group for these variables than in the control group for these variables. The Suitability Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) showed good results in usability, acceptance, security, and safety for the evaluated system., Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that RemoviEM represents a motivational and effective alternative to traditional motor rehabilitation for MS patients. These results have encouraged us to improve the system with new exercises, which are currently being developed.