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Purpose: To compare the effects of unilateral flywheel training (FT), using a rotational conical pulley, including multidirectional movements with either preplanned or random unanticipated/unexpected executions on functional performance in football players. Methods: A total of 32 young male football players were randomly assigned to an FT program including preplanned unilateral multidirectional movements (PTG, n = 11), an FT executing the same unilateral movements through random (ie, right or left leg) unanticipated (ie, verbal or visual cue) or unexpected (ie, moment where the cue was provided) situations (UTG, n = 11), or a control group (n = 10) that followed their football training routine. FT consisted of 1 set × 5–12 repetitions of 4 exercises performed once a week for 10 weeks. Intermittent endurance performance, repeated unilateral and bilateral jumping ability, change-of-direction (COD) ability, linear sprint velocity, preplanned repeated-sprint ability (RSA), and uncertainty RSA (RSA-RANDOM) were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Results: Significant improvements were found in RSA-RANDOM performance (P <.05, effect size [ES] range: UTG [1.83–2.16], PTG [0.69–0.73]) and COD (P <.05, ES: UTG = 1.34, PTG = 0.98]) in both training groups. Furthermore, significant improvements were also found in intermittent endurance performance (P =.016, ES = 0.37) and sprinting (P =.006, ES = 0.45) in UTG. No changes in any variable were found in the control group. No significant between-groups differences (P >.05) were reported between UTG and PTG, while differences were observed to the control group in unilateral jumping ability, COD, and RSA-RANDOM for UTG, and in RSA-RANDOM for PTG. Conclusions: A 10-week unilateral FT improved RSA-RANDOM and COD ability in youth football players, so both preplanned and unexpected situations should be included on strength training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have demonstrated balance impairments in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). However, a recent meta-analysis reports that none of the existing studies investigated the entire construct of balance across the same postural task. It is unclear whether anticipatory postural adjustments before voluntary unperturbed leaning tasks are altered in DCD. Anticipatory postural adjustment's impact on postural control and limits of stability as well as the contribution of proprioception in these mechanisms are also unknown. This study compared the center of pressure displacements of participants with DCD (n = 30) to typically developing participants (n = 20) (9–12 years old). Standing on an AMTI force plate, participants were asked to lean as far as possible forward, backward, rightward, and leftward in both natural and with eyes closed + foam conditions (eight separated trials). The statistical analysis revealed that the DCD group had larger anticipatory postural adjustments, maximal center of pressure excursion, and greater postural instabilities than the control group. The proprioceptive condition does not systematically influence postural performance in DCD. These deficits are, however, increased in mediolateral directions. These impairments could interfere with children's performance during daily and physical activities and even negatively impact social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the effects of directed and undirected online peer feedback types on students' peer feedback performance, argumentative essay writing skills, and acquisition of domain-specific knowledge. The study used a pre-test and post-test design with four conditions (feedback, feedforward, a combination of feedback and feedforward, and undirected feedback). In this exploratory study, 221 undergraduate students, who were randomly assigned to dyads, engaged in discussions about the pros and cons of "Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)", provided feedback to peers, and wrote an argumentative essay regarding the topic. Results indicated significant differences among the conditions in terms of the quality of provided feedback. This implies that the peer feedback quality can be enhanced or diminished depending on its type. Results also revealed a significant improvement in students' argumentative essay performance and domain-specific knowledge acquisition without significant differences among conditions. We discuss how the such increase in the quality of essays and learning outcomes might be related to the power of peer feedback regardless of the feedback type. We also discuss why using multiple instructional scaffolds may result in over-scripting that may diminish the power of peer feedback and the effects of the scaffolds themselves in online learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Environmental issues and the global need to increase economically sustainable access to electricity addressed and boosted scientific research and use of Distributed Energy Resources, such as solar Photovoltaic (PV). Multi‐port power converters can be of great interest for a compact and efficient interface between PV, storage units, and DC loads. The Triple Active Bridge (TAB) shows interesting advantages in terms of isolation and Zero Voltage Switching capabilities over wide load and input voltage ranges. This work aims to develop a TAB prototype for a NanoGrid (NG) application, analyzing the possibility of a direct interface of PV modules, storage units, and DC loads, without the use of intermediate conversion stages. The TAB prototype uses Gallium Nitride devices, and an evaluation of the overall efficiency is provided, useful to compare with other isolated three‐port converters. Through an analytical approach, a TAB has been sized and optimized to meet specific application requirements. MATLAB/Simulink simulations have been done for the sizing validation and the control strategy design. A prototype has been developed and experimental measurements have been compared with simulation results. The TAB is proposed as a key element of DC NGs, but applications of interest are also automotive, More Electric Aircraft, and naval applications.

Recent advancements in omics and single-cell analysis highlight the necessity of numerical methods for managing the complexity of biological data. This paper introduces a simulation program for biochemical reaction systems based on the natural number simulation (NNS) method. This novel approach ensures the equitable treatment of all molecular entities, such as DNA, proteins, H2O, and hydrogen ions (H+), in biological systems. Central to NNS is its use of stoichiometric formulas, simplifying the modeling process and facilitating efficient and accurate simulations of diverse biochemical reactions. The advantage of this method is its ability to manage all molecules uniformly, ensuring a balanced representation in simulations. Detailed in Python, NNS is adept at simulating various reactions, ranging from water ionization to Michaelis-Menten kinetics and complex gene-based systems, making it an effective tool for scientific and engineering research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach based on the hysteresis current controller to obtain a constant switching frequency is proposed. This method generates an adaptive stair‐band by tracking changes in the reference current and accounting for the number of converter voltage levels. To achieve this, the maximum and minimum values of the fixed‐band switching frequency of the conventional hysteresis and their correspondence with the reference current were first determined. The proposed approach solves the problem of the variable frequency of the conventional hysteresis controller while retaining its simplicity. It also eliminates the need for intensive online adaptive band calculations, while preserving its efficiency. Furthermore, it can be applied to multi‐level converter topologies, where using a hysteresis controller has historically been challenging. To validate the proposed method, it was applied to the unified power flow controller (UPFC) with a three‐level neutral‐point clamped converter topology that connects two high‐voltage power networks in Cameroon. Simulations conducted in SIMULINK showed quasi‐constant switching frequency and accurate tracking of reference currents in both the shunt and series converters of the UPFC. This innovative approach offers an alternative solution for integrating intermittent energy sources, enhancing the UPFC's dynamic capabilities in managing diverse energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues and the global need to increase economically sustainable access to electricity addressed and boosted scientific research and use of Distributed Energy Resources, such as solar Photovoltaic (PV). Multi‐port power converters can be of great interest for a compact and efficient interface between PV, storage units, and DC loads. The Triple Active Bridge (TAB) shows interesting advantages in terms of isolation and Zero Voltage Switching capabilities over wide load and input voltage ranges. This work aims to develop a TAB prototype for a NanoGrid (NG) application, analyzing the possibility of a direct interface of PV modules, storage units, and DC loads, without the use of intermediate conversion stages. The TAB prototype uses Gallium Nitride devices, and an evaluation of the overall efficiency is provided, useful to compare with other isolated three‐port converters. Through an analytical approach, a TAB has been sized and optimized to meet specific application requirements. MATLAB/Simulink simulations have been done for the sizing validation and the control strategy design. A prototype has been developed and experimental measurements have been compared with simulation results. The TAB is proposed as a key element of DC NGs, but applications of interest are also automotive, More Electric Aircraft, and naval applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online collaborative learning has been broadly applied in higher education. However, learners face many challenges in collaborating with one another and coregulating their learning, leading to low group performance. To address the gaps, this study proposed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled feedback and feedforward approach that not only provide feedback but also offer recommendations for future actions to support online collaborative learning. In total, 153 college students participated in this study, and they were divided into three conditions. Fifty-one students conducted online collaborative learning with the AI-enabled feedback and feedforward approach, another 51 students carried out online collaborative learning with the AI-enabled feedback approach, and the remaining 51 students participated in traditional online collaborative learning without either type of support. The results indicated that the AI-enabled feedback and feedforward approach could significantly boost the level of collaborative knowledge building, coregulated behaviours, and group performance. Research and practical implications of the findings are discussed in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultsConclusionsRCT registration numberRegistration date\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo investigate the effects of concurrent sensorimotor training (SMT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments (APAs and CPAs) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).The interventions included (1) SMT plus tDCS and (2) SMT plus sham tDCS. Outcome measures were the normalized integrals of electromyography activity (NIEMG) during the phases of anticipatory and compensatory, and muscle onset latency. The investigated muscles were ipsilateral and contralateral multifidus (MF), transversus abdominus/internal oblique (TrA/IO), and gluteus medius (GM).Between-group comparisons demonstrated that ipsilateral TrA/IO NIEMG during CPA1 (p = 0.010) and ipsilateral GM NIEMG during CPA1 (p = 0.002) and CPA2 (p = 0.025) were significantly lower in the SMT combined with tDCS than in the control group. Furthermore, this group had greater NIEMG for contralateral GM during APA1 than the control group (p = 0.032). Moreover, the onset latency of contralateral TrA/IO was significantly earlier after SMT combined with tDCS (p = 0.011).Both groups that received SMT showed positive effects, but anodal tDCS had an added value over sham stimulation for improving postural control strategies in patients with CLBP. Indeed, SMT combined with tDCS leads to stronger APA and less demand for CPA.IRCT20220228054149N12022-04-04Evidence suggests that reduced excitability in the sensory and motor cortex is linked to chronic and recurring lower back pain.Increasing the excitability of these two areas using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in conjunction with sensorimotor training (SMT), may improve anticipatory and compensatory postural control strategies.This study showed that the combination of SMT with tDCS targeting the sensory and motor cortex notably enhances motor preparation and refines postural control strategies in patients with chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy.Rehabilitation professionals are encouraged to integrate SMT with tDCS into treatment protocols to enhance the ability of individuals with back pain to handle postural disturbances in daily life, thereby potentially alleviating the persistence of their symptoms.Incorporating brain stimulation enhances the effectiveness of SMT for patients with chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy.Evidence suggests that reduced excitability in the sensory and motor cortex is linked to chronic and recurring lower back pain.Increasing the excitability of these two areas using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in conjunction with sensorimotor training (SMT), may improve anticipatory and compensatory postural control strategies.This study showed that the combination of SMT with tDCS targeting the sensory and motor cortex notably enhances motor preparation and refines postural control strategies in patients with chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy.Rehabilitation professionals are encouraged to integrate SMT with tDCS into treatment protocols to enhance the ability of individuals with back pain to handle postural disturbances in daily life, thereby potentially alleviating the persistence of their symptoms.Incorporating brain stimulation enhances the effectiveness of SMT for patients with chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ordnance Industry Automation is the property of Editorial Board for Ordnance Industry Automation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Assessment of biomechanical features whilst running on an uneven terrain plays an important role in identifying running-related injury mechanisms. However, feedback and feedforward motor responses and adaptations, an important component of gait retraining and injury rehabilitation programs, have been less investigated during running. Therefore, the current study assessed the whole-session responses and within-session adaptation mechanisms during perturbed running. Twenty three individuals performed an eight-minute perturbed treadmill running protocol with one-sided decelerative belt perturbations. Joint angle curves and muscle activity amplitudes were analysed throughout the running cycle, in both the perturbed and contralateral leg. For the whole-session responses, the average of 10 consecutive strides during the baseline trial and all perturbed strides from the perturbed running trial were compared. To assess within-session adaptation, the first perturbation was compared to the average of the last three perturbations. Data were analysed with one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping of Paired t-tests to assess responses and adaptations to the perturbations (P

Abstract In vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) applications, a voltage source inverter (VSI) directly connects to a residential load or grid for DC/AC conversion and power flow control. In VSI, dead‐time is employed to prevent the breakdown of switching devices, however, the introduction of dead‐time leads to distortions of output voltage and current in both stand‐alone and grid‐tie modes. For the case of a power factor of 1, by analyzing the dead‐time effect of digital‐controlled double‐frequency sinusoidal pulse width modulation, a compensation amount is proposed to introduce in the modulation signals, the value of which is half of the delay register that generates a dead‐time of td. Moreover, considering the phase delay caused by hardware and software filtering in sampling, the grid‐tie mode control strategy based on dead‐time compensation is further proposed, which introduces the grid voltage as a feedforward signal. A 3.5 kW V2G experimental prototype is built and tested to verify the feasibility of the proposed strategies. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed methods are effective for both modes, which improve the output distortion for different dead‐time without additional hardware circuits.

Vision includes looking and seeing. Looking, mainly via gaze shifts, selects a fraction of visual input information for passage through the brain’s information bottleneck. The selected input is placed within the attentional spotlight, typically in the central visual field. Seeing decodes, i.e., recognizes and discriminates, the selected inputs. Hence, peripheral vision should be mainly devoted to looking, in particular, deciding where to shift the gaze. Looking is often guided exogenously by a saliency map created by the primary visual cortex (V1), and can be effective with no seeing and limited awareness. In seeing, peripheral vision not only suffers from poor spatial resolution, but is also subject to crowding and is more vulnerable to illusions by misleading, ambiguous, and impoverished visual inputs. Central vision, mainly for seeing, enjoys the top-down feedback that aids seeing in light of the bottleneck which is hypothesized to starts from V1 to higher areas. This feedback queries for additional information from lower visual cortical areas such as V1 for ongoing recognition. Peripheral vision is deficient in this feedback according to the Central-peripheral Dichotomy (CPD) theory. The saccades engendered by peripheral vision allows looking to combine with seeing to give human observers the impression of seeing the whole scene clearly despite inattentional blindness.

Background: The sense of touch plays a crucial role in interactive behavior within virtual spaces, particularly when visual attention is absent. Although haptic feedback has been widely used to compensate for the lack of visual cues, the use of tactile information as a predictive feedforward cue to guide hand movements remains unexplored and lacks theoretical understanding. Methods: This study introduces a fingertip aero-haptic rendering method to investigate its effectiveness in directing hand movements during eyes-free spatial interactions. The wearable device incorporates a multichannel micro-airflow chamber to deliver adjustable tactile effects on the fingertips. Results: The first study verified that tactile directional feedforward cues significantly improve user capabilities in eyes-free target acquisition and that users rely heavily on haptic indications rather than spatial memory to control their hands. A subsequent study examined the impact of enriched tactile feedforward cues on assisting users in determining precise target positions during eyes-free interactions, and assessed the required learning efforts. Conclusions: The haptic feedforward effect holds great practical promise in eyeless design for virtual reality. We aim to integrate cognitive models and tactile feedforward cues in the future, and apply richer tactile feedforward information to alleviate users' perceptual deficiencies.

Abstract Background Feedback processes are crucial for learning, guiding improvement, and enhancing performance. In workplace-based learning settings, diverse teaching and assessment activities are advocated to be designed and implemented, generating feedback that students use, with proper guidance, to close the gap between current and desired performance levels. Since productive feedback processes rely on observed information regarding a student's performance, it is imperative to establish structured feedback activities within undergraduate workplace-based learning settings. However, these settings are characterized by their unpredictable nature, which can either promote learning or present challenges in offering structured learning opportunities for students. This scoping review maps literature on how feedback processes are organised in undergraduate clinical workplace-based learning settings, providing insight into the design and use of feedback. Methods A scoping review was conducted. Studies were identified from seven databases and ten relevant journals in medical education. The screening process was performed independently in duplicate with the support of the StArt program. Data were organized in a data chart and analyzed using thematic analysis. The feedback loop with a sociocultural perspective was used as a theoretical framework. Results The search yielded 4,877 papers, and 61 were included in the review. Two themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: (1) The organization of the feedback processes in workplace-based learning settings, and (2) Sociocultural factors influencing the organization of feedback processes. The literature describes multiple teaching and assessment activities that generate feedback information. Most papers described experiences and perceptions of diverse teaching and assessment feedback activities. Few studies described how feedback processes improve performance. Sociocultural factors such as establishing a feedback culture, enabling stable and trustworthy relationships, and enhancing student feedback agency are crucial for productive feedback processes. Conclusions This review identified concrete ideas regarding how feedback could be organized within the clinical workplace to promote feedback processes. The feedback encounter should be organized to allow follow-up of the feedback, i.e., working on required learning and performance goals at the next occasion. The educational programs should design feedback processes by appropriately planning subsequent tasks and activities. More insight is needed in designing a full-loop feedback process, in which specific attention is needed in effective feedforward practices.

Therapeutic interventions for individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) are recommended to improve muscle strength, postural control, and range of motion. However, their effects on neuromechanics during a drop landing remain unclear. In addition, even though therapeutic interventions with stroboscopic glasses appear to effectively improve postural control, how they affect landing neuromechanics remains unclear. To identify the effect of balance training with stroboscopic glasses on neuromechanics during a single-legged drop landing in patients with CAI. Randomized controlled clinical trial. Laboratory. A total of 50 participants with CAI were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: strobe (n = 25; age = 22 ± 3 years, height = 174.7 ± 8.2 cm, mass = 71.8 ± 12.2 kg) or control (n = 25; age = 21 ± 2 years, height = 173.1 ± 8.3 cm, mass = 71.1 ± 13.5 kg). The 4-week rehabilitation (3 sessions per week) included hop-based tasks and single-legged stance. The strobe group wore stroboscopic glasses during the training, whereas the control group did not. Ankle-, knee-, and hip-joint kinematics and 4 lower extremity muscle activations 150 milliseconds before and after initial contact during a single-legged drop landing in the 2 groups. The strobe group showed greater eversion (from 150 milliseconds before to 30 milliseconds after initial contact) and dorsiflexion (from 30 to 96 milliseconds after initial contact) angles and peroneal longus (from 35 milliseconds before to 5 milliseconds after initial contact) and tibialis anterior (from 0 to 120 milliseconds after initial contact) activation in the posttest than the pretest. Patients with CAI who underwent a 4-week rehabilitation with stroboscopic glasses demonstrated changes in neuromechanics, including increased ankle-dorsiflexion and -eversion angles and tibialis anterior and peroneus longus activation, during a single-legged drop landing. This finding suggests that use of stroboscopic glasses during rehabilitation could help patients with CAI develop safe landing mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) applications, a voltage source inverter (VSI) directly connects to a residential load or grid for DC/AC conversion and power flow control. In VSI, dead‐time is employed to prevent the breakdown of switching devices, however, the introduction of dead‐time leads to distortions of output voltage and current in both stand‐alone and grid‐tie modes. For the case of a power factor of 1, by analyzing the dead‐time effect of digital‐controlled double‐frequency sinusoidal pulse width modulation, a compensation amount is proposed to introduce in the modulation signals, the value of which is half of the delay register that generates a dead‐time of td. Moreover, considering the phase delay caused by hardware and software filtering in sampling, the grid‐tie mode control strategy based on dead‐time compensation is further proposed, which introduces the grid voltage as a feedforward signal. A 3.5 kW V2G experimental prototype is built and tested to verify the feasibility of the proposed strategies. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed methods are effective for both modes, which improve the output distortion for different dead‐time without additional hardware circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable and innovative programs to support students in their transition to university and improve student progress rates and retention are in high demand and short supply. An institution-wide model was established for an online Embedded Tutor Program. The program supports commencing undergraduate students and is sustainable post-pandemic. Tutors with unit-specific knowledge were embedded in 98 first-year unit offerings across the university in 2022. Tutors met with students via Zoom to provide feedforward on a written assessment. Of the 1080 students who met with a tutor, assessment marks were on average 8% higher and cumulative unit marks were 15% higher, and the one-on-one tutor support improved students' perceived confidence, overall learning and satisfaction. The Embedded Tutor Program had positive outcomes for all participants; however, students with multiple equity factors benefited the most from the support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Feedback processes are crucial for learning, guiding improvement, and enhancing performance. In workplace-based learning settings, diverse teaching and assessment activities are advocated to be designed and implemented, generating feedback that students use, with proper guidance, to close the gap between current and desired performance levels. Since productive feedback processes rely on observed information regarding a student's performance, it is imperative to establish structured feedback activities within undergraduate workplace-based learning settings. However, these settings are characterized by their unpredictable nature, which can either promote learning or present challenges in offering structured learning opportunities for students. This scoping review maps literature on how feedback processes are organised in undergraduate clinical workplace-based learning settings, providing insight into the design and use of feedback. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. Studies were identified from seven databases and ten relevant journals in medical education. The screening process was performed independently in duplicate with the support of the StArt program. Data were organized in a data chart and analyzed using thematic analysis. The feedback loop with a sociocultural perspective was used as a theoretical framework. Results: The search yielded 4,877 papers, and 61 were included in the review. Two themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: (1) The organization of the feedback processes in workplace-based learning settings, and (2) Sociocultural factors influencing the organization of feedback processes. The literature describes multiple teaching and assessment activities that generate feedback information. Most papers described experiences and perceptions of diverse teaching and assessment feedback activities. Few studies described how feedback processes improve performance. Sociocultural factors such as establishing a feedback culture, enabling stable and trustworthy relationships, and enhancing student feedback agency are crucial for productive feedback processes. Conclusions: This review identified concrete ideas regarding how feedback could be organized within the clinical workplace to promote feedback processes. The feedback encounter should be organized to allow follow-up of the feedback, i.e., working on required learning and performance goals at the next occasion. The educational programs should design feedback processes by appropriately planning subsequent tasks and activities. More insight is needed in designing a full-loop feedback process, in which specific attention is needed in effective feedforward practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rapid manual aiming, traditional wisdom would have it that two components manifest from feedback-based processes, where error accumulated within the primary submovement can be corrected within the secondary submovement courtesy of online sensory feedback. In some aiming contexts, there are more type 1 submovements (overshooting) compared to types 2 and 3 submovements (undershooting), particularly for more rapid movements. These particular submovements have also been attributed to a mechanical artefact involving movement termination and stabilisation. Hence, the goal of our study was to more closely examine the function of type 1 submovements by revisiting some of our previous datasets. We categorised these submovements according to whether the secondary submovement moved the limb closer (functional), or not (non-functional), to the target. Overall, there were both functional and non-functional submovements with a significantly higher proportion for the former. The displacement at the primary and secondary submovements, and negative velocity peak were significantly greater in the functional compared to non-functional. The influence of submovement type on other movement characteristics, including movement time, was somewhat less clear. These findings indicate that the majority of type 1 submovements are related to intended feedforward- and/or feedback-based processes, although there are a portion that can be attributed an indirect manifestation of a mechanical artefact. As a result, we suggest that submovements should be further categorised by their error-reducing function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vision includes looking and seeing. Looking, mainly via gaze shifts, selects a fraction of visual input information for passage through the brain's information bottleneck. The selected input is placed within the attentional spotlight, typically in the central visual field. Seeing decodes, i.e., recognizes and discriminates, the selected inputs. Hence, peripheral vision should be mainly devoted to looking, in particular, deciding where to shift the gaze. Looking is often guided exogenously by a saliency map created by the primary visual cortex (V1), and can be effective with no seeing and limited awareness. In seeing, peripheral vision not only suffers from poor spatial resolution, but is also subject to crowding and is more vulnerable to illusions by misleading, ambiguous, and impoverished visual inputs. Central vision, mainly for seeing, enjoys the top-down feedback that aids seeing in light of the bottleneck which is hypothesized to starts from V1 to higher areas. This feedback queries for additional information from lower visual cortical areas such as V1 for ongoing recognition. Peripheral vision is deficient in this feedback according to the Central-peripheral Dichotomy (CPD) theory. The saccades engendered by peripheral vision allows looking to combine with seeing to give human observers the impression of seeing the whole scene clearly despite inattentional blindness. • An attentional bottleneck entails primate vision to be mainly looking and seeing. • Looking and seeing are specialities of peripheral and central vision, respectively. • Looking can be strongly guided by visual features that animals cannot see. • Peripheral vision is deficient in the top-down feedback that aids seeing. • Therefore, peripheral vision is vulnerable to crowding and illusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The learning process can be conceptualized as a dynamic system constantly evolving and adapting in response to a variety of stimuli and inputs. This paper presents a novel approach to competency-based assessment that integrates a dynamic assignment design of personalized activities with the aid of a 3D matrix array structure. This structure, named Topic, Activity, and Competency (TAC) cuboid, provides a detailed view of the student's progress, enabling the design of tailored curricular strategies to facilitate the development of competencies. Personalized activities serve as control inputs that adapt to each learner's state, driving a feedforward that promotes proactive improvement. An automation process becomes necessary to cope with the increased data volume from the TAC cuboid and the information complexity. The concept model registers TAC cuboid information, enabling a dynamic analysis to forward an adequate workload when required to facilitate students' achievement of their expected mathematical competencies. Additionally, the paper discusses the initial application of these models in an educational role-playing game, demonstrating their effectiveness in a gamified learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning regulations determine a substantial part of buildings, but their constraints are usually not included in the setup of a BIM model or used explicitly for design guidance, but only tested in compliance checks once a model has been made. This is symptomatic of wider tendencies and ingrained biases that emphasize tacit knowledge and assume that information in a project starts from scratch—an assumption that runs contrary to predesign information ordering practices, as well as to the findings of creativity studies. In terms of process control, it negates important possibilities for feedforward. The paper proposes that BIM and design computerization, in general, should avoid the generate-and-test view of design, the view of design knowledge as tacit, and the adherence to analogue workflows, but develop, instead, approaches and workflows that keep information explicit and utilize it to frame design problems. To demonstrate this, we describe an exercise in which the expectation that the geometric representation of planning regulations returns permissible building envelopes was tested on the basis of a large number of cases produced by students who each collected planning regulations for a particular plot of land in the Netherlands and modelled their constraints in BIM, using a workflow that can be accommodated within the scope of predesign information gathering in any project. The results confirm that, for a large part of Dutch housing, the representation of planning regulations in BIM returns the permissible building envelope, and, so, forms a clear frame for subsequent design actions. They also suggest that including such information in the setup of a model is constructive and feasible, even for novices, and produces a bandwidth view of project information that integrates pre-existing information in a BIM workflow through feedforward. By extension, they also indicate a potential for a closer relation between analysis and synthesis in BIM, characterized by transparency and simultaneity, as well as the thorough understanding of problem constraints required for both efficiency and creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Based on the principle of weight superposition, a modified Madelung model is proposed. By combining the signal delay response characteristics (SDRC), a dynamic model and its inverse model are established to describe and compensate for the rate‐dependent hysteresis phenomenon of the piezoelectric actuators (PEAs). The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by experiments, and the results show that the hysteresis nonlinearity of the PEA is basically eliminated, with the normalized root‐mean‐square error of 0.64% under the excitation of multi‐frequency superposition signal.

Abstract A new approach based on the hysteresis current controller to obtain a constant switching frequency is proposed. This method generates an adaptive stair‐band by tracking changes in the reference current and accounting for the number of converter voltage levels. To achieve this, the maximum and minimum values of the fixed‐band switching frequency of the conventional hysteresis and their correspondence with the reference current were first determined. The proposed approach solves the problem of the variable frequency of the conventional hysteresis controller while retaining its simplicity. It also eliminates the need for intensive online adaptive band calculations, while preserving its efficiency. Furthermore, it can be applied to multi‐level converter topologies, where using a hysteresis controller has historically been challenging. To validate the proposed method, it was applied to the unified power flow controller (UPFC) with a three‐level neutral‐point clamped converter topology that connects two high‐voltage power networks in Cameroon. Simulations conducted in SIMULINK showed quasi‐constant switching frequency and accurate tracking of reference currents in both the shunt and series converters of the UPFC. This innovative approach offers an alternative solution for integrating intermittent energy sources, enhancing the UPFC's dynamic capabilities in managing diverse energy sources.

The actuator controller is the key component of the active vibration control system. With the rapid development of microelectronics and power electronics in recent years, the control type actuator controller technology based on high-frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal has become a research hotspot. At present, the actuator controller generally adopts the classic PID as the control strategy, but this classic PID control strategy is more suitable for controlling fixed loads and has poor real-time performance for dynamic load control.In response to this issue, this article improves the design of the control algorithm and proposes an actuator controller based on frequency feedforward parameter compensation PID control strategy. This strategy improves the real-time and dynamic load response capabilities of the control, with good current waveform following and low distortion. It can effectively improve and enhance the control effect, providing new ideas for the design of subsequent actuator controllers.

DC-DC buck converters in automotive and aerospace applications are often required to handle large disturbances in their input supply and abrupt variations in their loads. This paper proposes a systematic method to combine input-voltage feedforward (IVFF) and voltage-mode feedback (VFB) controllers, aiming to enhance the closed-loop performance of these DC-DC converters. This method relies on the stability boundary locus approach to help select the proper control parameters that achieve strong dynamic stability across the full operating range regardless of practical implementation challenges. Also, an optimization approach is employed to minimize the passive components’ area within the compensator, achieving a 79% reduction in integration size compared to conventional designs. The controller was fabricated in a 0.35- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology, occupying a core area of 0.438 mm2. The prototype chip was experimentally tested to regulate a buck converter that leverages an e-GaN half-bridge while operating at 1 MHz. Measurement results show a remarkable closed-loop performance against line and load variations, reaching up to ±80 V/ms and ±535 mA per 150 $\mu \text{s}$ , respectively. The output remains stable, showcasing very small ( $ < 100\mu \text{s}$ ) with small overshoots (

Based on the principle of weight superposition, a modified Madelung model is proposed. By combining the signal delay response characteristics (SDRC), a dynamic model and its inverse model are established to describe and compensate for the rate‐dependent hysteresis phenomenon of the piezoelectric actuators (PEAs). The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by experiments, and the results show that the hysteresis nonlinearity of the PEA is basically eliminated, with the normalized root‐mean‐square error of 0.64% under the excitation of multi‐frequency superposition signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a prototype was developed for the effective utilisation of a domestic solar power plant. The basic idea is to switch on certain electrical appliances when the surplus of generated energy is predicted one hour in advance, for example, switching on a pump motor for watering a garden. This prediction is important because some devices (motors) wear out if they are switched on and off too frequently. If a solar power plant generates more energy than a household can consume, the surplus energy is fed into the main grid for storage. If a household has an energy shortage, the same energy is bought back at a higher price. In this study, data were collected from solar inverters, historical weather APIs and smart energy meters. This study describes the data preparation process and feature engineering that will later be used to create forecasting models. This study consists of two forecasting models: solar energy generation and household electricity consumption. Both types of model were tested using Facebook Prophet and different neural network architectures: feedforward, long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) networks. In addition, a baseline model was developed to compare the prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data-intensive research paradigm calls for using educational and learning data to generate actionable insights and improve the instruction and learning quality. Although previous research designed and employed teaching analytics or learning analytics tools, few research had incorporated multiple data sources to assess the overall teaching and learning processes comprehensively. To address this gap, we proposed a teaching and learning analytics (TLA) tool that integrated multiple data sources from the instructor and students during educational process, leveraged multiple analytic methods to visualize results and provide supportive feedforward, with the goal to provide data-driven evidence for educational improvement. Mixed methods were conducted from quantitative and qualitative ways to examine the tool's effects on actual instruction and learning processes. Our results showed that the designed TLA tool with feedforward suggestions had positive effects on instruction, learning, and instructor-student interactions. Based on the results, this research proposed implications for TLA tool design and pedagogical strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the effect of feedback (FB) and feedforward (FF) in prosody instruction for developing listening comprehension skills in the nonnative language by interpreter trainees, using a pretest–posttest–delayed posttest design. Three groups of 25 interpreter trainees at Bu‐Ali Sina University in Iran took part in the study, all groups receiving the same amount of instruction (10 h over 5 weeks). The control group listened to/viewed authentic audio recordings and movies in English, discussed their contents, and completed a variety of listening comprehension tasks but received no prosody instruction. The first experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation of, and practical exercises with, English prosody by an instructor by providing FB when teaching prosody while the second experimental group was provided FF when teaching prosody. Versions of Longman's Test of English as a Foreign Language English proficiency test (paper‐based) were used to assess listening comprehension at pretest, immediate posttest and delayed posttest. The findings revealed that the prosody instruction by providing FB enhanced the listening comprehension skills of the interpreter trainees more than by providing FF. The practical implications of the study would be that in the given circumstances where only limited curricular time is available for instruction and practice, a judicious choice can be made to lend priority to providing FB in prosody instruction for developing listening comprehension skills by interpreter trainees rather than to the providing FF. The Challenge: Few studies have examined the extent to which targeted instruction may help L2 students to take advantage of the subtle meanings communicated through prosodic features. The present study shows that prosody instruction by providing feedback enhances the listening comprehension skills of the interpreter trainees more than by providing feedforward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the dynamics of networks in which a central pattern generator (CPG) transmits signals along one or more feedforward chains in a synchronous or phase-synchronous manner. Such propagating signals are common in biology, especially in locomotion and peristalsis, and are of interest for continuum robots. We construct such networks as feedforward lifts of the CPG. If the CPG dynamics is periodic, so is the lifted dynamics. Synchrony with the CPG manifests as a standing wave, and a regular phase pattern creates a traveling wave. We discuss Liapunov, asymptotic, and Floquet stability of the lifted periodic orbit and introduce transverse versions of these conditions that imply stability for signals propagating along arbitrarily long chains. We compare these notions to a simpler condition, transverse stability of the synchrony subspace, which is equivalent to Floquet stability when nodes are 1 dimensional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zona Próxima is the property of Fundacion Universidad del Norte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study explored and analyzed student perceptions of feedback for deeper learning in an online graduate program at a regionally accredited institution in the southeastern United States. Forty-one graduate students participated in an online survey with the purpose of examining students' preferences for feedback, the most helpful types of feedback received, and whether feedback was effective enough to deepen learning. Related literature explored the theoretical foundations for providing quality feedback, optimal conditions for giving feedback, which types of feedback helped students take ownership of learning, and feedback that encouraged feed- forward. Open-ended, in-depth interviews explored effectiveness of feedback related to ownership of learning and deepening of learning. Findings revealed students desired feedback that helped them align course learning outcomes with personal goals enabling them to take ownership of their learning. Students also indicated the conditions in which feedback is given does matter, with clarity of feedback being most significant in helping students engage with and use their feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterflooding is one of the most frequently used EOR methods to increase oil recovery because it can increase 30% -60% of total production. It is necessary to apply a production system performance prediction approach to minimize uncertainty in increasing production figures, such as analytical methods and numerical methods. Artificial Intelligence in the world of oil and gas is not a new thing, but it has often been used in various fields such as exploration, drilling, production, and reservoirs. So this is the basis for the prediction of the success of waterflooding research carried out. The purpose of this research was to predict the success rate of waterflooding using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The method used in this study is the simulation research method using CMG Imex for reservoir simulation modeling, running CMG CMOST for 500 sensitivity data with the input of seven parameters of compressibility, horizontal permeability, vertical permeability, pressure injection, injection rate, thickness, oil saturation, and the output is recovery factor using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with a ratio of 70% of the RF calculation model results for training and 30% model results for testing. In order to get optimal prediction results, trial, and error were carried out on the number of hidden layer nodes, so that optimal and stable hidden layer nodes were obtained at node 10 with RMSE values of 0.339035 for training and 0.442663 for testing and MAPE for training 1.15% and 1.62% for testing. The statistical analysis value is 0.906139 for training and 0.899525 for testing data. It can be concluded from this study that the use of ANN in predictions using ten hidden layer nodes proved to be very good and successful, and predictions in this study were classified as High Accurate Prediction.

Exemplars are the graded responses to theory questions from previous examinations and are considered as means to guide students about what is valued by assessors; hence giving feed forward to students before the exam and developing self-regulated learning among students. The present study was undertaken to compare the effect on performance of students between intervention (didactic lecture and exemplar) and control group (didactic lecture). This study was an interventional study conducted among 256 students of a medical college in Rajasthan, India. Participants were randomized to either the control group A or to the interventional group B. Outcomes included a post intervention test evaluating the knowledge gained after the session and students 'attitudes about the same. A focus group discussion was conducted investigating the perceptions. The feedback from faculty was also taken. The mean post test score of intervention group was found to be 6.1 ± 1.74 and of the control group was 5.5 ± 1.6; significantly higher with p-value of 0.03. Out of 128 participants in group B, majority (n = 94,73%) believed that exemplars improve learning and created their interest in topic (n = 78, 60.9%). Most of students (66%) were of the opinion that exemplars should be regularly used with didactic lectures. Key themes identified from focus group were: advantages of the exemplars-based feedforward, challenges in implementation and ways to improve the method. Exemplars improved the performance of students. The faculty members and students agreed that they are an effective tool to enhance learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research suggests imagery is functionally equivalent to a weak form of visual perception. Here we report evidence across five independent experiments on adults that perception and imagery are supported by fundamentally different mechanisms: Whereas perceptual representations are largely formed via increases in excitatory activity, imagery representations are largely supported by modulating nonimagined content. We developed two behavioral techniques that allowed us to first put the visual system into a state of adaptation and then probe the additivity of perception and imagery. If imagery drives similar excitatory visual activity to perception, pairing imagery with perceptual adapters should increase the state of adaptation. Whereas pairing weak perception with adapters increased measures of adaptation, pairing imagery reversed their effects. Further experiments demonstrated that these nonadditive effects were due to imagery weakening representations of nonimagined content. Together these data provide empirical evidence that the brain uses categorically different mechanisms to represent imagery and perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High speed machines such as laser cutting machines should realize movements with high accelerations. Dynamical limitations of the feed drives are typically related to the bandwidth of the control loops and the excitation of mechanical structure. The objective of this article is to analyze the effect of feedforward control techniques on the individual axes tracking performance. Feed drive simulation model of increasing complexity is developed and valid relations between tracking performance and applied feedforward techniques are described. Consequently, this paper offers contribution in terms of feedforwards tuning, modelling and determination of achievable improvements and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate evaporation estimation is crucial for managing hydrologic, hydraulic, and agricultural systems, among many other applications of water resources. Empirical formulae for estimating evaporation exist, but their performance is not always sufficient due to the intricacy of the process and its nonlinear connection with other elements of the hydrological cycle. For this reason, a model of artificial neural networks was developed to estimate the daily potential evaporation in the southern Iraqi city of Basrah. A feedforward backpropagation (BP) network with a single hidden layer has been used to construct the mode. Different networks with various neuron counts were assessed. The developed models have been trained, tested, and validated using daily observations of the average rainfall, wind speed, average temperature, average relative humidity, and evaporation. The final evaporation was predicted using an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The proposed model was found to be more suitable to describe evaporation in any region of the world based on the values of the error analysis and the coefficient of determination, according to the ANN model. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LMA) was determined to have the lowest mean-squared error (MSE) and highest value of the coefficient of correlation (R) of the six proposed BP algorithms. The LMA’s hidden layer’s ideal neuron count was 30 neurons, with an MSE of 0.00288 and R 2 = 99. As a result, ANN displayed excellent performance in terms of evaporation prediction value. The study’s findings highlight the significance of predicting evaporation as the main metric for evaluating the effects of climate change on water resources.

Background: Repetitive experiences of certain stresses evoke feedforward cardiovascular responses via central command (CC)--central signals from the higher brain. However, it is unclear whether the anticipatory cardiovascular responses before pain stimulation occur after repetitive pain experiences and how nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation (N2O), a sedative widely used in dentistry, affects the responses. We tested the hypothesis that the repetitive cold pressor test (CPT) alters the anticipatory cardiovascular responses, which are attenuated by N2O. Materials and methods: Beat-to-beat systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and finger arterial stiffness (β-stiffness) were measured during the 5-min rest, 30-s countdown (CD) before CPT, 2-min CPT, and 3-min recovery (CPT[1st]) in 15 young adults [age, 28 ± 4 years]. The same protocols were repeated randomly with the second CPT (CPT + CC) or placebo test (PLCB + CC). Results: SBP and DBP increased from baseline in CPT[1st] and CPT + CC under room air (RA) and 40 % N2O, while SBP was lower under N2O than under RA in CPT[1st]. HR in CPT[1st] was lower under N2O than under RA. The change (Δ) in HR was smaller during CPT[1st] than during CPT + CC under N2O, and a similar trend was observed under RA. ΔSBP by CD was lower under N2O than under RA in CPT[1st] but not in CPT + CC. HR increased with CD in CPT + CC but not in CPT[1st] under both RA and N2O. β-stiffness increased by CD regardless of the pain experience, while it was lower under N2O. Conclusion: Repetitive pain experiences induce a feedforward HR increase. 40 % N2O decreases vascular stiffness, which may attenuate the anticipatory pressor response only when the feedforward HR increase does not exist.

In this study, we examine two student characteristics (goal orientation and feedback orientation) that might predispose students to use and benefit from two different types of feedback. Students receiving future-oriented feedback exhibited significantly greater improvement in their quiz scores compared to students receiving past-oriented feedback, although the degree was a function of both student goal and feedback orientation. Specifically, high learning-goal-orientation students had greater performance improvement when they received future-oriented feedback while high performance-proveorientation students had greater improvement when they received past-oriented feedback. Students with a high active-feedback-seeking orientation improved more than other students, and students with a high passive-feedback-seeking orientation improved less when they received future-oriented feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Computer Measurement & Control is the property of Magazine Agency of Computer Measurement & Control and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Waterflooding is one of the most frequently used Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods to increase oil recovery because it can increase 30% -60% of total production. It is necessary to apply a production system performance prediction approach to minimize uncertainty in increasing production figures, such as analytical and numerical methods. Artificial Intelligence in oil and gas is not new, but it has often been used in various fields such as exploration, drilling, production, and reservoirs. This is the basis for the Prediction of the success of waterflooding research carried out. This research aimed to predict the success rate of waterflooding using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The method used in this study is the simulation research method using CMG Imex for reservoir simulation modeling, running CMG CMOST for 500 sensitivity data with the input of seven parameters of compressibility, horizontal permeability, vertical permeability, pressure injection, injection rate, thickness, oil saturation, and the output is recovery factor using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with a ratio of 70% of calculation model results for training and 30% model results for testing. In order to get optimal prediction results, trial, and error were carried out on the number of hidden layer nodes so that optimal and stable hidden layer nodes were obtained at node 10 with RMSE values of 0.339035 for training and 0.442663 for testing and MAPE for training 1.15% and 1.62% for testing. The statistical analysis value is 0.906139 for training and 0.899525 for testing data. It can be concluded from this study that the use of ANN in predictions using ten hidden layer nodes proved to be very good and successful, and predictions in this study were classified as highly accurate Predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]