Research on Interactive Device Ergonomics Designed for Elderly Users in the Human-Computer Interaction

Xiaolei Zhou,Wei Shen 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.10 No.2

In the era of aging society in China, focusing on the issue that it is difficult for elderly people to operate a variety of computing devices with the physiological and psychological changes brought by the aging, a research for ergonomics of interactive devices was put forward for elderly user groups. The research studied the performance of elderly people using the mouse, stylus and touchscreen to perform two-dimensional pointing tasks, compared with younger people, in the computer user interface by controlled experiments, measured the movement time and hit accuracy, and also investigated the subjective experience when they used the three input devices for completing two-dimensional pointing tasks. Experimental data analysis showed that elderly people spend more time than younger people to complete the pointing tasks with any of the three input devices, Fitts' law still hold when the elderly people used mouse, stylus and touchscreen to perform the two-dimensional pointing tasks, and the use of touchscreen can achieve higher performance with the target size should not less than 80 pixels (about 11.2 mm) for both elderly and younger people. Elderly people can benefit more from the touchscreen than younger people.

Robust Backup Path Selection in Overlay Routing with Bloom Filters

( Xiaolei Zhou ),( Deke Guo ),( Tao Chen ),( Xueshan Luo ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2013 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.7 No.8

Routing overlay offers an ideal methodology to improve the end-to-end communication performance by deriving a backup path for any node pair. This paper focuses on a challenging issue of selecting a proper backup path to bypass the failures on the default path with high probability for any node pair. For existing backup path selection approaches, our trace-driven evaluation results demonstrate that the backup and default paths for any node pair overlap with high probability and hence usually fail simultaneously. Consequently, such approaches fail to derive a robust backup path that can take over in the presence of failure on the default path. In this paper, we propose a three-phase RBPS approach to identify a proper and robust backup path. It utilizes the traceroute probing approach to obtain the fine-grained topology information, and systematically employs the grid quorum system and the Bloom filter to reduce the resulting communication overhead. Two criteria, delay and fault-tolerant ability on average, of the backup path are proposed to evaluate the performance of our RBPS approach. Extensive trace-driven evaluations show that the fault-tolerant ability of the backup path can be improved by about 60%, while the delay gain ratio concentrated at 14% after replacing existing approaches with ours. Consequently, our approach can derive a more robust and available backup path for any node pair than existing approaches. This is more important than finding a backup path with the lowest delay compared to the default path for any node pair.

Exercise-induced FNDC5/irisin protects nucleus pulposus cells against senescence and apoptosis by activating autophagy

Zhou Wenxian,Shi Yifeng,Wang Hui,Chen Linjie,Yu Caiyu,Zhang Xufei,Yang Lei,Zhang Xiaolei,Wu Aimin 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of low back pain (LBP), and excessive senescence and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells are major pathological changes in IVDD. Physical exercise could effectively delay the process of intervertebral disc degeneration; however, its mechanism is still largely unknown. Irisin is an exercise-induced myokine released upon cleavage of the membrane-bound precursor protein fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), and its levels increase after physical exercise. Here, we show that after physical exercise, FNDC5/irisin levels increase in the circulation and NP, senescence and apoptosis are reduced, autophagy is activated in NP tissue, and the progression of IVDD is delayed. Conversely, after knocking out FNDC5, the benefits of physical exercise are compromised. Moreover, the overexpression of FNDC5 in NP tissue effectively alleviated the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) in rats. By showing that FNDC5/irisin is an important mediator of the beneficial effects of physical exercise in the IVDD model, the study proposes FNDC5/irisin as a novel agent capable of activating autophagy and protecting NP from senescence and apoptosis.

Regional Homogeneity Brain Alterations in Schizophrenia: An Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis

Xiaolei Qiu,Wenwen Xu,Rongrong Zhang,Wei Yan,Wenying Ma,Shiping Xie,Min Zhou 대한신경정신의학회 2021 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.18 No.8

Objective Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) provides a lot of evidence for local abnormal brain activity in schizophrenia, but the results are not consistent. Our aim is to find out the consistent abnormal brain regions of the patients with schizophrenia by using regional homogeneity (ReHo), and indirectly understand the degree of brain damage of the patients with drug-naive first episode schizophrenia (Dn-FES) and chronic schizophrenia. Methods We performed the experiment by activation likelihood estimation (ALE) software to analysis the differences between people with schizophrenia group (all schizophrenia group and chronic schizophrenia group) and healthy controls. Results Thirteen functional imaging studies were included in quantitative meta-analysis. All schizophrenia group showed decreased ReHo in bilateral precentral gyrus (PreCG) and left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), and increased ReHo in bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and right insula. Chronic schizophrenia group showed decreased ReHo in bilateral MOG, right fusiform gyrus, left PreCG, left cerebellum, right precuneus, left medial frontal gyrus and left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). No significant increased brain areas were found in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Conclusion Our findings suggest that patients with chronic schizophrenia have more extensive brain damage than FES, which may contribute to our understanding of the progressive pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Conceptual configuration and seismic performance of high-rise steel braced frame

Shengfang Qiao,Xiaolei Han,Kemin Zhou,Weichen Li 국제구조공학회 2017 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.23 No.2

Conceptual configuration and seismic performance of high-rise steel frame-brace structure are studied. First, the topology optimization problem of minimum volume based on truss-like material model under earthquake action is presented, which is solved by full-stress method. Further, conceptual configurations of 20-storey and 40-storey steel frame-brace structure are formed. Next, the 40-storeystructure model is developed in Opensees. Two common configurations are utilized for comparison. Last, seismic performance of 40-storey structure is derived using nonlinear static analysis and nonlinear dynamic analysis. Results indicate that structural lateral stiffness and maximum roof displacement can be improved using brace. Meanwhile seismic damage can also be decreased. Moreover, frame-brace structure using topology optimization is most favorable to enhance lateral stiffness and mitigate seismic damage. Thus, topology optimization is an available way to form initial conceptual configuration in high-rise steel frame-brace structure.

Thermal deformation prediction for spindle system of machining center based on multi-source heterogeneous information fusion

Yushen Chen,Xiaolei Deng,Xiaoliang Lin,Shupeng Guo,Shaofei Jiang,Jianqiang Zhou 대한기계학회 2023 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.37 No.8

In order to predict the thermal deformation of CNC machine tool spindle system more accurately, a method based on multi-source heterogeneous information fusion is proposed. Aiming at the problem that it is difficult to obtain the global information of thermal deformation with a single type of information source, the effective prediction of thermal deformation of spindle system in machining center is realized under the fusion of temperature and vibration signals. First, the combined denoising method of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and wavelet threshold is used to preprocess the vibration data. Then, the time-domain, frequencydomain, and time-frequency features of vibration signals are extracted, and the feature dimension is reduced based on correlation analysis and kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). After dimensionality reduction, the vibration data and temperature information are fused in the eigenmatrix. The nonlinear prediction of thermal deformation is studied by support vector regression for grid search parameter optimization (GS-SVR) and support vector regression for particle swarm optimization (PSO-SVR) methods. In order to realize the information acquisition of multi-channel temperature, vibration, and verify the effectiveness of the prediction model in the case of information fusion, a specific machining center is taken as the research object and experiments are performed based on multi-channel and heterogeneous signal acquisition. Finally, the prediction results based on different information sources are compared and analyzed. The results show that the thermal deformation of the machine tool obtained by the multi-source heterogeneous information fusion method is consistent with the actual test results. As compared with the predicted performance using only temperature information, the mean square error (MSE) decreased by 0.1663 μm. Therefore, the temperature - vibration information fusion model has higher accuracy in terms of predicting the thermal deformation of the spindle system model.

Seismic analysis of steel structure with brace configuration using topology optimization

Shengfang Qiao,Kemin Zhou,Jing Ji,Xiaolei Han 국제구조공학회 2016 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.21 No.3

Seismic analysis for steel frame structure with brace configuration using topology optimization based on truss-like material model is studied. The initial design domain for topology optimization is determined according to original steel frame structure and filled with truss-like members. Hence the initial truss-like continuum is established. The densities and orientation of truss-like members at any point are taken as design variables in finite element analysis. The topology optimization problem of least-weight truss-like continuum with stress constraints is solved. The orientations and densities of members in truss-like continuum are optimized and updated by fully-stressed criterion in every iteration. The optimized truss-like continuum is founded after finite element analysis is finished. The optimal bracing system is established based on optimized truss-like continuum without numerical instability. Seismic performance for steel frame structures is derived using dynamic time-history analysis. A numerical example shows the advantage for frame structures with brace configuration using topology optimization in seismic performance.

Excellent microwave absorption of FeCo/ZnO composites with defects in ZnO for regulating the impedance matching

Bao, Xiukun,Wang, Xiaolei,Zhou, Xinao,Shi, Guimei,Xu, Ge,Yu, Jin,Guan, Yinyan,Zhang, Yajing,Li, Da,Choi, Chuijin Elsevier 2018 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.769 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>FeCo/ZnO composites have been successfully prepared through liquid-phase reduction process for the formation of FeCo polyhedrons and sequentially thermal decomposition of colloidal mixture of FeCo and Zn(Ac)<SUB>2</SUB>·2H<SUB>2</SUB>O under nitrogen atmospheres. ZnO nanoparticles are homogeneously deposited on the surface of FeCo polyhedrons and the level of oxygen-vacancy defects in ZnO can be elevated with the increase of ZnO content. By comparison with FeCo polyhedrons, FeCo/ZnO composites exhibit excellent microwave absorption. The optimal RL value can reach −34.8 dB at 14.8 GHz and effective bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) is 5.1 GHz in the frequency range of 12.4–17.5 GHz with a matching thickness of 1.5 mm. The integrated bandwidth with RL < −10 dB can reach 14.1 GHz covering 3.4–17.5 GHz. Theory analysis demonstrates the interfacial polarization, dipole polarization and high conductivity due to oxygen-vacancy defects in FeCo/ZnO composites contribute to enhancement of dielectric loss capacity, which is more favorable for impedance matching.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The preferable impedance matching of FeCo/ZnO composites can be achieved by regulating the ZnO content. </LI> <LI> The optimal reflection loss (RL) can reach −34.8 dB with a matching thickness of 1.5 mm. </LI> <LI> The effective bandwidth with RL < −10 dB achieve 14.1 GHz covering 3.4–17.5 GHz with integrated thickness of 1.5–5 mm. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Layout and Sizing Optimization of Discrete Truss Based on Continuum

Qinglong Wu,Qicai Zhou,Xiaolei Xiong,Richeng Zhang 한국강구조학회 2017 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.17 No.1

A new method combined continuum topology with discrete truss is proposed for truss optimization. The optimized material distribution is obtained by means of continuum topology optimization and then transformed into initial truss. Based on the element principal stress and 8-neighborhood elements of continuum, force flow path extraction method is presented to obtain the initial truss layout. For section size optimization, criterion is deduced from a mathematical model by Lagrange multiplier method. Leveraging the free-form nature of continuum, this method can avoid the restriction of traditional ground structure. And it can achieve a better solution with less mass, smaller deformation and more uniform stress.

Chronic ethanol feeding impairs AMPK and MEF2 expression and is associated with GLUT4 decrease in rat myocardium

LiYong Chen,Jing Zhou,JiaJun Zhao,FuRong Wang,XiangLan Sun,Ling Gao,YuLian Jiao,XiaoLei Hou,ChengYong Qin 생화학분자생물학회 2010 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.42 No.3

Chronic and heavy alcohol consumption is one of the causes of heart diseases. However, the effects of ethanol on insulin sensitivity in myocardium has been unclear. To investigate the effects of ethanol on the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), all of which are involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, in the myocardium, we performed three parts of experiments in vivo and in vitro. I: Rats were injected with 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR, 0.8 mg.kg-1) for 2 h. II:Rats received different dose (0.5, 2.5 or 5 g.kg-1.d-1) of ethanol for 22-week. III: Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and treated with or without 100 mM ethanol or 1 mM AICAR for 4 h. The cardiac protein and mRNA expression of AMPKα subunits, MEF2and GLUT4 were observed by western-blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Serum TNFα levels were assessed by ELISA. The results showed chronic ethanol exposure induced insulin resistance. Ethanol decreased the mRNA levels of AMPKα1 and α2, the protein levels of total- and phospho-AMPKα in cardiomyocytes. Similarly, ethanol showed inhibitory effects on both the mRNA and protein levels of MEF2A and 2D,and GLUT4 in a dose-response-like fashion. Correlation analysis implied an association between phospho-AMPKα and MEF2A or MEF2D, and between the levels of MEF2 protein and GLUT4 transcription. In addition,ethanol elevated serum TNFα level. Taken together,chronic ethanol exposure decreases the expression of AMPKα and MEF2, and is associated with GLUT4 decline in rat myocardium.